Ugnayan
THE NEWS SUPPLEMENT OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST
CBCP Monitor. Vol. 22 No. 03
CFC LEADERS:
REKINDLED AND CHARGED
By CFC Global Comm
JANUARY is always a special month for
Couples for Christ top leaders. Aside from
the fact that the community is coming
from a much needed break during the
Christmas season, the first weeks of Janu-
ary is the time when CFC leaders come
together to receive directions for the new
year that is beginning. It is a time for
seeking inspiration from God's message,
usually revolving around the theme for
the year that had earlier been discerned
by the International Council.
Thus, in keeping with tradition, CFC leaders
from the Metro Manila, Philippine and Inter-
national Missions gathered for the Rekindle
Conference at the SM MOA Arena on January
13, 2018, during which time the directions and
inspiration for the year were given, and then
motored to Baguio City the following weekend
for the annual retreat, this year called the Solemn
Charge Weekend Retreat.
On both weekends, the leaders received pow-
erful messages and mandates from the Lord
through the sessions.
Rekindle Conference
The SM MOA Arena in Pasay City was packed
with 13,000 CFC leaders from Manila, the prov-
inces and from the USA, Canada, Australia, the
Middle East, South America, and Europe, all
eager to listen to the directives from the Inter-
national Council.
His Excellency Jose Palma, DD, Archbishop
of Cebu, was the main celebrant during the
afternoon Mass, concelebrated by Msgr. Allen
Aganon, Fr. Joel Jason, Fr. Carlos Macatangga,
Msgr. Von Dito Parilando, Fr. Marco Coloma, Fr.
Ruber Martinez, Fr. Bruno, Msgr. Jay Bandojo,
Fr. Cosman Siantury, OSC, Fr. Yusef Setiawan
and Fr. Ed Abaño.
There were two talks during this confer-
ence—“Rekindle the Gift” delivered by Mi-
chael Ariola, CFC President and “Fulfill Your
Ministry” given by CFC Chairman Ermelo
Villaroman, Jr. The year’s theme—Rekindle
the Gift. Fulfill Your Ministry—is anchored
on 2 Timothy 1:6 and 4:1-5 which state:
"For this reason I remind you to rekindle
the gift of God that is within you through the
laying on of my hands."
'Solemn Charge. I charge you in the presence
of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the
living and the dead, and by his appearing and his
kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent
whether it is convenient or inconvenient; con-
vince, reprimand, encourage through all patience
and teaching. For the time will come when people
will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following
their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will
accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the
truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be
self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with
hardship; perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.
Ariola spoke of the gift of Light, Jesus Him-
self who is the light of the world, and proposed
ways by which each CFC member should act in
response to this gift from God.
Ariola explained that the Father offered
His only Son as a gift to mankind. However,
the offer came with the freedom to accept the
gift or refuse it. For CFC, the gift was offered
and was accepted when each member, during
the Baptism of the Spirit, accepted Jesus as his
personal Lord and Savior.
But for the gift to indeed bring transforma-
tion to the receiver, each person must let go of
vanities, pride and personal plans and allow the
grace of God to work in his life, to in turn be the
bearer of the gift.
Spirituality of the heart
February 5 - 18, 2018 C1
Homily of His Excellency
Archbishop Jose Palma
TODAY’S gospel reading reminds us of the
calling of Levi and the calling of Matthew.
This is a reminder that before the Lord calls
us, we have nothing to boast (about).
Like Levi and Matthew, we are all im-
perfect human beings. And yet, the joyful,
consoling and wonderful truth is - God
loves us. How beautiful it is to know that
we are imperfect human beings and yet we
are loved. No wonder our Holy Father has
chosen as his motto: “Miserando atque eli-
gendo” - “Miserable sinner and yet chosen.”
My dear brothers and sisters, the first
wonderful truth I share with you this day
is that all good things come from the Lord.
Many times, we believe we don’t deserve
(the gifts), but God in His goodness has
given the gifts to us, out of pure love, out
of pure goodness. Good things are therefore
gifts from the Lord and if you think of that,
then you will have a better understanding
of your theme, to “Rekindle the Gifts” that
you have received.
Twenty years ago, exactly on this day, I
was ordained bishop in Iloilo. So you may
wonder why I am here, and not in my dio-
cese where some feast in celebration of my
sacerdotal anniversary has been prepared.
Because I owe a lot to Couples for Christ!
All good things are gifts from the Lord
and therefore today, I’d like to invite you to
recognize the many good things you have
received because that is the basis for your
“Rekindling of the gifts”.
My dear friends, recognize the gifts. I
say this again because we are now pre-
paring for a grand celebration in 2021
of the gift we received almost 500 years
ago -the coming of Christianity to our
country. And so we thank the Lord for
the gift of faith. We thank the Lord for
the gift of Mama Mary. There are many,
many more blessings we need to thank
the Lord for.
Today as we reflect on the theme, we
are reminded by Peter, “Put your gifts at
the service of one another.”
I know that’s what you’ve been doing
through the years. You have different
gifts that you put for the service of the
community, whether you’re teaching,
forming leaders, serving the church,
building houses, and many, many more.
In today’s Mass, we are asked once
more to know our gifts and to continue
putting those gifts in the service of one
another. HOMILY, p4
Photo credits: Arthur de Rio, Joey Tomas, Jerry Tanigue, Allen Manimog, Ian Talisic, Andrelene Veloso
“All of us in CFC are bearers of that gift, of that
Light,” Ariola exhorted. “And we have a mission to
CFC Evangelization and Missions
fulfill. But somehow, the intensity of that light has
diminished. And so we ask, What is the communal meeting for 2018 held
gift which God gave Couples for Christ that needs
to be rekindled?”
Ariola continued, “God does not mince words
when He calls us to REKINDLE THE GIFT. How
do we respond? We look to 2018 and ask God
for the grace to be able to prioritize and balance
our time with God, family, work and our role as
evangelizers in building the church of the home
and of the poor.”
He enumerated three areas in CFC’s jour-
ney of faith that will enable every leader and
member to help rekindle the gift: personal
conversion, family transformation and leaving
a legacy to witness. CFC LEADERS, p3
LEADERS from the different ed the leaders to always feel Office Head George Campos
areas where CFC is present ‘blessed but not boastful’. (on the roles of CRO); and Fam-
THE MISSION Core of Metro Manila convened gathered to discuss updates Msgr. Allen Aganon, CFC ily Ministries Director Law-
on the third Tuesday of January, the 16th, to once and directions for 2018 at the Spiritual Director, concele- rence Quintero (on the 25th
again listen to valuable insights relating to the Evangelizations and Missions brated the Mass with guest year celebration activities of
community’s spiritual journey. meeting held on January 14, priests from the international the Family Ministries). Small
On this particular teaching night, IC member 2018 at the Unilab Bayanihan missions. Relating to the gospel break out groups for dialogue
and Pastoral Formation Office Director Rouquel Center, Pasig City. of that day which was about and consultation ensued to ad-
Ponte related and tied together the Rekindle Deng Lara, CFC Rizal Provin- following Jesus, Msgr. Aganon dress the concerns and answer
Conference of the previous weekend and the cial Area Head, led the open- affirmed that being a disciple the queries of the leaders from
Solemn Charge Weekend Retreat scheduled on ing worship. Afterwards, CFC and being a missionary are the different areas.
January 19 to 21, 2018. Ponte directed the CFC Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr. basic gifts that the community After the fruitful sessions,
Mission Core towards one’s identity and the welcomed the participants and has received from God. Pastoral Formation Office
spirituality of one’s heart. then gave the floor to Arnel Board of Elders member Director Rouquel Ponte led
Ponte began his talk with the story of St. John Santos who expounded on the Bong Arjonillo led the after- the empowering worship
the Baptist who asked Jesus, “Who are you? CFC International Statutes. noon worship, followed by which also served as an en-
Are you the Messiah? Are you the one who was Echoing the talk of Villaro- various updates and presenta- thusiastic reminder for the
prophesized? Are you the one who’s going to set man at the Rekindle Confer- tions from IC member James missionaries to continue to
us free?” These questions play an important part ence held the previous day, Solano (on CFC Chapters); IC persevere in the calling they
in realizing one’s purpose, meaning, direction, and Evangelization and Missions member Lito Tayag (on CFC have received from the Lord.
even one’s own identity. Director Arnel Santos remind- Finance); Church Relations (Yvonne Grace Dolorosa)
SPIRITUALITY p2
C2 February 5 - 18, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 03 CBCP Monitor

