UGNAYAN September 19 - October 2, 2016

Ugnayan

THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 20 No. 25

September 19 - Ocotober 2, 2016 C1

CFC MM observes Season of Creation

By Rey Tan

Last September 10 and 17, 2016, representatives of CFC Metro Manila sectors once again trooped to the mountainous area of Mamuyao, Tanay, Rizal to continue what they started two years ago— planting narra seedlings to help reforest the watershed area. This is one of CFC’s response to God’s call for each one to be a steward of His creation. It’s also our response to the Holy Father Pope Francis’ call in his encyclical Laudato Sí.

It was likewise a fitting activity for the observance of the Season of Creation, which started on September 1.

CFC Metro Manila is targeting to reforest 60 hectares of watershed area allocated for CFC by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). So far, the community has planted seedlings in 24 hectares. For this year, four sectors participated—North A, North B, Central C and East A—to cover four more hectares. To date, at 500 seedlings planted per hectare, CFC has already planted around 14,000

trees. Planting in watershed areas translates to a significant impact on the water supply of Metro Manila.

To ensure that these seedlings grow to become trees, the CFC OIKOS team has arranged with DENR and the “People’s Organization” or PO in the area to maintain the site. Each sector helps fund the effort by spending P16 per seedling which includes the clearing of the planting area, pre-digging of holes in the ground and bringing the seedlings from their nursery to the planting site. CFC has already engaged the locals there, giving them a minimal amount to maintain the site and ensure that the effort succeeds by visiting the trees regularly, ensuring they survive, and replacing those that have died. During the orientation session for the locals, they expressed their gratitude to CFC for this additional means of livelihood.

The party had to cross four clean rivers to get to the site, and were blessed that the water level was not that deep because of the good weather, although back in Metro Manila, the weather was not so good.

The planting area and the surrounding view was truly an awesome sight. It’s not every day that one comes in contact with nature itself and find how amazing God’s creation is. May CFC always take care of the environment and teach the younger generation to be God’s good steward of creation. (Rey Tan is the CFC OIKOS Coordinator for Metro Manila)

CFC and the members of the Family Ministries from the 4 Metro Manila Sectors go green!

Despite the long trek, CFC members make it up the mountain to plant, fellowship and take souvenir photos of their experience.

CFC GMC Personnel Go on a 3-day Retreat

CFC ReForm—CFC’S ANSWER TO HEALING THE SOCIAL ILL OF DRUG ADDICTION From all the news stories we are daily bombarded with, it is clear that our country is indeed mired in a deep crisis—the growing drug menace and the reality of narco-politics. The current administration has taken initiatives to eradicate the drug menace by whichever way, as a result of which close to 600,000 individuals have surrendered to the authorities and admitted to being

substance abusers. The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimates 1% to 10% of those who surrendered or roughly between 6,000 to 60,000 will be classified as “abusers” or dependents. The remaining 90% will be tagged as “experimenters”, “social recreational users”, or “habitual users” and would not need to be confined inside treatment facilities.

According to the DDB

website, there are 41 inpatient facilities and 3 outpatient centers nationwide that are available where the surrenderees can undergo rehabilitation. The 10% can somehow be accommodated in the rehabilitation centers, but what about the 90%?

Where will they go? Who will minister to them?

CFC has established CFC ReForm to address these questions.

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JANUARY Fr. Victor Baltazar, SJ, led the CFC GMC mission support personnel to a peaceful encounter with God in silent prayer.

The first batch of CFC Global Mission Center mission support personnel went up to Maryridge Good Shepherd Retreat House in Tagaytay City for a three-day retreat beginning September 14, 2016.

Fr. Victor Baltazar, SJ led the retreat which was focused on prayer. In his social media post, Fr. Baltazar wrote: “These were clearly grace-filled days for the first batch of CFC Global support staff and missionaries. We explored various dispositions and methods of

prayer and when the special moment in the retreat came, most of them entered into a grace-filled encounter and conversation with the Lord about what was foremost in their heart's desires and concerns.”

Fr. Vic was assisted by facilitators Bernadette Cuevas, Luz Bernardo, Marie De Guzman, Owence PO Ito and Cris Chacon Pahilan.

The experience was a welcome breather from the daily grind at the CFC main office where most of the

mission support transactions take place. Some of the participants expressed the hope that the retreat will be made into an annual GMC activity.

Although all of the workers belong to the community and go through the pastoral formation tracks of CFC, the retreat with co-workers proved to be a unique experience for all.

Two more batches of GMC personnel will be going on the same retreat on the 3rd and 4th week of September.

(CFC Global Comm)

8

MM Mission Core Gathering and First Fruits Offerings

SUNDAY

MCG Members

14

CFC Leaders Conference

15

EA Meeting

17

GLEC

8:00am-5:00pm

TUESDAY Teaching Night

7:00pm-10:00pm MCG Members & Intl Mission Leaders

All CFC and Family Min members

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Elders Assembly 8:00am-5:00pm

11-13 16&18

Mission 101

Foreign Deligates

20-22

MM Mission Core Weekend

SAT-SUN MM MCG

Members

JUNE

24

36th Anniversary Celebration All CFC and Family Min members

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September 19 - Ocotober 2, 2016 Vol. 20 No. 25

CBCP Monitor

I will spare the whole place for their sake Genesis 18:26 Most of us are familiar with the biblical story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In chapter 18 of the book of Genesis, we read about the effort of Abraham to prevent this destruction by pleading to God: Suppose there are fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people?

