Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST CBCP Monitor. Vol. 21 No. 7
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CFC Project ReForm goes to the Visayas By CFC Global Comm
CFC Project ReForm, Couples for Christ's program for the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers, conducted training on counselling for 87 new counselors from Cebu, Bohol and Northern Samar from March 31 to April 2, 2017. The training was held at the CFC Cebu Provincial Mission Center in Guadalupe, Cebu City. The training started with worship led by Ric Martinez, the head of the event. It was followed by the welcome remarks by Arnel Sacris, Provincial Area Director of CFC Cebu. Orientation on CFC Project ReForm was given by Onnel Tolentino, followed immediately by the training proper conducted by Jojo Apolo of CFC Indonesia. On April 1, 2017, sessions started with opening exhortation and worship by CFC Social Development Program Head Arnel Santos. Jojo Apolo trained the participants on the rudiments of Calibration and Editing Sub-modalities, with practical exercises. By lunch, Fe Barino, one of the founders of SuGOD (Surrender to God), a drug recovery program initiated by the Archdiocese of Cebu, spoke to the participants about how the Archdiocese and Couples for Christ can work together to help drug surrenderers in the province. SuGod is the Archdiocese of Cebu’s program or movement similar to the Archdiocese of Manila’s Sanlakbay.
The CFC Project ReForm team pose in front of the Operation Second Chance center of Cebu City after the successful training for counselors.
The afternoon sessions opened with worship and sharing by Noel Deang of CFC-Rizal and CFC Project ReForm facilitator. Apolo shared his knowledge and skills on Establishing Rapport, Overcoming Cravings, Resolving Dilemma, Forming Commitment, Creat-
ing Positive Anchors and Collapsing Negative Anchors, which will be the basic technique the participants would use for their practicum counseling. The day closed with a prayer by Neil Balite, Provincial Area Director for CFC Bohol and an anticipated Mass.
YFC FTPWs Build a Better Future for the Poor WHEN something is done in faith and with commitment, there will always be a fruitful outcome. “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:20 Inspired by this verse, A+ Creating a Culture of Excellence, one of the advocacies of Youth for Christ, initiated the ALL CAN SHARE (Your coin can build a future) project, a campaign to send someone to school. A coin bank was distributed to all YFC Metro Manila Fulltime Pastoral Workers (FTPW) last February with instruc-
tions to save five pesos a day for 60 days and put them in the coin bank. Two months later, the target of P300 per bank has been achieved. This is exactly the amount needed for the fulltime workers to register early for the ANCOP Global Walk (AGW) this September. However, despite having achieved their goal of registering for the AGW, the FTPWs continue to save. This time, their savings are intended to send more ANCOP scholars to school. The ALL CAN SHARE project aims to instill in the youth the value of saving money and of helping people in need, in this case, young people who need assistance to pursue their education.
If you want to be a part of building one’s future, here are the simple steps: 1. SECURE A COIN BANK INTENDED FOR ANCOP SCHOLARS 2. DROP A COIN (Drop five pesos a day.) 3. MAKE IT A HABIT (Be sure that you will drop five pesos a day for 60 days so you can have 300 pesos at the end of 60 days.) 4. SEND SOMEONE TO SCHOOL (Your 300 PHP can now send s o m e o n e t o s c ho o l through ANCOP.) Your P5.00 a day can help build a better future for someone.
For inquiries, you ma y contact (02) 709-4849 or visit A+ Ad vocacy on Facebook .
YFC International Coordinator Lawrence Quintero (3rd from right) endorsing the All CAN Share canisters.
