Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 22 No. 01
January 8 - 21, 2018 C1
CFC Begins the Year with the First Fruits Offering By Andrelene Veloso
The Couples for Christ Mission Core of Metro Manila began 2018 with the First Fruits Offering at St. Paul's College Gym, Pasig City on January 7, 2018. First Fruits ceremonies also took place in Mission Core assemblies held in the provinces and the international missions.
The First Fruits offering is traditionally the highlight of the first Mission Core gathering of every year. This year’s MM First Fruits Offering started with the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by the Most Reverend Arturo Bastes, SVD, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon. In his homily, Bishop Bastes emphasized that the Epiphany is a special feast of the whole Church. Epiphany is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. In the second reading, St. Paul proclaimed to the Ephesians that not only the Jews, but peoples of all the nations will be called children of God. Reflecting on the gospel, which was about the three Magi who came to worship the child King, and their taking a different route to prevent Herod from finding Jesus, Bishop Bastes asked: “How did Herod react to the coming of Jesus at that time?” “First reaction was of hostility and hatred. Herod wanted to destroy the Christ Child because he did not want to compete with anybody for his title or interfere with his plans and the power and glory he was accustomed to,” the prelate explained. According to the bishop, unfortunately, there are people today who, like Herod, wish to destroy Christ because if Christ is present in their lives, they cannot continue living a life
The offering of first fruits is a symbolic act for CFC - individually, and as a community. This is a symbolic act of bringing back to God – and thanking God – for the many blessings He has given each one.
contrary to His teachings. The second reaction, according to Bishop Bastes, came from the scribes and Pharisees, and it was that of indifference. They knew that Christ was born in Bethlehem, but they did not care about Him. The third reaction, that of the three magi, was the desire to adore, worship and offer gifts to the new-born King. The bishop exhorted, “Today, you
have come to give your first fruit offerings, to offer what you have, to offer yourselves. The meaning of this sacrifice is to do the will of God.” He added, “The will of God simply means fidelity, obedience to the commandments. This is a good day to renew your fidelity to Jesus. Like the three magi who offered their gifts, so offer your gifts heartily.” After the Mass, Rouquel
OSM Closes 2017 with a PMA Service
The CFC Order of St. Michael regularly visits the Philippine Military Academy to conduct Character Enhancement Programs for the cadets in the institution. Before the end of the year, another batch composed of 175 cadets was able to hear and experience the “Only for the Brave” module. Roland J. Ong team leader and moderator, together with the service team, went to the Academy in Baguio City on December 29, 2017, eager and excited to serve PMA Batch 2021. The first Session titled “Heroes for God and Country”, delivered by CFC President Michael Ariola, led the participants to dream for themselves, for their families and for their country. His session was followed by a talk on the core values of honor, patriotism and
duty, shared by Emy Pineda from CFC Bataan, with Cav. BGen. Restituto Aguilar, PVAO, PMA CL ’78 as sharer. Talk 3 focused on the family (Defending Our Families, Building Our Homes), with George Campos, CFC Church Relations Office head, helping the participants realize the threats that might come to their family and how to overcome these. Cav VAdm. Jesus C. Millan, Former FOIC, PN, also shared his experiences with regards to the topic. The fourth talk, “Forgiveness—A Key to Success” was given by Garie Pimentel, with Roland Ong as his sharer. The final session titled “All Out Victory” by OSM Head Art Alabanza, was a call to action for the cadet to apply what they have learned. During the plenary, several cadets shared their insights
from the sessions: Sa tingin ko ang natutunan ko sa ating pinag aralan is character is not important if wala si God. “Do not worry" sabi ni God. Si God ang nagdidisiplina sa atin and as a father, He disciplines us. I learned today that I should follow God and be God-centered. ~CDT PVT Lan Toman V More Thank you, OSM, for giving us the opportunity to learn about God. Often, we have no time to talk about God, we forget to pray. Thank you for reminding us. Everything is possible with God. I will survive all challenges, no matter how hard, knowing God is with me. You helped us reconnect again to God. ~Cdt Pvt Christine Joyce C Andog Masyado pa ako bata , marami pa ako bagay na hindi pa pinagdaanan, PMA, C3
Ponte, member of the International Council and Pastoral Formation Office Director, gave an exhortation on the first fruits offering, a community tradition started in 2003. The biblical basis for this tradition is from Deuteronomy 26: 2-11 and Leviticus 2:12-16. The prophetic basis, however, came through a prophecy in 2003 given during the annual International Council planning
