Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 22 No. 13
June 25 - July 8, 2018 C1
NUNCIO REMINDS CFC ON 37TH ANNIVERSARY: ‘EXHIBIT THE PRESENCE OF JESUS!’ By CFC Global Communications
HIS Excellency Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, who celebrated the Mass during the 37th anniversary celebration of Couples for Christ on June 23, stirred the community to manifest Christ not only within the community but outside it. In his homily, the archbishop exhorted the crowd, estimated at about 40,000, gathered at the CCP Open Grounds to be like St. John the Baptist, whose feast was commemorated that afternoon. St. John was clear about his mission—to be for Christ and to make people see His presence in him. The papal nuncio said, “To be for Christ is to be able to recognize His presence in our lives, in our daily activities. To be for Christ means to bear witness, not just with words but with our lives, first for ourselves (to believe) and for others (to testify).” Archbishop Caccia expressed his amazement at seeing the community still rapt in attention during the entire Mass, despite the rain that poured out in torrents, drenching everyone and giving rise to a beautiful landscape of colorful umbrellas and ponchos. “We need to do this to testify that our richness is in God, not in material things,” he said. “But it is not just austerity. There is also something inside, which is humility, for the self to decrease so that Christ may increase.” Like John the Baptist, CFC is also called to be saints. Quoting Pope Francis, in his latest exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, the Nuncio said, “We are called by God to be saints, to be an image of Jesus. Do not think only of the saints canonized by the Church, but also of the saints next door.” He added, “The Holy Spirit bestows holiness in abundance among God’s holy and faithful people… In salvation history, the Lord saved one people. We are never completely ourselves unless we belong to CFC@37, C2
Photo credits: Bryle Arvin Raviz, Isabel Misa Naranjilla, Japs Sedutan, Jeza Divinagracia, John Ervin Tanig, Mikael Montano, Renelle Villareal, Ryan Jasper Villanueva, Angel Dela Cruz, Ralph Bolusa, Mafi De Leon, Talyn Condino, Ritchie Roberto, Andrelene Veloso
Liveloud X Brings Everyone “Home” MORE than 15, 000 men and women, most of them youth, offered their hearts in worship during the 10th Liveloud Praise and Worship Concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on June 2. This year’s Liveloud carried the theme “ChiRho”, a combination of the Greek letters (Latin LIVELOUD, C3
Bishop Ongtioco Blesses New CFC Chapel HIS Excellency Most Rev. Honesto Ongtioco, D.D, Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, blessed the new chapel at the CFC Global Mission Center on June 18. The blessing was one of the highlights of the anniversary week of CFC. It was auspicious that the bishop also celebrated his 20th episcopate on the same date. In his homily, the bishop compared Jesus’ life under Pontius Pilate to today’s political situation in the Philippines. He encouraged the congregation to embrace Jesus’ example: to trust CFC NEW CHAPEL, C3
Villaroman to International Mission Core: ‘You are not alone!’ CFC Chairman Ermelo Villaroman, Jr. led the International Mission Core assembly on June 19 at the St. Paul College Auditorium in Pasig City, reminding them that the mission will never be easy but they are not alone. Villaroman said, “There are 678, 000 missionaries across 118 countries, so no one is really alone in accomplishing the mission and vision of the community.” Villaroman added that every family is a light and plays an important part in God’s plan of salva-
tion. “Let the family be a seedbed of love and faith and a springboard of love and service.” He said that there will be times that the families will be tried and may fail, but he encouraged the members of the international Mission Core to rekindle the fire of love and and continue to be a light to others. “God is not dead. He is alive in the love that will flow out of our own faith, our own family, our own household,” he added. (Andrelene Veloso)
Family is truly a gift! THE family is the basic unit of society. Everyone comes from a family. And no matter how far life takes one, he or she knows that there is a family waiting for him or her to come home. For Couples for Christ, however, the family is more than this. The family, to someone transformed in God’s love, is a blessing, a gift that must be greatly valued, nourished and protected. This was the central message during the CFC-sponsored Family is a Gift Conference, held on June 16 at the SMX Convention Center. More than 3,000 individuals, a significant number of whom were non-CFC, filled the conference hall, eager to listen to keynote speakers talk about the gift of family. Fr. Joel Jason, parish priest of the Mary, Mirror of Justice Parish in Makati and an authority on the Theology of the Body, set the tone for the conference as he discussed the truth and beauty of God's plan for marriage and the family, and the threats they face. To protect and uphold the value of the family, Fr. Joel encouraged the families to confront those who attack the family in such a way that instead of repelling them, attract them and win them over. Fr. Jason also encouraged families to affirm God’s Word about marriage and family, to use social media to evangelize, tell others the truth about marriage, laud and celebrate the gift of family, and form the young regarding the truth about love and marriage. Lissy Ann Puno, author, of the books Affairs Don't Just Happen and Stay Connected, counseling psychologist and certified Imago therapist, talked about what puts marriages at
