The Covenant Orientation (CO) Weekend is the first weekend retreat that SFCs will undergo after graduating from the Christian Life Program. It is to be conducted at least 3 months after the participants finish the Christian Life Program (CLP).
This weekend has the following goals:
- Familiarize SFCs with their covenant as Singles for Christ and lead them to commit to fulfilling this in their day-to-day lives
- Lead SFCs to desire a deeper relationship with God through a committed prayer life, Scripture reading, and receiving of the Sacraments
- Inspire participants to live out their calling as SFCs in their family, workplace, and in community despite challenges and difficulties
- Introduce participants to the culture of Singles for Christ and inspire them to make this a way of life
- Empower SFCs to begin to live out the SFC vision and mission.
The Sessions
The CO Weekend consists of 7 sessions:
Session 1: Our Covenant and the Mission and Vision of SFC.
This session introduces them to what the covenant of SFC requires of them and how this will help them have a deeper relationship with God and work towards fulfilling the SFC vision and mission. This session hopes to inspire the participants to have a sense of ownership of the SFC vision and mission that they may be led to desire to make it happen in their own lives and in the lives of others.
Session 2: Prayer, Scripture and Sacraments.
Life in SFC is first and foremost a loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. This talk emphasizes the importance of prayer, Scripture reading and the sacraments in nurturing and deepening this relationship.
Session 3: Strengthening Family Life.
Before we are members of SFC we are members of our families: sons and daughters to our parents, brothers and sisters to our siblings. This session stresses on the value of being an instrument of love, unity, and harmony in the family for the home is our first area of evangelization.
Session 4: The Culture of Singles for Christ.
Being in Singles for Christ entails a certain way of life, centred on the Lord, in relationship with brothers and sisters with whom we journey together towards holiness. This session familiarizes the participants to the SFC lifestyle and the values we uphold.
Session 5: Being a Christian in the Workplace.
The workplace is oftentimes the most difficult place to evangelize or witness to others, but as Singles for Christ we strive for unity of life. This session shows it is possible to live out our Christian values and still be excellent workers and leaders in our chosen fields.
Session 6: Financial Stewardship.
Our being in community makes us stewards of both our material resources and of God’s work of evangelization and mission, to which our ministry is called. This session explains the importance of tithing and empowers SFCs on how they can be good stewards of the resources given to them by God in very practical and relevant terms.
Session 7: Loving and Serving the Poor.
Our life in Singles for Christ will not be complete if we are not able to embrace our mission of Building the Church of the Poor. This session helps the participants realize why loving and serving the poor is not only a duty but a privilege and a source of blessing.
