CBCP Monitor
C1
Vol. 18 No. 3
February 3 - 16, 2014
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
Behold and Ponder
The CFC Leaders Conference 2014 By The CFC Docu Team January 11, 2014 opened the year’s roster of events for Couples for Christ via the CFC Leaders Conference, held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. This much-anticipated event drew an audience of almost 14,000 coming from the various provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as the whole of Metro Manila and countries like the USA, Canada, the Middle East, China, Africa, Europe, Indonesia, and Australia. After the recitation of the Holy Rosary led by the wives of the International Council, a procession carrying the image of the Our Lady of Banneux went around inside the coliseum in honor of Mama Mary. The Most Reverend Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, celebrated the Mass, together with Msgr. Allen Aganon, CFC IC Spiritual Director; Fr. Marvin Mejia, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines; Fr. Jacques Piat and Fr. Pierrot Friquin from Mauritius; Fr. Timothy from Taiwan; Fr. Marlon Avenido from Compostella Valley; Fr. Quezon Juan from Nueva Viscaya; and Fr. Joel Jason from the CBCP Commission on Family and Life. Bishop Ongtioco began his homily by greeting the congregation with these words: “On the Year of the Laity, the Church needs you, the Church relies on you. Thank you for defending the
Bishop Honesto Ongtioco concelebrated the Mass with local and international clergy.
Dixie Banzon, Provincial Area Director for CFC Bataan, led the powerful praisefest
life of the Church.” January 11 being the eve of the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus which marks the end of the Christmas season, Bishop Ongtioco reminded everyone that Christ wants to be born in each person’s heart. “And as long as there is Christ, Christmas is there. The joy of Christmas is not just
Close to 14,000 CFC leaders from the Metro Manila, Philippine and International Missions attended the Conference.
CFC Executive Director George Campos: “I am bold. I am CFC.”
encountering Christ, but sharing with others the same joy of such encounter, “ he added. Referring to Couples for Christ’s theme for 2014, the charismatic bishop reminded the delegates that to BEHOLD is not just to see, but to pause, to “BE” and “HOLD”, with emphasis on the being and becoming. Like-
CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca: “When God calls, He knows what He’s doing.”
wise, Bishop Ongtioco exhorted all to “HOLD” on to the graces received in the past. Bishop Ongtioco further stated, “Like Mary, we are invited to ponder on the mystery of Christ’s coming. Let us keep the message of Christmas alive in the hearts and lives of people who long to see Christ.”
After the Mass, a simple but ardent worship led by John Cheng of CFC China ushered the first session titled Ponder, delivered by CFC Executive Director George Campos. I am bold. I am CFC. In his talk, Campos described pondering as an act of one who
is prepared to obey God without full knowledge or understanding, yet would quietly reflect and grow in understanding as God permitted. This very much depicts Mary, shown to have pondered on four occasions, as found on scripture: during the visit of the shepherds to the infant Jesus; when the child Jesus was presented to the temple; the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt; and the loss and finding of the child Jesus in the temple. On the first two occurrences, Mother Mary pondered and believed. “In her selection as the Mother of God, there would be sorrow and tragedy,” Campos shared. He added, “Mary’s example here teaches us that only from our deepest self, from our heart, can we offer to God what is most valuable. All else is secondary. She teaches us that the offering must be made, even when the consequences might be unpleasant or unknown.” During the third, Mary pondered and loved. Amidst the threat of Herod against them, they knew they had to journey from death to life. With Joseph and Jesus, Mary becomes a refugee. “Like Mary, we too will be compelled to travel from a well-known and comfortable environment to a new place in which God’s grace will be our compass. She demonstrates that an intimate union with Jesus is intrinsic to progress in our spiritual life,” Campos recounted. And in order to protect what is Behold / C2
GLEC 2: Rediscovering the ‘Joy of Evangelization’
Bishop Jesse Mercado, Msgr. Allen Aganon, Fr. Herb Schneider, together with members of the international clergy, concelebrating the Masses during the GLEC
By The CFC Docu Team CFC leaders from the International, Philippine and Metro Manila Missions gathered at the Landbank Plaza in Manila, Philippines for a two-day convention to talk about CFC in the light of new evangelization. The 2nd CFC Global Leaders Empowerment Convention (GLEC), with the theme “The Joy of Evangelization” encourages the CFC leadership to ‘go into the deep’ and ‘mend their nets’ as far as evangelization is concerned. Moreover, the GLEC likewise challenged the leaders to ‘leave everything behind’ as they trust God to bring the community through victories in mission. The event formally opened with the celebration of the Holy Mass by Bishop Jesse Mercado of the Diocese of Parañaque. In his homily, he spoke about the significance of the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism. “The Baptism of the Lord is another epiphany, a manifestation. It is the beginning of the Lord’s public ministry. Through his baptism, Jesus aligns Himself with us (sinners) even if He himself is sinless in order to say that God is with us.” After the Mass, Jun Clarito of CFC Canada led everyone to a powerful opening worship.