WHEN YOU DO THESE THINGS, SHOULD I BE SILENT?

IN THE bitter U.S. political campaign
of 1884, Grover Cleveland was at-
tacked and slandered as an immoral
man. Having suffered himself so
deeply through slander, the great
American writer and preacher, Henry
Ward Beecher, resolved to defend
Grover Cleveland with all his ability.
Thus on 22 October 1884 at Brooklyn
Rink he eloquently declared: “When
the gloomy night of my own suffer-
ing I sounded every depth of sorrow,
I vowed that if God would bring the
daystar of hope, I would never suffer
brother, friend, or neighbor to go
unfriended should a like serpent seek
to crush him. This oath I will regard
now because I know the bitterness of
venomous lies. I will stand against in-
famous lies that seek to sting to death
an upright man and magistrate.”
The psalmist expresses nearly the
same sentiment: “To the wicked God
says: “Why do you recite my com-
mandments and profess my covenant
with your lips? You hate discipline;
you cast my words behind you! When
you see thieves, you befriend them;
with adulterers you throw in your
lot. You give your mouth free rein
for evil; you harness your tongue to
deceit. You sit maligning your own
kin, slandering the child of your own
mother. When you do these things
should I be silent? Or do you think
that I am like you? I accuse you, I
PSALM 50:21
lay the charge before you.” (Psalm
50:16-21)
God hates slander (Proverbs 6:16-
19). Slander is a restless evil. That is
why St. Paul considers it as a behavior
of those who hate God (Romans 1:30)
and why St. James calls it demonic
behavior (James 3:15-16).
Slander occurs whenever someone
says something untrue about someone
else that results, intentionally or unin-
tentionally, in damaging that someone
else’s reputation. As such, slander is a
sin against justice and truth. And when
it occurs, particularly in a religious
community, it becomes a divisive,
discouraging, and confusing element
that often affects numerous people.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
(No. 2487) teaches: “Every offense com-
mitted against justice and truth entails
the duty of reparation, even if its author
has been forgiven. When it is impossible
publicly to make reparation for a wrong,
it must be made secretly. If someone who
has suffered harm cannot be directly
compensated, he must be given moral
satisfaction in the name of charity. The
duty of reparation also concerns offenses
against another’s reputation. This repa-
ration, moral and sometimes material,
must be evaluated in terms of the dam-
age inflicted. It obliges in conscience.”
The book The Catechism Explained:
An Exhaustive Explanation of the
Catholic Religion edited by Fr. Rich-
ard Clarke, S.J., explains clearly the
Church’s teaching on slander: “He who
has injured his neighbor’s reputation
is strictly bound to restore his good
name; either by apologizing, if this of-
fense was committed in private, or by
publicly retracting his words, if they
were spoken before others. Those who
do not endeavor to repair the harm they
have done by slandering their neighbor,
cannot obtain pardon from God, nor
absolution from the priest.”
In his book Introduction to a Devout
Life, St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the
Church, writes: “Slander is a kind of
murder; for we all have three lives—a
spiritual life, which depends upon the
Grace of God; a bodily life, depending
on the soul; and a civil life, consisting
in a good reputation. Sin deprives us
of the first, death of the second, and
slander of the third. But the slanderer
commits three several murders with
his idle tongue: he destroys his own
soul and that of him who hearkens, as
well as causing civil death to the object
of his slander; for, as St. Bernard says,
the Devil has possession both of the
slanderer and of those who listen to
him, of the tongue of the one, the ear of
the other. And David says of slanderers,
‘They have sharpened their tongues like
a serpent; adders' poison is under their
lips.’ Aristotle says that, like the forked,
two-edged tongue of the serpent, so is
that of the slanderer, who at one dart
pricks and poisons the ear of those who
hear him, and the reputation of him
who is slandered.”
St. Francis de Sales further explains
very clearly: “He who unjustly takes
away his neighbor's good name is
guilty of sin, and is bound to make
reparation, according to the nature
of his evil speaking; since no man
can enter into Heaven cumbered
with stolen goods, and of all worldly
possessions the most precious is a
good name.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
is very clear about the absolute need for
reparation in order for the sin of slander
to be forgiven and that “those who do not
endeavor to repair the harm they have
done… cannot obtain pardon from God
nor absolution from the priest.”
As summarized in the Catholic En-
cyclopedia, the only adequate way for
the sin of slander to be forgiven is “to
retract his false statement,” “to declare
that he has made a mistake,” and “to
unequivocally take back his untruth
even at the expense of exhibiting
himself a liar.”
Not being able to obtain pardon from
God or absolution from the priest, the
slanderer, as St. Francis de Sales clearly
states, “cannot enter into heaven” un-
less he/she restores the good name and
honor that he/she has “stolen” by com-
mitting the sin of slander. The slanderer
is “strictly bound to restore” the good
name of the person slandered by “pub-
licly retracting his words.” All these are
necessary because, as Pope Francis says
in his April 2013 homily, “there is no
doubt whenever there is slander, there
is Satan, Satan himself.”
A good name defines a person’s
character. It is the most valuable thing
about a person’s identity. A good name
determines who we are in the judg-
ment of others. Accordingly, a good
reputation is an extremely precious
asset. Thus, if we damage a person’s
reputation unjustly, we steal that
person’s good name. And this causes
very real and often long lasting injury
to people because it is very difficult to
restore a devalued name. We cannot
fully know what love, joy, comfort,
and opportunities we take away from
people by slandering them.
But God knows fully. That is why
God abhors slander. And God will
hold us totally accountable for every
slander we commit. There is therefore
great need for us to “put away all
malice and all deceit and hypocrisy
and envy and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1).
This is why, having suffered the bit-
terness of venomous lies like Henry
Beecher, we courageously “stand
against infamous lies that seek to
sting to death any upright man.” And
this is why, like the psalmist, we ask,
“when you do these things, should we
be silent?”

