UGNAYAN May 30 to June 12 2016

Ugnayan

THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 20 No. 21

July 25 - August 7, 2016 C1

CFC: GRATEFUL@35 In the Bible, numbers have various significance. Seven, twelve, and forty may mean perfection of completion, for instance. However, if one tries to look for the number “35” and search for its meaning in the biblical context, there seems to be none available. This doesn’t mean though, that the number is less important.

My dear brothers and sisters, as you celebrate your foundation anniversary, you have chosen to reflect on the theme “Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks.”

As we stand near the threshold of our 5 th centenary of the arrival of Christianity in our nation come 2021, the good Lord has blessed us abundantly. In 2012, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has gifted our with our second martyr. After San Lorenzo Ruiz, we have a martyr, a young saint from the Visayas, San Pedro Calungsod. And we recall on November 8, 2013, the world’s strongest typhoon, Haiyan or Yolanda, barreled through the many islands in the Visayas, destroying human life and livelihood.

However, a year after, from January 15 to 19, 2015, the Lord again blessed us with the visit of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, bringing with him hope, especially to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

And, just recently, we hosted for the second time the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, which took place in our Archdiocese in Cebu last January 24 to 31 of this year.

Couples for Christ, you are very much aware that not all were not years of plain joy and pure celebration. I know we have all encountered difficult challenges and trying moments, but since the Lord has built His house upon you, then we know neither death nor life, nor future things nor power, or death nor depth, no other creature has separated you from the love of Jesus Christ.

As you rejoice in the Lord for the gift of 35 years of faithful togetherness, then you can truly re-echo the words of St. Paul: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”

During the Synod in Rome, in the first week, we were sharing on the conditions of the families, the challenges and difficulties of migration, raising children, education. And then, a couple from Brazil shared, “Your Excellencies, you are sharing about the difficulties and concerns of the

For CFC, 35 years is a life of gratitude.

Hence, the theme Grateful@35 as Couples for Christ celebrated 35 fruitful years of blessings from the Lord.

As usually practiced, this year’s CFC anniversary celebration was spread throughout a week-long celebration via the various congresses where delegates from all over the Philippines and abroad came together to learn, exchange ideas, catch up with brethren, and fellowship with one another.

First in the list of events was the 1st International PFO Congress, followed by the Congresses on the Social Development Programs, the Metro Manila and Philippine Missions, Clergy and Lay, and the Family Ministries.

Within these Congresses were the International Mission Core Assembly and the CFC Songwriting Competition. On the home front, guests from the provinces and abroad were likewise witness to the groundbreaking ceremonies at the Global Mission Center for the construction of the new wing and blessing of the GMC. These week-long events were capped by the grand celebration at the Luneta Grandstand in Manila, Philippines, where international delegates and those from the Philippine Missions paraded in thanksgiving for three decades and a half of God’s faithfulness not only to community, but to each and every individual.

The Philippine Military Academy cadets who had completed the PMA Christian Life Program, likewise joined the festivities, performing a silent drill which exhibited the PMA brand of discipline. It was their first time to be part of the celebration, and a first for them to witness the bigger community they belong to.

His Excellency Archbishop Jose Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu celebrated the Mass, together with other local and foreign clergy, including Archbishop John Barwa of India and Bishop Philip Anyolo of Kenya.

Thousands of CFC members celebrated from morning till night, all taking in the blessings from the festivities, the Mass and the praisefest.

Indeed, the celebration was all about CFC being grateful for Christ, who has called each one by name; grateful for family, for it being the nest of love and seedbed of vocations; and grateful for community, for being of one heart and mind in the journey towards the eternal home.

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The Clergy and Laity: Together in Amoris Laetitia

His Excellency The Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Chairman of the Episcopal Committee on the Lay Apostolate of the CBCP, delivered his overview

on Amoris Laetitia at the CFC Clergy and Lay Congress last June 15, 2016 at the SMC Convention Center.

The document is a post-synodal exhortation of Pope Francis on

love in the family, written after the conclusion of two Synods, the Extraordinary and Ordinary Synods on the Family.

According to Bishop Pabillo, the purpose of Amoris Laetitia is being an aid to reflection, dialogue and pastoral practice, a help and encouragement to families.

Bishop Pabillo began his overview with some criticisms on current pastoral practices, namely: 1. Marriage is always presented in such a way that its unitive meaning, its call to grow in love and its ideal of mutual assistance CLERGY LAY, C3

First International PFO Congress Kicks Off CFC Week-long Anniversary

Fr. Marbendear Morallos shares his reflection on the early Church

The Joy of Answering the Cry of the Poor

The CFC International Council prays over the delegates for empowerment in their involvement in the various SocDev Programs

Abp. Palma: 'Be true to your vocation and mission'

One thing was evident in the full house venue— that everyone was eager to know more about the different Social Development Programs of Couples for Christ.

Their thirst for knowledge about these programs was filled during the 1st CFC ANCOP – Social Development Programs (SDPs) Congress at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

For years since its foundation, CFC has been answering the call for evangelization in the corporate workplace, the military, the government offices, prison, migrants, the environment, health and other sectors of society, most especially those in the peripheries. Formerly called the CFC Social Ministries, the CFC- SDPs were established in 1995 in order to give CFC members, partners, and volunteers a venue to work for Total Christian Liberation and social justice.

