Ugnayan September 15 to 28, 2014

CBCP Monitor

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Vol. 18 No. 19

September 15 - 28, 2014

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

CFC EuroCon 2014 re-kindles passion for Christ

The Couples for Christ 2014 European Conference, dubbed as “The Beloved Weekend,” opened last August 22, simultaneously with the EKV (European Kids Village), with over 300 excited delegates from CFC from 10 countries around Europe, plus the Philippines and the United States. The Conference was held at Eretria Resort and Convention Center in Evia, Greece.

Roger Santos, CFC Country Representative to Greece & member of CFC USA National Council, welcomed the participants with these words: “Welcome to Greece, birthplace of democracy!”

After the Mass, and the dinner of a variety of native food brought by the participating countries, Mannix and his wife

Aileen cut the ceremonial ribbon that marked the start of the three-day Conference. A community worship followed the ribbon-cutting with CFC Greece’s Area Head Luis Ilagan leading.

The opening night was highlighted by a colorful parade of banners and flags.

Earlier in the day, the Kids for Christ (KFC) held a Beloved Child of God Parade in a separate venue in the hotel.

Speakers during the threeday conference who re-ignited the Europe CFC members’ passion for Jesus Christ and for the community were Joe Yamamoto, Mannix Ocampo, Roquel Ponte, Mon Carpio and Noli Arzadon . The speakers spoke about this year’s CFC theme: “Behold and Ponder.”

'Love More'—The CFC Theme for 2015 Last September 6 and 7, 2014, the CFC International Council got together for a weekend of discernment for the theme of Couples for Christ for 2015.

With hearts overflowing with thanksgiving for the word of the Lord to the global family of Couples for Christ, the CFC IC shared in a letter sent to the global CFC community: “‘Love more!’ This shall be CFC’s theme for 2015.”

“Love more!” is inspired by John 21: 15-17 (NAB Revised Edition): “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, “do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

According to the IC, the theme is a result of beholding God’s love, and after pondering how beloved CFC really is. It is an expression of gratefulness—for the grace, mercy and compassion showered to the community by Him who became poor “to make us rich, and had to suffer and die on the cross, and resurrect to initiate reconciliation and fellowship with Him”.

Next year’s theme springs from a gentle reminder of the Lord that of the many things that CFC is called to do, the global community must make sure that they do not miss on the most essential: loving God and loving neighbour.

It is a humble admission that it is love that moves mission. While CFC may think that it has done much, it may have actually done too little because CFC has loved too little. As the IC stated in the letter, “We have to do more by loving more. We have to strengthen one another more by serving and loving each other more.”

With much excitement and anticipation, the global family of CFC is praying for a wonderful journey of CFC to love God and neighbour more.

CFC Gears for Community Consecration On December 7, 2014, the global community of CFC will hold a special MC Prayer Assembly with the theme “Hail Mary! Queen of Families: CFC’s Continuing Journey with Mary”.

Every member of Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries will be consecrated to the Blessed Mother, after a 33-day preparation using as guide the 33 days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. The community will be preparing a special recollection especially for this purpose.

The journey of CFC for the last three years has been―in a unique and more pronounced way―a journey with the Blessed Mother.

And just like John, the beloved disciple in John 19:27 (“From that hour the disciple took her into his own household...”), CFC now takes Mary into their own homes. The global community of CFC has been called to behold the Blessed Mother as the Queen of Families, the Virgin of the Poor, the Star of Evangelization, and the Mother of our community.

The memorandum and guidelines for the community consecration have been disseminated to the CFC leaders worldwide, and are also available in the CFC website (www.couplesforchristglobal.org).

Final night emcees Josie Santos and Romy Dacayanan of CFC New Jersey rocked the house with their opening dance number to the music of ABBA, England’s popular musical group.

In a post-Conference note to delegates, Santos and Ilagan praised and thanked the Lord for the victorious meet. Both also thanked the members and leaders of CFC Greece for their 100% attendance and wholehearted cooperation, and all those who came to the 3-day confab.

CFC members who attended the Beloved Weekend came from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Philippines, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Greece.

ANCOP First Canada National Summit 2014: A Breakthrough to Success

By Alex Velasco, Gods Lanuza and Gemma Iturralde The CFC’s ANCOP Program in Canada is making headway in “Answering the Cry of the Poor.”

Last August 2-3, 2014, ANCOP launched the First Canada National Summit at the St. Andrew Parish Hall in Edmonton, Alberta.

