Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 22 No. 09
April 30- May 13, 2018 C1
CFC HANDMAIDS OF THE LORD TH SOAR HIGH AT THE 25 HOLD ICON FamMin Head to HOLD Int’l Delegates: ‘Proclaim your YES!’
IN celebration of the silver anniversary of the CFC Family Ministries this year, the CFC Handmaids of the Lord (CFC HOLD) opened the 25th CFC HOLD International Conference with the "Reminisce and Rekindle" fellowship night on Friday, April 27, 2018. This was right after the Mass celebrated by His Excellency the Most Rev. Buenaventure Famadico, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo. Fr. Emil A. Urriquia of the Cathedral Parish of St. Paul the First Hermit and Spiritual Director of CFC Laguna, concelebrated the Mass.
“I BELIEVE Jesus and Mary have a common love, and that is saying ‘Yes!’ to God,” Lawrence Quintero, CFC Family Ministries Head exhorted the foreign delegates of the Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) during the HOLD International Missions Summit, an annual activity for the delegates from overseas where they are able to appreciate the mission activities of the ministry, held on the morning of April 27, 2018 at Acacia Hotel in Alabang. Maria Alasia of HOLD Solomon Islands led the worship that opened the summit. Quintero, who was attending the summit for the first time, explained the common ‘Yes’ of Jesus and Mary. “The Filipino word for ‘Yes’ is ‘Oo’,” Quintero began. He added, “This word, composed of two letter O’s, may be taken to mean ‘openness’ and ‘obedience’—two ingredients which enable the Father to fulfill His will in us.” He added, “May we always be open to the movement of the Spirit, and obedient to the Father in order for His will to be fulfilled, for our mission to grow, and for the ministry to soar high in the love of God for the next 25 years.” Quintero shared his interview with the first leader of the Handmaids, Luz Villaroman. “I think it would be nice to know the beginnings of the HOLD ministry, what contributed to its growth, and what led the ministry into taking and committing to bring women into a personal relationship with the Lord,” Quintero said. He read an email from Villaroman, who was a former International Coordinator for HOLD:
CFC HOLD looked back at the past 25 years, celebrating HOLD as women in full bloom, women of faith, purpose, love, and joy, and as women for others, showcasing the talents of HOLD from Metro Manila, the Philippine missions and the international mission. The HOLD International Core, headed by HOLD International Coordinator Edythe Avendaño, honored the past and present members of the International Core for their dedication, leadership, and witnessing.
Recognizing the Gift The following day, Avendaño opened the conference with Session 1 (The Gift), focusing on the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how St. Paul exhorted Timothy to rekindle the “gift that is within”. Similarly, Avendaño reminded the Handmaids that every Catholic has received the Holy Spirit, and asked the congregation, “Are we harnessing the power that the Holy Spirit gave in order for us to be more and more like Christ? Are we using the gifts of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission? What has happened to the gift of the Holy Spirit?” Unfamiliarity with the gift of the Spirit, ignoring this gift and resisting God’s will, keeping the gift to oneself, using the gift to glorify the self, not allowing the gift to grow, or failing to use the gift to enliven communal life are some of the reasons why the power of the Spirit is not unleashed in a Christian’s life. Rekindling the gift and keeping it aflame will al- HOLD ICON, p3
CFC HOLD soaring high on fiery wings, clockwise from bottom left: The Magnificat band; HOLD iCore past & present; 6,000 women from all over the world; Msgr. Allen Aganon celebrating the Sunday Mass; CFC FamMind Head Lawrence Quintero.
‘Dear Lawrence, As I enjoyed the blessedness of having a husband to supFOREIGN MISSION SUMMIT, p2
10,000 Youth Go Full Blast at ICON 10,000 Youth for Christ members gathered from April 13 to 15, 2018 to celebrate God’s faithfulness at this year’s YFC International Conference (ICon). The scorching heat of the sun did not stop the young people from enjoying and experiencing fun, friendship, freedom, and faith. The first day commenced with an opening worship led by Alvin Genese, fulltime pastoral worker for Metro Manila - East B. International Coordinator for YFC JQ Quimpang formally opened the 25th YFC ICon. Creative and Sports competitions followed soon after in different venues around Makati. The praise parade started from the Makati City Hall to the Circuit Makati grounds, with YFC showcasing costumes representing different ethnicities and cultures. Simultaneously happening with the parade was the Swap of Area Shirts at the area booth.