risk and how couples can keep them strong. CFC Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr., the last speaker of the morning session, spoke about families being light in the darkness, and shared his personal experiences to inspire and challenge couples to make their families seedbeds of love and faith, springboards of love and service, and sanctuaries of love and rest. In the afternoon, the participants attended their pre-chosen breakout sessions. The first set of sessions was those on same sex attraction, difficulty in conceiving, dealing with depression, real intimacy in marriage, joy in the 50s and 60s, children with special needs. The next set of sessions dealt with chastity and sex education for teens, adoption, financial stability, parenting the digital generation, family conversations on the dinner table, and dealing with crisis in marriage. Conference participants were one in saying that the conference was very informative as it enabled them to see and understand the beauty of family and why and how every couple should make it their business to uphold the family. It also became an avenue for couples from different communities and various walks of life to collaborate in the future for similar activities. Even young children had a full day, thanks to the Kids Academy managed by CFC Kids for Christ. At the end of the day, every family who came to the conference went home with the conviction that indeed, the family is a gift and that challenges designed to weaken the family that is one in faith and love will only make it stronger. (Alma Alvarez)
C2
June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13
CBCP Monitor
LIFE & TEMPURA Reflections From A Graduating Business Student Samuel Melo Vivas Villaroman
IN THE Christmas of 2017, I flew back to my hometown in Manila to visit my grandparents. For the last few years I’ve been visiting them regularly, but these visits were to become more sparse with my graduation on the horizon. Expressing love through tempura As per tradition, when I arrived, I cooked a full meal for them. I made their favorite - prawn and vegetable tempura - making sure to buy the biggest prawns at the wet market to make it extra special. After all, given the increasing rarity of my visits and the frailty of their health, this could possibly be the last meal I cook for them. My grandmother began setting the dining table while my grandfather started making his way to his seat. It takes him around a minute to make the meter-long journey from the living room couch to the dining table, with his caregiver manually walking his right leg while carrying his right shoulder. When he saw the prawn tempura I was about to set down on the table, his disconcerted frown turned into a bright smile and he let out an ecstatic “Waaaa!” while shaking his open left palm in surprise. This was one of his favorite dishes, and as a home cooked meal, it’s a huge departure from the Filipino stews and soups he usually has. When I sat down with my empty plate, his plate was already full of prawn tails but for two large prawns. He pointed at me, signaled that “I should eat” by patting my stomach, and placed the last two prawn tem-
puras he had reserved onto my plate. I asked him if he was sure, and he just shook his open left palm and smiled. The small gestures and expressions of love my grandfather showed that day may not mean much to others, but they meant the world to me. The Christmas of 2017 was the fifth he celebrated unable to speak, with a fully paralyzed right side, and with limited mental capacity. In March of 2012, he suffered a stroke in his middle cerebral artery. He relearned how to walk independently, write basic words, calculate multiplication and division problems, and even speak sensible phrases. However, in June he suffered his second stroke, which took away all the progress he made and then some. The reset in progress left him unmotivated to go through rehab again, and a few months later he suffered his third stroke which sealed the deal with his current condition. Life forced his hand, taking away his active and independent lifestyle - winning golf tournaments on weekdays, giving talks at his Church community on weekends, and visiting his many children now scattered around the world. In its place, he got the polar opposite – a monotonous, dependent life where he couldn’t even reach for the TV remote without assistance. I would assume that anyone in this position would have all the reason to feel miserable and hate the life they’ve been given. While I’m sure these thoughts of misery do take place, oddly enough, when my grandfather is with us – his family – he chooses not to express that
misery. Instead, he chooses to continue showing us that he loves us, even if it’s just through the limited expressions his body permits – a bright smile, an ecstatic “Waaa!”, an open left palm. This choice of his reminds me of what Viktor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” While I may never be able to ascertain the motivations behind why he chooses to express this love to us and the meaning he finds in his current condition, observing this made me reflect on the possibilities, and how they may aid me in my own personal search for meaning. Joy in hindsight My first thought was that he could simply be finding meaning in what he recalls. When he sees us, does he conjure up memories of when he was still well? Maybe he finds meaning in reminiscing his accomplishments and the joys he experienced in the past, and so expresses his happiness to us as a reaction to the memories we trigger. Then I thought of how he could have found meaning in providing for and protecting the family that now provides for and protects him. My grandfather takes pride in successfully providing for his large family of 7 children and 22 grandchildren. He raised them with ideals of integrity, excellence, and faith; and he sacrificed a great deal to open
CFC must ‘Live the Truth in Love’
CFC leaders from the different sectors of Metro Manila gathered to listen and engage in a workshop on Amoris Laetitia on June 9 at the Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. CFC Pastoral Formation Office Director Rouquel Ponte shared how CFC should respond to Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia on Pastoral Accompaniment by defining the approaches to accompanying, discerning and integrating. Ponte began, “With the current challenges that Christians are facing today, it is important to really know how we would be able to walk in one path in following Christ.” Ponte added that CFC is now looking at the following sectors greatly affected by the surrounding threats to family life and relationships: couples in regular unions, the young people in their search for identity and sexuality, those who are suffering, people in special cases like broken