SPIRITUALITY, p1

CFC-OSM COLLABORATES WITH
PNP CALABARZON
COUPLES for Christ’s Order
of Saint Michael (CFC-OSM),
forged a partnership with the
PNP Police Regional Office
for Region 4a (PRO4a-CALA-
BARZON) in support of their
initiative on the Internal
Cleansing Program (ICP).
After a series of meetings,
and after agreement of both
sides, a joint orientation pro-
gram was held last December
2017. The orientation was
hosted by the PNP-PRO4a
in their headquarters. Forty
participants from various
chapters of CFC Laguna Prov-
ince and 20 participants from
Metro Manila CFC chapters
attended the orientation,
together with the leadership
of the CFC-OSM Core.
The program started with a
joint keynote address, with Col
Arturo Alabanza PAF (Ret),
CFC-OSM Program Head,
providing the overview for
the CFC-OSM, followed by P/
Supt Elmer B. Sillador PNP,
PRO4a’s chief for Regional
Police Community Relations
Division (RPCRD) who provid-
ed the overview of the Internal
Cleansing Program (ICP) to be
piloted at the regional office.
Pastor Adiel De Torres
ThD, the Project Manager for
PNP-PRO4a Squad Manage-
ment Team, discussed “My
Brother’s Keeper”, the pro-
gram conceptualized by P/
CSupt Ma. O. Rañada Aplasca,
incumbent PNP Regional
Director, to reinforce the ICP.
Pastor Adiel provided the
overview of the associated im-
plementation plan (ImPlan)
for the said program which
is embodied in ImPlan 149:
Squad Time Enhancement
Program (STEP) of the “My
Brother’s Keeper” initiative.
This initiative is composed
of a group of seven personnel,
one of whom acts as the Val-
ues Coach, another acting as a
Squad Leader and the remain-
ing five personnel as Squad
Members. The said grouping
had been established since late
2017 at the regional office with
the vision of implementing it
to all the different police offices
under its jurisdiction.
P/CSupt Aplasca has already
issued a directive making
every Tuesday, 11:30 - 12:30
AM, as “Squadding Time”
for the entire police force
at the PRO4a headquarters.
Being an inter-faith activity
which pretty much tackles
the character enhancement
of a person, CFC-OSM can
perfectly complement the
said program and thus, they
were requested to provide as-
sistance to cover the Values
Coach for every group.
Volunteers from the CFC
Chapter within the vicinity
of the PRO4a were quick to
answer the call to serve as
Values Coaches, and will join
the other volunteers from the
different religious denomina-
tions as well. Last January,
“My Brother’s Keeper” was
extended outside the PRO4a
regional headquarters and
implemented at the Sta. Rosa
City Police Headquarters.
By February, the directive
would have been released
by the regional director for
implementation all over
the areas of operation of
PRO4a CALABARZON.
Despite the very full plate of
CFC-OSM, the program plans
to do more Spearheads training
to assist the Values Coaches all
over CALABARZON.
According to CFC OSM,
this is a small price to pay,
considering the opportunity
to share God’s love to the men
and women in the uniformed
services, particularly in the
police force, and in shaping
them to become responsible
law enforcers of the country.
(LTC Roland J. Ong INF (GSC)
PA (Res))
Defining spirituality
Ponte described spirituality as the attention to
the life of the spirit in the people and to contem-
plating the unspeakable beauty of the Lord. He
also emphasized that it is important that one’s
identity be based on the calling that the Lord has
given in baptism, because that is something that
cannot be taken away from anyone.
Referring to leaders in Couples for Christ,
Ponte said that the role of every person or one’s
service can change and may even be taken
away, but he reminded the congregation about
one truth that is constant: “Our being sons and
daughters of God will remain because God con-
tinues to love us.”
Spirituality therefore, looks at life by seeking
to experience and understand the movements of
one’s own heart and the heart of Jesus.
In order to elaborate the spirituality of one’s
heart, Ponte explained and shared the three steps
to truth according to St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
1. discovering the truth about oneself,
which begins with the virtue of humility;
2. moving through compassion, which
St. Bernard describes as the lens
through which one discovers the
truth about others;
3. resting in the silence of attentive word-
less prayer, where one opens oneself to
God's truth.
Ponte continued, “St. Bernard alludes to an
expanded heart, a heart that has given itself to
the love of God. It is an overflowing heart because
God’s love, by its very nature, gives itself away. It’s
not seeking for one’s own benefit but its intent
is to always give it away.”
Formation in Our Journey of Faith
Formation in one’s journey of faith begins with
grace, centers on conversion and transformation,
and eventually, leads to holiness. Part of the chal-
lenge of formation is learning to be patient with
the process.
Ponte revealed, “Beginning with God’s grace
which we receive in our baptism, and in our
renewal movement, CFC, we realize that grace
of being loved by the Lord, and the beautiful
experience. Because of this grace and one’s open-
ness to allow grace to work, then conversion and
transformation happen.”
This ongoing conversion is an essential element
in spirituality. It is important to recognize that this
kind of holiness is really a quest, an aim and a goal
in our day to day life, moving towards the future.
Ponte further shared how CFC can be trans-
formed in relation to the CFC core values:
Pro-God, Pro-Family and Pro-Poor. CFC
Chairman Melo Villaroman Jr., translated
these values thus:
C -hrist our purpose, mover and center
H -ome (Family as our special gift and calling)
R -espect for life
I -nternational (our calling is global)
S -alvation (serving the poor)
T - ransformation to holiness is a journey, not
a one-time experience
“When you put all of these together, it is a
beautiful way of illustrating what CFC is all
about.” Ponte underscored.
The Movements of the Heart
Ponte pointed out four points that allow a
person to grow in spirituality:
• Encounters with God or God-experience,
where one experiences scriptures, sacra-
ments, prayer and meditation through
other people.
• Deepening our intimacy and friendship
with God - a reminder that God’s love is
unconditional and we are loved because God
chose to love us.
• Conversion and transformation through
accepting God’s love
• Transformation that impacts our re-
lationships
“We only grow by taking up our cross and
following the Lord because this is the way to
discipleship,” Ponte reiterates.
He reminded CFC that life is a series of long
‘letting go’ events and what is important is to be
prepared, to wait until the Lord comes to trans-
form every person’s life. “For transformation to
happen and for us to be instruments of salvation
and transformation, we need to deepen our rela-
tionship with the Lord,” he said.
At the end of his talk, Ponte reminded ev-
eryone of this year’s CFC Theme: Rekindle the
Gift… Fulfill Your Ministry. “Rekindle the gift
God offered, accept it, open it, use it and share it.
Fulfill your ministry by shining bright the light
of Christ, to transform and grow in holiness,”
Ponte recapped.
He ended his talk with a quote from Evan-
gelii Gaudium: “…all of us are called to mature
in our work as evangelizers, We want to have
a better training (formation), a deepening
love (a heart of God and God’s people), and a
clearer witness to the Gospel (a life of holiness).
(Andrelene Veloso)

The News Supplement

of Couples for Christ

Michael C. Ariola
IC Oversight
Zenaida A. Gimenez Alma M. Alvarez Andrelene D. Veloso
Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Editorial Assistant

Yvonne Grace J. Dolorosa Deomar P. Oliveria Evangeline C. Mecedilla

Staff Writer Layout Artist 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 The CFC Migrants Program, in its advocacy to uphold the family, not only includes spouses, but now also invites parents and
www.couplesforchristglobal.org globalcommunications@couplesforchristglobal.org siblings in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS), as practiced by manpower providers like JM International, Inc.
CBCP Monitor February 5 - 18, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 03 C3

