CBCP Monitor
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Vol. 17 No. 13
June 24 - July 7, 2013
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
Top Leaders Gather for 1 Global Leaders Empowerment Convention st
By the CFC Com Docu Team The potential for greater evangelization is more apparent and there is excitement across the world because of this. The 1st CFC Global Leaders Empowerment Convention (GLEC) was a highlight of the week-long activities of the 32nd Anniversary celebration of Couples for Christ. The 3-day event which was held from June 18 to 20, 2013 at the One Esplanade, Pasay City, gathered over 300 leaders coming from different parts of the world. The GLEC sought to unite thrusts and approaches of all CFC leaders of all countries of the world. While the community believed in the preservation of its core thrusts there is still a need to be united in our
approaches in addressing major concerns of evangelization. The event also aimed to build the core of the CFC leadership, stressing the importance of working as one body, and to synergize the team in bringing down the programs and thrusts of the community. Furthermore, the convention also hoped to promote empowered leadership by inspiration. The GLEC was indeed a venue to share personal challenges in leading and shepherding God’s people, to fully embrace their calling as missionaries in their own countries and areas. Here are highlights of the 1st CFC Global Leaders Empowerment Convention:
Day 1 of the Global Leaders Empowerment Convention welcomed CFC leaders from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and from more than 30 countries at the One Esplanade, Pasay City. After the recitation of the Holy Rosary led by Irma Cuenca, wife of CFC Chairman Rikcy Cuenca, the convention officially began with a Holy Mass with Rev. Fr. Benedict Lagarde Jr. from the Missionaries of Jesus as main celebrant. Concelebrating the Mass were His Excellency Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, Kenya; Fr. Anthony Hou, Fr. Simon Jia, Fr. Joseph Duan, and Fr. Joseph Shen from China; and Fr. Pierre Faiquin from Mauritius. In the afternoon, GLEC participants were greeted by the unique shadow show of El Gamma Penumbra, which took the audience on a tour of the various famous landmarks of the Philippines. As the participants settled down, Mon Santiago, Regional Head for SouthAsia, facilitated the workshops. In the evening after Day 1 of the Global Leaders’ Empowerment Convention, CFC leaders donned the costumes of the countries they represent and spent time getting to know new friends and reconnecting with old ones through the CFC 32nd Anniversary Fellowship. The second day of the Global Leaders Empowerment Convention once again started with the recitation of the Rosary, led by Pat Villanueva of CFC USA. Hector Poppen, Country Head of CFC India, opened the convention with a powerful worship. International Council member and CFC Corporate Secretary Arnel Santos
WITNESS TO THE WORLD: Theme for the CFC 32nd Anniversary
Couples for Christ has expanded rapidly and massively over the past 32 years. We marvel at the vast and vibrant work of evangelization that the Lord has entrusted to our community, and essentially to the anointed and appointed leaders. Our leaders in over 120 countries serve as modern day witnesses of Christ’s love and active managers of our programs and thrusts. The call of the Church for “New Evangelization” affirms our vision to go and renew the face of the Earth through the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow in holiness and persevere in reevangelizing the faithful. The message is also clear that we are in this journey with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “Star of the New Evangelization”. Since last year, the annual themes of the community reflect the role of our Blessed Mother in CFC, especially in our efforts in evangelization. Recognizing this blessing, the Lord continues to bring the community towards active renewal, as spoken volumes by lives transformed
through an inertial understanding of the life and mission of CFC across the world. Our communities spread throughout the world are thriving, but we must constantly be renewed in our zeal and knowledge to further sustain the formation of our harvest, to encourage stewardship, and to have continuous vibrancy in community life. To witness is also about empowered leadership by inspiration. It is to fully embrace our calling as missionaries in our own countries and areas. Finally, witnessing is to regard one another as co-servants in the vineyard of the Lord—as brothers and sisters in Christ—where we get to know one another better, along with our roles in the global mission of CFC. We believe that the Lord is pleased, and the work becomes even more meaningful, when His work is accomplished in synergy. The essence of synergy is to value differences—to appreciate and respect God’s personal imprint in each person, to build on one another ’s strengths, and to carry one another despite our weaknesses.
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CFC goes to GLEC, counterclockwise from top left: ANCOP scholars welcome delegates; GLEC opens with a Mass; ABLAZE President Rommel Ancheta leading the worship; CFC Mongolia; participants breaking out into groups during workshop; CFC Timor Leste posing for the camera; GLEC participants playing the “Obey & Witness Bingo” during the morning team building activity. (GLEC photos courtesy of Caloy Rubio, Jerry Tanigue, Alma Alvarez & Romy Medina)
New IC, Board of Elders Elected
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CFC Int’l Mission Core Gathering Opens Week-long Celebration
CBCP Monitor Vol. 17 No. 13
June 24 - July 7, 2013
Get to know CFC’s 3 New International Council Members Following is a quick profile of our community’s 3 newlyelected members of the International Council:
GEORGE CAMPOS 50 years old
June 16, 2013, marked the beginning of the week-long celebration of Couples for Christ’s 32nd Anniversary. The CFC International Mission Core Gathering was indeed a great way to kick off the 32nd Anniversary celebrations as top CFC leaders from different parts of the world joined the assembly at the Tanghalang Pasigueno, Pasig City. His Excellency Bishop
George and wife Cynthia joined the community in 1990. They have been married for 26 years and are blessed with 4 children (a son and 3 daughters).
