UGNAYAN May 27 - June 9, 2013

CBCP Monitor

C1

Vol. 17 No. 11

May 27 - June 9, 2013

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

Through the Eyes of Faith2013 Gift of Life Conference

By Canada GOL Coordinators Through the Eyes of Faith, the latest in a series of Gift of Life Ministry Conferences, was held on Saturday, April 20th at Canada Christian College in Toronto.

The conference was open to both CFC and non-CFC members. Despite the chilly April morning, participants filled the auditorium to listen to the four powerful guest speakers.

The talks were primarily addressed to the parents, singles and youth, ideally to clarify issues and concerns, most especially with the local school system.

Fr. Ben Ebcas

For most parents, the conference was an eye-opener, as they began to understand what young people are experiencing today. Moreover, the conference highlighted the need for parents to equip themselves with proper information in order to protect, teach, support and prepare their children to stand firm in obeying God’s instructions.

The Gift of Life conference began with worship led by Francis Yap, Area Director of Toronto. The first talk, The Year of Faith, Why Focus on Faith?, was delivered by Rev. Fr. Ben Ebcas, Pastor and Mission Director of the Archdiocesan Filipino Catholic Mission. Fr. Ben talked about prayer being the fruit of silence, and faith as the fruit of prayer.

The second talk, titled Ready for the Gay-Straight Alliance in Your Child’s School System, was delivered by Jack Fonseca, Pro-life activist and Project Manager of Campaign Life Coalition.

He talked about Bill 13, the anti-bullying act and its agenda. He accused the promoters of this bill of misleading the public sector by saying that body shape, body size, language and religion are the top reasons for bullying, excluding homosexuality from the list. He also mentioned that the primary objective of the Bill is to advance spiritual corrosiveness and to put into doubt the moral teachings of the Catholic Church with

Countdown to EuroCon at CFC Ireland 11th Anniversary Celebration

regard to homosexuality.

The afternoon program was opened with worship led by Chico Nuguid, leader of the SFC music ministry assigned for the event.

The third talk titled The Media: A Major Challenge Today was delivered

by John Jalsevac, Managing Editor of LifeSiteNews.com. He mentioned the need for Christians, Pro-lifers and believers to step up and create a media blitz that promotes Christian values rather than what the world dictates. He added that at the heart of each Christian home should be a family that shares quality time with each other.

The fourth talk given by Matthew Wojciechowski, Project Manager of Campaign Life Coalition, was aptly titled Let’s Build a Better World Together—Towards an Eternity of Happiness.

Wojciechowski brought the audience 50 years back, when a new drug hit the world by storm—the birth control pill.

This was initially promoted as the magic bullet for an ailing society.

Moving forward to the present times, Wojciechowski opined that the birth control pill has caused even more problems in modern society by twisting the truth. Thus authentic love that comes from God alone is pitted against worldly love, contributing to the culture of death in the world today.

Other resource speakers were Rose Heron, Natural Family Planning Coordinator, who shared the importance of the Billings Method; and Norma Borja, Gift of Life National Coordinator, who gave the closing remarks and shared the results of a survey conducted within the CFC Family Ministries. She affirmed the importance of educating not only the children but also the parents to create prolife awareness among all members.

The successful and Spirit-filled conference was concluded with a praisefest led by Jojo Dizon.

By ANCOP Communications

IRELAND, the country that offers “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes” (Céad Míle Fáilte), will be the host of the European Mega Conference this coming August 16-18, 2013. This will be held at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Merrion Road, Dublin 4, the site of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress last June 2012. The Mega Conference will have as theme “Celebration of 18 Years of Couples for Christ in Europe.”

In preparation for the Mega Conference, CFC-Ireland recently conducted a Pre-Conference, timed to coincide with the 11th anniversary celebration last 27-28 April 2013. It was held in the Regency Hotel Dublin, Swords Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. More than 200 active members from Dublin, Sligo, Tralee, Letterkenny, Belfast and other areas attended the event.

CFC Ireland Country Coordinator, Arthur Sandoval of CFC Switzerland gave the first talk on “Obedience (Do Whatever He Tells You)” while the Country Coordinator of Italy, Don Sarmiento from CFC Vienna, gave the second talk on “Witnessing (Witnesses of the New Evangelization).” Cris Sarmiento of CFC Vienna shared her knowledge and skills in managing a European gathering before the evening event of dancing and fellowship.

The Leaders Forum on the second day of the Pre-Conference was an opportunity to further discuss the plans and preparations for the upcoming Mega Conference. The leaders were also updated on the organizational structure of the CFC global community, particularly in Ireland where the Country Head/ National Director for CFC Ireland are Efren and Marivel Bagares.

Victor Cosingan was appointed as the MegaCon National Event head. Both Victor and Efren were leaders in the Philippines before coming to Ireland, having served as chapter heads in Iligan City, Philippines.

A few days after the Pre-Conference, Noli and Beth Arzadon, Northwest Regional Coordinator, made a pastoral visit to Dublin and conducted an ocular inspection of the RDS, the venue of the Mega Conference.

For more information and registration details, kindly send email to secretariat.megacon2013@gmail.com.

John Jalsevac

Matthew Wojciechowski

Cfc leaders meet with ny Cardinal Dolan

From left: Jojo Reandalar, CFC AH NY; Eric Villanueva, CFC USA National Dirctor; Cardinal Dolan; Ricky Cuenca, CFC Chairman; and Roger Santos CFC USA Council member and Executive Director, ANCOP USA

By Carmelito Abragan

Jack Fonseca

USA

Couples for Christ (CFC) leaders had a very warm and cordial meeting with Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York on May 13, 2013 at the Cardinal’s residence in Manhattan, New York City.