ANCOP USA Meets with VP’s Angat Buhay ANCOP USA goes on mission to
Talibon Diocese
ACTING on the request of Arch-
bishop Bernardito Auza, D.D,
Permanent Observer of the Holy
See to the United Nations, AN-
COP-USA Executive Director
Roger Santos assembled a team of
CFC doctors, dentists and nurses
from the United States to con-
duct a medical-dental mission in
the Diocese of Talibon in Bohol.
The municipality of Talibon,
OFFICIALS of CFC ANCOP USA, led by Roger poor families around the Philippines, in the areas where Archbishop Auza was
Santos, met with the staff of Vice President Leni of food and nutrition, livelihood opportunities, patients or a grand total of 2,721 patients.
born and raised, is where the Most Holy Trinity The mission ended with a fellowship night
Robredo to discuss the VP’s Angat Buhay initia- classroom construction and teacher training, water Cathedral Parish, the seat of the diocese, is located.
tive. The meeting, held on February 5, 2018 at pumps and clean water systems. sponsored by the LGU and CFC Bohol as a sign
The 39-member team, led by Elizabeth Macaraeg, of their gratitude to the dedicated volunteers.
the VP’s office in Quezon City, discussed possible During the meeting, the team from ANCOP USA arrived on January 31, 2018. Their first order of
areas of collaboration in addressing the needs of also turned over boxes of medicine for an infirmary CSP scholars and Cornerstone tutees sponsored
business was a Holy Mass presided by Most Rev. by ANCOP USA/ Canada performed different
poor communities. in Calabanga, Camarines Sur, following its inaugu- Daniel Patrick Parcon, D.D., Bishop of Talibon.
Angat Buhay, a pro-poor program, was launched ration recently. Santos likewise proposed to the VP’s intermission numbers for the volunteers.
On the first day, February 1, a short program The LGU gave each volunteer a certificate
by the Office of Vice President Robredo in 2016 and office the donation of hospital equipment for the preceded the start of the actual mission. Talibon
parallels ANCOP's poverty alleviation initiatives. community health center later this year. ANCOP of appreciation for their love and service to
Mayor Restituto Artiaga, SB member Junith the people of Talibon. Leftover medicines
According to Johnahkirza Aglupus, Program USA hopes to conduct medical/ surgical and dental Loma (chairperson, committee on health), Di-
Officer of Angat Buhay, after one year of imple- missions in the municipality in the near future. and supplies were turned over to Dr. Mike
onisio Neil Balite (CFC ANCOP-Bohol head), Jayoma, CFC Talibon cluster head, and Hospi-
mentation, the program has helped over 83,700 (ANCOP USA Communications) Lorenzo Flores (CFC - Bohol Governance Team tal Administrator of the Pres. Garcia Memorial
member and event head), and Macaraeg wel-
ANCOP TALA UNVEILS
Provincial Hospital.
comed the team and the beneficiaries. The mission team expressed its gratitude to
On the first day alone, the volunteer doctors CFC in Talibon, as well as CFC Bohol for making
SEN. ENVERGA MARKER and nurses attended to a total of 1,018 patients
(Medical - 898; Dental - 120).
On Day 2 (February 2nd), people from the
the mission memorable, enabling them to help
uplift the lives of those in need through brotherly
love and care.
ON JANUARY 22, 2018, the nearby towns, hearing about the mission of the The medical-dental mission was made possible
Philippine Canadian Charitable day before, started to come early, just after the through the support of Bishop Daniel Patrick
Foundation (PCCF) team, repre- team had said their morning prayers. Many of Y. Parcon, DD, of the Diocese of Talibon, Rep.
sented by its President Romy the patients were senior citizens from far and Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Atty. Dionisio
Rafael and Rosemer Enverga, nearby barangays. Dajalos Balite, PhD, Mayor Auxtero and Vice
Executive Vice President, and The total medical patients attended to on Day 2 mayor Cleto Garcia of LGU Talibon, Dr. Mike
widow of Senator Tobias En- were 520 adults and 224 children for a total of 744 Jayoma of CPGPMH, and the Buhing Inambitay
verga Jr, came all the way from patients. The dental mission treated 289 patients og Tinabangay Foundation, Inc.
Canada for the unveiling of carried over the previous day and an additional 46 Last year, ANCOP - USA also sponsored a
the marker of the Sen. Tobias patients, for a total of 335 patients. Total patients surgical-medical-dental mission for three days
Enverga Jr. multi-purpose hall served for the second day was 1,079. in the Diocese of Tagbilaran, also in Bohol, par-
(MPH). Sen. Enverga, a Filipino- All in all, the two-day mission benefitted a ticularly in the municipalities of Maribojoc, Loay
Canadian, was a staunch sup- total of 2,266 medical patients and 455 dental and Panglao and Tagbilaran City. (Neil Balite)
porter of ANCOP Canada. COP Tala Community for five Teen Philippines Canada 2017),
In her emotional message to consecutive years. Together Raeshan Saeed (PCCF Miss Phil-