(Gen 18:24). As the story unfolds, this number is ultimately reduced to ten: But he (Abraham) still persisted, “Please let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” “For the sake of those ten,” he (God) replied, “I will not destroy it.”

In his catechesis on prayer, Pope Benedict XVI ponders on this story and writes: “If we read the text more attentively we realize that Abraham's request is even more pressing and more profound because he does not stop at asking for salvation for the innocent. Abraham asks forgiveness for the whole city.”

As Abraham continues to bargain with God and the number needed to spare the city decreases, God patiently listens to the prayer and grants Abraham’s requests: “I will spare ... I will not destroy ... I will not do it.” (Gen 18). On this Pope Benedict XVI observes: “This is what the Lord desires and his dialogue with Abraham is a prolonged and unequivocal demon-

stration of his merciful love. The need to find enough righteous people in the city decreases and in the end 10 were enough to save the entire population. The reason why Abraham stops at 10 is not given in the text. Perhaps it is a figure that indicates a minimum community nucleus (still today, 10 people are the necessary quorum for public Jewish prayer).”

Pope Benedict XVI continues: “By voicing this prayer, Abraham was giving a voice to what God wanted, which was not to destroy Sodom but to save it, to give life to the converted sinner … It is a word that is also addressed to us: so that in our cities the seed of goodness may be found; that we may do our utmost to ensure that there are not only 10 upright people, to make our cities truly live and survive and to save ourselves from the inner bitterness which is the absence of God.” But the brilliance and masterful theological insight of Pope Benedict XVI is made evident when he relates the prayer of Abraham to the prophecy of Jeremiah and ultimately to the mystery of Incarnation: “If in order to save Sodom 10 righteous people were necessary, the Prophet Jeremiah was to say, on behalf of the Almighty, that only one upright person was necessary to save Jerusalem: ‘Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note!

Search her squares to see if you can find a

man, one who does justice and seeks truth; that I may pardon her’ (Jer 5:1).”

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because ten upright persons were not found and Jerusalem fell because there was not even one righteous person. Reflecting on this, Pope Benedict XVI writes: “It was to be necessary for God himself to become that one righteous person. And this is the mystery of the Incarnation: to guarantee a just person he himself becomes man.

There will always be one righteous person because it is he.” The Pope assures us: “Therefore the prayer of each one will find its answer, therefore our every intercession will be fully heard.”

Some years ago I was flying from Manila to Bangkok, where we were residing, and was scheduled to fly with Jean to Phnom Penh in the evening of the same day to give teachings as CFC country coordinators for Cambodia. The plane was descending normally and was about to land when suddenly it pulled back and ascended steeply. After a while the pilot announced that the control panel was indicating that the front landing gears were stuck. He requested all to prepare for a very rough landing, not certain whether the front landing gears were up or down.

As we descended, a recording announced repeatedly, “Emergency, keep heads low!”

We all ducked with our heads close to

our knees.

Fearing death or loss of limbs or other serious injuries, I was praying all the time; and, like Abraham, bargaining with God to spare us this one time for the sake of our families. And sure enough, we landed safely, stopping in the middle of the runway, with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles converging on us. The indicator lights were wrong. The front landing gears were down after all.

I arrived home with no time to rest and just enough time to prepare our things for the mission to Cambodia. Jean said that I might want to postpone the mission to Phnom Penh for a day so that I do not have to fly again that same day. But the thought never crossed my mind.

There was a heavy thunderstorm as we rode to the airport to catch our flight to Phnom Penh. Still recovering from the ordeal of the events earlier that morning and concerned about our safety since we were taking a small plane, we pleaded for God’s protection and blessing. We asked God to remember the participants waiting for us that Friday evening and the other participants in the teachings scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, particularly the CLP participants who would be prayed over. And as Pope Benedict XVI assured us that “there will always be one righteous person because it is he” and “therefore the

prayer of each one will find its answer”, we arrived safely in Phnom Penh.

From the airport we proceeded directly to the home of the CFC leaders in Cambodia where the participants of the tongues workshop were already waiting. We dropped our bags on the kitchen floor and proceeded to greet the participants waiting in the living room and give the talk on the gift of tongues.

The following day, Saturday, we gave the teaching on Living as a People of God. Then on Sunday afternoon, we gave the talk on Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit to over 30 CLP participants followed by the mini-talk on vocal prayer and full charismatic worship. The worship was full of life and spirit with everyone praising and singing enthusiastically, clapping and raising hands and dancing with abandon. We were still perspiring profusely and breathing heavily when we boarded the car to the airport. We arrived in Bangkok about midnight, our thoughts filled with images from three days of excitement and danger, of service to the Lord, and of intimate conversations with God. We slept soundly and woke up early the following day ready to face the challenges of UN duties, thankful to God for sparing us from harm for the sake of the Righteous One.

