UGNAYAN Dec. 7 - 31 2015

CBCP Monitor

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December 7 - 31, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 25

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

Philippine Army Chaplaincy, CFC Hold 1st National Convention

CFC MM MC Celebrates the Family The Metro Manila Mission Core gathered as one big CFC family during this month's MC Assembly last December 6, 2015. Leaders from the Family Ministries likewise came to the Ynares Sports Arena to hear Mass together, celebrate, showcase talents, play in the fun games, and just enjoy each other's company before the end of the year.

CFC Spiritual Director Msgr.

Allen Aganon celebrated Mass. In his homily, Msgr. Allen emphasized the enormity of the role of John the Baptist as the one who heralded the coming of Jesus Christ, despite his humble beginnings. He challenged the CFC leaders to be like John the Baptist.

"We are ordinary people who

are called to herald Christ and to be missionaries of mercy," he emphasized.

The Mass was followed by the opening worship led by the Metro Manila Missions Director Manny Garcia, and a brief message from CFC Chairman Joe Tale.

The CFC Order of St. Michael, through its Head Art Alabanza, took the opportunity to honor the 55 Singles for Christ volunteers who served in the Christian Life Program for the PMA Cadets in Baguio. The fun-filled games for the adults and children, talent presentations, and face-painting added to the festive mood. Truly, it was a day for the family! (CFC Global Communications)

The first-ever OACCS - OSM CEP Convention further strengthened the camaraderie between the chaplaincy and the local CFC, created a more solid CFC OSM Core, enabled the stakeholders to work together, and recognized the efforts of those who work tirelessly under the program.

By Alma Alvarez

The CFC Order of St. Michael (OSM), in cooperation with the Philippine Army Office of the Army Chief Chaplain Service (OACCS) staged the first ever Character Enhancement Program (CEP) Convention last November 24, 2015 at the Philippine Air Force Museum, Pasay City.

Retired Col. Arturo Alabanza, a member of CFC Metro Manila (South B), and head of the OSM,

together with the OSM Core, spearheaded the event.

In his opening remarks, Alabanza described how the OSM came together with the OACCS and forged a long-term partnership to “develop righteous, God-fearing soldiers loved by the Filipino people” through the CEP. The CFC OSM has developed modules specifically catering to the soldiers, their spouses and children.

OACCS on the other hand, has the authority to mandate Commanding Officers of the various Army camps nationwide to employ the CEP. The convention allowed the stakeholders to report on the accomplishments, and enabled the Army Chaplains from the different Infan-

try Divisions to plan with their local Couples for Christ counterparts regarding strategies for CEP and its continuing spiritual enhancement modules. It was likewise an opportunity for CFC OSM to present the second module for the CEP, which the group plans to roll out beginning 2016.

ANCOP Chairman Joe Yamamoto, in his inspirational talk, reiterated Pope Francis’ call for new evangelization and emphasized that the partnership is a clear response of each person involved, whether it be the Chaplaincy or the lay stakeholders, to be agents of change in the spiritual realm within the Philippine Army.

Several of those serving in the program, OSM, C4

CFC ANCOP USA, Pontificio Collegio Fillipino Sign Partnership Agreement

CFC Metro Manila as one big, happy family worshipped, danced, sang, played games and had fun during the last MC Gathering of the year.

His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and the leaders of CFC ANCOP USA: forging a strong partnership for further education among Filipino clergy.

His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Chairman of Pontificio Collegio Filippino, and its Rector Msgr. Greg Gaston recently signed the ANCOP USA Priest Sponsorship Program (PSP) partnership with Eric Villanueva, Roger Santos and Rollie Balanza, Couples for Christ - ANCOP USA leaders. The ANCOP USA PSP will assist priests from the Philippines who will be sent by their Bishops to do advance studies in Rome.

In his letter to Villanueva, Cardinal Tagle wrote, “Our partnership will allow more Bishops to send Priests for ongoing formation and further studies in Rome, to better equip them in serving God's people as Seminary Formators and as collaborators in the different Diocesan Ministries back

home. As a result, our Church in the Philippines will be strengthened, so that Priests and laity alike could carry out our respective work of evangelization and service, not only to the Church, but also to society.”

According to the agreement, the PSP is for Master's, Licentiate or Doctorate studies only. ANCOP USA PSP funds will cover the priest’s board and lodging at the Collegio in the amount of $10,000 per year.

All other needs, such as tuition fees, medical insurance, transportation, books, etc., will be provided for by the Bishop as a local counterpart.

This would ensure that priests can benefit from the partnership.

To donate or to know more about the program, please visit www.ancopusa-psp.org.

Reconciliation is Key to Advent Preparations “The best way to prepare for Christmas is reconciliation. The birth of Jesus is God's offering of reconciliation.”

This was the essence of the Advent recollection given by Fr. Gerard Timoner, OP, Provincial of the Dominican Order in the Philippines, for the workers of the CFC Global Mission Office. The recollection was held last November 28, 2015 at the Obizpado de Cubao in Quezon City.

In his reflection, Fr. Timoner creatively wove reconciliation with forgiveness, as well as the new

evangelization, taking into account Jesus’ words to “shake off the dust from your feet.” According to him, a good spiritual foot spa—the act

of shaking the dust off one’s feet to remove all traces of the bad news to enable one to proclaim the Good News—is essential in preparing

oneself during Advent.