marriages, single-parent families, separated persons, victims of abortion, mothers, and others in need of special accompaniment. “It might be complicated to understand and hard to grasp that these are the realities that we are facing right now, but we must put our words into actions,” Ponte added. How? First, CFC must be present in the life of the person through a support group (in CFC, it is termed as ‘households’). The household is a safe place where everyone is welcome. Another way can be through full participation by being present in their journey via mentoring under the guidance of the Church hierarchy. A third intervention can be through the sacraments as pathways of holiness. Part of the workshop was the group discussion where participants were able to articulate specific actions that they can do to fulfill what Amoris Laetitia teaches. (Yvonne Grace Dolorosa)
up the variety of opportunities his children could pursue. After he retired, my grandfather continued to provide for his children and grandchildren through counsel and sharing the wisdom he had accumulated through his many years. In his current condition, maybe he’s also able to find meaning in being provided for. The seeds he sowed throughout his life in the sacrifices he made for his children have now blossomed. The successful careers of his children make it so finances aren’t too big of an issue, the sheer number of children he has makes it so there’s at least one by his side at all times, and his many young grandchildren also help to brighten up their home. And on top of all of this, the faith, love, and appreciation he instilled in his children make it certain that they will always provide for, care for, and love him no matter what. Legacy through suffering Then I reflected on what, to me, was the most compelling possibility - that of finding meaning in his suffering, and using it as a means to leave a legacy of virtue. My grandfather placed great value on character. He did his best to instill in his children and grandchildren that one should act not out of impulse or due to consequence, but out of virtue and principle. Even today, he exhibits this virtue through his utmost respect for the sacred grounds in the Church. On Sundays, during Mass, he chooses to stand up and endure the difficulty of
carrying the dead weight of his right side despite the church wardens telling him it’s ok to sit in his wheelchair. Could he be using his suffering as a means for exhibiting virtuous character? Could he be using his condition to show us that it is possible to find silent strength to continue living joyfully and virtuously amidst the most debilitating trials life can throw at us? This could be the legacy he wants to leave with us – one that can guide us as we grow and face similar debilitating trials. What to make of all of this I am still in the midst of reflecting on my grandfather’s life and the experiences I’ve had with him. There’s a high probability that I will enjoy a lengthy period of my life with greyed hair and an enfeebling mind and body. There’s also a high probability that I have yet to face my deepest trials. I do not wish these trials upon myself, but when the time comes for me to face them, I hope I am equipped to endure just as my grandfather did. As I near graduation, the expanse of opportunities in work, family, and even the ordained life are now unfolding in front of me, all offering different sources of meaning. I hope someday I’ll find my own version of the love my grandfather shared with his family, or the legacy he hopes to leave behind, so that I too have the chance to live out my own tempura story.
Senior Couples Program launched in Sorsogon City COUPLES for Christ Sorsogon finally had a taste of the Seniors Program when it held the Senior Couples Retreat at the Balayko, Old Seminary, Bibincahan, Sorsogon City last month. Twenty-one couples from different parts of the province came for the retreat. Couples Jun and Tina Ymson, Jun and Betty Ancheta, Jun and Ching Ybarola and Boy and Lida Granados from Metro Manila served as the mission team. Nong Alibin and couples Sam and Merly Manzano, Flor and Gudy Siapno and Tony and Mila Loria served as local counterparts and were the facilitators. CFC Sorsogon is headed by Boy Apin, the Provincial Area Head and Manny Garcia, the Provincial Area Director. The retreat started with an opening worship led by Senen Malaya, former Area Director of the province. The orientation to the retreat was given by Jun Ymson who discussed the expectations and mechanics of the event. Sam Manzano gave the first talk, Through the Years, with the
witnessing and sharing of his wife Merly. The second talk, Looking Through the Eyes of Love, was delivered by Jun Ybarola. Erning Defeo led the afternoon worship, after which the third talk, Rekindling the Love, by Boy Granados followed. The question ‘Why would the Lord allow me to go through the difficult moment in our life?’ became the focal point, as he proceeded to share the languages of love – gifts, touch, quality time, words of affirmation, and service; as well as the 4 C’s of marriage—commitment, communication, loving confrontation and compromise. Jun Ancheta gave the fourth talk, Living Life to the Fullest, while his wife Betty shared how they were able to strengthen their marriage despite the challenges of infidelity and pride. Jun Ymzon facilitated the last talk, Celebrating God’s Goodness Through our Marriages, where he presented the challenges of keeping the marriage vows intact in the senior years, among them role
