CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST

The Singles for Christ

Pastoral Formation
Manual V.2011
Members Formation

Mike Serapio, MK Guano, Joy Katigbak

THE SINGLES FOR CHRIST

PASTORAL FORMATION TRACK
( U P D A TE D O C TO B E R 2 0 1 1 )

Pastoral formation is one of the most important aspects of our life in community. Being spiritually
nourished and formed according to Gods ways makes us true living witnesses of Christ and
empowers us to evangelize in both word and action.
After 18 years as a ministry, we put even greater emphasis on formation. Indeed we can say that
we are in SFC to be formed so that we can evangelize. The new Singles for Christ Pastoral
Formation track is the ministrys response to the need of SFC members to be molded in the ways of
the Lord and to continuously grow in their faith journey. It is an important element in achieving the
SFC vision of Every single man and woman all over the world experiencing Christ and in fulfilling
our mission of Building the Church of the Home and Building the Church of the Poor.
The SFC Pastoral Formation Track is one of our most important tools for bringing to reality SFCs
expanded vision:
Every single man and woman all over the world experiencing Christ

Singles for Christ is the next generation of Couples for Christ, empowered by the Holy
Spirit to journey and witness with single men and women in their discovery and pursuit
of vocations and the fullness of the mission towards building a Christ-centered society

WHATS NEW IN OUR PFO?

After 18 years, we in Singles for Christ LEVEL UP in our FORMATION.
Our new pastoral formation track aims to 1) deepen our knowledge and understanding of our
Catholic Faith and Christian living, 2) equip us to translate this knowledge and understanding into a
lifestyle, and 3) prepare us to influence and affect others to also take on this Christian lifestyle.
Our new Pastoral Formation track consists of:
1. Existing retreats and teachings that have been updated and modified to respond to the
needs of the times
2. New retreats and teachings that meet specific needs of a single person in the major areas
of his life

3. Formation weekends that make use of a Head and Heart Experience, i.e., we enrich the
mind to transform the heart; we equip with knowledge so that this translates to behaviors
that characterize the SFC culture and lifestyle.
a. Increased focus on knowing and understanding what our faith teaches us
b. More time for personal encounter with God through prayer
c. Time for intimate encounter with brothers and sisters
d. Time for learning and pondering how this will impact our lives
e. Use of group activities/reflection/journaling to deepen impact of the message
4. More detailed outlines that help the speaker understand the spirit behind the retreat and
its individual messages.
We Level Up from Being Builders to Leaders
Formation in SFC aims to empower SFCs to be Lifestyle Leaders, i.e., singles who will bring about
positive change and renewal in the Church, in the family, in the workplace, and in society.

PRINCIPLES OF PASTORAL FORMATION

The new SFC Pastoral Formation Track is based on the following principles:
1.

The life of the single person in SFC must be one with purpose, focused on the vision and
mission of the ministry and on ones discerned personal vocation and mission in response
to this.

2. The SFC community should be a relevant and meaningful source of nourishment for its
members, aside from being a body of Christian support in each members faith journey.
3. The formation of members in the ministry must be :
a. Purposeful and deliberate. Seeking and receiving spiritual or pastoral formation
should be an intentional effort on the part of both the ministry and each individual
member.
b. Relevant. The PF track is such that a members formation equips him with what he
will need to live a fruitful and meaningful Christian life, covering different aspects of
his life, and deepening as he progresses in the track. It should answer the needs of
singles today, the challenges they face in the different aspects of their life: faith,
family, career, relationships, vocation, and service.

c. Supporting the call and teachings of the Church. Even before we are members of
a Christian community we are all part of the Church, the Body of Christ. Thus,
pastoral formation in SFC should help members live out the faith and also be active
contributing members of the Church, faithful to its teachings.
d. Ongoing and continuous. Formation in a persons faith life never ends. Thus, even
after all the formation weekends and teachings have been completed, each member
must be moved and supported in seeking other avenues for formation. At the same
time, leaders who look after the formation of their members also proactively help
provide them with various opportunities for spiritual growth and nourishment.
4. Formation must be holistic and integrated. Ones faith life must permeate all other aspects
of life: family, career, relationships, citizenship. Thus, there is no double-life; rather, each
one becomes a witness of Christ in and out of community.
5. The formation of SFC is anchored on the ministrys vision: Every single man and woman all
over the world experiencing Christ. We are formed that we may experience Christ and see
Him in everything that happens in our lives, and thus be empowered to make this a reality
in the lives of others. Formation brings the vision to life and aims at making it a reality.