and discernment for the next year’s theme— “I want to start a TRADITION . . . a TRADITION of ‘FIRST FRUITS’. At the start of each year, the very first ECG gathering, and the subsequent first gatherings of every group down the line to every member . . . should be consecrated to Me. It must be a most solemn and sacred occasion . . . worthy of my Holiness. This is how the consecration must be done: You
are to prepare an altar. On the altar you are to put an appropriate vessel or container to hold the offerings. Place a crucifix in front of the vessel. Light candles. Adorn with flowers. I WILL BE PRESENT ON THAT SPECIAL OCCASION. MAKE THE SETTING WORTHY OF MY MAJESTY. Worship Me. Sing solemn songs. Then one by one, everyone present including FIRST FRUITS, C3
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January 8 - 21, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 01
CBCP Monitor
SFC WEST B 1B GOES TO MATNOG
The President's New Year Message Michael “Shok” Ariola
Here’s to a ‘New You’… a Holier You, this New Year! Growing up, I remember hearing this tagline from a TV commercial: “Here’s to a new you!” I don’t remember exactly for what brand it was—was it for a bath soap, or perhaps a beverage? Everybody desires, especially in the New Year, to become a better version of themselves. This is why people write resolutions in their goal to essentially become better persons. I believe that for us in Couples for Christ, the challenge doesn’t stop with becoming a ‘new you’. Being a better person should translate into becoming someone else - in the person of Jesus Christ. During our first fraternal household for the year, the International Council was once again reminded of the words of Fr. Raniero Cantalamesa when Tita Nina (Ponte), in her prayers, challenged us: “The Lord seeks not only transformation but sanctification.” I was prompted to ask myself, “What does this mean?” Essentially, transformation is to become a ‘new you’. Sanctification, on the other hand, carries a much deeper meaning. Sanctification is not just physical—changing how you speak, or how you shed off the ‘old you’. Sanctification is a call to be set apart, to be holy. In Fr. Cantalamesa’s homily during the Mass he celebrated for the Papal household, he emphasized that everyone is called to holiness, because it is within everyone’s reach. God’s holiness, as the Old Testament suggests, possesses a ritualistic edge. The Old Testament prescribes that in order for one to be holy, one needs to follow a code of laws. In the New Testament, however, the mediator of holiness is Jesus Christ Himself, no longer the rituals. Fr. Cantalamesa further stated that “In this vein, being holy does not mean being separated from God but in being united with Jesus.” He likewise professed that holiness is “not an imposition… but a privilege, a supreme honour”. And so my dear brethren, what path must we take in order to attain holiness or sanctification in this New Year, and in the years to come? Fr. Cantalamesa puts it in clear terms: “The pursuit of holiness is a journey consisting of continuous stops and fresh starts.” This New Year definitely presents a fresh start for all of us. As we click the reset button to reboot our lives, let us shed off the unwanted fragments, place every part and piece in the proper sectors and make room for new experiences and encounters with the Lord. On behalf of the International Council, I sincerely wish you a Happy New Year! More than hoping for a happy ‘new you’, however, our desire is for a ‘more sanctified you’.
The SFC formed what they called the Matnog Mission Team and, together with Ferdie Garcia, went to Bagong Banuan Elementary School in Brgy. Bagong Banuan Matnog Sorsogon to share their blessings with the kids in the school. The mission team had a full program of activities, including conducting the Senior KFC Kids Camp, giving a session on hygiene and surprising the kids with an early Christmas Party. In addition, Ferdie also gathered the parents and gave a talk on Christian parenting. It was heartwarming for the mission team to see the happi-
CFC-New Jersey Kids Sing to Send Other Kids to School A total of 53 kids from the North, Central, and South chapter in New Jersey, USA, participated in the annual caroling activities of the chapter last December. The carolers went from house to house and sang Christmas carols to spread the holiday spirit. The caroling aimed to raise funds to sponsor the education of less privileged kids in the Philippines through ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship
ness in the kids’ faces, although they considered their service such a small gift. But the journey to get to Matnog was not easy. The journey took almost four years. For the SFC mission team, this was an awakening. Why did it take so long? Missions are the lifeblood of SFC and each member of the team had actually gone on so many missions in the past. Whatever obstacles there were, all of these were, however, surmounted and the mission team finally got to fulfill their dream of travelling to this area. What fueled their dream was
