Sanniv2011 Final

INSIDE THIS ISSUEJUNE 2011

MESSAGES06 Bishop Gabriel Reyes, CFC FFL Spiritual Director07 Ralph & Anne Martin09 Archbishop Soc Villegas and Jamie Cardinal Sin’s love for CFC 10 Fr. Francis Gustilo, CFC FFL Assistant Spiritual Director 12 Fr. Arlo Yap, SFL Spiritual Director14 Msgr. Kornu, Ghana16 Fr. Justin Sequiera

STORIES & SHARINGS14 Missionary Confessions: Africa18 Finding Love in the Community: JC & Chinka Sarmiento, Philippines21 Life’s Precious Miracles: Hiedi Johannson, Sweden28 Like Father, Like Son: Bernard and Paul Tropicales, Rizal, Philippines31 ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Menchie Donato, Philippines36 Missy’s Story: Eugene Valdez, Michigan, USA38 Hearts For Service: Doming & Susan Sarmiento, Pasig, Philippines52 Rediscovering Catholicism: Tinay Mamaril, FLiQ Media54 A Child’s Battle with the Big D: Sol Fabie, Pasig, Philippines55 Touching Lives through Creative Evangelization: Maricar Gatchalian-Urgino, Philippines60 I Trust and I Choose to Believe: Raine Eguico68 Renewing Our Family, Defending Life: Lorie Eguia, Paranaque, Philippines76 Trusting God’s Plan: Nory Reyes, Canada84 Age is But a Number: Mary Grace Hermano-Pingoy, Indiana, USA90 The Permissive Will of God: Tristan Valdenor, Michigan, USA92 All in God’s Grace: Julita Aguila, Pasig, Philippines

ARTICLES15 Young Ministries Logos20 SILIP CLC Moving Up Day20 Evangelization in Cambodia48 Cover Story: Vision for the Future (30th Year)

Editor-in-Chief: Xavy PadillaManaging Editor: Chinka Besinga-SarmientoEditorial Assistants: Khyme Esteban Ina Gasgonia Marie RelucioArt Director: Gay Racoma-JavierLayout Artist: Christina Mamaril Joy Aguila Jepoy MenesesMarketing Director: Des Yupano-PadillaAdviser: Frank Padilla

Contributors: Nani and Bing Almanza Juling Aguila Bambi Donato Menchie Donato Vania Padilla-Edralin Lorie Eguia Raine Eguico Sol Fabie Hiedi Johannson Mary Grace Hermano-Pingoy Giella Sanchez Bernard & Paul Tropicales Ana Torres Maricar Gatchalian-Urgino Tristan Valdenor Eugene Valdez

Find CFC FFL on:FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/cfcfflTWITTER: www.twitter.com/cfcfflYOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/fliqmediaAnd our Servant General on www.frankpadilla.com

STAFF BOXJUNE 2011

4 ISTT I ADVERTORIAL

MILESTONES I STTI 5

1981, June 26: ESTABLISHED CFC WITH 16 COUPLESCouples for Christ had its origins in 1981 when a local Christian community ‘Ligaya ng Panginoon’, under the initiation and leadership of Fr. Herb Schneider, SJ (LNP Body of Coordinators) and Victorino Gutierrez (LNP Leader), decided to conduct a home-based Life in the Spirit Seminar (now called as Christian Life Seminar or CLS) to bring married couples to a renewed family and Catholic life.

CFC was established on June 26, 1981, when 16 couples made their commitment. The 16 couples were fired up with the new situation they found themselves in. They met the Lord, they found new friends, they became part of a new fledging movement for family renewal.

1981, July 24: 1ST CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM (CLP)

Indeed, a Christ-centered renewal of soci-ety mainly begins with family evangeliza-tion, primarily through the husband and wife.

Originally created as LNP’s family life outreach program, Couples for Christ burgeoned starting with 16 couples being inducted on July 24, 1981 using the new-born CFC covenant crafted by Gutierrez.

The first 16 couples of Couples for Christ are the following: 1. Frank & Gerry Padilla 2. Danny & Tess Aviado 3. Romy & Irene Arguelles 4. Chito & Shirley Borja 5. Tito & Tuding Collantes 6. Pete & Fely Campbel [Cambel] 7. Tony & Cora Espiritu 8. Danny & Eggie de Guzman 9. Larry & Brenda de Guzman 10. Monching & Baby Ramirez 11. Manny & Ditas Garcia 12. Rey & Diday Saavedra 13. Boy & Elma Santillan 14. Jimmy & Malou Tan 15. Jun & Auring Tan 16. Jojo & Hedy Villegas From then on, Couples for Christ contin-ued to spread out all over the Philippines and throughout the world, renewing fami-lies, relationships, and communities all for the greater glory of God.

CFC-FFLMILESTONE

6 ISTT I MESSAGE

HIS EXCELLENCYMOST REV. GABRIEL V. REYES, DDBishop of Antipolo

Bishop Gabby is the Spiritual Director of CFC FFL.

HIS EXCELLENCYMOST REV. GABRIEL V. REYES, DDBishop of Antipolo

Bishop Gabby is the Spiritual Director of CFC FFL.

Who is Jorge Munar?

Jorge was born on January 27, 1957 in Baguio City. He is married to Rachel, and this year (2011), they will be married for 30 years. They have 4 daughters (Marion, Nikki, Loreen and Kyle) and cur-rently live in Cavite.

Jorge and Rachel joined CFC in 1985, while Jorge was working with the Cultural Center of the Philippines as the print coordina-tor for print media.

Jorge experienced a 180 degree change in his life after joining CFC, and in 1986 he collaborated with others to come up with con-cepts for the logo, and designed the symbol.

Jorge and Rachel serve within CFC FFL in numerous capaci-ties - household servant, assis-tant team leader, guitarist, youth camp service couple coordinator, facilitator. They have proclaimed to be in this mission to serve God for life!

MILESTONE I STTI 7

The Faceless Christ Logo In 1986, Frank Padilla was at the Evangelization Team Training at St. John the Baptist Parish where Jorge Munar was an attendee. The original task given was to make new brochures for the upcoming door-to-door evange-lization project within San Juan, Rizal.

During the Team Training, Jorge was asked to come up with a symbol that will define CFC. The theme of the sym-bol was: Christ as the center of husband and wife.

Jorge took inspiration also from Mat-thew 11: 25 - 30, where the message to him was “come to me and rest”.

So what does the logo mean? That the husband and wife should depend on Christ’s teachings and put those teach-ings into action. And in spite of argu-

ments and misunderstandings, to keep the respect and trust in each other; and to hold on to Christ as the only answer.

They gently hold hands as a show of sincerity; and Christ, at the center of their relationship, looks up to God as a gesture of obedience to the will of God and as an affirmation that love starts with husband and wife.

more trivia: Jorge also designed the CFC “rings” logo, the 1987 Glory songbook, the Morning Star logo and the 1985-87 Ugnayan logo

Anne and I were delighted to see firsthand, a number of years ago in Manila, the abso-lutely amazing work of Couples for Christ, in all its various fields of mission. Since then we have continued to encounter the good fruit of CFC all over the world.

Our most sincere congratulations and gratitude for all you have done and are doing to help so many. CFC is certainly one of the most impressive examples of the “new evange-lization” that our recent Popes have called for. Happy Anniversary!”

- Ralph and Anne Martin

MESSAGE I STTI 9Jaime L. Cardinal Sin and Frank and Gerry’s Couples for Christ:Friends Who Serve+SOCRATES B. VILLEGASArchbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

Couples for Christ was born in the early 80’s shortly after I was ordained a priest and became the personal secre-tary of His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin. By then the Cardinal was already a very famous person, much sought af-ter by the foreign press because of his home-grown simplicity and admirable courage in engaging Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippine president-turned dicta-tor. While many had the impression that politics was at the top of his mind, in reality it wasn’t so. A huge chunk of his time was given to pastoral work. Priests could see him without any appoint-ment. He was diligent and judicious in his curia responsibilities, and was a stickler in keeping a working agenda for consultors and presbyteral meet-ings. Priests could be taken to task if not properly prepared for reports , or with answers, for these gatherings. The Cardinal was very encourag-ing, too, of lay leaders. He always ac-cepted invitations from them to be guest speaker or mass celebrant. He always welcomed them in Villa San Miguel, most often over breakfast. With his sharp memory he would remember all the goings-on in the mandated orga-nizations, as recounted to him by their leaders. No wonder then that when he seeks their support, he would get it swiftly and generously. Frank Padilla and his wife Gerry were steady visitors of Cardinal Sin. My neo-phyte impression then pointed to their being friends. Cardinal Sin was quietly admiring of the young Frank and his idealism about the family. The concept

for Couples for Christ excited him as a novel and effective way of enriching the spiritual growth of families and of strengthening the institution. Now on hindsight the Cardinal might have had some prescient foresight of the larger troubles and threats that the family would be facing in the near future.

The future came with the wave of the heightened Western ideology of popu-lation control and contraception and the Philippines soon became the hatch-ing ground for the imported philosophy, if one may call it that.

World conferences, largely spon-sored by the United Nations from pres-sure exerted by radical feminist groups and anti-life proponents, soon con-vinced nations, ours not exempted, that the only way for a country to fully de-velop was to control its population, so that meager resources would not have to be divided among so many.

Cardinal Sin was glad for the input of the Couples for Christ under Frank and Gerry in the response to these confer-ences. And the Couples for Christ, as it was growing also in numbers, also en-larged its support of and assistance to the Cardinal-Archbishop in the Arch-diocese of Manila’s many activities and programs, such as the 1995 visit of Pope John Paul II, the Great Jubilee 2000 cel-ebrations, EDSA 2 and the World Meet-ing of Families.

Such was the help and involvement of Couples for Christ under Frank Pa-dilla that the Cardinal, after convening yet another committee for a national event, was heard to utter, “What can we do without Couples for Christ?”

In my many years with Cardinal Sin I know that friendship with him means service, or serving together. You know

you have become his friend if he asks you to serve the Church, and serve her with all your might and soul and being.

It may seem like a strange expres-sion of friendship and affection. But it becomes more vividly understandable when seen in Cardinal Sin’s desire to be a true shepherd of his flock. And that is to lead the sheep to the green pasture of loving service to God.

I am not privy to the many personal exchanges and conversations between Cardinal Sin and Frank and Gerry Pa-dilla, but I am certain that they were marked with much candor and humor, and, as it is with friends, much trust and joy.

From where he is I know that Cardi-nal Sin smiles on Frank and Gerry and thanks them and the Couples for Christ which they founded and which now continues in Couples for Christ Founda-tion for Family and Life.##

ARCHBISHOP SOC B. VILLEGASis the Spiritual Director of CFC-FFL Young Ministries

Fr. FRANCIS GUSTILO, SDBis the Assistant Spiritual Director of CFC-FFL

and the Spiritual Director of CFC Youth for Family and Life

My dear brethren in Christ,

“I rejoice heartily in the Lord” for He has given abundant blessings to our covenanted community of the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.

While many persons normally count blessings as always the good tidings in wonderful experiences, we count as blessings good experiences and painful ones as well, positive strokes and difficult ones as well, harmony and mis-understandings as well. This faith-perspective is rooted in the very Cross experience of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the subsequent persecutions suf-fered by the early Christian communities, particularly Sts Peter and Paul, our patrons of Evangelization. Come to think of it, Paul himself would not have been able to present the core of the Gospel message in the imperial halls of King Agrippa and at the heart of the Roman Empire had he not been persecuted, rejected and reviled by his fellow Jews. Jesus predicted in his resurrection appearance on the shores of the Sea of Galilee that Peter will be led where he would not want to go much in the same way that he expe-rienced of his passion and death.

Today our Philippine Church faces the onslaught of the RH Bill and[the possible] Divorce Bill debates in Congress. And yet what better venue to proclaim the Church’s faith regarding family-and-life Christian values than these halls together with the wide range of media coverage in newspapers, radio commentaries and television talk shows. Our very own community experience in the last four years has sharpened the focus for which the Holy Spirit has raised up the Couples for Christ community thirty-years ago: we are founded for the promotion and defense of Family and Life.

So, let us “rejoice heartily in the Lord” and let us bless His mighty name. For it is “when we are weak that we are strong” and it is what the world calls foolish and a stumbling block that is the wisdom and the power of God the Most High.

The assurance of my constant prayers for everyone committed in the “Evangelization through the Renewal of the Family”! Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB

10 ISTT I MESSAGE

ADVERTORIAL I STTI 11

Fr. ARLO YAP, SVDis the Spiritual Director of CFC Singles for Family and Life

My first formal encounter with CFC-FFL was through its singles ministry – CFC Singles for Family and Life in February 2009. I was invited to give a workshop on the Liturgical Bible Study and to celebrate Mass at the World Singles Congress in Baguio. From then on, I became a more fre-quent partner and companion of CFC SFL in its activities. A year after, I was appointed and given the privilege to be the ministry’s Spiritual Director.

What strikes me powerfully about this community is its intense spiri-tuality. The work of the Holy Spirit is strongly manifested in the advoca-cies they’ve established and contin-ue to support – Live Pure, Vocations, Anti-RH Bill, etc. The creativity of this community in communicating the message of the Gospel and their stand on various advocacies is truly inspiring and contagious too!

On the celebration of its 30th An-niversary, may CFC-FFL continue to keep the flame of this passion for mission and evangelization ever burning, so as to draw more men and women to its light – a light that leads people to Christ.

There is a saying that kites fly high against the wind, not with the wind. Soar higher, CFC-FFL! There will surely be forces that you will battle against. As you fly high against the wind, you will face rejection and per-secution. Anything that is of God will surely face the opposition of the evil one. As it has been in the past, let the power of the Holy Spirit carry you through to overcome every obstacle and to reach greater heights. My prayers remain with you as you be-gin your journey to your golden year.

Happy 30th Anniversary, CFC-FFL!

12 ISTT I MESSAGE

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

1983: First formal planning session, at Alpadi. Formulated statements of mission and philoso-phy.

1984: ESTABLISHMENT OF CFCFIIn June 1981, Couples for Christ (CFC) found its beginning through the effort of the charismatic com-munity Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP) to evangelize married cou-ples. Sixteen (16) couples com-pleted the first Christian Life Pro-gram, and thus started the story of CFC.

By the end of 1981, CFC had a total of 34 couples. Two years later, CFC had grown to 160 couples.

While a ray of light shone on CFC’s early years, a dark cloud hovered over the Philippines, with eco-nomic and political instability. In these uncertain times, CFC took the bold step of formalizing its identity. Upon the advice of the Ligaya Body of Coordinators, CFC was regis-tered as a non-stock, non-profit corporation on January 30, 1984 at the Securities and Exchange Com-mission (SEC) under the name: Couples for Christ Foundation Inc. The incorporators and members of the first Board of Trustees were: 1. Victorino B. Gutierez 2. Raul G. Sarceda 3. Francisco A. Padilla 4. Francisco F. del Rosario 5. Pio S. Acampado 6. Jose T. Villegas 7. Roberto Pilar 8. Carlos C. Salinas 9. Antonio O. Vasquez 10. Victor U. Gamboa

At last, Couples for Christ had ob-tained a legal identity. Upon us, God has given His precious anoint-ing. Our creation story has been made complete. “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” (Gen 1: 31) We’ve only just begun. The best is yet to come.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COU-PLES FOR CHRIST FOUNDA-TION FOR FAMILY AND LIFE BY REV. MSGR. ANTHONY KORNU, VICAR GENERAL, HO DIOCESE

The threat to human life and all that supports it, like the family, at all levels, has reached alarming proportions in our age.

Thirty years ago Blessed Pope John Paul II, the Vicar of Christ, sought to alert humanity, espe-cially all people of good will, about this threat, which he described as ‘the culture of death’. To counter this ‘culture of death’ the Pontiff invited the baptized and men and women of good will at every op-portunity to pray for God’s mighty intervention.