International Council member and Pastoral Formation Director Jun Uriarte, delivered the first session titled “CFC in the New Evangelization”. Uriarte identified the three main areas of new evangelization: to those who are already in ministry, to those who have been baptized but having no meaningful relationship with the Church, and those who do not know or have rejected Jesus Christ and his teachings. He also presented three approaches for dialogue that CFC can utilize in the context of new evangelization—inter-religious dialogue, inculturation and through dialogue with the poor. “There is a Marian “style” to the Church’s work of evangelization… This interplay of justice and tenderness, of contemplation and concern for others, is what makes the ecclesial community look to Mary as a model of evangelization.” In the afternoon, Joe Aquilina, Country Head of CFC Malta, led the worship, encouraging all, “As we worship the Lord this afternoon, let us try to reach for the skies!” What followed was a series of workshops: “Inculturation & building a global face of CFC” (facilitator: Israel Silud, CFC China, Country Head); “Building and Strengthening Relationships with the Clergy as Evangelization Partners” (Facilitator: Shok Ariola, CFC Church Integration Of-
fice Coordinator); “Re-defining CFC’s Global Evangelization Strategy and Priorities” (Facilitator: Eric de los Reyes, CFC Canada Country Coordinator). Afterwards, the output of the workshops were presented to the plenary. After the CFC Global Leaders Empowerment Convention at the Landbank Plaza, the GLEC participants trooped to The Orchidarium at the Rizal Park in Manila for an evening of fellowship. The management of the Rizal Park welcomed the foreign delegates with a series of Filipino cultural performances. The delegates also came in costumes representing their respective countries. ABLAZE Communications sponsored games and prizes for the participants. To add to the festivities, some of the countries also performed songs and dances. Fr. Herb Schneider, the first Spiritual Director of Couples for Christ, celebrated the Mass on Day 2 of GLEC, exhorting the faithful to remember always to come in deep prayer and not to be overtaken by busyness as CFC responds to God’s call to evangelize. After the Mass, a spirit-filled worship led by John Cheng of CFC China. CFC Executive Director George Campos exhorted and empowered all leaders during the Leaders Training 1 titled “One Global Team Mindset”, discussing the implications when CFC acquires a global mindset or consciousness. He likewise presented the primary activities that CFC should champion: the CFC IC priority strategies for the next couple of years, the First Fruits, and the One Mission Fund. His presentation was followed CFC Global Mission Center Administrator Eric Ylagan, who led the Leaders Training 2, “Effective Governance: Authority and Accountability”. After lunch and afternoon worship led by Keith Sampson if CFC South Africa, the delegates broke out again into groups for the Intercontinental Planning, where outputs on the status of CFC membership, a SWOT analysis of the continents and areas, and a strategic GLEC 2 / C2
Conference worship leaders Jun Clarito (CFC Canada) and Joe Aquilina (CFC Malta)
CFC PFO Director Jun Uriarte delivering first session, “CFC in the New Evangelization”
Workshop facilitators Bong Arjonillo (left) and Eric delos Reyes (right)
CFC ED George Campos giving Leaders Training 1 titled “One Global Team Mindset”
CFC GMC Administrator Eric Ylagan, led the Leaders Training 2 on Effective Governance
CFC IC members Jimmy Ilagan, Ricky Cuenca and George Campos pray over the leaders
ANCOP scholars doing a colorful dance number
Ricky Cuenca giving final talk titled “They Left Everything and Followed Him”
SFC International Coordinator Noli Manuel led the delegates in a spirit-filed praisefest
Ugnayan
C2 George Campos
Now the Work of Christmas Begins There’s this song by Howard Thurman that goes: When the song of the angels is stilled,when the star in the sky is gone,when the kings and princes are home,when the shepherds are back with their flocks,the work of Christmas begins:to find the lost,to heal the broken,to feed the hungry,to release the prisoner,to rebuild the nations,to bring peace among the people,to make music in the heart. The New Year has just been ushered in and we are still longing to extend the Christmas spirit and holiday feeling. It is so hard to switch from vacation mode to work mode. We can’t help but sigh at the thought of going back to our normal daily lives, to our respective jobs and countless cares. Has really Christmas come and gone? Are we now just waiting for the next Christmas? We all go through the tedious preparations for Christmas—decorating our homes, assembling the Christmas trees and lights, putting up the Belen, buying and wrapping gifts, preparing the noche buena feast. Spiritually, we are preparing as well. We sacrifice our much needed sleep by waking up so early for the Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass). Some of us even do civic and charitable works. There is so much generosity and sharing, love and caring. And when the Christmas Season is over, we take down all the decorations. The Belen is kept back in the box, the Baby Jesus left in the storeroom of our houses, gone from our hearts and minds till next December comes. Is Christmas just any other occasion? Is it just an ordinary holiday that we look forward to every December? What truly is the message of the coming of the Christ Child in Bethlehem? What does it call us to do? Christmas is that very special day God pre-
sented to the world His great plan of salvation, unfolding His work of redemption. Yes, Christmas marks the beginning of Christ’s mission to reconcile man with God. He comes with the Father’s blessing of love, peace and hope. And we, the beneficiaries of His redemptive work, owe it to Him to continue the legacy of love that He gave us. As Howard Thurman wrote in his song, now is the time for us to start the work of Christmas. We are called to share this love that we received and take the Christ Spirit into the world. This New Year, how can we better work and serve in God’s vineyard? There are three kinds of people here on earth: (1) those who make things happen, (2) those who watch things happen and (3) those who wonder what happened. Let us be those who make things happen. Let us all dedicatedly and actively work with the Lord in establishing His kingdom in the hearts of everyone, enthroning Him as our only King! Let our lives be bold witnesses of His great love as we trustingly obey His will and do whatever He tell us. Let our hands be His hands. Let our feet be His feet. Let our ears be His ears. Let our mouths be His mouth. Let us go out of our comfort zones. Let us go to where we are called. Let us offer our time, talent and treasure willingly. Let us go together on missions. Let us journey in faith. This 2014, we have the whole world to conquer. Miracles happen because of faith. That which we think is impossible would be possible. We would be like the people who were amazed in Jesus’ response to a strong faith when they uttered, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:12). Let us be the miracle in other people’s lives. That in all things, may God be glorified!