the sincere desire to give their best for the children, and their willingness to share their 3 Ts —time, talent and treasure. What made everything possible was the help extended by so many people – the children of CFC who shared their toys, the cash donations that poured in that were used to buy the children school supplies, hygiene items, new clothes and the food that was shared during the party. The CFC Migrants Program team, friends from CFC West and SFC members who couldn’t join the team but contributed whatever they could, all pitched in and for
them the SFC Matnog Mission team is eternally grateful. Getting to Matnog was not easy either—travel time took almost 15 hours and the activities began right after arrival, leaving the team hardly enough time, to eat, change clothes, and see to the logistics in the school. Allan Durana, formerly from SFC and now a member of CFC Matnog involved in SFC in the area, and Teacher Portia of the elementary also provided much needed help. Despite all the obstacles and the difficulties the team faced, they are all eager to go on another mission. (Gracelyn Romero)
YFC Philippine Missions Island Coordination Meeting
Program (CSP). The carolers were able to raise a total of $5,458.65, with potential for company matching. CFC Kids for Christ Coordinators Joven and Ivy Mariano, Francis and Joan Magallon, and Dino and Gladys del Rosario, organized the activity to encourage kids who have more in life to help other kids get a chance for education. (from www.cfcusa.org)
The Youth for Christ- Philippine Missions held its Island Coordination Meetings recently. The meetings were held in Banaue, Ifugao from December 4-6, 2017 for Luzon, in Siquijor from December 12-14, for Visayas and in Davao City from November 28-30 for Mindanao. The coordination meeting is an annual gathering of missionaries per island that focuses on year-end evaluation, presenta-
tion of 2018 specific goals and thrusts and plans for the continued growth of missionaries in the respective areas. YFC International Coordinator, Jeremy Quimpang and Philippine Missions Coordinators, Chucky Bernard Garcia and Sharmaine May Inosanto conducted all the coordination meetings. Jeremy enthused, “It was immensely a refreshing experience to have
journeyed with the Lord this year through our brothers and sisters in Christ”. The coordination meetings, aside from looking back at 2016, a year of standing firm in the faith, were also perfect opportunities for YFC to look forward to what God has in store for the ministry in 2017, when it will celebrate its 25th years as a ministry. (Sharmaine May Itulid-Inosanto)
TORONTO CATHOLIC, C4
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
of Filipinos—basketball. In their official blog, Consul recounted, “After playing basketball, we got to know the younger kids, showed them our dance, played some games, and gave them all gifts that we brought from Toronto. It was definitely a memorable first day in the Philippines!” It was not all-work-and-no-fun for the young students though. On New Year’s Eve, the delegation took a much needed rest to learn about the history of the Philippines, visiting Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral, both in Intramuros, and ending up welcoming the New Year with some fireworks display. The students visited an orphanage in Tondo, one of the poorest areas in Manila, to bring glad tidings to the children there. The group also visited the ANCOP Canada Village called AKC or ANCOP Kapatid Community in Kalookan. This community was the build
site for the 2013-2014 delegates and has grown tremendously in the last four years. Having been part of the annual immersion, Consul shared, “It’s so amazing being able to see the growth of these kids year after year. I always feel extremely loved and welcomed everytime I go back to AKC.” The group also went to Tarlac and StarvilleAncop in Bulacan, where ANCOP Canada President and CFC IC member Ricardo Cuenca and his wife Irma, met with them. The party left for Toronto on January 10, 2018, bringing with them not only memories, but priceless experiences and realizations. All photos are owned by TCDSB and their program head, Michael Consul. Visit www.catholicstudentleadership.com for more pictures and videos about TCDSB’s service leadership program in the Philippines. (Photo Credit: Michael Consul / TCDSB Social Media Posts)
CBCP Monitor
C3
January 8 - 21, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 01
Fullness of time Galatians 4:4 On 9-10 December 2017, the CFC Board of Elders held its weekend retreat at St. Joseph’s Sanctuary in Silang, Cavite with Msgr. Sabino Vengco as the retreat master. Being in the season of Advent, Msgr. Vengco chose a passage from Paul’s letter to the Galatians as the Scriptural foundation of the first session: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption (Galatians 4:4-5). During this session, Msgr. Vengco introduced two concepts: space and time. In the beginning, God created space and time. The two are inextricably linked together. Before creation there was no such thing as time. But time will end, and the end of time is the beginning of eternity (theologically and spelling-wise). Eternal life is thus an everlasting present. There is no before or after. Eternity is not a long time—because time no longer exists. In the Greek language, there are two words that both mean “time” —chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to years, months, days, hours, minutes, seconds. It is determined by the earth’s rotation and movement around the sun. On the other hand, kairos refers to time as a moment, time as occasion, time as qualitative rather than quantitative, time as significant rather than dimensional. It is an icon of eternal life. And eternal life is an everlasting