The founding of the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life, obviously, must have been inspired by the Holy Spirit as an answer to the prayers on behalf of humanity, the family and human life by the Blessed Pope John Paul II. Surely, it is providential that as CFC-FFL celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, the beatification of the Holy Pontiff should also take place.

We in the Ho Diocese of the Volta Region of Ghana, especially the Sacred Heart Cathedral, who have had the CFCFFL established in our Parish six years ago, salute the Couples For Christ Foundation For Family and Life, and say: Congrat-ulations!

TAOS PUSONG BUMABATI SA 30TH KAARAWAN PAGDIRIWAN! More Grease to your elbows!

14 ISTT I MESSAGE

MissionaryConfessions

“It is not you who chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give you”. (John 15:16)

We have been in the community for six-teen years. As members of CFC, we have taken to heart our call to do missionary work, specifically in the Continent of Af-rica. While on mission, God taught us to change and transform many areas of our lives. We’ve learned to let go of some of our attachments and even more of what we were comfortable with. In one of our many trips, God tested our faith. We were with our daughter Victoria then and we were going to at-tend the local conferences and conduct pastoral visits. We arrived in Johannes-burg at around 11 in the evening where our host - Jerie and Grace Yanoria, met with us. Upon reaching their house, Grace and I entered the home ahead of the others while Victoria waited for Je-rie to help him with the luggage. There was excitement in the air because the full-time missionaries assigned in that area had been waiting to welcome us. When Grace went to check on Jerie and Nani, she immediately turned back and exclaimed, “Tito Nani is being robbed!” The excitement turned into silence. I

Johannesburg, South AfricaBing and Nani Almanza

asked everyone to pray and cast out the evil one that had suddenly attacked those that were still in the garage. Grace saw a robber pointing a gun on Nani’s chest and another with a shotgun near the get away car.

As the robbers were quick to unload the luggage from the cars into their own, Nani tried to protect an attaché case he carried with him that contained the stipends of the missionaries, which was underneath the front seat by using his feet to move it away from sight but a robber saw this and hit him in the stom-ach. The amount of the stipend stolen was $ 10,000. Trying to save on bank charges for sending the stipend, Nani decided to carry this and give the mis-sionaries their stipend till the end of the year. Nani also pleaded that the robbers leave his diabetic pills and our pass-ports but his pleas remained unheard. As the robbers drove off, they threw out my passport and that of Nani’s. They might have unknowingly taken our daughter Victoria´s passport with them despite her frantic demands to return it. All of these happened within 5 to 10 minutes but to all of us there, it felt like forever!

When the police came, there was no trace of the robbers nor their get away vehicle. The head of CFC Johannesburg, together with his wife came right away, upon learning of the incident. That same evening, an e-mail blast was sent to all our brothers and sisters in the world. There was an outpouring of prayers, love and concern. Our brethren gave money to help buy some neces-

14 ISTT I MESSAGE

sities and some clothes that we could wear. Our story was shared to the com-munity and an appeal was made for the lost stipend. And the members re-sponded generously.

While waiting for our daughter´s pa-pers to be processed, we took some time to regroup. It was a time to reflect on what He was trying to do in our lives, while saying good-bye to the many ma-terial things taken from us. God showed us a time of emptying, where we were totally dependent on Him alone. It was a time of coming before Him asking for the grace to be able to forgive - those who took away our attachments, our pride and dignity; those who violated our rights and freedom. It did not come easy, but God gave us the grace to do so.

An outpouring of love and support from our brothers and sisters was given to us wherever we went. They gave finan-cial support in spite of having nothing for themselves. We even received word that one country, China, donated the full amount of the stipend lost in the rob-bery. Truly, God’s goodness and love can never be outdone. He carried us through the tough times and once again showed us His great love.

During the early years of our mission-ary work, He already started to teach us to let go of our worldly attachments - our material wants that had sometimes ruled our life. God went a step further in our robbery experience. He showed us how He can empty us of things that are of this world. When everything is taken from you, one feels hopeless and help-less, but God showed us that He is all we need. He protected us from harm and shielded us from physical attack that could have been devastating. He also al-lowed us to forgive and let go of the pain and hurt that the experience gave us.

It has been fifteen years since that first trip in 1996, when we said that we would never return to Africa. God had other plans for us. We still cannot fully understand them, for we have a mys-terious God. All we need to do is trust completely in him. We have learned to embrace our crosses, trials, difficulties and afflictions, offer them back to the Lord and leave the rest up to our Father for he is our strength, the stronghold of our lives.

Editor’s note: Nani is Country Servant of CFC FFL in the United States and is the Regional Coordinator of CFC FFL Africa.

STTI 15

May this 30th Anniversary bring to CFC FFL through-out the world a deeper un-derstanding, passion and living out of the charism of this powerful lay move-ment. May every member make CFC FFL a way of life woven into every aspect of their lives, and not a pious association or a part-time social club.

16 ISTT I MESSAGE

FR. JUSTIN SEQUEIRA, SSS and CFC FFL

CFC-FFL MILESTONES1984: CFC established for fi rst time outside Manila, in BukidnonCFC had started to grow throughout Manila. Now CFC looked to bringing its ministry to places in the Philippines outside Manila. The opportunity came in 1984. CFC’s parent com-munity, the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP), had an affili-ated community in Bukidnon, Mindanao, called Ang Buhing Pulong (ABP). As CFC shared about its experiences in family renewal, the ABP became interested in adopting the same. A team was sent, a CLP mounted, and CFC for the first time was established outside Manila. Raul Sarceda, who was among the first CFC members in 1981, became a missionary to Min-danao but stayed on as a member of LNP.

1985: First country outside Philippines - India(Please see next page.)

1986: 1st Foreign Mission trip to Hong KongIt all started with a man named Brian Potter. He was a pilot of Cathay Pacific who was attending spiritual courses in Manila with the Ligaya ng Panginoon. He asked for help in behalf of his group, and Couples for Christ responded. Since then, CFC has been instrumental in binding couples and families in Hong Kong towards evangelization through family renewal.

Thanks to our brothers and sisters who have never stopped responding to God’s call in bringing people like Brian Potter and many others even closer to Christ through CFC Commu-nity life!

May every husband, in this Spir-it-oriented movement, live up to his role as a SPIRITUAL head of his own family, as a top-most priority, besides being a person looking after the material, so-cial and financial aspects of his family. In this manner he will also learn how to be a pastor of his household or unit or chapter or district as the case may be. Let him live out the prophetic and priestly role of Jesus – one of the community’s core value - besides the kingly (administra-tor) role.

May CFC FFL hunger to know the riches, the treasures and the excitement of being a Catholic in every fabric of their lives.

And may the Anniversary Cel-ebrations have a certain depth, whose memory will linger on much after the hype has died out.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

We are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the whole world. We are his witnesses. Every CFC-FFL member is an evangelizer, in the normal day-to-day environments of our lives.

We look to doing mission beyond our own environments to the very ends of the earth.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FROM THE CFC-FFL UAE FAMILY!


Goa, the adopted land of that great missionary, St. Francis Xavier, the land that in turn gave birth to Blessed Jose Vaz, the missionary to Sri Lanka, is today CFCFFL’s mission centre in India.

With a membership more than 4 times that of Mumbai, one might be inclined to think of Goa as the start-ing point of CFC in India. Far from the truth! That credit goes to Mum-bai, then good old Bombay!

On October 16, 1985, in the sleepy suburb of Borivli, 9 couples, who began their CLP in July earlier made their covenant with God and with

each other to live the life of Couples for Christ. Little did these, the first non Fili-pino CFC couples, know that their small step would two years later result in 4 families in Goa completing on April 10, 1987 what is probably the only success-ful self-administered CLP, with three of those couples still in the community 24 years later.

God used these humble beginnings to create a community that would lead tens of thousands of Indians to experi-ence the love of God, the joy of living the fullness of life in Christian community, and the excitement of going on mission – missionary families, kid & youth mis-sionaries, and women missionaries!

CFC-FFL INDIA

18 ISTT I SHARING

Finding Love in the communityby Chinka Besinga-Sarmiento, Full-time MissionaryProlife Education, Family and Life Quad Media

“you and I will travel far togetherwe’ll pursue our little star togetherwe’ll be happy as we are together

we may never get to heavenbut it’s heaven at least to try...”

When my husband, JC and I first met, we were both full-time lay missionaries in our community. Our relationship blos-somed, in the midst of our service. This is why I believe that from the start, our marriage was a special gift from above.

Looking back, I realize that our love story was written even before we knew each other. We found out from our moms that we were born in the same hospital, in the same year. They even went to the same Ob-Gynecologist and shared the same Pediatrician. But we would not meet until much later.

Separately, we both joined the commu-nity in 1993 by way of the youth camp and served actively in our community’s youth group (I, in Quezon City while he, in Taguig). We then became mission volunteers and eventually worked as full-time pastoral workers after gradu-ation. It was during this time that our paths crossed and we would finally meet.

It’s already amazing how God led us to one another but even more how He took special care in preparing us for our marriage and family life together. We are fortunate to have found each other while in community. And we are excited to have experienced how real Christ’s love is in our lives so we can share that same love to our children. Our prayer is that others may be blessed with the same privilege and that they too may share that same peace in sharing the rest of their lives with the person that God Himself has prepared them for.

Editor’s Note: JC and Chinka are also serving in the CFC Kids for Family and Life Ministry. Their daughter, Clara Teresa is turning 2 this October.

Sarmiento 1Casayuran 2

Alvarez 3Padilla 4

Morales 5Soler 6

Dunglao 7Gelido 8

Liban 9Guarnes 10

Eguia 11Reyes 12

Contreras 13Lee 14

Magtibay 15

1

2 3

4

5 6

7

8

9

11

10

12

14 15

13


Hopes for CFC-FFL in China in the next 30 years

• Strengthen the membership of the local Chinese. Hoping there will be future leaders coming from the local Chinese membership to continue the evangelization mission in China

• Create CFC-FFL parish-based community in different areas in China

VICTORIES• Praise God for resurrecting the CFC-FFL in Shanghai• Praise God for having a very supportive parish priest in St. Peter’s Church where CFC-FFL started• Praise God for allowing our community to closely support St. Peter’s Church - almost all members are serving the parish in different ministries• Praise God for providing us new leaders, Eric and Raquel So, to continue our mission.

STRUGGLES• Most of the CLS graduates are just transients in Shanghai and either go home for good or re-locate for work after the CLS graduation. So, there’s not much growth in terms of active membership• Members have varying work schedules in different locations in Shanghai.

CFC-FFL

China

BEGINNINGSThe first batch of CLS participants in Shanghai (St. Peter’s Church) gradu-ated on July 27, 2008 (Jun 29-Jul 27’08 CLS) under the team leadership of Bobot Isip. There could have been previous Christian Life Seminars con-ducted in Shanghai but membership was dissolved. CFC-FFL was re-started by this first batch in 2008.

All coordination work for CLS1 from planning, speaker arrangement, invita-tions and announcements, were done by one person only - Bobot Isip. Praise God for his energy and dedication. From then on, a CLS has been conduct-ed in St Peter’s Church, Shanghai everyyear.

ADVOCACIES• Aim to form CFC-FFL commu-nity in other parishes in Shanghai (St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Churches)• Support the evangelization mis-sion by strengthening the presence of CFC-FFL in Shanghai as a start

CURRENT PROJECTS• MER 1 – Done on February 19-20• DWR 1 – Done on May 7-8• DWR 2 – July 16-17• CLS 5 – August 2011

20 ISTT I ARTICLE

This year’s theme seems to coincide with the batch that was called upon to serve and be part of the community. Like all other Christian Life Seminars, the service team went through a lot of challenges spiritually, physically and emotionally, but through and with His will, everyone was given the strength to pursue Him in faith. This particular CLS though was far from ordinary as Cambodia is primarily a non-Christian country. Despite apparent challenges to the community’s growth in the area, 12 fruits of labor were harvested last April 3, 2011 - 4 Cambodians and 8 Filipinos.Each session brought in different ex-periences for the participants and the service team alike. As the seminar pro-gressed, so did everyone’s will, dedica-tion and faith. Trivial issues considered as stumbling blocks became building blocks for camaraderie and under-standing, as well as testing each other’s patience.

There were first time sharers who re-ally opened up their soul, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, in front of the partici-pants and the service team. What the participants experienced was like no other and truly, the Holy Spirit descend-ed upon all and proclaimed His pres-ence. “I really asked to be able to speak in tongues and upon that moment I was and I just couldn’t stop and I was cry-ing” said RJ one of the new members of SFL. Nothing is impossible with our God as long as we wholeheartedly ask for it; He will readily show us His almighti-ness.

Like what the participants were saying, they again confirmed for themselves that whatever background one comes from, whatever nationality or whatever past we may all have, we are HIS chil-dren and HE will always welcome us back in HIS loving arms.

By Giella Sanchez, CFC Fulltime Lay Missionary

CFC-FFL Cambodia CLS 2011

San Isidro Labrador Parish Child Learning Center Moving Up Day March 23, 2011

SILP Child Learning Center’s first school year was marked by a Moving Up Day held last March 23, 2011 at the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church. We had as our guests the parish priest - Fr. Eric Salazar who allowed us to use the old chapel of SILP for the school, Mr. Ro gelio Alejandro - the barangay captain Ms. Tess Piolo and the SILP Education, Screening Committee, members of the SILP Commission on Human Develop-ment, CFC FFL’s WWP full time worker Bonjie Bonjibod and WWP’s team in the Diocese of Parañaque.

Lorna Evidente, SILP education pro-gram coordinator gave the welcome remarks. She talked about the remar- kable changes she saw in the children in the different aspects of their lives. They also now know how to pray through their Catechism classes held every Fri-day. She then thanked Fr. Eric and the parishioners of San Isidro Labrador, Bgy. Capt.Alejandro who generously al-lowed the school to use the basketball court and their sound system whenever we had a program, and CFC FFL Indiana for their funding. Aling Luna was gra-ciously thanked for the food she cooked daily for the children.

The morning session sang ‘Lord, I Offer My Life to You’ with actions while the

afternoon session gave their own ren-dition of the action song “We are One”, which is an original composition of one the parish staff members – Benjie de Guzman. Heidi Ramirez recited a poem entitled ‘Whopee’, which is about look-ing at graduation not as the end but the beginning.

Fr. Eric gave a talk, which centered on having a vision. The pre-school started as a vision by the parish and CFC FFL. Now, it is a reality and the children have received the benefits of going through a free pre-school.

The presentation of the diplomas by Fr. Eric, medals by Bgy. Capt. Alejandro and ribbons by Rene Evidente followed the talk of Bgy. Capt. Rogelio Alejandro. The finale was a beautiful song entitled Pasasalamat. The children then pre-sented the guests with roses.

A simple salo-salo capped the whole day of festivities. It was a memorable day for everyone—the guests, the par-ents, the teachers but most specially the children.

The SILP Child Learning Center is a partnership of CFCFFL Work With the Poor with the San Isidro Lab-rador Parish at Las Piñas using CFC EFI’s BATA (Bi-yayang Aral Tanging Alay) Preschool program. We are duplicating the same program at a parish in So-god, Southern Leyte this coming school year. Hope-fully, this will be a template of more CFCFFL Social Ministries involvement in the parishes. – Isaias Bon-jibod, CFC FFL Full-time Worker, Work with the Poor.

SHARING I STTI 21

I joined the community of CFC in the year 1998. I served as one of the HH servants and often times volunteered as a member of the service team in other community activities in Oslo. I moved to Sweden when I got married in Decem-ber of 2006 to a Swedish national, who is not a member of our community but is a devout Catholic and a God-fearing and loving man.