the home partners, Mrs. Enverga with ANCOP, and other ANCOP ippines Canada 2017), and Laila
mentioned the kindness of the
late senator and how he champi-
partners like Fr. Paul Foulon, the
Holy Rosary Parish, and the Dr.
Elcano (PCCF Mrs. Philippines
Canada 2017).
Tele-Edukasyon launched, pilots in Quezon
oned work with poor, especially Jose N. Reyes Memorial Hos- Ricky Cuenca, ANCOP Can- ANCOP USA Executive Di-
in the Philippines, through pital, the institution has been ada President and member of rector Roger Santos and Fr.
his untiring support for the trying to battle the social stigma the CFC International Council, Martin Mroz of the Payatas
programs of CFC ANCOP. Mrs. brought about by leprosy. said, “This is a great day for us Orione Foundation recently
Enverga pledged to continue the Aside from Rafael and Enver- to honor and glorify the Lord. signed the Memorandum of
work by providing more houses ga, the PCCF entourage included And this is a great day for us to Agreement for the ANCOP
for the families in need. the winners of the PCCF beauty give back to the community.” Tele-Edukasyon Tutoring
PCCF, which funded the near- pageant - Marian Barcase (PCCF PCCF pledged to build 15 more Program. The program was
ly-completed multi-purpose Little Miss Philippines Canada houses by the end of this year. (Di- launched during the inau-
hall, has been visiting the AN- 2017), Jenna Ramos (PCCF Miss ana Mendoza & Romy Medina) guration and blessing of the
newly-renovated St. Rafael
DON BOSCO TVET, ANCOP SIGN MOA Parish, Dalahican, Lucban,
Quezon on February 4, 2018.
According to Santos, the
reduction in the country. ANCOP Tele-edukasyon tu-
Through the TVET Center, the students’ skills and toring program is one way to
capabilities will be honed through proper training help the CFC-ANCOP schol-
and hands-on practice, giving the students excellent lessons with accompanying Vice President Leni Ro-
ars who are in the elemen- videos,” Santos said. bredo was not able to at-
skill sets that will make them readily employable tary, secondary and collegiate
in a shorter amount of time. CFC ANCOP hope to He added, “The students tend the event, but sent a
levels. This program aims to can also post their questions video message for the schol-
establish wider networks among institutions with provide academic support
TVET programs in order to create opportunities in related to their assignments ars and sponsors of ANCOP
through tutoring/coaching and get help through the USA in Dalahican. The Vice
aligning towards that direction. and reinforcing concepts
Some of the courses offered in Don Bosco TVET teacher or tutor volunteer as- President encouraged all the
and subject matter learned signed for that subject area.” stakeholders of the Tele-Edu-
are Office System Management, Hotel and Restau- in schools.
rant Management, Automotive Service, Electrical The ANCOP Tele-edu- kasyon Program— benefac-
“The students will be able kasyon tutoring program tors , implementors, as well
Installations and Maintenance, and Refrigeration to access an on-line address
CFC ANCOP, fully embracing programs that will and Aircon Repairs and Maintenance. is manned by volunteer as the scholars—to continue
that would link them to the teachers/educators from the work of empowering the
support the development of skilled individuals, One of the ANCOP scholars from Don Bosco ANCOP TELE-EDUKASYON
partnered with the Don Bosco Technical and Vo- TVET, John Henrich Malazarte, expressed his CFC-Maryland who are youth through quality educa-
website. From this, the stu- certified and are expert in tion and values formation.
cational Education and Training (TVET) Center gratitude to both organizations for helping him dents can proceed to the
to cater to scholars who will take up technical and and promised to do his best in studying. Later on, their respective subject areas. After the launch, ANCOP
various subject areas that Initially, the subject area/ USA distributed gift packs
vocational courses. Malazarte intends to pay it forward by sponsoring they need help and receive
Don Bosco TVET rector, Rev. Fr. Gaudencio a scholar as well. contents are Math, English, to their scholars in the area.
on-line modular or topical Science, and History. (A. Alvarez)
Carandang Jr., SDB, CFC ANCOP President Rudy Fr. Carandang extended his gratitude to ANCOP
Gaspillo and ANCOP Education Program Head Canada for the sponsorship, highlighting that the
Efren Tompong forged the partnership via the sign- support in education can change the lives of poor CFC LEADERS, p1
ing of the Memorandum of Agreement on January families after the scholars have graduated and
26, 2018 at the Don Bosco TVET Center in Tondo, become employed. Ariola challenged CFC, “Let us examine our for reflection and for renewing commitment to
Manila. ANCOP Canada President Ricardo Cuenca Aside from the existing program, CFC ANCOP hearts and ask God to enable us to wisely use the the mission.
and wife Irma also graced the event. is looking at catering to the education of parents gifts He has bestowed upon each and every one.” Tribu de Cristo, a boho-themed fellowship,