now, in which there is no sequence, no before and no after. When Paul referred to “fullness of time” in his letter to the Galatians, he used the word kairos. Here kairos is time as significant and decisive. Kairos is God’s dimension, one not marked by the past, the present, or the future. At Jesus’ birth, the fullness of time had come. He is already Savior. In his book titled Space, Time and Incarnation, the renowned theologian Thomas F. Torrance observes that “when the Nicene Creed affirms that the eternal Son of God ‘for us and for our salvation came down from heaven’, it asserts that God Himself is actively present within the space and time of our world”. Christ is the incarnate presence of the living God in time and space. Torrance continues: “While the Incarnation does not mean that God is limited by space and time, it asserts the reality of space and time for God in the actuality of his relations with us, and at the same time binds us to space and time in all our relations with him.” He affirms that: “God is not love insofar as God loves us; God is love in the fullness and perfection of his being, out of which plenitude God reaches out to us in love.” During the second session, Msgr. Vengco continued the theological development of time and space. He recalled the scene of the young Jesus
at the temple asking his parents, “Why are you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Within the space of the temple, at the time (chronos) when Jesus was 12, the time (kairos) came for Jesus to declare that the Father’s house is where the love of the Father is supreme, where the Father is loved according to the original plan of God for humanity. Joseph and Mary taught Jesus during the entire time (chronos) he was growing up. But at the temple, the time (kairos) had come for Jesus to teach them (and us) that he (and all of us) must be in the Father’s house. At 12, in the temple, Jesus is also Savior. Thus we can be in the Father’s house because we have been “ransomed” and we have received “adoption.” The third session was about “born of a woman.” Msgr. Vengo gave us a glimpse of Mariology through a discourse on the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat. Here is a young woman, Mary, visiting a much older woman, Elizabeth. A woman from a working class (Joseph was a carpenter) is visiting a woman belonging to the upper class of the Jewish society (Zechariah was of the priestly class). The fact that Ain Karem, where Elizabeth resides, is at a higher elevation than Nazareth is also symbolic. Mary travels up the distance of about 120 kilometers from Nazareth to Ain
26 Out-of-School Youth Finish ANCOP One-Year Vocational Course in Kenya
November 22, 2017 was a momentous day for 26 out-of-school youth in Nairobi, Kenya who graduated from a one-year vocational course in Food and Nutrition (Hotel, Restaurant and Entrepreneurship) offered by the Franciscan sisters in collaboration with ANCOP CANADA. The theme during the commencement exercises was “Perseverance in Pursuing our Dreams.” Sr. Esperanza Paraggua, Principal of SFIC, rallied the graduates to continue reaching for their dreams, to be the best in everything that they do and to continuously improve their craft. Malou Clarito, CFC fulltime pastoral worker and currently in charge of the Child Sponsorship Program in Africa, who was present during the event, recalled the providential event that led to the graduation. When CFC Kenya was having their 2016 planning at the hall of the Franciscan
Sisters, she noted the activity of the Teresia Van Miert Development Center in the adjoining and became curious about what the program offers. Several discussions later, ANCOP CANADA signed an Agency Agreement with the Franciscan Sisters to help young people reach for their dreams. For many, the course is indeed the pathway to their dreams. In fact, two of the graduates were employed long before graduation day. The event ended with dancing to the African beat and a sumptuous lunch. Another batch of students will be sponsored this year. Through the generous help of the individual and corporate donors of ANCOP Canada, more and more children will be able to make their dreams a reality. (Malou Clarito – CFC Canada; excerpted from www.ancopcanada.org)
FIRST FRUITS, C1
children, without exception, should stand in line. And one by one, each should approach the altar with great reverence. Then offer your FIRST FRUITS, a symbolic amount of money, equivalent to how much of your heart you offer to Me. Your money is of no consequence to Me. But I delight in the amount of love that you will offer to me through that money. “My arms are raised to bless. My hands are poised to give. Honor Me with your FIRST FRUITS solemnly, joyfully, and willingly. Dedicate yourselves to Me through your FIRST FRUITS OFFERING—not because you are just interested in the good results you expect Me to give you – but because you really love me and you delight in honoring Me. Then you will see . . . if I don’t open the windows of heaven and pour down upon you in abundance all kinds of good things.” Ponte also shared that the offering of first fruits is a symbolic act for CFC - individually, and as a community. This is a