Sixty-four delegates comprising of CFC Area Heads and ANCOP Coordinators took part in the event. They came from Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray (Alberta), Vancouver and Victoria (British Columbia), Winnipeg (Manitoba), Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec), Regina and Saskatoon (Saskatchewan). Also present was Eric Villanueva, CFC National Director for the USA. ANCOP President, Ricky Cuenca, spearheaded the two-day Summit. Under the guidance of Cuenca and Bong Garrucho (Vancouver ANCOP Coordinator), Godofredo “Gods” Lanuza, (Victoria KFC Coordinator) designed the Summit and co-facilitated the two-day event with Garrucho and Gabby Consulta (ANCOP Marketing Director).

Program documentation and Workshop support were provided by Edna Garrucho and Mot Saliba the ANCOP Finance Officer.

Fresh from a successful staging of the 2014 CFC Conference, Edmonton CFC once again provided seamless administrative and logistical support.

Summit start-up: Setting the Tone Garrucho set the tone for Day 1 as he discussed with participants the following: Expectations – What do/can you expect to

achieve from the Summit?; Processes – How will these expectations be achieved?; Agenda – What concerns need to be addressed at the Summit?

Looking back, each area reported on its milestones and victories in implementing ANCOP in their locality. The sharing inspired and warmed up the delegates and opened them up to the vast potentials and opportunities that ANCOP can harness to advance its cause.

During the dialogue, there was the interview session with Cuenca. The participants were grouped randomly and given the chance to ask about the strategic directions of ANCOP, and express the concerns and challenges that they have in their respective areas.

In setting the context Cuenca started and ended the interview session with a sharing of his reflections/ insights on, observations of, and aspirations for ANCOP Canada. He also touched on the challenges that ANCOP is facing. This set the context for the next session on clarifying ANCOP’s foundations—its vision, mission and values.

Refining Ancop’s Vision, Mission And Values In a workshop, there was a focus on enhancing ANCOP’s vision, mission and values. Lanuza provided trigger questions to jumpstart discussions and encourage strategic faith-based thinking!

The workshop questions were as follows: ANCOP Vision • What is the best a beneficiary community served by CFC ANCOP could possibly be that is consistent with our CFC vision?

What will this community look like if we

were 200% successful in the work we do?

ANCOP Mission • What does our organization (ANCOP Canada) need to embrace and do for the ANCOP vision to be realized? Why do we exist as an organization and what are we entrusted to do?

ANCOP Values • What are the 3 to 4 values that ANCOP Canada needs to live by for the vision to be realized? What will guide our toughest decisions as an organization?

And how would we be seen as ‘walking the talk’?

Before the Summit, the Area Heads and ANCOP Coordinators engaged their members on various levels of discussion to draw out their thoughts, insights and recommendations on ANCOP’s vision, mission and values.

Results of these activities where brought to the Summit to serve as guide for ANCOPCFC elders and leaders to help them finalize the ANCOP strategic plan.

Analyzing Ancop’s Swot This part of the Summit was designed to look at ANCOP in terms of its organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). It generated a lot of discussion and drew out concerns and action points, major of which pertain to transparency, guidance for ANCOP Coordinators and future direction of ANCOP as an organization.

Defining ancop’s key result areas From the SWOT analysis, Consulta guided the participants onto the discussion of key result areas (KRA). KRAs are the major points ANCOP SUMMIT 2014/ C3

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USA, Canada stage ANCOP Global Walk 2014

CBCP Monitor Vol. 18 No. 19

September 15 - 28, 2014

CFC ANCOP SG, Caritas-Charis Singapore partner for Mission Friendship Build 2014

During the month of August in the US, and Canada, the ANCOP Global Walk had been staged annually to raise awareness and funds for ANCOP, the work with the poor program of Couples for Christ.

The 5-kilometer walk has helped, thru the kindness of donors and sponsors, 7,000 scholars in the elementary, high school and college levels all over the Philippines. (ANCOP USA Communications)

Cornerstone Medical Mission: Healthy mind and body for effective learning

One of the main visions of Cornerstone is to teach the slow reader elementary students of becoming an effective reader.

But what makes them a slow reader could be because of poor eyesight, hearing impairment, sickness or malnutrition.

Last August 30, 2014, West B Cornerstone conducted their Sector Wide Medical/Dental Checkup with Laboratory Diagnosis for their elementary students in Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School in Apo St. Q.C. The activity is part of their holistic approach to assist their Cornerstone kids with their struggles in reading, as well as helping those who have a health problem.