CFC was represented by Ricky Cuenca, CFC Chairman; Eric Villanueva, CFC USA National Director and ANCOP USA President; Roger B. Santos, CFC USA National Council member and

ANCOP USA Executive Director; Jojo Reandelar, New York CFC Area Leader; and Chris Metzenger, Singles for ChristNY. After listening to the overview on CFC given by Cuenca, the good Cardinal quipped, “Just listening to this man, I can’t help but be excited about CFC.” Cardinal Dolan expressed his belief in the sanctity of marriage and voiced out his deep concern about the attacks on marriage nowadays. He expressed his deep appreciation of what CFC

has been doing in strengthening the family, particularly in terms of deepening the bonds between couples.

He was pleased to hear that CFC has a presence in New York, particularly when Reandelar and Metzger reported on CFC’s growth in NY and enumerated the parishes where CFC is present.

The Cardinal opined that CFC USA should be involved in the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and recommended that CFC write Bishop Kevin Rhoades to see how the community can be a part of it.

It may be recalled that last February, Cardinal Dolan granted recognition to CFC, stating in his letter that: “As Archbishop of New York, I grant recognition to the presence and activities of Couples for Christ in the Archdiocese of New York.”

The meeting, which lasted for one hour, likewise served as further introduction to the New

York Cardinal about the evangelization efforts and other activities of CFC, not only in New York, but worldwide, as well as CFC’s work for the poor, ANCOP. Cardinal Dolan expressed interest in accepting an invitation extended by Cuenca to visit the Philippines to grace the CFC anniversary in June. The invitation will be coordinated via Manila’s Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who also asked Cardinal Dolan to visit the Philippines when they met in Rome recently to elect the new Pope.

Cardinal Dolan would like CFC USA to be involved in the preparation for Pope Francis’ visit to the US when he attends the World Meeting of Families which will take place in Philadelphia on September 22-27, 2015.

Cardinal Dolan agreed to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for CFC at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the near future and to have a formal presentation of his recognition of CFC. In parting, the Cardinal told the CFC group they were always welcome to visit his home.

CFC Gift of Life Ministry Conducts Workshop on Theology of the Body

By Samantha Catabas Manuel CFC and Family Ministries representatives gathered last May 18, 2013 at the Lay Formation Center in Mandaluyong City for the first Theology of the Body Workshop. Fr. Joel Jason, Head of the Ministry for Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila, facilitated the workshop together with Gift of Life Coordinators, Aldy and Joy Katigbak.

The workshop aims to train CFC members how to be effective

resource speakers on the Theology of the Body and develop specialized teachings based on TOB principles.

Fr. Joel began the workshop with an exhortation on New Evangelization. He gave everyone a new insight on the true meaning of New Evangelization which is to journey with others and witness and experience Christ together. He further said that, “we need to share with our hearts, not with our minds.” In addition, he gave the participants valuable tips on how to communicate more effectively to different audiences and proclaim the right message. Finally, he advised everyone who will be tasked to speak before audiences to draw from one’s own experience. He said, “TOB is precisely all about witnessing, therefore it has to reach both the head and heart. “ After the exhortation, Aldy gave an overview of how the TOB is gradually being brought to different areas all over the world. However, he also challenged the group to confront the greater work that still needs to be done in order to fully bring the TOB to more areas.

Joy facilitated the workshop proper, dividing the participants into different groups. Each group was assigned a specific target audience as their main focus in developing specialized modules. The entire afternoon was allotted for the groups to work on the modules.

The final segment of the workshop saw each group presenting and delivering a talk using what they had learned during the workshop.

It was indeed an enlightening and empowering experience. The whole day activity gave the participants more insights, learning and empowerment to share the TOB to more and more people all over the world.

Ugnayan

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Vol. 17 No. 11

May 27 - June 9, 2013

Emmanuel Dalman

Arnel Santos

A Missionary’s Report

Pag-iisang dibdib May is not just election or the fiesta season. It is also the wedding season.

Per the National Statistics Office (NSO), May - not June-- is the Filipino’s most sought-after month for weddings. In 2010, of the total registered 482,480 weddings, 11.2% or 54,037 were celebrated in May. In 2011, of the 476,408 registered marriages, 11.7 percent or about 55,529, occurred in May. June is not even second place. For 2010, December and January came in second, both at 10.6 percent.

If the trend continues, there must be, for this month alone, in the Philippines, at least 55,000 couples saying “I do.” This translates to 55,000 families being founded this month, More dramatically, 1,774 new families emerge in the Philippines, every day in May, via the formal wedding route.

It is, therefore, high time to talk about marriage and family life. As Aristotle said: “Man is by nature more inclined to live as a couple than to associate politically, since the family is something that precedes, and is more necessary than the state.”

Marriage is best described by the Filipino word for it – “pag-iisang dibdib.”

“Pag-iisa” (the process of uniting) captures the reality that man and woman were created for one another. “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Gen 2:24) The word “dibdib” (referring to the heart), in turn, signifies the unbreakable union of two lives, into a covenant of love, recalling what the plan of the Creator had been in the beginning: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” (Mt 19:6; CCC 1605) “Pag-iisang dibdib” vividly expresses the indissoluble union of man and woman, such that “what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Mt 19:6.) It also is a reminder that “marriage is a process, not a state, a beginning, not an end; a threshold, not a goal. Your marriage certificate is a learner’s permit, not a diploma.” (Catechism for Filipino Catholics 1901) In a report released last month, NSO stated that since 2009, the number of marriages has been declining. There was a 1.3 per cent drop from 2010 to 2011: from 482,480 to 476,408 marriages.

There is nothing in these figures, however, that detract from the fact that marriage is still overwhelmingly popular and remains to be the Filipino’s ideal. Filipinos still choose marriage over cohabitation or common law relationship; and they aspire to stay married instead of separating, whether legally or de facto.

