How We Started

Catholic Family Life started as Family Life Society (FLS), founded by the late Redemptorist father, Rev. Edmund Dunne, CSsR in 1985.

Operating from just a single room, providing primarily pregnancy crisis counselling, it has now become an active provider of a range of programmes, services and support for individuals, families and the community.

Central to the Church is the family and family life, Fr Dunne started FLS in response to the needs of Singapore. Affiliates such as Choice, Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter and Marriage Preparation Course were also first started under the FLS in the 1980s.

After 35 years, we continue to persist in our mission, staying true to our Catholic roots and universal in our outreach, regardless of race, language and religion.

Our History

Our Values

LOVE

Being patient, kind and sincere
Embracing my colleagues and work partners with all imperfections, seeing them through God’s eyes
Respecting, trusting and supporting each other in all work challenges
Helping those in need be cared for and accepted unconditionally

INTEGRITY

Carrying out my duties to the best of my ability and in a responsible manner
Working with ethics of sound judgement, dependability and loyalty to the vision and mission
Constantly observing professional conduct and be accountable for actions and mistakes
Upholding Catholic morality and ethics - acting with honesty, authenticity, openness, honour and truthfulness at all times

FAITH

Committed to the Mission and Vision and values, trust in the leadership of Management and Board
Believing and trusting in God, relying on faith - Prayer, scripture, community, and sacraments to draw strength especially through difficult moments or challenges
Being faith-based in all aspects of working, leading and decision making
Being all here to do good and serve in our capacity, offering up our talents, and being companions on the journey

EMPOWERMENT

Encouraging and engaging colleagues to have open and honest conversations, embracing change and to have a "can do" attitude
Taking personal leadership and helping each other take ownership to make the best with whatever resources available
Creating positive impact and empowering others by recognising their giftings and providing opportunities to tap on potential
Inspiring hope and purpose, willingness to be part of something greater than ourselves

1983-1985
Family Life Bureau, founded by Fr Edmund Dunne & a group of dedicated lay people. Brought “Celebration of Life”, a sexuality programme to schools, junior colleges and churches

Officially registered under the Society Acts of Singapore as Family Life Society (FLS), a registered local charity
1986

Pregnancy Crisis Service (PCS) 24x7 Hotline launched
1999

FLS Youth Life-Line is launched for youth in

distress
2001
“The Family Lifeline” a fortnightly feature story in Catholic News

Launch of monthly e-Newsletter
2003

FLS hosts the 10th Human Life International Asia-Pacific Congress (HLI ASPAC) in Singapore 6 – 9 Nov at RELC
2004
“COL” and other FLS programmes, appointed and endorsed by MCYS as School Family Education (SFE) provider

Two Fund-raising programmes i.e. “The Passion of Christ” Fund-raising at Cathay Organisation Orchard Cineplex & “Down Memory Lane 3”

PCS supports Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports, National Helpline and collaborated with 4 other VWOs to provide help to pregnant mothers facing crisis pregnancies.

7 Oct, Fr Edmund Dunne, CSSR, passed on
2005
Basic Counselling Course launched to train a pool of para-counsellors for community outreach

Partnership with KK Women’s and Children Hospital to provide pregnancy crisis counselling for women with unplanned pregnancies
2006
FLS launched school family education programme for parents to talk about “Sex” with their teens

First batch of para-counsellors graduated
2008

FLS initiates and plans first regional “Family Symposium” involving Family Commissions in Southeast Asia
2009
Pregnancy Crisis Services opens private shelter for women and teens faced with unplanned pregnancy

First batch of para-counsellors graduate with additional Certificate and Diploma in Counselling in collaboration with Centre for Family Ministries (CEFAM) of the Ateneo de Manila University
2010
Parenting United alliance consisting of 4 VWOs with similar values in family life is formed (Montfort Care, Centre for Fathering, Focus on the Family and Family Life Society)

Rachels Vineyard launches its first retreat in Singapore
2011

FLS “Growing up & respect for self” approved by MOE and launches in upper primary and lower secondary students
2012
Sexuality programme called “Made for More” targeted at youth was developed.

Renaming of counselling services to “Marital & Family Therapy”
2013
Launched of “Effective parenting Series” targeted to empower parents with early child development

Once a month Saturday counselling offered from 9am to 1pm
2014
First fund raising Flag Day for PCS held in Aug
2018
Developed talk "Sharing Sexuality with Your Child" and "Sexual Risk Forum" in response to need to educate parents to teach their children values-based sexuality
2019
“Love Life Conference” a collaboration with Heartbeat Project with speaker panel from aLife, Safe Place, Focus on the Family and Rachel's Vineyard to promote culture of life

New talks launched "Monster in Every Room", "Bulletproof Friendships" and "Happy in My Skin" in response to pervasiveness of pornography and questions on gender issues.
2020
Due to Covid-19, counselling services and talks were delivered online

Created online resources for pre and post-talk to engage attendees

New look for PCS logo and website
JAN 2021
Catholic Family Life assumes and integrates the operations of Family Life Society and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family.

Board of Directors

Kevin Kwek

CHAIRPERSON

Kenneth Poon

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

Eugene Ng

TREASURER

Irena Kit

SECRETARY

Laura Snodgrass

DIRECTOR

Alison Snodgrass

DIRECTOR

Pauline Teo

DIRECTOR

Benedict Lim

DIRECTOR

Regina Lim

DIRECTOR

CFL STAFF

The people on the ground

Welcome to visit us at Catholic Family Life

Shirley Lee,

Executive Director

Daily Reminder

Our Vision & Mission

Our Passionate Volunteers

Contact Us

Email

cfl@familylife.sg

Hotline

(65) 6488 0278

Address

2 Highland Road #01-03

Singapore 549102