This Medical Mission is in partnership with FEU-NRMF College of Medicine (Section 2-D) who sponsored and performed fecalysis and urinalysis

on site for the children. They even have set-up a laboratory in RMES’ science room by bringing with them 10 electron microscope. Together with the entire class of 65 medical students, the event was also fully supported by the Dean of Institute of Medicine – FEU-NRMF Dr. Linda Tamesis who personally oversee the laboratory diagnosis along with four other fellows.

There were a total of 104 Cornerstone tutees coming from 5 elementary schools (Cubao Elementary School – 16, Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School – 15, San Francisco Elementary School – 29, E. Rodriguez Sr. Elementary School – 16 and RMES – 28) who completed the medical and dental check-up conducted by our volunteer medical practitioners that consist of four (4) doctors and 3 dentists from CFC West B

headed by Dr. Ding Regino and Dr. Ross Aquino, ten (10) doctors from UST - Titans and 1 doctor from DOH - Philippine Center for Specialized Health Care.

Prescribed medicines, vitamins, and some giveaways were also given to the Cornerstone students. The plenary session was also conducted with the kids that discussed about the importance of eating vegetables and its benefits to the body. A hearty serving of breakfast and lunch were also provided to all the participants and volunteers.

“This was such a great experience! Working with the kids and their families was very rewarding and reminded me why I entered medical school. I can’t believe we were able to help so many families in just one morning”, exclaimed by Christoper Tan, 2nd Year Medical Student.

CFC ANCOP Singapore partnered CaritasCharis Singapore for a mission build in Bogo City, Cebu wherein Charis has already committed to funding a total of 80 permanent & transitions houses for the families affected by the Haiyan typhoon last year. The team comprised of 36 mission volunteers from CFC and Charis. This article is a personal reflection by one mission volunteer, Michelle Timoteo of SFC Singapore.

6 years ago when I was still a student and my parents were already members of Couples for Christ in the Philippines, I witnessed their service in ANCOP. Seeing them serving the poor made me realize that they have their own definition of giving.

Once, my Mom said if I want to help, I should start with our extended family. I saw with my own eyes how she herself had helped her parents and siblings. On the other hand, my Dad’s definition of giving is not just the core of the family. He said it should also flow outward to anyone in need, with us giving everything that we can.

I remember one remarkable conversation with my Dad which started with this simple question: “Dad, What do you do in CFC?” His humble reply was, “We actually do praise and worship, but aside from that we serve in the ANCOP ministry which means Answering the Cry of the Poor.” He continued to tell me about building houses and feeding programs. He added, “Michelle, I hope someday, when you start earning your own money, you can save and sponsor a child to send to school.” That simple conversation created a huge impact on

my, prompting me to join the mission build in Bogo, Cebu.

Guided by our anchor verse from Hebrews 3:4, “For every house is built by someone but the builder of all things is God”, the Couples for Christ-Singapore, ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid Relief Initiative Singapore) and Red Pencil Singapore came together to do one of the most remarkable missions this year—the Mission Friendship Build, The build lasted for 5 days, from August 29-september 2, 2014.

Saying Yes to this calling was such a great experience for all of us. It was a mission guided by divine intervention. This was planned by the Almighty for us to work hand in hand with our mission-partner, Caritas-Charis, to build the homes of the poor and our less fortunate brethren affected by the super typhoon Haiyan last year.

With sustenance and provision coming from God, through faith, hope and charity, we not only tried to build the foundation of the new houses. I, together with my fellow missionaries and the home partners, laid the foundation for memories in this very unique experience. These memories will forever be etched in our lives.

Hopefully our visit and work touched the lives of the people, as we were equally touched by the stories and courage of the home partners.

We definitely felt their love and restored dignity through our humble interaction with them.

And as for me, I can say that now, I am beginning to understand my Dad’s words of wisdom about service and giving. I am also beginning to see our God’s mission for me.

Young Caglieros Build For Ancop

A bright new day to move in to a bright new home

By Romy M. Medina

By Romy M. Medina Starting early on a bright sunny morning of August 9, 2014, ANCOP volunteers and officers, Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO) representatives and residents/home partners gathered in the village of ANCOP Kapatid Community (AKC) to witness the blessing and turnover of six new houses. Claudio Merisio, CCO International Project Director, and Lot Ortiz, CCO Country Coordinator awarded the new homes to the six home partners Ver and Len Malasarte, Rey and Sis. Juliet dela Roco, Rex and Anne Ado, Marissa Narag, Joel and Fely Estrella, and Cesar and Beth Elumin.

This is just the first installment of the commitment of Cross Catholic to the residents of AKC, as ANCOP and CCO signed a Memorandum of Agreement last February to sponsor 30 new houses.