changes, adjustment to grandparenting, health concerns, and concerns with sexual intimacy. He advised, “Life however gets better with age. Set and implement new goals and plans, celebrate new opportunities, pray more and become closer to God, and be a sacrament of hope are some of the responses to the challenge. Turn challenges to character enhancement or spiritual development.” Couple dialogues after every session provided opportunities for the retreatants to discuss their concerns and deepen their experience. The retreat ended with the Holy Mass where the couple participants renewed their marriage vows. The service team went home with a blessing and encouragement from the Bishop of the Diocese, Most. Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, who expressed his belief that Couples for Christ is an important partner of the Church in the work of evangelization and his hope that more Senior Retreats will be done in the Diocese. (Tony Loria)
CFC SARANGANI-GENSAN CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
CFC@37, C1
COUPLES for Christ in Sarangani - General Santos (SarGen) celebrated their 25th anniversary on June 10 at the KCC Convention Center in General Santos City. CFC members from different clusters and ministries all over the province joined the celebration. The anniversary opened with worship led by Joe Lucas, Mission Support Head of CFC SarGen, followed by welcome remarks from the Provincial Area Director of CFC SarGen, Elmer Dy, together with Pempe Deguilmo, CFC Region Head for South Central Mindanao. All of them emphasized the faithfulness of the Lord to CFC
SarGen for the past 25 years. CFC members together with the Family Ministries from different clusters rocked the dance floor as they gracefully performed during the dance competition. The celebration highlight was the honoring of the first batch of Couples for Christ SarGen with the Area Governance Team giving away 25 cakes and a wine toast by Irwin Pagdalian, Provincial Area Head of SarGen, and James Solano, CFC International Council member. Rene Breva, CFC Mindanao Island Head, delivered a short message acknowledging the first 37 couples of CFC SarGen.
After the honoring ceremony, Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ entertained the crowd with a dance performance presenting the life, journey, and mission of CFC. After music and dancing, the spirit-filled praisefest was led by Joel Dagoy, the Family Ministries Head of CFC SarGen. The celebration highlight was the thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Firmo “Jun-G” Bargayo Jr., S.J., a newly ordained priest, a former YFC member, and a missionary from General Santos City. (Loren Cansancio, YFC SarGen; Junel Aler Roxas, fulltime pastoral worker, YFC SarGen)
a people. That is why no one is saved alone, as an isolated individual. Rather, God draws us to himself, taking into account the complex fabric of interpersonal relationships present in a human community. God wanted to enter into the life and history of a people.” He further exhorted, “This is important for you married couples. You must not become saints individually, but as couples, because you are Couples for Christ.” Shine Your Light The papal nuncio’s homily about reflecting God’s presence inside and out was a fitting complement to the anniversary theme “Shine”, anchored on the verse from Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” In his anniversary message, CFC President Michael Ariola used the letters S-H-I-N-E to communicate five points on how the community can shine the light of Christ:
• • • • •
S - SERVE like Jesus served. H - be faithful to your HOUSEHOLD. I - IGNITE the Faith in others. N - NURTURE Your Family. E - ENRICH your Prayer life.
Parade of Lights, Music Fest Aligned with the anniversary theme, this year’s parade featured a first for the community - a parade of lights. The Metro Manila sectors, provinces and the international delegates outdid each other in creating a stunning parade. The Music Festival was likewise a welcome treat for CFC of all ages and the Family Ministries. Gracenote and SUD got the younger ministries flocking in front of the stage, while the South B Music Minstrels got the old-timers dancing. It was a day full of grace, despite the heavy rains. But as Archbishop Caccia said, the sun shines after the dark clouds and the rains. The community, as it celebrated 37 years of unity in Christ, was again one in the hope that CFC, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, will continue to reflect the light that comes from Christ.
CBCP Monitor
C3
June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13
CFC 37th Anniversary Message GOOD evening, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Tonight, let me start off with this beautiful passage from Matthew: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” ~ Matthew 5:14-16 How does this passage relate to us, today, in the here and now? It relates to us in a huge way and especially today when our theme calls us to “Rekindle the Gift! Fulfill Your Ministry!” Fulfill your ministry! SHINE! This is what Matthew is asking us to do. He is saying that we ought not to hide our light but use it to illumine everything around us. Such a tall order but this is exactly what “Rekindle the Gift. Fulfill your Ministry” means for all of us in CFC. God is saying, “Set fire anew to the gifts I have already bestowed upon you. Fulfill the task I have set out for you which is to bring
light to all the nations.” Have you ever experienced a “brownout” or worse still, a “black out”? What is the first thing we do when the lights go off? Our first instinct is to look for light, for a candle, for a flashlight. Why? We know that without light we will stumble. Without light we are not safe. Without light, we are lost. How many people out there “stumble”, are “unsafe” and are “lost” because they do not see the light of Jesus? And so Jesus said, “Your light must shine...” (v16) And what is this light that we have? It is our gift. And what is God’s greatest gift to us? It is Jesus. Can we truly say that Jesus’ light is shining fully through us? Can we look deep within ourselves and acknowledge, in all honesty, that there were times that we “hid Christ” under our own “bushel baskets”? Brothers and sisters, we are called to SHINE! We are called to bring out the light we have hidden so well under our bushel baskets—under our fears, insecurities, arrogance and pride. And so tonight, we will SHINE!