On the last day of the training, April 2, Ace Elevera, fulltime pastoral worker for Singles for Christ assigned in Bohol, and also a CFC Project ReForm volunteer, led the powerful opening worship. Elevera, himself a former drug user, ministered to the youth in
Operation Second Chance while he was a YFC fulltime worker. Apolo continued with the sessions on Removing Phobia and Traumas. The participants then prepared for the practicum counseling through
Journey to Wholeness AS PART of its gateway evangelization, Couples for Christ began a weekly series entitled “Journeying to Wholeness and Happiness.” The series, also called the “Friday Series” because it is a 21-week program that is offered every Friday, is held at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The program began last March 24 and featured Ma. Clarissa “Ilsa” B. Reyes, award-winning DZMM Teleradyo host who spoke on “Living Your Dream.” Succeeding talks will have lay speakers, both CFC and non-CFC, with some
high-profile personalities as sharers. The talks will be on a variety of topics, all of them geared towards the theme of journeying towards a holy life. Being part of gateway evangelization, the program targets non-CFC participants and does not seek any commitment from them to join CFC. The program was, in layman’s language, serendipitous, but for the CFC team who worked to put it on stream, it is all God’s grace. It began when Shok Ariola brought to Msgr. Bong Lo, chaplain of the Megamall chapel, a proposal to hold a JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS, C3
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Ms. Ilsa Reyes of DZMM talked about “Living Your Dream” at the Friday Series in the Chapel of The Eucharistic Lord, SM Megamall.
CFC OSM CONDUCTS 1st PNP CHARACTER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
The Order of St. Michael (in red shirts) with PNP from Camp Panopio, Cubao.
COUPLES for Christ Order of St. Michael (OSM) conducted its first Character Enhancement Program, Module 1 “Only For The Brave” for the Philippine National Police last March 28, 2017. The activity was held at the QCPD Station 7, Camp Panopio, Cubao, QC. Twenty eight (28) Police Officers and six (6) police interns participated in the CEM. Overview and Talk 1 were presented by OSM Program Head Willy Ona, while Mon de Leon delivered Talk 2 titled “Roadblocks To Greatness”. Raymund Bucu, a former member of the Airport Police, shared his personal testimony. Jaycee dela Cruz was the speaker for Talk 3, “Defending our Family, Building Our Homes” with Michelle Llaban and her children as sharers (a
much applauded portion of the program). Talk 4 on “Forgiveness” was aptly delivered by Dr. Leo Delacruz, while Art Alabanza discussed Talk 5, “All Out Victory”. The activity was initiated through the joint efforts of PO3 Raldy Bucu (EA) and PSInsp Alberto Juanillo Jr. of CFC Bulacan. That the CEM 1 was very inspiring and encouraging was borne out by the request of the Station Commander, P/Supt Louise Benjie Tremor, for a continuous presentation of the OSM modules for the rest of the staff under his command. God’s blessing did not stop there. The team was also able to talk to the PNP Chaplain who promised to recommend the program to the PNP headquarters.
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CBCP Monitor
Exploring the Spiritual Realities of Lent
From The Chairman Joe Tale
The Sound of Silence OUR WORLD has become much too noisy. There is cacophony everywhere – the traffic, the voices of people hurrying to and fro, the ringing of phones and gadgets. There is the noise of war and conflict – the cries of the lost and the oppressed, the long-running strife in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Sudan, and of terrorist acts around the world, particularly in London and St. Petersburg in recent days. In our own backyard, there is the conflict with our Muslim brothers and the war on drugs resulting in extrajudicial killings and the loss of innocent lives. In our country, there is the noise of divergent opinions and totally contrary views on the current leadership, on the issues of divorce, same-sex marriage, the age of criminal responsibility, the EJK, the death penalty. In the midst of all this noise, many of us have retreated into silence. Seemingly hopeless and helpless against the onslaught of all of these negative forces, many of us have chosen to sit back and be quiet and just let all the cacophony flow around us, perhaps thinking there is nothing we can do. But our silence now allows the darkness to grow even darker, even more menacing. As the song, “The Sound of Silence” goes: “Fools, said I, you do not know. Silence like a cancer grows.” It is ironical that while there is indeed a lot of noise around us, there is also a deafening silence amidst attacks on our faith, and the values we cherish. There is silence even as we witness our leaders being cowed into submission. There is a time to be still but there is a time to stand up and shout. As Ecclesiastes 3 puts it: there is “a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Today is our time to speak. We need be silent no longer. And we can speak not only with words but with what we do. Many of us Christians seem to be content with staying only at the level of faith that resides only in our heads. We cannot seem to rise to the level of faith in our actions. However, the Letter of James tells us: How does it help, my brothers, when someone who has never done a single good act claims to have faith? Will that faith bring salvation? If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, 'I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty,' without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that? In the same way faith, if good deeds do not go with it, is quite dead. But someone may say: So you have faith and I have good deeds? Show me this faith of yours without deeds, then! It is by my deeds that I will show you my faith. You believe in the one God - that is creditable enough, but even the demons have the same belief, and they tremble with fear. Fool! Would you not like to know that faith without deeds is useless? James 1:14-20 It seems that there is also a prevailing atmosphere of fear and timidity among the people of faith. However in the Letter of Paul to Timothy, he says: “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” 2 Timothy 1:7-8 So let us shake off our timidity and fears and be courageous. Let us not be silent any longer. Let us join our voices to the noise but let our voices speak only of what is true and of what God wants for us. Let us proclaim that we are God’s people, mandated to fight His battle for truth, justice and peace.