Fr. Melchor Balingao officiated the house blessing, and images of the Sacred Heart were enthroned in the six new houses. The images were given by each house donor of Cross Catholic to the home partners. Fr. Melchor exhorted the new

homeowners to love and take care of their new homes and to always be thankful for the people who made this dream of owning a home come true.

Residents of AKC were former workers of the Ambassador Knitting Corporation. However, with the closure of the company more than a decade ago, residents who used to be gainfully employed lost their jobs. The once peaceful community deteriorated into a place of poverty, crime and vices. In 2005, the arrival of Couples for Christ introduced ANCOP, and through the initiative of the residents, a partnership was formed. They underwent renewal programs that will uplift their values and put Christ in the center of their lives so that love and respect for one another become the foundation of building a new and transformed community. The group convinced the owner of Ambassador Knitting Corporation to sell the land to them through the government’s Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

Currently, ANCOP has been able to generate funding for 70 units out of the 139 houses to be built. Fifty-one houses are now constructed and 69 more houses remain are awaiting funding.

YCOM is back in the Philippines!

The Young Caglieros Outreach Movement, also known as YCOM, sent 13 missionaries to the Philippines in a mission trip called “YCOM Builds for ANCOP – Immersion 2014.” The missionaries arrived on August 11, 2014 and were immediately given orientation about ANCOP and its different work with the poor programs. They were then brought to the ANCOP Community in San Vicente, Tarlac where they spent 3 days building houses and interacting with the community. They were the first guest-volunteer builders in this particular ANCOP Community.

Other activities of the group included a visit to St. Martin de Porres Children’s Village, an orphanage located in Tondo, Manila; a television guesting in a morning show called “Good Morning, Boss” to promote YCOM’s advocacy; a tour in the eastern side of Manila to visit the Our Lady of Banneux ANCOP Community; and a short stop at the Philippine Center for Padre Pio of Pietrelcina in Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

YCOM is a dynamic youth movement spearheaded by the Salesian Cooperators and CFC Youth for Christ based in British Columbia, Canada. This Catholic Christian organization was established in early 2012, and supports outreach and immersion to the poor through annual mission trips for high school and university-aged youth. This

organization sent its first 10 missionaries from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish to the Philippines in July 2012 through the Great Adventure Tour, a CFC-Youth initiative, in collaboration with ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor).

YCOM missionaries are being sent to these mission trips for the sole purpose of loving God. They hope to be a source of Christ’s love by immersing with the poor even for a limited time, sharing their time and sweating it out in building houses, leaving behind toys for the children and gifts to the community. According to these young people, they never forget the experience and definitely bring home memories of love, laughter and hope.

Ugnayan

CBCP Monitor Vol. 18 No. 19

September 15 - 28, 2014

CFC GMC delegates experience ‘The Encounter’ at 3rd Catholic Social Media Summit

Bishop Garcera challenges CFC-Cam Norte: Move towards the real ‘Alter Christus’ way

By Teodoro Licarte CFC at CSMSv3, clockwise from bottom right: Michael Angelo Lobrin II brought the house down during the first talk; Archbishop Soc Villegas reminding delagates to ask the what, why and how to have true encounters; emcees Ilsa Reyes and Michael Ariola take a "selfie" with 1,200 OMGs; the Cross is venerated prior to the Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross.

Delegates from all over the Philippines, including representatives from the Couples for Christ Global Mission Center trooped to the Pangasinan Training and Development Center, LIngayen, for the Catholic Social Media Summit last September 13 and 14, 2014.

The conference, which is spearheaded by YouthPinoy, aims to encourage the participants to experience authentic encounters by 'looking up' from

their mobile devices and using social media as a tool in order to promote God's love and love of neighbor.

His Excellency Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese hosted the event, together with the local government of Pangasinan.

Plenary speakers Michael Angelo Lobrin II, Archbishop Villegas and Bernanrd Canaberral shook the worlds of the

delegates as they challenged each person to go back to basics in terms of having authentic relationships.

Skills workshops helped eqiup the OMGs or online missionaries of God thru social media tools.

Advocacy workshops, on the other hand, awakened the consciousness and passion of the participants on relevant social issues, pushing them to use social media for a higher purpose.