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND—THE YFC GLOBAL LEADERS’ SUMMIT FOUR hundred and nine Youth for Christ leaders from all over the world gathered at the SM Aura Convention Center from April 16 to 17 for the Global Leaders Summit. The summit, held to celebrate the ministry’s 25 years of existence, had the theme “Beyond,” with YFC leaders laying the foundations for the next 25 years of CFC YFC. The two-day event began with YFC International Coordinator, Jeremy Quimpang, welcoming the leaders to the summit. International Family Ministries’ Coordinator Lawrence
Everyone gathered to celebrate Holy Eucharist with His Excellency the Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. In his homily, Bishop Pabillo reminded the delegates that everyone has the capacity to give, but giving one’s all will reveal the transformative love of Christ and all the miracles He can do in each person’s life. Emil Estabillo, FTPW for Camarines Sur, led the evening worship prior to Session 1, titled “In Faithfulness.” Quimpang, the session 1 speaker, reminded everyone that God never falters in sustaining man with overflowing love and grace. Danica Inguillo of YFC Campusbased Cavite, Ellah Gallon, Zamboanga High School-based Provincial Couple Coordinator, and Miguel Florendo, Metro Manila South A Cluster Head, were the sharers for this talk.
Film Screening, ‘Family is a Gift Campaign’ Launch at Teaching Night
Quintero exhorted the YFC leaders to go “Full Blast”, building on faithfulness, gratitude, and hopefulness through the lens of YFC leaders, reminding them to “always remember that where we are right now is a product of someone’s dream.” The delegates had the opportunity to voice out and share the challenges and victories specific to their areas and countries. In the afternoon, the CFC Institute delivered a workshop on Cultural Evangelization. The day ended with a joyful evening of felYFC GLS, p2 THE METRO Manila Mission Core held its regular monthly Teaching Night on April 17, 2018. In a departure from the usual assembly in a church setting, the teaching night was held in four different cinemas around Metro Manila—SM North Edsa, SM Marikina, SM Mega Mall and SM Sucat. This was done in order to conduct two important activities: to allow brethren to view the block
screening of Paul, Apostle of Christ and to launch CFC’s new evangelization campaign, Family is a Gift. A photo wall was set up in the respective lobbies of the cinemas, with emcees encouraging couples and families to have their pictures taken and declare on social media how their families are gifts from God. Prior to the screening, the assigned MM TEACHING NIGHT, p2
Quimpang ended by challenging the youth to be faithful to surrender doubts and fill their hearts with hope, enabling them to go full blast in experiencing God’s love to the fullest. Niccolo Arboleda, fulltime worker for Canada, led the closing worship, reminding everyone that for the past 25 years of YFC, the Lord’s faithfulness has been truly constant, remaining through every hardship, blessing, uncertainties, and affirmations. To cap the night, the conference ended with the YFC Reunion wherein past and current generation of YFCs gathered together to reminisce and enjoy the amazing journey the ministry has had in the past 25 years. On Day 2, participants gathered for the opening worship and headed to their respective workshops, after which they trooped to their assigned parish YFC ICON p2
CFC Senior Couple Coordinators Hold First Summit AS FAR back as 2014, when the first CFC Seniors Fair was conducted to formally begin the Senior Couples Program, the older generation of CFC has been conducting the SCR (Senior Couples Retreat), not only in Metro Manila and the provinces in the Philippines, but elsewhere in the world. Aside from SCRs, CFC Senior Couples also go on mission and boogie once in a while for fellowship. This just goes to show that CFC leaders under the program are still very much actively serving the Lord in community. On April 7, 2018, coordina-
tors of the Seniors Program from all over the Philippines converged at the Lay Formation Center in San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe, Makati for the first CFC Senior Couple Coordinators Summit. Pedy Arela, CFC Seniors Coordinator for the Visayas region, led the opening worship. In his welcome remarks, IC member Lito Tayag affirmed the CFC leaders that although they are now seniors, they still have so much to offer to the community and the Church. He encouraged everyone to attend the SENIORS, p3
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CBCP Monitor
April 30 - May 13, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 09
CFC Migrants Program Gets Nod of LGU, Clergy at Visayas Convention IN AN effort to propagate CFC’s involvement in the Church’s initiatives regarding migration, giving emphasis on overseas Filipino workers and the families they leave behind, the volunteers of the CFC Migrants Program brought the Migrants Convention to the Visayas on April 21, 2018. Delegates from the different provinces of the region, mostly the Social Development Programs Coordinators, the Provincial Migrants Program Coordinators and members of the Area Governance Teams came to listen and learn about the CFC Migrants Program and how they can engage with the Diocesan Migrants Desk and the local government in caring for the migrants and their families. The Migrants Convention is in partnership with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (CBCP ECMI). Jess Ferrer, CFC MP Program Head, supported by his wife Mercy and the CFC MP Core, welcomed the delegates at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City, after morning worship led by Bohol Provincial Area Director Amit Yu. Ferrer gave an overview of the migration situation in the country, and emphasized the importance of holistic reintegration of migrant workers into society and the community, as well as their own families, especially those who have been away from their home countries for a considerable length of time. Fr. Crisolito Geangan of the Diocese of Tagbilaran addressed the
CFC Visayas embraces Migrants Program, clockwise from top: CFC leaders, the LGU and Church workers; Fr. Resty Ogsimer; Vice Gov. Balite; Jess Ferrer
plight of migrant families in the Visayas region, while the Hon. Dionisio Balite, Vice Governor of the province of Bohol, discussed the Visayan OFW’s contribution to the country.