Two months after the wedding, I got pregnant with our first child. We were so happy and felt so blessed. However, on the second month of my pregnancy,

Life’s Precious MiraclesBy Hiedi JohanssonCFC FFL Sweden

I started to bleed. I was rushed to the hospital where a D&C procedure had to be performed on me. My husband and I cried for the baby but what made us so sad was when I found out that the young lady patient with whom I was sharing my room was admitted for an abortion. After that incident we started to pray for aborted babies and asked God to give us those children instead. After a year and a half, I was pregnant again. I did everything I could to keep my baby safe. My pregnancy had not been easy since I suffered from bleed-ing & abdominal pain for no reason. I was almost lying in bed all the time. On December 18, 2008, after 36 hours of la-bor, I gave birth to a baby girl whom we named after my favorite saint, Therese of the Child of Jesus. Sadly, we lost

Baby Therese after three hours. She had suffered from a skull fracture and massive bleeding in her brain. She was the victim of medical malpractice and negligence. It was the darkest moment of my life. I was so angry that I blamed everyone including God. I asked Him, why? I didn’t talk to Him for weeks. But, with our family, friends and the whole community in prayer, I was healed of my hurts and started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I offered my tears to God each time I cried for my daughter until I learned to accept that she was happy together with our Cre-ator. My husband and I started to pray novenas to our favorite saints for only one wish and that was for God to grant us children.

After 6 months I was once again with child. My pregnancy went well, unlike my previous pregnancies. I was full of hope and confidence this time around, until I went for my first ultrasound. We were devastated when they found out that there was no life in my womb! I had to undergo another D&C proce-dure. While waiting for my surgery, I asked God to stop testing me because no matter what trial He gave me I would always praise Him and look at Him as my God and Savior.

After all the things that had happened I learned to put everything in His hand. I never lost hope. One time when my husband and I were praying together, I asked God to give me twins. My hus-band said it would be impossible since there were no twins in his family nor in mine. But, like Job in the Bible, I do be-lieve in miracles and in God’s promise.Two months followed and I found out that I was pregnant for the fourth time. On the third week of my pregnancy I had to be rushed to the hospital be-cause I was bleeding again. But this time, I was not afraid; I put everything in God’s hand and even went to the hos-pital by myself. The doctor conducted an ultrasound to check what was the cause of bleeding, and I almost jumped out from the examination bed when she said I was having twins! Everything seemed okay and I was told that the

22 ISTT I SHARING

bleeding was perfectly normal! I went home thanking God for the good news!After 25 weeks and 5 days into my pregnancy, my water broke and I was immediately rushed to the hospital. My doctor waited until my 26th week and on April 21, 2010, an acute CS was performed so as to prevent any further harm on me and my babies. At last, my twins were born! I praised the Lord all night when I woke up from the surgery. A day after we talked to the pediatri-cian, she said that we should be aware that our babies’ condition was unstable since they were “extremely premature”. As parents, we were really crushed by the truth when she began discussing all the risks from head to foot. Their deli-cate health made them very prone to any kind of sickness. In their first three weeks they were 90% prone to brain damage. At their early age they had to take large doses of antibiotics. Their lungs were not mature enough so they breathed with the help of a respirator. Another major concern was that the chamber that connects their heart to their lungs remained open.

I prayed like I never prayed before! I asked God for strength for my children

and asked everyone else to pray for them too. Everyday was a new day for us as long as we knew that our babies were alive. When they were almost 40 weeks old, the doctor found out that there was something else wrong with their eyes and that they had to undergo laser eye surgery. Once again, we cried for our children. To think that they would turn blind felt like someone had driven a nail into my heart. I could feel their pain and all I could do was to ask for God’s mercy.

The time came when we could bring our babies home. They had overcome that very sensitive stage and were on their way to becoming healthy, normal and happy! They were indeed God’s pre-cious miracles –testaments of His love and mercy to us! Our twins are now 1 year and 2 months old. Usually prema-ture babies are sickly but our children have never been sick since they came home from the hospital. I praise the Lord for His goodness to my family! Indeed, He always has the best plan in store for us. He is faithful to those who remain faithful to Him. Praise God for-ever!

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

1989, August: Near-death attack on Frank Padilla; after Community’s Decade Plan for Rapid, Massive and Global Evangelization

1989, September: Senator Ambrosio and Lourdes Padilla donate Alpadi Renewal Center to Ang Ligaya ng Pangi-noon/Couples for Christ

1993 Separated from LNP; Set up of Family Ministries CFC has been related to a cov-enanted community called “Ang Ligaya ang Panginoon” (LNP). LNP was used by the Lord to start CFC and through the years many of CFC’s top leaders joined LNP in order to receive further formation. However as the work of CFC ex-panded tremendously, the commu-nity began to experience more and more tensions, schedule conflicts, and incompatible demands on the loyalty and commitment of couples who were in both LNP and CFC. Since LNP expected that it be the priority, the interests of CFC inevi-tably came out second best. Thus on March 19, 1993, a new council was elected by an overwhelming majority of CFC top leaders and on March 25 of the same year, Bish-op Lagdameo formally installed the new Council members. He af-firmed in his homily the need for and thrust of CFC towards massive, rapid and global evangelization.

1993 brought Couples for Christ to another major stage in its evolu-tion. It was at the point of a major take-off in pursuing the vision re-vealed in 1984 for it to be “Fami-lies in the Holy Spirit that will re-new the face of the earth”. Many significant changes happened in CFC- changes in system, structure, skills, strategy and the birth of new ministries-CFC Children Center, CFC Young Adults Program, CFC Singles for Christ and CFC Hand-maids of the Lord.

24 ISTT I SHARING

I was only around 7 years old at the time, but I do clearly remember that my dad just suddenly wasn’t feeling well. He was getting chills and no mat-ter what we did, it wouldn’t stop. I re-member piling up pillows on him and wrapping him in a thick blanket. I didn’t think it was anything life threatening until he started to have convulsions. My mom decided then to rush him to the hospital. I remember how panicked she looked, but still remained in con-trol. She directed our driver to drive our then small car and then she had my dad put at the back seat where she stayed with him. I remember pleading to go with them, but I knew that I wouldn’t be allowed. They soon sped off into the night.

When I speak to my mom about that time, I thank God that she had the good sense to bring my dad immediately. She also placed her fingers in his mouth to prevent him from biting his own tongue. She got black and blue fingers for a while but it was well-worth it. Since we lived far away from any major hospital, my mom decided to stop by a smaller hospital along Marcos hi-way to buy oxygen. It was another grace from God that she would think to do such a thing. This helped my dad breathe as they made their way to the main hospi-tal.

The next recollection I have is of my mom crying. My dad was in the ICU and kids weren’t allowed to enter. My mom had then explained that my dad’s situa-tion was so bad that he might not make out of it alive. He was in a coma and he had a disease that no doctor could ex-plain. He didn’t look like he was going to make it. I remember I had just come home from school and I didn’t know what to think. I got out my pad paper and then decided to write a letter to God. I asked God to spare my dad to

By Vania Padilla-EdralinCFC FFL Metro Manila, Philippines

In the Eyes of a Child

take my life in his place. I know I didn’t think much of it then but I know how deep that proclamation was for a 2nd grader. I guess I knew then how much my dad had yet to do in his life.

Then I remember my mom telling me that they were going to sneak me into the ICU to see my dad before he would eventually pass away. I think my mom convinced the nurses saying that won’t they even allow the child to see her dad who would die anytime? He had just a 20% chance of living at this point. I remember going in and seeing him ly-ing there, with so many tubes attached to him. I cannot forget feeling his pain and it made me feel terribly sad. There were dozens of people praying outside the ICU and I was moved by how all of them had come to support him and our family.

In September 1989, after my dad was miraculously healed from an unknown ailment, my grandparents were so moved by what the community had done for their son. They were so grate-ful for the love and support shown and for the gift of a second chance in their son’s life that they decided to commit a portion of their land, the Alpadi Renew-al Center, for the community’s use. This was their way of saying thank you and declaring their support for the life and path that their son had chosen. I think they really saw how God had shaped my dad’s life, from being a man of the world and how he was transformed to the amazing family man, father (grand-father) and Catholic he is today.

Editor’s Note: Vania is the daughter of Frank and Gerry Padilla. She and her husband, Santi are active members of the CFC FFL’s Young Couples Group. They have a son, Santino and a daughter, Ysa-bella and are expecting their third child in August of this year.

After that event, the only other recol-lection I have is of my dad miraculously waking up on the 3rd day. He just woke up and was 100% ok. Until this day, doc-tors have no idea what sickness he had or what healed him. It was just a mir-acle in every sense of the word. God’s healing hand with the affirmation, “Son, you are not done doing My work yet.”

A Gift from the Heart


Buddy & Normie CabaticChito & Glo Jiongco

Ochie & Riz GeronimoJun & Fannie De Vera

Rey & Del CantaoiLittle Kairi

CFC-FFL CANADA

Kim & Nes FloresAlex Ferriois

Our life and mission is founded on strong families in Christ.We defend and strengthen Christian marriage, we raise our children to be the next generation of God’s people, we establish our homes as pieces of Kingdom ground. In our defense of the family, we are called to a strong advocacy and defense of the culture of life.

Jun, Fannie, Cathy, Karen, John


CFC-FFL VIENNA, AUSTRIARene & Mona Lucero HH:Jun & Myrna Panganiban, Uly & Sophie Sto. Tomas, Abe & Neng Surilla, Rene & Mona Lucero, Martin & Pura & Johannes Dorfner.

We are privileged to serve God and His people, both in and out of CFC-FFL. We serve with the mind and heart of Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served (Mt 20:28). Leaders are to serve with humility, self-sacrifice and submission to the Chief Shepherd, to whom we will render an account. He who wishes to be great shall be the least of all.

MILESTONES I STTI 27

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

1996, March: Ateneo Ozanam Award for CFC In March 1996, the Ateneo de Manila University pre-sented the Ozanam Award to the Couples for Christ community.

The Ozanam Award was founded in 1937 for the pur-pose of giving honor to Christians who have given dis-tinctive and continued service to their fellowmen in accordance with the principles of Justice and Charity. It is given only to laymen or laywomen, and it is in-tended to emphasize the fact that Catholics and other Christians are also Citizens.

The Award is named after Frederick Ozanam, now Saint, the great French Catholic leader, who founded the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the relief of the poor.

1996, May: CFC publishes its First Book, Fishers of Men by Founder and Servant General, Frank Padilla

1996, July: CBCP approval as National Private Association of the Lay FaithfulOn the 8th of July 1996, The Catholic Bishops Confer-ence of the Philippines granted recognition to Couples for Christ as a national Private Association of the Lay Faithful. The recognition followed the recommenda-tions of two CBCP commissions, the Episcopal Com-mission on the Doctrine of Faith (headed by Arch-bishop Pedro Dean) and the Episcopal Commission on the Laity (headed by Bishop Angel Lagdameo). The plenary meeting where the grant of recognition was decided, was itself presided by Archbishop Os-car Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan, CBCP President. Bish-op Angel Lagdameo officially informing Couples for Christ of the recognition said in his letter, “my prayer-ful wishes that you may fulfill your commitment to become a “Light of Christ to the Nations”.

1997, January: First International Mission ConferenceCFC marked a milestone on January 28-29, 1997 as it held its 1st International Mission Conference at the CFC Renewal Center in Antipolo, Philippines. The Conference consisted of 3 talks “Our Call to Global Mission”, “ Establishing CFC in Countries” and “ The International CFC Community” all given by Interna-tional Mission Director, Frank Padilla. Time was also allotted for personal reflection, reporting and shar-ing by region, group discussions and plenary sessions where action plans were presented. Finally, Frank led the body in prayer for empowerment.

In May 1996, CFC released its first publication, Fishers of Men by Frank Padilla. In 2005, as a full-time lay mis-sionary for the youth minis-try, I wrote this introduction to a report I did on the book: “We waited too long. I saw this blurb at the back of the book, before picking it up and reading. ‘… and looks to seeing CFC established in over 150 countries by the year 2006.’ This book was written in 1996, 9 years ago! And we only started doing this rapidly for YFC (and the other ministries as well) just this 2005. Didn’t we read it? If we only moved with that sense of urgency 9 years ago, we would have gone to all 150 countries by now.”

The book spoke about dif-ferent principles of evan-gelization, heeding the call of the Master Fisherman, sometimes falling into the trap of failing to respond and concrete examples of our re-sponse as fishers of men.

We are all missionaries in this community. We are called to some level of ser-vice, in response to Him. As missionaries, we are called to do so much, and sacrifice even more. Before, it was just to relinquish material

desires and live simply. Now we are called to go on mis-sion to places we don’t know, put personal plans on hold, even give up already low salaries for even lower ones.

But that is the greatness of our calling. We know that we work for God, and that what we have in this world is fleeting. We know that our reward is in Heaven for all eternity. Sometimes we forget that, thinking for a moment that we need more money, we need to provide, we need this and that. But we also need to realize that God is Truly Enough; and that we work for the best “employer” anyone could ever have. He has the resources of the uni-verse at His disposal.

All we need to do is follow Him and His will for us. And we will be taken care of. All we need to do is bring every-one to Christ, through our life and our words; through giving up, and lifting up as well.

No one said it would be easy, but with a God like ours, and a calling that is reserved only for the chosen, nothing is impossible. Let us all be fishers of men!

Master Fisherman

Responding to the Call of the

By Xavy Padilla CFC FFL Metro Manila, PhilippinesFull-time Lay Missionary for CFC FFL Family and Life Quad Media

28 ISTT I SHARING

BERNARD: My wife, Sonia and I are very thankful to the LORD for our fam-ily. We enjoy each other’s company and are always there to love, support and understand one another. What we admire most is each member’s will to serve the LORD despite the difficulties and hardships we encounter.

From the time we joined Couples for Christ, we have tried our best to raise our children in the ways of the Lord with the help of our community. Being a part of CFC was a major part of our spiritual journey as a couple, which is why it was very important for us to share our willingness to serve God with our children.

When we decided to attend the CLP on August 1991, we only had 2 kids but Sonia was pregnant with our 3rd son.

We were blessed to have six children all in all. We never had any regrets in deciding to have a big family because all of our children grew up to be kind, lov-ing and friendly. We never encountered any major problems in raising them be-cause the Lord helped us, guided us and sustained us in all our needs.

We always pray to the Lord that He use us - our lives and that of our entire fam-ily, to proclaim his Greatness. We are guided by the words, “our family, our treasure; nothing else”. And therefore, “…as for me and my household we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15)

PAUL: Many people say “kung ano ang itinanim, iyon din ang aanihin” [Trans-lation: “you reap what you sow”], and it`s true. I believe that I am a product of what my parents started way back in November 7, 1991.

The Roots. We have a big family. All in all we are 8 in the family. I am the sec-ond son. I remember my parents would ask our neighbors, relatives and family friends to take care of us because they had to attend household. They were very active serving the Lord through our community. Saying ‘no’ to God`s calling was never an option, especially for my father. It did not take us long to

realize how blessed we were to have parents like them.

The Branches. All of us eventually became members of the community. When I was in first year high school my father invited me to join the Youth Camp. After completing the camp, I found myself joining a few more activi-ties until I decided to go inactive. Many times my father would remind me by saying, “I`m the Youth Coordinator and yet you are not attending.” I remember those words clearly because that be-came my turning point to go active once again.

The First Leaves. From then on my journey to follow in my father’s foot-steps began. I started to make friends, then later on attended assemblies, served in the youth camps and got more involved in community service. When I reached 3rd year high school, I became a HH Servant and a Program Head. It was a fruitful and exciting year in my life. It was in this year that my dream to become a fulltime worker began to form. I was very active that time, doing what the Lord wanted me to do, going to places that the Lord wanted me to go.