(A. Alvarez)

CFC Metro Manila East A Celebrates Silver Anniversary

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August 17, 2014 was a blessed and wonderful day for the members of Couples for Christ in Camarines Norte as they celebrated their 23rd Founding Anniversary, with no other than His Excellency, Most Reverend Gilbert A. Garcera, Bishop of the Diocese of Daet as the Mass presider. In his homily, Bishop Garcera explained the meaning of the Latin word alter Christus. He stressed that although the term Alter Christus means “another Christ”, CFC and all Catholics should focus on the real Christ, the Lord Jesus.

According to His Excellency, CFC is the most active religious organization not only in the province, but also in the entire Bicol Region. He commended Vic Alvarez, CFC Regional Head, along with the members of the Area Governance Team headed by Vic Corporal, Provincial Area Director, for nurturing all the CFC members in the province.

Alvarez immediately responded to the Bishop’s concern in his message right after the Mass. He assured the Bishop that the CFC ac-

tivities will be in accordance with the direction of all the Parishes in the entire Bicol Region. He also challenged all the CFC members to focus on the family and the youth, which according to the good Bishop, are the focus of the devil’s destruction nowadays.

This year’s anniversary celebration was different from the previous celebrations. Instead of the usual production numbers, CFC featured the various traditional games via Palaro ng Lahi, which CFC members from different chapters gamely participated in. Rudy Lubis, Livelihood Coordinator of CFC-ANCOP and Provincial Area Head of CFC Albay, together with Ben Bagui of CFC-Canada gave their inspiring messages and shared strategies on how to answer the cry of the poor. The messages couldn’t be more timely as the Church has declared 2015 as the Year of the Poor.

Being nurtured as disciples of Christ and devotees of Mama Mary, all leaders and members of CFC Camarines Norte are definitely ready to face the future challenges the future may bring.

CFC Seniors Program Coordinators Hold Initial Planning

Last August 31, 2014, the coordinators from Metro Manila gathered for its first planning session for the CFC Seniors Program. The Seniors Program is not a new ministry, but a special formation program for CFC, HOLD and SOLD members who are 60 years old and above.This program aims to promote the fullness of life and a life of purpose for the elderly members of community. It also aims to provide opportunities for sharing knowledge and competence, to find new leadership roles and create ‘new beginnings’ in the context of the community, to promote physical health, sustain hope and trust, share blessings and to build life-giving relationships. This is also an avenue to win back inactive members and former leaders and open a gateway for evangelization to the elderly.

By Aiza Garnica August is a special month for Couples for Christ East A Sector as it celebrates its 25th year as a ministry. Held last August 2 at Our Lady of Light Parish Formation Center, the Seniors Fair and Medical Mission kicked off the month-long commemoration.

The event was well-attended by seniors who had a great time at the sessions especially during the Laughter Yoga, and patients who availed laboratory tests at a low cost. Freebies were also given away to attendees. Both the Seniors Fair and the Medical Mission were made possible through the generosity of the CFC members and friends in the medical field and in partnership with Unilab.

The second major activity held in line with the anniversary was the Family Day which took place on the following Saturday, August 9, at Siena College, Taytay.

The whole-day event began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Rev. Fr. Leo Luanzon, whose parents are also members of CFC East A. In his homily, Fr. Leo shared two realities: that failure is part of our life, and that the challenge for

us is to deal with those failures by staying connected with God. He concluded by saying that nothing is impossible with love, for God is love, and nothing is impossible with God. Ending the month-long celebration was the Silver Anniversary Ball held on August 23 at Cainta Catholic College Auditorium. It was a night of remembering and honoring the pillars of CFC East A and rejoicing in God’s faithfulness for the past 25 years. Guests were entertained and led to a walk down memory lane with the presentations of the four clusters and the Family Ministries highlighting the milestones in the history of CFC. The event was graced by the presence of CFC Chairman Joe Tale and his wife Babylou, and Cynthia Campos, wife of CFC Executive Director George Campos who is currently on mission and who also once served as CFC East A Sector Head. In his inspirational speech, Joe Tale reminded the community that amidst the tremendous work that we need to do, amidst the changes that we constantly need to deal with, two things must remain: our love for God,

and our love for one another as brothers and sisters. He exhorted the members to continue to walk with faith as the Lord unfolds His great plan for the next 25 years. Chito Cubacub, CFC East A Sector Head also shared how symbolic it was to celebrate the silver anniversary at the very venue where East A had its humble beginnings. The first Christian Life Program that started it all for the sector was held in 1989 at Cainta Catholic College Auditorium which, at that time, was just a simple indoor gym. After the awarding, the presentations, and the speeches, the auditorium turned into one happy dance floor as everyone merrily danced the night away in full confidence, faith, and gratitude that the good Lord will continue to bless the work in East A just as He did in the past 25 years.

