CBCP Monitor
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November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
CFC Leaders Convene for ANCOP Global Planning
The President's Report CFC ANCOP Global Strategic Planning 2015
ANCOP COMDEV SHELTER No. of Homes Built No. of Communities
548
1042
1,391
2011-2013
2013-2014
2014-8/2015
27
37
35
2011-2013
2013-2014
2014-8/2015
ANCOP EDUCATION - CSP NUMBER OF SCHOLARS FOR SY 2015-16
Elementary High School College /Vocational TOTAL
2832 1986 2162 6980
CFC ANCOP CSP SPONSORS for Philippines
EUROPE - 246
CANADA - 2,850
JAPAN - 63
USA - 1,142 VIETNAM - 1 BRUNEI - 10 MALAYSIA - 10 SINGAPORE- 56 INDONESIA - 2
AUSTRALIA - 337 NEW ZEALAND - 35
CFC leaders from the Philippine, Metro Manila and International Missions gathered for the first global ANCOP strategic planning
By Arnel Santos
CFC ANCOP leaders and volunteers gathered for the first ever CFC ANCOP global planning on November 4-7, 2015, at the Carmelite Missionaries Center for Spirituality inTagaytay City, Philippines.
In attendance were all the members of the CFC ANCOP Board led by its Chairman Joe Yamamoto and President Jimmy Ilagan, the top leaders of ANCOP organizations in Canada, USA, UAE and Australia, as well as key leaders and volunteers in the Philippines. Also present were members of the International Council namely, CFC Chairman Joe Tale; President George Campos; PFO Director Rouquel Ponte; Metro Manila Mission
PHILIPPINES - 1,397
AGW - 1,319 LOCAL 78
Director Manny Garcia, and members Lito Tayag and Michael Ariola. The first two days resulted in the updating, recasting, adoption and approval by the CFC International Council and the ANCOP Board, of the ANCOP Vision and Mission statement, strategic goals, projects, and objectives. The ANCOP Vision Statement now reads as: “FAMILIES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT ANCOP GLOBAL PLANNING, C4
Awesome Decade
ANCOP EDUCATION - CORNERSTONE PRESENCE
CORNERSTONE COMPONENTS
2,990 Trained Tutors/Facilitators 214 Cornerstone Classes/Schools 3,822 Elementary Students (Tutored) Students Formation) 1,760 HS(Leadership
32 Provinces -133 schools 12 MM sectors - 58 schools
TARGET 143 Elementary Schools (4,290 children) 48 High Schools (1,440 HS leaders) 12 MM sectors - 58 schools
ANCOP EDUCATION - CSP GRADUATES 2832
6980
Elementary 1986 High School College /Vocational 2162 TOTAL GRADUATES 283
Board Passers/Magna/ Cum Laude/Dean’s Lister
41 33
Valedictorian/Salutatorian/ Honorable Mention Recognition/Awards/ 1st to 3rd honor /dean’s lister undergrad
ANCOP SPONSORED CHILDREN - FOREIGN The 29 AD Musicionaries celebrating 10 fruitful years of music and mission
Ten years. Ten years of music, service AND friendship. Ten years of joys and sorrows. Ten years of walking in faith. Of journeying with brothers and sisters. Of growing, pruning, outspreading and bearing fruit. One awesome decade. 29AD has been blessed with one awesome decade and we cannot help but rejoice and bring back all the glory to God. This decade, although it did not come without its own set of hardships and trials, is a witness to our Lord’s love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness. That is the cause of our celebration as we held our anniversary concert entitled Awesome Decade on October 29, 2015 at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall in Ortigas Center. The date of the concert was just two days before 29 AD founder and director Bob Serrano’s death anniversary. The Awesome Decade concert was delivered in 10 segments, with each segment anchoring on a bible verse while looking back at the journey and milestones of 29AD. Segment 1: Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
God’s initial call to us was very simple. In 2005, we formed a cluster music ministry. 29AD, then without a name, started by serving at CFC assemblies and gatherings, and some wakes and weddings. It all started with a very simple call from God and with a resounding YES from us. And our Yes led us to a wonderful journey with the Lord, walking with brothers and sisters with the same passion for God and for music. Segment 2: Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 These were words so fitting for us when we embarked on our first concert – Gabi ng Kantahan for Gawad Kalinga or GK4GK. Just two hours before the concert started, we lost Bob Barretto, the group’s band leader and drummer, a man who gave himself and his heart fully to the work of the Lord. “Today is a good day to go to heaven.” This was one of Bob’s last words to us that day. And what gracious timing that it would be the
The MM Mission Core: Teaching thru Movie Screening
The Metro Manila MC Teaching Night goes to the movies!