MCG, C4

REFORM, C1

put in the giving.”

Fr. Nebres ended his homily with a reminder to “care and to turn our heart from the things that usually occupy us and turn our hearts to those, so many, who are in need in our country.”

The Mass was followed by testimonies of some members of the community, starting with Fr. Luciano Felloni, who, inspired

by Saint Mother Teresa, started a parish-based rehabilitation program for drug dependents.

“The campaign against drugs should be supported 100%, because drugs are destroying our country. But the sanctity of life should be upheld 100% as well,” Felloni said about his mission to rehabilitate drug addicts in his community.

“Don’t kill them, send them to us.”

The rehabilitation program is in partnership with CFC, through the conduct of the Christian Life Program and parenting sessions for

the parents of drug users.

The second aspect of the rehabilitation program is livelihood in partnership with TESDA. The third aspect of the program is health, with some nuns conducting feeding programs every day for six months.

There will also be doctors who will conduct regular checkups and detoxification regimens.

The fourth aspect is psycho-social intervention in partnership with Center for Family Ministry (CEFAM), who will provide counselors and train aspiring counselors from the parish. The last aspect is spiritual formation where all ministries of the parishes are asked to conduct a program for the drug addicts.

Fr. Felloni challenged everyone to stand up and do something, like Mother Teresa, “a woman of little words and a lot of deeds.”

Another sharer was Kirby Llaban who introduced FORMED.org, a

website that provides the most comprehensive and inspiring Catholic contents both for parishes and for personal needs.

FORMED was created in partnership with Lighthouse Catholic media and Augustine Institute & Ignatius Press.

It provides materials on adult faith formation, marriage, sacramental preparation, Scripture, formation for teens and personal devotion.

“It’s a very up to date way to evangelize,” Llaban said. “We need more people who are formed in the faith in our Catholic teaching to be able to help people respond in the faith.”

FORMED also provides internet-based Catholic formation such as Catholicism by Father Robert Barron, Symbolon and Beloved among other programs offered in the parishes in the US. Rich Catholic resources are also available like 33 days to Morning

Glory and Divine Mercy is the Second Greatest Story ever told by Fr. Michael Gaitley MIC and movies about saints, like Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

CFC ANCOP Global Foundation President Jimmy Ilagan talked about the plans of ANCOP on education. One of these plans is the possibility of getting Commission on Higher Education permission to turn Cornerstone into a practicum. He related that the idea came when graduating Education students in Bohol were tapped to be tutors of ANCOP scholars.

Ilagan also added that One Meralco Foundation has promised to donate their used computers for all the Cornerstone schools of ANCOP. Ilagan also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved and those who attended the ANCOP Global Walk (AGW). (Maria Laarni Mallari)

Through CFC ReForm, CFC hopes to be able to help address the needs of the individuals involved in drugs who have surrendered to the parishes and the local barangays.

CFC as a healing community International Council member Michael Ariola explains how CFC ReForm came about. “As early as ten years ago, there have been several revelations from God about Couples for Christ being a healing and counseling ministry. These revelations came through elders in the community who have consistently sensed the Lord’s message on God’s plan to make ‘CFC a community where signs, wonders, miracles and healing of biblical magnitude may begin to take place’.”

Recently, in seeming affirmation of CFC’s plan to help the government address the drug problem, Fr. Luciano Felloni, parish priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Novaliches, celebrated Mass for the Mission Core members of Metro Manila on the first Sunday of September. In the prayer meeting that followed, Fr. Felloni shared that his parish has been made available for out-patient drug rehabilitation for those who have surrendered in their diocese.

During a radio interview, Fr. Felloni said, “Bumuo kami ng community-based rehabilitation program.

I contacted Couples for Christ at ang Family and Life Ministry ng parokya ko, kung saan ang CFC will focus on marriage at yung FLM will focus on parenting.”

At around the same time, Jojo Apolo, a CFC leader from Indonesia, who is also a mentor of neuro-linguistic programming, designed a module for counselling of drug dependents and healing them of their addictions. After meeting with CFC elders, the program CFC ReForm: How to be an Amazing Counsellor for Drug Rehab was ready for implementation.

First batch of counselors trained CFC leaders from Metro Manila, Laguna and Rizal were immediately mobilized and invited to participate in the weekend training from August 26 to 28, 2016 at the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Quezon City.

During the training and workshop, 50 participants learned about the ReForm framework, the basic processes and techniques for counselling, influencing and drug rehabilitation based on Richard Gray’s Transforming Futures: the Brooklyn Program for the State Penitentiary of 2005.

In order to equip the would-be counsellors, Apolo employed the R.E.F.O.R.M. structure: Ready the team, Establish rapport, Form commitment, Overcome hurts and cravings, Renew direction, Move forward.