Fr. Timoner described forgiveness as “setting a prisoner free, and realizing that that prisoner is you”. He illustrates, “Jesus did not forgive while on the cross. Instead, he said, ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’ We can only forgive if we engage God's forgiveness within our own.”

"The best path to the new evangelization is to allow ourselves to be reconciled with God & each other," he emphasized.

(A. Alvarez)

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December 7 - 31, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 25

“ATRAS” BOYS & GIRLS

Joe Tale

Reflections on Advent It is the start of a new liturgical year. As in every year, the previous liturgical year ended with the feast of Christ the King, a fitting high point indeed. After going through the year observing the various highs and lows and phases of His life, in the end, and rightly so, we proclaim Jesus as indeed the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

And so the Church starts the cycle anew, beginning from His birth into this world. To build up to that, we have the season of advent, of waiting, of anticipating, of preparing, for the birth of He who we recognize and proclaim as the King of kings.

One would expect that this major season is ushered in with Bible verses expressing the level of excitement befitting the birth of the King of the universe. It is therefore a bit surprising and sobering that the opening reading of this season is one with a theme that speaks not of celebration, but of foreboding of the coming end times.

"There will be strange things happening to the sun, to the moon, and the stars. On earth, whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides.

People will faint from fear, as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the

CBCP Monitor

powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud of great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near." Luke 21:25-28.

Moreover, we are enjoined to be on watch and to be vigilant in a specific way: "Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day will suddenly catch you like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:34-36.

It is significant, we might even say ironic, that during this season of merriment in anticipation of the birth of the Messiah, we are warned exactly not to be merry.

In this period that we normally celebrate with much food and wine and music, we are instructed to refrain from such things.

Is the verse dousing cold water on all these festivities, and preventing us from celebrating joyously the arrival of the King?

Not so. The verse simply reminds us of something more important, whatever be the season of our life, of being constantly prepared and on the watch at

all times, not ever to bring our guards down, whether we are going through our low moments or high points in our life. We are reminded to always "Be Prepared" as the Boy Scouts' motto goes, whatever our specific situation may be at any given time.

Also, I sense that the Lord would like to bring us to a deeper level of rejoicing, not merely on the level of the frivolous, as too much feasting and drinking are.

The words of Jesus do not prevent us from rejoicing. He wants us to continue to be prepared even as we celebrate. He warns us not to rejoice in a wanton way that takes us away from our right senses resulting in our being unprepared.

Thus, our rejoicing should be coming from deep in our hearts, not shallow and hollow expressions of the same. Our rejoicing should be geared towards allowing us to still be prepared.

Thus, as we hold our Christmas parties and dwell in the merriment of the season, let us be mindful of the words from the Gospel. Appropriate feasting and drinking not only make us faithful to the gospel, but is also more healthy. Significantly, too, it should make us more caring to those who have less, and hopefully lead us not to be wasteful and to share whatever we have so many others will also experience a truly Merry Christmas.

Rejoice in the Lord!

The word “atras” means a backward movement. It is generally used to refer to the “Reverse” function of a vehicle. In Lanao Del Norte, the word has been applied to a group of boys abd girls who guide vehicles in and out of parking spaces, the equivalent of the “Watchyour-car” aides in Metro Manila.

The CFC leaders in the province immediately thought of the Atras Boys and Girls of Lanao Del Norte when Cardinal Tagle said – “Go to the peripheries. . . be a mobile clinic to heal the poor from spiritual sickness. . .”

Another inspiration was from one of the most important pastoral subjects of Pope Francis about the “family and the poor.”

Every time I go to mass at the St. Michael”s Cathedral with my wife,Tata, the “atras boys and girls” are all over the area, assisting vehicles either to park or to exit the parking area.

When not performing this function, they and other members of their family can be seen begging for their daily sustenance. They are usually homeless, their home being along the peripheries of the Cathedral or the sidewalks.

The inspiration led the Area Governance Team to the idea of bring these boys and girls and their parents to a Christian Life Program.

They moved quickly, with Boy Suezo approving the strategic CLP as designed by Regional Pastoral Formation Head Art Maderazo and inserting video clips appropriate to the CLP talks. With the activation of the SOLD Ministry with Bro. Roger Sultan as Provincial Coordinator, SOLD was made the lead ministry of the “Atras Boys and Girls” CLP.

Initially the number of participants was limited to five (5) for logistical reasons, but the Holy Spirit deemed otherwise – the attendees eventually numbered ten individuals and three (3) couples.

The CLPs were scheduled every Thursday at 6:00 o’clock in the evening with dinner provided by CFC brothers and sisters, particularly the AGT’s wives and ANCOP members. The SOLD Provincial Coordinator took care of fetching the participants from the Cathedral and also bringing them back to their “homes”. It did not matter to Roger that his car would often retain the smell of the unwashed; he persisted in servicing the transport needs of the participants.