Cross Catholic Outreach Sponsors Five Houses in AKC Community
By Marvie Gazo
Cross Catholic Outreach turned over their five (5) sponsored houses to homepartners in ANCOP Kapatid Community (AKC) in Bagbaguin, Caloocan City last January 9, 2013. Cross Catholic Outreach is an international Catholic ministry that serves the poorest of the poor by channeling aid through dioceses, parishes, and Catholic missionaries, cost-effectively helping the poor break the cycle of poverty while advancing Catholic evangelization. Gracing the ceremonies were Jim Cavnar, President of Cross Catholic Outreach; Claudio Merisio, International Project Director; Victor Biggs, International Program Director and Lot Ortiz-Luis, Country Coordinator. ANCOP President Eric delos
Reyes, BCOP Shelter Head Mark Tagalag, CFC leaders and members of Metro Manila North A sector and AKC homepartners welcomed the guests. The home partners, on the other hand, were very happy and excited to receive the symbolic keys and move in to their new houses. Delos Reyes thanked the donors and homepartners who joined hands in making this dream of having decent homes and a spirit-filled community a reality. He also talked about the other ANCOP programs like the Child Sponsorship Program, Cornerstone and Community Development Program for the benefit of Cross Catholic Outreach. CSP scholar Aileen Rivera shared how her life was changed when she became a scholar of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde,
and the better opportunities in her future once she graduates from her studies. To date, there are 41 ANCOP scholars in AKC. Jim Cavnar was impressed with ANCOP and how it is working to answer the cry of the poor. He expressed how Cross Catholic Outreach is also doing its share in helping the poor all over the world. “We believe that great things are possible when committed Catholics work together to meet a need!”, Cavnar added. Cross Catholic Outreach has pledged to sponsor more houses in AKC and many other ANCOP Communities all over the Philippines. Cross Catholic Outreach is an official Catholic organization registered with the Diocese of Palm Beach in South Florida, USA and is listed in the Official Catholic Directory.
CBCP Monitor Vol. 18 No. 3
February 3 - 16, 2014
3rd CFC ANCOP Golf Cup: All for a good cause
The 3rd CFC ANCOP Golf Tournament last January 15, 2014 proved to be more for fellowship and a good cause as 76 golfers trooped to the Villamor Golf Club very early that morning. CFC members and guests enjoyed the crisp weather as they hit the greens. CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca and Lito Tayag did the cermonial tee-off. At the end of the tournament, the following came out champions: Overall Champion (Lowest Net) - Greg Cancio; Low Gross Champion - Freddie Salinda; Team Champion - Philippine Titans; Class A Champion - Ian Laurel; Class B Champion - Albert Bercasio; Class C Champion - Pedy Acosta; Ladies Champion - Renee Francisco. This year’s annual friendly games were made possible through the generosity of partners like GT Radial Philippines and KiG Glassware, RCBC Savings Bank, FH Commercial, and Philippine Titans Alumni. Behold / C1
precious to her, Mary had to make decisions and choices that would safeguard not only the life of her son, but also the mission that God entrusted to her. In the final situation, Mary pondered and hoped as she searched for the missing boy Jesus. Mary challenges us to recognize and accept the quest for Jesus as a substantive dimension of our Christian life and mission. Campos added, “She is the pioneer of this quest and so models the spiritual life for us. Like Mary, we will have to look for Jesus wherever our search leads us. With detachment and hope, our search will bring us to the temple, to the truth that Jesus is the only solid ground in which we must root our lives. Our search leads us, as did Mary’s own, to the “Father’s house”, to a way of life in union with Jesus.” In the life of Couples for Christ, many have become guilty of negative attitudes which may obstruct one’s focus on Mary’s model of pondering. As a reminder, Campos presented the basic tools for spiritual growth which every CFC learned in Talk 10 of the Christian Life Program—Prayer, Study, Fellowship, Service, and the Sacraments. At the end of the session, Campos challenged Couples for Christ to be bold, taking to heart these words: “We are the music makers; the story tellers; teachers and poets; the men and women of vision and leadership; the legends, the saints, and the champions. We are the dreamers of dreams. Let us sit with god for a few minutes each day and dream with him, and with the vision that he