STAGES OF FORMATION
The SFC PF Track is divided into three periods representing the three stages of formation in the
life of a Singles for Christ member. Each period or stage aims to meet specific pastoral goals
covering the following areas of formation:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Spiritual Deepening (Relationship with God)

Personal Relationship with Others
Life and Service in Community
Personal Identity and Vocation

Stage 1: Nurturing and Supporting

This period reinforces the core teachings of the CLP, providing the teachings necessary to equip and
strengthen SFCs resolve to begin to live out their covenant as Singles for Christ. It also introduces
the culture of the CFC community and helps SFCs begin their discernment of their vocation based
on their identity as man or woman.
Stage 2: Strengthening and Fortifying
As formation deepens, so, we expect, also the SFCs desire to grow in his faith life and to serve and
share with others how Christ has worked in his life. There is also more focus in this stage on
strengthening relationships in and out of the community and making a more definite and deliberate
discernment of vocation.
Stage 3: Deepening and Empowering

In this stage, SFCs become more active witnesses of Christ as they grow deeper in spiritual
maturity, in their service, and in living out their calling as Singles for Christ. This stage strengthens
their missionary spirit and their servants heart, empowering them to be committed Christian men
and women actively living out their calling in the world today.

SINGLES FOR CHRIST PASTORAL FORMATION GOALS

Nurturing and Supporting
Spiritual
Deepening

Strengthening and Fortifying

Deepening and Empowering

Grow in their knowledge of and

personal relationship with God
Grow in their commitment to a
deep and faithful prayer life
anchored on a strong personal
relationship with God
Grow in their knowledge of love
for God through an active
scripture life

Take concrete steps to deepen their

prayer and scripture life

Deepen in their life of prayer by

appreciating different prayer
methods

Grow in their understanding of the

spiritual gifts
Understand the importance of
the sacraments in their spiritual
growth and begin to take steps to
grow in their sacramental life.

Grow in their understanding of

and love for the sacraments
towards a richer sacramental life

Further deepen in their

understanding and love for the
sacraments

Grow in their knowledge of the

faith and be defenders of the
Catholic faith

Personal
Relationship
with Others

Know how to begin to live the life of

a Christian single person in the
family, in the workplace, in their
relationships, and in the bigger
community

Begin to grow in Christian

character and virtues

Grow in Christian character and

virtues

Be models of Christ's love in

action in their relationships with
others

Know and appreciate life in

community and begin to relate to
others as brothers and sisters

Share the gift of Christ and

community with their family

Be empowered and committed to

live out their Christian calling in
the world today

Imbibe the culture of the

community especially in relating to
brothers and sisters

Begin to live out faith by loving

and serving the poor

Deepen in love for others,

especially the poor, as an overflow
of God's love for them

SINGLES FOR CHRIST PASTORAL FORMATION GOALS

Nurturing and Supporting
Life and Service
in the
Community

Have a greater understanding of

the SFC vision and desire to make it
happen

Desire to evangelize and offer

oneself in service to do Gods
work

Strengthening and Fortifying

Develop themselves as a leader
and as a servant of God

Deepening and Empowering

Deepen in their commitment as a
servant-leader
Help develop leaders in the
community

Articulate and understand the SFC

vision and mission

Personal
Identity and
Vocation

Actively live out the SFC mission as

part of their lifestyle
Understand and appreciate their
calling to be a missionary
wherever they may be

Actively participate in
evangelization and mission in
ones personal capacity and as
part of SFC