LIFE-GIVING JUSTICE, NOT DEADLY REVENGE The CFC YFC Statement on the Death Penalty
THE FOLLOWING are excerpts from the homily of Fr. Jeffrey Quintela, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Marikina during the Mission Core Gathering of Metro Manila leaders on April 2, 2017 at the Ynares Gym in Pasig. Some phrases and sentences in Tagalog have been translated into English. My dear friends we are now on the 5th Sunday of Lent. I don’t know if in your parishes, your parish priests or those who are in charge of the church have already covered the images inside the church. This is because we are enjoined not only to observe fasting of the mouth, which we began on Ash Wednesday, but we also begin today fasting of the eyes. When we began Lent, we were told to fast from many things— the mouth, the ears, there is no singing of alleluia, no singing or saying of Gloria. If you notice, churches also do not have flowers during this season, because our eyes are being asked to fast from such feasts of color. We are told to fast so that we can anticipate even more the coming of Easter. Our anticipation is now getting higher, our hearts grow more on fire because the scenes of Lent become more intense. If you notice, the Gospel readings of the past three Sundays delve into deeper discourse. For example, the reading on the third Sunday of Lent was about the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well and where Jesus said that He is the water
that gives life. Thirst is a condition of the soul. If our souls are thirsty for God, who can quench our thirst? None other than Jesus Christ who is the living water. Last Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent, the Gospel was about the man born blind. So now the situation is no longer the soul’s thirst for God which cannot be quenched because of the presence of sin. Now there is also blindness. But again, it is Jesus who is the answer because He is the light of the world. This Sunday, the last before Holy Week, before Palm Sunday, the Gospel speaks not just of thirst, not just of blindness but it speaks of death. This is the extreme situation – our soul is not just thirsty for the living water, not just blind to the truth, but it has died because of sin. At the beginning of this passage, Jesus said, ‘this illness is not to end in death’. But seemingly He was wrong. Lazarus indeed died. But Jesus was actually telling his audience, and us, that we need to relax and not worry. Back then, people said, Jesus healed the blind and sick, but why was it that he could not save his friend from death? Jesus was saying that healing the sick and the blind is no longer anything new. He was about to do something that will be for the glory of God and that the son of God may be glorified through him. Now, here are some spiritual realities. When Jesus finally came to where Lazarus
and his sisters Martha and Mary lived, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Jesus’ first words to Martha were “Your brother will rise” and “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,” And the Gospel goes on to narrate that in front of the people, “Jesus wept.” He wept because in his being human, he felt the pain of bitterness and loss. Brothers and sisters, in the same way, do you think we are the first to weep because of our sinfulness? That we are the only ones in agony because of it? No. God weeps first when man is bound to sin. God weeps over our sinfulness. You can just imagine the feeling of a father whenever his child, his son or his daughter is in sin. That is what Jesus feels too. Jesus weeps over the death of a person in sin but it doesn’t end there. Listen to the question of Jesus: ‘Where have you laid him?’ You see my dear friends, despite our sinfulness, God is always ready to look for us. God is always ready to find us, to find you, to find me. You think you are looking for God? Think again, God looks for you all the more. When Jesus asked “where have you laid him,” he was saying, “I want to see him, I want to find him.” So they went to the tomb. And Jesus saw the stone that was rolled in front of the tomb and he commanded that the stone be rolled away.