To date, CFC has seven programs on social development

namely, CFC Order of St. Michael (for uniformed personnel), CFC Oikos Society (environment), CFC Migrants’ Program (for migrant workers and families), St. Thomas More and Associates (good governance), Give Care Health Foundation Inc. (health and wellness), Co-ops for Christ (financial matters) and Isaiah 61:1 (prison ministry).

Fr. Robert E.N. Rivera, S.J. the event’s keynote speaker, gave an expanded and in-depth explanation as to how these programs evolved and contributed to society, vis-à-vis CFC’s history. Fr. Rivera’s doctoral dissertation titled “The Couples for Christ: Suborganizational Framing and Sociopolitical Mobilization in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal” is a rich and wide research study on the origins, movements and actions of the various social development programs of CFC. SOCDEV, C3

“This (conference) expresses our recognition of the importance of pastoral formation in the life of community, pursuing what we have also set as our basic direction for 2016 and beyond— to strengthen our core and expand our reach,” CFC Chairman Joe Tale explained as he opened the first International Pastoral Formation Congress last June 11, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Delegates from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and overseas filled the conference venue, all eager to learn and participate in the plenary ses-

sions and break-out workshops.

Fr. Marbendear Morallos, from the Archdiocese of Davao, gave a reflection on “Pastoral Formation in the Light of the First Christian Community” in the first plenary session.

In his reflection, Fr. Morallos took inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, verses 42 to 47, which read: "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders

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July 25 - August 7, 2016 Vol. 20 No. 21

CBCP Monitor

How God Spoiled us During the CFC 35th Anniversary

Grateful at 35—this was the theme for the week-long Couples for Christ anniversary celebration. This was also how we, the delegates from India, felt every single day since we arrived in Manila.

There were seven of us from Odisha, India, including His Excellency Archbishop John Barwa S.V.D., the Vicar General of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar; Fr. Prasanna Kumar Pradhan, the Parish Priest of Balliguda; Fr. Mukund Baliarsingh; and two couples, my wife Suchita Bilung (Soreng) and I; and Elias Apollonia Tirkey, who reached the Philippines on the morning of 14th June 2016. We were received at the airport by two young members of the Youth for Christ, who

took us to the Convention Hall at the SMX, the venue of various conventions of CFC, prior to the 35th Anniversary celebrations on 18th June 2016.

These young people provided us with all necessary assistance and made sure we were comfortable. All the other Indian delegates had already arrived. We didn’t know what to expect, and so we were highly impressed with the praise and worship sessions and the talks. In the evening, at the end of the session, we were welcomed by our hosts to their respective homes. The care extended by our hosts, including transport to the Convention venue and other places, was truly remarkable.

The next day was a free day for

us overseas delegates. We however were taken by our hosts to different places. Our sister Joan Bostre took us couples on an outing where we had an opportunity to participate in a remembrance of a death anniversary, met other family members, visited the cemetery and finally relaxed in a holiday resort. We had an opportunity to experience the great Filipino culture that day.

We had an opportunity to participate in a household prayer meeting in the evening along with other Filipino brethren.

This provided us with an opportunity to get a closer look at the household prayer meeting and learn from it. We were deeply moved by the praise and INDIA, C4

‘The Joy of Love is the Joy of the Gospel’ Homily of Bishop Pablo “Ambo” David during the Mass at the Family Ministries Congress

Your Excellencies, my dear brother Archbishops and Bishops, dear Reverend Fathers here present to concelebrate this Eucharistic celebration, my dear brothers and sisters in Couples for Christ, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

I do not know if you are familiar with the song by Édith Piaf, Plaisir d'amour, a French song which became very popular even in the United States. The song goes, Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment. chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.

In English, what it is actually saying is, The pleasure of love lasts only a moment The pain of love lasts a lifetime.

I beg to disagree. Maybe, what the songwriter really means is, yes, the pleasure of love lasts only for a while, but the joy of love, in spite of all the pains, lasts for a lifetime. My brothers and sisters, I understand that you have gathered here this morning to reflect on the joy of love. Amoris Laetitia—that is the title of the apostolic exhortation that has summarized the Synod of Bishops on the Family, of which you were participants because of your delegates from Couples for Christ. I’d like to invite you to reflect precisely on that joy.

Pope Francis has become a Pope of joy because he also published another encyclical titled The Joy of the Gospel. The heart is always in search of something. I remember when I was much younger, there was a song made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary titled Kisses Sweeter than Wine,

and I think this song made me disagree with the idea that the pain of love lasts for a lifetime. The last verse sums it up: Now that we're old, and ready to go, We get to thinkin' what happened a long time ago.

We had a lot of kids, trouble and pain, But, Oh Lord, We'd do it again.

Because what they found was the pain of joy, the joy of love that lasts forever! And I am sure you are also familiar with a film titled The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. It is a film in the 70’s about lonely people who are trying to find joy. Now, there are others who find pleasure and end up unhappy. Why? Because it is not pleasure but love that gives us joy. And I think this is really our biggest problem in this world. We tend to confuse pleasure and joy.

And so maybe, the real question is, How do you find that which gives joy? Because it is not pleasure but love that gives us joy. Now, how do you find that love?

Do you remember that particular scene in the Broadway musical Oliver! where Oliver was singing the song, Where is Love?

Where is love?

Does it fall from skies above?

Is it underneath the willow tree That I've been dreaming of?