We will not only rekindle the Gift of Christ in us, but we will shine! How do we shine? I leave you with 5 ways by which we can bring out that light within us and show the world that Jesus shines in us and through us: S - SERVE like Jesus served. If there was is one thing we all love doing in CFC, it is to serve. It is not easy, it challenges us, and even pains us. But it is in the mystery of service that Christ shines the brightest in us. H - be faithful to your HOUSEHOLD. We can shine our individual lights but isn’t it true that we shine brighter when we are surrounded by other “lights”? Isn’t it true that it is impossible to continue hiding our light when our companions are shining so bright? Nakakahiya, di ba? I'm sure you are with your household tonight. Don’t let go of your relationships. Continue to be in fellowship, and never tire of giving and forgiving. I - IGNITE the Faith in others. You shine for a purpose—to ignite the faith in others. Continue inviting to the CLP and keep going back
CFC Joins Drug Rehab Program, Receives Gratitude from Bishop
AMONG the graduates of the Carrots-Salubong Program for the Drug surrenderers of Caloocan were 22 participants facilitated by the Couples for Christ ReForm Road to Recovery Program. After a series of sessions and meetings, the participants were able to finish the program initiated by the Diocese of Kalookan under Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and the Caloocan local government. This is the third wave of the program initiated by the City of Caloocan CADAC together with the lay organizations. Since the program started, when the drug war made it necessary to engage
all willing hands in combatting this menace to society, hundreds of drug surrenderers have already completed the sessions. CFC ReForm had signified willingness to help in the spiritual intervention for the participants, via the Diocesan after-care initiative. Bishop David thanked CFC for having extended not only prayers for the surrenderers, but also pastoral and spiritual care. “More than anything else, we need the spiritual care and I thank CFC for being with us in this journey,” the bishop said. (Yvonne Grace Dolorosa)
ANCOP, C4
International Missions. Ramon de Leon, head of the Social Development Programs, gave the audience an appreciation of the various entities, and challenged CFC to pray about and choose a program where they would be able to serve brethren in the peripheries. After the Soc Dev Programs presentation, ANCOP also presented updates and a performance review of each program for the past year. Efren Tompong highlighted the latest partnership of the Educational Sponsorship Program (ESP) with the Mobile Training Center of Don Bosco Institute of Technology which targets parents of scholars and Cornerstone tutees, and even poor members of CFC who wish to earn a Tech-Voc certificate via the Technical-Vocational Educational Training (TVET). Fr. Dindo S. Vitug, SDB, Executive Director of Don Bosco ONE TVET, signed the Memorandum of Agreement with CAGFI for the Mobile Training Center that will allow the TVET program to be taken offsite, enabling the poor to avail of the training without them going to the training centers. Training will take 6 days or 40 hours, after which scholars will be given certification for employment or entrepreneurship. The pilot project will be in Salcedo, Samar. “This is really the right time that we are launching the MTC. As an institution, we are moving out of our comfort zone with this project. And we are glad that you are our partners in this new initiative,” Fr. Vitug said. Jannie Bagapuro, Head Social Worker for ANCOP, presented the monitoring of ANCOP scholar alumni, reporting that there are 1,644 alumni to date. Mark Louie Ladesma, one of the alumni (former-
Corinthianss 8:9 tells us, “For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” Our union with Christ makes us rich, and that is why “God is enough!” And that is why the oil in our lamps will never die—we will not burn out. And so, we gather tonight to SHINE! Let us SHINE not only in this venue but everywhere God places us. CFC is called to be a light to the world. And as light, we are sent to lift up those who “stumble”, to embrace those who feel “unsafe” and to guide those who are “lost” in the dark. Go, brothers and sisters, fulfill your ministry! Shine!