The MOA embodies the commitment of ANCOP through TechVoc education. The project, named followed. After the party, it was time for quiet re-
Canada to increase the number of scholars to 50 TVETP (Technical and Vocational Education Shine bright! flection the following day, Saturday. But first, as
from the 16 existing scholars in the center. Training for Parents) will be offered to the parents While Ariola’s talk was inspirational, Villaro- is usual with all CFC conferences, the day would
CFC ANCOP sees the TVET Center as a tool for of ANCOP scholars, whether CFC or non-CFC mem- man’s talk was directional as he spoke of the great not begin without the recitation of the Holy
productivity enhancement, and ultimately poverty bers, aged 40 years old and below. (Diana Mendoza) responsibility that rests on each leader’s shoulders Rosary and the celebration of the Eucharist. The
as a modern-day apostle. He urged everyone to keep Saturday Mass, as well as the Mass on Sunday, was
the light alive by preparing the next generation of celebrated by Bishop Wenceslao Padilla of Mon-
Vickar Family visits leaders and to indeed charge forth to be a light to
all nations.
golia, together with the priests from Mongolia,
Indonesia, Ecuador and Peru who had gone up
ANCOP site in Bulacan Citing St. Paul, Villaroman reminded the
congregation “to stir into flame the gift of God
to Baguio with the CFC delegates.
The weekend featured five talks, four on Sat-
that is in us.” urday and one on Sunday, all of them given by
He said, “All of us may be falling short of God’s members of the International Council.
bright glory, but something is at work in us that The message of the first talk, given by Ricky
is much greater than our weaknesses, our blind Cuenca (“The Gift Within Us”), revolved around
spots, our guilt, our regrets!” the gift given to each member through the
The fire within each person is the fire that Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism, which
transforms even the toughest, the fire that over- opened up for each one the door to spiritual
comes suffering and persecution, the unchanging life. Cuenca exhorted everyone not to let the
fire that will shine the light of Christ brightly. gift remain within but to give the gift to others.
How then, can one rekindle this fire? He also reminded the delegates that CFC’s re-
Villaroman exhorted, “We must honor God’s sponse to the gift is gratitude for the gift-giver,
vision for us, stand firm in our values, do what God Himself.
the Lord asks of us, and express love and kindness The second session, “Called and Chosen”, was
in all our personal encounters.” given by James Solano, who explained that a
Christian’s first calling is intimacy with Christ.
Solemn Charge Weekend This intimacy opens each person to the gifts
Recharged from the Leaders Conference, the available to him, and enables him to strive not
Metro Manila Mission Core, joined by delegates only for personal holiness, but to build up the
from the provinces and abroad, motored to body of Christ, the Church, and community.
ANCOP donors Larry Vickar Before proceeding to the site, their excitement as to what the Baguio City for the Solemn Charge Weekend Solano explained that being called and chosen
and his wife Tova, together with the Vickars paid a courtesy call outcome of the project would be. Retreat. The retreat was held at the CAP Conven- means each CFC member has the mandate to
their family, recently visited on Mayor Ferddie Estrella at After the site visit, the Vickar tion Center in Camp John Hay. keep the fire in his heart burning and to mentor
the rising ANCOP Site in Bgy. his office. The mayor thanked family visited a nearby orphan- The Friday activity began with the celebration the next generation so that the mandate remains
Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan and met the family and CFC ANCOP age, the Bethlehem House of of the Holy Eucharist, presided by Rev. Fr. Bene- fresh. Solano used the example of the mentor-
with some of the home partners for helping build homes for Bread Orphanage. They inter- dict Jason P. Lopez from the Diocese of Baguio, mentee relationship between the apostle Paul
in the community. The said site the poor families of Baliuag. acted with the children, shared and concelebrated by Fr. Ronald Magbanua, and the young Timothy.
will house 145 families and He said, “I believe that this is gifts and had fellowship with CICM, from Mongolia, Fr. Marco Coloma from “Regardless of age, we have to set a good ex-
will be named the Larry Tova the continuing work of Jesus the people supporting and Ecuador and Fr. Rober Martinez of Peru. Fr. Lo- ample and witness to our members. Let us be
Vickar CFC ANCOP Winnipeg through CFC ANCOP”. working for the said orphanage. pez’s homily was a fitting reminder that the next salt and light to them,” he emphasized. Solano
Starville IV. The family could not hide (Diana Mendoza) two days would indeed be a holy retreat, a time likewise reminded CFC LEADERS, p4
C4 February 5 - 18, 2018 Vol. 22 No. 03 CBCP Monitor