places in our hearts, go out into the world with a contagious love that cannot be ignored.” Learning from Mary to BEHOLD CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca, on the other hand, gave the second talk, Behold. In his presentation, Cuenca discussed how Couples for Christ can learn from Mary to behold, using the heart and not the eyes to see. Being the first disciple, Mary is CFC’s model of beholding and responding. “Mary our Mother, in the first instance of her recorded encounter with God, pondered and responded totally with the courage of one whose heart is pure. Another translation of BEHOLD is “HERE I AM”…She understood and readied herself to act, all the way, with her entire life,” he added. Further, Cuenca stressed that to behold is to be engaged in a dialogue of love, having a dynamic connection & wholehearted responding. Cuenca emphasized, “Beholding is a seeing that acts in trustworthy response. Mary’s life, like our life, had its human share of joys and sorrows, of darkness and light. She journeyed in deep faith guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit.” “As in Mary’s life, the initiating move is God’s. God is at work. Whenever God wants to do something, He lets us know and reveals Himself and His activities,” Cuenca stated. Despite the seeming impossibility of the task at hand, God called Mary to have a deeper reliance upon her relationship with Him so that
she may grow into someone God desires her to be—the Mother of the Savior. Cuenca reminded that Mary represents everyone in CFC. “God also calls us. There are some of us who unlike Mary, do not want to heed God’s call. Some feel completely unqualified to do God’s will. Nevertheless, when God calls, He knows what He is doing.” He added, “We cannot have a deep experience of God without changes or adjustments in our lifestyles, purposes, goals… not without an encounter with the word of God.” The life of Mary being everyone’s guide, Cuenca challenged the congregation to respond fearlessly because as God calls, God also provides and sustains. “When God speaks, He wants us to go from where we are to where He is, so that He can complete His saving activity through us.” Cuenca then proceeded to present the International Council’s six-point priorities for the next two years, giving emphasis on CFC’s engagement in building the Church of the poor. As a final word, Cuenca took the words Pope Francis said in one of his homilies, “Let us ask Our Lady to help us too, to give Christ’s joy to our families, our companions, our friends, to everyone. Never be afraid to be generous with Christ. It is worth it! Go out and set off with courage and generosity, so that every man and every woman may meet the Lord.” To cap the event, Dixie Banzon, the Provincial Area Director of CFC Bataan, led everyone into a power-packed praisefest.
GLEC 2 / C1
continent evangelization plan were expected from the participants. Following the presentation of the results, IC members Ricky Cuenca, Jimmy Ilagan and George Campos came up onstage to pray over the entire plenary. Lastly, CFC Chairman and Director for International Missions Ricky Cuenca gave the final session for the GLEC—“They Left Everything and Followed Him”. “We again need to respond to the call of Jesus with an ever deeper, passionate and zealous commitment,” Cuenca emphasized, adding, “We must also rediscover the joy of evangelization and discipleship that our Pope Francis is showing to
the Church in the world.” Testimonies by his wife Irma Cuenca; Israel and Sally Silud of CFC China; Bal Quiambao of CFC UAE; Bob and Aileen Serrrano, Country Coordinator of CFC Seychelles; Eugene and Jo Vilbar of UAE; and Ramir Gazo and family inspired the participants into placing their trust in the Lord in all areas of their lives. SFC International Coordinator Noli Manuel, closed the entire convention with an empowering Praisefest. (photos by Caloy Rubio, Deo Oliveria, Nathaniel Gomez)
Brighter Days for Tala Hansenites By Marvie Gazo
Tala in Caloocan City used to be tagged as “no man’s land” because it is where the biggest hospital for leprosy patients and their families is located. Today, Tala is a thriving community of healed Hansenites and their families and is the latest site of an ANCOP Community. Last December 19, 2013, ANCOP officers and volunteers, the local government of Caloocan and key personalities from the National Housing Authority (NHA) came together for the Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and groundbreaking ceremonies at the Fr. Hofstee ANCOP
Homes. No less than the Vice President of the Philippines, the Hon. Jejomar Binay, and Mayor Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan City graced the event. Other guests include NHA representatives Atty. Chito F. Cruz, Engr. Vic Balba and Cecilia Alba; Holy Rosary Parish Priest Farther Alberto Tamisen; Tala HOAI President Virgilio Reyes; Co-ops for Christ Manila Chairman Victor Hizon; Program manager of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City Engr. Ramon Reside; Brgy. 186 Tala Punong Barangay Jesus Basmayor; Medical Director for Leprosarium Dr. Edgar Javillonar; Fr. Hofstee HOAI President Cesar Romero; ANCOP President Eric delos Reyes; and ANCOP Shelter Program Head Mark Tagalag.