In NSO figures for 2000, 45.8% of the total population 10 years old and above, were legally married, 1.2% were separated, 4.2% were in common law relationship, 6.2% widowed and 1.1% unknown. The singles accounted for 41.4%. In 2007, the legally married accounted for 45.33%, the divorced/ separated 1.16%, common law/live-in/ unknown 4.86%, and the widowed 4.33%. The singles accounted for 44.3%, Indeed, just like in other countries, “regardless of social background, marriage and family life remains a widely shared aspiration. This desire has increased over the past two decades from 77 per cent who said they would choose marriage in 1975 to 80 per cent in 1995.” (Kevin Andrews, “Maybe I do—modern marriage & the pursuit of happiness”, 2012 ed., p. 21) There is no doubt that the attacks against marriage are still raging. Experts refer to one of the most potent of these attacks as the “deconstruction” of marriage and family life, where marriage and family are viewed to be something that we ourselves created and therefore man may arbitrarily go for new forms of love and creation.

This is the reason why, with the lack of pro-marriage and family initiatives and legislations, couples are helping other couples, and families are supporting one another, to preserve, promote, and witness to the dignity of “pag-iisang dibdib.”

Since February this year, every week, in the various Philippine provinces and across the globe, thousands of couples have been renewing their marriage vows, after attending what has been dubbed as “Cana Weekend.”

I personally witnessed the ones conducted in Baguio City, Tagaytay City, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and in Palawan. Mindanao couples held their Cana Weekend in Surigao City, those in Leyte in Ormoc City, those in Bicol in Legaspi, Albay. Singapore had its Cana Weekend last April 13, 2013 while UAE and Kuwait held theirs on February 22 and 25, 2013, respectively.

The Cana Weekend in North America will be held on July 12-14, 2013 in Vancouver, Canada, and on July 26-28, 2013 in New Jersey.

In all these Cana Weekends, married couples are reminded that marriage is actually “a moment in salvation history” and family life should be a “foretaste of heaven.” These notions are captured by another Filipino expression for marriage: “lumagay sa tahimik” (literally to be in a place of calm and peace) and the word “tahan” (be at peace, comforted or consoled).

Indeed, the concept and reality of “pag-iisang dibdib,” “paglagay sa tahimik,” and ”tahanan” should be defended against threats from forces that seek to make them extinct in the Filipino vocabulary and more importantly, in the Filipino psyche.

Arnel M. Santos is a member of the International Council of Couples for Christ.

He is a litigation lawyer, married to Mariter Delfin Santos, with two children: Jose Emilio and Maria Psalma.

ANCOP Health Physicians Conduct Anti-TB Pre-Screening

ANCOP health physicians, Dr. Rossette Nancho and Dr. Mercy Balankig, visited the ANCOP Markham Village in Villa Monique, Las Pinas City last April 6, 2013 to conduct a pre-screening for young children under the Anti-TB Program for Children sponsored by CFC Malta.

The pre-screening is part of the AntiTuberculosis Program initialized last March 15, 2013 during a meeting between

CBCP Monitor

CFC ANCOP Health Director Noe Babilonia, Villa Monique Head Steward Fidel Parco, and other volunteers from CFC Metro Manila South A. As part of the procedure, laboratory examinations for 20-30 children with pulmonary condition will be conducted, while their parents were invited to a CFC ANCOP class to increase their awareness and address misconceptions about tuberculosis.

“The mission of the Church is missions.” These are famous words from Dr. Oswald Jeffrey Smith, a Canadian pastor, author and missions advocate, who in his lifetime traveled the world to recruit missionaries. These words are also my inspiration.

After the CFC election of June 2011, I was appointed by the International Council as Treasurer of Couples for Christ. Later, I was tasked to take on the role as Director of the Home Office, now called the CFC Global Mission Center. The GMC is my field of mission.

Despite the busy workload in the GMC, I continue to accept invitations to be a speaker in Christian Life Programs and other formation programs, including those being conducted in some government offices. This has been the scope of my work as a missionary for CFC. Early this year, my wife Marivie and I had to leave for the U.S. to attend to some family matters. It was also going to be a reunion of sorts for the family since our two daughters, our one and only grandson and two sisters are in the States. Mission work has taken a different facet here in this foreign land.

Often we say that God works in mysterious ways! Indeed as I write this article, I am at awe trying to fully comprehend His ways, approximating His thoughts as far as what our future in mission holds for my wife and me.

It is getting evident that this year is a spiritual revolution, unfolding one place at a time.

After our Annual Leaders Conference in Araneta, where the CFC Theme for 2013—“Obey and Witness” was introduced, several echo conferences were held in different parts of the Philippines and in some countries of the world where CFC has been established.

While here in the U.S. I started to receive invitations from CFC brothers and sisters to their assemblies, confer-

ences, teachings and even household meetings.

Preparing for this mission required a lot of soul searching. Individually and as a couple, we reflected on our personal journey and how He led us through life; enriching our lives with countless blessings; helping us overcome trials and tribulations by His strength; enabling us to forgive each other by His healing grace.

Cardinal Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) perfectly described our mission in his homily to Argentinian priests last year, “Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask.

Become the Word in body as well as spirit.” God has prepared Marivie and me by giving us the boldness to proclaim God’s glory through the telling of our story as husband and wife.

As Christ’s missionaries, we are blessed by the fact that as we evangelize others, we are evangelized as well. With this experience, we strongly feel that what matters most in life is our personal relationship with God, His mission and, of course, our salvation. Hence, there is need to obey and to witness to Christ’s love. To do this, God has led us to the best model of obedience and witnessing – the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Her “yes” to the Lord is the highest kind of obedience that we can all emulate and follow in our spiritual journey in this world. We must obey what the Blessed Mother said during the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever He tells you” as it is surely our road to salvation.

Our common experience on one of the events we served in, the “You and I Weekend,” has led us to the realization that there is, indeed, a lot of things to know and understand about married life, even for those married for a very long time. That married life is full of

trials, challenges and obstacles is a reality. Every married couple has to understand and realize that marriage is part of salvation history; that being married to your spouse is preparatory to your eventual marriage to Christ, who is the head of the Church.

The teachings of St. John of the Cross, coming as it were from the 13th century, were part of God’s message to all of us, both speakers and participants alike, in that weekend. Marriage therefore in this sense is the field of mission for couples.

Love is not a feeling but a decision and our task is to strengthen our loving relationship, in all stages of married life.