We all are looking for love. The quest for love is what the Gospel is about, and Jesus calls it a treasure quest. We have to look for the right treasure. In order to find it, you need a good eye (for it), because not many people know how to discern real treasure. Some people buy what they think is a piece of diamond, only to find out, puwit pala ng baso. You need to have the eye. In Tagalog, we call it pagkilatis. And I think that comes close to the concept of discernment.

You have to have a discerning eye.

You should have the eye that sees not only the earthly treasures, which can give you pleasure, but not joy. Jesus’ Good News is finding joy in heavenly treasures.

I think it is a little bit confusing when we speak about treasures in heaven. ‘Do not look for treasures on earth; look rather for treasures in heaven.’

That can sound a bit confusing. Maybe it would be better to say, ‘Do not look for earthly treasures that give only pleasure. Look rather for heavenly treasures that will really give you joy.’

We live on earth, but we are called to be citizens of heaven. Remember yesterday’s Gospel about the Lord’s Prayer? On my Facebook account, I wrote a little reflection titled The Lord’s Vision and Mission Statement. That is how I prefer to understand what we call the Lord’s Prayer.

Summarized, right in the middle of the prayer, is the line, “on earth as it is in heaven”, meaning we need to live life on earth as if heaven has begun, if we know how to find heavenly treasures.

How do we find heavenly treasures on earth?

The Gospel says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” This means we should look not only with our eyes but with our hearts. After all, it is only through the heart that one can see clearly, says the Little Prince. What is essential is invisible to the eye.

We have that inner eye, and that is the eye that Jesus is talking about. We have to have clear eyes, and for our hearts to see clearly, we need to see with eyes washed by tears, as Pope Francis said.

Otherwise, our hearts will have the tendency to get clouded and deceived by the passing pleasures of this world that can only give us darkness if we treat them as our real treasures.

How do we train the heart to see clearly? Pope Francis already summed it up beautifully—by having eyes washed by tears, by not being afraid to have a lot of children, and trouble and pain, but have the courage to say, “But O, Lord, we’d do it again!”.

Another way of saying it is by learning to love.

Did not St. John say, “God is Love?” That means God is what we are really looking for when we look for love. The most important revelation of Christianity is the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

It is about the unity of God. God is one. But we also believe that the oneness of God is not in the sense of aloneness or isolation, but in the sense of unity, in the community of Persons. God is a family! And that is why we cannot be human

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families. Please tell also the world that there are many happy couples like us, despite the problems and concerns.”

And so today, I want you to tell the world that you have your problems and concerns, but we rejoice, we are part of the happy families all over the world.

My dear brothers and sisters, through the years, the Lord has guided us, loved us, journeyed with us, protected us. And through Couples for Christ, we have learned to face problems and difficulties, and as this has given us reason to rejoice, we also say, pray.

We pray for God’s grace.

We pray because we want to be true to our vocation and mission.

And so we pray that we may be true to this vocation and mission.

We know that this noble mission is face to face with a reality, a counterculture, values and attitudes that may not be

according to the Gospel.

As the Pope said, there is “the great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.

Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor.

God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” (Evangelii Gaudium, #2) With consumerism and individualism, your mission to commit to live in God’s righteousness and holiness, to renew and evangelize the family, to pursue total Christian liberation becomes difficult, and an uphill climb. And that’s why we pray. Thus in the challenges that you

face in today’s society, we continue to realize our mission by responding to the invitation of Pope Francis “to a renewed and personal encounter with Jesus Christ”.

He wants a renewed and personal encounter with Him, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter us. This personal encounter takes place and begins in prayer. Let us never grow tired and afraid in praying, to take a step towards Jesus. He is already there waiting for us with open arms.

The fruits of 35 years and that we expect to come are the fruits of prayer. And so we pray to the Lord for the grace of perseverance and fortitude in our mission.

We must remind ourselves that we are “beggars before the Lord”. In humility and filial trust, let us raise our hand to God, requesting Him for good things for our families, for Couples

for Christ, and for our communities.

Finally, give thanks. Let me bring you to the Eucharist, where we gather around the table and offer to God a thanksgiving of praise. Our catechism has taught us that the Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father. Eucharist means thanksgiving. And so as we celebrate the Eucharist, we thank the Lord for His many blessings.

Also, we thank God in the Eucharist for having created us wonderfully, for having redeemed us selflessly and for having sanctified us in the truth through the Spirit, and for having shared this mission with us.

As we move forward with hope, let us not forget to rejoice, because we know the Lord loves us. To pray for grace that we may be true to our mission and vocation.

And to give thanks, as we share grace and bring the Eucharist to one another.

outside of family. We cannot realize our call to be images of God if we do not grow in family.

Madaling magng tao, mahirap magpakatao nang walang pamily.

We are created in the image of the God who is Love, and that is why our hearts are such lonely hunters. Our hearts are restless, like the heart of St. Augustine. He says, “How stupid of me! I have been looking for You outside in created things that could give me pleasure, but I never found joy.

And it was only when I found You that my heart is rested. You have made us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Meaning, until they discover Love.

Our first experience of love is family. That is why what you are doing today is very important.

You have come here today to share the joy of love. The joy of love in the family is also the joy of the Gospel. And Pope Francis is teaching us to be good treasure hunters. You have come here to get your selves equipped in the art of treasure hunting, making sure that you discover the right treasure. Not earthly treasures that give fleeting joy and pleasure, but heavenly treasures that will make you ready for the thing that will last more than a lifetime, but forever. We will never find the real treasure if we do not look with the heart, if we do not look with eyes washed by tears. We can only find joy in love—love in the family.