November 05, 2015 was truly a pleasant and a memorable day to the service team. On that day, five of the ten boys and girls and two (2) couples dedicated their life to CFC. One of the participants stood up to give an inspiring testimony, ending with: “Thank you CFC for making us somebody in your heart. Thank you for being mindful of the conditions of the poor and thank you for bringing Christ to our lives.” (“Salamat CFC nga aduna pa diay kami luna sa inyong kasingkasing. Salamat CFC sa inyong pagpakabana sa susama kanamo nga mga timawa. Salamat sa inyong panahon pag hatag kanamo sa pagtulun-an ni Kristo.)

It is envisioned that this kind of evangelization can be replicated in other areas nationwide, the beginning of a truly strategic evangelization.

Hopefully this is also the beginning of a new life for the new CLP graduates, with CFC being instrumental in helping them provide for their family’s future. (Nonoy Haim)

Are We Waiting For Jesus At The 'Right Spot' This Advent?

PASIG City, Nov. 29, 2015 – What do we usually do when we find out that someone we love or an important personality is visiting our home? We tidy up, we prepare good food but most of all, we wait. This was the message that about 150 young married couples heard during the Family Mass at the Couples for Christ – Young Couples' Assembly at St. Paul College Convention Center held last November 30.

Fr. Ruper Solis, SVD, who celebrated the Family Mass, reminded the couples present that to wait for something or someone also

means waiting at the right place.

“As Christians our life is a series of waiting...

Dapat maghintay ka sa tamang lugar...hindi lang sa tamang panahon na sinasabi ni Lola Nidora 'no?

Pero sa tamang lugar din, (We should wait not just for the right time, but waiting should be done at the right place as well.)” explained Fr. Ruper.

The young priest, who was an SVD missionary assigned to Argentina for more than seven years, went on to tell the story of how once in Argentina, he was waiting by the side of the road, flagging HOMILY, C3

In Highs And In-Laws: Dealing With Your In-Laws

Mel and Aimee Serrano talking about the highs and lows of dealing with in-laws.

In-laws. The very word reminds many a married couple of discomfort, awkward, even strained, relationships and sometimes open conflict. But are relationships with the family members of your spouse meant to be merely tolerant? The latest Couples for Christ (CFC) – Young Couples' Assembly on November 30, held at St. Paul's College in Pasig City, tackled precisely this topic and came up with this wildly ingenious insight: In-laws are people too – love them!

According to the speakers, Mel and Aimee Serrano of CFC – Metro Manila West B, loving them in all sincerity will work wonders. “That is the tried and tested formula: love your in-laws,” shared Mel, a school owner from Quezon City.

During the talk, which they peppered with lots of insights and sharing of personal experiences as a

couple married for 20 years, the Serranos focused on several key points:\ 1. Handle them with care

This means giving attention to the one who needs more, taking care of them in their old age as well as training your kids to respect their grandparents.

“On our part, we have to make sure that our children will give due respect [to them] and be able to understand intricacies that come with old age,” said Aimee.

“Whether may sama ng loob (hurt feelings) sometimes, there will be times na mahirap makipagkita (that it will be difficult to meet them) but you have to go to them.

Kailangan nating gawin 'yun (We need to do it),” she stressed.

2. Acknowledge differences

According to the couple, people should recognize that their spouse may not have the same family culture as they do. Value systems,

disciplining style, even views on how to handle finances will oftentimes be different. That is why understanding coupled with love will go a long way.

“Differences and conflicts are not unhealthy but mismanagement is... Never criticize your in-laws,” Mel said.

Also, in case of conflict, the messenger or the “bridge” should be the one with the primary relationship (spouse to own father, mother).

The Serranos candidly shared about a conflict that erupted between Aimee and her fatherin-law during the campaign period for local elections when Mel ran for public office. The conflict was soon followed by a period of silence, a Cold War., so to speak. “It took us at least a year or two. [My father said], kasi 'pag 'di natin inayos 'to lahat tayo maapektuhan. (If we

don't fix this, all of us will be affected.) It helped that the couple prayed and sought Divine Intervention and asked the community to pray with them. The Holy Spirit worked.

3. Respond appropriately

What if even after loving and understanding them, it's still not smooth sailing with your inlaws? Here's what the Serranos had to say: • Timing is everything.

• Learn when to speak or keep your mouth shut.

• Take a breath: cool off.

• Maintain a sense of humor.

• Remember: unsolicited advice is just an opinion.

To cap their talk, the couple brought back the participants to the basics of loving in-laws: to act out your love, to build bridges, and to communicate. (Nirva'ana Ella Delacruz)

Red Cubs are Champions in CFC GMC Ablaze Cup 2015

The Red Cubs harvested the grand championship of the recently concluded CFC GMC Ablaze Cup 2015 held last December 2 - December 8, 2015 at the sports facilities of Camp Crame.

The friendly games were participated in by the different departments in the CFC Global Mission Center.

The Red Cubs romped off with the

championship crowns in badminton (women), table tennis (men and women), tug-of-war and peel banana. It was a close fight with the Maroon on Fire team who grabbed the winning titles for basketball, volleyball, cheer dance and chess (men) and ended up 1st runner-up with less than 2 points from the winning team. The Orange Tigers came in 2nd runner-up while Yellow Hotshots was 3rd runner-up based on the last team standings.