By God’s grace, ultimately our sacrifices will be blessed with the joy of togetherness and we shall be the best disciples to do God’s work!

It has been an exhilarating experience for us to witness how our leaders and members worked together to launch three events in a single weekend (Leaders Conference, You and I Weekend, Women’s Forum). Both the East Coast and West Coast conferences were hugely successful!

For now, Marivie and I wait upon the Lord and see what He has set for us while here in the USA. I end this report with a quote from Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a German religious and social reformer during the 1700’s.

He said, “I have but one passion: It is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.”

As Couples for Christ, winning souls for Christ is our battle cry. Church mission is our mission and it does not have boundaries. Wherever you find yourself, whether it be in the confines of your home, at work or the four corners of the world, every day and everyplace is occasion to evangelize!

The Cornerstone summer sports clinic

A tale of t-shirts, rubber shoes, and wings to fly!

By Amor Confide We thought it was just about teaching them how to read.

We were wrong. Most importantly, we had to teach their hearts to be a child of God. We have personally witnessed the struggles of the children in Cornerstone of South B, Metro Manila. We have come face to face with their material poverty, the lack of confidence in themselves and the fear of being unloved and uncared for. We thought, “if only we could give them wings to fly.”

The word summer conjures up images of sun and sand, and kids running around, enjoying the fresh air. Indeed, it is the time of the year when children are “free” from the confines of the classroom, and are allowed to enjoy the outdoors. Summer is the time for children to pursue nonacademic activities intended to develop their creative and athletic abilities, their hands and feet coordinating with their heart and mind. The sports programs in the public schools here in Manila (integral parts of the curriculum) have been compromised due to a lack of funds, and other priorities. In addition to this, due to the confined spaces in which these children live, they lack the opportunities to “play” as children do.

It is in this spirit that the Cornerstone South B team conceptualized the Cornerstone Summer Sports Clinic. Not only would this redirect the tremendous energy displayed by the tutees in a more positive way, but it would also allow them to develop a sense of camaraderie, and enhance their physical well-being.

For three consecutive Saturdays of April 2013, Cornerstone South-B held three sports clinics for the children. The first was a football clinic taught by the HSBC HDPP Football Club where one of our tutor volunteers, Andre Confiado, is a member. The Football Clinic was held at the Tahanan Village Covered Court in BF, Parañaque. This was followed by a basketball clinic at the Sampaloc Site II Elementary School facilitated by former Ateneo Blue Eagle and Philippine National Team player Fritz Gaston. Fritz was joined by Volunteer Coaches Bong Go, Daks, Merlyn and others. A volleyball clinic taught by Fritz and Duday Gaston’s daughters Therese and Pauline Gaston at the Goodwill II Subdivision covered c o u r t rounded up the Corners t o n e Summer Sports Clinic.

C o r nerstone South-B

went all out in order to provide the tutees with a complete experience. Given their background, most did not even have proper sports attires. Thanks to generous hearts, the kids were provided with t-shirts, courtesy of USANA Health Sciences, and sports shoes. At the beginning of the school year we already noticed that many of our tutees did not have shoes to wear for everyday. Most of them came to Cornerstone school in rubber slippers. The summer sports program gave us an opportunity to knock on generous hearts to be able to provide each tutee with rubber shoes they could wear for the next school year. The children had wonderful, colorful and comfortable shoes with which to kick, to jump, to run and skip in football, basketball and volleyball.

In keeping with proper sporting tradition, medals were given to the children as prizes for participation, and trophies were awarded to three of the most promising athletes for each sport. The three children selected for football showed enough promise that they were invited by the Carabaos F.C. football club to play for their junior team.

True enough, the children showcased their athletic prowess during the sports clinics. They were energetic, and eager to learn. More importantly, through these activities, the Cornerstone tutees showed more discipline. They listened more intently to instructions, and followed them. Indeed through sports, children not only become “skillful players,” but better persons; they experience not only the joy of victory but also the humility of not winning. In sports the children get a glimpse of what life is all about. They also learn to be generous and kind to one another.

The program plans to continue these sports clinics, in the hope that this positive behavior would be maintained in the classroom. Not only would this allow the teachers to handle their wards better, but it would also allow for a much better learning experience for the children.

At the end of the day, a simple t-shirt, a pair of rubber shoes, a ball, plus a little love and care were all it took for the Cornerstone children to have wings to fly!

Ugnayan

CBCP Monitor Vol. 17 No. 11

May 27 - June 9, 2013

C3

Joe Yamamoto

Fire in the Hole “Bangalore torpedoes!!!” the commanding officer shouted with desperate urgency as his men lay exposed on the beach of Normandy, France.His men were continuously raked by murderous fire from the entrenched German gunners. Men were dying at an alarming rate. Blood soaked the sands of the beach. Body parts were scattered about.

Something needed to be done, fast.

The much awaited shout finally came: “Fire in the hole!!”A big blast ensued and the beach defences were breached.

While under fire, the soldiers rapidly fanned out, regained the initiative and survived. Thus started the beginning of the end of Axis domination of Europethe liberation began with the breaching of the defensive German Atlantic wall by the brave Allied soldiers.

“Fire in the hole” is a warning that an explosive detonation in a confined space is imminent. It originated with miners, who needed to warn their fellows that a charge had been set.

Over time,the warning shout of “fire in the hole” became a general warning for the use of explosive weapons. It was subsequently adopted by the United States Army and Marines to give notice that a grenade or any other explosive charge was being thrown into a bunker, spider hole, or other enclosure.

It was used repeatedly by Easy Company soldiers in one Band of Brothers episode, when blowing up concealed German howitzers during the Brécourt Manor Assault. The warning shout alerted friendly troops regarding proximate explosions and therefore protected them as they proceeded with their mission. In the Omaha Beach assault scene of Saving Private Ryan, the officer, Capt.

John Miller shouted “Fire in the Hole” right after Bangalore torpedoes were inserted to breach the German defenses.

Fire in the hole is a strong advance warning that can save lives in war.

