Couples for Christ for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) Finland is already in it’s 13th year. There were only 5 active members when it started in the year 2000, but now there are already around 70 active members, mostly Filipinos (some are Indonesians, Finnish, Swedish and Indian). I would really recommend our community to new Filipinos with no friends here in Finland, even to different nationalities without faith, or religion who are lost in their life, who want to know about God, who want to be a part of a spiritual family, who want to find meaning in their lives, and even for some who want to find their other halves! It is also for people who want to meet other Filipinos and be part of a Catholic-Filipino community in Finland. CFC-FFL Finland is like a second home to all Filipinos like me and I am very proud and blessed to be a member of this community.
For those who are interested to join or make new friends, pls contact:
Nora or Ting Fajardo
Cellphone numbers: +358-451381450/+358-449725308
Email: [email protected]
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cfcffl.finland
Address: Mäntytie 2, 00270 Helsinki Finland
(The meetings are sometimes held at this church's Parish Hall, but at other times it is held in some other place like assembly halls or a house of a member. We are notified before each meeting schedule where the meeting will be held.)
There are 5 groupings in CFC-FFL or the 5 Family Ministries as we call it: CFC-Kids for Family and Life, CFC-Youth for Family and Life, CFC-Singles for Family and Life, CFC-Handmaids for Family and Life (wives whose husbands are not members yet of the community), CFC-Servants for Family And Life (husbands whose wives are not members yet of the community).
When I was new here in Finland back in 2007, I did not know anyone here, just my Swedish husband. I did not see any Filipinos anywhere. Asians look different, so I am easily spotted in a crowd with my dark hair and brown skin. Yes there are other immigrants but not much from where I first lived, in Tammisaari Finland, 95.9 km away or 1 hr and 12 min drive from Helsinki, capital of Finland. After a year, we moved to the city side 10 km away from Helsinki, and that is when my life changed (for the better).
There are two Catholic churches in Helsinki and that is where I met many Filipinos. One of the ’kababayan’ I met already invited me to attend their community, CFC-FFL Finland. I was not able to attend when I was first invited, but the second time around, fortunately, I was able to go with my husband. At first, we were undecided if we were going to become members, until we found ourselves attending once each week! The meetings at first seemed demanding of our time, so we felt a bit reluctant to join. Meetings are every Sunday or sometimes Saturday. In our first attendance, people were very nice, welcoming us and talking with us, they were all friendly to us. It made me feel like at home again in the Philippines. I said to myself ’wow, I like it here!’. I am happy I could talk again using my own language, and not just in my thoughts, or when talking by myself!
I was not shocked that people were singing worship or praise songs with passion, eyes shut, hands raised high, while sometimes dancing and clapping. I am used to this because I have attended something like this when I am still living in Philippines. I have attended El Shaddai prayer meetings and The Feast lead by Bo Sanchez. I am actually glad I could go to some spiritual community here too. I am priveledged to have studied in Catholic schools in Grade School, High School and College. I have learned to know more about God and love Him in my school time. That is why I am just so glad to find a spiritual family again even if I am no longer in a Catholic school or environment. I now live in an aetheist country, but somehow, I still feel so blessed to have ended up in a Catholic community here.
When I became a member of CFC-FFL Finland community, I met a lot of Filipino friends, I became happier, I have found a spiritual place to meet with people with same faith! My third home (first is in Philippines, second here in Finland with my husband) where I can be myself, be my better-self as well and be able to vent my feelings with like-minded people. One will truly feel everyone is praying with one another, listening and supporting each other. Of course, my husband is there for me all the time but it is good too to have a community abroad. It could really be lonely, being far from your family and without friends. Even my husband liked our community here, he learned the culture of Pinoys more, he could understand me better, and as a new Catholic himself, he is being educated during teachings.