Michael "Shok" Ariola CFC President
ly sponsored by ANCOP Australia) now employed as a segment producer for GMA 7, also gave his personal testimony, thanking the ANCOP donors for making his dreams come true. Sheh Canlas presented how the Cornerstone Program is a gateway evangelization tool, with its engagement with school superintendents, principals and teachers, as well as the parents of tutees and volunteers—both individual and institutional. Cornerstone is present in all provinces, and has touched more than 30,000 children through the program, which, for CFC, is an opportunity to share not only reading and writing skills to the children, but to share the Good News to their parents and the school authorities. Another exciting thing that ANCOP looks forward to is the institution’s application for ISO 9001 certification. Once certified, ANCOP will be the first member of the Association of Foundations to be awarded the certification, opening doors for more donors to extend their help. To get there, ANCOP is currently streamlining and standardizing their processes. Ric de la Rosa of the Shelter Program also presented the updates regarding the expectations from home partners, as well as the new Shelter Manual of Operations. He also enumerated the new communities that will rise in partnership with SMDC, among others. ANCOP President Rudy Gaspillo honored the ANCOP workers for being united in taking CAGFI towards the progress and accomplishments so far, and exhorted the stakeholders to continue supporting the work of ANCOP, all for the greater glory of God. (Alma Alvarez)
CLERGY LAY CONGRESS, C4
LIVELOUD, C1
symbols X and P, respectively), an abbreviation of the name of Jesus Christ. This was used by believers during the first hundred years of the faith as a secret sign for Christians to identify each other. Keken Cabaraban, YFC fulltime pastoral worker and Liveloud worship leader, exhorted, “These markings were used by the early Christians to identify places of security and comfort, their “sanctuary”. They also used it to identify their homes. If you are a Christian, it is safe to say that when you are in that place with the Chi-Rho symbol, it means that you are somewhere safe.” The event opened with the celebration of the anticipated Sunday Holy Eucharist, June 3 being the Feast of Corpus Christi, by Bishop Joel Zamudo Baylon, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Legaspi. In his homily, Bishop Baylon stressed that “We become a better community when the celebration inside the Church is alive.” He reiterated that the mission of Jesus is over and done; it is now up to His people to continue His task by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Jesus wants us to continue what He did, that
to those who continue to reject you. Every time you invite, you ignite. They will ask, “Why are you so persistent?” Tell them why! Tell them that it is because Christ never gave up on us. And so we will never give up on them either. N - NURTURE Your Family. Do not neglect your family. They are your primary responsibility and CFC exists to help you fulfill your role as a family member. CFC should be one of the reasons why you are united as a family, because when Christ shines in the home, hearts are warmed and there is peace, hope and joy. How we nurture our families in the loving ways of God, and in the power of the Holy Spirt is still the best way to evangelize other families. Nurture your family, because family is a gift. E - ENRICH your Prayer life. Enrich in Filipino is Papagyamanin. For light to shine, the oil in our lamps must be always filled. Hindi pwedeng kapos. We are to be filled and enriched in prayer. If Christ is full in us, we are rich. 2
everyone might be with God once again,” he added. Before the concert proper, Keith Janohan, member of the YFC International Core, reminded those present that as they look forward to the next ten years, it is good for each person to hold on to their capacity to dream, to see the future and welcome the Lord and see where God leads them. Cabaraban, as he began the worship concert, said, “As God’s beloved, let us come before our God, full of love in our hearts, for love will lead us back home to Christ. Despite our losses, God remains victorious in our lives, and it is the Holy Spirit who will make us win battles. He will always make sure that we live a life of winners.” Several young people shared their personal testimonies of how God’s goodness brought them back “home” into the faith and to their families. Joven Turingan Jr., a YFC High school-based Program volunteer from Metro Manila South A, shared his personal version of the story of “prodigal son,” and how he was led “home” in order to become a better grandson, a better student and a whole new person.
Carlo Azul, YFC mission worker of Metro Manila West B, shared how he and his family were challenged when their home life got shattered when his father succumbed to sin. The same year he was introduced to the community, his father passed away. But the Lord used that situation to reunite his family, the Holy Spirit transforming his broken home into a home full of forgiveness and love. Cabaraban reminded the crowd that a home is built not by bricks or wood, but with the bond and the relationship nurtured by the people living in it. He then encouraged the crowd to post on social media or text their families with the words, “You are my home!” to remind everyone that no matter where life takes them, their family will always be their number one home. “We may become hesitant because of the persecution that is happening, but the Holy Spirit will equip and empower us to become a channel of His grace, starting with our families,” he said. And as a tangible remembrance of “home”, the coliseum full of people got one Holy Family necklace each. (Andrelene Veloso)
Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST
Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief
Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor
Andrelene D. Veloso Editorial Assistant
Yvonne Grace J. Dolorosa Staff Writer
Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist
Evangeline C. Mecedilla Circulation Staff
The Ugnayan News Supplement is published by the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc., with editorial offices at 156 20th Avenue, 1109 Cubao, Quezon City. Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 31 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com