But how does a combat warning find use or relevance in ordinary lives? For the most part, people can relate to fire as an everyday event; occasionally, there might be explosive happenings in people’s lives that can qualify figuratively as ‘Fire in the Hole’ warnings or situations.

In other circumstances, when armies advance under artillery cover, the command given to the massed cannons and artilleries is ‘Fire for Effect!’, meaning allow the combined destructive power of the heavy guns to come ahead of the army and blast hostile defenses.

Fire carries with it many realities and produces various effects, some for good, others for bad. When taken in the spiritual sense, fire and smoke are seen as manifestations of divine presence as God seeks to interact with His people,.

In the gospel of Luke (Luke 12:49) , Jesus said “ I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” He made it plainly clear to his followers that the gospel proclamation comes as a refining, purifying fire and involves sacrifices, frequently radically changing the person and the people that that person comes in contact with.

Such is the power and clarity of the message of God that fire is used to send an image of imminence and urgency. 1 John 5:19 emphasized that “we know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.”This makes real the conflict of good and evil and provides the faithful with the reality they have to face. During Pentecost, the prayers of the faithful capture the essence of fire in our lives as we invoke “Come Holy Spirit, enkindle the hearts of the faithful.”

In the new Testament, Jesus used several images and messages in the call for disciples.

Firstly, he assured Simon and the others “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” ( Luke 5:10). For the cost of discipleship, Jesus warned them that they must be ready to carry their crosses. In a bigger sense, Jesus required that his disciples have a heart on fire with God: “You are the light of the world... Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matt.5:13-16) In the Old Testament, when God called Jeremiah to task, He presented him the image of intense fire and searing heat. The powerful, penetrating presence of God within Jeremiah became as fire that transforms and kindles.

The prophet did not readily accept and even resisted the fire of God’s presence within him, deeming that experience too much for his comfort. Ultimately,the transforming searing divine flame persisted and once Jeremiah surrendered, he became passionately moved to serve the Lord with passion for truth and justice. Once he started to walk under the shadow of God , his prophetic voice blazed with the power of His Word.

Fire And Smoke For The Wanderers In the Sinai Desert, the protection of the Lord came as smoke by day and column of fire at night.The Israelite wanderers knew that the column of fire was a reassuring and comforting presence of God in their midst and that He continued to journey with them as they sought freedom in the Promised Land. As long as they saw the smoke and pillar of fire, the people felt adequately protected.

Fire and smoke was theophany, a manifestation of the presence of God in the Torah. Exodus accordingly recorded that the pillar of fire provided light so that the people could travel by night.

During the daytime, it was paired with a pillar of cloud so much so that they were able to travel by day or by night.

The Egyptian army was thrown into confusion by the pillar of fire, as they gave chase to the fleeing IsraeIites.

Numbers 14:14 said it nicely:” .. They have already heard that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” The Lord protects and guide his people, then and now.

Fire And The People Of God Except for Mary and a few other disciples, Jesus’ followers fearfully deserted him at Calvary. Despondent, leaderless and in great trepidation, the apostles huddled behind the bolted door and closed windows of the Upper Room.

Even if the Resurrected Jesus showed himself to the apostles several times after the Easter Sunday, they had to wait for the tongues of fire to descend upon their heads at Pentecost in order to be reinfused with the courage and

determination to boldly proclaim the Gospel and witness to the salvific power of Christ’s Resurrection.Christianity was never the same again.

The history and map of the world was redrawn by the missionary zeal of the disciples. Descending upon the heads of the disciples as tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit continuously burned in their hearts, giving them unparalleled boldness. The unquenchable fire in the hearts of the disciples burned away their cowardice and hesitation.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, refers to God as a “ consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Peter compellingly writes that the fire of God is a source of purification, continuously reinforcing and refining our faith (1 Peter1:6-9). To Moses, God revealed Himself as the “I Am who I Am” at Mount Horeb in the form of the burning bush and earlier, God established a covenant with Abraham by coming down as a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch ( Gen.15:17-18).

Throughout the ages, people whose hearts are on fire with God are characterized as courageous truth seekers, willing to stand up for their beliefs and conviction. They demonstrate and selflessly share a passionate singleheartedness for God. Growing in their love for God, their deeply compassionate hearts ache to witness to that relationship and, with goodness and integrity, attract others to do the same.

Even ordinary people, whose hearts are aglow with the fire of God, develop the humility and wisdom to acknowledge and accept their strengths and weaknesses. As the embers of God’s presence in their lives are stoked to become outright flames, they become catalysts that set on fire other people’s hearts.

The strange fascinating reality is that the flames, once they reach a critical mass, will continue to synergize and fire up each one already aglow with the love of God. Models For Our Times During the People Power Revolution of 1986, the fire in the heart of the late Cardinal Sin for God and country was so contagious that it ignited the whole country to bloodlessly rise and over-

throw a dictatorship. The whole world breathlessly watched and applauded the peaceful revolution. It was a great time to be a Filipino. In a spiritual sense, it was the flame of God’s love that flickered in a few hearts and then roaring to life, spread like wildfire in the hearts of countless people.

On occasion, the inner fire moves a person to raise a strong voice of protest against injustice and oppression.They risk everything in order to free society from the bondage of falsehood,violence and repression.

Previously living a quiet scholarly life, the late Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador was moved by the continuing injustice and cruel treatment of his people.

The fire of God grew into a tremendous flame in his heart and he spoke courageously against the injustices vested upon his poor countrymen. Those who could not bear the power of the flame of God within Bishop Romero shot and killed him as he raised the chalice at mass. The martyred archbishop inspired his people and others around the world to raise their voices against the injistice. The cause for his sainthood has been initiated by the Vatican. To date, Archbishop Romerro is given the title “ Servant of God.” Epilogue God speaks to all of us all the time, except that many remain deaf and insensitive to His promptings. He does not stop at that; alternatively, God enkindles a spark in the heart of each and everyone. If we let God, He will blow the Holy Spirit into each one of us, enough to give life to the ebbing embers in our lives. Pretty soon, the sparks will leap and grow,enabling the deepening of the passion for life that radiates into the lives of others.