Depending on the logical levels of change, Apolo

said there are particular skills and processes that a counsellor can use in order to heal the addictions or negative anchors of an individual. The levels of change may be environmental, behavioral, influenced by one’s capabilities, values/ beliefs, identity and spirit. That is why it is important to know a person’s internal reality or representation so that the counsellor would know how he or she can respond to what the counsellee needs in order to be healed.

Hands-on counseling On the morning of the third day, the group visited the Molave Youth Center at the Social Services Development Department (SSDD) of Quezon City, where the group applied the counselling and healing techniques on the juvenile offenders confined there.

There were 195 youngsters, aged 13 to 21, most of them apprehended because they were caught in the act of using drugs and theft.

After the recitation of the Rosary, Apolo introduced the group and the reason for the visit. He led the opening prayer, and afterwards commenced with the collapsing anchors exercise. The session took wo hours, with Apolo employing various techniques to aid the youngsters heal their craving for prohibited drugs and dissolve negative memories. Apolo closed the session with a prayer, inviting the participants to look beyond their current status and ask for the Lord’s grace and blessings for a brighter future.

In the afternoon, some of the counsellors shared their experience with the children of Molave—how they used the processes they learned, coupled with the laying of hands as they prayed over their patients.

Despite the newness of the encounter, the counsellors agreed that praying for the presence of the Lord during their one-to-one sessions with the young people made the healing session more inspiring.

Continuous learning As a final word, Apolo encouraged the participants to practice, journal their experiences and attend a follow-through session via a webinar, where the counsellors can swap stories about their practice of counselling and healing.

What is next for CFC ReForm after this initial undertaking? CFC Social Development Coordinator Arnel Santos sees a duplication of the training, with a possible training of more trainors, in order to increase the number of qualified counsellors and ultimately expand the community’s assistance in the fight against drug addiction. (Alma Alvarez)

A family in worship, clockwise from top left: Fr. Felloni of the Diocese of Novaliches; Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ is main Ponte sharing the Lord's message with the congregation; CFC Senior MC Band debuts at the MC assembly.

celebrant; Nina

CAMNORTE, C4

them the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

The day was capped by the launching and ground-breaking of the first ANCOP shelter in Barangay Langga, Basud, Camarines Norte. The parcel of land was donated by Benjie and Bing Torres who were both present during the ground-breaking.

Reverend Father Rogelio Yarte facilitated the blessing of the first ANCOP shelter site of Camarines Norte. Aside from the CFC leaders, Punong Barangay Ella Bucsit and Honorable Mayor Adrian Davoco were also present. The ANCOP Core Team wholeheartedly accepted the challenge to work in synergy with Nanding Villagracia, PIT Team Leader for ANCOP shelter.

Silver Ball CFC held a red carpet formal at Villa Mila Garden Resort, Daet, Camarines Norte. Hosted by the CFC-Singles for Christ, the Silver

Ball showcased the talents of CFC through a modernized cotillion featuring stylishly-dressed couples.

Vic and Donna Alvarez, Regional Area Head, and the Lubis couple were present to grace the occasion. Vic Pardo, Provincial Area Director, in his message, thanked the Area Leaders from Batangas for inspiring CFC Camarines Norte with their dedication and commitment to serve the Lord and for leading the community towards the golden age of CFC Camarines Norte.

Anniversary Culmination Activity On August 28, 2016, the CFC celebrated the culminating activity of the month-long anniversary celebration at Basud Sports Complex, Basud, Camarines Norte. The day started with a motorcade from the capital town Daet to Basud, with all the members of CFC Camarines Norte, together with some of the

Regional Leaders of Bicol Region leading the motorcade.

The highlight of the anniversary celebration was a concelebrated thanksgiving mass officiated by His Excellency Most Reverend Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D. Bishop of Daet, together with Rev. Fr. Peter Molina Jr. and Rev. Fr. Mandi Orido. In his homily, the bishop emphasized the three core values that any CFC member should have: PRAYER, HUMILITY AND SERVICE and stressed that only humble people can enter God’s Kingdom.

During the closing program, Vic Pardo, Provincial Area Director, awarded Certificates of Recognition to the oldest CFC members in the province who have been serving the Lord for the past 25 years, namely, Maria Raviz, and Manuel and Flor Guzman. He also paid tribute to past and present CFC leaders, including the first Council/Governance Team that spearheaded the call to bring Christ in the province.

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September 19 - Ocotober 2, 2016 Vol. 20 No. 25

The Heart of A Shepherd Part 2 “Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32) These are the words the two disciples, who had encountered Jesus on the way to Emmaus, used to describe their strong feelings of an unexpected encounter with the Living Word.

Meditating on this passage, I vividly remembered an experience of a heart burning with an intense feeling. During my early days in the corporate world when Nina and I were new in Couples for Christ, I had the habit of coming in for work early so I could do my Scripture reading and meditation in the privacy of my office.

One day, as I was going deeper into meditation, I felt a strong surge of God’s love filling my entire being and I wanted to share it. As I always kept my office door open, I saw our CEO walking by the corridor on his way to our dining hall. The force of God’s love propelled me to get up from my chair and follow him.