The Leaves become Dry.When the time came for me to discern

Like Father, Like SonBy Bernard Tropicales (CFC YFL Couple Coordinator) and his son, Paul (CFC KFL Full Time Pastoral Worker)

MILESTONES I STTI 29what course to take in college, I seri-ously considered what would fit my schedule so as not to conflict with my commitment to attend community ac-tivities. I had always dreamt of becom-ing a chef or a biologist but I ended up taking Nursing as a course. Although it wasn’t a dream of mine, I had become aware that my family was getting big-ger and there was a need to help aug-ment the family’s income. The plan was to graduate from college and apply for a job abroad. It took some time for me to adjust to my situation but eventually found myself beginning to accept it. It was then that I also realized that I had to let go of my dream to someday serve Him full-time as a lay missionary.

The Fruits. God`s plan is always bet-ter than ours. A year before my college graduation, I found myself answering God’s call for me to become a mission volunteer. I recall being so afraid and hesitant to accept the offer because I had so many things to do especially when it came to my studies. In my mind I thought I couldn’t manage my time, and yet I knew that the Lord was working out every moment of my life. I prayed to God, surrendering all my plans, dreams and the things that hindered me from saying ‘yes’ to His calling.

The Tree that will Bear Much Fruit. As I enjoyed God`s grace of be-ing a mission volunteer it helped me to grow deeper in my faith and the desire to work full-time for the community was rekindled.

After my college graduation, I decided not to take the Nursing Board Exam, be-cause I thought that I was not yet ready. That time gave me the chance to go on mission and to discern about my next step in life and in my service. I shared how I felt with my parents and they agreed to give me the time and space I needed. So with the extra time given to me, I continued to study harder in prep-aration for the board exams. Simulta-neously, while reviewing, I also made it a point to attend my household meet-ings and continue to tend to the people who had been entrusted to my care.

At this time I was also diagnosed with tuberculosis. Despite my apparent physical limitations, the desire of my heart to bring back everything to God remained. I offered everything to God. With humility I surrendered everything to Him, offering my petitions to pass the board exam and to heal me so that I could serve Him excellently.

The Lord granted my petitions! He al-lowed me to pass the board exam and he healed me!

I eventually became a full-time lay mis-sionary for our community. As I look back, I realize that the Lord was con-stantly reminding me that He is in con-trol, if only I allow Him to take over. My father made me see that and helped me reach this point in my life. I am thankful for his example of selfless service and grateful for God, my Heavenly Father’s manifestation of love and goodness in my life.

1997: First Missionaries to die on Mission in Vanuatu --Ben Donato and Jun Frias(Please see related sharings.)

1998, May: CFC participa-tion in the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and the Meeting with the Holy Father in Rome

Frank Padilla attended the World Ecclesial Congress in Rome last May 30, 1998. He was joined by 15 members of CFC Philippines which included Charlie Reyes on the last day of the Congress, which was capped by a Pentecost Mass ce-lebrated by Pope John Paul II at the St. Peter´s Square.

On May 30, the 15 man group joined more than 300 CFCs from different parts of Europe namely Austria Denmark, England, Italy, Monaco and Spain. There were also delegates from US and Malay-sia. They all gathered for a prayer meeting and fellowship at the La Immocalata Hall in the Vatican City.

In the meeting with the big group, Frank shared and reported on his experience during the 3 day World Congress of Ecclesial Movements.

1998: Start of Work with the Poor in Bagong Silang

1999: Start of Priests for Family and Life

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

30 ISTT I SHARING

On August 15 (Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady), two CFC missionaries, Ben Donato and Jun Frias, fled to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to continue the mis-sion that CFC community started. After which, they went to Vanuatu - a country that people rarely knew, to be in the presence of Filipino expatriates and Nivanuatus (Vanuatu nationals). Jun and Ben left the comforts of their home in Manila for they both believed in the urgency and importance of spreading God’s love to all.

On September 8, the Feast of Our Lady, in preparation for a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, Ben and Jun had to drive on a coral-paved road, which was normal in Vanuatu. With no road signs, the car skidded off a bridge without railings and plunged into the Teouma River.Public Works men found the car turned upside-down two hours after. Their lifeless

Faithful ‘Til The EndBy Bambi Donato, CFC SFL Manila

“Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life”- Revelations 2:10c

bodies were recovered and were proclaimed dead on ar-rival at the nearest hospital. It would be too difficult to imagine how they struggled before they died, but we all know is how difficult it must have been to get out of a car that fell in water. More so if the car fell upside down into murky water, covered with lotus flowers. It is just com-forting to know that during this time of struggle, Mama Mary was with them. A rosa-ry was found in each of their palms.

Their bodies were brought to Manila a week after due to constraints in flight sched-ules and quarantine poli-cies. As Ben’s only daughter, I went to Vanuatu, together with my mom, Menchie and Jun’s son, Patrick. Imagine the feeling of traveling to pick up a dead body. It was painful and dreadful. How-ever it all changed when we got to Vanuatu and met the Nivanuatus whom they

both served during the last days of their lives. My heart felt that my Papa and Tito Jun were blessed. They died while doing what they were born to do - to love and serve God’s people. In choosing to share their life to the Nivan-uatus and Filipinos, they all gained a life in Christ.

I write this article 14 years after but I still remember the overwhelming support and comfort we received from our family and CFC brothers and sisters. Truly that time of my life was a concrete manifestation of God’s care through CFC - the communi-ty He called me to be part of. Ben and Jun’s loss was a great reminder for all of us that we gain so much more when we give our life to God. My life changed upon realiz-ing that all that we have - our own life and that of the peo-ple we love, belong to God. Nothing that we will do nor

achieve will ever be as pre-cious as the life we will have when we follow Christ.

I decided then to let God take over my life and offer it in service of His people. Like my father, I wanted to be true to what my heart desired at that time and be used by God to proclaim His abundant love. I became a missionary for the family ministries of CFC for ten years. My mom is still a full-time missionary for HFL. Tita Lulu Frias and her family are in different parts of the world continu-ing to serve God in the way they are called.

To this day, I still rest on God’s promise that He will take over as my Father and will never forsake us.

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” –Phil 1:21

SHARING I STTI 31

‘Til Death Do Us Partby Menchie Donato

Fulltime Pastoral Worker, Handmaidsfor Family and Life

“To love and to cherish, in good times and bad times, till death do us part” was the vow Ben and I made to each other during our wed-ding on May 2, 1979 at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Kalookan City. This vow was challenged many times, es-pecially in bad times, in our married life. We were two wounded people who brought our past hurts into our marriage, and ended up hurting each other even more. We thought our love was good enough to make us hold on to that commitment, so we felt helpless and hope-less.

I was about to give up when Maribel Descallar, a former

classmate in college, invited us to a Christian Life Seminar (CLS) in Pasig City in 1988. Only then did we realize that we needed God to make a marriage work. In that CLS, we saw that we were not alone in our struggles and in our desire to be true to our commitment. We felt then that CFC whose mission was personal renewal and family renewal was the community for us, so we carried on. Our Lord became our stronghold in building a family for God – a call that we took seriously. Then, we felt there was a higher calling for me and Ben -- to tell others about God. So, we said “yes’ and worked fulltime in His vine-yard by becoming a mission-

ary couple sent to near and far flung areas in the Philip-pines and abroad. I must say those were the most blissful years we had as a couple un-til that fateful day in 1997.

While on mission, Ben and a brother Jun Frias, died in a car accident in Vanuatu. When the painful news was relayed to us, I asked God, “Why deprive me as a wife, at least to hold Ben’s hand, during the last few seconds of his life?” God, however had the most reassuring an-swer - “What could be more beautiful than the loving hands of my mother holding the hands of your husband during the last few seconds of His life?” Their lifeless bodies were found with a rosary in Ben’s hand. They died on September 8, Mama Mary’s Feastday. Peace was all I felt in the midst of my grief. In my heart, I knew it was God’s perfect timing to take Ben away. It was when our marriage was at its best - when there was forgiveness.

Almost 14 years have passed since that fateful day. I could not have moved on in my life without God as my strong-hold. The overwhelming love and support of my fam-ily and brethren in the com-munity was an affirmation that God truly sustains the fatherless and the widows. To lose a spouse through death was very painful. It was like as if half of me died also with Ben. I understood then the meaning of hav-ing Ben as the “kabiyak ng aking puso”[Trans. of “the better half” referring to the spouse]. Not seeing Ben

ever anymore no matter how much I cried deep in my heart for him to come back, most especially during Christmas and CFC gather-ings, was unbearable. But by the grace of God, I was able to move on. I cross-overed to the next ministry - Handmaids for Family & Life (HFL). It was not that easy to do immediately af-ter Ben’s death because it meant acceptance that he was really gone forever. In HFL, I felt ‘at home’ where I share my struggles with oth-er widows whose struggles are the same as mine. I can tell my own story without the fear of being judged. I only have confidence that I will be supported through their prayers.

If it were not for HFL, I would not have discovered and re-sponded to my own person-al calling through any other way. In HFL, even without Ben, I continue doing what we as a couple loved doing most - serving God. Thus, it has become my own person-al calling. As I celebrate my 23 years now in the commu-nity, this is what I pray, “Lord, thank you for always reach-ing out to me, so I would not give up on our marriage and stay with Ben until death do us part through the support of the community where you brought us in. As I go through every chapter of my life, you will always be my strong-hold. Continue to bless CFC, so that it will continue to be a great blessing to many as it has been to me and my daughter Bambi. Amen. “

ADVERTORIALS I STTI 33

CFC-FFLTANDAG

We in CFC-FFL are an integral part of the Catholic Church. We are submitted to our bishops and to the pope. Our life, formation and service will conform to Catholic values and ideals. We make ourselves avail-able to be of service in the parishes and dioceses, especially in the areas of family and life. We look to Mary, the mother of the Church, as our inspiration, model and help.

Happy 30th Anniversary CFC-FFL!

Thank you for our 21 wonderful and fruitful years in community!

“...as for me and my household,we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Pancho and Marilyn Lopez-Tan

CFC-FFL ILOILOCFC FFL had a turbulent start in Iloilo in 2008 but God’s will prevails. As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, CFC FFL pres-ence is in four areas – Arevalo, La Paz, Janiuay, and Mina. We will continue the mission and become one chapter in Iloilo City and another in Janiuay / Mina and from these two chap-ters will grow the CFC FFL community in Iloilo.

36 ISTT I SHARING

Missy’s Story:

By Eugene ValdezCFC FFL Michigan, USA

On her 5th month of preg-nancy with our third child, my wife Wang’s ultrasound showed abnormality in our baby’s head. Hydrocepha-lus was confirmed to be de-veloping. Maybe due to the history of such cases in the Philippines, Wang was ad-vised that she still had the choice not to continue with the pregnancy. Not knowing what to do, we tried to seek for a second opinion, only to hear the same recommen-dations. Only then did we decide that it is not up to us anymore and that if God will take our baby from us after birth, then so be it.

A friend of a friend told us to go to the University of the Philippines-Philippine Gen-eral Hospital to seek for a third opinion. We ended up at the clinic of Dr. Miguel - a specialist on these kinds of pregnancies. She told us the

A Testimony of God’s Love

same things that the previ-ous doctors said. The only difference was the glimmer of hope that she offered. She never told us that we should discontinue the pregnancy. But she was also very trans-parent in informing us about the expenses that we will need to shoulder. Crippled with the limited money we were making back then, my wife and I told ourselves that we have to do this and this is the only way. We relayed our decision to Dr. Miguel. We wanted to keep our baby.

One day, Dr. Miguel called, telling me that my wife need-ed to have the baby in two days and that I needed to pre-pare at least P60,000.00 to a maximum of P100,000.00 (up to $2,000.00++) for a C section delivery, because of a cyst found on her back,

right above the waist (My-elomeningocele). I told her that I didn’t have the money at that time but would try my best to come up with it.

To our surprise, the delivery was performed and we were not charged a dime for any-thing. It turned out that Dr. Miguel was just trying to as-sess how much we wanted this to happen and told us that we will still need the money for antibiotics and other surgery afterwards. God is good! Eugene “Missy” Valdez was born on June 8th 2002.

Missy’s trials didn’t end there. In fact, it was just the beginning. She was born with the cyst that needed to be removed and closed. Within a week, they did the first surgery. They also told

us that a shunt needed to be put in her head to drain excessive fluids in her brain and to reduce the pressure that was building up. Money was again a major concern. We tried to come up with the money for the shunt. As soon as I told them that I had the money, they did the surgery and to our surprise again, a resident in the hospital do-nated a shunt and we didn’t need to pay for anything ex-tra but to keep the money because the baby would need at least a month worth of antibiotics that would cost at least one thousand a day. God is Awesome!

One month passed. With the continuous administer-ing of antibiotics, no infec-tions developed. Then, the pediatricians told us that they couldn’t do anything more and that we had to take the baby home and con-tinue gi-ving the antibiot-ics there. One pediatrician even told me that with this kind of case, typically babies live only from 3 to 6 months due to infections. And if shw still lives after that, we will have to prepare ourselves in our daughter’s 1st, 4th and 7th year because infections would still typically develop. Missy turned 9 years old this year. All glory be to God!

In April 2007, I was able to bring them here to the U.S. and in December of that same year she was diag-nosed with Neuroblastoma - a cancerous tumor that developed just above her ad-renal glands. She had a suc-

continued on next page>>

cessful surgery last January 2008 and has been cancer free since then. God is Su-perb!

She had to undergo a couple more surgeries for her teeth and feet correction but de-spite everything that she had to go through, Missy continues to be a source of strength for us all. A very happy girl with a passionate love for life, she is a constant reminder of how much God cares for us. Her life itself is a miracle and is a testament of His love and faithfulness to our family. Whenever we find ourselves in one of life’s dull moments, we just look at her and instantly we are reminded of how blessed we already are. To God be the glory!

Editor’s Note: Missy is an ac-tive KFL member in Michigan, USA. Her parents are Eugene and Wang Valdez.

CFC’s Official Recognition by the Holy See In 2000, the Holy See gave recognition ad experimentum for five (5) years, as a private international association of the lay faithful, after receiving many letters of recommen-dation from bishops all over the world where CFC was present.

CFC-FFL MILESTONES

MILESTONE I STTI 37

38 ISTT I SHARING

In 1989, Doming and Susan Sarmiento were invited to participate in a Chris-tian Life Program in the Parish of St. Anne in Taguig City. They had long been wanting to serve the Church in any capacity and the invitation came as a refresher to their then 11-year mar-riage. After graduating from their CLP, they both went straight into serving God through different avenues in the parish and in the Couples for Christ community. Because they were very ac-tive and enthusiastic members from the start, they were immediately tapped to serve as household heads. At the same time, they were also invited to take part in their Parish Education Committee. In addition to this, Doming also served as a Lay Minister during Sunday Masses.

They found themselves thrust into a life of service for others. Because of the support and guidance they received from their leaders in community, they learned to put full trust in God and on each other. They would face many chal-lenges and difficulties at work and es-pecially at home – caring for and raising their five children, putting them through school and making sure they had their basic needs. There were mostly hard times for their growing household and yet their zeal to serve God never waned. It wasn’t difficult for them to know what to prioritize especially in schedul-ing the activities they would attend or participate in but managing their family life wasn’t always as easy. They would

Hearts For Service

encounter a lot of humbling experienc-es through the years. All of these were offered and surrendered to the God that they served, trusting that He will see them through it all. They would eventu-ally learn how to manage their resourc-es, making sure to balance their service with family time. Their simple home would always be open to anybody seek-ing help. They knew very well how God would pull them out of dire situations therefore they would never hesitate to offer whatever little they had in time, talent or treasure whenever someone else was in need.