Now they took away the stone. And Jesus cried out in a loud voice: Lazarus, come out! We read of Jesus raising his voice only in a few instances—when he drove out the vendors from the temple, when hanging on the cross, he cried, ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me?’ and just before he expired, he cried out ‘Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.’ This is the same loud voice that stilled the wind and the storm, the same voice that said “Let there be light” and there was light. Whatever he says comes to pass. Thus, when we receive Communion, we know for sure that it is indeed his body and his blood because he said so. “This is my body. This is my blood.” When we hear the voice of the priest saying after our Confession that “Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” it is God actually saying “I forgive you.” Lazarus came out, still bound in burial wrappings. Jesus said, untie him and let him go. That is what happens when we are forgiven, we are untied, we are free. Free from the clutches of the devil. Free from sinfulness. As we prepare for Holy Week, let us prepare ourselves. Let us free ourselves from the clutches of sin but that is only possible if we allow God to find us, to look for us.
CFC Sultan Kudarat Breaks Ground on 22nd Anniversary AS A pro-life community, CFC – Youth for Christ stands firm in its conviction of opposing the death penalty bill. We share the same vision of fighting criminality but death penalty is not the answer to criminality. Studies conducted on countries with death penalty show that there has never been any evidence that the imposition of death penalty reduces the occurrence of crimes nor will it deter prospective offenders from committing a crime. For instance, “homicide rate is at least five times greater in United States (where death penalty is done in most of its states) than in any Western European country, all without the death penalty” (Carter, 2012). Hence, it is not a probable deterrent to criminality. Moreover, we share the same faith and conscience that dictates us that life is sacred. We believe that “human life, no matter how deformed and depraved in its earthly condition, is always sacred, because it’s a life that has a special and very intimate
relation with God, its creator.” Since life is a gift from God, it is only through God’s will that life can come to its natural end. Death penalty will put the final say to life or death of a person to the government’s will and that will run contrary to life’s sacred nature. Killing a person through capital punishment will take away the opportunity of the person to repent and change. Passing the death penalty is as good as saying that the Filipino people is a hopeless cases—that we are not capable of conversion. The passage of the death penalty bill is an indication of the government’s incapability of affecting positive and influential change in the country. Since the government does not prioritize the rehabilitation of those who need it, they will just impose capital punishment to kill them to ease the problem. The sacredness and dignity of life from conception to natural death should be preserved. When we put an end to a criminal’s life, we
also put an end to his chance to experience life transformation. It is therefore more becoming of a government to help their citizens in their moral transformation rather than putting an end to their life. ”…I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11 NABRE)”. It is then our sworn mandate to improve the quality of life rendering death penalty unnecessary. Death penalty is not a call to justice; it is a call to revenge. We want the young people to continue in valuing life no matter how deformed and depraved it may be. We want to teach the young people not to revenge but to promote transformative justice for everyone. The culture of life-giving justice, and not of deadly revenge, is the culture that we want the young to learn and live by. If we focus on revenge, we can never find peace.
THE groundbreaking rites for the proposed Provincial Mission Center was the highlight of the 22nd Anniversary of CFC Sultan Kudarat on March 25, 2017 at Bautista Farm, Tacurong City. Laying the time capsule during the ceremony were Toto Morilla, CFC Unit Head, and Supervising Engineer of the PMC; Joey Bid-
ding, AGT Member, CFC-SKT (Famin); Nanding Nuñez, AGT Member, CFC-SKT (ANCOP); Totoy Simplicio, Region Head, CFC South-Central Mindanao; CFC BOE James Solano, who is also CFC Mindanao Mission Director; Dick Dadios, Provincial Area Head of CFC Sultan Kudarat; John Padernal, AGT
Member, CFC-SKT (Evangelization); Brian Uy, member, Music Ministry, CFC Davao City; and Boyette Tabuga, Provincial Area Director, CFC Sultan Kudarat. The proposed site, a 500 sq. meter lot, was donated by Milagros Bautista, a HOLD member of CFC Sultan Kudarat. (Nanding Nuñez, Correspondent)
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Casting and mending nets Mark 1:16,19
MOST BIBLE scholars agree that the Gospel of Mark was the first to be written and that Matthew and Luke had access to a written form of Mark’s gospel when they wrote theirs. The Gospel of John was, however, written independently of Mark. If this is the case, then Mark’s version of the gathering of the first disciples is the earliest written account: As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:16-20) If we agree with the opinion of some Bible scholars that the differing Gospel accounts on the gathering of the first disciples can be harmonized by placing the account of John as the first encounter between Jesus and the first disciples, the account of Mark/Matthew as the second, and the account of Luke as the final and decisive encounter, then the immediate decision of Simon and Andrew to follow Jesus in Mark/Matthew can be partly explained by the fact that they had known and met Jesus earlier.