When I entered the dining hall, he was already being served coffee. In those days, I did not relish the idea of talking to my top boss about something not connected with my role. My association with him were bi-monthly operations meetings and chance encounters in the production line where he would inquire about certain problems we had. But this day was different.

With a heart burning with God’s love, I mustered the boldness to tell my CEO, “Boss, God loves you!” He

looked me in the eye and said, “Thank you, I needed that!” He then started to talk about some aspects in his life. He did not go into lengthy details but I could see he really appreciated hearing my words that morning. He was a quiet, unassuming executive but very professional and kind to his subordinates.

That morning, because I was looking at him through God’s eyes, and because he too had opened himself up, I saw that he too had a heart burning with love for his God and his people.

In last month’s article, I cited Pope Francis urging us to have hearts burning with charity like Jesus our Good Shepherd. In aspiring for this, we are to train ourselves on three things: seek out, include and rejoice.

1. Seek out. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God himself goes out in search of his sheep (cf.: Ezekiel 34:11-16).

The Gospel of Luke also says, “He goes out in search of the one who is lost” (Luke 15:4) not mindful of the risks involved. The shepherd sent

by God should not be content with simply rendering a full day’s work and after, taking his rest. As long as there are sheep not yet safe and secure in the sheepfold, he must continue to seek them out. He even goes out of his way deep into the night until he finds the one lost sheep and sets him on his shoulder despite the weariness of the day

The shepherd is called to seek out—to speak, persuade, motivate, encourage the flock entrusted to his

care. At other times, as he struggles in his shepherding role when the sheep is stubborn or unwilling to follow, he must go down on his knees in prayer in the tabernacle of the Lord to seek His guidance and help.

Such is the heart that seeks out even if it means getting out of one’s comfort zone. Jesus had strong words against shepherds who privatize their ministry.

We are to be shepherds after the heart of God who constantly seek those who are in need.

In seeking, we will find because we are willing to take risks. We not only keep our doors open for people to come in but we also go out to seek those who do not wish to enter anymore. Like a good disciple, we must constantly go out of ourselves —the epicenter of our heart must be outside of ourselves. We are to be first centered on Jesus and on others sent

by Him—for us to care for and love unconditionally.

Like the early Church in Acts 1:8, we are to witness first to our family (our Jerusalem), then to those who are already in our circle of influence and responsibility (our Judea and Samaria), and finally to whosoever the Lord sends us (our ends of the earth).

Let us always remember: we are not the “hired hand” but chosen “missionary disciples” sent into the world to bring his message of LOVE. 2. Include. Christ knows and loves His sheep. He gives his life for them and no one is a stranger to him (cf.

Science and Technology in the Community

John 10:11-14). He is not a boss to be feared by his flock but a shepherd who calls them by name and walks alongside them (cf. John 10:3-4). He wants to gather the sheep that are not yet of his fold (cf. John 10:16).

We are anointed for God’s people.

We are not to choose our own roles and projects but we are to stay close to the real men and women entrusted to our care. No one should be excluded from our heart, our prayers, our warm embrace and generous smile. Like the Father’s loving gaze, we welcome and include everyone. And if at times we have to correct, it is to draw people closer. We stand ready to dirty our hands and accompany everyone who is in need.

We are to listen patiently and without judgment or bias. We are always available to give comfort and assurance that God’s tender mercy is constantly present. We do not scold those who wander off or lose their way but are always ready to bring them back and resolve difficulties and disagreements.

A shepherd’s loving care knows how to include.

3. Rejoice. The joy of Jesus the Good Shepherd is not a joy for himself but a joy for others and with others – the true joy of love. God is “full of joy” (Luke 15:5). His joy is born of forgiveness, of life risen and renewed, of prodigal children who breathe once more the sweet air of home.

Especially in prayer of contempla-

tion, we will discover God’s consolation and we realize nothing is more powerful than His love. Thus, we experience inner peace and we are happy to be instruments of mercy to bring our people closer to the Heart of God. Even in seeming sadness, we will not look at it as the norm but as only a step to bring us lasting joy in the arms of our welcoming God.

“The joy of this contemplative love needs to be cultivated. Since we were made for love, we know that there is no greater joy than that of sharing good things: ‘Give, take, treat yourself well’ (Sirach 14:16). The most intense joys in life arise when we are able to elicit joy in others, as a foretaste of heaven.”

(Amoris Laetitia 129) Like the two Emmaus disciples, let us not focus on our WALK OF DESPAIR in our journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Let us believe that Jesus is with us especially during moments of disappointments. And when we recognize him finally, let our HEARTS BURN with his LOVING PRESENCE to accompany us once more in our WALK OF HOPE AND JOY from Emmaus back to our mission in Jerusalem.

Let us ponder for some moments how we can train ourselves to seek out, include and rejoice so our hearts will burn with the Love of Jesus our Good Shepherd for the flock under our care. Let us come up with practical ways to make this a reality in our shepherding role.