Such has been my simple quiet experience as I share the love of Bible study to more and more people. Thousands have reached into their hearts to find that spark for God. As the fire of God dances in our hearts, we will become more expressive of the change that comes from Him, generous with our witnessing to the love of Christ,and daring in our action to be the change that the world needs.

Cfc ancop scholars reap academic awards Education Beyond the

Faudia Labanairi

Aniceto Olmedo

Tezza Marie Fallorin

Cristy Merin with mother Susan

Lizabel Abustan

Fevy Infortuna

By Ethel Balenton CFC ANCOP Child Sponsorship Program scholars were able to graduate this school year 2012-13. Among the 5,160 sponsored children nationwide were 41 sponsored children in various 4-year college courses, 88 in vocational technical courses, 159 in high school and 258 in the elementary level.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) scholar, Fevy Infortuna from

Cebu Normal University, graduated cum laude with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Another college graduate, Aniceto Olmedo from Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Negros Occidental, finished with a degree in BS Fisheries. He was Dean’s Lister for two consecutive years, and was also a recipient of a leadership award. Tezza Marie Fallorin graduated magna cum laude from the Asia Pacific College in Computer Science. Fallorin was a scholar under the partnership of CFC ANCOP and Caritas Manila.

Meanwhile, six of the college undergraduate ANCOP scholars are in the Dean’s List, namely Jobet Daco of Metro Manila North A, Mary Grace Reprado of Metro Manila West A/ St. Martin, KC Lyn Lalic of Rizal, Krizza Mae Dumaluan of Misamis Oriental, Glory Jane Bandivas and Jovie Salubre of Southern Leyte.

Among the 159 high school scholars, three graduated valedictorian—Austria scholar Cristy Merin of Ilocos Sur, USA scholar Faudia Labanairi of Camarines Norte and Switzerland scholar, Lizabel Abustan of Camarines Norte. Labanairi was awarded a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship for her college education.

Another high school scholar, Alejandro Mendoza from Mayao, Lucena City, Quezon, graduated salutatorian. Mendoza’s scholarship was funded from the ANCOP Global Walk fund.

Twenty-seven of the current elementary undergraduate ANCOP scholars likewise received academic recognition as top ten of the class, with 7 of them awarded as first and second honors. Thirty of the current high school undergraduates received academic recognition as top ten of their class while 10 of them obtained first, second, third and fourth honors.

CFC ANCOP, LGU turn over houses in Hinunangan

By Antonio Remojo Sr. For most of the residents of Bgy. Matin-ao, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, May 3, 2013 was the day when their prayers were answered and their lives changed forever.

Since 2003, Bgy. Matin-ao has been declared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as a danger zone. Thanks to the initiative of the LGU, CFC and CFC ANCOP, the residents of this barangay will be relocated to a safer place.

The local government of Hinu-

nangan, under the leadership of Mayor Romeo Gomez, had purchased a 1.7-hectare land, with a commitment to level the land and construct an access road to make it ready for the construction of the houses.

After the ground work, the community development plan was approved and appreciated

by ANCOP Canada, prompting the latter to download funds for the construction of the first ten units in December 2012.

Finally, on May 3, 2013, the initial 10 houses were turned over to the first 10 families.

The event started with a morning worship led by Couples for Christ in Hinunangan and participated in by some of the home partners. It was followed by a turnover ceremony attended by Mayor Gomez and some Sangguniang Bayan members, Barangay Captain Elueterio Almine, some Brangay Council members, and officers of the CFC Ancop Matin-ao Samahan.

Rev. Fr. Harlem Gozo, the head of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Maasin, was also present. He celebrated the Holy Mass and led the blessing of the houses right after the turnover ceremonies.

Fr. Harlem reminded the home partners to love and care for their houses because they are gifts from God.

Eric de los Reyes, the President and CEO of ANCOP, inspired those present to continue the convergence among the local government unit, the Diocese of Maasin, CFC and the home partners.

Mayor Gomez likewise extended his heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the CFC international community for having such a wonderful vision and mission that benefits mostly the poor people of God. As a gesture of support, Mayor Gomez pledged more support in the efforts to improve the basic needs of those living in the community.

Classroom Walls

By Lance Fernandez

In a corner of the CFC ANCOP Bane Community in Balanga, Bataan, a handful of teenagers and mothers were answering an examination from a white manual. As they were busy answering the items, some of the children came running and immediately, their attention shifted to what their mothers were seriously doing. Apparently, we were witnessing an Adult Alternative Learning Program first-hand.

Under this program by the Department of Education, mobile teachers roam around remote areas to conduct classes for people who were not privileged to have formal education. As per DepEd’s classification, individuals aged 11-14 will be taught grade school-level subjects while those who are 15 years old and above are given the high school curriculum.

The lessons last for ten months, after which the students will take an equivalency exam at the end of the program. Those who will pass will then be awarded a diploma to certify their gradu-

ation from either elementary or secondary education. Secondary education graduates also have an option to take up a vocational course from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In the CFC ANCOP Bane Community, there are 14 high school-level students who are currently being taught English, Filipino, Math, Science and Values Education. According to Joni Punzalan, the Adult Alternative Learning instructor in the community, she started teaching the current batch last February 2013.

Meanwhile, her first batch at Kanlungan ng Pag-asa took their equivalency examinations last December 2012.

Adult Alternative Learning classes in CFC ANCOP Bane community are held every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. . Learning materials are provided by the Department of Education. Aside from this course, Punzalan and her fellow mobile teachers also conduct Basic Learning Process classes for those who lack reading and writing skills.

SFC Middle East Shares God’s Blessings

Noli Manuel, SFC Middle East Region Head, along with SFC Middle East full time workers Jojerry Mercado and Melanie Torralba, recently handed-over the donation of one house to CFC ANCOP Bani Community in Bataan.