It was a totally different kind of Teaching Night for the Metro Manila Mission Core last October 20, 2015. Deviating from the usual talk/lecture, the MC members were instead treated to a special screening of the movie Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story. Because of the size of the MC membership, the screening was done in two venues. For Metro Manila North, Central (A and B), West, and East, the screening was in SM Mega Mall, while for the South and Central C, the screening was done in SM Sucat. The special screening of the film was an opportunity to highlight the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he was elected Pope Francis. The Holy Father’s Apostolic Visit to the Philippines early this year, when he visited the typhoon victims in Leyte and met the faithful in various venues in Metro Manila, is still fresh in the minds of the Philippine faithful. Couples for Christ was one of the many Church groups
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called to serve in various capacities during the historic visit. Filipinos therefore have a special affiliation with, and an extraordinary interest in the life of Pope Francis. Aside from being a Teaching Night, the evening became a family movie night, as some couples brought along their children, siblings and even non-CFC friends to the special screening. Michael Ariola, IC member and Director for Communications reported, “There was a significant increase in the attendance, perhaps because of the proximity of the venues to the sectors.” He added, “We can also say that the increase (in attendance) is because we decided to teach differently this time. I have seen this (kind of response) during our Leadership Development Program (LDP) days where Catholicism by Bp. Robert Baron was the topic. I think we can say and see that the manner of how we teach is MISSION CORE, C3
PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 265 students, sponsored by Australia (Pre-school 215) SOLOMON ISLANDS, 30 students, sponsored by Australia NIGERIA, 58 students, sponsored by Canada KENYA, 90 students, sponsored by Canada INDIA, 129 students, sponsored by Canada GHANA, 44 students, sponsored by Canada
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November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23
CFC ANCOP USA Joins 2nd Typhoon Haiyan Reflection
CBCP Monitor
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Roger Santos of CFC ANCOP USA giving a report on the contributions of ANCOP to the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition
The Philippine Humanitarian Coalition (PHC), a Washington D.C.-based group of different organizations, held the second Typhoon Haiyan Reflection last November 6 at the Romulo Hall of the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington D.C. The event was done in remembrance of the catastrophic typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda which struck southern Philippines two years ago. The non-profit CFC ANCOP USA, a member of the PHC, rendered a report on the $9,360 grant it received. Roger Santos, Executive Director of ANCOP USA, reported that ANCOP USA added a counterpart in the amount of $11,000, raising the total to $20, 360.00.
With this amount, ANCOP USA was able to purchase and build 10 Butterfly Homes, which are now being used by typhoon victims from Leyte. The Butterfly house is a new, innovative steel-framed housing structure that can be folded for compact shipping and storage, and unfolded into an immediately livable structure. ANCOP USA will be deploying 10 homes each in Cebu and Davao during the first quarter of 2016 in the event of any calamity. As part of ANCOP USA’s disaster preparedness program, the group has deployed generators, chainsaws, water filtration container systems and medical supplies to key ANCOP centers in Southern Philippines. (ANCOP USA Communication)
Pastor spearheads fundraising for ANCOP houses
day he would join our Lord. Segment 3: We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20 Truly we cannot help but proclaim the Lord’s goodness whenever we serve Him. God leads us as we go to be the salt of the earth and light to the world. God has set the fire in our hearts to say YES and His Spirit leads us to His Mission. Segment 4: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 God's mission brings us literally to the ends of the earth. Wherever God calls us, we go. It is the Spirit that empowers us to share our lives and our faith with brothers and sisters in different parts of the world. We have been to many local and foreign missions. Each mission brought us a lot of opportunities to love and serve our brothers and sisters, as well as to learn and grow through our group and personal experiences, with God continuing to refine our hearts and our posture in service. We were witness to countless blessings and miracles from God. SEGMENT 5: Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20 We take on the mission to bring the gospel to the
ends of the earth through music. It is truly the Spirit that enables us to use our God-given gifts to lead people to worship and be God’s instrument for healing His people. Through God’s love and His Holy Spirit, some of our members have been inspired to write original songs, our way of giving thanks to God - at all times and for everything – in the name of our Lord Jesus. Segment 6: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, the Word of God is our consolation, and our brothers and sisters in Christ are our spiritual family who God will use to help us along the way. This segment brought a lot of tears even to 29AD members. It is a witness that no matter what storm we go through in life, our spiritual family will always be there to go with us through the darkest clouds, loving and accepting us no matter what state we are in. SEGMENT 7: “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10 God entrusts according to His will. It is not by our DECADE, C4
Fr. Anthony Ho (center) and Anita Aytona (right) with the initial check for ANCOP.