Vice President and Chairman of PagIBIG Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund) Hon. Jejomar Binay, in his speech thanked CFC ANCOP, Holy Rosary Parish Priest Father Alberto Tamisen and all stakeholders on this housing project for their commitment to provide 55 decent houses for the poor. To date, there are 187 ANCOP scholars from Tala. This latest partnership among ANCOP, the City Government of Caloocan and the National Housing Authority for shelter hopes to give a new face to Tala, Caloocan, and transform the district from “no man’s land” to a community of opportunities, from education to shelter and livelihood, and transform not only the physical look of community but also the lives of the people residing there.
Vice President Jejomar Binay for NHA and Mayor Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan led in the signing of the partnership with CFC ANCOP to build the Fr. Hofstee Community in Tala, Caloocan
Ugnayan
Vol. 18 No. 3
February 3 - 16, 2014
Jun Uriarte
CFC in the New Evangelization The following is the content of the talk of Bro. Jun Uriarte during the 2nd Global Leaders Empowerment Convention last January 12, 2014. We will be publishing this in two or three parts. Part 1 discusses the Scope of and Need for New Evangelization. Many of you would remember that in 2002, during the 21st anniversary of Couples for Christ, we had our 5th International Mission Conference in Manila. The theme of that conference was “Going to the Deep”. Today, we are going back to that same verse from the gospel of Luke (Luke 5:4), which says, “…put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch”. But this time, we are going to ponder on this instruction from the Lord to go into the deep, and we will ponder it from the perspective of new evangelization, meaning to say, new evangelization means going to the deep. With that, we start sharing on and asking ourselves what is the scope of, and what is this need for, new evangelization. Bishop Mercado already shared with us during his homily what new evangelization is all about. But let’s try to reflect and ponder on it. Let us hear what Pope Benedict XVI said about new evangelization. Pope Benedict XVI said new evangelization is new, but not in its content. It is new in its inner thrust; it is new in its methods, which must correspond to the times. It is new because it is necessary to proclaim the gospel. Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, defined what new evangelization is all about, the way we should be understanding it today. He said the evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each baptized. Every Christian is challenged, here and now—not yesterday, not tomorrow, but here and now—to be actively engaged in evangelization. He continues, “Indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love.” And he proceeds further, “Every Christian is a missionary, to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus.” And the last part is the most important that we need to ponder and reflect on: “We no longer say that we are disciples and missionaries.” There is no more separation between disciples and missionaries, and this is very
important. Because he said, “We should rather call ourselves missionary disciples.” New evangelization, my brothers and sisters, is necessary. New evangelization is an obligation. As St. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “Woe to me, if I do not proclaim the gospel.” And so, let’s ponder: what is the scope of new evangelization? This is very important because as Bishop (Mercado) said, earlier, we defined new evangelization in a very narrow way. Pope John Paul II, in the encyclical Redemptoris Missio, defined new evangelization in a narrow way. But Pope Francis, starting also with Pope Benedict XVI, expanded and widened the definition of new evangelization. Scope of, and Need for, New Evangelization Pope Francis identifies three areas for evangelization. These three areas correspond to the three situations that Pope John Paul II mentioned in Redemptoris Missio. The first area is that of ordinary pastoral ministry, where “new evangelization is aimed to inflame the hearts of the faithful to preserve a deep and sincere faith and regularly or occasionally take part in community worship” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium). This means us. For those who have heard of Jesus Christ, and know the story of Jesus, what is needed is ‘mending the nets’—pastoral care. We have to ensure that the fish we have already caught do not escape through the holes of the net. And we therefore need to mend the nets. That is the ordinary pastoral ministry. In Redemptoris Missio of Pope John Paul II, this is not called new evangelization, it is just an ordinary pastoral care of the faithful. And that is why this is very important, because from Pope Benedict XVI, and now our current Pope, they have now included even our pastoral care to our own members in the community of Couples for Christ. Our mending of our nets is included in the definition of new evangelization. When we talk of new evangelization, it includes the leaders’ pastoral concern over those under him. The second area is that of those of the baptized whose lives do not reflect the demands of Baptism, who lack a meaningful relationship to the Church and no longer experience the consolation born of faith. And Pope Francis con-
tinues, “Here, the aim of new evangelization is to help them experience a conversion that will restore (emphasis added) the joy of faith to their hearts and inspire a commitment to the Gospel.” This is what Redemptoris Missio defines as new evangelization or re-evangelization—those who have heard about Christ, those who used to be faithful to the Church, but somehow have fallen slowly away from the Church. Redemptoris Missio defined this as new evangelization or reevangelization, Evangelii Gaudium also defines it also and includes it in new evangelization. This is what we have been doing since 1981. We have been inviting Catholics, and occasionally other Christians to the Christian Life Program, and the attempt that with the power of the Holy Sprit, we will be able to restore the joy of the gospel. And that was new evangelization with Pope John Paul II, it is still new evangelization in Pope Francis. And finally, the third are of new evangelization as now defined in a wider sense covers those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. And again, it is very clear in the words of Pope Francis, “The aim of new evangelization is to proclaim the gospel, appearing as people who wish to share their joy.” When you proclaim the gospel, you do not proselytize. But what do you do? You appear as people who wish to share their joy—the joy that we experience in the community, we wish to share with them that joy, “pointing to a horizon of beauty and inviting others to a delicious banquet.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium) This, in Redemptoris Missio, is missio ad gentes—the mission to the Gentiles. In the narrow sense of Redemptoris Missio, this was missio ad gentes, and not new evangelization. We have not yet fully entered into missio ad gentes, but now, because of the wider definition of new evangelization, and because the laity is especially called to new evangelization, then all three areas now are included in our work in the community of Couples for Christ. We pastor our own members— that’s new evangelization. We reevangelize those who have fallen away from the Church—that’s new evangelization. And then we go to non-Christian countries, non-Christian regions—and that is still new evangelization.