symbolic act of bringing back to God—and thanking God— for the many blessings He has given each one. The money that CFC offers the Lord likewise stands for the following blessings received: 1. Good h ea l t h. “You would not have earned any amount of money had I not made you healthy and well.” 2. Talents, skills, and capabilities. “With the abilities and gifts I bestowed on you, you are able to provide for your needs and for the needs of your family.” 3. Work, career, profession, and livelihood. “Your job is the vehicle I use so that finances would come to you.” 4. Community. “It is here in CFC that I ask you to perform this act, because it is in this community where I have brought you so that you may come nearer to Me.” 5. Protection. “I guard
your children. I care for you. I watch over your home so that no harm would come to you.” 6. Mastery of heart. “This would reveal the victory of your heart over greed and selfishness.” Ponte added, “However, the first fruits offering is not about money. It is not a fund-raising activity. It is not buying God’s favor so He may bless us. After all, He owns the whole earth and its fullness thereof.” He emphasized that the first fruits offering is an indicator of the community’s faithfulness to the Lord in all areas, as the Lord looks at the condition of the Giver’s heart. “We cannot buy God’s favor by giving Him money. But what thrills the heart of the Father is that we hear His voice, we listen, and we do what He says,” Ponte concludes. He ended his talk with this challenge: “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” (Andrelene D. Veloso)
PMA, C1
mostly our parents encountered all of the challenges and difficulties I heard today. But what I learned is that kahit puro pagsubok, tuloy pa rin tayo. Focus on God. ~Cdt Pvt Stevenson T Gallangi Being from a Catholic school, prayer is not new to me. I learned how to pray from my mother and I know that I need prayers. Prayers help me to succeed here in PMA. I realize that even a simple prayer brings me closer to God and makes my faith stronger. ~Kenneth Jones E Lorenton (Alpha Coy) Everything's possible with God if you pray. The
sharings were very touching, and we learned that it is possible to avoid temptations in this career. Before I came here, I did not pray , but now I'm prayerful. My faith is stronger. I am committed to follow God to have a better life. ~Cdt Pvt Jamaica Z Laguintao (Bravo Coy) The talks on forgiveness and family whom touched me most. I learned that we need to forgive. I learned that the family is a basic unit in society and that we should know how to improve our family, especially the family I will have someday. ~Cdt Pvt Jan Hernan Perez ( Charlie Coy) (Anna Navarro)
Karem: Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:39,46-47). Mary’s Magnificat is a joyful proclamation of the good news of salvation. In response to the wonders that are being accomplished, Mary “proclaims the greatness of the Lord”. Mary experiences this and she exclaims, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Mary stayed three months until John was born. And John was to become the precursor of Christ, the one who will prepare the way, the one who will say, “There is the Lamb of God.” Christ occupies space among us, thus truly human, of flesh and blood, and at the time chosen by the Father (kairos) will offer his life that we may have eternity, where chronos is no more. From Mary’s womb made of flesh, Jesus was born, truly human. Fr. Raymond Brown in An Introduction to New Testament Christology puts it eloquently: “Unless we understand that Jesus was (also) truly human with no exception but sin, we cannot comprehend the depth of God’s love. If Jesus’ knowledge is limited, as indicated prima facie in the biblical evidence, then one understands that God loved us to the point of self-subjection to our most agoniz-
ing infirmities. A Jesus who walked through the world with unlimited knowledge, knowing exactly what the morrow would bring, knowing with certainty that three days after his death his Father would raise him up, would be a Jesus who could arouse our admiration, but a Jesus still far from us. He would be a Jesus far from a humankind that can only hope in the future and believe in God’s goodness, far from a humankind that must face the supreme uncertainty of death with faith but without knowledge of what is beyond. On the other hand, a Jesus for whom the detailed future had elements of mystery, dread, and hope as it has for us and yet, at the same time, a Jesus who would say, ‘Not my will but yours’—this would be a Jesus who could effectively teach us how to live, for this Jesus would have gone through life’s trials. Then his saying, ‘No one can have greater love than this: to lay down his life for those he loves’ (John 15:13), would be truly persuasive, for we would know that he laid down his life with all the agony with which we lay ours down. We would know that for him the loss of life was, as it is for us, the loss of a great possession, a possession that is outranked only by love.” The retreat was a Kairos Weekend, an encounter with Jesus and Mary, in space and time, a foretaste of eternal life, the fullness of time.
