Pausing for Christ, as we move forward, full steam ahead by Lenie Viola

Shadow Lake (Stouffville), Ontario – Passionate and dedicated Couples for Christ (CFC) Singles for Christ leaders from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal gathered for the annual Singles Leaders Retreat (SLR) last November 6 to 8, 2009.  SFC National Coordinator, Efren “Butch” Baria spearheaded the retreat.

The SLR is a venue for God to speak.  Hence, it gave a strong emphasis on the value of LISTENING––to pause and to be present––so we will be able to understand and respond to God’s message.  Although there was no definite “quiet time” imposed in this year’s retreat, the participants, nonetheless, got a chance to be intimate with the Lord through the help of a technique called spiritual journaling in between talks.

Spiritual journaling is essentially writing your own gospel so you could put things in perspective, pass on the legacy of your Christian faith and to serve as a reminder of your past successes, failures and even lessons learned from your journey of faith.  As the Bible says, “But be careful and be on your guard.  Do not forget these things which your own eyes have seen nor let them depart from your heart as long as you live. But on the contrary, teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

The main highlight of the retreat focused on the newly expanded vision statement of Couples for Christ which is: “Moved by the Holy Spirit, One with the Catholic Church. Blessed to witness Christ’s love and service. Couples for Christ is a united and global community of family evangelizers that sets the world on fire with the fullness of God’s transforming love.     And SFC’s response is “Every single man and woman all over the world experiencing Christ.”  With this in place, Butch talked about the current SFC ministry set-up and how members could step up to becoming spiritually-equipped leaders through different formation structures and training.  He also discussed the goals of the ministry and how to implement updated practices and re-organization of households and household heads.  Likewise in the program, the SFC MINISTRY OVERVIEW presented the formation stages a member should go through––how one responds to grace and the call of the Lord.  And all these are geared towards SFC 2.0, which will be launched on January 6, 2010.

Another equally significant talk is about Praise and Worship where participants learned that the physical and the spiritual should both work together.  In addition, it is said that the key thing is to let go of the body and mind to allow the Holy Spirit to flow so one can listen to God’s message.  After the teaching, participants were led to an actual praise and worship. 

Participants were blessed to have Sister Haydee Librojo, a Cannossian sister, who gave a teaching about the Dynamic Movements of the Eucharistic Celebration, which could be summed up into four simple action words namely:  We GATHER, We LISTEN, We WORSHIP, and We SERVE.  She said that, “our mission is to transform the world into a place much more like the way God would have it.”

Father Arnie Bugtas celebrated the Holy Eucharist, followed by the Holy Hour and the sacrament of reconciliation.  Sister Haydee and Sister Ely were available to anyone who needs a listening ear.

The event was evaluated to better understand the leaders, their goals, their interests and needs.  Everyone was encouraged to take positive steps toward personal growth and improvement of SFC ministry. 

On the last day of the retreat, Butch presented the theme for 2010 taken from Colossians 2:6-7, which concisely translated into the “Fullness of Life in Christ Jesus.” From this theme, participants had the opportunity to conduct a short Lectio Divina and share their retreat experience.

Through faith and perseverance and most of all, through God’s grace and guidance, the fullness of life in Christ Jesus is absolutely possible.

This year, Couples for Christ helped the SFC leaders and CFC chapter leaders focus on the retreat by serving meals.  Thank you CFC for your warm and caring heart and delicious food!

First-ever STAR Workshop in Toronto by Leah Revita

The first-ever STAR workshop, an acronym for Servanthood Through Artistic Radiance, was held on November 28, 2009 at St. Andrew’s Parish Hall in Etobicoke, Ontario.  There were 50 leaders and music ministry members from the GTA who attended this exciting event.  With the support of Toronto’s music ministry, the workshop was held in Ontario and conducted by Bro. Noli and Sis. Beth Arzadon, Vancouver’s music ministry heads.

Toronto is blessed to have been chosen as the first area to have the STAR workshop.  This is only the first in a series of workshops to be conducted by the Couples for Christ (CFC) music ministry to help worship leaders and music ministry members of CFC and family ministries with dynamics and proper use of instruments, especially during worship.  It is not only timely but a much needed boost to an evangelizing community.  It is well known that worship and music play a key role in evangelizing, attracting and sustaining members of the community.  CFC is on the right track by inspiring musicians to focus on God through music.

The workshop was a full-day session open to all household heads from all ministries, worship leaders and, of course, music ministry members and those aspiring to be members.  It included six topics, namely:  1) What is Worship; 2) The Heart and Soul of God’s Musician; 3) Artistic Radiance; 4) Achieving Quality in the CFC Music Ministry; 5) Instruments in the Music Ministry and 6) Experiencing Worship.  Other speakers who took part in this event included Bro. Roland Pontiveros, Bro. Russell Nazareno and Bro. Neil Revita.  Bro. Ferdie Velasco and Bro. Jojo Dizon led the morning and afternoon worship respectively.

The workshop also included a video presentation, an open forum and guitar playing and strumming.  Later in the afternoon, a very spirit-filled praise fest led by Bro. Chico Nuguid capped this exciting event.

Many will agree that the STAR workshop revealed the true meaning of worship and our role as true servants of God.  It may be fitting to say that “A STAR IS BORN in Toronto!”

A Fun-Filled CFC GTA Christmas Party (with Photos)!!!

Jesus is the Light of the World – 2009 CFC GTA Christmas Party

Jesus is the Light of the World was the theme of the 2009 Couples for Christ (CFC) Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Christmas party, which was celebrated on December 6 at Grand Baccus Ballroom and Convention Centre in Scarborough, Ontario.

The event was attended by almost 800 members from nine different chapters and family ministries in the GTA, Cambridge, Hamilton and Windsor.

Singles for Christ (SFC) members from SFC West, Bevan Bielza and Renee Ardiente, emceed the fun-filled afternoon. Creative presentations entertained the audience. The program was opened by the parade of the Holy Family and the 11 Christmas lanterns, which were created by the different CFC chapters and family ministries. The lanterns were later auctioned and proceeds went to the building fund of the CFC family centre. The program also highlighted the singing, dancing and acting capabilities of the CFC family ministries, including Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ and Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD). Showmanship and creativity poured on the stage especially when a tribute was paid to the late Michael Jackson. The audience listened to traditional and modern Christmas carols and were reminded of the true meaning of the celebration of Christmas when CFC Central Downtown Cluster performed a re-enactment of the birth of Christ.

There were raffle prizes and games for both young and young at heart. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were also available for picture taking and distribution of candies.

Giving love was highlighted as CFC members were encouraged to donate a toonie or a loonie for the ANCOP child sponsorship. Over $400 were collected – enough to sponsor one ANCOP child for a year.

Later in the afternoon, the winners of the lantern parade were announced, which were captured by the North York Etobicoke Chapter followed by Brampton Chapter and HOLD West 1 cluster.

The fun-filled exciting program ended with a praisefest led by brother Glenn Roces.

Congratulations to the organizing committee for putting together another successful event.

Click here for the photos (also accessible through the menu: Media then Photo Gallery).

 

CFC Annual Christmas Party

December 6, 2009
1:00 PM	to	5:00 PM

Boxing Day

December 26, 2009

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