CFC Reaches Out to Bgy. Mangga via Med Mission, Feeding The CFC Global Mission Center is located in Barangay Mangga in Cubao, Quezon City, and as a good neighbor, it has coordinated with local officials in several endeavors to benefit fellow barangay residents. Bgy. Captain Cesar de Leon spearheaded a medical mission and feeding program last September 20, 2016 for about 50 families in one area along Aurora Blvd. in Cubao.

This was a follow-through of a similar activity last year.

The respondents, mostly wives and children of taho (soybean curd) vendors, were visited by five physicians led by Dr. Ding Regino of CFC West B. CFC Kids for Christ fulltime workers led the prayers via Kids Praise.

CFC GMC Administrator Eric Ylagan was present to oversee the mission, assisted by the General

Administration Department and GKare.

CFC has also been asked to provide counselling for about 17 males who surrendered to the barangay for drug-related offenses.

The first session will be held on Sunday, September 25.

These activities are initiatives of the Social Development Program of CFC, headed by Arnel Santos.

(CFC Global Comm)

STMA head Nolet Ladrido (extreme left) reading the citation on the plaque given to Sec. dela Peñã (center)

Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology was the guest speaker at the STMA (St. Thomas More and Associates) Forum on the topic “Science and Technology in the Community” on Sept 3. at the Club Filipino.

He shared about the DOST theme on “Service for Excellence and Equity through Science, Technology and Innovation” (or SEE through STI).

Sec. de la Peña explained DOST can achieve the government’s priorities by: (a) optimizing research and development (R&D) ensuring investment outcomes by prioritizing pressing concerns as well as potentials in the areas of health, agriculture, and process industries with particular consideration to the needs and potentials of the regions, (b) continuing to address the reduction of risks brought about by unpredictable, changing climate, natural disasters and environmental degradation, (c) contributing to hastened countryside development by maximizing the utilization of R&D results and S&T innovations by the communities and productive sectors nationwide, and (d) stimulating technology-based economic activities through the availability of highly trained S&T professionals, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class institutional infrastructure.

Secretary de la Peña also expounded on selected DOST programs, projects and activities that have community relevance.

In summary, he focused on

how DOST contributes to the national socio-economic agenda by promoting science and technology, increasing competitiveness, promoting rural and value chain development and investing in human capital development.

Nolet Ladrido, CFC STMA Program Head, thanked the participants for a very good attendance and said that the forum is part of STMA’s quarterly series of fora on topics relevant to the CFC community and the country as a whole. CFC Chairman Joe Tale gave the opening remarks, stating that we should ensure that everything we do aligns with our service to Our God and neighbors.

Jun Uriarte, who was a former DOST Secretary, introduced the Secretary as Bro. Boy, since the secretary is a very dedicated servant in CFC and in his parish.

After the Secretary’s talk, Dr. Espie Cayanan, Chief of the Weather Division of PAGASA-DOST, also a CFC sister, shared that she has personally experienced the confluence of science and faith in PAGASA. Through the wonders of PAGASA forecasting and with the help of fervent prayers, she recounted the agency’s successful efforts in predicting the turn of events the scientific way but aided with earnest prayers during tropical storm Amang that coincided with Pope Francis’ papal visit on January 17, 2015. They believe that divine intervention helped the team perform excellent work that resulted in the Pope’s safe departure from Tacloban within the safe window that was forecasted.

During the presentation and ensuing discussions, the forum participants expressed interest in the many remarkable and practical R&D outputs that are ready for application in various areas and sectors of the country which have community-level applications. Jimmy Ilagan, IC member and President of ANCOP, appreciated the Secretary’s enumeration of the many S&T fruits that can be harvested and used in CFC’s socio-economic programs which undoubtedly will give value to CFC and the communities it serves in many parts of the country through its Social Development programs.

Arnel Santos, head of CFC’s Social Development Programs, challenged everyone to look for ways that would enable these S&T leadings to be part of the SocDev programs for the benefit of many. CFC President George Campos, in his closing remarks, reiterated the interest of CFC in combining all efforts towards cascading this knowledge down the CFC sectors and areas. This way, CFC can help Sec. Boy disseminate the DOST’s program and valuable outputs and, more importantly, use these outputs so CFC community and the people can benefit directly or indirectly from the enhanced S&T knowledge and their practical applications.

Sec. de la Peña suggested that specific concerns and suggestions can also be channeled to the DOST Regional Offices. (Roger Aldover)

CFC GMC missionaries being their "brothers' keepers" during the medical mission and feeding program

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

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

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

The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 31 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

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September 19 - Ocotober 2, 2016 Vol. 20 No. 25

Couples for Christ drawing families closer to Christ

Members of the CFC Handmaids of the Lord in the USA singing, praising and learning during the recent HOLD Conference Echo

By Andy Telli, Tennessee Register Couples for Christ and its associated ministries are dedicated to strengthening families through a personal spiritual renewal. The international lay apostolate brought its message to the Diocese of Nashville last Aug. 26-28 at the Couples for Christ Handmaids of the Lord National Conference.

More than 400 women from around the country attended the conference, which was held at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin.