“While there is an increase in the inflow of remittances from our OFWs, there is no denying the impact of the social costs of fragmented OFW families,” Vice Gov. Balite said.
MM TEACHING NIGHT, p1
YFC ICON, p1
Sector Heads gave the Metro Manila Mission Core an appreciation of what Family is a Gift is, and introduced Household Without Walls as an evangelization tool that can help households be creative in inviting other couples into CFC. Family is a Gift as a campaign aims to strengthen the family through promoting family values and CFC lifestyle. CFC’s core gift is to uphold the family, hence the campaign title. As CFC Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr. mentioned in his video exhortation shown before the movie, “The family is one of the most important blessings that we have, and since it is a gift, we are to value, nourish and protect it.” He added, “As we cherish our own families, we are to also share our mission in CFC to other families so that they may be led to experience Christ through CFC.” “Household Without Walls” is a sub-campaign
which will help build relationships with non-CFC couples and make them realize the blessing of belonging to a bigger family in CFC. Referring to the “Family is a Gift” billboard along EDSA and the ads found on buses plying the same thoroughfare, Villaroman reminded the Mission Core, “Our billboards and bus ads can communicate, but cannot move to physically embrace lives. It is our lives and light that will be walking, loving billboards. That is why we need to take part in Family is a Gift by starting with our own families and household.” The film was a very timely reminder on the CFC Theme from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy (Chapter 1:6, 4:1-5). The movie reminded the Mission Core of the life of St. Paul, who is at the center of mission and evangelization, and the life of early Christians who fought the good fight of faith in order for the world to know about Jesus. (Andrelene Veloso)
FOREIGN MISSION SUMMIT, p1
port me in CFC, I was led to empathize with women who lived alone, especially those raising up boys without manly role models to guide them. Or the brokenhearted, whom we committed to help strengthen their relationship with the Lord. For it is only with the Lord that they can find joy and consolation.’ Quintero shared he has learned three very impor-
tant lessons from the HOLD ministry, namely: the love for family is what inspires people; the love for family is what one shares; and the love of God is the source of people’s strength, sustenance, joy and consolation. Bel Liboro, a member of the HOLD International Core, and Lynda Geraldez, HOLD Coordinator for Asia, spearheaded the summit.
After Quintero’s inspiring insights, Geraldez gave a report on the state of the HOLD mission, encouraging more leaders to go on mission in the coming year. A table discussion followed, allowing the HOLD leaders to share about their personal journeys as well as their mission stories and best practices with one another. (A. Alvarez)
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had a stable source of income since then. I clearly wanted to serve the Lord through the mission even though the wells of my finances were drying up, which is why I’m thankful to Him for giving me the opportunity. Before signing up for the HK KT mission, I was worried of about my resources for a foreign trip given my situation. But I gave my yes to the Lord and He took care of me, as my expenses for the trip were rather minimal. Truly, the Lord provides. He allowed me to go on the
Being a CFC member himself, the vice governor has been molded by the community with regards to upholding the family. Gov. Balite has committed to embrace the Migrants
Program for the benefit of OFWs from Bohol and their families. Fr. Resty Ogsimer, Executive Secretary of the CBCP ECMI, spoke about migration and related thrusts of the CBCP, giving premium on human trafficking and the refugee situation worldwide. CFC Mission Head for the Visayas Arnel Sacris presented the social development thrusts of CFC and the Migrants Program, while CFC Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr. encouraged the participants to fully embrace the Migrants Program, and use the gift of the CFC community to bring back God’s plan for the family. The morning sessions were capped by the celebration of the Holy Mass, with His Excellencies Bishop Alberto Uy (Diocese of Tagbilaran) and Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon (Diocese of Talibon) concelebrating, together with other priests from the dioceses. In his homily, Bishop Parcon welcomed the Migrants Program, citing his personal encounter with Couples for Christ, and commending the community as a formidable mover in defending the families of migrants. The afternoon featured sample sessions on Moral Values Reorientation and Financial Stewardship. With the positive responses from the clergy and the local government of Bohol, plus the enthusiasm of the leaders of the Visayan region, the CFC Migrants Program will surely have champions who will ensure the implementation of the program in the Visayas islands. (Alma Alvarez)