On the other hand, if we agree with other Bible scholars that there is no need to chronologically harmonize the three differing accounts since the Gospel writers could care less about chronological accuracy but were more concerned about their theological message, then the response of the first disciples to follow immediately and totally, leaving nets, boats, and father, could be attributed solely to the persuasive power of Jesus’ call. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary tells us that: “Mark’s account of Jesus’ calling the first four disciples provides a model of response to Jesus. Their lack of preparation and the absence of interest in their psychological development serve to underline the point of the story. So compelling were Jesus and his call that no preparation or getting used to the idea was necessary; the first disciples required little or no deliberation to make an enthusiastic commitment. It was customary for Jewish students to approach a distinguished teacher and attach themselves to him; but here Jesus summons the students. Jesus encounters his first disciples at their place of work on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.” As we ponder more deeply on this Gospel passage, we note that the first four disciples to be called by Jesus were all fishermen. And their daily routine was to cast and mend their nets. They
go fishing for a living. They cast the net, pull it in. Then cast the net again and pull it in again. Then they sit in the boat to mend the net. Casting and mending. Casting and mending. This was their daily routine. Day after day, they cast and mend, cast and mend. In Mark’s account, unlike in John’s, Simon and Andrew were not looking for Jesus. They were content to daily cast and mend their nets. Casting and mending occupied their time. Casting and mending were necessary tasks they did every day to earn a living. Until Jesus came and called them. And that single event changed their lives completely. Permanently. Forever. We too do our own daily “casting and mending” to earn a living. Oftentimes these tasks occupy most of our time and attention. We “cast and mend” to be able to afford to build our dream house; buy a second car or a third, or even a fourth, to ensure we have one available during coding days; send our children to the best schools; go on vacation to Europe, Japan and other countries; visit friends and relatives in the US, Canada and Australia. We “cast and mend” our way through days of loneliness, difficulties, sickness, or bitterness. Mark does not record any discussions or questions from the disciples when Jesus called them. They simply and immediately followed. But have you ever wondered if Jesus offers us the
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Christian Life Program in the mall. Msgr. Bong explained that the chapel rules will not allow it. What he wanted was a sustainable weekly program that would attract not only regular Mass goers but even shoppers. Thus the series was not to be overtly CFC or even heavily religious. It took quite a bit of reflection and brainstorming but CFC felt it was up to the challenge. The Central A sector, with its geographical lines encompassing Megamall, was tasked to take the lead in coming up and implementing the program. CFC was about to bring Christ to the marketplace! This was the perfect opportunity to socialize with non-CFC and to merge the pastoral with the practical. After Msgr. Bong approved of the format and content of the Friday series, the team went to work and prepared for the first session which
same invitation, “Come after me”, will we be asking: Do you want me now or can I follow you later? What will be my role? What shall I bring with me? Where are we going? How do you plan to support our work? What is our strategy? For evangelistic communities like Couples for Christ, the narrative of Mark assumes another important meaning. We “cast nets”, we evangelize to “catch people”, to bring others into the same community where we find Jesus, feel the loving embrace of the Father, and relish the joy that only the Holy Spirit can bring. Yet these nets will soon tear. There will be holes in it through which the “fish” could escape. There will be problems and concerns in the community, which will cause some to leave. Members will experience disappointments and hurts, which will lead them to “escape”. For this reason, there will be need to “mend” our nets, to repair the hurts and disappointments, to address the problems and concerns, to once again bring back the fire of the Spirit that brought them into the community in the first place. Community life is therefore also a series of “casting and mending”, of bringing and keeping, of gathering and caring. We were “caught in the CFC net” in 1992. Just over six months after completing our CLP, we moved to Jakarta where, full of enthusiasm and fired up
by the Spirit, we immediately invited friends to the first English CLP for expatriates. Within a few years, the CFC Jakarta Expatriate Chapter doubled in number each year, growing from 12 in 1993 to 379 members in 1998 comprising 13 nationalities. Our Jakarta days in the CFC community were the most enjoyable and Spirit-filled. We felt the love of the members of the community. We experienced the joy of serving with brothers and sisters. We enjoyed the consolation of being able to tell the story of Jesus and seeing the transformation in others as they, too, got to know Jesus better. But as we moved up the community’s leadership ladder, as country coordinator, regional coordinator, moderator of the Board of Elders, and member of the International Council, we became more aware of the weaknesses of some of the leaders, even those at the very top. We felt the “net tearing up”, we saw more and more “holes in the net”. But we never even considered leaving through those “holes”. Because we found Jesus in the community. And we always remind ourselves that since Jesus is in the community, why look for Him elsewhere. Many “holes” in the “community’s net” need urgent mending. With God’s grace, we would like to be among those who would “mend the net” while never stopping to “cast” it.