The awarding ceremonies were held last December 8, 2015 during the celebration of the CFC GMC Christmas party. This annual event is an opportunity for the mission workers to enjoy each other’s company. The Ablaze Cup likewise serves as a venue to foster and promote the spirit of sportsmanship and unity among the GMC workers, from both pastoral and mission support.

(Yvonne Dolorosa)

Go, go, go, GMC!, clockwise from top left: Caloy Rubio, CFC Ablaze Cup Event Head exhorting participants; the board of judges; CFC Chair Joe Tale inspiring the athletes; parade of athletes; the Orange Tigers; basketball game between the Red Cubs and the Maroon on Fire; cheerdance competition.

New Appointments for CFC GMC, NE Luzon

Family Honoring Night Set To set a new tradition in the CFC Family, the International Council has agreed to make December 27, the Feast of the Holy Family, as a special day for the members of the family to honor one another. This will allow each person in the family to express their gratitude to the Lord for the gift of family, and the importance of having each member of the family around, for the love, support and service. As a sug-

gestion, the guidelines indicate the following as the activities for the said day: hearing Mass together, dining together at home, praying together, and in gratitude, expressing their love to one another.

Through the Family Honoring Night, the community hopes to strengthen the relationship among the family members, and empower each one to truly cherish and love one another.

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor

Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief

Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight

Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist

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

facebook.com/CFC.Global.Mission

@CFChrist

Bong Pagulayan

Cholo Yjares

Edythe Avendaño

Jay Lucena

Mark Banzon

Ricky Rico

Raul Balaquiao

Tony de la Cruz

In a Memorandum sent to the Philippine Missions leaders last November 23, 2015, PM Director Jose Yamamoto appointed/reassigned leaders for the Northeastern Luzon region.

Mark Banzon has been appointed Provincial Area Head (PAH) of Isabela, vice Rommel Ancheta. Tony de la Cruz, on the other hand, was tapped to be PAH of Nueva Vizcaya vice Raul Balaquiao.

Balaquiao was appointed PAH of Ilocos Sur, vice Tony de la Cruz, while Cholo Yjares is now PAH of Cagayan vice Bong Pagulayan. Pagulayan is now PAH of Kalinga, vice Cholo Yjares.

The move is essentially a realignment of the leaders in the Northeastern Luzon area, in the interest of the mission, except for Banzon, who is a new appointee and for Noel Malamug, who remains as

PAH of Ifugao.These changes are to take effect on January 1, 2016. Edythe Avendaño is also set to replace Didi Galsim as Handmaids of the Lord International Coordinator. effective January 1, 2016.

In the Global Mission Center, Ricky Rico was appointed Head for the GAdmin effective October 1, 2016, while Jay Lucena was appointed head of the CFC Events group also effective October 1.

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December 7 - 31, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 25

CFC MIGRANTS PROGRAM BRACES FOR 2016

Jun Uriarte

Of Her Was Born Jesus Matthew 1:16

The CFC Migrants Program Core, with the ECMI—partners in making the spiritual life as well as the family life of the Filipino migrant workers stronger.

Inspired and encouraged by several positive developments in 2014-15, the CFC Migrants Program Core Team members rolled up their sleeves once again to plot their directions for 2016. The planning session was held last November 30 in a farm in Calauan, Laguna, a serene location with a panoramic view of Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw, conducive for deep reflection and spirit-led ideas.

The team acknowledged the blessing of the partnerships that were firmed up with the CBCP ECMI (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerants), the SM Global Pinoy and PASEI, the biggest association of private recruitment agencies. They also noted the acceptance and appreciation of the program by the various CFC provincial areas, and several countries where CFC is present.

During the session, the team committed to focus on bringing the program to even more CFC provincial areas and countries, hoping to double the numbers for 2016 so that the program may reach more OFWs and families/ beneficiaries in parishes and barangays throughout the country. The team also hopes to fulfill these plans through partnerships with the Philippine Consulates and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) and the CFC network abroad. These plans highlight the need to attract more CFC volunteers for the huge work ahead. Thus, the team agreed that the creation of effective awareness campaigns is necessary.

Apart from the recently concluded Advocacy Fun Run with the CBCP ECMI, the Migrants Program will hold

the 2nd CFC Migrants Songwriting Contest soon. This is a worldwide competition open to all CFC and Family Ministries members. The 1st Songwriting Contest in 2014 attracted CFC entries from Metro Manila and nearby provinces and from as far as the Middle East, Asia and Canada. It is expected that more CFC provinces and countries will send entries this time around. The Finals Concert will coincide with CFC’s 35th Anniversary Week in June 2016.

Another major event that has been planned that will surely create awareness is the search for the “Model CFC OFW Family for 2016”. The criteria for joining, as well as the mechanics, are being finalized by a special committee composed of former OFWs from the Migrants Program core team. The culminating activity will be a Migrants Congress to be held during the CFC 35th Anniversary week.