C3
CFC USA march at the 10th Annual Walk for Life Photos by Greg Sasis, CFC USA, SoCal and Mauril Mariano, CFC USA, NorCal
CBCP Monitor
By Jenn Cruz Couples for Christ and its family ministries in the United States converged with many thousands of anti-abortion protesters to defend the sanctity of human life on Saturday, January 25th. In Southern California, the morning began with the 9:30 AM holy Mass presided by Archbishop Cordileone at St. Mary’s Cathedral. In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone stated, “The (pro-life) movement is not only about abolishing abortion. It is (also) about the mother—providing for her emotional, physical, and spiritual needs so she chooses life. It is about connecting the baby to the mother and father. Marriage is about children.” Thereafter, CFC and its family ministries joined a massive and diverse crowd of pro-
testers to rally in front of City Hall at 12 noon. Signs and banners displayed various messages such as: “Respeta La Vida, Defiende La Vida,” “All people are equal. All choices are not,” and “Smile, you mom chose LIFE.” A former Planned Parenthood representer said, “Our goal is to see that there are no more abortion clinics. We are getting closer to that goal each year.” October Baby actress, Sheri Rigby, also shared her personal testimony on abortion. Meanwhile, in NorCal, CFC and its family ministries peacefully marched down Market street to the Justin Herman Plaza praying the Rosary, holding signs saying “I AM PRO-LIFE GENERATION,” and chanting the words “prolife.” A small group of pro-abortion rights activists were on the sidelines protesting the march.
GPSI Finalists Visit ANCOP Homes
GPSI 2014 Champion Katrina Lopez of Hawaii receiving her prizes and trophy from DZMM Executives
GPSI First runner-up Michelle Lao from Canada with Fil-Canadian Senator Tobias Enverga Jr.
PIRA, CFC ANCOP seal partnership for Yolanda shelter project The Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association Inc. (PIRA), represented by its Chairman Emmanuel Que and Deputy General Manager Roger Concepcion, and CFC ANCOP, with CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca and outgoing ANCOP President Eric delos Reyes, signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of 12 houses in the ASEAN Insurance Village that will rise sat a relocation site for Yolanda survivors in Palo, Leyte. In a simple ceremony last January 9, 2014, officers of PIRA and members of the CFC International Council met at the Couples for Christ Global Mission Center to seal the partnership. Concepcion narrated how CFC ANCOP was introduced to the organization during the Asian Convention of Non-Life Insurers, and that they see CFC ANCOP as the group that can best help them in their desire to help those affected by the recent super-typhoon.
CFC SG turns over Goodwater bottles to CFC ANCOP CFC Singepore, represented by Gary Argulla, turned over Goodwater portable filtration bottles to CFC ANCOP during Day 2 of GLEC last month. Ethel Balenton of CFC ANCOP and Southern Leyte Provincial Area Director Jude Abenoja received the donations. The Goodwater portable filtration bottles are being shipped to families who have been affected by typhoon Yolanda through the CFC leadership in the area to facilitate ease in distribution.