SMDC, CFC ANCOP Ink New Deal
would determine the series’ outcome. Posters announcing the coming series were posted at the mall. To CFC’s surprise, about 200 people showed up for the first talk, scheduled for 7 -8:30 PM. The chapel was filled to overflowing, with many later on expressing interest in returning for the other talks. One said she was only there to say a brief prayer but she found the talk so interesting she stayed till the end. In the first session, Ilsa spoke of honoring the Lord’s plan for us. She emphasized that while we have our own dreams, they may not be what God wants for us. However, because of His love for us, where He brings us is where He will use us and bless us. For Ilsa, living the dream is all about knowing our purpose. It is all about asking
ourselves: Why am I doing what I am doing today? Does my dream lead others to dream too? Ilsa is a fulltime Church worker involved in the ministries of inner healing, intercession and media. She is also the author of several books dealing with the psycho spiritual journey to wholeness, among them, “Affirmation and Healing Treasures,” “Before There’s a ‘We’ There’s a ‘Me’” and “Healing Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” winner of the Best Book in the Ministry Category of the Cardinal Sin Book awards. The team, led by Ronnel Enriquez, is very excited about the series. The program is still in the development stage, so Biboy and Rachel Arguelles, Central A sector leaders, describe it as “God’s Lab,” a venue whereby the experiments become opportunities for discovery.
The next two talks promise to be as interesting. March 31 will feature Aileen Serrano and Raymond and Pia Abarrientos who will speak on “Faith in the Storm.” April 7 will have Fr. Anton Pascual as speaker on the topic “Does God Have a Plan?” As a gateway evangelization effort, the series is intended to proclaim CFC to the public in a way that is informal, attractive and non-intrusive. At the first session, the team did not overtly proclaim their being CFC but their warmth and welcoming smiles brought several people to ask about CFC, with some expressing interest in attending future CLPs. Central A, having been recently given St. Francis Parish as part of their geographical coverage, plans to hold the CLP there because of its proximity to Megamall.
From Left to Right: Armenia Ballesteros, Jose Mari Banzon, Jimmy Ilagan, and Joe Tale.
TWO YEARS after SM Foundation and CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, Inc. forged a partnership to build 400 disaster-resilient homes for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, and barely a year after the completion and turnover of the new village called the Pope Francis CFC ANCOP Canada Community - SM Cares Village, the two organizations are back on the table, signing a new partnership for the construction of another 200 houses in the province of Eastern Samar. The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by
Jose Mari Banzon, Executive Vice President of SM Development Corporation; Jimmy Ilagan, Chairman of CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, Inc.; Armenia Ballesteros of SMDC Business Planning and Development; and Joe Tale, Chairman, Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc. Present during the signing were Elena Horn of SM Cares and other representatives from both organizations. The MoA signing was held at the office of SMDC located at Two E-Com Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Community development programs such as values for-
mation, livelihood training and others will be put in place to ensure the sustainability of the project and to make change work for all the home partners in starting their new life in this new community. The Pope Francis Village in Kawayan, Tacloban City is the biggest housing project of the country’s biggest developer and is the third batch of the 1,000 houses committed by SM Foundation for Yolanda survivors. The new housing project of SM Development Corporation and CFC ANCOP in Eastern Samar is also intended for Yolanda survivors.