CFC East A is led by Sector Head Chito Cubacub and wife Peachy along with the members of the Sector Governance Team.

It covers some areas of Pasig (particularly Santolan and Manggahan), Cainta, and Taytay, Rizal with a total membership of not less than 3,000 including members of the Family Ministries.

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

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According to CFC Executive Director George Campos, who is also IC overseer of this program, the activities of the Seniors Program do not and should not affect the pastoral structure membership (households, units and chapters). Rather, the program development and implementation of activities is a joint responsibility of the Seniors Program Core Group, PFO, concerned ministries and the pastoral leaders at the level of the CFC areas (National and Local). (Jovy Amatorio) ANCOP SUMMIT 2014/ C1

that ANCOP should invest its energy and resources into and achieve results and impacts on. At the end of the day, the success of ANCOP shall be gauged in terms of how much of the KRAs it has achieved.

There are five KRAs for ANCOP: 1) Direction – This is the cornerstone of the entire ANCOP organization and defines ANCOP’s vision, mission and values. It answers the questions: What does ANCOP do? Why does ANCOP do what it does? How should ANCOP do it?

2) Effective Programs – This pertains to ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) and Community Development Program (CDP) and how effectively they may be implemented in terms of events to undertake and partnerships to pursue. Coming up with this KRA made ANCOP look beyond ANCOP as just the “ANCOP Walk.”

3) Integration of ANCOP with the Couples for Christ (CFC) Community – This KRA focuses on integrating CFC into the mainstream of ANCOP’s work so that they it can fully support and commit to ANCOP. It makes sure that CFC leaders and members: • are aware of, understand and internalize the work and drive of ANCOP and • share the same passion and commitment in promoting ANCOP and supporting all its initiatives.

4) Governance – This focuses on ANCOP’s organizational structure, systems and procedures and how effective it is in serving its intended beneficiaries; relating with people within and outside the structure; and promoting transparency and accountability. Specific concerns that emerged were on transparency and accountability, relationship between ANCOP Canada and ANCOP CFC-Tekton (Philippines), and need to update donors on a regular basis.

5) Capacity Building - This KRA touches on “developing the right materials and tools, drawing in a pool of volunteers, and running training programs to build people’s capability/skills.” It does many things: • Educate – It will build the right frame of mind among implementers to help them carry out their mission. It also helps CFC members through their Household Leaders gain a broader understanding of ANCOP. • Capacitate – It will ensure that all areas of ANCOP are equipped with what they

need to succeed; • Guide – It will guide field implementers in their actions. A concrete tool to do this is a manual that ANCOP Coordinators and Area Teams may refer to regularly for guidance; • Standardize – It will set standards to facilitate procedures and processes within ANCOP. Summit milestones and next steps for ANCOP The final day ended with presentations of each area’s organizational structure and ANCOP’s general work processes. It served as a venue for the participants to have a clear picture of: • The various areas’ diverse operational contexts, specific needs and unique processes; • How the ANCOP Head Office can best respond and provide effective support in terms of organizational structure and business process.

Overall, the Summit was a success especially as it paved the way towards achieving the following: • Fresh information and ideas for CFC and ANCOP to work on generated; • ANCOP directions beyond 2014 set; • New partnerships among the Area Heads and ANCOP Area Coordinators forged; and • Better coordination mechanisms for the entire organization defined.

The remaining question then was, what next?

Certainly, it meant laying down the concrete next steps after the Summit so that target outputs and results are achieved. Following are the major action points that emerged: • The ANCOP Leadership shall draft the Vision, Mission and Values using the recommendations from the Summit • The ANCOP Head Office in Toronto shall formulate the final ANCOP 2015-2017 Plan (inclusive of the rest of 2014); • Time-sensitive tasks shall be delegated to responsible persons; • The ANCOP Head Office shall take the lead in documenting Summit proceedings with the help of each one with their inputs.

The Summit was a significant first for Canada; but more so, the entire global ANCOP. It certainly won’t be the last. In his concluding remarks, Bro. Greg Parillas, CFC National Director for Canada, announced the next event to watch for: The 2015 ANCOP Canada National Summit on July 9-10, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

CBCP Monitor

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Vol. 18 No. 19

September 15 - 28, 2014

A Father’s Promise The CFC Catholic Men’s Conference

By Renee Ardiente Who would ever thought that men, rowdy as they are, can be gathered together to listen and participate in a seminar on “how to become good fathers and better husbands?” Unthinkable? Also, husbands have been constantly reminded by priests and nagged by wives, but still, some men just wouldn’t budge. This has been the mystery and success of the CFC Catholic Men’s Conference led by the CFC Servants of the Lord Ministry (SOLD) for the past 3 years, and it works! Priest often exclaimed, “Wow! I’ve never seen so many men gathered for a religious activity. Unbelievable!"