mission from March 22 to 26, 2018. The mission itself was a fulfilling experience. Talk 1 of KT, which I delivered, was not just a sharing with the five brother participants from HK and Macau, but also a reminder to self about upholding the value of taking care of our sisters. This was the first time that I shared my experience in refusing to engage with high school classmates in their conversations and activities regarding extramarital affairs. While it may be difficult to disengage with longtime friends, I chose to do this out
of love and respect for the Lord and my future wife – the very point of KT. I also realized the value of developing meaningful relationships in this mission trip (and in all other missions as well). My stay in Hong Kong lasted roughly 120 hours. Of that time, only around 20 hours were spent for actual mission work. The rest were for fellowship. I’d often overlook the value of simple conversations, but, after so many years in the community, I realized on this trip that these are important in the Lord’s work. Relating to people and know-
ing the state of their lives is key if we want to help them build better relationships with the Lord. Jesus, during the time of his ministry, related with people of different backgrounds to ask how they were, from Matthew the despised tax collector to the Roman centurion. As missionaries, we are Christ’s representatives. We should do just the same. After all, we are created in God’s image and likeness. (Francis Respicio, Program Coordinator - SFC MMla Central C)
encounters, discovering the importance of meeting new friends, discovering histories, and sharing goodness with their fellow Catholic youth. Evening segments of Day 2 started with worship led by Banoi Fucal, FTPW for Cebu. Session 2, titled “Fully Alive,” was delivered by OJ Rivera (Canada), Nica Fabia (Metro Manila), and Francis Buñag (STAR Region). The trio pointed out three things: first, one of the greatest gifts that God has given is Himself, as portrayed by the cross, and is manifested in the Holy Eucharist as man receives Him; second, God always blesses more than man deserves, but man tends sometimes to focus on the gifts, not the giver; and third, to always have the attitude of gratitude manifesting it in one’s thoughts, actions, and words. Sharers for this talk were Pol Estrella from Metro ManilaWest B and his family, and CM
Condino of YFC Cavite. The last session titled “Full Blast,” given by Dillon Naicker, FTPW for South Africa, talked about the Christian life being never an easy journey. Being Christian is not about being strong and capable, but being able to feel pain and weak and in need of God’s mercy. DJ Bustillo of YFC Metro Manila and Vaughn Maxey of YFC Davao shared about the pains and storms, and with God’s held, the victories in their lives. Mitchie Tan, FTPW for North Eastern Mindanao, led the powerful praisefest. Day 2 ended with a Youth Festival featuring music, spoken poetry and dancing. The third day started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. In his homily, the prelate shared two points with the youth: to go forth and
preach God’s faithfulness, and to witness to God’s love, a love that is of changing everything, even in circumstances where it seems impossible. He also challenged the young people to live a life that becomes an image of Jesus wherever they go. Bodit Enon, FTPW for YFC Campus-based, led the praisefest. As a reminder of their identity as missionaries, everyone received a Budded Cross, symbolizing the Trinitarian Love—the love of the Father in His faithfulness, the love of the Son through expression in the Holy Eucharist, and the love of the Holy Spirit, empowering each one to fulfill the mission, proclaiming the glory of God. The delegates were charged to bring more young people as they gather for the 26th YFC International Conference in Davao next year. (Mafi de Leon, Mica dela Rosa, Beo Salonga, and France Dador)
YFC GLS, p1
lowship and a talent show. Day 2 saw the participants being given the YFC thrusts for the next 25 years, enabling them to look beyond and take on the call of mission. The final session titled “Living Our Dreams,” given by Ablaze Marketing Manager Keith Janohan, inspired and challenged the leaders to keep their passion for the Lord burning through their mission.