It all began with the Marian pilgrimage to Europe organized by Fr. Anthony Ho in October 2014. Among those who joined the pilgrimage were Tony and Anita Aytona who belong to a prayer group in Surrey, Greater Vancouver and who are members of CFC ANCOP Vancouver lead team. Sixty members joined the pilgrimage. They came home inspired and spiritually invigorated with their visit to various shrines: St Anthony’s Church – Lisbon, Church of the Holy Miracle – Santarem, private chapel in the sanctuary – Fatima, Convent of Sr. Lucia – Tuy, church of the conversion of St. Ignatius – Loyola, chapels of sanctuary – Lourdes, Basilica of Our Lady-Zaragoza, and Our Lady Shrine in Montserrat among others. During dinner, while at a stopover in France, Anita, a teacher at the Holy Cross High School in Surrey, showed Fr. Ho photos of the school’s mission team that went for immersion to the Philippines in March 2014. Anita was part of the mission team. Anita told Fr. Ho that another Holy Cross High School mission team will go the Philippines in March 2016. “The forty plus people who signed up have already started raising funds for the ANCOP houses they themselves would build,” she explained. Inspired by what he learned from Anita, Fr. Ho stood up during the dinner and announced that his prayer groups will help raise funds for the ANCOP houses. Fr. Anthony Ho has taken under his wing four weekly prayer
groups composed of 100 members from Vancouver and Surrey. He meets two of the groups Mondays during his day off. When they meet they do the Divine Mercy and the rosary, and then the pastor lectures on the life of a saint. The pilgrims welcomed the idea of doing something concrete for the poor. However, they thought that the Holy Cross HS mission team’s trip in March 2016 was too far away. They wanted to do something right away Fr. Ho started the ball rolling; in February 2015, he personally collected donations from his prayer groups to build two houses at the “Our Lady of Banneux (The Virgin of the Poor)” ANCOP village. The prayer groups were inspired to give because the site, dedicated to Our Lady, is in tune with the Marian theme of their prayer groups. Fr. Ho also brought many of the prayer group members to the “Right Here Write Now” ANCOP musical sponsored by St. Matthew’s parish on November 7, 2015 at the Bell Theater. People came to know more about ANCOP and saw closely the desperate plight of the poor. Fr. Ho was able to collect $4,320 from his effort; he himself donated $500. However, it was $1,680 short of the amount to build two ANCOP houses. “He challenged me to raise the remaining amount!” Anita said. Coincidentally, she and her husband Tony had already raised funds close to this amount during their 2014 wedding anniversary. The couple had planned to donate the amount to ANCOP Walk 2015 but Fr. Ho’s challenge came just
in time. With their donation, Fr. Ho and his prayer groups finally achieved their fundraising goal. In March 2016, the two houses will be among the 10 units that will be built by the Holy Cross High School mission team. A third house will be sponsored by the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation in honor of the memory of teenager Tessa Beauchamp of Holy Cross, a basketball star of BC, and an amazing person who died at a very early age after a long battle with cancer. Another house will be sponsored by Cecil Correa and family in memory of Virgilio Correa, former member of Holy Cross Education Committee. Immaculate Conception Parish and School in Delta will sponsor another two houses with the proceeds from the “Right Here Write Now” ANCOP musical show. Fr. Abundo and Fr. Ajun, the parish pastors and Maurice Jacob, the school principal, performed during the musical. The members of the Holy Cross mission team 2016 raised the funds to finance the remaining four houses. The needed amount of $12,000 was raised through two Multicultural Days at Holy Cross. Everyone came in native attire; the mission team went all out selling ethnic dishes like chow mien, samosas, Greek salad, rice delicacies, etc. Fr. Anthony Ho’s next Marian pilgrimage will be in October 2016. Destination is France and Poland, and it is greatly anticipated to bring more inspiration and spiritual experience to the pilgrims. (Edna Garrucho, ANCOP Canada; edited from original)
The News Supplement of Couples for Christ
Michael C. Ariola IC Oversight Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist
Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor
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 23 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com
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@CFChrist
The guidelines above are from the Philippine Movement for Transformational Leadership (PMTL), a coalition of Christian faith-based communities who have decided to “come together to do God’s work in the political field, and ensure that God-centered and competent servant leaders get elected into office in 2016 and onward.” Couples for Christ, mindful of the coalition’s noble mission, has chosen to be part of this group. CFC has made clear that it will not endorse any single candidate. However, it will encourage everyone to take a look at the group’s criteria, the GabayKristo, as helpful guides for assessing every single candidate and ensuring that he or she passes the strict criteria. CFC believes that the criteria present a fair assessment of what we should all look for in the leaders we shall soon choose to lead us.