Starting the Year with two ANCOP Canada Scholars The current Service Program of Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) included a visit to the ANCOP Canada Village in Our Lady of Banneux site in San Mateo, Rizal. This was a great opportunity for Bernie Consul, ANCOP Greater Toronto Area East Sector Head, to have a reunion with their scholars, who reside near the village. Spending time with the scholars was quite an experience, according to Bernie, who lamented that his wife Belen was not there to share it with him. “It was a touching and memorable bonding experience not only for the scholars but most especially for me”. During his visit, he was able to meet Donald, who dreams to be in the hotel and restaurant industry, and Angelica, who wants to take up Architecture after high school. Both scholars are being sponsored by the Consul family. The two young students likewise expressed their gratitude to Bernie and Belen for their trust in them. Consul encouraged all education sponsors to get in touch with their scholars. “If you have a scholar and happen to be in the Philippines, do arrange to meet
your scholar. It will be a life-changing experience not only for your scholar, but for you too. Getting to know your scholars will make you feel good about making ANCOP your charity of choice.” The ANCOP Canada office can arrange meet-ups through the CFC ANCOP office in Manila. Consul advised, “I always say to people I meet: “If you
save one poor child from poverty and if you are able to give hope to that one poor child, our Lord Jesus Christ will reward you with a passport to His heavenly Kingdom where we will all end up one day.” [Bernie and Belen Consul currently hold the position of ANCOP Canada GTA East Coordinators. Their son, Michael, leads the Service Program of TCDSB.] (www.ancopcanada,org)
CFC Canada Announces ANCOP Walk 2018 Gala Night
ANCOP Canada recently announced plans to celebrate 15 years of walking for the poor, including activities leading to the ANCOP Walk in August 2018. The first of these celebrations will be a Gala Ball on April 7, 2018 at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall at 930 Progress Ave. in Scarborough. The night will raise awareness of the work of ANCOP Canada to prospective partner organizations, and at the same time launch the start of the 15th ANCOP Walk. Organized by a team of ANCOP Canada advocates from the Greater Toronto Area led by ANCOP President Ricky Cuenca, Edna Cuvin and co-Chair Rosemer Enverga, the activities will
also celebrate the achievements of the many volunteers from community organizations and partners who have supported ANCOP Walk in Canada over the last 15 years. Tickets to the event will be released through committee members. The annual fun walk-cum-fundraiser was started by ANCOP Canada in 2003 with the aim of promoting the Child Sponsorship Program of ANCOP and encouraging partner individuals and corporations to take on the challenge of giving children from poor families an equal opportunity for quality education. (from www. ancopcanada.org)
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January 8 - 21, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 01
CBCP Monitor
A Look Into The CFC GMC's Solemn Charge for 2018 Our respective Department Heads, including the leaders of Family Ministries, ANCOP and CFC Cooperatives, reflect on what they are looking forward to in 2018, particularly on how they will pursue CFC's vision and mission and improve the service the Global Mission Center now provides. JEREMY QUIMPANG Youth for Christ For 2018, we will continue to move our goals of the 3H’s: Happiness in serving God; Health in order to do the things God asks us to do; and most importantly, Holiness, because this is what we all should strive for. ROY VERDOLAGA Servants of the Lord In order for me to contribute to achieving CFC’s goals, first I need to improve myself. I have to exercise more patience and maximize the use of technology and social media so I can promote our ministry better. MERVIN ARELLANO Management Information Systems and Technology First, I want to make sure that the systems that we have here would be able to support the evangelization efforts of the different ministries and help the members and leaders do whatever they need to do. That would mean maybe revising, removing or adding new applications. In a specific way, I want to make sure that our One Global Data, CFC Home Office and Infosystem would be able to deliver the needed information. RUEL AGUIRRE CFC Institute First, being the community’s learning institute, CFC-I can help people deepen their faith, not only through the pastoral formation that CFC is offering, but how the institute can support that pastoral formation. Second, it is about skills building. Because CFC is a missionary community, the institute can support that charism by teaching people how to accumulate and develop skills that will enable them to proclaim the Good News in a relevant way. Third, the institute can teach people how to accompany others. It’s not just about teaching catechesis; it’s not just about teaching who Jesus is. It’s not just about acquiring skills; it’s also about teaching people how to put all of these ideas, theories, terms, in such a way that they can apply it in their own life as pastoral workers, as people who live out their faith everyday. ROMMEL ANCHETA Global Communications Office Knowing that our evangelization growth is a mere 2% for the past years, one of the intentions of the Global Communications Office is to increase evangelization through communication, by first, communicating the culture of CFC to a wider reach, particularly to non-CFCs. We would like to be able to help bring them to that moment of truth that will help them decide whether they want to be in CFC or not; whether they would want to actually experience the culture that we want to teach them. Second, we can achieve this goal by professionalizing our work as pastoral workers. Third, we need to establish a bigger network for Ablaze communications so that we can be more global in what we do. RICKY RICO General Administration Office We want to be more reliable, resourceful, honest. Each member of the staff will be service-oriented, meaning that we do not question every service we are tasked to do, and that in everything that we do, we give our all to the community and to the employees of GMC. In 2018, we intend to become more productive. We commit to work for the betterment of the CFC Office. We are now also looking at improving our Mission House. LETTY JAIME CFC Co-ops for Christ Our members need to be members of Couples for Christ first before they can be a member of the cooperative. But the thing is, as of now, only 10% of the total membership of CFC are members of the cooperative. We would like to increase this percentage. We would also like to be able to pinpoint those members of the cooperative who are in need of financial help to expand their businesses or, for those who have no livelihood yet, to help them fulfill their dream of putting up a livelihood for their sector. Coops for Christ would also like to disseminate actively the existence of the Coops for Christ in our community because sadly, it seems that not everybody knows that we have a cooperative and that we are always ready to help CFC members address their financial needs.