“We must constantly remind ourselves that our work here in Youth for Christ has never been about us, it is always about the Lord’s plan and us making it happen,” he said. Capping the GLS was YFC Singapore Mission Volunteer Patrick Elicano sending-off the leaders to once again be dreamers and movers of God’s love for young people all over the world. (Martin Angeles, YFC FTPW Canada)
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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 31 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org globalcommunications@couplesforchristglobal.org
CBCP Monitor
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April 30 - May 13, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 09
ISAIAH 61:1 Equipping Volunteers for Greater Service
THE MM Core Team of Isaiah 61:1, CFC’s prison program, attended a weekend seminar (April 28 and 29) on “Emotional First Aid.” The session, held at the Ugnayan Hall of the Global Mission Center, was conducted by Dr. Leo Dela Cruz and offered techniques on how volunteers in the prison ministry can reach out to inmates more effectively. The seminar will allow members of the program to minister to those behind bars. On the second day, Ernie Layusa and Gerry Bernabe from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) shared their first-hand experience on the current situation in city jails.
Albert Alfaro and Roy Locsin, who handle Isaiah 61:1’s pastoral formation concerns, spoke about the program’s teaching tracks . The last speaker, Rey Tan, an expert in information technology, provided pointers on how to monitor and profile the members through the use of cellphones. It was an empowering weekend for the volunteers in the Prison Program, with each of them grateful that they are being equipped to better serve the lost and take to heart Christ’s commission to “set the captives free”. (Jun Justiniani)
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low the Lord to accomplish His work and purpose that He has entrusted to each one. Learning from Eunice, Lois and the five wise virgins Linda Tayag, the next speaker, reminded the delegates of the solemn charge for women: to proclaim the Word to their families and other women as well. Tayag spoke about the challenge to women—how they should respond to this solemn charge. As Pope Paul VI said, there is much urgency in this call to women to be proclaimers of the Gospel in every situation and circumstance, whether convenient or otherwise, in the various roles they play in society—as students, teachers, mothers, healers, and leaders. Tayag exhorted the women to be like the five wise virgins who always had their oil lamps filled and lit, always ready to seize the opportunity to answer the call to be bearers of the Good News to their families and to those who hunger for the Word. “…to be persistent, whether convenient or not” In the third session, Wendy Carvalho, HOLD Country Coordinator for Malaysia, talked about the daunting task of being proclaimers of the Word and the undaunted Spirit each one must possess in order to be able to pursue the mission. “We should always be ready to proclaim His message whenever and wherever there is a chance,” Carvalho said.
Challenges and Reality Check St. Paul warned Timothy of the challenges that he could face in proclaiming the Good News. As present day evangelizers, Evelyn Ylagan, HOLD Island Coordinator for Luzon, exhorted the Handmaids to heed the same warning from the apostle Paul. “People will not tolerate sound doctrine, as what St. Paul said,” Ylagan began, citing how man has disregarded the 10 Commandments and how modernization has allowed for same-sex attraction/ union, propagation of the LGBT lifestyle, in vitro fertilization, immodesty in dressing and conduct. “But St. Paul reminds us to be ‘self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist’, invoking the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do all these,” Ylagan added. Soaring on Fiery Wings In the final session, HOLD Coordinator for the Americas Didi Galsim described in detail who the Holy Spirit is—the giver of life, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of unity, the Witness, the Paraclete—and how the third Person of the Trinity has changed a Christian’s life. She explained how the Holy Spirit, closely associated with fire, manifested His presence both in the Old and New Testaments. However, because of reasons like personal problems, concerns in community, un-
faithfulness to God, or becoming victims of lies, gossip or intrigue, this fiery presence is quenched, diminishing the ardor of faith. “What then can we do so we do not ever lose it?” Galsim asked. “We must immerse ourselves in prayer and meditation, the sacraments, the Eucharist, devotion to Mother Mary and the saints, faithfulness to the HOLD covenant, and following the example of Paul, bearing the marks of Jesus on our bodies,” she added. And to fulfill the ministry entrusted to HOLD, Galsim thanked all the leaders of HOLD and the wives of CFC serving in HOLD (the ‘Paulas’), as well as the husbands of HOLD leaders and members serving alongside their wives, for mentoring the younger generation of HOLD. She also expressed gratitude to young HOLD members and leaders whom she referred to as the ‘Timotheas’, entrusting the next 25 years of the ministry to them. The passion and dedication of the sharers in all the sessions manifested the greatness of the Lord and how He has moved in the lives of each one. The conference ended with a powerful praisefest led by Dale Villamor, Cluster Head for MM North B, allowing the 6,000 delegates to soar on the fiery wings of the Spirit. (Text by Alma Alvarez; photos by Arnel Santos, Arthur del Rio and Joey Tomas)