And wherever we find ourselves, we must be family builders.

I know you might be wondering how come I am saying all these if I didn’t build a family myself, being a celibate. Don’t you sometimes ask that about priests? But then, let me ask you: How do you address us? Father. If you address the priests as your father, what does that make of you? The children.

We are family builders as well, builders of the family of God. Our common vocation is to build family. How will I know how to do that if I didn’t grow up in a family? But then there are people who did not have the fortune of discovering the joy of family. Let us have no illusions about this—there are dysfunctional families.

There is a common tendency to project to

everybody else what the family should be, because our families are functional. But some did not grow up in functional families. However, this reality does not deprive them of the possibility of learning how to love unconditionally, in spite of their circumstances.

Have you heard of that song titled Blackbird?

Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see Some people are born with broken wings and sunken eyes, but they try their best nevertheless to learn to fly, to learn to see. We are celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy, and Pope Francis is refocusing us to mercy, the true face of God. It is not the face of a doctrinaire who knows only what is right and moral and righteous.

And so, if you are to take seriously of the words of Ezekiel, let us listen seriously to the heart of the shepherd who says, “I myself will shepherd my people. And the true shepherd is not concerned only with the normal ones. I will seek out the injured, the stray, the lost, those who have no sense of direction.”

There are many people who did not have the fortune of discovering the joy of living in a family.

Yes, we affirm and continually reaffirm that we can only find joy in love, and we can only find love if we learn to build family.

It is love that makes the family, not just in terms of procreation. It is love that is able to give until it hurts, love that is able to forgive, and die to self in order to give life. For it is in giving that we receive; in pardoning that we are pardoned; and in dying that we are born to eternal life.

This is the key that the Lord offers us at every Eucharist. We come together to celebrate the sacrament of God’s unconditional love—the God who emptied Himself to become one of us, the God who descended into hell to get us out of the hell we usually make of our lives on earth, the God who has given His own body and blood as food and drink in our journey in this world. Please share the joy of love because it is the joy of the Gospel.

PMA Commandant shares thoughts on OSM work

If there is one thing in my life which I do not want to reexperience, that would be my plebehood year (1st year). I am inclined to believe that many of the PMA graduates, even the cadets, would agree with this contention.

This is not to say, however, that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of cadetship in the Academy are an 'easy go lucky' life. In fact, I consider my cadetship in the Academy as one of the challenging, if not the most challenging, years of my life.

A cadet in PMA will have to learn how to balance the different demands of cadetship ranging from character, academics, military

science and the rigors of physical development. This is the reason why many perceive that our cadets are like superhumans, tough as rock, able to withstand everything that comes their way. But believe it or not, behind those tough looking and seldom smiling cadets is a longing for someone they can depend on. Someone with whom they can share their concerns and frustrations especially when their demerits are about to exceed or when their grades, especially in math, are just hanging in the threshold between pass and being turned back or discharged from the Academy. This dependency is even more emphasized when you consider that our PMA cadets are basically teenagers when they enter the Academy and at a young age are suddenly expected to assume greater responsibilities.

It is not an uncommon sight in PMA to witness cadets, after their evening mess, lingering in the different areas of the Academy having a moment of silence to lift up their prayers seeking guidance for all their issues and concerns. This is a reflection that our cadets, however

seemingly tough, still need mentoring and guidance. That is why I was pleased when I learned last year that a Catholic organization, the Couples for Christ’s Order of St Michael, was going to PMA to share with the cadets a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as well as God's love for others.

I know that the Sunday meetings with our cadets that went on for six months starting in October last year, took a lot of effort and sacrifice for the members of the Order of St Michael. However, the weekly meetings have allowed our cadets to share testimonies with each other and reflect upon their different struggles and triumphs.

More importantly, it was an opportunity for the cadets to know more about Jesus. In the words of Cadet 1st class Evangelista, the cadet in charge of the Catholic Action Group, and I quote: It gave us a sense of fulfillment that was unique and good. It gave us a twist in learning about Jesus in a completely different way where we sing, dance and most of all, our favorite – where we share PMA, C3

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Kenya Bishop Visits ANCOP Canada Sites His Excellency the Most Reverend Philip Anyolo, Bishop of the Diocese of Homabay in Kenya, together with delegates from Couples for Christ Canada and Kenya, visited ANCOP Canada sites in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City , and the Our Lady of Banneux Community last June 15, 2016.

The Bishop, with his charismatic smile and a heart for the poor, visited and blessed each ANCOP home to the delight of the families residing on site. The visit also showed the Bishop’s fondness for children

ANCOP Canada Leaders Visit Bicol

as he hugged, carried and blessed the children, as well as posed with them for photo opportunities.

The whole delegation feasted on the sumptuous Filipino food served to them, not minding the humid and scorching heat.

The Kenya delegation, headed by Bro. Abraham Munene with wife Nancy, appreciated the work that Couples for Christ (CFC) is doing through ANCOP and shared that they were inspired by the faith in action being exhibited by the CFC community. (Malou Clarito)

Gregg and Chelo Ravasco, Coordinators for ANCOP-Regina in Canada, together with ANCOP Canada President Ricky Cuenca, travelled to Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur last June 19 and 20, 2016 to touch base with the local ANCOP leaders.

The visitors from Canada intended to discuss with the leaders a possible ANCOP site in Daet, Camarines Norte and to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies in Tabaco City, Albay.