This donation came from the proceeds of the 14th SFC Middle East Conference (MEC) last November 2012, from the Blessed to Bless City (B2B City) booths and the Clubpraise program. The 2012 MEC, titled ‘Blessed,’ proved true to its theme that each person is indeed blessed to bless others. The community in the Middle East continues to promote a way of life that proclaims Jesus to everyone.

This sharing has made it evident that the MEC was more than a conference, but a lifestyle. (Grace Entereso)

Ugnayan

C4

2 Mindanao Kids Village— A Weekend of Surprises nd

Hazel Olive O. Parmes CFC Kids for Christ from all over the island gathered for the 2nd Mindanao Kids Village, held in Butuan City Capitol Grounds, Agusan del Norte. The kids and their families came to experience God and celebrate His eternal victory in a way that His children would surely enjoy! Delegates from the different regions were ready to FOLLOW JESUS, exhibiting various reactions and emotions while entering the gates leading to the venue proper. Some were giggling, smiling, laughing, curious, nervous— but, one thing was sure, they were in for a BIG SURPRISE. There were also the familiar faces of ever-supportive parents, KFC Coordinators, and R.OC.K. Facilitators who were constantly guiding the little angels.

Participants were immediately attracted to the standing wooden planks painted with images depicting important people and objects in the Bible—Noah’s ark, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Abraham, Moses, and the tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments.

The Praise Parade officially opened the event, with representatives from the three Mindanao regions walking in their shimmering costumes, and even dancing to delightful music.

The kids listened intensely and watched the creative play of the First Session: Jesus wants you to go to Heaven, which was about the creation by God of all things on earth.

The Kids Praise powerfully ended the first day of the conference. Everyone was tired, but for the participants, it was all worth it.

For the second day, the kids prepared for the various competitions: Dance, Singing, Rap, and Band Creative Competitions at the Capitol Grounds, while

The ROCK show, Essay Writing and Poster Making, Sports Competitions, and other contests were conducted in different designated areas near the Main Venue.

The audience watched the KFCs at their best as they represented their areas in the different competitions.

Workshops were held simultaneously with the competitions.

After the morning events, the kids gathered in the evening once again for the Kids Praise and Second Session titled Jesus wants you to Obey, depicting stories of obedience from the Bible. The session also taught the kids to pray for each other.

Sunday, the last day of the conference, began with a Holy Mass, followed by the Kids Praise where the young participants worshipped the Lord with their eyes closed, arms raised and in sincere prayer.

The final session, Jesus wants you to become a Good Example, was really COOL as the kids were taught the Ten Commandments Boogie—a fun and simple way of conveying the commandments of the Lord. One, by one, each commandment was clearly understood and everyone was dancing gracefully in unity.

The Awarding Ceremony officially closed the event, together with the announcement of the next conference venue in 2014 -- Tagaytay City!

CBCP Monitor

Vol. 17 No. 11

May 27 - June 9, 2013

CFC Zamboanga City Celebrates 19 Years

By Siony Gonzales Couples for Christ Zamboanga City celebrated its 19th anniversary, thanking the Lord for His faithfulness and love, through a 3-day festivity held last May 10 to 12. CFC Executive Director, Melo Villaroman Jr. and his wife, Nini, graced the event.

The celebration opened Friday night at the Guiwan Parish Church, which was filled with CFC members. The event began with a vibrant praise and worship led by Christian Aliwanag, SFC fulltime worker. Fr. Totong Soliva, CFC Spiritual Director, gave the welcome remarks, followed by an inspiring and uplifting teaching by Melo Villaroman on new evangelization. Melo spoke of the urgent need to bring many Christians, whose faith has gone cold and stale, back to church, and how CFC can contribute to this ministerial work.

The second day, May 11, was the Surigao Cana Weekend. After the praise and worship led by Prince Ratilla, talks were powerfully delivered by the members of the Area Governance Team. Melo Villaroman Jr. delivered the last talk. His wife, Nini, shared an equally moving and powerful experience of their CFC life. Towards the end of the second day, was the Couple Duet Competition, which highlighted the abundant talents in Couples for Christ.

As finale, the Villaroman couple rendered a duet that drew loud applause from the audience.

May 12, the final day of the anni-

versary, was the grand CFC gathering where everyone expressed gratitude to God for the favors showered upon the whole community for the past 19 years. Joel Gregorio led the spirit-filled morning worship, with the entire community joining him in thanking God for His graces and blessings to CFC Zamboanga. Mon Julian, together with the entire AGT, led the Holy Rosary.

The highlight of Day 3 was the celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Totong Soliva.

Villaroman delivered the anniversary message. Jerry Flordeliz, Provincial Area Head of Zamboanga City, likewise gave his greetings and blessings to the CFC community.

The celebration ended with a powerful praisefest led by Lester Guillermo, YFC fulltime worker.

CFC Guam—18 years of abundant blessings ‘For God so Loved the World’: CFC ME Mission to Uganda

Couples for Christ Guam celebrated its 18th year of blessed existence with a week-long set of activities. First off was the back-to-back Marriage Enrichment Retreat 1 & 2 held April 27 & 28 at the Verona Hotel. This culminated in the Cana Echo Conference held on May 5. The Manila team, headed by Guam Country Coordinators Jess and Mercy Ferrer, together with CFC Executive Director Melo Villaroman Jr. and spouse Nini, Country coordinators for Seychelles Bob and Aileen Serrano (Musical Director of Teen Saint Pedro, The Musicale), Mission Core Group members Leo and Edith Campos (Central C) and Jimmy and Beth Guray (South B) were warmly welcomed and hosted by the gracious and hospitable CFC brethren led by Guam Country Head Ebet and Carrie Sapida.

Jess and Mercy Ferrer, being also the National Coordinators for the CFC Migrant Workers Program, paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Consul General, the honorable Bayani V. Mangibin on April 30, along with Melo and Nini Villaroman, Governance Team members Caloy Nuñez and Danny Manuel.