Today, after being married for 33 years and being in community for 22 of those,

their hearts continue to beat in humble service. Susan is a passionate leader of Handmaids for Family and Life and both her and Doming are active servants in the District of Pasig. In their parish, they are both members of the Family and Life Ministry where they give Pre-Cana seminars to young couples pre-paring for marriage. And because they were never selfish in immersing them-selves in parish work, they have helped maintain a good relationship between CFC and the Parish.

How they have managed to stay in ac-tive service and happily married, serve as an example to others. Of their five

children, two are now married them-selves. They willingly play the roles of caring grandparents to their two beau-tiful grandchildren. According to them, there are many ways in which we can get involved in parish work – through the Family and Life Ministry, Youth and Children’s Ministry, Parish Feeding Programs or Education Ministry. They encourage all CFC FFL members to con-tinue to ask God to bring them to more areas and opportunities for service for it is in service where we will be emptied of our own selves, therefore allowing God to make an outpouring of His love unto us.

40 ISTT I ADVERTORIALS

The Dorfner Household from Vienna Austria joins the CFC-FFL community in the whole world in celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

We thank the Lord for the blessings the community has brought to Austria -- Loreto & Gerhard Eisendle, Cita & Pepi Lorenzi, Josef & Tina Fehr, Mario & Melyne & Niko Bertl, Pura & Johannes & Martin Dorfner.

We pray for a rich harvest so that in 30 years CFC-FFL Austria will have grown into a strong evangelization part-nership of Austrians and Filipinos.

With joined forces for a

German speakingCFC-FFL Austria.

CFC-FFLVienna, Austria

Martin & Pura Dorfner

andFr. Francis Gustillo


Greetings from CFC-FFL Vienna - AUSTRIAWe are an evangelistic and missionary community committed to become families empowered by the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth.

We strive for holiness of life, as we commit to renew the temporal order through our work with the poor, our work for justice, and our work for life.

We are a servant of the Church, working to renew her children through every generation and throughout the world, until the Lord returns once again.


Greetings from CFC-FFL KSAWe are part of the larger family of CFC-FFL, a worldwide family of many different nationalities and cultures but all sharing brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ. We desire to move forward together in our life in the Lord, providing love, affirmation, friendship, support and healing. We are committed to the good of our brethren, always living the truth in love .

Apartelle 12, Starmall ComplexEDSA cor. Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City, Philippines


CFC-FFLMILESTONES

2001, January: CFC triggers EDSA People Power 2 and Ouster of Erap

2001, October: First Latin America Conference of Matrimonios para Cristo in San Jose, Costa Rica As Shared by Ana Torres, Matrimonios Para Cristo, Costa Rica

Matrimonios para Cristo (Couples for Christ) began in Costa Rica in 1998. Luis and I had the privilege of being part of the first Program de Vida Cristiana (Christian Life Program, CLP), through the initiative of some CFC brothers and sisters from the Philippines who came to work at the first Intel plant in Costa Rica. We had the beautiful opportunity to get to know Ed-win and Nila Andrews, who inspired us and helped us to start the mission work of evangelizing couples. Together, we organized various CLPs in different com-munities in Belen and Alajuela and some other near-by communities. In the early years, we had a commu-nity of four household groups that began to learn and live out the CFC way of life. We started translating pastoral materials from English to Spanish. All by the grace of God, we worked to bring the Good News to more families in Costa Rica.

continued on next page >>

CFC-FFLNIGERIABenedict JerekeCFC-FFL, Abuja-Nigeria

The family of Bro. & Sis. Bene-dict Jerke and the Management, Staff and Children of Bema Homes for the Less Privileged, a Non-Government organization (NGO), heartily felicitate with His Hliness Pope Benedict XVI, His Grace the archbishop of the Philippines, the Servant General of CFC-FFL and the entire Brethren of CFC-FFL world-wide for the 30th Anniversary Celebrations.

May the good Lord with His infinite mercy grant the committee a great success and entire Brethren a wonderful celebration in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bema Homes for the Less Privileged

Here`s What You Can Do: : Sponsor a Child Education Programme : Suport our School Project (Secondary Section) : Bea trainer, speaker or facilitator : Mentor or give advice to Bem Homes beneficiaries (OVC and Young Entrepreneurs) : Link Bema Homes to individual and (or) Corporate Sponsors : Payment of Teachers` salaries : Become a part-time or full-time volunteer : Be a consitent financial partner : Join the family of patrons

To support Bema Homes Project (OVC), we recommend that you send donations to Bema Homes directly. Please call Benedict (0805522991) or Benedicta (08052746710), Jalarth Opera (07068420002)Email: [email protected], www.bemacare.org

Taken in Faraya, LebanonFrom left to right: Nolan (eldest), Neil Alan (youngest), Annie, Nestor, Norman (second to eldest) and Noel (third to eldest). All CFC members.

NESTOR PADALHINAMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA

MILESTONE I STTI 47

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

<<continued from page 46

Edwin and Nila requested the MPC Costa Rica com-munity to host the first Conferencia Latinoamericana de Matrimonios Para Cristo (CFC Latin American Conference). Luis and I were given the honor of lead-ing the preparations for this important event that happened on October 26 to 28, 2001.

We were very happy and excited to be given this blessing. Everybody helped to ensure the success of this important milestone in the life of Matrimonios para Cristo in Latin America – from organizing the music ministry, to translating the conference materi-als; from coordinating the travel details of delegates to arranging the lodging of our visitors. I remember the wonderful experience of sharing our homes with our brothers and sisters and how much we learned from all of them.

The Conference was a very spirit-filled occasion. Ed-win delivered the talk “The New Conquerors”. Edu-ardo and Maryael represented Costa Rica and led the session “Bringing the Good News to Others” and Luis Oquineda shared “Moving for the Mission”. We had the blessing of the participation of brothers and sis-ters from Philippines, United States, Panama, Nicara-gua, Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Costa Rica.

I remember how we all danced with our country’s typical costume for the Talent Night. It was an eve-ning of lights, dance, worship and laughter! On the final day of the Conference, we led the delegates to a tour of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica) in Cartago and also some sight-seeing around the area. As a conference souvenir, all delegates were given a mini-statue of the Our Lady of Angels. After more than ten years now, and after having at-tended other CFC conferences in other countries, and even a second one in Costa Rica in 2007, I still feel that the first Latin American Conference was the one that prepared the way. It filled us all with enthusiasm, en-ergy and faith. It helped Luis and I prepare ourselves for the huge task of leading MPC Costa Rica for almost a decade, all for the glory of our Lord. Along the way, we have met many people in many communities, gave and heard a lot of testimonies; we have grown in our faith and love with the brothers and sisters of our community, because MPC has kept us in the right way, with Christ in the center of our family and of our lives.

My wife Gerry and I were there when CFC started in June 26, 1981. Now, 30 years later, with greying hair (only for myself), we are still here. It has been a wondrous and truly blessed journey with Jesus.

And now it is not just the two of us. Aside from the millions of brethren who have crossed our lives and whom we have journeyed with, we have our 5 children and 5 grandchildren (going on 6). From a couple for Christ, we have become a family for Christ, and growing to be a clan for Christ. That CFC is an evangelistic ministry founded on fam-ily renewal has become a vibrant reality for us.

We have been through a lot. Just as marriage has its better or worse, so does community life and mission. I have been attacked physically by the enemy, almost losing my life on mission a number of times. I have been attacked verbally... by brethren! But with all the ups and downs, my life in Christ has matured and deepened. It is all worth it, and I would not have it any other way.

What does the future hold? Well, the important thing is who holds the future. And that is the Lord Jesus. He raised us, He restored us, He continues to send us forth to reach out to others. Our mis-sion remains the same. We are evan-gelizers and missionaries. We fight for family and life. Jesus wills to make us “a light to the nations, that (His) salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Is 49:6b).

Vision for the Future

48 ISTT I COVER STORY

So what can we look forward to? More of the same, and then some. We are going to do rapid, massive and worldwide evangelization. We will continue to work to renew the family and to defend life. We will build communities among the poor. We will send out more missionaries. We will raise many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

In doing such massive work, we will need to give more of ourselves, more than what we have given in all of 30 years. We have entered the end times, and the final conflict is at hand. We in CFC-FFL are an army that has been

Frank PadillaCFC-FFL Servant General

In 30 years, this is what I want to be. . .

COVER STORY I STTI 49

thrust right in the thick of the war. We know that the victory is already the Lord’s, but we continue to face tough times ahead, as the enemy goes all out to seek to bring as many of God’s people to perdition. God of course knows all this. Having formed and trained us for 30 years, now He further equips us. Now God offers us the fullness of His strength. What we need to do is to become those instru-ments who are willing, and eager, to be formed, and to receive what God offers.

First, we must continue to grow in holiness. We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are God’s witnesses to the world. We are servants doing the very will of the Master. We are instru-ments to be wielded by the Spirit. So we must be holy as God is holy. We must strive for the perfection of the Father. How can that happen? So second, we must be faithful to our covenant. God gives us our covenant in CFC-FFL not as a burden, but as the help we need in or-der to become holy. Fully striving to live out our covenant is the gauge by which we can see if we are truly willing to re-spond fully to the Lord’s call. When we live out our covenant, then we receive the help and grace by which we grow to maturity in Christ. Our community life is God’s blessing and provision for us.

Then, as we enter deep into the fray, we will be bruised and bloodied. We will experience suffering and pain. This is why God has taught us about redemp-

tive suffering, which is the very way of Jesus on the cross. So third, we deny ourselves and embrace the cross. This after all is Jesus’ definition of disciple-ship. We can only truly serve God ac-cording to His call if we shed all selfish-ness and be fully selfless for Christ. We can only truly be effective in our work if we look to the banner of the cross, re-joicing at the privilege of suffering for Christ.

I do not know how many more years I have to give for my Lord Jesus. Wheth-er there is much more toil for me on earth or my time is up, it does not mat-ter. “For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.” (Phil 1:21). What I do know is that God has made clear what our mis-

sion is, what the purpose for our exis-tence as CFC-FFL is. Further, God has al-ready put in place the next generations, so that our work will continue until the Lord Jesus returns once again in glory.

The relationship with the Lord has always been the same. He loves us eter-nally, He uses us for His purposes, He provides whatever we need in order to do His will. Our part then is to humble ourselves, to obey without reservation, and to give our all. When we do that, then we will have a glorious next 30 years, and beyond.

Let us then go forth in the very strength of God.


CFC-FFLIMUS CAVITEAmidst chaos and uncertainty, God’s unfailing hands are always at work. His Presence is always felt in times of peace and in times of trouble and am-biguity. Truly His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways not our ways, for who would ever imagine that the seed of Couples For Christ (CFC) will be planted in the province of Cavite by the Lord at the height of a coup d’etat in that scary early days of December 1989 The Spirit led them to continue and let the 1st batch of 18 couples and 1 hand-maid graduate from the first ever CLP conducted in the province in the histor-ic town of Kawit in December 9, 1989.


The calling to be fearless was a message that resounded in my life for so long that I had become numb to it. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone was a cliché that I used so often but never really took to heart. I looked for tangible com-bats with the evil “outdoor”, not real-izing that the bigger and more testing battles happened within.

After trying to escape confrontations with myself, God moved the mountain within me only to show me what I had been missing when I chose to ignore his sincere appeals to my heart. Shortly af-ter deciding to give God my ‘yes’ to His call, He proved Himself faithful to His promises. It was an unlikely and a very impractical decision for my beloved parents to send me to St. Michael’s Me-dia in the United States for internship. I knew for one that other people were more qualified for the internship, and secondly, questioned the difference of an internship with Catholic TV produc-tion from a regular one; none I daresay. And here I am shame-faced at the fact, slapped to my face, that there indeed is a difference; and that I was truly blest to have been where I was.

To have worked for Michael Voris and the RealCatholicTV.com crew gave me more than mere skills training. Sure, learning the technicalities of TV pro-duction will prove helpful in our com-munity’s pursuit of evangelization through modern media, and the experi-ence brought me to a point of total reli-ance on God when my stocked knowl-edge and skills proved short but more than that, God penetrated the “Tinay” who contentedly sat on the fence for a lot of things. The experience pushed me to make a decision which I know will change my life forever. I am no longer

the complacent “showcase” Catholic that I once was. I am no longer satis-fied with boxing the beauty and spirit-led design of the Catholic Church into a stereotype that claims it to be outdated and unfit for the modern man. If it’s anything being born into the Catholic faith is a privilege I didn’t appreciate until now. My experience in the United States, seeing the battles faced by the Church made me understand why I am pro-life, why I am Catholic and why I strive to be holy. Holiness is no longer a far-fetched standard I will never reach, rather it has become the only standard I desire.

I pray that I never find myself compro-mising the calling God has set for me. When people see me, my prayer is that they see my Father and feel His over-whelming love flood them, the way it did mine. Thank you, Lord for the gift of family, of community (CFC FFL Michi-gan, thank you for your generosity!), thank you Lord for second chances but most of all thank you for keeping your promises.

“For His sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.” Phil 3:8

Rediscovering My Catholic FaithBy Tinay MamarilFull-time MissionaryCFC FFL Family and Life Quad Media

54 ISTT I SHARING

When my husband Ricky and I cel-ebrated our 19th wedding anniversary in May 2010, we came to realize that fate has been kind to us because in our share of life’s ups and downs, the latter had been few (to paraphrase a famous song). We acknowledged the fulfill-ment of our dream to have three won-derful children - Sam, Sien and Salve whom we have been trying to bring up in the fear and love of the Lord. Every-thing seemed perfect until we got the biggest shock of our lives just a month after that realization. Our 12-year-old daughter Salve was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes or diabetes mellitus Type 1. It is a disorder characterized by an abnormally high concentration of sugar in the blood. It is an autoimmune disease meaning the cells that produce insulin called beta cells are destroyed by the body’s own immune system. To date, scientists do not know exactly what causes the body’s immune system to attack the beta cells. The pancreatic cells that produce insulin called beta cells are destroyed by the body’s own immune system. People who live with this type of diabetes require daily injec-tions of insulin. At present, Salve injects four times a day.

Everything happened so fast. We were caught off guard. We noticed the signs a little over a week before the diagno-sis. She was always hungry and thirsty so she ate and drank a lot but she was losing weight. She urinated very often. She had mood swings. I brought her to

A Child’s Battle with the “Big D”By Sol Fabie CFC FFL District of Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines

the doctor because I thought she had a kidney problem. It was a blessing in dis-guise. Her kidneys were perfect but her urine was positive with sugar. To cut the long story short, when we brought her to the hospital just 3 days after her birthday, the nightmare began. We knew that her condition wasn’t good be-cause everyone in the emergency room was attending to her. We found out that had we not brought her to the hospital that night, she could have suffered an emergency condition called Diabetic Ketoasidosis (DKA), characterized by the presence of dangerously high blood sugar levels and ketones in the blood and urine. She could have fallen into a coma. Everything was too much for me to absorb. My husband just held my hand without saying a word.

It was hard enough to see my daugh-ter lying in bed so clueless on how se-rious her condition was. The thought that she would be injecting insulin for the rest of her life made it even worse. The agony didn’t end there. When her two older siblings found out about it, they were also deeply hurt. As a moth-er, I could feel the pain of my children a hundred times more. I knew that I only had my husband to lean on but he was going through intense pain as well as manifested by his silence, a charac-teristic that is very far from his normal personality.

It was the start of unending questions addressed to me by different people: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, “Will you continue to be active in CFC now that your daughter needs special attention?”. Of course, Salve her-self had her share of questions: “Why me, Mom, why not other kids?, Will I have a short life span?, Will my legs be cut off? Will I be blind? Will I still live a normal life?” These are just a few of the questions that pierced my heart (not to mention my own set of questions).

