It was the first virtual charity walk organised by Catholic Family Life (CFL) to raise funds for the organisation to continue its mission to form, empower and restore families. The virtual walk started in June as a month-long event coincided with the school holidays to encourage family bonding time.

There were some participants who walked the trails that CFL featured.

Regardless of where the participants walked, it was an event where everyone walked as one, be it as an individual, a family or as a group.

We bring you snippets of some of the places where participants walked.

ME walkers

A small group from the Marriage Encounter (ME) ‘Love Circle’ walked a trail at Fort Canning.

It was quite a bit of uphill and downhill as the group made their way towards the Singapore River. The flora and fauna along the way at Fort Canning provided shade and relief as the weather became hotter in the later part of the morning. Angela Tham, who was walking with the group, felt that walking together as a group was good as it spurred everyone to keep going. “Our group always go for walks every weekend. This Charity Walk provided a great opportunity for ME couples like us to bond for a cause, walking (and eating) together as one with CFL,” shared Jeff de Souza and his wife, Anne.

Walking Moms from Family Life Group@IHM

A group of mothers from the Family Life Group (FLG) at the Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) organised a Pray as You Walk from Lower Peirce to Upper Peirce. The mothers set off at the break of dawn. Surrounded by greenery all round, it was a peaceful trail as the ladies walked on the boardwalk starting from Lower Peirce to Upper Peirce. The water against a backdrop of trees and the silence in the early hours of the morning was serene. All the ladies heard were birds chirping and sometimes sounds from insects hidden in the forest. The calm and peaceful waters reminded them of the song, As the Deer.

Despite the morning showers, the ladies persevered walking and praying the Rosary. The ladies felt at peace as they trudged along their way towards Upper Peirce.

Mabel Fan, the leader for the FLG at IHM said, “We were in awe with God’s beautiful creation during the walk! Thank you for organising this as it gave us an opportunity to walk and praise God together.”

Walking with Faith & Light

Faith and Light organised a mini-camino pilgrimage to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Church of St Joseph (Victoria Street), Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Cathedral of the Good Sheperd and Church of Sacred Heart. The mini-camino was also joined by representatives from Marriage Preparation Course (MPC), Beginning Experience (BE), Choice Singapore, Engagement Encounter, and Catholic Family Life. The group of nearly 30 prayed a decade of the rosary at each church and had lunch together at Sacred Heart.

“It was a lovely gathering, seeing everyone come together to raise awareness for CFL’s charity walk. I was moved by the love the parents of Faith and Light have for their children in the way they cared for them as they walked together as a family under the scorching sun. I can truly see how the love of God brings families together,” said Gillian Yeong from Catholic Family Life, adding that it was enjoyable to interact with the community.

Dino Joy in Japan

Being a virtual walk, participants could bring a “Closer Walk With You” anywhere around the world! Dino Joy, a favourite character that accompanies CFL at some events, made big strides during her June vacation to Japan. There, she visited many interesting cultural sites, including Osaka Castle, and even found her way back home to Jurassic Park (Universal Studios Japan). Did you spot a Dino?

Outcome

A BIG thank you to all who participated or donated. A total of $37,500 was raised.

We’d also like to thank ibis Singapore on Bencoolen, The Intan Peranakan Museum, and all the individuals who sponsored the prizes for this charity walk. We look forward to your continued support and hope to see you again in our upcoming events.