During the meeting, Ferrer offered the CFC Migrant Workers Program (MWP) Values Formation modules to be part of the Consulate’s Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) for OFWs. The response of the Consul General was very encouraging and hopefully, the CFC Guam MWP team may be able to engage in the consulate’s next PAOS schedule in June. A very pleasant discussion ensued thereafter, which focused on the life and struggles of migrant workers.

With this development, the CFC Guam MWP team was given an Orientation/ Appreciation and Facilitators’ Training

by Jess and Mercy on May 5 to prepare them for the engagement in June.

Part of the week-long anniversary itinerary was a visit to the Archbishop Chancery, arranged by Richard Nartia (Church Relations) and CFC member Deacon Dave Richards. The Manila CFC team, with CFC Guam Ebet Sapida and Rita Lorenzo, were received cordially by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron.

Melo briefed the Archbishop on the CFC Mission and Vision. Part of the discussion also centered on the possibility of bringing Teen St. Pedro, The Musicale to Guam. The Archbishop was enthusiastic and receptive of the idea. Furthermore, the CFC team invited His Grace to the Cana conference, which he gladly accepted. At the conference, the Archbishop gave an exhortation for CFC to take the lead in promoting the Catholic Church’s teachings on the Family and its stand against divorce and same sex marriage. The Archbishop likewise led the CFC couple-participants in the renewal of their wedding vows.

A well-attended mid-week teaching was held on Wednesday, May 1 at the SBC parish hall with Melo Villaroman Jr. leading the Men’s conference, where he discussed the powerful and enabling 7 E’s of leadership. Meanwhile Nini Villaroman led the women in a separate venue with the stimulating topic, Mary, the Woman of Today.

Bob and Aileen Serrano, on the other hand, visited landmarks and cultural/ heritage site to research on the stories of St. Pedro Calunsod and Blessed Diego de San Vittores. They also visited the place where St. Pedro and Blessed Diego were believed to have been martyred in Tumon. Hopefully, the musical will be a channel for the youth of Guam to emulate and take St.Pedro as their role model, and for the musical to be an instrument for the eventual canonization of Blessed Diego. The couple also gave a Music Ministry workshop and Healing to the Guam CFC choir.

The culminating activity of the 18th anniversary was the Cana Echo Conference that started at 8:30 AM and ended at 6 PM, in time for the Eucharistic cele-

bration at Santa Barbara Church at 7pm in Dededo, officiated by Fr. Dan Bien.

The morning worship was led by Rene de a Cruz (GT-PFO) while Greg Calvo of CFC Yigo led the afternoon worship.

Talks no. 1 The Wedding Feast, and no. 5, Witness! God’s Glory Revealed were delivered by Melo Villaroman Jr., with spouse Nini as sharer along with Richard Nartia.

Talk no. 2, Do Whatever He Tells You was given by Bob Serrano, with spouse Aileen as sharer together with April Leon Guerrero. Jess Ferrer gave Talk no.3, Filled to the Brim, with spouse Mercy and Maridel Santos as sharers, while Jimmy Guray delivered talk no.4, From Water to Wine, Radical Transformation, with spouse Beth and Senator Dennis Rodriguez of CFC Yigo as sharers. The personal testimonies were all inspiring, giving more meaning to the talks.

The hectic and tiring preparations paid-off amazingly by God’s grace , resulting in an empowering and motivating celebration. Hopefully, all the activities have set the hearts of CFC Guam brethren “On Fire” and their spirits uplifted and ablaze to bring their service and evangelization efforts to a higher level, as they “Obey & Witness”!

Guam mission, clockwise from top: Melo Villaroman Jr. giving the 7 E’s of leadership to CFC men; Nini Villaroman at the Women’s Forum with the topic, Mary, the Woman of Today; the mission team from Manila in a courtesy call to Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron.

By Maru Santos

A week before our flight to Uganda, with my heart so at peace for the upcoming trip, I had this strong sense that God was personally affirming our planned mission.

As I went through the daily gospel that week, all the readings were about Christ telling His Apostles to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” –Mark 16:15 (April 6, Saturday). Day after day, His desire for me to do His work of evangelization in Uganda was being revealed through those readings: “As the Father has sent me, so I sent you.” –John 20:21 (April 7, Sunday).

As I became busy preparing for some physical requirements of the mission, the Lord on the other hand was busy empowering me: “He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.” –John 20:22 (April 7, Sunday). I was in so much joy because Christ’s words were becoming so clear and real in my life.

On the following days, He continued to speak with me: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor in God.” –Luke 1:30 (April 8, Monday). I couldn’t believe it that the words of Scripture could turn into actual reality until it was confirmed that I would be joining the Uganda Mission Team. You see, I’ve been unemployed for quite some time. No doubt, it’s God’s favor that allowed me to go out on mission.

The same gospel talked about Mary’s obedience to God’s call (Luke 1:38); I had faith that it was God who chose me, and my humble “Yes” will complete His great plan for Uganda.

The day before we left, God’s sendoff message to me was, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” – John 3:16 (April 10, Wednesday) And so, early in the morning the following day, we left for the mission,

still with the words of God resounding in my heart.

The weather was perfect.

The warmth of the locals and the fresh air of the land welcomed us.

We immediately headed to a nearby primary school and spent some time there with the kids. Those were moments and scenes I only used to watch in the news. But there it was, happening to me. All I could think of during that time was, “They need our love, our care, our support. And how I hope to be with them some more.”

We spent four days in Uganda just heeding the Lord’s guidance.

There were some plans that didn’t materialize, even detours that we had to go through, but we believed and had already set our faith in the ways of God. With the very short span of time, God allowed us to do so much. We participated in the Holy Eucharist every morning, made a courtesy visit to Bishop Paul Ss, and conducted one campus-based CLP, as well as one pocket CLP for the local singles in Kisubi.

Through the interactions I had with our local brothers and sisters, I came to realize that the Uganda mission made me appreciate even more the people I love and the things I have.

I went to Uganda to do the mission, only to realize in the end, that I was the mission itself—it was I who was moved, blessed and changed.