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workshop in the afternoon, since the workshop involves planning for activities and programs that will ensure that the senior citizens in the community will have so much to look forward to and be taken care of, not only pastorally but also in the areas of health, their basic rights as senior citizens and in terms of leaving their legacy to their respective families. The first talk was given by Jun Uriarte, a member of the CFC Board of Elders. Uriarte spoke about “The Role of Seniors in CFC.” Uriarte said, "As people age, they are more aware of their mortality, become more reflective of their lives, and have a different focus than the younger folk.” He added: “Spiritual people live longer, according to studies. Therefore, seniors like us are able to do anything. Yet, we do not want to monopolize these services and deprive the 'Timothys' the experience of the same joy and the same grace and blessings we receive.” So what then is expected of seniors in community? Uriarte proceeded to enumerate the roles that senior CFCs can perform as they continue to serve in the community: 1. Participate actively in implementing the programs of the CFC Institute, considering that these leaders hold in their belt a vast experience in leading and pastoral care; 2. Provide training and organize a pool of speakers for CFC teachings; and
3. Plan and conduct regular corporal works of mercy. The bottom line, according to Uriarte, is that seniors desire to live longer so that they can serve more, be it in community or the family. The next speaker, Fr. Larry Faraon, OP, spoke about how seniors can serve the parishes. Citing several “senior citizens” from Scripture, Fr. Faraon challenged the CFC seniors, “When the Lord calls, are we ready? The Holy Father calls us wisdom sharers, guardians of the wealth of memories, are disposed to charitable work, and possess a deeper commitment. Let us live up to that.” He went on to enumerate some challenges and obstacles to seniors serving the Church, such as health issues, family situations, retirement, and attitude (sense of uselessness, isolation, fear, irrelevance, emptiness). “Just embark on the work of the Lord, despite health issues. God will make it possible for us to serve,” Fr. Faraon concluded. In the afternoon, the delegates were divided into groups according to geography, with each group planning future activities for the seniors in their respective areas. After reporting their plans to the plenary, the congregation came together for the celebration of the Eucharist, with Fr. Rico Ayo presiding. (Alma Alvarez)
CFC Central Sector Pilots Vanguard Training CFC Project ReForm had the first run of its VANGUARD training, a workshop for volunteer counselors/ talk therapists who will be deployed in barangays and parishes to minister to communitybased drug surrenderers. The training was held in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church in Sta. Mesa, Manila on April 21-22, 2018, and attended by barangay police officers, church volunteers, and lay organization members. The training presented three modules that focus on how to help the drug surrenderers in their road to recovery. The first module,
“To Change Route” focuses on sessions relating to knowing the self, developing trust, overcoming the habit, and the power of prayer. The second module, labeled “Following the Sign”, zeroes in on making the decision to let go, realization, uplifting one’s humanity, and goal setting. Third and the highlight of all the modules is the ‘Road to Recovery’ module where the participants are affirmed, led to living a better life and appreciating God’s unselfish love, introduced to Scripture and promised community support. All in all, the modules direct the participants to ‘STOP
DRUG ABUSE’. Culminating the training are the practice sessions by the participants to ensure that they are ready to be sent to the areas. Addressing those who have gone through the training, Fr. Danichi Hu, Assistant Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Sta. Mesa said, “The word of God in itself is the initial blessing, but this will not become a real blessing to others if we keep it to ourselves. Tayo, nasa loob na tayo ng simbahan. Alam na natin ‘yan. Sana huwag tayo maiwan sa pakikinig. Sana may paggawa.” (Yvonne Dolorosa)
AGW 2018: ONE NATION WALKS FOR EDUCATION FOR the past seven years, the ANCOP Global Walk (AGW) has motivated people from all walks of life to contribute towards the betterment of the future of poor students who are struggling in their education. Simply by walking for the cause of education, AGW has gathered resources that have enabled poor students to continue their studies. ANCOP’s education program has always been for the children of the poor. However, beginning this year, ANCOP expanded its Education Program, opening up avenues even for parents of scholars to learn through the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program. This year’s AGW also levels up in its strategies in order to send more scholars to school. These strategies were discussed at the launch of AGW 2018 during the Mission Core Group Gathering on April 1, 2018 at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City. Robert Labayen, Sector Head of Metro Manila South A, and this year’s head of event for AGW, spearheaded the said launch. Labayen discussed how the team plans to spread AGW throughout the country, highlight-