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
The eight finalists of the World Caravan Global Pinoy Singing Idol (GPSI) visited the ANCOP AVANAI Community last January 23, 2014. The children and home partners of the AVANAI Community warmly welcomed the eight Idols, who came all the way from the USA, the Middle East, Canada and Macau. After the brief orientation about ANCOP and what it does, the Idols were made to experience how it is to be “volunteers” in building the
ANCOP homes. The immersion activity is part of their stint as GPSI champions. The various GPSI local finals were held in Hawaii for GPSI USA, Abu Dhabi for GPSI Middle East, Montreal for GPSI Canada, and GPSI Macau. Three of the country finals—USA, Canada and the Middle East—were conducted in partnership with the local ANCOP counterparts. (Text & photos by Romeo Medina)
Ancop Usa Iloilo Medical Mission set for this month
(L-R) Dr. Patricia S. Trabado, Dr. Alabado, Dr. Reyes, Vonz Santos, Gov. Defensor, Ancop Usa Executive Director Roger Santos
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GPSI Finalists experience ANCOP
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FAIR LAWN, NJ - ANCOP USA has scheduled an eight-day medical/surgical/dental mission in the Typhoon Yolanda worst hit towns of Mina, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Concepcion and Carles, all in Iloilo Province, from February 7-14, 2014. Roger Santos, ANCOP USA Executive Director, met and had a pre-medical mission meeting with Governor Arthur Defensor and his provincial medical personnel last January 14, 2014 in Iloilo City. At the same time, Elizabeth Macaraeg, ANCOP
USA Health Program Head, announced that some 30 Filipino American medical professionals from around the US will join the mission. Santos also revealed the three-phase program of ANCOP USA in providing assistance to the victims of the last typhoon. The program comprises of disaster relief (which is done already); health mission (for February) and rebuilding of destroyed houses. ANCOP aims to build/rebuild 300 houses in Leyte and Samar this year.
CBCP Monitor
Ugnayan
C4
Vol. 18 No. 3
February 3 - 16, 2014
The CFC Beloved Weekend By The CFC Docu Team The threat of a single-digit temperature did not stop the over 2,000-strong members of the CFC Mission Core from going up to Baguio City for the 2014 The Beloved Weekend. In fact, delegates from the Metro Manila, Philippine, and International Missions were on fire as soon as they entered the CAP Convention Center in Camp John Hay. As early as 2:30 PM, CFC leaders were lining up to register on the first day of the Beloved Weekend. After the recitation of the Holy Rosary, Rev. Fr. Anton Pras, CICM of Indonesia celebrated the Mass, together with Fr. Carolus Patampang (Indonesia), Fr. Pierre Friquin (Mauritius) and Fr. Jacques Piat (Mauritius). In his homily, Fr. Anton called everyone’s attention to Mary’s special attitude of constant pondering on God’s will for her and plan. He shared,“By saying, ‘I give up!’, we deny the generosity of God who is the source and giver of our talents, capabilities and skills in our lives. As CFC leaders, we have to participate and play our various roles to strengthen our community. “ He extracted two simple lessons from the gospel: 1) When everybody shares in the task, everything is possible. 2) Never give up when challenged because by giving up, man denies God the chance to do something in his life. To open the weekend retreat, Noli Medalla of Metro Manila Central B led the community in a rousing worship and exhorted everyone to be of service to brothers and sisters in need, to country, and to God. CFC Executive Director George Campos welcomed the delegates, exhorting all, “Let us journey with Mary individually and collectively. We are God’s beloved. Mother Mary has been singing to us of God’s love.” After the worship and welcome remarks, the Metro Manlla Sectors performed original compositions of songs honoring Mother Mary. Joe Aqullina, CFC Malta Country Head, likewise rendered his own composition, with the active participation of the audience. The husband and wife tandem of Kirby and Michelle Llaban kept the program flowing. The performance by
CFC Pastoral Formation Office Director Jun Uriarte giving the prologue
CFC IC member Jimmy Ilagan giving Talk 3, “Behold, the New Mission”
One of the highlights of the Beloved Weekend is the Eucharistic Adoration
the Metro Manila Sector Heads also brought the house down. Day 2 marked the start of the powerful talks and inspiring testimonies from CFC leaders. As it is usually done, the recitation of the Rosary and the celebration of the Mass were the first order of the day to prepare the participants throughout the three sessions of the second day. Rev. Fr. Andres Posadas of the Dioceses of Baguio quoted Pope Francis in his homily: “All of us need to encounter Jesus” When we encounter Jesus we experience joy and we share that joy to others by being the good news for the poor, sick, prisoners, the marginalized. In bringing the good news be God-centered, not centered on self. In so doing, God must increase; I must
CFC Family Ministries Director Mannix Ocampo delivering Session 1
CFC Corporate Secretary Arnel Santos talking about loving the poor in Talk 2
CFC Executive Director George Campos welcoming the MC delegates
Manny Garcia exhorting the participants to be the ears, moths and hands of Jesus in Talk 4
Local and international clergy concelebrating the Mass
decrease.” After the Mass, Joel Santos of Metro Manila Central C led the opening worship. Before proceeding to the sessions, CFC Pastoral Formation Director Jun Uriarte gave a prologue on Behold and Ponder. Uriarte revealed, “This weekend is a retreat, not a conference. Look into ourselves and look at God’s action into our lives.” Further more, he exhorted everyone to ponder on each one’s life as a family, husband, wife, parent; and as a bigger community of CFC and strive for balance of lives and activities, with the Family at Nazareth as the model. He reminded every person to pursue the work of evangelization as “alter Christus”, another Christ, the Beloved Son. He ended the Prologue with a community recitation of “Prayer to