supreme presence in the Eucharist. Through the ministerial priesthood of the ordained minister who acts in the person of Christ, the head of the body who assembles the community in the Spirit and nourishes it with God’s Word, and with Christ’s body and blood... Christ can be truly present in His body, the Church,” the prelate added. Servant leadership, according to Bishop David, is the trademark of Christ’s priesthood, which He exhibited during the washing of the disciples’ feet. “Jesus is our one and only
exemplar. Discipleship is to configure ourselves to Christ. Let us be good representations of Christ, not poor reproductions. The call to act in the person of Christ is to continue His mission in the world by being of the same mind as He,” Bishop David said. In the afternoon, members of the clergy and CFC leaders sat down together to flesh out how they could be more effective colaborers in the Lord’s vineyard. Aside from the afternoon workshop, the Build My Church Program and Bishop David’s Mission Stations were launched,
paving the way for more points of collaboration between the laity and the clergy. To close the Congress, CFC President Michael Ariola reminded CFC to share its giftedness to the clergy because the clergy and laity belong to one, holy and apostolic Church. He also exhorted CFC that the community is not just part of the Catholic Church, but with the clergy, IS the Catholic Church. Fr. Jun-G Bargayo, newly-ordained priest and former Youth for Christ missionary, led the praisefest. (Alma Alvarez)
CFC NEW CHAPEL, C1
God and to not seek revenge. “What Jesus commands us to do in our Gospel today is hard, seemingly impossible. But remember, God’s love is more powerful than evil,” Bishop Ongtioco said. He added, “Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God’s will ultimately wins. The social program of the Gospel is certainly revolutionary to overcome evil by good.” Bishop Ongtioco affirmed Couples for Christ, expressing his gratitude to the whole CFC Community for always being present at important ac-
tivities, even when he was first anointed as bishop. “As I celebrate my 20th year as a bishop, I thank God for His love, mercy, and fidelity. Thank you, CFC, for treasuring the value of family, for treasuring the dignity of human life. Thank you for your unconditional commitment and dedication for the mission of the church,” he said. Bishop Ongtioco encouraged the faithful to help him pray for more vocations. “Pray that we may be renewed during this year of the clergy and consecrated persons.” (Andrelene Veloso)
C4
June 25 - July 8, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 13
CBCP Monitor
One Church. One Mission. One Priesthood. “EVANGELIZATION is more effective when it is carried out with oneness of spirit and with sincere teamwork among the various ecclesial communities as well as among missionaries and local clergy: this requires courage to seek out ways of working together and offering mutual help in the areas of catechesis and catholic education, as well as integral human development and charity.” Pope Francis addressed these words at Vespers to priests, religious men and women, seminarians and members of lay movements during his apostolic visit to Albania in 2014, stressing that all peoples are called to a special role in the work of the Church. This was also the overall theme of the Clergy - Lay Congress organized by CFC last June 21, More than 200 members of the clergy, led by 11 Philippine bishops and 6 foreign bishops sat down with CFC leaders to listen to each other, and to learn and collaborate on how to more effectively bring the Good News of salvation to the world. Msgr. Allen Aganon, Spiritual Adviser of
the CFC International Council, celebrated Mass to open the event. In his homily, Msgr. Aganon exhorted the faithful to look at the Lord’s Prayer as a prayer for all disciples of Jesus. Msgr. Aganon said, “As disciples of Jesus, we are called to follow Him, not knowing where He will take us. As we follow Jesus, He introduces us to new situations, and that is why we are called to believe, to have faith. Jesus taught this to His disciples because the Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of trust.” In the first plenary session, Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon, Bishop of the Diocese of Talibon, talked about the hierarchical and charismatic gifts being co-essential in the life of the Church, since these are given by the Spirit to build up the Church. He stressed that a harmonious complementarity between the clergy and lay movements is essential to ensure a “fruitful and ordered participation”. The main speaker for the Congress, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Caloocan, talked about sharing in
the priesthood of Christ, taking off from his commentary on Frs. Richmond Nilo, Mark Ventura, Marcelito Paez, all of whom were killed as they were performing their priestly duties. Bishop David highlighted three important points: the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained; new evangelization; and renewed leadership as servant leadership. Regarding the first point, Bishop David enjoined the ordained not to monopolize the priesthood of Christ, stressing that all the faithful are also part of this priesthood. Bishop David said that the only way the clergy and laity can participate in the mission of new evangelization is to serve as Christ’s continuing presence as members of his body, the Church, by the grace of baptism, through their “common priesthood.” “Through the grace of being able to serve together—as “sacraments” (signs and instruments), as representation of the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, we experience Christ’s CLERGY LAY CONGRESS, C3
CFC Family Ministries—Grateful for 25 Years, Hopeful for Next 25