CBCP Monitor
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November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23
CFC ANCOP Strengthens Partnership with Caritas Manila CFC ANCOP Global Foundation Inc. and Caritas Manila signed a Memorandum of Agreement last October 27, 2015 to strengthen the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program or YSLEP. YSLEP is Caritas Manila’s program to help poor and deserving youth, especially those affected by typhoons and disaster, finish their college education. Caritas Manila Executive Director Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual, in his remarks during the signing, expressed gratitude to the
Lord for this beautiful partnership. He thanked ANCOP for providing vital support to enable poor students complete their four-year courses. One important aspect of this partnership is community building which would help provide the parents of the scholars with livelihood opportunities. The CFC ANCOP delegation at the signing ceremonies, which was held at the Caritas Manila office, included Jimmy Ilagan, ANCOP President; Elmer Cadiz,
Operations Manager; and Ethelyn Balenton, Education Program Head. Caritas Manila was represented by Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual, Executive Director and Helen Oreto, Social Development Head. Caritas Manila is currently supporting 5,000 college students under its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program. On the other hand, CFC ANCOP has 6,900 scholars under its Child Sponsorship Program (CSP). (Romy M. Medina)
A Novel And Innovative Approach To Raise Funds
CFC ANCOP and Caritas Manila renew partnership towards education for the underprivileged youth via the signing of the MOA by ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan and Caritas Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascual.
Cfc Archdiocese of Lipa is Now 24! CFC Batangas celebrated its 28 th Anniversary last November 8, 2015 at the De La Salle-Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas. More than 3,000 CFC members came to celebrate the milestone event. Gracing the occasion were CFC Chairman Joe Tale; CFC President George Campos; International Council (IC) member
and ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan; IC member and Pastoral Formation Director Rouquel Ponte; and CFC CALABARZON Regional Head Ding Aguinaldo. His Excellency, the Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D., Archbishop of Lipa celebrated the Mass, with CFC Batangas Spiritual Adviser Fr. Dale Baretto-Kho. (A. Santos)
CFC Archdiocese of Lipa—grateful for the 24 years of abundance in the Lord!
3rd Migrants Advocacy Fun Run Slated this Month The CFC Migrants Program, in partnership with the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerants, has finalized details on the Migrants Advocacy Fun Run (now on its 3rd year), which will be held at 5:30 AM on November 29, 2015 at the historic Intramuros in Manila. The proceeds will fund the search for the "Ten Outstanding Sons & Daughters of OFWs Student Awards" or TOSDOSA 2016. This is a nationwide search for sons
and daughters of OFWs in high school who will be selected for their outstanding achievements in academics and extracurricular activities despite the absence of parental care and guidance. Part of the proceeds will also fund the 2nd Migrants Program Songwriting Contest 2016. According to Jess Ferrer, Head of the CFC Migrants Program, “The songwriting competition is a way to create more awareness among our brethren nationwide
as well as worldwide on the CFC Migrants Program and its various activities.” Registration for the Advocacy Fun Run is ongoing. Participants of the 10K, 5K and 3K run categories will be given free singlets upon registration. Registration forms are available from the Sector and Provincial Migrants Program Coordinators. For inquiries and other details, please get in touch with Tony Obien at 09178632481 & 09324293821; and Ferdie Garcia at 09228994254.