ing how AGW must be communicated to all sectors of society, gunning for what the theme, One Nation Walks for Education, stands for. “Part of the strategy is to communicate the scholarship for parents, and how it will create a difference in answering the cry of poor families,” Labayen said. He also added that there will be additional fund generating methods, and an aggressive participation of the CFC community is needed for this advocacy. With this, Labayen appealed to CFC’s Family Ministries and provincial leaders of CFC for support to create a bigger impact and to garner a wider range of participation in the event. He encouraged everyone to be proactive in spreading the information through different social media platforms. Labayen explained how AGW will be big this year, with the hope of consistently building on the achievements of the past years’ AGW. To make it happen, he appealed for the support of the Mission Core, so that CFC ANCOP can keep up with the call to help more young people in the country. (Diana Mendoza)
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April 30 - May 13, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 09
CBCP Monitor
CFC Meets New Vatican Undersecretaries
LINDA GHISONI
GABRIELLA GAMBINO
IT WAS a refreshing sight: four women, a priest and one layman in an official meeting in the Vatican Curia. Two lay women—wives and mothers— are the new Undersecretaries in the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and they met with Nick and Norma Borja, CFC Vatican Relations Coordinators, on April 9, 2018. Linda Ghisoni, Undersecretary for Laity, and Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary for Life, were accompanied by Grazia Villani of the Dicastery’s Women’s Office, and Fr. Giovanni Buontempo, in charge of Ecclesial Movements. Pope Francis is surely sending a strong signal in enhancing the role of the laity, especially women, in the life of the Church. Just to highlight how significant this change is, Ms. Ghisoni technically took over from the position formerly occupied by Bishop Josef Clemens! After they officially took office last November 1, 2017, the two ladies were quoted, saying: “The fact of being a laywoman, wife, and mother, aroused surprise and curiosity in some people who approached me in various ways after the publication of the nomination.” ~Linda Ghisoni,
“LOVE ALIVE” SENIOR COUPLES RETREAT A WEEKEND LIKE NO OTHER! APRIL 7 and 8, 2018 was the Divine Mercy Weekend. Providentially, it was also the weekend for the second Senior Couples Retreat in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA). A heavy downpour started that day. Outside, it was dark, wet and windy but by 8:00 AM, the skies started to clear as the participants arrived. All in all, twenty enthusiastic and well-groomed couples checked in with smiles on their faces, excited to discover what the weekend holds for them. They were not disappointed. The venue for the affair was the spacious Comfort Inn in Surrey, B.C., the site of many CFC events in the past. It was also here that the first retreat for seniors was held in July 2017. Day 1 started promptly at 9:00 AM with the opening worship and a short introduction to the retreat. The first talk “Faithful Through the Years” was delivered by Chito and Mary Ann Marfori, GVA’s East Cluster Heads. The second talk “Looking Through the Eyes of Love” was given by Fil and Emy del Mundo, GVA Sector’s Senior Program Heads. Two other talks were given in the afternoon: “Rekindling the Love” by Art and Babes Santos, the Leaders of the Seniors Household in Richmond, and “Living Life to the Fullest” by Boy and Baby Maligson, GVA’s Sector Heads. The first day ended with a Lord’s Day celebration followed by a hearty dinner and non-stop dancing. Day 2 began with a Sunday Mass celebrated by Fr. John Cosgrove, the parish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Surrey, during which the participants, as well as the Seniors Core Group, the designated service team for the retreat, had a Renewal of Vows. Boie and Angging Sescon, the National Coordinators of the Seniors Program in Canada, gave the last talk aptly titled “Celebrating God’s
Goodness through our Marriages”. Sescon’s talk also touched on the Divine Mercy Weekend and the devotion to Mother Mary. He ended his talk with a pray-over and the re-dedication of the participants. The demographics were quite interesting to say the least. Of the 20 couples who came, four have been married for over 50 years; nine couples have been married for over 40 years; and the rest for more than 3. It was a happy cross-section of fun-loving, engaging couples who stayed focused (and serious) throughout all the talks and danced endlessly to their hearts’ content as soon as the sun went down. Obviously touched by the talks, they were fully engaged during their couple discussions. The group dynamics mirrored their happy faces right from the get-go and smiles were there up to the last hugs and goodbyes. In their sharing, many were thankful for the opportunity and considered themselves blessed for having said ‘yes’ to the invitation. There were some who want to return next year while one couple even suggested that the retreat can perhaps be programmed twice a year. Girlie Cabanos shared her vision of “Mother Mary commissioning us to go forth with audacity and proclaim the Good News to all seniors as there is an urgency… their time is running out like a marathon in the race.” The Senior Couples Retreat is getting more attention now as the CFC community slowly transforms into a graying population. With that in mind, the leadership will need to be more proactive to respond to such an urgency. The Seniors Core Group of GVA is called to start rolling up their sleeves once more for the next round of planning. With expectant faith, CFC GVA claims that the next LOVE ALIVE Retreat will be on the Divine Mercy weekend of 2019. (Fil del Mundo)