Begin to use the spiritual gifts

Deepen and grow in their use of

the spiritual gifts

Deepen in their use of the

spiritual gifts

Appreciate the importance of

proper stewardship of their
resources

Develop in their faithfulness in

supporting Gods work financially

Actively work for the upbuilding

of the community and what it
stands for

Grow in their understanding of

spiritual warfare

Be empowered for spiritual

warfare

Understand and appreciate their

identity and purpose as male or
female as created by God

Actively discern their vocation in

life

Live out their discerned calling in

the community

Understand Gods design and

purpose for human sexuality

Be equipped in discerning God's

will

Grow in discernment of Gods will

Desire and take steps to live a life

of purity

Be empowered to live a life of

purity, freedom, and responsibility

Actively advocate pro-life values

as a lifestyle

THE SINGLES FOR CHRIST PASTORAL FORMATION TRACK FOR MEMBERS

(OCTOBER 2011)
FORMATION WEEKENDS

Stage 1: Nurturing and

Supporting

Stage 2: Strengthening and

Fortifying

Stage 3: Deepening and

Empowering

Covenant Orientation Weekend

(prerequisite to all formation weekends)

Christ Pursuit Weekend

Ablaze Weekend (for upload)

Mens Weekend I: A Knights Tale

(prerequisite to MW II)
Womens Weekend I: Princess Diaries
(prerequisite to MW II)

Men and Womens Weekend II (combined):

Intimacy Weekend (prerequisite to MW III and
WW III)

Mens Weekend III (for upload)

Womens Weekend III (for upload)

Christian Character Weekend

Christian Personal Relationships Weekend

(for upload)

Crossroads Weekend I (prerequisite to CW II)

(for upload)
Crossroads Weekend II (for upload)
*Note: Each stage does not necessarily correspond to one year, and may take more than a year to complete. See Guidelines for the proper
implementation of each stage of formation.

MEMBERS TEACHINGS
SFC members undergo monthly teachings on the following topics below. Other topics may also be taken up in the monthly teachings on top of
these, depending on the needs of the SFCs in the particular area. This is a growing list of teachings as we develop more materials for our members.

Evangelization Training
Training of Spiritual Gifts
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
SFC Courtship Talks

The Sacraments (For upload in the SFC website)

Theology of the Body Module (For upload in the SFC website)
Time Management
Heart of Worship

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MEMBERS TRACK

1. The basic SFC Pastoral Formation Track is but one of the sources of formation of SFC
members. Although it is the main source in the ministry, it does not diminish the need for
other more focused, needs-based teachings that pastoral leaders should provide in
households and assemblies. Other sources of formation in the ministry include SFC annual
conferences (International Conferences, Regional Conferences), Core Group Weekends,
Leaders Assemblies, and Mission Core teachings.
2. This track is for all SFC members, including leaders (because they are also still members
of the ministry). A separate Pastoral Formation Manual for Leaders is provided, containing
the Leaders Track and guidelines for implementing this. The manual for Leaders
recommends the formation weekends a member should go through before being assigned
different levels of service.
3. SFC members are also encouraged to seek further formation and spiritual nourishment by
attending talks, recollections, and retreats that may be made available by their parishes, and
through frequent participation in the Mass.
Implementing the Formation Weekends
4. Sequence of Weekends per Stage. The PF Track consists of three stages: Stage 1:
Nourishing and Supporting, Stage 2: Strengthening and Fortifying, and Stage 3: Deepening
and Empowering. The formation weekends in one formation stage need not be done in the
exact sequence presented, except for the Covenant Orientation Weekend which must be
taken at least three months after the Christian Life Program, prior to the other weekends.
Thus, after the CO Weekend, members may attend either the Mens/Womens Weekend I or
the Christian Character Weekend, depending on the discernment of the area leaders.
5. Prerequisites. The following are prerequisites to some formation weekends:
a. Mens Weekend I and Womens Weekend I (prerequisite to Mens and Womens
Weekend II)
b. Mens and Womens Weekend II (Combined) (prerequisite to Mens Weekend III and
Womens Weekend III)
c. Crossroads Weekend I (prerequisite to Crossroads Weekend II)
6. Sequence of Stages. Because the pastoral formation stages are based on goals that are
deepening as members progress from one stage to the next, they also represent the ideal
sequence to be followed in conducting the formation weekends, i.e., Formation Weekends in
Stage 1 (Nurturing and Supporting) are ideally taken prior to those in Stage 2
(Strengthening and Fortifying), those in Stage 2 before Stage 3 (Deepening and
Empowering).
However, as each member is different and joins SFC at different levels of spiritual maturity,
pastoral leaders (Chapter Heads and up) are free to determine if certain members are ready
to take formation weekends in a more advanced stage, e.g., Stage 2 even before they have
finished tracks in the earlier stage (Stage 1). This, however, is more the exception rather
than the rule.