Recently, the CFC Catholic Men’s Conference titled “A Father’s Promise” was held last August 30 & 31, 2014 at Batis Aramin Resort, Lucban Quezon (right in front of the “Kamay ni Hesus Shrine”). It was attended mostly by men of CFC and SOLD leaders and members from Metro Manila and the Luzon provinces. Some even brought their wives, who likewise appreciated the talks and activities, for in the end it is the wife who will “benefit” from this program,

molding men into more responsible and loving husbands and fathers.

Inspired from last year men’s conference “24/15 Best Decision” which was taken from Joshua 24:15 and from the movie “Courageous”, the conference encouraged the CFC men not just to commit themselves, but rather have their whole family commit to and serve the Lord. The Men’s Conference also emphasized how men must take full responsibility for their actions and be the spiritual heads of their own households. To fulfill that commitment, men need to turn to God and relate to Him as their role model of a father on how to keep one’s promise. Thus, “A Father’s Promise” was born.

“A Father’s Promise” conference offered wonderful insight from the four sessions conducted, which were inspired by famous quotes.

The first session, “God the Father”, talks about our Loving God and all the promises He has made and kept. Truly He is a real Father.

The second session, “When a Man Loves a Woman” came from the quote: “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their

mother,” by Theodore M. Hesburgh.

This talked about loving and treating one’s wife as a gift and helpmate from God and not as a sex object.

The third session titled, “Father as the Alter Christus” was inspired by, “He didn’t tell me how to live, he lived and let me watch him do it.” by Clarence Budington Kelland. This session discussed that fathers must mirror God to their children, and need to be Christ to them by example.

The fourth session, “A Father’s Blessing”, was taken from this quote: “Being a great father is like shaving; no matter how good you shave today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” by Reed Markhalm. The talk pointed out that men cannot retire from their roles as a fathers, and must continue to bless their children every day. Why? Because men can never repay their own fathers; they can only pay it forward.

As the men have learned in SOLD and in all the other CFC Catholic Men’s Conferences, “if we heal the fathers, we heal the families. And healthy families make a healthy society; more healthier societies make a better world to live in.”

Kohima starts unit of Couples for Christ CFC shares lessons learned, best practices on global evangelization at The Harvest Conference

Reiterating the primacy of families in the Catholic Church, Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima has launched the Couples for Christ movement in his diocese.

A unit of the movement was inaugurated at the cathedral parish during the two weekends of July 26 and 27, and August 3 and 4.

Bishop Thoppil stressed the need to build up good Christian families and said marriage was

a permanent bond that God has established.

He expressed hope that the movement will help broken families to untie, marriage bonds strengthen and bring exemplary Christian life in the diocese.

The CFC movement that began in the Philippines in 1981 has now units in 106 countries, including India.

The movement is a private lay association approved by

the Church and it has branches to include every member of the family such as Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ, Servants of the Lord and Handmaids of the Lord.

The CFC country head, Hector and Garnet Poppen,based in Bangalore organized the program, which was attended by 41 members from the different parishes of Kohima. (Reposted from the Nagaland Post http:// www.nagalandpost.com/)

First CLP conducted at Sacred Heart Parish, Jatni

Couples for Christ was given the opportunity and grace to conduct its first Christian Life Program (CLP) from August 29th to August 31st, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Church in Khurda District, Odhisa, India.

The mission team comprised of three couples and

one brother―Elias and Apollonia Tirkey, Basil and Suchita Toppo, Luis and Rajeshwari Ekka and Bijaya Pradhan―all from our original CLP graduates of November 2012, from St. Vincent’s parish in Bhubaneswar.

A total of 42 participants finished the CLP. Through the support of the parish priest, Fr. Premananda Nayak; Fr. Ashok Singh, assistant parish priest; and the nuns from the Missionaries of Charity, the mission team was able to accomplish the weekend Christian Life Program with great success. Overwhelmed by the movement of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Singh even offered to host the monthly assembly. Truly, “all is possible in the strength of the grace of the Holy Spirit”. (Francis Almeida)

Couples for Christ was invited by the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (ALNP) Community to share experiences, lessons learned and best practices at The Harvest Conference last September 6, 2014.