“We’re trying to bring the family back together,” said Tat Reyes, a member of Couples for Christ USA National Council and responsible for overseeing the six conventions the organization sponsors each year.

In modern society “there are a lot of things distracting them from being close to God, especially our children,” Reyes said.

“It is the parents’ role to ensure that our children know God. Strong families help create good Christians.”

While schools can help our children become lawyers, engineers and doctors, Reyes said.

“The parents’ role is to make them Christian lawyers, Christian engineers, Christian doctors.”

Couples for Christ started as a prayer group for 16 couples in 1981 in the Philippines. Since then, it has spread to more than 100 countries and is organized into six communities: Couples for Christ for married couples; Kids for Christ for children ages four to 12; Youth for Christ for children ages 13-21; Singles for Christ for unmarried young adults; Handmaids of the Lord for adult women; and Servants of the Lord for adult men.

“It’s a ministry from womb to tomb,” Reyes said.

The core values of Couples for Christ are “Pro-God, Pro-Family, Pro-Life and Pro-Poor.”

When a person joins, he or she first completes a 12-week seminar called the Christian Life Program.

They then become a member of a “household,” which consists of eight to 14 individuals or four to seven couples who meet once a week for prayer, Scripture study and reflection.

Multiple households form a unit, multiple units form a chapter, multiple chapters form a cluster, and a sector can be formed depending on the amount of clusters in the area.

“We always encourage our members to participate in the parish where they belong and help the Church wherever they can,” Reyes said.

Buddy and Khryss Campos, parishioners at St. Philip Church in Franklin, joined Couples for Christ in 1993 in the Philippines.

After they moved to Tennessee in 2005, they realized they were missing their prayer meetings, Khryss Campos said. They started meeting with two other couples who also were in Couples for Christ, and then organized a Christian Life Program in 2006.

For the Camposes, Couples for Christ is a ministry for the whole family. “The kids grew up in the CFC culture,” Khryss said of their children. “They’re active in the Church.

“We’re a missionary family,” she added. “We’re going to go to great lengths to do service, whatever that may be because it binds us as a family.”

Those family binds are evident in Couples for Christ families, said Zaldi Zapanta, area leader for Tennessee. “When you see them go to church all together, even the grown up children, it’s inspiring.”

Besides St. Philip, Couples for Christ households have been

CFC ANCOP USA TO EMBARK ON DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN PHILIPPINES

Fr. Luciano Felloni and Roger Santos

The global family renewal movement Couples for Christ in the United States and its work for the poor arm, Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP USA), are currently working on a partnership arrangement with two Catholic priests in the Philippines and retired US military doctors from Washington D.C. headed by Dr. Carol McMaki to help in the detoxification stage of a 5-step drug rehabilitation program now being implemented in Caloocan City.

This was announced

by Roger Santos, Executive Director, ANCOP USA. The program is called ‘Healing Not Killing.’

“We thought of this project in our desire to help those, mostly poor, who have come out and admitted their addiction, to get healed and to return to their communities with self-worth

CFC-CAMARINES NORTE is 25!

CFC Camarines Norte celebrated 25 years of Spirit-filled existence over an entire month filled with surprises, challenges and events. There were many reasons to REJOICE. PRAY. GIVE THANKS. to our Lord Jesus Christ who is the CFC’s ideal in searching for the Kingdom of God. Night with the Clergy As a preliminary activity, CFC gathered all their spiritual directors and clergy from the different parishes of Camarines Norte for a night of fun and excitement. A total of 18 Priests representing 30 parishes in the province and 194 CFC members joined the event. The activity aimed at promoting better relationships between the CFC and the clergy and to assure the clergy that CFC moves in the same direction as the Church.

The Young Couples for Christ in the province organized and managed the activities of the eve-

ning, inviting the priests present to enjoy the fun games.

Reverend Fathers Andrei Uy, Mandy Orido, Edwin Visda and Peter Molina showed off their singing talents, to the delight of the audience.

On behalf of the Governance Team, Vic Pardo (PAD) thanked all the Reverend Priests who attended, namely: Andrei Uy, Armando Orido, Neil Leo Sureta, Omar Oco, Edwin Visda, Gerardo Nemi, Julito Heraldo, Angelito de Torres, Donn Wen Villa, Peter Molina Jr., Salvador Babala IV, Rodello Rempillo, Edwin Abel, Manuel Pastrana Jr., Jose Chito Estrella, Virgilio Alburo, Ronald Bardon and Joselito Chavez.

One good result of the gathering was the suggestion of the CFC spiritual directors for CFC and the province’s clergy to gather monthly, not only for fun events but for the spiritual nourishment of every CFC member, including those in the Family Ministries.

ANCOP Global Walk Another activity that formed part of the month-long celebration was the ANCOP Global Walk.