7. Pastoral leaders (Household Heads and up) are responsible for ensuring that their
members are on track, based on the pastoral formation goals and the members needs,
experience, emotional and spiritual maturity, and length of membership in the community.
8. It is strongly recommended that members who have taken the formation weekends in this
new PF track in the past take the opportunity to attend them again, perhaps this time as
service team members or even as participants, as significant revisions and modifications
have been done.
On Members Teachings
9. The specified Members Teachings in the Pastoral Formation track are varying in length.
Some are modules consisting of several talks, others may be single stand-alone talks. Those
in modules may be done as a series of talks across several meetings (e.g., 4 Saturday
mornings) or as one half-day or whole-day session. Pastoral leaders are advised to study
the teachings to determine the schedule best suited for their members.
10. Teachings may be conducted in any sequence in the unit, chapter, sector or provincial level,
depending on the needs and situation of the membership or area. What is important is for
every member to be given the opportunity to attend the teachings at several points in his
life in community. An assembly with a teaching may follow the schedule below:
Time

Activity

7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:15
10:00

Gathering / Registration
Worship
Ice Breaker or Group Dynamics Related to Topic
Teaching
Big or Small Group Sharing
Closing

CLP Seasons
11. It is strongly recommended that regions identify two CLP seasons for each year, taking into
account the schedule of the regional/national conferences and other activities of the area.
For example, March to May and September to November will be the designated CLP seasons
for Metro Manila. This enables chapters in the sector to share resources for formation
weekends, which may be conducted back-to-back in one or several nearby venues. (See
sample schedules for illustration.)
Sample Schedules
12. Sample schedules in the Annex illustrate how formation weekends may be scheduled.
These need not be followed to the letter but are meant to serve as a guide on how heads can
ensure that all CLP graduates are able to undergo the formation track.

ROLE OF TOP SFC LEADERSHIP AND FULLTIME PASTORAL

WORKERS IN PASTORAL FORMATION
Taking the lead in implementing the pastoral formation program of the ministry are the top leaders
of SFC in the area in close collaboration with the ministry fulltime pastoral workers. Their role is
to:

Be the PRIMARY MOVERS and ADVOCATES of this new pastoral formation program

Foster a Love for Learning (no one is too old to grow nor to learn)

Infect others with a Passion for Formation

Guide areas in the conduct of the retreats

Train leaders and future service team members

Carefully study the PFO Manual and each retreat manual and have a discerning attitude in
its application

Develop more tracks. The role of the new pastoral formation track is to address the needs
of SFC at present and is a launching pad for future pastoral tracks as we continue to respond
to the needs of the times.

Be living examples of the qualities we aim for in our PFO Goals.

For any questions or feedback on the Pastoral Formation track, please email: sfcpfo@sfcglobal.org.

ANNEX

ANNEX 1: SAMPLE SCHEDULE A - 2 FORMATION WEEKENDS PER YEAR (METRO MANILA)

Mo

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr

Year 1
Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

CLP A
CLP A

CLP C
CLP C

May CLP A
Jun
Jul

Aug
Sep

Oct

Nov
Dec

Year 2

CLP C/Christian
Character Batch
A/ CO Batch B

CLP B

CLP D

CLP B/CO Batch

A

CLP D/Men's and

Women's
Weekend I Batch
A/ Christian
Character Batch
B/CO Batch C

CLP B

CLP D

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*
ICon

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Christ Pursuit Batch

A/ Men's and
Women's Weekend
I Batch B/Men's and
Women's Weekend
1 Batch C/ CO Batch
D