CFC ANCOP leaders from Camarines Norte hosted a hearty lunch for the ANCOP Canada team and then took them for an ocular inspection of what would be the first ANCOP Community in the province.

In the afternoon, the party paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Archbishop Rolando Tirona of the Archdiocese of Caceres, at the Archbishop’s Residence in Naga, Camarines Sur. The meeting with the bishop explored possible collaborations between the

Archdiocese and ANCOP Canada, including Archbishop Tirona’s suggestion for ANCOP Canada to work with the Catholic Church via the CBCP-NASSA (National Secretariat for Social Action)Justice and Peace.

The following day, the group departed for Tabaco City where outgoing Mayor Maria Josefa V. Demetriou and members of CFC Albay welcomed them at the groundbreaking site. The Ravasco couple, on seeing the construction of the homes at the future CFC ANCOP Saskachewan (SK) Community, expressed their deepened commitment to making the dream of a community a reality. The mayor thanked the Ravasco couple on behalf of the people of Tabaco, Albay, and vowed to do whatever the city government can, through the City Council she would leave behind, in order to assist ANCOP, as well as the future home partners, in whatever they would need to develop the site. (A. Alvarez)

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Bishop Philip Anyolo from the diocese of Homabay in Kenya: happy to be in ANCOP

thoughts and insights from topics discussed by the facilitator.

In this sharing, ranks were set aside, respecting each others' opinions and suggestions.

Cadet Evangelista goes on to say that, "We also took the opportunity to open up our personal concerns wherein we learned how to handle our own worries. This sharing developed our relationship not only

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with our classmates but also with our underclass and upperclassmen as well."

I believe that the evangelization brought by the Couples for Christ, Order of St Michael, to our cadets has created a spark where cadets' spiritual awareness has been reinforced or awakened. Their attendance to the Christian Enhancement Retreat and the Christian Life

Program, which eventually paved the way for our cadets to become members of the Singles for Christ, I believe, reinforced their awareness that they need not only to support each other in the rigors of cadetship but in their spiritual journey as well.

Truly, sharing God's words and love to our cadets will make them even stronger, making the impression that our cadets are superhu-

mans more acceptable.

May I request that the evangelization you began at PMA be continued to ensure and sustain the spiritual growth of our cadets.

This evangelization will also ensure that graduates of PMA will become Soldiers of God and members of a Christ-centered society. (Delivered by BGen. Hate on behalf of BGen. Rozanno Briguez)

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and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

Fr. Morallos, providing the context in studying the early Christian Church, began, “We should look at the early Christian community not as a distant historical event, but as a normative community, as the seed that developed into the Church that we are all part of. When we try to understand the Church, let us not be “researchers”, but as involved lovers, like entering into a relationship with someone we love.”

According to Fr. Morallos, the Church was not born in a single moment, like creating a club. “If we look at the early Christians, the Church was born out of the entire life and mission of Jesus Christ,” he added.

The early Christians preoccupied themselves in following the example of Jesus Christ in the way they lived as a community and in the way they lived their private lives. They did not preoccupy themselves on how to create a community, or how to redefine themselves away from the Jewish community but they tried their best to follow the Lord, guided only by the Holy Spirit, to become the new community of Jesus Christ, the Church.

Fr. Morallos explained that there are three moments in the life of Christ that are foundational moments of the Church: 1. The calling of the apostles – The Church was founded when ordinary men from Galilee lovingly encountered God and heeded Jesus’ call. This makes the Church apostolic. They may not have been the best, but it was God who has called them. It is the same for all community leaders.

2. The Last Supper event and the institution of the Eucharist – the last supper is the act of the foundation of the Church, a new community united with Christ Himself. Christ not only gathers His people unto Himself, but transforms all to be in His image. The partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ makes all people like Christ, and therefore one in Christ.

3. The Acts of the apostles and the Pentecost event – the Acts of the Apostles is understood often as the face of the primitive face of the Church. Luke offered a vision into the inner life and dynamism of the Church in faith rather than a constructive framework of concepts. The believers gathered in deep prayer in the cenacle, abiding in the presence of the Lord. Fr. Morallos likened the household prayer meetings in CFC as a reliving of the cenacle of the early Christians. Everything is done in the context of prayer, forming believers into who they are as a Church.

He also presented the four-fold adherence of the primitive Church to: 1. teachings of the apostles 2. community 3. breaking of the bread 4. prayer As CFC, the community is bound by the same adherence to teachings, to community, the breaking of bread and prayer.

He shared, “The hard and difficult teachings are what define us as a community. We are not a convenience store community, choosing only what we like.”

He likewise urged CFC to concentrate on the formation of its members’ minds on the faith.

“Let us not be too timid in sharing the faith. Let us not transform God into our image and likeness, instead let God transform us into His image and likeness,” Fr. Morallos stressed.

He also reminded CFC that Christian charity is recognizing the face of Jesus and adoring Christ in others.

Unity, on the other hand, is when the faithful enter into a deeper union with God and brethren in prayer, in sharing, in an authentic life of faith, turning together to God. Fr. Morallos revealed, “The coming of the Holy Spirit is a definitive event. Though they spoke in different languages, there was never any confusion as the various tongues are a gift of the Church’s richness, as opposed to the tower of Babel. We can only speak of unity if we are diverse.”

“The church is not just a gathering of like-minded persons,” he added.