YFC Oceania Sets Sail for a Great Adventure

TWENTY-FOUR young people from
Oceania, members of Youth for Christ,
came to the Philippines to experience
the Oceania Great Adventure Tour (OC-
GAT) 2018. The two-week Jesus Experi-
ence ran from January 5–19, 2018 and
saw the GAT-ters immersing themselves
in ANCOP areas in Manila, Albay, and
Iloilo. During their immersion, they
underwent training from, and bonded
in fellowship with, the CFC community
and YFC ministry in the areas.
OCGAT heads Ira Juntereal and Mac
Quinto did the orientation and setting of
expectations at the CFC Global Mission
Center in Cubao, Philippines together
with YFC leaders Abi Halal, Alvin Gen-
ese, Dar Manalo and Jep Calumag.
After their GMC orientation, the
team organized a fellowship night at
the Pastoral Center of Pinaglabanan
Church, with performances by YFC
Central A Band and Chorale.
The great adventure tour continued
with a week-long ANCOP immersion
in the province of Albay, made all the
more memorable because of the ten-
hour bus ride which strengthened the
group’s bond and geared them up for
a week of sharing and experiencing
Christ in the ANCOP Taysan Com-
munity. Each GAT-ter was hosted by
a family with whom they lived for the
entire week, soaking up local culture.
The young people experienced pump-
ing water from the deep well (poso) for
their bath water, washing their own
clothes, washing dishes, cleaning the
house, eating with their bare hands,
and embracing the simple lifestyle,
with Mt. Mayon providing a majestic
and glorious backdrop to their day-
to-day life.
The whole week also saw the youth
conducting a Kid’s Assembly at the
ANCOP Community, attending the
Mission with the Poor Weekend Re-
treat, getting engaged in various team
building activities, prayer sessions,
and getting to know His Excellency
Bishop Bong Baylon of Albay. The
delegates also did a G-Project immer-
sion through a tree planting activity at
Sto. Domingo, seven kilometers from
the foot of Mayon.
The Manila leg of the tour included
meeting the YFC Fulltime workers
and Metro Manila YFC Leaders and
Couple Coordinators, experiencing
other YFC advocacy immersions, and
attending the CFC Leaders Conference
at the Mall of Asia Arena where the
team witnessed first-hand the bigger
mission they belong to.
The GAT-ters, still bearing the new
fire in their hearts, flew to Iloilo on the
last leg of their tour, where they shared
the love of Christ with the elderly at
Asilo de Molo. It was a heartwarming
afternoon, with young people serenad-
ing the lolas and lolos and listening to
their stories.
It was not all work for the team as
they also saw the grand beauty of the
Gigantes Islands and other famous
tourist spots in Iloilo.
As a fitting end to their tour, upon
their return to Manila, the GAT-ters
were treated to a surprise farewell kid-
die party at Jollibee.
With the theme Novus Ignis, a Latin
term that means “New Fire”, the 24
delegates of the YFC Oceania Great
Adventure Tour 2018 experienced a
rekindling of the fire in their hearts,
making them grow further in their
spiritual life and giving them renewed
vigor for the mission ahead. (Text by
Sarah Abigail Halal; photos by Ken-
neth Santos)

New Mission Appointments

IN A memo issued last January 18, 2018, the CFC
International Council announced the following
appointments, effective February 1, 2018:
Philippine Missions:
Regional Head:
• Bong Bautista - Western Mindanao
• Caloy Subang - Southeastern Mindanao
• Noel Dacalos - North Central Mindanao
• Pempe Deguilmo - South Central Mindanao
• Hector Simplicio - CFC Northeastern Min-
danao
Provincial Area Head:
• Bobby Mercado - Camiguin
• Jun Waga - Davao
International Missions:
Regional Coordinator:
• Steve Maningat - South Asia
Country Coordinator:
• Alan Baiño - Australia
• Rhodie Nidea - Austria
• Dodong Banaynal - Bahrain
• Heiko Junge - Germany
• Cesar Cardenas - India
• Danny Simangan - New Zealand
• Raffy Ballesteros - Thailand
• Eric Bostre - Vietnam