CFC MM South B mixing fun and fund-raising via Repertory Philippines' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The Metro Manila South B Sector of Couples for Christ headed by its Sector Heads Barry and Angie Tad-y, organized a fund raising initiative through Repertory Philippines’ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ike and Carmen Bontia, South B members and committee heads for the Snow White Project shared: “When we were appointed to head the Sector Finance, we realized the need to improve our financials given the many programs we have lined up for 2016. Upon discussion with Barry Tad-y, we proposed to have a showing of Repertory Philippines’ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” At that time, the musicale was preparing to run numerous shows at the Greenbelt Onstage Theater. At the meeting of the Sector Governance Team (SGT) in the first week of August and after checking with Repertory Philippines, the Bontias presented the project as a creative way of raising funds. It was welcomed by the group, and during that meeting, the working group was immediately organized. “It is the first time for the Sector to organize a fund raising event this huge. It is what you can call a "novel" and innovative approach for the Sector in that we are mixing art, culture and family entertainment in a benefit initiative supported by a total of 80 sponsors and hundreds of ticket holders. It is an-out-of-the-box idea, a notch higher than the much used and abused raffle draw. In a way, Snow White was really a God given opportunity,” added Bontia. As soon as the plan was finalized, the initiative was cascaded and disseminated to the entire membership of CFC South B sector. All clusters were enjoined to help and each one was encouraged to invite a friend or two. Tickets were sold and sponsorships from various companies and individual sponsorships were sought. “In 75 days we were able to get sponsors and sold out all tickets with the great help of the entire SB Clusters!” reported Barry Tad-y.
CFC Singles for Christ Welcomes PMA Cadets Almost 400 members of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines were welcomed to the CFC Singles for Christ ministry during the graduation ceremony held last October 11 at the Philippine Military Academy, Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. The cadets successfully finished the Christian Life Program (CLP), which was conducted at the academy grounds over a period of four months beginning July 5 this year. The CLP is the
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slowly evolving.” Through the film, the MM Mission Core was able to pick up insights on then Cardinal Bergoglio’s love for the poor, simplicity in lifestyle, his contemplative spirituality and his humanity. According to Ariola’s observation, CFC is willing to go to "special" teachings even
if they have to pay a small amount. Another realization is that CFC leaders seem ready for a "new" way of learning. He shared, “When I say new, I mean in the manner of presentation (of our values, lessons and formation) and delivery. To me, all these can be great building blocks to build on for both the present and the next genera-
tion of CFC.” Ariola added that as a form of “gateway evangelization”, special film screenings can be a creative way for reflection and learning, through the worship and take home reflection guides. “Plus, this can be replicated in many provinces, basta may sinehan. Great and blessed possibilities, indeed.” (A. M. Alvarez)
The proceeds of this initiative target to improve the Sector’s existing programs such as: 1) Child Support Program under ANCOP – Establishment of one additional day care school as well as continuous support of values formation activities for the sector’s 100 ANCOP scholars. 2) Cornerstone Support Groups for eight Schools. 3) Prison Ministry – CFC South B conducts Christian Life Programs for our brothers at the National Bilibid Prison 4) Mission trips outside the sector – CFC South B has been actively reaching out to CFC brothers and sisters in different parts of the Philippines, as well as abroad, in order to help conduct teaching initiatives and retreats. On October 25, Sunday, people from all walks of life—young, old, CFC members, corporate executives and the general public came together to watch the play. Approximately 800 people watched the show, in a show of overwhelming support for the program. “The children and adults alike enjoyed the show. We are happy we are here! We had fun and at the same time we were able to help and it feels good” said Marivic Carreon after the show, a non-CFC member who was invited to support this initiative. The entire community of CFC South B together with their families also took time to be there to show support for this program. The entire SGT, gentlemen clad in their suits and their wives in their best Sunday dresses, warmly greeted everyone who supported the event. Members of Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ ministries likewise played a significant role in this event where they lined up at the hallway to greet sponsors. The show truly paved the way for families and friends to unwind, bond, reconnect with old friends and have fun while enjoying the opportunity to help CFC extend God’s amazing love to the least of our brethren.
entry point to CFC and the adult ministries. The CLP was made possible through the initiative of the Order of St. Michael (OSM), one of the social development programs of CFC, led by Jaycee de la Cruz, and former PMAers Col. Art Alabanza and Col. Willy Ona, in cooperation with CFC Baguio headed by Ed Aratas, and SFC Metro Manila and Luzon led by Karen Mangulab, ANCOP Ministry Coordinator.