RAUL BALAQUIAO Finance Department There are a number of objectives the Finance Department has set for 2018. First, better monitoring of the monthly tithes of Metro Manila sectors and better dissemination of the usage of the tithes fund so that members may be more faithful not only in giving their monthly tithes but also in promptly remitting it. We would like to see the provinces properly and promptly remitting for their 10% contribution to the One Mission Fund (OMF). In terms of our work goals in GMC, we want to make sure that the Accounting Department observes proper filling systems, and always ready and willing to provide proper service to our employees. We would also like to see that in 2018, we are able to submit reports that are required, on a regular basis, by other departments. GEORGE CAMPOS Church Relations Office Three things that the CIO wants to accomplish this 2018: I. To release the Church Relations Manual by June 2018, such manual: • To define the roles and responsibilities of the CIO office and its programs. • To define the roles and responsibilities of the Spiritual Adviser in our community • To outline the different activities aimed at developing and fostering good relations with the clergy. II. To set the 2018 CIO directions, strategies, plans and programs • To bring CFC closer to the hearts of the clergy and the clergy closer to CFC • For the Catholic Church to commission CFC in implementing its plans and programs geared towards strengthening the family and family life. • To actively collaborate with the Church and help in reaching out to the marginalized sectors of society. III. To establish a service organizational structure for CIO in various areas and ministries RUDY GASPILLO ANCOP For 2018, ANCOP aims for the following: 1) Concrete realization of livelihood programs through capacity building of parents in ANCOP sites, CFC, Cornerstone and other programs. Sending them to LGU run TESDA schools; 2) Completion of procedures, manuals and other documentation for all ANCOP programs. With all documents in place, ANCOP also plans to achieve ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) certification. 3) Monitoring and documentation of all graduates of the educational sponsorship programs and ANCOP shelter sites; and 4) Centralized data storage system through the ANCOP data server. FELY ARAOJO Human Resource Department First, we would like to enhance the compensation plan design, including all benefits, for us to be competitive in terms of other NGOs. If we have a better compensation plan design, we will be able to have an effective, efficient and productive performance. Second, we hope to strengthen our spiritual growth in professional and personal development, in terms of the learning and development that we do as Human Resource Department. Lastly, we would like to institutionalize the rewards and recognition program in terms of their length of service and performance. EDFER LAWRENCE QUINTERO Family Ministries My three dreams for the Family Ministries in 2018: (1) Strengthened culture of dialogue and communication as ONE CFC Community; (2) Togetherness in mission with CFC and all Family Ministries as family evangelizers: and (3) Renewed and relevant evangelization as agents of new evangelization. EDYTHE AVENDAÑO Handmaids of the Lord In order that HOLD will fulfill our charge this 2018, we hope to see the following: 1) One global HOLD family journeying together and moving as one in accomplishing the ministry's plans and programs towards fulfilling its mission; 2) HOLD members becoming more deeply spiritual and intimate with the Lord through the pastoral formation tracks and c o m m i t ment to live out the HOLD covenant; and 3) Significant growth in membership resulting from the concerted efforts of the members to lead more women to know and experience Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. ADRIAN ENAJE Kids for Christ KFC's Top 3 priorities for 2018: More enhanced KFC Pastoral Formation that targets the kids and their families through the monthly assemblies and parents forum; Re-launching of the new KFC School-based Program and Expanding the ministry's reach through parish and community service.