The answers started to come when we felt the love of the CFC FFL community for our family. We were aware of the numerous prayer requests offered for Salve, the much appreciated text mes-sages, phone calls and e-mails from our brethren, the visits to the hospital and at home, the financial assistance (in-cluding free glucometers) handed over to us by people whom we do not even know personally and of course, the fund raising exclusive screening of the movie Narnia, sponsored by the KFL District of Pasig for the benefit of Salve. We were strengthened by the different talks we heard from FFL sponsored activities such as the Seniors’ Retreat, the Gen-eral and Seniors’ Assemblies, Leaders’ Conference, WYC, Youth Fest/Camps, household meetings and other activi-ties. The presence of our dear brothers and sisters, relatives, friends, co-work-

SHARING I STTI 55

ers and neighbors contributed greatly to the healing process. So now, the next question is: Are we okay?

Well, the ailment is already there… the pain of injecting, the attacks (she just had two serious ones lately), the struggles to stay away from complica-tions – all of these remain. What makes the situation different from what it was exactly a year ago? We have Faith, Hope and Love in our hearts. As Couples for Christ commemorates its 30th year, Salve celebrates her 13th birthday and 1st year battle with the “Big D”. Is there really reason to rejoice? Yes! I am proud to say that my daughter has become a better person because of her sickness. She has become closer to God and all of us and she has remained to be the baby of the family, in the truest sense of the word.

Looking back, there was a point when nothing seemed to go right anymore. It was tough and painful for Ricky and I and our three daughters. We just had to hold on to our faith because it was all we had. “Everything is possible for one who has faith.” Mark 9:23. With it came our hope that the situation wouldn’t last forever. I am truly glad that faith and hope are attached to each other and we were able to embrace both words because we had so much love for one another. We recognized that our pain and sacrifices brought us closer togeth-er and helped us grow as a family.

If creative evangelization would have a tagline, it would be “If there’s a will, there’s a way!” By definition, creative evangelization is finding new and unique ways of preaching the word of God. There are times when the tried and tested ways (such as CLS, prayer meet-ings, etc) may seem un-inviting that we find ways to make the “evangelization targets” more accepting of God’s word. Sometimes, it would be a party- like at-mosphere for the opening of the CLS for singles or a vibrant band concert for the youth. The kids become more recep-tive to valuable lessons taught through a musical play. We have dabbled into so many creative ways such as praise and fashion, concert tours, TV, magazine, radio, etc. All of it has made our com-munity life colorful and more exciting. People outside community have seen that Christians are fun, beautiful and “normal”!

Throughout the many years I have

served in special events for our com-munity, I saw how powerful God’s hand truly is by way of creative evan-gelization. I’ve seen people get touched through praisefests, musical plays and community concerts through the tears of joy, testimonies and lives changed. Even people I serve with and who work tirelessly behind the scenes are molded and touched by God’s hand, making them more beautiful people and my friends for life! No artist or director can outdo the countless times the Master has shown us that it is HIS Work, not ours!

I have been blessed that despite my un-worthiness, God uses my creative gifts to bring people to Him. As an artist, I realize that the utmost fulfillment and expression of my artistry is when I al-low God to use it as His medium, it then becomes so much more than art. I pray that all artists would discover God- for every artist yearns for an expression of his or her artistry, I have realized that when you offer it to God, He breathes life into it, and you and the people around you will never be the same again!

Touching Lives through Creative EvangelizationBy Maricar Gatchalian-UrginoCFC FFL Manila, Philippines


Diocese of Parañaque comprises the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

It was established on 07 December 2002 by Pope John Paul II, who appointed Bishop Jesse E. Mercado, an Auxillary Bishop of Manila, as its first Bishop.

The diocese comprises 47 parishes, 1 chaplaincy, 3 shrines - 22 parishes, 2 shrines in Parañaque; 14 parishes in Las Piñas; 11 parishes, 1 shrine and a chaplaincy in Muntinlupa.

The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of the bishop-elect, which he will be exercising within the 3 cities, Parañaque (Crown with ‘M’), Las Piñas (Bamboo Organ), and Muntinlupa (the moun-tain near a body of water), comprising the Diocese of Parañaque.

CFC-FFL actively serves in 24 parishes of the Diocese, in 8 chapters of 2 clusters with the vibrant young ministries – KFL, YFL, SFL – the HFL & SvFL ministries and the Social Ministries.

CFC-FFLBULOL

ADVERORIALS I STTI 57

We are an evangelistic and missionary community committed to become families empowered by the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth.

CFC-FFLTARLAC At the height of the top leadership conflict of Couples for Christ in 2007, we in Tarlac approached our bishop, Bishop Florentino Cinense, with guid-ance and assistance from our Spiritual Director, Fr. Melvin Castro on August 4, 2007, placing ourselves at the disposal of the Bishop pending resolution of the conflict at the Head Office. On August 6, 2007, Monday, we the council mem-bers, sans our Gawad Kalinga head, wrote Frank Padilla, who would later be designated Servant General, of our allegiance to CFC FFL. Tarlac is the first province to be christened CFC FFL.

Fr. Melvin Castro, Chancellor of the Diocese of Tarlac was already our Spiri-tual Director before the split. He sided with us in a very natural way – his work as Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life at the CBCP and our mission of renewing the family and defending life complement each other. Another instance that bound us even closer – in a restoration mass in early August 2007 at the Christ the King Church, Green Meadows, the mass pre-sider, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP President then consecrated us, CFC FFL, to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. At that time, Fr. Melvin was president of the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace at Carmel Church, Lipa, Batan-gas. Until now we join Fr. Melvin in an annual September pilgrimage to the Lady. He is an active player in the fight against the RH Bill.

Taken during 21st Anniversary Celebration of CFC-FFL Tarlac, June 5, 2011 at the College of the Holy Spirit Gym.

From left to right : Linda Gatbonton, Hermie Capulong, Dan Capulong, Rose Tongol, Fel Tongol(CORE TEAM), Pol Bautista, Kat Ferrer(SFL Coordinators), Marie Espino, Tony Espino(Provincial Coordinator), Mila Reganit and Boy Reganit(CORE TEAM).

Bishop Florentino F. Cinense delivering his homily at the 21st Anniversary Celebration.

Dance Numbers during 21st Anniversary Celebration. KFL doing NOBODY

and SFL dancing

Waka-Waka.

Rev. Fr. Melvin Castro, CFC-FFL Tarlac spiritual director

and executive secretary of Episcopal Commission on

Family and Life.

Oca Oblefias – He served as Provincial Area Head for 4 years, now Luzon Coordinator.

Pro-Life Posters are displayed in prominent areas of all the parishes in the Diocese of Tarlac with our name CFC FFL printed on the lower portion.


60 ISTT I SHARING

CFC-FFLMILESTONES2001, December: Number of Members hits 1,235,886 Due to the massive evangelization work of Couples for Christ, their membership reached the number of 1,235,886 in 2001, with every CFC member acting as a faith-ful evangelizer. This his-toric number did not yet include many others who through the years entered but left CFC, to serve in their parishes or in other religious groups.

2002, February: Sending of fi rst long-term missionaries to Southern Africa On February 19, 2002, six young men and wom-en from the Philippines went where many would dare not - to Johannes-burg, South Africa. Armed only with faith and com-plete trust in God, the six youth left home and fam-ily behind to fulfill their mission of bringing God’s word to the youth of the African continent.

The six, the youngest of whom was 23 and the old-est almost 28 years old, heard God’s invitation to serve and did not hesitate to say “Yes”! They were the first to start the fire among young mission-aries like them to go on long-term mission to a foreign land to spread the love of God to their broth-ers and sisters in Christ.

When I was younger, I al-ways bragged about how much I like to see a rainbow. Yes, the rainbow that can make me smile every time I see it in a clear blue sky. And now that I’m older, it got me thinking. What do rainbows really symbolize? I read in one of the Scripture read-ings weeks ago that the rain-bow is actually a symbol of God’s covenant to His people - in simpler terms, it sym-bolizes His promise. A while ago, when I was having my prayer time, I was struck when I read something like “Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.” And so now, as I reflect on it, I think it’s kind of safe for me to claim that a rainbow can also sym-bolize Jesus. True enough, when I see a rainbow in the

sky, I smile -- just like how I smile every time I get to en-counter “Jesus experiences” with the people around me - strangers and friends alike.

When it rains, we more often than not find ourselves in a gloomy atmosphere. Just like in life - it’s when we’re in much trouble, when we’re too much stressed with what we’re doing and when we are challenged greatly, but come to think of it. Do you think all these “downers” will last for-ever? I think not. For as long as a rainbow shows up after the rain, I believe God prom-ises the same. For every fear, doubt or concern we may have, I just know that God is always there to give a hand, to pull us up and to sprinkle us with His love.

We may sometimes find our-selves saying “That’s unbe-lievable!” and so we’lll just result to what we think we can do, but don’t you think that’s funny ‘coz there’s al-ready Someone out there who can do something out of nothing and who can actu-ally make the unbelievable believable?

I personally believe that we are called everyday to hope and trust even if there’s no reason to hope and when everything seems to be sim-ply unbelievable. Only by then will we appreciate the beautiful gift of faith - the gift of faith that opens the doors of joy and peace - something that I myself can attest to, something that I want to share with you, and something that will forever remind me of the rainbow (Jesus) that never failed to put a smile on my face.

Praise to You Lord, Jesus Christ!

Editor’s Note: Raine wrote this reflection on March 19, 2009, the Feast of St. Joseph. She is currently on her first year as a Carmelite novice. She is one of the first mem-bers of CFC Singles for Family and Life to respond to the call for religious life.

I Trust and I Chooseto Believe

By Raine Eguico, CFC SFL Metro Manila

ADVERTORIALS I STTI 63

CFC-FFLTAIWANWe strive for holiness of life, as we commit to renew the temporal order through our work with the poor, our work for justice, and our work for life.

CFC - HANDMAIDSFOR FAMILY & LIFE

ANTIPOLO

We are a servant of the Church, working to renew her children through every generation and throughout the world, until the Lord returns once again.

We are part of the larger family of CFC-FFL, a worldwide family of many different nationalities and cultures but all sharing brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ. We desire

to move forward together in our life in the Lord, providing love, affirmation, friendship, support and healing. We are committed to the good of our brethren, always living the

truth in love (Eph 4:15).

MILESTONE I STTI 65

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

2002, November: Frank & Gerry Padilla appointment to the Pontifi cal Council for the Family In November 2002, His Holiness Pope John Paul II appoint-ed Frank and Gerry Padilla as members of the Pontifical Council for the Family. This appointment came as an oppor-tunity to help further the work of God to more countries all over the world through Couples for Christ.

Editor’s Note: Effective September 10, 2009, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, re-appointed our Servant General Frank Padilla and his wife Gerry as members of the Pontifical Coun-cil for the Family, for another term of five years.

66 ISTT I MILESTONE

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

Archbishop Rylko affirmed CFC, saying that our Vatican ap-proval is a sign of authenticity, that the church endorses us. He looked at the Vitality and hope inherent in ecclesial movements, of which CFC is one. He also affirmed that the third millennium is the millennium of Asia.

Cardinal Trujillo affirmed that the most dynamic move-ments today are those that work with family and life. He said that today, more than ever, family and life are the center of our destiny.

The highlight of the visit was the audience with the Holy Father, John Paul II.

2005, April 25: CFC’s Vatican recognition becomes permanent

In 2005, Frank and Gerry Padilla attended the meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Family where CFC received permanent recognition from the Vatican. Out of 10 lay Cou-ple members, the Padillas were the lone representatives from Asia.

It was a good time to meet and strengthen relationships for CFC with various members of church hierarchy who were in attendance. They also met with the President of the Pon-tifical Council for the Laity, Archbishop Istanislaw Rylko, with the President of Pontifical Council for the Family, Car-dinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo.

68 ISTT I SHARING

Renewing Our Family, Defending LifeBy Lorie Eguia, CFC FFL District of Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

Narcing and I have 6 chil-dren – 4 boys and 2 girls. At the onset of our marriage, we had thought of having at least 4 children. We agreed that we would not use con-traceptives or any form of artificial family planning method. We know that hav-ing 6 children is God’s plan for us.

The 4 boys came one after the other. The first three boys were all born within less than two years. Our sec-ond son Kristian, was born when my eldest, Allan, was just 1 year and 1 month old, so my OB-Gyne suggested that I use pills. I decided against it as I knew from the start that contraception is against God’s teachings.

Starting the family was very tough as we were just rent-ing a small room in Manila. Narcing had no fixed income and could not find house-hold help that would stay long. My parents offered to take care of the 2 boys in our province in Batangas, about two hours away from Manila. We agreed to the

arrangement. Narcing and I would visit them every weekend with the laundry in tow so that while washing the clothes we were already with the kids. Every time we would come back to Manila, my heart would break and I always found myself crying over having to leave them behind. One other difficulty we had to face was how our eldest son was very sickly. A month or two would not pass without him being hos-pitalized until he reached 3 years old. We were very for-tunate that one of his god-mothers would always offer to advance payment for the bills.

We found ourselves in an even more challenging situa-tion when the next two boys came. My brothers and sis-ters, who were living in the same house that we were in, would help us by alter-nately looking after them. A time came when I was even tempted by the thought of having my well-to-do office-mate adopt one of the boys. We could hardly make both ends meet with both our in-comes and I was afraid that we could not give our small boys the basic necessities

they needed. But I was firm with my faith that we will raise our children no matter what. And we diligently ob-served the rhythm method of family planning.

When our youngest boy was eight months old, we were able to transfer to an old apartment offered to Narcing by the owner at a lower rent. We could have all 4 boys stay with us be-cause the elder two were starting pre-school. We could already breathe well in that bigger space. Narc-ing opened a ‘lugaw’ [Trans. rice porridge] store in front of the house to help pay for our expenses and at the same time look after the kids together with my brothers who were staying with us.

God started to put order into our life when He called us to join a Christian Life Program in the school where our 2 sons were studying. From then on, the love of God for our family was manifested through the community. Fac-ing the struggles of raising the family became lighter with our lives anchored on God and with the commu-nity behind us.

When my youngest son was almost 5 years old, I was again with child. This, we prayed and claimed, togeth-er with our brothers and sisters in the community, to be a girl. Indeed, she turned out to be our little princess!

We loved and served the community faithfully with-out if ’s and but’s. We were already living in Parañaque and our service was still in Pasig. Even if the fare going back and forth was the only money that we had, it would not hinder us from attending the household prayer meet-ings and assemblies. God would not be outdone in His faithfulness and generosity. He would send someone to bring us back home or give us ‘pamasahe’ [Trans. fare], ‘pabaon’ [Loose trans. allow-ance; as in for school] for the kids and ‘ulam’ [Trans. viand for meals] for the family. He was very consistent! That was why when God called Narcing to serve full time for the community in 1995, we had no second thoughts in saying ‘Yes, Lord!’

Narcing working full-time and myself serving as our family’s main breadwinner

SHARING I STTI 69

became another story of miracles on how we were able to survive – our daily sustenance, our children’s schooling, etc. I availed all types of loans in the office for the tuition fees. I was humbled by making promis-sory notes to my children’s schools. Our family got used to wearing hand-me-downs with the thought that those were gifts from the Lord. We were detached from our own dreams and plans and open to letting God work in our lives. He used opportunities and people to be the vessel of His love for our family.

Another test of faith and proof that the Lord is true to all His promises was when Narcing had to undergo a heart bypass operation. All expenses were paid for by the Lord through the love of people He sent to support us.