In a short program, Willie Mabeza, AGT Member and ANCOP Head, thanked all the sponsors and walkers for the success of the this year’s AGW. CFC International Council member Shok Ariola shared God’s message of abundant blessings while Rudy Lubis, CFC-Camarines Norte Provincial Area Head, also extended his well wishes to the community and challenged all members especially the leaders, to establish a growing relationship with the clergy ANCOP scholars Diane Bacurin from Talisay; Jonalyn Reyes from Labo; Rochelle Mercado from Jose Panganiban; and Janine Villagracia from Alawihao, Daet shared their stories and expressed gratitude to CFC as well as the sponsors for giving CAMNORTE, C2

MM Joint Mission Core—An Overflow of Good News

and as useful members again,” said Santos, a f o r m e r TO FA - N Y awardee for community activities.

In a sharing at a Mission Core (MC) assembly of CFC ANCOP leaders at the Ateneo High School last September 4, 2016, Fr. Luciano Felloni, an Argentinian priest who oversees the rehabilitation project in his parish in Caloocan City, described the program as “home-based” and will last for 3 to 6 months for each participant.

He also discussed the 5-stage program in the same gathering.

Fr. Gerald Saco, Jr. of Maribojoc, Bohol parish is the other priest who will start the pilot program in his province.

Santos also said a fundraising campaign for the drug rehabilitation program will be launched as soon as the partnership is firmed up. (ANCOP USA Communications)

ANCOP USA HEAD MEETS VATICAN SECRETARY OF STATE

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (center), Secretary of State of Pope Francis, and Head of Delegation of Holy See to the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, was honored in a private dinner at the residence of the Holy See Mission to the UN,

organized at St. Luke Church in Smyrna and Holy Family Church in Lafayette.

“Couples for Christ is a ministry that creates the love in the couple and the families, love for Christ and love for the family,” said Maru Hernandez, a member of the Hispanic Community at St. Philip. “It’s very important to stay together to the fountain of life.

This is Jesus Christ.”

Most of the members are Filipino but the ministry is growing among Caucasian and Hispanic members, said Zapanta, a parishioner at St. Luke Church in Smyrna. The Tennessee organization is also trying to introduce it to the Vietnamese and Kenyan communities in the Nashville area, Zapanta said. “We hope we can reach out and share it.”

Couples for Christ has been granted Vatican recognition as an International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right through the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

While celebrating Mass during the Handmaids of the Lord Conference, Bishop David Choby presented a letter of recognition for the organization in the Diocese of Nashville.

(Reprinted with permission from http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/)

CBCP Monitor

Archbishop Bernardito F. Auza, Head of Mission, in Manhattan.

CFC ANCOP USA head Roger Santos and his wife Josie were among the invited guests.

(ANCOP USA Communications)

Top photo: CFC International Council presiding over the MC Assembly; bottom photo: Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ, blessing the CFC leaders celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversaries for the month of September.

CFC Chairman Joe Tale announced that the community’s theme for 2017 was “Stand Firm in the Faith,” during the Mission Core Gathering (MCG) last September 3 at the Ateneo de Manila University High School Covered Court.

The theme is anchored on 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be on your guard, stand firm for the faith, be courageous, be strong.

And your every act should be done with love.”

“The theme will be the focus of all our activities for the coming year,” Joe Tale said.

During his sharing, Tale took notice of the heavy pounding rains that began right after the Holy Mass, stating that the foul weather matches the theme. CFC is called to stand firm in the faith through rains and storms, literally and figuratively.

Tale shared that the theme was arrived at through the prayers both of the Council and the CFC members. “Thank you for all your prayers and for your insights,” he added.

He also expressed gratitude to the Holy Spirit for its guidance in helping the International Council

discern the theme through the years, themes which, with the benefit of hindsight, have proven appropriate for the time and the circumstances of the given year.

Explaining the theme, Tale said that “be on guard always” or “be alert” is a call to be vigilant, because the enemies of the Lord do not rest.

“We cannot afford to rest on our laurels, we cannot afford to be complacent, we cannot afford to be over confident. Even in our own families, we cannot afford to take things for granted,” Tale said.

“Stand firm in the faith,” is a call for a tough CFC who will not cower from the storm.

“We must stand firm because we have faith in the Lord,” he added. “In standing firm we must be courageous, we must be strong. Of course there will be fear, but we must continue to stand knowing that our God is bigger than all of our fears combined.”

“Our every act must be done in love,” he said, is a reminder that as the community stands firm, courageous and alert, the overarching call of the Lord is to love and be loving to all.

Tale also reminded the leaders present of the importance of knowing and understanding the faith in order to be able to stand firm in the faith.

He ended his message with a challenge for the mission core to be an example of what it is to be alert, what it is to stand firm in the faith, what it is to be strong and courageous and what it is to love.

A Very Special Prayer Assembly The MCG started with a Mass led by Father Bienvenido “Ben” F. Nebres, S.J. rector of the Ateneo Jesuit Community. Fr. Nebres’ homily centered on the call to discipleship, and how people are called to make sacrifices and carry their cross for Jesus.

“Our gospel is about discipleship, about following Jesus as disciples, individually, in our families, in our ministries and in whatever mission is given to us.”

He also quoted Mother Teresa as saying, “It’s not how much we do but how much love we put into the doing, it’s not how much we give, but how much love we MCG, C2