MAAN AGUIRRE Pastoral Formation Office As the central source of pastoral formation materials, we would like this year to: 1. have a more deepened and Spirit-filled prayer life that flows in formation and content development; 2. develop with the team a more integrated, inclusive, relevant and up-to-date formation materials and course offerings; and 3. contribute to the growth of holiness within CFC and its Family Ministries by helping them be formed to live the Truth in love. ROBERT JIMENEZ GKARE For 2018 GKare aims to: 1. provide a sustainable health care program to CFC GMC mission workers and their dependents through regular medical check–ups, and promote a healthy lifestyle, highlighting the importance of preventive medicine; 2. ensure that the GKare clinic is capable of providing first aid healthcare to GMC employees and offer daily monitoring of BPs and vital signs; and 3. ensure the availability of GKare Doctors for medical referrals. Externally, we hope to: 1. target 6-8 surgical missions this year; 2. promote training on Basic Life Support, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, First Aid management by Gkare Doctors in piloted ANCOP sites; and 3. promote the importance of Preventive Medicine and Primary Health Care by conducting lectures, training and seminars. SHEH CANLAS Cornerstone As we are in the “business” of evangelization and education, we in Cornerstone will strive: 1. for families to be evangelized (children, parents, and volunteers); 2. for students in the program to be able to avail of the Child Sponsorship Program, both in Elementary and High School; 3. for parents to be equipped through short term TESDA courses and employed to sustain their livelihood and become empowered parents. JAY LUCENA Events CFC Events plans to harness the talents of CFC, especially the ministries, particularly in the areas of videos, directing, photography, etc. through the conduct of training, workshops and relevant courses. We also want to improve creatives for Mission Core gatherings and assemblies. One of our major goals is to have our own recording studio which we can use to address the video and audio needs of CFC. NIC ESCALONA Evangelization And Missions Office The Evangelization and Missions Office will further strengthen its services to help achieve the evangelization and missions agenda of Couples for Christ. It is our aim for the year 2018 to collaborate more with our CFC leaders in the areas in the task of identifying if an area is in the Establishment, Enrichment, or Empowerment level of growth. After such identification, EMO office will coordinate with all concerned areas and make sure that they receive the mission support appropriate to their level of growth. Also, we would like to determine the most effective way to implement the various programs of CFC and its ministries that will enhance evangelization and mission in an area. We are committed to move CFC from maintenance to mission. MK GUAÑO Broadcast Media As our department is one of the newest in the GMC, we hope to have a deeper and more impactful experience of Christ; be more relevant to the realities of families of today; and have a wider reach through new media evangelization. NOLI MANUEL Singles for Christ Here are the three things the ministry hopes to achieve in 2018. 1. Full integration to CFC - SFC is called to be the next generation of CFC and the only way to achieve this is through integration in the CFC chapters. Full integration means appointment of SFC Chapter Couple Coordinators and SFCs attending the CFC Chapter Assemblies. 2. For SFC to be a ministry for the other singles in society Young single parents; young separated, divorced, and annulled persons; young widows and widowers; and singles with same sex attraction (SSA) 3. Strengthen evangelization of the following: families of SFC members since a big percentage of the families of SFCs are not members of the community; campuses; and singles in BPOs and corporate offices
Toronto Catholic HS Youth Journeys to Philippines Twenty-three high school students and three teachers from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) flew to the Philippines to start their immersion and service program in several ANCOP Canada communities. Already on its seventh year, the program is a partnership between ANCOP Canada and TCDSB. This service program took the
young students to ANCOP Communities around Manila, Rizal, Tarlac and Bulacan for immersion, designed to help build relationships between them and their hosts. As with every TCDSB service program in the Philippines, the delegation also did gift-giving and feeding programs, and assisted in building homes in the ANCOP villages.
This year’s delegation was led by Michael Consul, who has been leading the delegations for the past seven years, assisted by Bernie Consul, ANCOP Canada Greater Toronto Area Sector Head for the East. The team spent a meaningful Christmas and New Year in the Philippines. One of the villages the delegation visited was Sitio Masagana in Quezon
City. For Michael Consul, the day was an opportunity to reconnect with residents and families from the ANCOP community, since the village was one of the sites where the team visited in 2015-2016. It was also an opportunity to bond with the children of home partners through the unofficial national sport and pastime TORONTO CATHOLIC, C2