Despite all the struggles and challenges our family had experienced, God continues to use us in our small ways. Our eldest, Allan, was a mis-sion volunteer for years for the youth; our second son Kristian, is now a mission volunteer for SFL; our third,

Michael, had been a Cam-pus-Based Youth head in his school; our fourth, Julius, is a mission volunteer for YFL and a cluster servant, who recently resigned from work to follow in his father’s foot-steps to become a full-time missionary. Our fifth child, Sarah, is a YFL chapter ser-vant in one of the parishes of the Diocese of Parañaque. Our 6th child, Bea, who came out when I was 42 years old, is now 11 and in KFL. With the family’s imperfections, we know God wants more from us. He shares with us His precious possession - the Cross, which we carry in our daily lives and keeps us closer to Him. He blesses our respective work and con-tinuously sustains us day to day. Aren’t these the best of blessings?

Following the Lord and serv-ing Him is tough – with lots of challenges, with frustra-tions and hurts but with perks and surprises, too. Our family is not financially se-cured, but our security is in the Lord. In and through the community, we feel and see God’s presence in our lives!

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

2005, May: Establishment of CFC’s Pro-Life Ministry

Although May 2005 is considered as the official birthday of the Pro-Life Ministry, it is difficult to pinpoint the ex-act date it began.

And the truth is that the stirrings of pro-life in the com-munity began 17 years ago, having been borne out of that fateful United Nations International Conference on Pop-ulation and Development in Cairo, Egypt in September 1994. As a response to that, the Archdiocese of Manila headed by then Jaime Cardinal Sin called on its faithful to learn the truths behind the real agenda, particularly on sex education. A cartoon on a betamax tape (remember those?) graphically illustrated what the U.N. intended to teach our young, and that signaled the beginning of what is now the battle for life. Among those called were our own members, who, prophetically enough, are reliving today almost exactly the events then.

Then, in 1995, the Beijing Conference on Women solidi-fied the need to return to an authentic feminism, urged on by Pope John Paul II’s message to women to bring out the feminine genius and use it for the good of society. Between then and now, the community’s response has been to form, initially, FEED of Family Enrichment and Education to help develop and sustain love and respect for life, and then in 1996, Teodora: In Defense of the Authentic Woman, which played a critical role during congressional hearings defending the pro-life position in the earliest versions of the Reproductive Health Bill. At some point, all religious-affiliated organizations were shut out from the hearings, leaving only Teodora and another, Kanlungan ng Buhay, to act as the only pro-life defenders in Congress.

Through all this, our Servant-General Frank Padilla has been both key and instrumental to bringing Pro-Life to the forefront of the fight.

And in the spirit of genuine service, many of those who serve in this ministry do so anonymously, without need for recognition or affirmation, as the reward for a job well done is the knowledge that the work has made a difference in the many lives saved.

Years later, today, CFC-FFL once again reaffirms what it confirmed in 2005: that Pro-Life is an integral part of the life and mission of the community, truly a Core Value.

Editor’s Note: Debbie Rodrigo, the author of this article, and her husband Francis, are members of CFC’s ProLife Core Group as the Natural Family Planning Coordinators.


The community started in Novaliches way back in 1990, then called Big North, with humble beginning of just a few promising couples.

Ten years produced a growing membership raising quality leaders passionate speakers.

Another 7 years allowed many to witness the growth in all other ministries; almost replicating the number of members that CFC had at that time.

The Big North was at its peakof its service, when suddenly, the split in the communitybecame inevitable in 2007.

When this happened, North C Sector, one of the sectors of Big North, registered an 80% movement of members from CFC Global Foundation, Inc. to CFCFFL, while the other 2 sectors did not make a significant movement of members.

This North C Sector that followed their calling to Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life, reorganized themselves to become the District of Novaliches. Since then, it has massively increased in number through the many Christian Life Seminars conducted; with all ministries experiencing spiritual maturity.

The YFL ministry has 1,268 members as of this date, whilethe other ministries are havingremarkable numbers as well,but the District of Novaliches has not been lax in sharing the Good News to even more.

Going on mission is also beingactively undertaken by the district, in the hopes to raisehome-grown mission volunteersand full-time pastoral workersthat will help the community, in the coming years.

76 ISTT I SHARING

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

2006, June: CFC established in 153 countries on its 25th anniversary as prophesied over a decade earlier

2007: Number of countries hits 160 with CFC Turks and Caicos Islands

Pentecost has always been a great symbol of God sending out His dis-ciples to do the mission He himself started. Through the Holy Spirit, He has given them power to reach as many people, despite differenc-es in culture. On Pentecost Sunday in 2007, God truly sent the Holy Spirit as our community reached CFC’s 160th country - Turks and Caicos Is-lands. A CLP took place in Grace Bay, Providenciales, one of the six major Islands of Turks and Caicos. It was 4:45 PM when it started.

The service team composed of a couple from Australia, one from the Philippines, one Servant from Qatar, and two couples from the US, Mars and Sylvia Dela Cuesta, and Joe and Monina Duran.

22 persons graduated from that CLP. Our community there was able to form a household of 5 cou-ples, 2 Handmaids, 4 Singles, and 6 Servants.

Just as how the Lord showed His greatness in the opening of our 160th country, He continues to create “Pentecost” experiences for all of us, as He brings us to more and more places. Truly, our mis-sion is to the ends of the earth.

Trusting God’s Plan, in His Own Timeby Nory ReyesCFC FFL Mississauga, Canada

My husband and I became members of CFC in October 1997. From then on, each time we were asked to become household leaders, we would turn the offer down.

In 1998, I got pregnant. It was my 5th pregnancy but with our 6th child be-cause we had twins before. Every time I have a baby, my husband and I pray only for swift recovery and good health for our new born child and myself. We never bargain God to give us a boy or a girl. However, it was different this time around, as God had entered our lives in a new way through our active service in the community. We dared to pray this time for a baby boy. God definitely an-swered our prayers. He is turning 13 years old this September – our last child and the ONLY boy.

In the year 2000, we received a sched-uled interview letter from the Canadian Embassy. We were very excited, as this was our family’s dream. This must also be the reason why we were not that responsive to become leaders in our chapter. Our interview took only 15 minutes before the Immigration Officer denied our application. I broke down

in tears because we waited for that op-portunity for 2 years. My husband told me that maybe God had a different and better plan for us. It was also then that he realized how we turned down every opportunity of God’s invitation to serve Him with our community. This was why, during the next scheduled CLP, we vol-unteered ourselves as facilitators and became household leaders. We were eventually tapped to become Kids Co-ordinators and soon Team Leaders of a CLP.

We were thoroughly enjoying our re-sponsibilities until a big blow came in November 2006 when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, stage 1B. It was a very sad day for all of us in the family; I was worried about my 6 children who were still very young then. My husband and I were wondering why this had to happen to us. Later on, after much crying and even more praying, we ac-knowledged this as an opportunity to show our faithfulness to God and put all our trust in Him.

I went for my operation and braced myself for everything that followed - 28 days straight of Radiation Therapy,

SHARING I STTI 77

6-days of chemotherapy and 3 days of Brachytherapy. I almost gave up the fight. Mon, my better half, was always with me throughout this time. He de-voted all his time for me - consoling, lifting me up, telling me stories that warmed my heart and made me laugh, encouraging me, and looking after our kids. At the same time, he was always present in all activities of our commu-nity and told me once that he missed me a lot every time he attends gather-ings and prayer meetings. He always prayed for me. Our only son, Clarence, lead the prayers of the Holy Rosary ev-ery night. It was a family prayer that made us stronger, closer, united, with more love and care for each other. After several months, Mon and I accepted the Chapter Servant Leadership of CFC-FFL Palmera Chapter, Cluster 6 in the Dis-trict of Novaliches.

Five years have passed. I always look back at those moments and cherish how GOD loves me, how He made me stronger and more confident of His love. I am a living witness to all of His miracles and greatness. I appreciate all His gifts, big or small. I accepted all the trials because I knew that He is always with us, listening to our prayers and an-swering all our pleas.

We are now based here in Canada with our 6 children. His works are truly amazing, He arranged our lives in His own plan and time. We thank all our brothers and sisters who always prayed and continue to care for us. Trusting God made me, made our whole family

CFC-FFLMILESTONES

2007, August: Crisis in CFC, split and establishment of CFC FFL

In 2007, CFC Founder Frank Padilla wrote an open letter to his brethren articulating the events that had tak-en place, which led to the eventual split in Couples for Christ.In it, he acknowledged that “CFC [was] in deep crisis, because CFC [had] lost its way and [was] in dan-ger of straying away from its very mission, and even away from the Church of which it is a part.” A number of talks were conducted with the bishops, top CFC leaders and even the general membership for everyone to have a better un-derstanding of the situation. How-ever, as CFC in different parts of the world witnessed top leaders acting in “unheard of ways”An attempt to resolve the crises led to the election of a new set of Council members. Unfortunately, even the newly-elected leaders, “remain[ed] at the center of the deep conflicts and divisions among leaders, and have conducted themselves in ways that intensif[ied] such conflict and division, rather than being catalysts for healing, reconciliation, peace and unity.” “The purity and original intent of God for the life and mission of CFC [was] lost. And what need[ed] to happen [was] simple: we must be led back to God, restored to the fullness of our covenant, and giv-en back the pure and original CFC (Lam 5:21).” On July 13, the Restoration Move-ment was launched by some con-cerned CFC leaders “to bring CFC back to God’s plan… but the CFC Council responded negatively to this movement and intensified its attacks on those participating in it.” Left without any other option, that same movement was brought “to a new dimension.”

The events that followed led to the further defining of CFC’s role and purpose in the Catholic Church’s lay community: - CFC is an evangelistic and missionary community, serving the universal Church. - CFC is a family life renewal movement, with womb-to-tomb support environments. - CFC is an integral part of the life and mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

Today, we find ourselves, members of CFC Foundation for Family and Life and all its Family Ministries more immersed in the work of evan-gelization, “renewing families in the Holy Spirit and defending life.”

“Lead us back to you, O Lord, that we may be restored: give us anew such days as we had of old.”(Lam 5:21)


CFC-FFL ST. ANDREW, PARANAQUECFC FFL St. Andrew Cathedral chapter is located in the humble town of La Huerta, Parañaque City. The members live in the vicinity barangays of Don Galo, La Huerta, San Dionisio and Tramo, as they say, the Parañaque bayan.”

The members of our chapter are always eager to attend to every special occasion that CFC FFL celebrates. To support and develop the spiritual needs of our members, like our Baguio conferences, CLS, MER and the activities of the youth and kids, we hold our yearly fund raising.

As of this year, our chapter leaders are also leading the Commission on the Family of the Cathedral.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Spirit and with the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, enlighten, strengthen and protect our servant general and all the elders in our community.

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY, brothers and sisters!


OBLEFIASHOUSEHOLD

We thank the Lord for blessing our community CFCFFL with 30 years of fruitful ministry of strengthening the family and depending life.

Our household is a blessing for us and an oasis where we draw our spiritual strength. God bless CF-CFFL.

Oca and Jocy Oblefias, Bonji and Joji Bonjibod, Demy and Merlyn Galinato, Tony and Mari Espino, Ray and Annie Cargullo, Kit and Calet Pasimio, Ray and Luz Regenio, Tom and Lina Tanjuatco.

GREETINGS FROM EDMONTON ONOUR COMMUNITY’S 30th ANNIVERSARY!!!Every year, CFCFFL-Edmonton participates in the March for Life activity of the Archdiocese of Edmonton. These are photos from our 2010 and 2011 participation showing Joseph & Marge de Castro (FM Coord) and daughters Meg (YFL) and Myr (KFL) and son Josiah; Joey & Joy Tujan (HS) and daughters Jyll (YFL) and Joule (KFL), Francis Sinday (YFL Coord), Louie & Angie Untalan, among other CFCFFL-Edmonton brethren. Area Servant is Deck Gibas.


Being part of the community since 1994 has helped us in our formation both individually and as a family. God continuous to use us in service, Nona serves in HFL, our sons Cedric and Christian in YFL and me in SvFL (my two daughters, Naomi & Cerisse though, served as leaders in the former YFC and were active Torch members in their teen years). As a global com-munity, the arena for service is so immense. Physi-cal distance is not a hindrance as Nona and my sons serve in the Philippines and I in Singapore were I am currently based. Our family continues to go through life’s trials but it is God’s divine guidance that allows us to waver through them.

As CFC-FFL celebrates its 30th anniversary, may God continue to manifest His presence in each of our brethren to be able to touch other people’s lives and lead them to Christ!

CAMMAYOFAMILY


CFC-FFLDAVAO

Members servingthe Diocese in 2007.

CDF FFL Davao City with Archbishop Fernando Capalla during the Anniversary Celebration in Dec. 06, 2009

Dec 22, 2010 Anniversary Celebration

Mary Mediatrix of all Grace carrossa of CFC FFL during the Marian procession May 28, 2011

Age Is But A NumberBy Mary Grace Hermano-Pingoy, CFC FFL Chicago, Illinois, USA

82 ISTT I SHARING

This is the uplifting story of the old-est member of CFC-FFL USA, Paciencia Stype, or “Sister Pacy” as she is endear-ingly called. An active member of Hand-maids for Family and Life Indiana, Sis-ter Pacy joined in 2001 and has been a blessing to the Indiana community ever since. One would be surprised to hear…she is almost 93 years old and still go-ing strong! Not only because she looks much younger than she really is, but when Sister Pacy walks into the room, it’s like the party has started; her smile is bright and her laugh is infectious, and all who encounter her are blessed.

She leads a very active life and one of her favorite pastimes is to travel the world and go on pilgrimages to visit holy places. Besides that, her daily rou-tine consists of morning prayer, daily mass, and service and still after all these years, quality time with her husband everyday.

She met her husband, Mike Stype, in Indiana soon after moving from the Philippines in 1970 after her beloved first husband died of Cancer. Mike has also been a huge blessing to the Indiana community. Though he cannot partici-pate in most meetings because he has developed deafness in his ears, he still takes time to share his talents by mak-ing rosaries by hand for members and volunteering to update the CFC member directory.

Mike sat down with us and shared their story of how he and Pacy met and fell in love. Mike said, “I remember praying a specific prayer to God to meet some-one that I could love.” Pacy smiled and said “It just so happened I moved into the same apartment complex where he lived.” Mike added, “She didn’t even notice me.” “We met at a community dinner.” Mike was an engineer so natu-rally became the honorary handyman

of building. After time, her television broke and he came to fix it for her, then her piano, and then her dining room table. “It was through these things that we fell in love.” Pacy told us of how she would ask for signs from the Lord like a flower and at that moment Mike would send her a bouquet of flowers. For them, God spoke loud and clear. As I sat and watched them share their story, I was deeply moved at the strong love and dedication that exists between Pacy and Mike even after all these years.

As one could imagine the pair are a great example to all the Couples in Indi-ana. Sister Pacy shares, “It’s a beautiful experience to be part of CFC-FFL. They are always ready if you need anything at any time, they are ready to help. You re-ally feel the love.”

I asked her for advice to the younger generation of couples rising up after her. She looked me right in the eyes and said, “Yes…Always try to love and to understand each other. The love you have? Express it! Don’t take it for grant-ed…if you love her/him, say so! It’s not enough to just do things for one anoth-er; you have to say it as well. Communi-cation is key. Make time for each other and your children. And most of all, keep God at the center.”

She explained that our priority in life should always be Jesus; otherwise we are not really living. She said further, “The highlight of my day is going to mass. Even if I don’t feel well, I force

myself to go to mass. When you get to a certain age, if you don’t feel like getting up, it’s just laziness. I want to be able to receive Him everyday…” “I told the Lord - As long as You give me the health to help other people, all the more I will give what I can.”