The sharing was conducted via a workshop track titled Global Expansion in Your Ministry: To the Ends of the Earth. Rouquel Ponte, head of the Church Integration Office (CIO) and Deputy Director for Pastoral Formation, and Michael Ariola, CIO Coordinator and head of the Evangelization and Missions Planning Office (EMPO) gave the sessions for the half-day module.

In the first session, Ponte encouraged the participants to have the desire to respond to God's call to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

(Mark 16:15). He shared about the experiences of CFC for the past in the context of its vision of being families

in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth.

In the second session, Ariola shared pratical information on how CFC is responding to the call of global evangelization, including the setbacks and lessons learned.

At the end of the day, everything should boil down to transformation―for brethren to experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.

"More than adding to your ministry's numbers, we must all desire for our families, our friends, our coworkers, and all humanity to share in the fullness of life that Jesus has in store for everyone," Ariola concluded.

As a final word, Spanky Meer, head servant of ALNP, expressed that the occasion has opened doors for communities to network with each other and learn from one another's strengths and gifts.

(A. Alvarez)

Parejas Para Cristo graduates 32 in Ecuador Thirty-two individuals were dedicated to the Lord following the conduct of a Christian Life Program in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The CLP was held in Iglesia San Juan Bautista De Guayaquil. The mission team headed by Glen Santayana, a member of the CFC USA National Council, left the United States on September 12, in time for the CLP Orientation on September 13th.

CFC Nepal Holds Men’s And Women’s Conference

By Mon Santiago CFC Nepal successfully conducted a back-to-back Men’s and Women’s last August 9-10 at the Godavari Pastoral Center, about 30 minutes outside of Kathmandu City, the capital of Nepal.

These conferences were the first ever conducted by CFC Nepal with the support of CFC Bahrain and the CFC Global Mission Center.

The Men’s Conference theme was the Abba Father Weekend Retreat while the Women’s Conference Theme was Blossoms in God’s Garden. There were 55 participants in the Women’s Conference coming from the parishes of Dhobighat and Godavari in Lalitput district, Baniyatar in Kathmandu, and Pokhara in Western Nepal, 7 hours away from Kathmandu.

The conferences began with a Holy Mass on August 8th, officiated by Fr. Pius Perumana SJ, the parish priest of Godavari and also the Chancellor of the Nepal Vicariate. The conferences closed with adoration and benediction led by Fr. Pius.

The speakers for the Men’s conference were Mon F. Santiago, CFC South Asia Regional Coordinator for session 1 – God’s Plan for Fathers;

Chiren Satyal, CFC Nepal Financial Servant for session 2 – A Father’s Response to a Fast and Changing World; Gyan Rai, CFC Nepal Country Head for session 3 – Redeeming Love, and George Campos, CFC Executive Director for session 4 – How Do I Love Thee 4. Mar Japitana, CFC Nepal Country Coordinator was the facilitator together Vinod Gurung, SOLD leaders, of the four activities during the conference, namely Hand Drawing, 11 Most Important Things, Letter Writing and Five Key Habits of Smart Fathers, which the participants actively participated and thoroughly enjoyed.

The worship leaders for the Men’s conference were Augustine Bomzom Lama and Vinod Gurung on the first day and Simon Lama of CFC Pokhara on the second day.

The conference translator was Surbir Rai while the conference emcee was Bro. Reginald.

The Blossoms in God’s Garden Women Conference was also a big hit to the CFC wives and HOLD members. The speakers of the conference were Cynthia Campos who gave session 1 – And God Saw It Was Good, followed by Tita Santiago for session 2 – Uprooted from the Garden. Ses-

sion 3 “Regaining Paradise” was given Sujata Rai, wife of Gyan while session 4 – Tending the Garden was delivered by Jyoti Khanal, a HOLD Nepal household head. The last session, In Full Bloom, was given by Au Japitana, who also gave a very powerful sharing on the Eucharist. The other sharers were Celestina Subba, CFC Nepal HOLD Coordinator for Session 2; Bimala Lama of CFC Pokhara for session 3; Yamuna of CFC Baniyatar for session 4; and Bibiyana Dhungana and Geeta Lepcha for session 5.

The sisters from CFC Baniyatar performed the skit in session 2 while Agnes Dewan and Celestina Subba led the healing session in session 3.

The worship leaders for the Women’s conference were Celestina Subba, Agnes Dewan, Aruna Rai while the emcees were Jyoti on the first day and Sujata on the second day.

A fellowship night was also held for the conference participants on August 9th where many of the participants showed their talents in singing, dancing, playing musical instruments.