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November 9 - 22, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 23
HOLD ANSWERS THE CALL TO MISSION
CBCP Monitor
The Call to Love More: Evangelizing through Families Answering the Lord’s invitation to serve Him is like opening a door to reveal surprise after surprise. Most often, He takes you to places that previously were only figments of your imagination. In my case, He took me to the Caribbean and changed my life forever. When I stepped on Caribbean soil last July 20, 2015, events just flowed from one to another. Lots of doors were opened for us to evangelize the young people here in Trinidad and Tobago. Those were all part of mission work, and we expected that. What we did not expect was guesting on a live TV program last October 13, 2015 and sharing to thousands of viewers our personal testimonies of being touched by the Lord. For the past years, Couples for Christ Trinidad and Tobago has been given a rare opportunity -- a once-a-month one-hour TV slot focused on a relevant topic. This month’s topic was Upbringing and the Role of the Family in Evangelization, a timely subject, coming on the heels of the World Meeting of Families in September and the Synod on the Family in the Vatican in October. The experience during the show was very overwhelming for me and my mission partner, Lester Guillermo. It was our first time to guest on a live show that was aired on Trinidad and Tobago National Television. I remember being anxious the
whole day while preparing for the show. They asked us to speak about the vision of Couples for Christ, the story of our families in relation to evangelization, and why we chose to leave the Philippines and our families for two years. Throughout the interview, we were just brought back by the Lord to the reason why we have gone this far. It was all because of how our parents brought us up, introduced us to Jesus at an early age, and how much we enjoyed our childhood because of the time and presence of our parents and families. Basically the show talked about different aspects of parenting and how they are linked to nation building, upbringing and evangelization. Paying close attention to building up our families because it is the bedrock of our society, the role of parents in taking good care of their children, and putting God at the center of all these contribute greatly to nation-building. Being part of Couples for Christ is a gift that I will forever be thankful to the Lord for. My missionary spirit was ignited through my parents. The reason why I have a strong desire to serve young people is because I want them to experience God’s love through their families as well. In the work of evangelization, I learned to never limit God’s ways for He can make all things possible. (Mabelle Dimayuga, CFC Missionary, The Caribbean)
CFC Handmaids of the Lord missionaries spreading the Colors of Love throughout Europe
The HOLD Mission Express is a program of CFC Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) to promote the missionary spirit among its leaders, giving them the opportunity to fulfill the words in Rom. 10:14-15 “But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!’” Every year, under the Mission Express Program, HOLD missionaries go to various parts of the world, including the different provinces of the Philippines, wherever they may be sent by the Lord to serve. Some stay for a weekend or for a month or two. Some even stay for a year or more. They give their all – time, talent and treasure – in answer to God’s call to mission. HOLD missionaries help to establish the ministry that is newly-planted in some areas and to strengthen it wherever it has taken
root already. They conduct the Christian Life Program (CLP), the entry point into the CFC HOLD community. They give teachings from the HOLD Pastoral Formation track for the continuing spiritual growth of the Handmaids. They give trainings for leaders in order to equip them with skills to be able to shepherd their members most effectively. They replicate Marian Conferences and HOLD Conferences. This year a mission team of eight HOLD missionaries from the Philippines, composed of Luttie Alconcel, Babsi Cabuquit, Pie Cadena, Nene Dimalibot, Mina Francisco, Didi Galsim, Ching Santiago and Flor Victoriano, traveled to Europe. First stop for this one month mission was Rome, Italy where they served in the HOLD Europe Conference titled “The Colors of Love” held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rome-St. Peter’s on 02-04 October 2015. The HOLD missionaries gave talks, sharings, even sang and danced. With much enthusiasm they readily assisted in all the sessions as needed.