Mary” by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Talk 1, Ponder, the Family of Love, by Mannix Ocampo followed immediately. Ocampo reiterated on the message he received from the CFC Leaders’ Conference the week before: “Behold, I have made myself broken for your sake.” On a very positive note he said, “This year we will be at the greatest heights of holiness. Prepare to make a bountiful harvest of fruits.” During his session, Ocampo called onstage Manny & Ditas Garcia, Joe & Babylou Tale, Lito & Linda Tayag, Rouquel & Nina Ponte, Joe & Mila Yamamoto, and Joey & Tess Arguelles—the IC, together with Melo & Nini Villaroman, that held the community together during our storms in 2007 and 2009—and honored them for standing as “parents” of the community. Afterwards,
he invited the entire congregation to extend their hands to pray over them. Talk 2, titled Ponder, the Manger’s Message was given by Arnel Santos. “Behold and Ponder: Look at things differently with the eyes of faith, hope and love,” Santos underscored. He added as a challenge, “Ponder on, each one of us. Do we really love the poor?” Talk 3, Behold, the New Mission was in turn delivered by Jimmy Ilagan. According to him, CFC’s mission is a call, a challenge and an inspiration. CFC is called to bring the gospel and to witness the Word to all nations, and to respond with generosity. “New Evangelization requires a retelling of the story of Christ which calls CFC to a new mission involving: Interreligious dialogue, enculturation, Social Economics involvement”, Ilagan underlined. One of the highlights of the second day is the Holy Hour, where the CFC leaders spent an hour praying in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. Day 3, Sunday, was ushered by the talk of Manny Garcia titled Behold, the Beloved Son after the opening worship led by Jorge Santos. In his session, Garcia reminded CFC, “Mary is telling us to be alter Christus—to be the ears, mouths, hands of Jesus. We are the hands of Christ who hold each other in tenderness. Do good so everybody can say, “This is the Son of God.” Garcia likewise reminded CFC to see Jesus in the poor, to give their hearts to them and show Christ’s face to others. To close the session, Joe Tale led the praisefest, exhorting everyone that the Lord calls each one to be missionaries, to go to the ends of the earth to tell the story of Jesus. After the praisefest, CFC IC Spiritual Director Msgr. Allen Aganon celebrated the Mass, leaving these commanding words through his homily: “Behold, God is intervening! Do not be afraid. Do not worry. Remember, I will be with you. Do not rely on your own strength and ideas.” Documentation: CFC Global Communications: Joey Tomas, Jerry Tanigue, Mike Santos, Caloy Rubio, Sam Manuel, Alma Alvarez, Deo Oliveria North B Documentation Team: Bobot and Echie Bautista, Jake and Pat Ayson, Rudy and Grace Plazo
CFC Foreign Leaders Experience BCOP
Total BCOP experience, clockwise from top left: Miss Corazon Pamintuan, principal of Northville Elementary School; ANCOP leaders pose with the clergy before the Mass; Joe Aquiilna, CFC Malta, interacting with the scholars; ANCOP Canada pose with their scholars; Cornerstone tutees lining up for breakfast; outgoing ANCOP President Eric delos Reyes.
By Alma Alvarez CFC Leaders from Canada, UAE, Malta, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Kenya, and KSA joined the BCOP Tour and experienced concretely building the church of the poor by interacting with the Cornerstone children from Northville Elementary School and ANCOP scholars from the Aeta community in Pampanga, as well as immerse in the ANCOP Bani Community in Balanga, Bataan. The delegation left Manila early Thursday morning and arrived in time for the Mass in San Fernando, Pampanga. Fr. Rading David, CFC Pampanga Spiritual Director, and Fr. Ching Fuertes, Parish Priest of St. Vincent Ferrer, concelebrated the Mass. The international delagates had fun sharing lugaw with tokwa’t baboy, pandesal & tibok-
tibok with the children, interviewing them and watching their performances afterwards. Miss Corazon Pamintuan, principal of Northville Elementary School, expressed her gratitude to CFC, the volunteers and sponsors who make Cornerstone possible, citing the great impact the program has made to the students of her school. After the meet-and-greet and feeding program with the Cornerstone tutees and the ANCOP scholars in Pampanga, the group proceeded to Balanga, Bataan to experience first-hand the activities in an ANCOP community. The group got to know the families, planted trees, painted a few walls and played with the children in Bani. The participants of the first BCOP Experience Tour & Immersion were very much inspired to work more in engaging in CFC’s building the Church of the poor programs when they return to their respective countries.
A taste of BCOP, clockwise from top left: Cornerstone tutees from Northville Elementary School, San Fernando, Pampanga; delegates pose with the children; leaders from South Africa and the Middle East pray over their seedling; Mylene David and her mother sharing about her experiences as an ANCOP scholar; Manu Muinde of CFC Kenya plants a tree; CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca getting a feel of the community’s livelihood program; Eric delos Reyes briefing Joe Aquilina of CFC Malta about the specifications of the model house; Emmanuel Pineda of BCOP Bataan introducing the ANCOP Bani Community to the guests. (Photos: Alma Alvarez, Jerry Tanigue)