Aside from her vibrant spirit and prayerful disposition, Sister Pacy also contributes to her community through her musical talents. She is a beautiful pianist. “My gift to others is music…because that’s what the Lord gave me.” Her father was in the army, but also a musician and always taught Pacy to share her gifts. Ever since she was a little girl, she had this gift of playing the piano and she knew it came from the Lord. And now at her ripe old age of 92, she still doesn’t just choose to keep that gift to herself, but she continues to use it to glorify her God. She spent many recent years volunteering to play the pi-ano for Assisted Living and Retirement homes multiple times a week. It wasn’t just that she was bringing joy to the hearts of the elderly, dancing with them and singing with them, but it was that she was sharing the joy of Christ with them. So often someone would pass away and it would be hard for her, but she knew the gift of music that she gave them was transformed into the love of Christ that she was called to share.

Editor’s Note: Mary Grace and her hus-band Ray are the National Young Minis-tries Coordinators for CFC FFL USA.


Thank you for our 21 wonderful and fruitful years in community!

“...as for me and my household,we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Pancho and Marilyn Lopez-Tan

CFC-FFL MATI, DAVAO ORIENTALHAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY COUPLES FOR CHRIST FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY AND LIFE !

Amidst hardships, difficulties and challenges to our exis-tence and growth, we continue to thrive, exist and grow in numbers and territories.

CFCFFL’s presence in this part of the country, has spurred new and greater meaning to renewal of families, and the call of the times spearheaded by the Church, the defense of life, as our community had gained the trust and confidence of the church hierarchy in our pro life advo-cacy.

With God’s will and providence, we shall prevail!

MATRIMONIOS PARA CRISTOFeliz Trigesimo Aniversario, Que Dios les bendiga!

Happy 30th Anniversary, may God bless all of you!

86 ISTT I COVER STORY

88 ISTT I SHARING

A good brother of mine once told me ‘Nothing happens to the life of a believer without the permissive will of God’. This has been the perfect mantra with which I can as-sociate my life right now.Back in 2004, I was diag-nosed with Multifocal Giant Cell Tumors on my spine; and I have been battling the disease ever since. I have had five (5) major surgeries, numerous radiation thera-pies, physical rehab sessions and it has been ‘interesting’ to say the least. My family and I have been through a lot, and without help from them, friends and God, I would have given up. What I found interesting was the transformation this disease has made in my life.When I was diagnosed with this disease, my first thought was ‘Why me, Lord?’ It was hard for me to accept it be-cause I tried to take good care of myself. I did not drink or smoke. I did not do drugs. I was a young man with a beautiful wife and two very young kids. I didn’t have any vices - I ate a lot but that was it, nothing really excessive.After being diagnosed, there were doubts and times when I felt helpless, especially

when the MRIs and scans didn’t look good. The tumors seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and multiplying. There were times when I felt like nothing was going right for me, and my family was starting to suffer because of my suffering. During these times I started praying hard, I tried looking beyond the surface and did my best to understand and get a per-spective on why this was happening and what could be the reason behind all these.

That’s when I started to slowly understand the per-missive will of God. He did not cause these things to happen to me, but He al-lowed it. I believe the differ-ent emotions I felt — sorrow, sadness, loneliness, help-lessness – were part of His plan to help me understand who I really am, to help me experience what it is to be human, to purify and pre-

pare me for the good things to come. I am pretty sure God was with me the whole time of pain and suffering.After a few years things started to get better, my body recovered from the surgeries, the treatments started working and a new drug specifically designed for my type of tumor was discovered. This was the time when I realized and un-derstood the plan of God. By letting me experience sor-row I understood real joy, by experiencing sadness I understood real happiness. When my sorrows turned to joy it was the type of joy I have never experienced be-fore. When sadness became happiness it was happiness I never experienced before. It seemed like everything in my life was magnified. I have learned to love and appreci-ate everything in my life.

The love I had for my wife and kids before is nothing

compared to the love I have for them right now. I believe my faith is stronger than it has ever been. I can say that I am living my life to the fullest and I can say it is be-cause of His permissive will. Making me feel the negative emotions really made me appreciate the positive ones.Now I am thankful for each day He gives me. I continue to be faithful to Him, act according to His will, sing praises to Him and really be grateful for even giving me the opportunity to live this life. For letting me experi-ence the joy of having my wife, my family, my friends and especially my kids.

I would like to thank my fam-ily, friends, CFC FFL Michigan and Budd Lake-New Jersey family (especially brother Arnel (who told me about the line above)) and our New Jersey household heads Randy and Rose. Thank you all for the prayers, support and the never ending inspi-ration.

It is really an honor to be able to share my faith and my love for God with each and every one of you.

According to BoneTumor.org: Giant cell tumor accounts for 5 to 9 percent of all primary bony tumors. Most patients present with slowly progres-sive pain, with or without a mass. Symptoms arise when the lesion begins to destroy the cortex and irritate the periosteum or when the weakening of the bone caused by the tumor causes pain due to imminent pathologic frac-ture. Treatment of giant cell tumors is by surgery only.

Editor’s Note: Tristan is hap-pily married to Lydes and is blessed with 2 energetic sons, Nathan, 10 and Nicholas, 5.

The Permissive Will of GodBy Tristan ValdenorCFC FFL Michigan, USA

DONORSI STTI 89Friends Of CFC-FFLJess & Mila DuranJun & Marie VillarJun & Nida CarandangLito & Ellen de GuzmanAbe & Fe VeranRudy, Rita & Rowen TamseEdgar & Helen CainticTony & Marie EspinoJun & Lina EguicoMon & Mae SamaniegoJun & Tess CalimlimNoel & Grace GambaFrank & Gerry PadillaJerome and Tess ProtacioPat and Grace OconerXavy and Des PadillaFel and Rose TongolNoe FabroaTony & Cecille QuilantangDong & Emy GallevoDave & Rhia MacasadiaJun & Baby LigeraldePaul & Denice PriceJun & Emy SiccionRose RamosTony EspirituRyan & Ai AcostaMel & Hazel AcostaCristy QueridoDomingo & Irene FloresMina, Kevin, Abby and Aaron RamirezJack & Peggy BurgoyneDanny & Tes NievesNonoy & Melba TronoFred CatbaganBelen E. RepolonaVergel Q. Paras

Delio & Lolit DionisioElmer M. De Los ReyesRosalio & Joanna RemoRolly & Baby BuenaventuraRomy & Baybee PrincipeDiom & Susan CaguinguinLito & Charlie AlzateChito & Maribel LibanJoel & Edna Dela CruzJun, Malou and MM DomingoEd & Imee DonadillaRene & Angie TiamzonAdor & Estie SingsonDemy & Sylvia ChavezTom & Lina TanjuatcoEnteng & Ceries MedinaOscar & Jocy OblefiasEd & Marichu MondigoRez & Anna NegapatanReg & Chit QueddengPons & Neth CabanlitAlfonso, Jr. & Carmelita LeongZenaida DollosaAlex & Mita CoronadoBobby & Miriam RiboWarren & Lisa Galarce and kidsCering & Nel Dator and kidsRomy & Mely Rabino and kidsCesar, Letty & CJ AmpostaJun & Susan Reyes and kidsTony & Neth Co and kidsFred & Esmer Orit and kidsNilo & Cora Toledo and kidsLilian ToledaLiza M.BernardinoNadja MutoEd & Melanie YambaDanny & Tess Aclan

Edwin & Zaida MontesclarosLen & Marie CamachoCelso & Mely CruzNat & Mayette ValbuenaOscar & Lulu SychuaDelfin & Susan PensoyCesar & Candi VillarosaJoe & Anie De LeonJun & Lilybeth DelaCosta and FamilyGeorge, Joyce and Justin SantosRay & Ludy Salvador & FamilyRico, Maribel, Neena and Philip RegaladoGreg & Dolores PangilinanRey & Juliet EscalonEd & Em-em RanaGetty & Rhollie Escobia & FamilyRoy & Espie LandritoJun & Helen BanariaNancy HernandezAileen AlbanoNatalie CansicioVirgie PalenciaJosie SantosRhoda SantosEvangeline P. TuazonDelia EmpleoSusan CruzMuntilupa South - Ina ng Awa ParishMuntilupa South - Our Lady of the Abandoned ParishAnonymous

90 ISTT I SHARING

I remember that during my childhood, my favorite game was “bahay-bahayan” [Trans. Playing house]. I loved portray-ing the role of a nun in the family. Wear-ing a white linen cloth from head to toe, I’d consider myself beautiful with that attire. In my high school and college years, I was not really that religious but I used to visit our university chapel dur-ing school days even for a while. And what I prayed most about was for me to finish my studies and to have a happy simple life.

I did not become a nun but God’s grace allowed me to become a Pediatrician and gifted me a man, Elie, to be a father to our four precious children. He had no vices and was very loving and caring to us. We lived happily and brought our children to Sunday masses, even during their infancy.

All in God’s Graceby Julita Aguila, CFC FFL District of Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines

When our eldest son was twelve and our youngest son was turning four years old, an unexpected trial came into our family in a hot summer month before Holy Week. An enlarged lymph node developed at the back of my hus-band’s right ear which turned out to be a metastasis from a cancer of naso-pharynx (malignant tumor mass at the back of the throat). A doctor friend of mine told me that we had to wait for six months to know the prognosis of the illness whether it was good or poor. I was so devastated at that time because I was thinking of our family, especially our young children.

That was the second time I prayed hard to God for healing (the first time was when our eldest son almost died of dengue shock syndrome when he was seven years old). I remember praying as if Jesus and Mama Mary were just be-side me as I surrendered their illnesses. I stormed heaven’s saints and angels as well, to pray for this family trial. Our family did not lose hope and I told my husband that we had to follow the doc-tor’s instructions in the management of his illness. God is so good! Looking back, the Spirit of the Lord truly had been there preparing me in my decisions on how to go about telling my husband the

pros and cons of his illness. God even led me to tell my husband the story of Job that though he lived a righteous life, he also underwent trials and in the end became victorious.

My husband underwent two chemo-therapy sessions for three days in the hospital, one month apart. He did not lose his hair, instead I noticed that I was the one who had falling hair every time I woke up, probably due to stress. While in the hospital, in our couple prayer time, one early morning, we promised to serve the Lord and join any Catholic community when we get home. After the second chemotherapy, the enlarged lymph node at the back of his ears com-pletely disappeared with the amaze-ment of his attending physicians. His doctor scheduled him for Radiotherapy (Linear and Brachytherapy) in a period of two months.

After chemotherapy, he was discharged at the hospital and we joined one Char-ismatic community in a parish near our place but due to conflict of schedules, we were not able to pursue it. One Sun-day morning after the mass, we noticed a big banner of Couples for Christ’s invi-

continued on next page >>

SHARING I STTI 91tation for the CLP in front of our church – and this was the start of our journey with the Lord in our beloved commu-nity.

I remember our only daughter, nine years old at that time, usually joining us in our CLPs. With my husband’s dis-colored face due to the radiation that he was undergoing that time, he still managed to carry on and attend the sessions. It was during the third ses-sion that I shared to the team leader the condition of my husband, in such, they prayed over him. After our CLP, our four children joined the kids ministry, then the youth, and now, the singles ministry. When we became members, we prac-ticed in our home the teachings we learned. We had our family prayers with thanksgiving and petitions where all of our children participated. Our youngest son (4 years old that time) was most of the time asked by my husband to pray over him. Although my children knew that I was a doctor, when they got sick they usually asked us to pray over them and they got healed easily. At their young age, God taught them how to trust Him in many ways.

Three months after my husband’s ra-diation therapy, unexpectedly, he was sent to France for a business trip by his office, thereby the opportunity to visit, bathe and pray at the Grotto of the Our Lady of Lourdes. A few weeks after his return to the Philippines, a repeat bi-opsy in the area of the previous lesion showed no evidence of cancer cells or malignancy. God indeed was my hus-band’s Great Healer! As the days went on, we saw not only the physical heal-ing of my husband but also the spiritual and emotional healing of our family. One of the favorite verses of my hus-band is “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for your woe, plans to give you a future full of hope” from Jeremiah 29:11; and he truly believed in this. Our CFC community then became our very way of life and we learned to develop a good relationship as husband and wife, with our children and with other people, but above all with the Lord.

In 2007, we were deeply affected by the crisis that happened in our com-

munity, everyone prayed and discerned for God’s perfect will for our family in this very important discernment we had to face. True enough, God led us to CFC FFL, and we are very happy to have stayed here, the community that main-tains the original charism of “Renewing Families and Defending Life”; that made our faith in God stronger from the very start.

In the last week of March of this year was the 16th year when my husband was diagnosed to have cancer of the throat. This year is also our 16th year in CFC. I praise and thank God that since the “Big C” affected my husband, it turned out to be a redemptive suffer-ing for our family. Every time that our children would graduate from Grade School up to College with flying colors, we witnessed my husband cry for joy for God was indeed continually making miracles happen in our family life.

Today, all our children have graduated from college. Our eldest son, EJ and our only daughter, Joy, both decided to serve the Lord as Full Time Lay Missionaries of CFC. Our second son, John, is now in his third year proper in Medicine, and is still serving as a YFL Mission Volunteer and our youngest son, James, recently graduated from Nursing school and is pursuing his studies also in medicine proper. He too has managed to contin-ue serving as a YFL Cluster Servant in our district.

Last summer, while other children were enjoying their summer vacation, our very own children enjoyed theirs serv-ing the Lord on mission trips 3 to 4 weeks long in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and International (Singapore). We miss them a lot during those times when they are sent out for mission but our only consolation is that they are serv-ing God in their full capacities; and with that we truly are proud parents.

At present, every waking moment is a moment of praise and thanksgiving for the continuous extension of God’s mira-cle seeing my husband still living happi-ly with our family, healed of his illness, still able to attend to his office as an en-gineer, able to serve as a lay minister in our Parish, able to perform his duty as a Unit Servant in our chapter and most especially able to testify to everyone the goodness and greatness of our Lord.

Now I can say that although I did not become a beautiful nun, God gave me a beautiful marriage vocation and as much as I can, I have kept our family closer to Him. As Joshua had said, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).”

Editor’s Note: Juling, or Lola Doc as she is fondly called by most of her patients, is the pediatrician for most of the children of CFC’s young married full-time lay mis-sionaries.


Praise, honor and glory to God for Thirty Years of faithfulness. May CFC FFL continue to spread Christ’s mission a million fold.Family Ministries Household Vienna, AustriaMike/Nitz Jaramillo, Deng/Ofie Eva, Ronald/Josie Santos, Kim/Malou Navarro, Jun/Myrna Panganiban, Jun/ Jing Silverio

Last June 18, 2011, a momentous occasion was held through the partnership of De La Salle University (DLSU) and Couples for Christ - Foundation for Family and Life (CFC FFL) when the first-ever Theology of the Body Congress was held here in the Philippines.

The morning sessions were held at the packed Yuchengco Auditorium while the afternoon workshops were held simultaneously at seminar rooms in the same building. The whole day event was attended by lo-cal and international members of CFC FFL and the Theology students of DLSU. The speakers, facilitators and sharers came from DLSU’s Theology and Religious Education Department and CFC FFL and its Pro-Life Ministry, with the special participation of religious and lay volunteers involved in the work for Family and Life and the Live Pure Movement.

This event was particularly significant as DLSU commemorates its Centennial Anniversary this year which coincides with Couples for Christ’s 30th Anniversary.


CFC-FFLPALAWANThe home of the 7th wonder of the world says Happy Anniversary to CFC-FFL, the light to the world.


CFC Handmaids for Family and Life is now 18 years old, and we would like to thank the Lord for the power to enable us women to deliver life, to receive life, to carry life, to nurture life and to empower life through Jesus Christ and CFC. Thank you CFC for being part of our

spiritual growth.

Jesus, the strength of our hearts, thank you for your faithfulness and love for us through the years.

Sanniv2011 Final

Documents

Transcript of Sanniv2011 Final