Fr. Morallos also reminded CFC, “It is when we celebrate the Eucharist, when we pray together, that we become Church. Let us bring back the appreciation of the Eucharist by bringing back the coming together of the family as a domestic church. Remember, the beauty of the sacraments is based on domestic activities.”

“The Church’s greatest need is to live a perennial Pentecost, return to the cenacle and experience a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” Fr. Morallos concluded. “In the same way, CFC must turn the household into a new cenacle, providing the Church a perennial Pentecost.”

In the second session, International Council member and Pastoral Formation Director Rouquel Ponte shared his reflections on treading the path to holiness.

He explained that the image of holiness is oftentimes depicted as joyless, critical individuals. Contrary to that image, holiness should in fact reflect the very image of Christ—the image of love, joy and peace. Add to that the rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control—having these gifts are far from having a joyless experience!

“Our pastoral formation track in CFC reflects our spirituality and culture as a community, as Catholics,” Ponte explained.

He added, “These help us not only in CFC, but also in each member's growth as individuals, bringing us back to our Holy Mother the Church where our faith resides.”

On Day 2, Fr. Dexter Toledo shared on Missio Ad Gentes—reaching out to the unchurched via the Pastoral Formation tracks as gateway evangelization.

In this session, Fr. Toledo brought the audience back to the basic knowledge that mission is a gift from God. “Once we receive it, we acknowledge His presence in our lives with high adoration and full humility.”

According to Fr. Toledo, as one CFC, it is the community’s first mission to be a good organization. If not, it would become difficult for CFC to preach. “We must continue to improve our relationship with one another and share light to the world,” he added.

IC member and Director for Communications Michael Ariola, in the last session, talked about CFC as a formation of faith where believers are inspired by Scripture to be of one mind, one heart, and kindred souls for love and service.

He shared, “Since the community was established, service has been attached to the life of a CFC member. As Christians, we believe that service is an expression of love.

Therefore, when one truly loves God, one also becomes a servant. And this is what makes life in CFC more meaningful.” (CFC Global Communications)

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist

Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor Evangeline C. Mecedilla Circulation Staff

The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 23 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

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are overshadowed by an almost exclusive insistence on the duty of procreation. In the Catholic point of view, these two should not be separated.

2. The Church (laity and clergy) has not provided guidance to our young couples (post-Cana care).

3. The Church has proposed a far too abstract and almost artificial theological ideal on marriage, far removed from the concrete situations and practical possibilities of real families. That is why many people are afraid of marriage.

In general, the Pope is asking for pastoral care instead of legalism. “It is not enough to go by the rules,” the prelate shared. “We must help people live the rules via pastoral care.”

Bishop Pabillo continued, “To deal with couples in irregular unions, moral laws are not enough, as they would speak behind closed hearts, with judgment. The Holy Father reiterates the need for more pastoral care, being firm that he is not changing the teachings of the Church, rather, it is everybody’s duty to know their particular situations and journey with them.”

“Communities like CFC should reach out to these couples in irregular unions and guide them,” he added.

There are no new rules, but a renewed encouragement is needed, as not all cases are similar. Hence, solutions are not the same for all.

“We cannot say that the magisterium will decide everything, we have to help those who need help,” the prelate said. “Cultural solutions should also be taken into consideration. There is a need for inculturation.”

Other hot topics discussed were: Having a contraceptive mentality – Amoris Laetitia is very much in line with Church’s teachings against contraception. When the marital act takes place, the couple must be open to the possibility of new life.

Abortion – The family is the nest for life, thus the family is supposed to protect and accept life.

Ideology of feminism/ the right over one’s body – taking the choice for life must be more important

that the right over one’s body.

Feminism is valuable, but one that does not demand uniformity or negates motherhood, which is often seen as a slavery or burden rather than a privilege.

“There is a need to appreciate the feminine genius,” the bishop said. “Women must stress their womanhood and do not insist of being a “man”.

Discrimination of women – there are double standards in the workplace, domestic violence, human trafficking (with women & children as victims) .

Everyone should open their eyes to these issues and bring back God’s plan.

Gender roles – Amoris Laetitia emphasizes on the importance of the presence of both men and women in the home, and goes on to tackle issues on single parenthood, migration, and same-sex unions raising a child.

Sexual orientation – The Church must look beyond the orientation, and look more on the person’s dignity, but avoid the mentality of consenting to homosexual activities. “The call to chastity is for all, let us help them live in that chaste situation,” Bishop Pabillo explained.

Same-sex unions – This cannot be equated with marriage.

No union that is closed to the transmission of life can ensure the future of society. This union is not similar to God’s plan of marriage. Moreover, it is not right that countries are forced by international bodies to pass laws allowing same-sex unions in order to receive aid and warned against ideological colonialism.

Gender identity – Humans were given life as a man and a woman. One cannot choose, man’s freedom is limited, and must accept the limitations rather that go against those limitations.

The difference between man & woman is not superficial, and cannot be erased. Being male or female is by design and cannot be changed.

Divorced and remarried Catholics – new unions should be made to feel they are part of the Church. They may not receive

communion, but they must not be driven away from the service of the Church. As an expression of charity, the Church must care for them because they are in a problematic situation.

Nullity of marriage – must be made easier and free of charge.

Information, counseling and mediation services should be made available as well to couples in crisis, and family counseling centers should be done by couples. The bishop exhorted, “Make yourselves available to the parishes.”

Sex education – There is a need for a positive and prudent sex education to be available to children and adolescents. It is not easy nowadays when sex is trivialized and separated from love. This cannot be the case.