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to fear and to draw close to the light which is God. He urged everyone to remain courageous because believers are built for greater things. If it seems impossible to bring everything to God, Ariola pointed out that saints have also been refined as they strived to live a life in Christ. The session ended with a symbolic lighting of candles followed by the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to signify the presence of the one true Light. A powerful praisefest was led by SFC International Missions Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia Manz Padilla. SFC ICON 2017 Day 3 The last day of the conferences was ushered in by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by San Ildefonso Parish Makati SDB Youth Director Rev. Fr. Ian Rosal. Fr. Ian, in his homily, mentioned that perfection is not impossible because God will not command something that we cannot do. He also shared that the key to being perfect is to know, to choose, and to love. After the opening worship led by Edson Alquizalas of SFC Metro Manila, the fourth and last session was delivered via a variety show format hosted by Ernie Abringe, Roseberry Dulla, and Gelo Saludo. Through the various
performances, the segment drove the message that one must be all out in holiness, witnessing to God’s presence, and turning away from vices. The session ended with a grand production number to the tune of Liveloud’s “Nothing Can Stop”. SFC Northeastern Luzon Regional Coordinator Ritsard Española led the inspiring praisefest, a rousing end to another Spirit-filled conference. (SFC Communications)
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight
Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor
Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist
Christina Quiambao Editorial Assistant
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 globalcommunications@couplesforchristglobal.org
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April 3 - 16, 2017 Vol. 21 No. 07
CBCP Monitor
SFC: All Out For Christ! OVER 5,300 CFC-Singles for Christ members all over the world gathered at the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City for the 24th SFC International Conference on February 17 to 19, 2017. This year’s conference had the theme “All Out for Christ”, centered on the firm conviction to be faithful to God despite life’s toughest temptations and battles. Reach out, not just preach The CFC-SFC ICON 2017 opened with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Fr. Randy Doromal. In his homily, Fr. Randy stated that “We are called to not only to build the city but also to build the Kingdom, not only to build our name but also to give glory to God.” More importantly, he reminded that each person is called to reach out and not just preach. The Mass was followed by the opening salvo of the conference, the Dinagyang, followed by the worship led by SFC Metro Manila Coordinator Jeremy Quimpang. Noli Manuel, SFC International Coordinator went on stage to facilitate the first session titled “At All Times”. In this session, Manuel and the sharers reiterated that SFC must guard three essential aspects in their lives: one’s family, community, and one’s being. “In guarding our families, we continue to uphold God’s presence on Earth. Likewise, we must guard our community against false claims of Catholic intolerance in the guise of freedom of expression as well as modernism that attacks the relevance of the Church,” he emphasized.
Day 1 ended with the SFC Club Praise which took the form of a music festival. Guest bands entertained the ICON delegates who donned their best Boho Chic attires as they partied the night away.
A full Day 2 During Day 2 of the Conference, the SFCs attended various workshops like Travel Light, which helped participants identify and release emotional baggages; Online Missionary, which
ANCOP Canada Sponsors Studies of 4 Carmelite Nuns
tackled the use of current-day platforms to spread God’s Word; Financial Wellness, which helped SFCs make informed decisions about personal finance; Credo, which equipped the attendees in explaining and defending
the Catholic faith; Finishing Strong, a holistic fitness workshop; More Than a Wedding, which prepared engaged couples on married life. A conference for couple coordinators was also conducted simultaneously. In the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Joenick Territorio of the Archdiocese of Jaro celebrated the Mass. His homily exhorted everyone that before working all-out for Christ, one must first make sure that Christ works in him through formation, ministering, character, and good conduct. He also imparted the message that to know and understand Jesus, one must give his all-out effort in knowing who He is. After the Mass, Janos Lee of SFC China led the opening worship after sharing his inspiring conversion story. CFC-YFC International Coordinator Lawrence Quintero delivered Session 2 titled “Keeping the Faith” which tackled the importance of faith and how one can remain steadfast in it. He said, “We must be faithful in three things: our Statement of Philosophy, our SFC covenant, and to the Catholic Church.” He expounded, “In staying true to our Statement of Philosophy, we must take care of our bodies, hold life sacred, keep the sacredness of the Sacraments, and stay true to our mandate to be model citizens of our respective countries.” Session 2 was immediately followed by the third session titled “Into the Light” which was discussed by CFC Family Ministries Director Michael Ariola. Ariola described the anatomy of sin and added that when darkness begins to “comfort” an individual, he begins SFC ICON, C3
VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY ANCOP CANADA IN KENYA
The four Carmelite Sisters are Sr. Alice Dande, Sr. Teresia Mbusiro, Sr. Lily Tanui and Sr. Susan Thirugine
ANCOP Child Sponsorship Program has levelled up its scholarship program. It is now sponsoring four Carmelite sisters who will pursue Bachelor of Arts in Education at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa starting 2017. The four Carmelite sisters expressed their desire to take up an Education course because they feel this is the best way that they can help the children of the poorest of the poor in Africa, especially in the remote areas of Kenya.