The Moral Values Reorientation Program (MVRP), the premier module, has been conducted for about 225,000 participants at the SM Global Pinoy, at recruitment and manning Agencies, for NGOs involved with migration, OWWA, parishes and local and provincial governments since 2011. The MP core team has developed several other modules to augment the formation needs of our OFWs and their beneficiaries or families left behind. The new modules include “Financial Growth Abundance and Stewardship”(FGAS), “Solo and Absentee Parenting”, “Helping Relationships/ Counselling”, “Financial Sustainability”, and “Reintegration Awareness”. All of these will be ready to benefit our OFWs and their families by 2016. (Jess Ferrer)

CFC Migrants Program, ECMI, jointly hold fun run

Ready, set, run!, clockwise from left: the fun run at gun start; event organizers from the CFC Migrants Program Core and the ECMI; families with their battlecry for the Filipino migrant families.

In a show of solidarity and oneness to promote the advocacies for the protection and welfare of 0verseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the families they leave behind, the Couples for Christ Migrants Program in partnership with the CBCP ECMI (Episcopal Commission on Migrants & Itinerants) joined forces to organize the “Advocacy Fun Run.” The run kicked off last November 29 at the scenic and historic Intramuros.

The event was participated in by about 300 runners (and walkers as well). The proceeds of the activ-

ity will fund the “Ten Outstanding Sons & Daughters of OFWs Student Awards” (TOSDOSA), a nationwide search for high school students who are OFW children and who have excelled in their academics as well as extra-curricular activities despite the absence of their parent/s.

The invocation and welcome remarks was delivered by CBCP ECMI Secretary General Fr. Resty Ogsimer , while the inspirational message was conveyed by CFC’s Joe Yamamoto, ANCOP Chairman and International Council member.

CFC Migrants Program Head Jess Ferrer officially declared the start of the Run for the 10K, 5K & 2.5K. Race Director Tony Obien briefed the runners regarding the rules and the technical details of the Fun Run. In a gesture of unity, a good number of runners displayed their advocacies written on the back and front of their running shirts or singlets. The first 100 runners were treated with “giveaways” by sponsors of the event. The winners were awarded medals and cash prizes for the three distances under the male and female categories. (Jess Ferrer)

CFC ANCOP TURNS OVER MORE HOUSES Following a thanksgiving Mass and house blessing, 10 ANCOP homes were turned over during a simple ceremony at the Diocese of Maasin - CFC Ancop Cawayanan Community, Barangay Cawayanan, Bontoc So. Leyte last November 24, 2015.

The Diocesan Social Action Center representative of Fr. Harlem Gozo; DSWD Bontoc; Cawayanan Barangay Council; Representative of Mun. Mayor of Bontoc Mayor, Mervyn Ruales; Elmer Cadiz, CFC Ancop Operations Manager; Nathan Gomez CFC Ancop USA Coordinator; Jude Abenoja, Provincial Area Head; Cris Lorica Provincial Area Director; and the Program Implementing Team all came to witness the awarding of the new homes.

Aside from the thanksgiving Mass, Rev. Fr. Manuel Lagumbay also officiated in the wedding rites and baptism rites for the homeowners.

Engr. Ely Almedilla, CFC Provincial Ancop Shelter Head handed the ceremonial keys, while Lorica, Cadiz, and Abenoja awarded the homes to the families.

A simple sharing of meals followed the ceremonies, symbolizing the fellowship among the homeowners.

mother of God. The oldest story about the grandparents of Jesus comes from the so-called non-canonical Gospel of James, which was written around 150 A.D. Anne was said to be from Bethlehem and Joachim from Nazareth.

Joachim and Anne were a very pious couple who regularly gave to the poor and to the synagogue at Sepphoris.

They first lived in Galilee and later settled in Jerusalem.

But since Anne turned out to be barren, the high priest rejected Joachim and his sacrifice, interpreting their childlessness as a sign of divine displeasure. This made Joachim withdraw to the desert where he fasted and did penance for 40 days. Angels appeared to both Joachim and Anne promising them a child. Joachim returned to Jerusalem and Anne met and embraced him at the city gate. This scene is depicted in a 1504 sculpture by the German artist Albrecht Durer entitled Joachim and Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate.

When Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anne presented her at the temple in Jerusalem. We do not know for certain if Joachim and Anne were still alive when Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gave birth to their grandson, Jesus. If they were still alive, they would have doted on him together with his parents, Joseph and Mary.

Being free of the direct responsibility of raising them, grandparents generally enjoy their grandchildren more than they did their own children. Our five-year old granddaughter, Chloe Alyssa Joy (we fondly call her Jenny), is a great example. One day we were talking about visiting my mother (we call her Lola Paz) who is almost 102 years old and living in Unisan, Quezon.

Jenny was so excited about our forthcoming visit and said, “I want to visit her now. I want to take care of her.”

We then jokingly asked her, “You want to take care of Lola Paz, but what about us? We are also your lolo and lola. Will you take care of us also?” Her response was a joyful surprise. She said, “But you do not even look old!” On another occasion, she took hold of my 7-year old Nokia mobile phone and asked, “Lolo, why is it that when I touch the screen of your phone nothing happens?”

Our grandson, Sean James, is also a source of constant joy. He is in third grade and is at the top of his class. And he delights us with his “why did” trick questions. He has so many of these. Here are just two examples: “Why did the boy eat his homework?” Answer: “Because it was a piece of cake.” Our alternative answer is, “Because it is chicken feed.” “Why did the banana see the doctor?”