Where there is love, there is respect, self-control and mutual self-giving. In Asia, parents are afraid to talk to their children about sex, so the young ones g e t i n f o r m a t i o n e l s e w h e re .

They need to be oriented to the idea of love. Changes in puberty must be discussed with parents; the sense of modesty must be given premium as well.

Proper boundaries must be discussed by the parents with children. Protection and safe sex is what children get in the schools. Protection and safety from what? Pregnancy? Sexually transmitted diseases? Loving communication about sex education can prepare children.

They have to understand that sex is only within the context of conjugal love. An appreciation of one’s body—whether male or female—is necessary for one’s own self-awareness in an encounter with someone different than ourselves.

“The Lord’s presence dwells in real and concrete families, with all the struggles, hurts, joys and hopes,” the prelate concluded.

“In the family, the real self comes out. In accepting this real self, there is love and God is there.

The Trinity is found in the family, in the temple of marital communion.” (CFC Global Communications)

SOCDEV, C1

In his talk, Fr. Rivera analyzed and compared the growth of an organization to a painter. He vividly explained how a painter progresses, beginning from the choice of the scene and his preconceived notions of that scene. This hold true for an organization, where choosing what issues, situations, or problems to address is a vital starting point. This choice, for individuals and organizations, is guided by a master frame or a worldview. Having chosen one aspect of reality based on a master worldview, an interpretative frame allows a person/persons to focus on this aspect of reality, e.g. a scene to be rendered into painting by

the painter, a situation to be engaged in by an organization through its sub-organizations which, for CFC, are called as programs or ministries.

If the interpretative frame and the resulting action it inspires are successful, there is frame resonance. In the case of a painting, people would resonate with it and admire it endlessly. As to organizations, members resonate with its initiative and support it enthusiastically.

Fr. Rivera also shared his research on the origins of the world view, some other frames for social actions and the successes, challenges and renewal in the social ministry. He made his research more personal

to the participants by harking back to the challenges that CFC encountered and overcome in the past years.

Sharers from various Social Development Programs gave their personal testimonies to give the participants an appreciation of what it really means to be involved in the ministries. BGen Alvin Hate, Head of the Department of Air Warfare of the Philippine Military Academy, shared how the Christian Life Program of CFC held inside the Philippine Military Academy produced positive results most especially in the values formation of their cadets.

BGen. Joseph Acosta, head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, also expressed his gratitude to

the CFC Community, most especially to the Order of St. Michael, for their Character Enhancement Program which he believes, in one way or another, has helped improve the performance of the hospital’s personnel.

The CFC International Council committed to support the SDPs, and prayed for all the volunteers, stakeholders, and partners who have all been answering the call of serving brothers and sisters in the peripheries through their time, talent, and treasure. The congress ended with a Mass presided by His Excellency Archbishop John Matthew Vaira Ribat of Papua New Guinea and concelebrated

by Fr. Rivera. (Yvonne Grace J. Dolorosa)

C4

July 25 - August 7, 2016 Vol. 20 No. 21

CBCP Monitor

The Gift of Serving In The Family Ministries—A Joyful Encounter With Christ The Family Ministries—the Singles for Christ, Youth for Christ, Kids for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord, and Servants of the Lord—are the Lord’s assurance of the continuity of the community of Couples for Christ.

Many of those who began from the youngest ministry, the Kids for Christ, are now themselves young couples of CFC, with young children who are now also very much involved in the community their parents grew in.

And so, as the CFC Family Ministries come close to celebrating almost 25 years, this year’s Family Ministries Congress chose to highlight the work of the Family Ministries and to surface their struggles, aspirations, and plans in order to heighten the community’s understanding and to help shape the future of the family ministries.

CFC President George Campos posed this challenge to the Family Ministries in his welcome remarks: “Let us start dreaming for our family ministries! What are your dreams for the ministries you are serving? How are you going to realize those dreams?”

“Praying is just one side of the coin,” he added. “We need to work on those dreams. Victory will not fall on our laps nor come on a silver platter; actions need to be taken in order to fulfill our dreams.”

Campos likewise encouraged

The Family Ministries are God's assurance of the dynamism and continuity of the coummunity

structure, and different ministry directions in contributing to the growth of the members and the community.

He said, “In our service in the Family Ministries, we need to see and encounter Jesus every step of the way. Save, nourish and protect the family, for the future of humanity comes through the family.”

During the lunch break, Bernie Cuevas, a member of the HOLD International Core, moderated the Question and Answer segment, where the International Council, together with the International Ministries Coordinators, responded to queries related to one’s service in the Family Ministries.

Afterwards, each ministry’s International Coordinator presented their particular ministry’s plans, direction, and the new developments and creative ways of growing their respective ministries.

As a final word, Ilagan exhorted the delegates to keep in mind three words that will help them fully appreciate their service in the Family Ministries: • Gift – service in the Family Ministries is a gift, and all are called to nurture, protect and grow in the service.

• Encounter – service will lead one to encounter the Lord in one another.

• Joy – cultivate the passion of each person’s hearts in serving the Family Ministries. (CFC Global Communications)

Music as CFC’s Expression of Gratitude

How God Spoiled Us, C1

worship session, sharing session and everyone’s overall hospitality exhibited as part of the fellowship.

We had a tight schedule on 16th and 17th June, these days being the Clergy – Lay Congress and the Family Ministries Congress, respectively, but we have to say, we immensely benefited from every single session.