CPR Batch A/ CPR

Batch B/Christ
Pursuit Batch
C/Men's and
Women's
Weekend I Batch
D
CFC Anniversary
MMC

Ablaze Batch A/Men's

and Women's Weekend
II Batch B/Men's and
Women's Weekend II
Batch C/Christ Pursuit
or Men's and Women's
Weekend II Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch A/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch
B/Ablaze or MW
III Batch C/CPR
Batch D

Ablaze or
MW III Batch
D/
Crossroads
II Batch C

Crossroads I Batch
A/Crossroads I
Batch
B/Crossroads I
Batch C/Crossroads
I or Christ Pursuit
Batch D

Intimacy Batch A/Mens

and Womens III or
Ablaze Batch B/CPR
Batch C/Crossroads I or
Men's and Women's
Weekend I Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch B/Ablaze or
MW III Batch
C/Ablaze or MW
III Batch D

Crossroads
II Batch D

Mens' and Women's

Weekend II Batch A/
Christ Pursuit Batch
B/Christian Character
Batch C/Christian
Character Batch D

Area Planning

SAMPLE SCHEDULE B - 2 FORMATION WEEKENDS PER YEAR (PHILIPPINE MISSIONS; AUG. RECON)
Mo

Jan
Feb
Mar

Year 1
MMLA/
Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

CLP A

CLP C

Apr CLP A
May CLP A
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep CLP B

Oct
Nov
Dec

Year 2

CLP B/CO Batch A

CLP C/Christian
Character Batch
A/ CO Batch B
CLP C

Year 3

Year 4

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*
ICon

Christ Pursuit Batch

A/ Men's and
Women's Weekend
I Batch B/Men's and
Women's Weekend
1 Batch C/ CO Batch
D

CPR Batch A/ CPR

Batch B/Christ
Pursuit Batch
C/Men's and
Women's
Weekend I Batch
D

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Ablaze Batch A/Men's

and Women's
Weekend II Batch
B/Men's and
Women's Weekend II
Batch C/Christ
Pursuit or Men's and
Women's Weekend II
Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch A/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch
B/Ablaze or MW
III Batch C/CPR
Batch D

Ablaze or
MW III
Batch D/
Crossroads
II Batch C

Intimacy Batch
A/Intimacy or Ablaze
Batch B/ CPR Batch C/
Crossroads I or Men's
and Women's Weekend
I Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch B/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch
C/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch D

Crossroads
II Batch D

CFC Anniversary
SFC Regional Conference
CLP D
CLP D/Men's and
Women's Weekend I
Batch A/ Christian
Character Batch
B/CO Batch C

Mens' and Women's

Weekend II Batch A/
Christ Pursuit Batch
B/Christian Character
Batch C/Christian
Character Batch D

Crossroads I Batch
A/Crossroads I Batch
B/Crossroads I Batch
C/ Crossroads I or
Christ Pursuit Batch D

Area Planning

SAMPLE SCHEDULE C- 2 FORMATION WEEKENDS PER YEAR (PHILIPPINE MISSIONS; OCT. RECON)
Mo

Jan
Feb
Mar

Year 1

Year 2

MMLA/
Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

CLP A

CLP C

Apr CLP A
May CLP A
Jun
Jul

CLP C/Christian
Character Batch
A/ CO Batch B
CLP C

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*
ICon

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Evangelization
Training*

Christ Pursuit Batch

A/ Men's and
Women's Weekend
I Batch B/Men's and
Women's Weekend
1 Batch C/ CO Batch
D

CPR Batch A/ CPR

Batch B/Christ
Pursuit Batch
C/Men's and
Women's
Weekend I Batch
D

Ablaze Batch A/Men's

and Women's Weekend
II Batch B/Men's and
Women's Weekend II
Batch C/Christ Pursuit
or Men's and Women's
Weekend II Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch A/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch
B/Ablaze or MW
III Batch C/CPR
Batch D

Ablaze or
MW III
Batch D/
Crossroads
II Batch C

Intimacy Batch
A/Intimacy or Ablaze
Batch B/ CPR Batch C/
Crossroads I or Men's
and Women's Weekend
I Batch D