Answer: “Because it was not peeling (feeling) well.” Our alternative answer is, “Because it is saging (sagging).”

We guess that becoming grandparents able to enjoy their grandchildren is God’s earthly reward to those who have labored greatly to raise, support and educate their children. St. Joachim and St. Anne, as grandparents, must have been no exception (assuming they were still alive when Jesus was a baby and later a young boy). They pleaded to God and prayed hard to have a child. They did not lose hope but continued to trust in the Lord. Thus God rewarded their love, faith and generosity by giving them Mary. And of her was born Jesus. Merry Christmas!

‘Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness...’

Left: Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Dubai conversing with Roger Santos (executive director, ANCOP USA) at the Path to Peace Gala Dinner at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Nov. 18. Right: The Filipino group who attended the Path to Peace Gala Dinner. With the group is Archbishop Bernardito Auza (center), Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

ON November 18, United Nations diplomats remembered, mourned and prayed for Paris, Beirut and other places attacked by terrorists the week before. This was during the Path to Peace Gala Dinner hosted by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Archbishop Bernardito Auza.

CFC ANCOP USA was invited to the gala. The recipient of the Path to Peace Award during the evening was Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Dubai.

Princess Haya was awarded for her accomplishments in humani-

tarian causes and the defense of the rights and dignity of the refugees and underprivileged.

In a brief interview, Her Royal Highness was asked how the many Filipinos are doing in Dubai. She replied, “Filipinos in our country are doing well and we really like them.”

A press release from the Mission mentioned Archbishop Auza praising Princess Haya as a humanitarian leader, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, a World Food Program Goodwill Ambassador, and a founding member of the Global Humanitarian Forum. She

has played a significant role in the twin charities Tkiyet Um Ali and Dar Abu Abdullah in Jordan and the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, all dedicated to the eradication of poverty and hunger.

Princess Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, said that all people, but especially religious and political leaders, “have an obligation to condemn perverted ideologies that encourage violence against people of other religions or ethnic groups,” wherever and to whomever it happens. (Manuel Caballero)

ANCOP USA – OLB Enhanced Community Center Near Completion

The Tejano and Gomez families were just among the recipients of the new ANCOP homes.

The Community Center at the ANCOP OLB Community nearing completion; right, CFC leaders during the groundbreaking two years ago.

mas and the First and Second Coming, the Lord comes into our lives. That's why the season of Advent is a time for us to prepare and it's also a time for us to wait... Hopefully, when the Lord comes, we are at the right place,” he added.

According to Fr. Ruper, there is a sweet spot to encounter Jesus on a daily basis. “The Holy Eucharist is the concrete mani-

In 2013, CFC ANCOP USA broke ground at the Our Lady of Banneux Community in San Mateo, Rizal for the construction of a Multi Purpose Hall (MPH) and Education Center.

Six months after the ground breaking took place, a redesign of the community center was conducted to accommodate the future residents of the area.

Presently there are 60 homes inhabited by formerly homeless families. These consist of four ANCOP USA communities known as Kathleen Schenning, Heart of Texas, Community of Hope and CFC USA Unity Community.

After eight months of fund raising, Eric Villanueva, ANCOP USA President announced that US local and

HOMILY, C2

down buses to get to the downtown area. Three buses went past without stopping, even if he saw many vacant seats inside. It wasn't until someone told him that everyone had to wait at the proper bus stop some three blocks away to board the city buses did he realize his mistake.

Fr. Ruper was obviously waiting at the wrong spot.

“Every day in between Christ-

This Christmas season, let us reflect on grandparents.

Like many in our community, we are also grandparents. We have five children and eight grandchildren.

Joyce is our eldest child. She was born in the United States and studied at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. From Joyce, who lives with her family in Santa Clarita near Los Angeles, California, we have five grandchildren, Miko, 23, Mita, 18, Mari, 15, Maki, 9 and Migi, 8.

Our eldest son, Joubert, is a computer science graduate of De La Salle University and works and lives with his family in Singapore. From him, we have one granddaughter, Cate, 11. Our third and middle child, Joel, was a special child who died at the age of 24. Our fourth child, Jenner, is an HRM graduate from IHMES in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom. From him, we have two grandchildren, Sean James, 8, and Chloe Allysa Joy, 5. Our youngest son, Jon, a management graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, is still unmarried.

Christmas, of course, is about the birth of Jesus. But it is also about Mary who gave birth to him. And tradition tells us that Mary is the only child of a couple named Joachim and Anne, who are, therefore, the grandparents of our Lord Jesus. There is no mention of Joachim and Anne in the Bible although some scholars claim that Heli in the Lukan genealogy of Jesus is the other name of Joachim: He (Jesus) was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli (Lk 3:23). Bible scholars explain that Joachim is a variant form of Eliacim, which is abbreviated as Eli, a variant of Heli.

On the other hand, the genealogy of Jesus by Matthew states that Jacob (not Heli) is the father of Joseph: Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called Messiah (Mt 1:14-16). How is this apparent inconsistency between the Lucan version (which states that Joseph is the son of Heli) and the Matthean version (which states that Joseph is the son of Jacob) of the genealogy of Jesus resolved by Bible scholars?