At the CFC Family Ministries Congress held on June 22, Family Ministries Head Lawrence Quintero encouraged CFC to be grateful to the Lord for the past 25 years of the Family Ministries, to embrace unity in the Family Ministries and the CFC community, and to realize that all things will ultimately lead to holiness. “We were led by the Holy Spirit to renew families—to keep families safe in the Lord.” Quintero said during his opening address. Present at the congress were International Core members of the CFC Singles for Christ, CFC Youth for Christ, CFC Handmaids of the Lord, CFC Servants of the Lord, and CFC Kids for Christ, as well as the coordinators from Metro Manila, the various provinces and countries. They were there to discuss the updates, highlights and thrusts of each ministry, and to listen to exhortations from the leadership on how the Family Ministries can spread Christ, strengthen families and serve the poor. CFC Evangelization and Missions Director Arnel Santos asked the congress delegates to recall the past, relish the present and look forward to the future, acknowledging that God has always been, and will always be there for those who believe. Santos stressed that the seasons in the life of CFC are
manifestations of God’s blessings to the community and the families, and that the high and low points in this journey of life are simply opportunities for adventures for and with the Lord. Later in the day, Quintero encouraged the Family Ministries to continue to work on the oneness they have built over the past years. He urged everyone to establish clear service relationships, clear pastoral relationships and a clear working relationship within the Family Ministries. Accompaniment workshops were held to gather pertinent information from the area leaders. In the afternoon, CFC Pastoral Formation Office Director Rouquel Ponte, in his talk “Pastoral Accompaniment in CFC Family Ministries,” encouraged the delegates to make the journey of faith together as one familymaking everyone an instrument of humanity and compassion. “God’s dream is for us to go back to him and so let us be in this journey together, keeping in-step with our Lord,” he said. As the family ministries move towards evangelization, Ponte exhorted the delegates to see the Church as a place where everyone is welcome, loved and forgiven. Quintero expressed hope that for the next years to come, the Family Ministries and the whole CFC community would be united in the mission to be God’s bearers of truth and
instruments towards holiness. CFC Bicol Regional Head, Vic Alvarez, shared how he had been enriched when he was still in SFC, and now that he and his wife Donna are in CFC, through the inspiration of his CFC leaders, they continue to do the mission entrusted to them, bringing their children wherever they were called. Garie Pimentel, CFC North Asia Regional Coordinator and South B Family Ministries Head, shared how the Family Ministries helped his and wife Ces’ pastoral growth in many ways. He believes that the Family Ministries is about working together, understanding and knowing each other. Fr. Jun-G Bargayo, S.J., a former pastoral worker for YFC before he entered the seminary, celebrated the Mass that ended the congress. Fr. Bargayo reminded the family ministries that their ‘yes’ is a grace from the Lord and that same grace will sustain the call He has given each one. He expressed gratitude to the CFC community for nourishing the seed that has been planted in him. “Our hearts are filled with God’s love, a love that hopes, brings joy, and brings much greater love. Thank you for planting in me the seed of my vocation, and for allowing and giving us opportunities to find where our heart is,” he said. (Andrelene Veloso)
CFC Holds 24th Golf Classic THE rainy season had officially begun but it was a perfect day for 120 CFC golfers as they teed off during the annual CFC Golf tournament last June 19 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club. Shotgun tee off was at 7:30 AM, with the golfers playing 18 holes at the South Course of CGCC. The golfers were a mixture of old-timers and some young blood, everyone playing for the benefit of CFC ANCOP. After half a day of soaking in the sun, the golfers headed back to the club house for the muchawaited raffle and the announcement of winners. Overall champion for the tournament was Paolo Olives. The organizing committee, composed of IC member and CFC ANCOP Chairman Lito Tayag, Greg Cancio, JM Yupangco and Nestle Jeturian, is excited for next year’s tournament as it would be the 25th year of the CFC Golf Classic. The committee hopes to invite more golfers and sponsors, and contribute more to the funds of CFC ANCOP.
ANCOP, which stands for Answering the Cry of the Poor, is Couples for Christ’s mission for the poor. Programs under ANCOP include Education, Shelter and Community Development. (CFC Global Comm)
ANCOP Canada Visits Eastern Africa
RICKY Cuenca, member of the International Council and ANCOP Canada President, visited the different countries of Eastern Africa, namely
Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Cuenca and the CFC Team in Kenya visited the Community of Hope Orphanage in Thika, Kenya where he met all the ANCOP CANADAsponsored children who have been abandoned, orphans, victims of domestic violence and HIV victims. After an 8-hour road trip to Eldoret, Cuenca and the team visited the areas where ANCOP is sponsoring children, namely St. Anne Small Home and St. Theresa’ School. As a sign of thanksgiving, the children sang songs, danced and shared their hopes and dreams The ANCOP Canada team also flew to two areas in Ethiopia, namely Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa, and met the sponsored children as well as the seminarians who are also being sponsored. ANCOP CANADA promised to do everything to help alleviate the condition of these children by working hand in hand with the dioceses for the evangelization and work with the poor, the total completion of the CFC mission. (Malou Clarito)
ANCOP Gives Updates to Stakeholders AS PART of its 37th anniversary celebration, CFC organized an ANCOP Congress, held on June 22, during which CFC ANCOP Global Foundation Inc. (CAGFI), and the Social Development Programs of CFC presented a comprehensive report on the overall accomplishments and updates on the community’s mission with the poor. The various programs under SocDev—OIKOS, St. Thomas More and Associates, Isaiah 61:1, Order of St. Michael, Migrants Program, the Cooperatives Movement, and CFC ReForm—as well as those under ANCOP, namely Education and Shelter, gave updates to the volunteers and the ANCOP heads from the Metro Manila Missions, Philippine Missions and ANCOP, C3
CFC 37TH ANNIVERSARY GALLERY