Honesto F. Ongtioco, Diocese of Cubao, celebrated the Holy Mass. This was followed by the Mission Core Assembly. CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca fired up the whole assembly via the opening worship. After the exhortation, several members of the Interntional Core shared about the Lord’s goodness in their personal lives, and how the Lord has continued to set their hearts ablaze.
International MC Assembly ushering in week-long celebration, counterclockwise from top left: Bishop Honesto Ongtioko of the Diocese of Cubao celebrating the Mass; Bishop Ongtioko blessing the offerors; Lozare couple from CFC Thailand; IC greeting one another a happy anniversary; the International MC; the IC, with Ricky Cuenca leading the worship. (photos by Caloy Rubio)
Rest and Recreation at the 20 CFC Golf Classic th
PROFESSION/ DEGREE: BS Electrical Engineering the St. Louis University Baguio City; Exec Masters Business Administration AIM
at in in in
PRESENT WORK: Consultant: Power Development; retired Meralco Executive CFC SERVICE: He was a member of the Board of Elders, CFC Sector Head for Metro Manila East A, and is the Country Coordinator for CFC USA.
JAIME ILAGAN 51 years old Tee-off at 6:30 AM Seniors Division Serious putting
CFC leaders, together with guest golfers, took time out for the 20th CFC Golf Classic last June 17, 2013 at the North Course of Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City, Rizal. Eighty-nine golf enthusiasts coming from the US, Qatar, Metro Manila, Cavite, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Kalinga, and Misamis Occidental, among others, were at the shotgun tee off at 6:30 AM. At the end of 18 holes, the following were declared winners: Ladies’ Division: 1st Runner up: Linda Goble; Champion: Myrna Sutherland
DEGREE/ PROFESSION: BSBA Accounting in PUP; MBA units ADMU, Sr. Management Development Program, Sime Darby Business School, Malaysia
Lady golfers Attracting the younger breed of golfers
By the CFC Com Docu Team
Elders’ Division (66 years old & up): 1st Runner up: Joe Cabacan; Champion: Suzuki Hajime
Division 2: 1st Runner up: Willie Madarang Champion: Chito Santiago Division 3: 1 st R u n n e r u p : D o m i n g Elemento; Champion: Cesar Layug
Division 1: 1st Runner up: Mayor Jun Boy Lumawin (Tabuk, Kalinga); Champion: Jay Cruz
Championship Division: 1st Runner up: Lyndon Pamintuan; Champion: Ed Bolaños
Joined CFC in 1989, married for 29 years to Lorna and blessed with 3 sons
PRESENT WORK: Consultant/CPA CFC SERVICE: Was a Member of the Board of Elders, Sector Head, Metro Manila Central A, and is Regional Coordinator for the Middle East Some of the old-timers
JAMES SOLANO 48 years old,
There are serious Prizes and awards up for grabs golfers... While some just want to have fun
Some are blessed to win prizes, too
DEGREE/ PROFESSION: Electrical Engineer PRESENT WORK: Electrical Engineering Contractor
CFC Golf Classic past chairmen
Overall Champion: Abe Avena The tournament, which aims to promote friendly competition and community fellowship, is organized every year as part of the CFC Anniversary week activities to help raise funds to support the various Social Development Programs. (photos by Joel Valdez)
Joined CFC in 1995, married for 25 years to Ella with 3 children (1 daugther and 2 sons)
Perpetual trophy bearing names of past winners
CFC SERVICE: Regional Coordinator of Southwest Europe Region Head of Southcentral Mindanao
‘Fit to Witness’—The CFC Women’s Forum • Ms. Mylene de la Cruz, Chief Dietician, UST Participants were given time to air their questions to the panellists during the open forum. Finally, Irma Cuenca, wife of CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca, exhorted all the women on their role as mission partners to their husbands, thus emphasizing why it is important to be concerned
300 CFC Women gathered last June 20, 2013 at the One Esplanade for the CFC Women’s Forum. This year ’s theme was “Fit to Witness”. The forum aimed to impress upon the women in the community the importance of fullness in health and well-being to their crucial role as effective pastoral teammates to their husbands and encourage them to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Prior to the activity, representatives from the Philippine Heart Association, Biofemme Unilab and Therapharma LRI conducted free health screenings for the first 100 women who registered for the event. The activity was opened with a worship by CFC Council wife, Babylou Tale. This was then followed by a 30-minute Zumba session by certified Zumba instructor, Roxanne Araneta. The women indeed had great time participating in the ice-breaker exercise. The health forum followed, led by Dra. Mila Yamamoto, who gave a 20-minute overview on why it is important to really take care of one’s physical well-being. After the introduction by Dra. Yamamoto, Jean Uriarte introduced and welcomed the guest panellists. Each panel guest was given 15 minutes to talk about specific health issues of women. The panellists were: • Dr. Marivic Garcia, Cardiologist
• •
with their health and physical well-being. She then led everyone to a Personal Commitment to Health, wherein each participant wrote down their own health plan as a reminder to always strive to be “fit to witness” for the Lord. The event was closed with a prayer led by Aileen Ocampo.