The Church Fathers and Bible scholars have several theories and possible explanations. But many modern Bible scholars explain this by claiming that Anne is the sister of Jacob. Thus Joseph is the son of Jacob, as stated in the Matthean genealogy, but he is also the son (strictly speaking, the son-in-law) of Joachim (Heli) because of his marriage to Mary, the daughter of Anne and Joachim. This explanation is supported by the claim of many Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Cajetan and other Doctors of the Church, that Luke traces the genealogy of Christ through Mary and her father Joachim (Heli) while Matthew traces it through Joseph and his father Jacob. In this way, Christ is shown to be descended from David both through Mary and Joseph.

By tradition St. Joachim and St. Anne are considered to be the parents of Mary. They are another example of a married couple who became great saints because they opened their hearts to God’s grace and their lives to God’s will. They were chosen by God to become the parents of Mary, who was immaculately conceived in the womb of St. Anne and chosen to become the

festation of the coming of God into our lives, into our families,” said Fr. Ruper.

“Ito ang tamang lugar, tamang panahon, tamang mga kasama na buksan natin ang mga pamilya natin at papasukin ang Panginoon. (This [the Mass] is the right place, the right time, and the right companions for us to open our families and to let in the Lord.),” he explained.

corporate donors, together with the Governance Team of Metro Manila West B headed by Bobby Penalosa, will fund the expanded site.

Roger Santos, ANCOP USA Executive Director, announced the support of US corporate donors to provide equipment like computers and medical supplies once the structure is finished and operational.

Santos also announced that a medical mission is planned at Our Lady of Banneux on February 9, 2016.

The new ANCOP MPH/Education Center will accommodate an ANCOP Health Clinic and support offices for the community and its volunteers.

(CFC ANCOP USA Communications)

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December 7 - 31, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 25

A Celebration of Covenant Love

"I cherish the treasure, the treasure of you... lifelong companion, I give myself to you!" These happy couples from CFC Vancouver saying "Yes!" again to one another and to God as they renew their marriage vows.

CFC Winnipeg held its 2nd Celebration of Covenant Love on November 21st, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady. Sixteen couples attended the activity.

One week prior to the Renewal of Wedding Vows, the 16 couples had a mini-retreat conducted by their spiritual advisor, Fr. Yolly Gamallo. The mini-retreat included four couple-sharers. The Holy Mass was celebrated at St. John Cantius Parish presided by Msgr.

Louis McCloskey. A simple reception followed for the 16 couples and about 60 family members, with additional witnesses from the CFC community. The participants who renewed their marriage vows were from varied age groups, with some having been married for only five years to couples who were celebratingo 40 years of holy matrimony.

This year makes the Celebration of Love even more relevant, as it is the year that held the papal Synod on the Family and the World Meeting of Families. Pope Francis stated when making an address to families, “Those who celebrate the sacrament say, ‘I promise to be true to you, in joy and in sadness, in sickness and in health; I will love you and honour you all the days of my life’. At that moment, the couple does not know what will happen, nor what joys and pains await them. They are setting out, like Abraham, on a journey together.

And that is what marriage is! Setting out and walking together, hand in hand, putting yourselves in the Lord’s powerful hands.

Hand in hand, always and for the rest of your lives.” (from http:// couplesforchristcanada.ca)

CBCP Monitor

The fruits of 2015 for CFC PPC CFC missionaries to South America rejoiced as they completed a fruitful mission to the area, a fitting end to the year. The mission to Nuevo Pueblo de Colán opened a new area an hour away by land from Piura, Peru, establishing CFC – Parejas para Cristo in a remote town in the desert. At the end of the Christian Life Program, 13 new CFC PPC members composed of 4 couples, 4 HOLD and 1 SOLD committed to a life with Christ.

The PVC (Programa de Vida Cristiana - Spanish CLP) was held November 27 to 29, 2015 (Thanksgiving weekend) by CFC USA Florida in Iglesias del Rosario, one of two parishes in town. Padre Luis Serra, head pastor of the main church, the Iglesia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, opened the doors to CFC PPC. Four other brethren from CFC PPC Rioja, Peru headed by Fr. Rober Martinez, came to reinforce the missionaries’ efforts. The team got a taste of their first mission

hundreds of miles away from home.

In 2015, ten missions were held in South America by CFC USA. All these were made possible by a handful of zealous and selfless CFC USA mission volunteers who sacrificed a lot and denied themselves many comforts in order to bring the Word of God to families in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. CFC Parejas Para Cristo will not take off without the financial support of CFC USA. Truly God gave a very good year for the mission team, harvesting 608 souls in 2015 (a total of 857 persons from June 2014 to date). The task of sustaining CFC PPC families and area countries are enormous. But with grateful hearts, the South America team humbly turns to God, thanking Him each day for His guidance as He leads the way. The team looks forward to 2016's adventure of bringing the banner of Christ to the middle and corners of the earth. (Glen Santayana)

SFC GLOBAL ONE—Uniting the World via Online Worship

Singles for Christ Metro Manila gathered at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati last December 5, 2015, at 7:00 pm for the SFC Global One, a two-hour nonstop worship experience. Jay Laquian, a fulltime pastoral worker for SFC, led the worship.