The 35th Anniversary Celebration on 18th June was a masterpiece! We were amazed at seeing the huge crowd gathering at the grandstand, the parade by different countries and groups, the grand Holy Mass and the cultural activities which followed thereafter.

We were amazed at the perfection of the overall organisation of the celebration.

The fellowship on the 19th together with all our hosts was also very memorable. We were delighted at how each of our hosts was keenly interested in all of us, looking after every detail. This was CFC culture at its finest.

Our memorable stay did not stop there. The training from 20th to 23rd June at the Global Mission Center was likewise quite an experience. We had an opportunity

the Family Ministries to take a deeper look at how each one presents God’s love, and discover what the Lord has in store for the Family Ministries in the next 50 years and beyond.

In the first session, CFC Chair Joe Tale presented a new perspective about the Family Ministries.

He reiterated that the Family Ministries are an assurance from the Lord that CFC will move and grow in the years to come, as the next generation of the community.

As such, the leadership has made sure that there is going to be seamless transition from one ministry to the next.

He likewise reiterated that the work of salvation begins in the family, and it is God’s will to sanctify the family—the cradle of life and sanctuary of love.

He said, “Familiaris Consortio reminds us that the essence of family is specified by love. Hence the family has the mission to guard, reveal and communicate love.”

“No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love,” Tale quoted Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia CFC Family Ministries Director Jimmy Ilagan, on the other hand, specified particular directions in response to CFC’s goal of expanding the reach and strengthening the core, emphasizing the importance of valuing service meetings,

to learn new things, discuss with brethren, and enrich ourselves.

The participation of Archbishop John Barwa and Bishop Jude Paulraj, and the inputs of all the other participants in the various sessions were truly enriching. The input sessions by various resource persons were quite fertile in essence and methodology. We were able to clarify many of our doubts as regards our own functions in CFC. All in all, our experiences in the Philippines were very heartwarming, with rich learning, great hospitality and enriched experiences of organisational details. Our meeting with our brothers, CFC Chairman Joe Tale, South Asia Regional Coordinator Ramon Santiago, India Country Coordinator Steve Maningat and other members of the Global Mission Center of CFC was highly enriching. The Filipino hospitality by the hosts was at its best, organisational details were excellent and every other activity provided us with new experiences.

We are ever grateful to Couples for Christ and especially our brethren in the Philippines. (Nabor Soreng & Suchita Bilung)

by Rick Labrador • Luisito Reyes JR. from Singapore, with “All I need is You” sung byTherie Reyes • Mike Serapio of North Texas, USA, “Give Back To You”, Rick Labrador (interpreter) • Joseph Radel Lopez and Dorothy Isidro Jakarta Indonesia Jesus Loves US Gene Rufino • Celina HArales (Canada), with the song “Lead Me Lord”, Helen Gallaza

Couples for Christ has always been a musical community. Whether singing liturgical songs, songs of praise and worship, or being in fellowship with one another, music definitely plays a major part in community life.

In fact, several musical theater productions and original songs have been penned by talented and spiritfilled individuals. These productions have been recorded, toured several cities globally, and are being sung in household prayer meetings and international conferences worldwide.

And so it was great timing to stage the CFC Songwriting Competition on its

35th year, as an offering of gratitude for the gift of music.

This year’s competition had two categories—the Glory category, which is for the songs of praise and worship, and the Migrants category, which reflected the lives of overseas workers.

The Glory category had 10 finalists: • Kyle Perpinan of Auckland, New Zealand, with the song “You are Lord”, interpreted by Mark Joshua Gatan • Ronald de Mesa of Singapore, “In Your Mercy”, sung by Manny Espiritu • Eric Villanueva of the USA, with “John 21:15 (Love You More)”, sung

CFC Grateful@35 Photo Gallery

(interpreter) • Eric Fresnosa from MM East A, “Into Your Hands”, interpreted by Gemma de San Jose • Carlos Perez, Western Canada, with “I Believe”, sung by Belle Gojo • Tess Gillesania of Lanao Del Norte, with “Worthy are You Lord”, sung

by Nicky Tuazon For the Migrants category, the finalists were:

SONG TITLE

COMPOSER

COUNTRY

INTERPRETER

Buhay OFW

Ralph Maligro

UAE

Jikkie Ross Reyes

M a g k a s a m a Dante Tierra Sa Mahabang Panahon

MM South A

Vitto Gonzales

Salamat Sa Inyo

MM West B

Albert Jarata

Modern Heroes of Emi Arevalo the new Millenium

Canada

Nilo M. De Castro

Kandungan

Chris Parman

Laguna

Fatima Rance

Ikaw ang Bayani

Carlos Perez

Canada

Rommel Gojo Belle Gojo

Danny Lopez

Sa’yong Pagbabalik N o e l A . N o m a Laguna / Aurus John C. Noma

Earl Aromin

Dasal

Ralph Maligro

UAE

Mark Galvelo

Together

Patrick Coronel Michael Mercado

USA

Kristoffer Gritz M. Gutierrez

Higit Pa

Tin Catahan

MM South B

Jane Liban Rachel Nocum Christian Tagros

At the end of the competition, Mike Serapio’s “Give Back to You” got the top prize for the Glory category, while Chris Parman of Laguna won with his entry “Kandungan”.

More than a competition, the event was truly a showcase of excellent talent and genuine love for the Lord. (CFC Global Communications)