Dr. Cynthia Fernandez, Obstretician Gynecologist Dr. Malou San Juan, Master of Public Health
To be spritually and physically fit—this is what these women are aiming for at the “Fit to Witness” Women’s Forum. Aside from the free medical consultation, there was also a Zumba workout, as well as talks on how women in CFC can be fit for the fight.
Ugnayan
CBCP Monitor Vol. 17 No. 13
June 24 - July 7, 2013
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CFC 32nd Anniversary Highlights
VARIETY SHOW
LUZON
BCOP PROGRAMS
VISAYAS
MINDANAO
METRO MANILA
Anniversary photos courtesy of Crispin Bañares, Caloy Rubio, Arnel Santos, Roger Santos, Jerry Tanigue, Ruel Tenerife & Joe Yamamoto.
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gave the first session, leaving the participants with the message that CFC is primarily a relationship: relationship with God (communion), with each other (community), and with others (mission). In the afternoon, CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca excited the GLEC participants once more with his contagious energy in serving the Lord. Day 2 of the GLEC culminated with the celebration of the Holy Mass, with Msgr. Allen Aganon as main celebrant.
Day 3 of GLEC was the Lay-Clergy Congress, with Fr. Christian Limbaring of Vietnam opening with an inspiring worship. CFC Spiritual Director Msgr. Allen Aganon gave a talk on the role of a Spiritual Director, emphasizing on shepherding like Jesus does. After the session, Bishop Pablo David of Pampanga celebrated the Holy Mass together with international clergy, including Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, Kenya.
GLEC Day 3 - Lay-Clergy Congress
Fellowship Night
During the Mass on Day 3, Bishop David, assisted by the International Council, conferred the missionary cross to the global CFC leaders as a reminder that they, too, are missionaries being sent by Jesus.
CFC GLEC delegates donned their national costumes for the fellowship night
GLEC Day 2
Arnel Santos gives the session on “The CFC GLOBAL OPERATIONS: Our blessed journey as a worldwide family”; session 3, titled “CFC As A Missionary Community” delivered by Ricky Cuenca; Jordan Ablong, ANCOP scholar from Pampanga shares during Session 3.
Evangelization & Missions Meeting
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CBCP Monitor
Vol. 17 No. 13
June 24 - July 7, 2013
Couples for Christ at 32: Celebrating God’s Fidelity Pre-parade
By the CFC Com Docu Team Couples for Christ celebrated 32 years of Christ’s fidelity to the community with a week-long roster of events, beginning with the International Mission Core Assembly last Sunday, June 16. This was followed by the 20th CFC Golf Classic last June 17 at the Valley Golf & Country Club in Antipolo. Last June 18 to 20, leaders from the all over the Philippines and the world convened for the 1st CFC Global Leaders Empowerment Convention (GLEC). Friday, June 21, the CFC Elders Assembly gathered for their recollection, as well as the elections of 3 new members of the International Council and the 15-man Board of Elders.
And finally, on Saturday, June 22, CFC from all over gathered at the Quirino Grandstand to give thanks to the Lord for 32 years of Couples for Christ, with no less than His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as main celebrant for the Mass. Forty-two members of the international clergy, including Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, Kenya, concelebrated the Mass with the good Cardinal. And even as the rains poured during Communion, CFC remained until the praise fest and fireworks display. Indeed, the week had been very Spirit-filled, with each day being a manifestation of God’s faithfulness and love for Couples for Christ.
The Parade
Pre-parade activities, clockwise from top left: Handmaids of the Lord enjoying lunch inside a jeep; family picnic under the trees; people excited over what’s inside the gigantic ABLAZE gift box; sister from China hamming it up for the camera; CFC Chair Ricky Cuenca and wife Irma with new IC member James Solano with wife Ella; CFC Vietnam; CFC Japan; ANCOP scholars waiting for parade to start; ANCOP Health/ Gkare making sure everyone is healthy; CFC Batangas; IC member Mannix Ocampo posing with CFC Nueva Ecija.
The Celebration of the Mass
The Praisefest The most awaited Celebration, counterclockwise from far left: Main celebrant, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila; members of the international clergy concelebrating the Mass; Chris Mautsi, National Director of CFC UK for the Responsorial Psalm; Cardinal Tagle delivering the homily to thousands to CFC; Metro Manila Sector Heads during the offertory; the Prayers of the Faithful being said in different languages; the Liturgy of the Word.
Despite the ominous dark clouds which brought torrential rains, CFC stood their ground and stayed on for the praisefest and the fireworks display. Indeed, CFC welcomes the abundance of rain each year as a sign of God’s infinite goodness!
Postscript
Two surprises after the Mass: at left, Cardinal Tagle is given a birthday cake, as it was his birthday the previous day; above, Cardinal Tagle prays over the outgoing IC members Joe Tale, Joe Yamamoto and Melo Villaroman Jr.