Global One was meant to be a simultaneous praise concert, with major cities or provinces hosting the event. But what

made this year’s Global One event special was the fact that it was the first time it was staged online via youtube live broadcast.

This gave SFCs all over the world an opportunity to come together despite differences in time zone.

Together as one ministry, SFCs from the Metro Manila Sectors, the provinces and the various countries like the USA, Canada and the Middle Eastern countries, raised

their voices in praise and worship for the countless favors they received. It likewise became an opportunity to ask the Lord to bless the ministry for the coming year.

The ministry sees the online Global One as an event they can do annually. They also see it as a potential tool to reach other non-SFC members to witness Christ and come together with other young people to worship. (Lanie Montaos)

CFC Greece Leaders Meet Archbishop of Athens & Nuncio

Another fruitful harvest in Peru, from top: the 13 new members in CFC PPC; all-women discussion group.

CFC China Conducts Mission Heads Training CFC China is on full throttle in its evangelization efforts. They recently conducted the first-ever CFC China Mission Heads Training from November 27 to 30 at Vila da Sta. Isabel, Estrada Cheoc Van, Macau.

The training aimed to strengthen its leadership ranks through several formation talks from the Chapter Leaders Training (CLT) series. The sixty participants were mostly Chinese with some Filipino Mission Heads and their AGT members from the North, West, East and South of China including Macau SAR and Hong Kong SAR. The first day of the training was devoted to a silent retreat based on Psalm 46:10 – “Be silent and know that I am God.” The three-hour retreat centered on the theme: “We need to Change How We Lead; To lead like Jesus” with each participant encouraged to “empty oneself ”.

Fr. Oliviades, a member of the Opus Dei, facilitated the retreat.

Day 2 started with a Holy Mass concelebrated by Fr. Joseph Wang from Yiwu, East China. The training proper began with Israel Silud, CFC Country Head and Northwest Regional Head, giving the overview and citing challenges that CFC China faces. He reiterated that CFC China’s goal of raising 1 million household heads will be driven by the

personal holiness of its servant-leaders who will be leading the evangelization thrust in 34 provinces in China. CLT talks 2-5 were given by the regional heads with their wives as sharers.

Day 3 began with the recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by another concelebrated Holy Mass. Fr. Oliviades delivered a beautiful homily on “emptying oneself ”. The rest of the CLT talks were again delivered by the regional heads with their wives as sharers. In CLT Talk 9, Silud emphasized the need to pay attention to the means to care for the spirit, mind and body of the leaders.

The last day primarily focused on planning the CFC China activities for 2016.

One of the proposals from the planning is that the four (4) regions in China will each be hosting the major activities lined up for the year.

The three-day training and planning was conducted by CFC China Country Head Israel/Sally Silud with the support of North Asia Regional Coordinator Garie/Cess Pimentel and the regional heads from East China (Eric/Evelyn Ylagan), South China (Joel/Erica Santos), Hong Kong SAR (Garie/Cess Pimentel) and Macau SAR (JM/Emilie Yupangco). (Eric & Evelyn Ylagan)

whether lay or from the Chaplains’ rank, likewise gave testimonies on how their involvement in the CEP made them realize that they have become not only agents of change, but recipients of grace as well.

In the afternoon, the Chaplains and their CFC counterparts came together for a round table discussion of the plans of the various Infantry Divisions nationwide.

Army Chief Chaplain Fr. Col. Andres Bonifacio Belleza CHS (GSC), in an unexpected move, expressed his recognition, through the grant of awards, of the initiatives of the Army Chaplains in implementing the CEP in their various Divisions. Fr. Maj. Juan Jerome C. Daluro was awarded Best Chaplain of the Year 2015 for his exemplary service as Division Chaplain of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division. Fr. MSg. Mario Baniqued, Philippine Army (PA), OACCS Chief Clerk was recognized as Best

Chaplain Assistant of the Year.

Since the partnership between the OACCS and CFC OSM started in April 2014, the group has conducted Character Enhancement Retreats (CER) for 28 Philippine Army commands. Through CFC Singles for Christ volunteers, a Christian Life Program has likewise been conducted for the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2018, graduating 385 PMA-Singles for Christ members. Presently, five CERs are also being done at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City.

Alabanza admits there is still much to be done. So far, the CEP has reached 2,000 men and women in uniform, roughly 0.287 percent of an estimated 800,000 population of soldiers, their spouses and their families. This is indeed fertile ground for values and spiritual transformation, which is just waiting to be conquered. (A. Alvarez)

Courtesy call, top photos: CFC leaders with Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams & Fr. George Altouvas; bottom photos, with Fr. George, Archbishop Sevastianos Rossolatos and Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.

Couples for Christ USA and CFC Greece leaders paid a courtesy call on Archbishop Sevastianos Rossolatos and Fr. George Altouvas at the Archdiocese of Athens. The group introduced Couples for Christ to the new Archbishop and discussed their plans to initiate a CFC Youth Camp in Greek, as well as to develop CFC teachings in Greek.

On another occasion, the CFC leaders met with the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Athens, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.

They discussed challenges and forthcoming changes in the Greek Catholic hierarchy and laid down CFC’s plans for CFC Athens.

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CFC OSM and the OACCS reaching out to the men and women in uniform and their families through the Character Enhancement Program