Some Unique Features of the ARFI Program: Community Life

Another distinctive feature of the ARFI program is the community life the ARFIans live in small groups – the locus for living out the concepts learned in the sessions as well as validate insights and learnings gained. Difficulties of community living and personal relationships are processed and transformed into opportunities for growth in these small groups. Events like birthdays, anniversaries are celebrated in unique ways and a cross-cultural exchange among participants are made possible. Eucharistic celebrations are held in these small groups three times a week where cultural innovations are encouraged – rituals, songs, dances, etc make these celebrations enriching and uplifting.



















The big group of ARFIans is also a community in itself. They organize liturgical celebrations, sports activities, outings, and the like and are encouraged to experiment on new behaviors, get out of their comfort zones and think out-of-the-box. Recollections are done every month to serve as a venue for further interiorization of learnings and insights during the sessions. There are two big outings to tourist places in the country – one before or after the long retreat and another before graduation. The small groups however are encouraged to organize such activities on their own when they see the need for these as opportunities for bonding.










Living in real community inspires the ARFIans to respond to certain needs of their co-participants such as assistance in learning better the English language, guitar/organ playing, singing, gardening, learning a handicraft, sports, using the computer and other electronic gadgets, etc.










Cultural days are organized to highlight cultures represented in each batch. Cultural artifacts and costumes are displayed, histories are traced; an array of dances and songs presented, food is savored, ways of doing things are explained and appreciated. These cultural events bridge the culture gap making participants realize that ours is just one world expressed in myriad ways.