As is often the case in mission trips, the Lord blessed the mission team with the opportunity to go on pilgrimage. This year it was to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, and St. Clare, who founded the Poor Clares; and to Cascia, where the Shrine of St. Rita is located and where her uncorrupted body can be viewed. The pilgrimage was God’s gift to inspire the mission team even more to strive for personal holiness and to continue serving God even in the midst of difficulties. One highlight of the visit to Rome was joining the Wednesday Papal general audience with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican where the mission team had the chance to see the Pope up close. It was truly a memorable experience. After all the activities in Rome, the HOLD missionaries were fielded by pairs to different countries of Europe, namely: Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. (Didi Galsim)
GTA Holds 1st CFC Young Couples Assembly
Enthusiastic young couples in the Greater Toronto Area enjoying the activities during their 1st Young Couples Assembly
CFC Canada – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) recently hosted its first-ever Young Couples Assembly. The assembly, which caters to the concerns and needs of couples who have been married for 15 years or less, hosted 29 couple-participants. Ryan Mina led worship with the support of a newly formed Young Couples band while Ouel and Arlyn Gardon were the emcees, leading the crowd through activities and encouraging discussion between husband and wife. The fun activities were the
prelude to the topic for the evening’s talk, “Building a Healthy Family Culture,” given by Jed Babaran who shared his experiences over more than 20 years of marriage. After the session, couples were given the opportunity to go into a deeper dialogue on the topic. The assembly is a supplement to the household and other CFC teachings, all of them meant to encourage young CFC couples in their faith walk. (Elaine Padua)
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SHARING CHRIST’S TRANSFORMING LOVE TO THE POOR.” The mission statement “ANSWERING THE CRY OF THE POOR” has been retained and further explained through the expanded mission statement as follows: “We foster an environment of caring and sharing in the societies where we are present. We engage a widening network of partners to achieve Social Justice and Total Christian Liberation. We help ensure the dignity of the poor.”
A tagline was also adopted i. e. “ANCOP…. WHERE CARING AND SHARING HAPPEN” The delegates committed to the strategic goal of reaching 40,000 families in 5 years, dubbed as “40 @ 40”, meaning reaching out to 40,000 families by the 40th year anniversary of CFC in 2020 or five (5) years from now. CFC ANCOP leaders from all the provinces in the Philippines joined on the third and fourth day of the planning, for
the discussion of the ANCOP strategic goals, projects, objectives and action plans between now and Year 2020. CFC ANCOP President Jimmy Ilagan also delivered the ANCOP President’s Report. (See related report on C1.) He emphasized that the humble accomplishments of ANCOP over the past year serve as CFC ANCOP’s offering to the Church during the Year of the Poor (2015) which officially opened last November 23, 2014.
DECADE, C2
own merit that He gives us His work, but by His own purpose and grace. 29AD has gone from concerts to staging original musicals. We are His hands and feet, and apart from him we can do nothing. SEGMENT 8: Brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 We are all called to embody Christ and live that to the fullest. As servants of the Lord, we continue to strive to be a better reflection of the God whom we serve. In all that 29AD has done, we have learned that, though many, we are one body in Christ. We unite ourselves to serve His purpose through the gifts and talents accorded to us, having faith that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. SEGMENT 9: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73: 26 Along our journey, we have lost some of our brothers and sisters. And with each loss, we are tested but come out victorious in Christ who is the true strength of our hearts. Our brothers and sisters who have gone before us touched and changed our lives forever. They will never be forgotten and will always live in our hearts and in how we serve God and others. SEGMENT 10: Thus says the Lord
to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15 We are grateful to all who have supported us in this mission. We know that we are not alone in this battle for the Lord. Our brothers and sisters are with us. God is with us. Through our music and faith we are given a purpose. We are armed and empowered to unite through music. And with joyful thanksgiving, we will continue to fulfill His mission for us. This concert has been extremely challenging to put up. After all, it is the first one without Bob Serrano leading and guiding us. We felt overwhelmed and unprepared. And we experienced a lot of anxieties. A lot of the things that were needed a week prior were not yet ready a day before. It was all physically and emotionally exhausting. And it all seemed impossible. How can we even pull this off? We each had our own doubts. Concert night came and we lifted up and offered everything to God. The concert started. And we were just in awe that it all flowed smoothly. The hand of God was there to guide all of us to give our best and just let Him be in control. And He was. God put the “awesome” in our concert. It was not just a gift to our audience, but to us 29AD members, who enjoyed every bit of the program. In this concert we again experienced God’s miracle. (Judy Aquino)