Beth Paragua, overall in charge of the Sponsorship Program in Narok, Kenya shared, “The nuns are so happy that they will now be able to go to school. They want to thank ANCOP Canada for the opportunity to pursue their education degree. This spells hope for the poor children.” The four Carmelite Sisters are Sr. Alice Dande, Sr. Teresia Mbusiro, Sr. Lily Tanui and Sr. Susan Thirugine. (from http://ancopcanada.org)
The Bounty Abounds in S’America CFC missionaries from South Florida have reported that their harvest in their mission area – South America – remains bountiful. Esther Prexl, one of the missionaries, is currently in Colombia doing pastoral visitations after the mission team successfully conducted three consecutive Christian Life Programs in Ecuador and just recently in El Cite. Another CLP is scheduled for Floresta Bogota, Colombia where Esther will be joined by missionaries Carlos and Yamile. The second quarter of 2017 will see the conduct
of four CLPs in Antioquia, Colombia, at the towns of Giradota, Yolombo and Caracoli by the end of April. The 2017 South America mission has reported the following accomplishment/ harvest reports: February: Colombia San Luis: 184 persons; March 10-12: Ecuador Palmar/ Colonche: 50 persons; March 17-19: Ecuador San Juan: 35 persons; March 17-19: Ecuador Cristo Rey: 13 persons; and March 24-26: Colombia El Cite: 42 persons. A total of 324 new members have been added to the ranks of God’s Army in South America. (Glen Santayana)
PROJECT REFORM, C1
the Healer’s Prayer, composed by Apolo. After a quick lunch, the participants proceeded to Operation Second Chance, a facility for children in conflict with the law. The facility, located at Bgy. Kalunansan, houses 212 children aged 13 to 19, whose offenses include drug abuse, rape, theft, human trafficking, and multiple murder. After the team conducted their practicum counseling, they were inspired to pray over Operation Second Chance Executive Direc-
tor Merlina Mitante, former BJMP officer on whose shoulders rest the burden of running the facility after it was turned over to the city government last year. The experience brought a new sense of commitment to CFC in the Visayas as far as drug rehabilitation and recovery is concerned. For one, the province has committed to “adopt” Operation Second Chance and help support the needs of the children in the facility, over and beyond ministering to them spiritually.
CFC Bohol has likewise expressed a desire to bring the program to the province via a separate training, which will be scheduled sometime within the second quarter. Moreover, CFC is also looking at collaborating with the Archdiocese in parish-based counseling of drug surrenderers. The weekend has indeed opened countless opportunities for CFC in the Visayas to help the Church in ministering to those affected by the government’s war on drugs.
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TWENTY-EIGHT (28) out of school youths now have a chance for a better life. ANCOP Canada is sponsoring their enrolment in one-year vocational courses -Tailoring/ Dressmaking and Hotel and Hospitality at the Teresa Van Miert Development Centre in Kenya. “I am really thankful to the Lord for sending ANCOP as a vehicle for me to make my life productive. It will empower me to get the skills I need to be able to work and have a chance for a better life”, shared Linet Kwamboka Mobasi, one of the sponsored children under this new program.
After receiving their certificates of completion, the graduates of the Hotel and Hospitality class stand a big chance to be employed in the different restaurants, resorts and hotels while those from the Tailoring/ Dressmaking course can start their small tailoring business in their respective homes or be employed in bigger tailoring shops. God has indeed paved the way for ANCOP Canada to empower these children to be better members of the society and to have a stronger and firm faith in the Lord. (from http://ancopcanada.org)