Crossroads II
Batch B/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch
C/Ablaze or
Intimacy Batch D

Crossroads
II Batch D

CFC Anniversary

Aug
Sep

CLP B
CLP B /CO

CLP D/Men's and

Women's
Weekend I Batch
A/ Christian
Character Batch
B/CO Batch C
CLP

Oct
Nov
Dec

CLP B

CLP

Mens' and Women's

Weekend II Batch A/
Christ Pursuit Batch
B/Christian Character
Batch C/Christian
Character Batch D

Crossroads I Batch
A/Crossroads I
Batch
B/Crossroads I
Batch C/Crossroads
I or Christ Pursuit
Batch D

SFC Regional Conference

Area Planning

SAMPLE SCHEDULE D - 2 FORMATION WEEKENDS PER YEAR (METRO MANILA)

This schedule takes into account old members who have already finished some of the weekends (including those that were used as conferences in the
past, e.g., Princess Diaries, A Knights Tale, Christ Pursuit, and Ablaze)
Year 1
Jan
Feb
Mar

Evangelization
Training

Year 3

Year 4

Evangelization
Training

Evangelization
Training

Evangelization
Training
ICon

CO Batch B/Men's
and Women's
Weekend I Batch
A/Christ Pursuit or
MW Weekend II or
Crossroads I

Men's and Women's

Weekend I Batch
B/Christ Pursuit or
MW Weekend II or
Crossroads I (also
for Batch A)

Year 5

Year 6

Evangelization
Training

CLP Batch A

Apr CLP A
May CLP A
June
Jul
Aug
Sep CLP Batch B

Oct
Nov
Dec

Year 2

CLP B /CO Batch A

CLP B

CPR (for both CLP

batches)/MW III or
Ablaze

Crossroads I Batch
B/Crossroads II (also
for Batch A)

MW III (for both

CLP batches)

Ablaze (for both CLP

batches)

Crossroads II for
Batch B

Anniversary
MMC

Christian Character
(for both CLP
batches)/Crossroads
I or MW Weekend I
or Christ Pursuit

Christ Pursuit (for

both CLP
batches)/Ablaze or
CPR

Men's and
Women's
Weekend II (for
both CLP
batches)/MW III or
Ablaze

Planning

Note: Formation weekends in italics show track for old members who have taken some of the weekends as conferences. Flexibility in sequence of the weekends
in one stage allow CLP graduates from different batches to take the same weekends together, taking into account those with prerequisites and ensuring that all
tracks in one stage are finished before those in the next stage are taken.

Notes for schedules above:

1. *Evangelization training is done once a year, e.g., in this case ideally at the beginning of
the year. This prepares and rallies everyone in the area (unit/chapter/cluster/sector) for
the mission of evangelization for the whole year.
2. CLPs are done twice a year, e.g., March to May and Sept. to Nov. every year depending on
the schedule of the Metro Manila or Regional Conference. (CLP schedules are indicated
only in the first two years but they are to be conducted every year on the same months.)
3. Colors/Batch Names (A, B, C, D) indicate different CLP batches/units. Thus, all items in
red or indicated as Batch A show the formation track that one batch of CLP graduates will
go through in a 4-year period, blue or Batch B represents another batch, and so on.
4. Formation weekends may be done back-to-back in the same venue or separately, each
retreat organized by a unit (chapter-wide) or chapter (cluster-wide). This enables units
or chapters to share resourcese.g., members from Chapter A can attend formation
weekend with members from Chapter B, etc.
5. Flexibility in the sequence of the weekends in one stage allow CLP graduates from
different batches to take the same weekends together, taking into account those with
prerequisites and ensuring that all tracks in one stage are finished before those in the
next stage are taken. For example, 2 batches of CLP graduates can take the
Mens/Womens Weekend I together (even if only one batch has taken the Christian
Character Weekend since this is not a prerequisite to Mens/Womens Weekend I).
6. The Leaders Track can also be spread out the rest of the year (as modules or as single
teaching sessions). Possible schedule shown in samples above.