On 26 January 2018, CFC Greece leaders met with the New Papal Nuncio to Greece, His Excellency Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai,
who is also currently Vatican Secretary of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The CFC leaders informed the nuncio
about CFC Greece activities and mission work. During the meeting, the nuncio accepted CFC Greece’s invitation to celebrate the
Alan Baiño Bobby Mercado Bong Baustista Caloy Subang
Thanksgiving Mass Celebration of the community on February 25, 2018.
CFC LEADERS, p3
everyone to rediscover the fire of passion and underwent many hardships but endured every
not let the passion cool down. suffering, confident that God will give him the
Passion was the highlight of Session 3 titled strength to go on.
“Proclaim the Word” delivered by Reggie Rago- Yamamoto encouraged everyone: “The pain
jos. He emphasized that evangelization is passion and suffering might be difficult to comprehend,
but this passion must be proclaimed to the whole much less accept, but in the end, with God’s grace,
Cesar Cardenas Danny Simangan Dodong Banaynal Eric Bostre world. “In order to continue to proclaim amidst that sacrifice will be meaningful to each one of us
the challenges, one should be witnesses by being a and becomes bearable because we are beginning
good Christian, by witnessing through action, not to understand. And when we understand, we
simply words, and not just within community know that we are not far from the face of Christ.”
but even outside it.” The session ended with a pray over ceremony
Ragojos underlined that no matter how dif- of the ‘Timothy Generation’ or the next genera-
ficult the mission becomes, one should continue tion of CFC leaders, symbolizing the preparation
to serve, whether convenient or inconvenient, of the front liners in the battlefield.
and rekindle three things: In the last session on Sunday morning, Arnel
Santos reminded, “The journey continues—new-
Hector Simplicio Heiko Junge Jun Waga Noel Dacalos • Rekindle the love for God. “We should ness itself must be renewed. May it be in our lives
rekindle our love for God, so that we can as an individual, in our families or in the Church.”
share His love to others,” Ragojos empha- He called the next generation of CFC the
sized. ‘Timothys’ and exhorted them that “The call is to
• Rekindle the 'What'. CFC proclaims journey some more. Let us pray to the Lord that
the beauty of faith through community. his journey may happen in every minute of our
Ragojos said, “The beauty of our commu- lives. The empowerment that we need is written
nity comes from our household where we in 1 Peter 4:10: ‘As each one has received a gift,
love and care for one another. CFC is not use it to serve one another as good stewards of
Pempe Deguilmo Raffy Ballesteros Bong Nidea Steve Maningat a fading community, but the community God’s given gifts.’”
becomes more beautiful through time.” The session ended with the Solemn Charge
• Rekindle the 'How'. “We proclaim with rites, with Santos reciting the Solemn Charge
joy—this is our ‘how’,” Ragojos explained. for the Mission Core, citing the annual themes
SCHEDULE OF CFC EVENTS FOR 2018 He added, “Christian joy is not simply a
pursuit of an emotional satisfaction, but it
is a profound joy born out of serving others.”
as clear directives from the Lord to CFC.
Responding to the solemn charge, the Metro
Manila Sector Heads led the assembly in
proclaiming the new Mission Core Covenant,
The next session—Put Up with Hardships— taking to heart “this deeper commitment to
given by Joe Yamamoto, expounded on the dif- CFC’s vision and mission, dedicating myself
ficulties every missionary must face in trying to to the Lord, to my family and my life and
proclaim the Word to all, including distractions service in CFC.”
coming from community leaders themselves. Almost to a man, the delegates expressed their
Yamamoto cautioned: “Do not be distracted thanks to the speakers for the powerful messages,
by the imperfections of your leaders. Focus on commenting that these sessions were among the
Christ and you will never fail.” best they had ever experienced. Everyone drove
The session, actually a refresher on leadership, back down to Manila exhilarated and indeed
provided a few pointers for leaders, all of them refreshed and renewed by the solemn charge
culled from the example of the apostle Paul who they had received.
HOMILY, p1
My dear friends, this year’s of Sienna said, “Be who God The Lord will rekindle the
theme in preparation for 2021 - meant you to be and you will gifts that we have received so
the year of priests and religious set the world on fire.” that even in our little ways, we
persons - means that all the We ask ourselves, “What does can use the gifts for the service
servant-leaders, including all of God want me to be?” When we of God and the Church.
you in Couples for Christ, must know, when we recognize what This year and for the years
put your gifts at the service of God’s desire is for us, then we to come, Couples for Christ will
one another. We are leaders, strive to live up to that desire. continue to rekindle the gifts.
but we are servant-leaders. One of the great lessons I May you truly become God’s big
“Rekindle the gift.” How learned when we hosted the family that will spread through-
beautiful these words are! The International Eucharistic Con- out the world to proclaim that
fire is already there (in you) gress has to do with our receiv- even if we are imperfect human
because of the laying of hands ing communion. When the beings, the love of God and the
and because of your com- minister says “the Body of mercy of God are so great. He
mitment, and because of the Christ” and because we know calls all of us to holiness. He
sacraments you have received that this little bread is the body calls all of us to mission. He
through the years. of Christ, we say “Amen.” When calls all of us to spread His mes-
As the great St. Augustine we say “Amen”, we are also say- sage of love.
reminds us, “You touch me ing, “Yes, this is the body of Praise God for this gathering!
and I am set on fire.” It is when Christ, but yes, we are also the May the Lord indeed rekindle
the Lord touches us that we body of Christ because we will the gifts that we have received
understand what St. Catherine become what we receive.” for His glory!