Community Building
On this page we have a list of Community Building Actions that have been sent to CFM USA done by members of our local action (parish) groups:
Celebrate Your Wedding
Kathy Maisonneuve from St. Lucy in St. Clair Shores, MI
In February, 2002, one of St. Lucy's CFM small group leaders, Chuck and
Theresa Kay orchestrated a "Celebrate Your Wedding" meeting. The Kayes live
on Harsens Island, Mich. and invited the couples in our small group. (St.
Lucy's has three groups this year) over for dinner and an evening of
reflection on our marriages. Besides a dish to pass for the pot luck
dinner, each couple was to bring pictures of their wedding memorabilia of
their courtship and wedding. The Observe questions included: Where did you
meet your mate? What drew you to your partner? How have the two of you
grown in love? How has God influenced your marriage? Everyone brought their
wedding albums, pictures, and memories to share. One couple even found
their wedding candle from 23 years ago which was lit throughout dinner and
well into the evening. Following the sharing was a small prayer service for
the group and all CFM marriages, The celebration ended with a candlelight
dance in the front room to music played from an old 78 rpm record on a
victrola. It was quite an experience. Each couple said that they grew
closer to their mate not only during the course of the evening, but also
through the gathering of materials for the celebration-looking through the
wedding albums and remembering their courtship.
Advent Potluck and Service
Linda McClure at Holy Trinity in Bloomington, IL
"We had an advent prayer service and potluck in late November. Our associate pastor came and blessed everyone's advent wreath."
Events for Men, Women and Children
Tom and Laura Toussaint, at Holy Family parish in Inverness, IL
Their group has developed community spirit through having special men's and women's events in addition to their regular meetings. They also had two meetings this year that included children. Tom wrote a meeting on prayer that is posted on the CFM website. He also adapted the meeting on prejudice in "Evidence of Faith" to include children.
Christmas Progressive Dinner
Terri Cameron of Assumption Parish in Woodridge, NJ
"We held a progressive dinner in December as a Christmas celebration, but it would make a great end of the year event also. Different families hosted the appetizer, main course and dessert portions of the dinner. Those families not hosting at their homes assisted the host families in the preparation of the food. Everyone had a great time. The kids particularly enjoyed moving from home to home for the next course of the meal. I would recommend this event to other groups."
CFM Trip to a Resort
Holy Family in Inverness, IL
Their CFM group has made arrangements to visit a resort in the Wisconsin Dells the weekend following Labor Day. This event will be a first for the group, but they anticipate it will help building up the community spirit among the members.
July 4 and Thanksgiving Parties
Mary Gifford of St. Augustine in Kendall Park, NJ
They have two standard social activities each year--a party on July 4 at Marlene and Joe Scanlon's house and a Thanksgiving banquet held the Sunday before the actual holiday.
Hike and Breakfast in the Woods
Gayle Wall of St Thomas More CFM group, Glendale AZ
The group held the annual CFM Hike and Breakfast at the Cave Creek Recreation Area on Feb 23rd. The group met at the Recreation Center and formed groups for three different hikes - one was a little over a mile, the other was about 2.5 miles and the third was over 4 miles. After completing the hikes, we all returned to the pavilion for fresh cooked omelets to order, fruit, muffins and juice. This is the third year we have done this hike/breakfast and everyone loves it! The hike/breakfast is a great opportunity for members of the four different CFM meeting groups to get together and socialize. We have a Social Committee and hold five social events each year." Over 96 CFM members participated. One participant was 84-year-old grandmother of one member who was visiting. She hiked almost three miles up and around the mountain trail! Member Cheryl Stuck adds, "The day was beautiful, the trails were great, but one of the best things about the day was the special-order omelette waiting after hiking the Overton Trail!!" "There is nothing like camp-stove cooked food out in God's awesome country shared in love and fellowship with our friends and family."
Various Family Social Events
Suze St. John at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Redondo Beach, CA
Sponsored a nature hike in Long Beach; an Easter egg hunt and BBQ at Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach.; Malaga Cove tide pool hike in Rancho Palos Verdes and camping trips are planned for the summer months in Ojai and Malibu.
Various Family Social Events
Gaye Wall from St. Thomas More parish, Glendale, AZ
"Since we have four separate CFM groups which are re-formed each year through a hat pull, our members look forward to frequent social events to get together and socialize with people that they no longer see at their formal CFM meetings." Last year our events included a hayride and picnic, a progressive dinner at Christmas time, a hike in the mountains with omelets to order for breakfast after the hike, a road rally and a camping trip."
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