Undersecretary for the Laity “As a woman and mother of a large family, I see the ‘sign’ of a real mission at the service of the universal Church, aimed at protecting and above all promoting an authentic ‘culture of life and for human life,’ from conception to natural death.” ~Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary for Life It was the first meeting of Couples for Christ with these Vatican officials so the CFC representatives explained in detail the ministries, programs and global presence of Couples for Christ. Discussions also focused on the CFC Handmaids of the Lord, a ministry catering to what Pope Francis calls a “vulnerable group” of women, widows, separated/ divorced women, mature single women, or wives living away from their husbands. The Borjas likewise reported on CFC’s global presence: over 700,000 members (98,000 outside the Philippines), present in six continents and in 128 countries and territories. Nick and Norma Borja were also happy to report that Couples for Christ conducts its evangelization programs for the older ministries mainly in English, but in other countries CFC has been able to
translate the materials to Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese. However, for the youth, the language of teaching is the local language since the youth leaders have mostly been born or raised in the local culture. Everyone agreed there is a need to translate the program and materials of Couples for Christ to enable it to be shared with others. The Vatican officials asked if the community’s Youth Program can be held as a parish activity. CFC confirmed it has been doing this in other countries, adjusting the program as needed. Asked about its teaching capability, CFC said initially it goes outside to Catholic institutes and resources to provide training to its people. At the end of the meeting, the Vatican officials expressed gratitude for the opportunity to know more about the Couples for Christ ministries and programs, and that it is the intention of the dicasteries to use the best practices of ecclesial movements such as CFC and share it with others. For their part, the Couples for Christ representatives pledged to offer their services and support to the dicasteries anytime and anywhere in the world. (Nick Borja)
SFC ON MISSION
Back on The Mission Trail
EIGHTEEN years ago, I went on my very first mission trip for the community. All I knew then was we were to help Youth for Christ chapters in Europe conduct their respective youth camps and that it was another opportunity to travel, which I love doing. Nothing else came after that trip until my Knights Tale (KT) mission in Hong Kong – my very first for Singles for Christ. The rekindling of my desire for mission began after the 2015 SFC ICON in Palawan. Several fulltime pastoral workers from
Canada were introduced during our chapter’s post-conference lunch. Suddenly, memories of that YFC Europe mission came flashing back. I then thought that it would be a happy experience to go on even just one local and one foreign mission while in SFC. I’ve had a couple of opportunities to go on mission but passed up on them due to lack of resources. My hopes of going on mission dimmed late last year following my retrenchment from my last corporate job. As if that wasn’t enough, I haven’t SFC HK, p2
Beyond the Journey – a Christian Life Programme
CFC Leaders in Manitoba receive FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD
AT THE close of the Liturgy during the annual State Convention of the Manitoba Council of the Knights of Columbus, held last April 13-15, 2018 in Manitoba, State Deputy Dan Shepherd and Lady Lisa presented the Plaque of Recogni-
tion to Manitoba’s family of the Year. The family of Elizalde and Kristine Santos, from St. Edward’s Parish in Winnipeg, was acknowledged not only for their dedication to parish life at St Edward's, but also for their
involvement in the Knights of Columbus and youth activities as well as in the marriage support group, such activities being part of their participation in Couples for Christ. (source: Ukranian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg)
I have the privilege of growing up in a loving environment with both parents and two younger sisters. We have lived on the hills of Petit Valley for my entire life. Our family attends St Anthony’s Catholic Church. As a member of the Catholic faith, I attended Mass every week, which led to my First Holy Communion and Confirmation. While attending Mass over the years, I found myself questioning my faith, wanting to know more. An opportunity presented itself
whe I attended a seminar called Singles for Christ. To my surprise the theme of the seminar was ‘Beyond the Journey’. This struck me because at that moment in life it expressed exactly how I felt towards my religion. I felt as though I wanted to learn more and know how I could be closer to God and go beyond what he had in store for me. Throughout the sessions, I learnt that we are not alone and God is always with us in good times and in bad. I
listened to the speeches and engaged in conversation only to realize, that I was not alone on my journey. Some of the topics were inspiring, eye opening and comforting, not to mention the interactions with everyone I met during the seminar. At the end of the seminar, I reflected and indeed it was not just a seminar but a journey which did not stop there but continues through my life. (Sophia Dookie, Reprinted with permission from Catholic News Trinidad and Tobago)