CFC-FFL 33rd Anniversary

Empowered... Fearless...

The Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) celebrated its 33rd Anniversary last Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Ynares Sportscenter, Antipolo City.

Choose to be brave... called to be saints. Sent forth as heroes!

2 Timothy 1:7-8

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God,

Eucharistic Celebration led by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes D.D.
Bishop of Antipolo and Rev. Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB.

CFC-FFL Servant General Frank A. Padilla

Related Post: CFC-FFL 32nd Anniversary

CFC-FFL COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 2014

The Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) held it's annual Community Conference at Ynares Gym in Pasig City. January 11, 2014.

2014 Theme: EMPOWERED TO WITNESS was taken from 2 Timothy 1:7-8

Servant-General Frank Padilla talked in detail about this year's theme and the direction and thrust of the community. While, Bro. Pat Oconer, head of CFC-FFL Work With the Poor, launched the NO ONE IN NEED Movement. He also updated the community of the work done during the post Bohol Earthquake and Yolanda Typhoon.

His Excellency Most Rev. JESSE EUGENIO MERCADO, D.D.. Bishop of Parañaque, Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate, explained in his homily the Year of the Laity and how our theme, #empoweredtowitness, fits the call of the Church to #choosetobebrave.

CFC-FFL Servant General Frank A. Padilla

During the Praise and Worship.

Most Rev. Jesse Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque,
During his homily.

Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, D.D.,  Bishop of Antipolo,
during his special message.

Related post: CFC-FFL Community Conference 2013

CFCFFL Marian Pilgrimage

The Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) held it's annual Marian Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Better Living, Paranaque City last Saturday, August 3, 2013. 

The program started with the procession of the statues of Our Lady of Mediatrix around the church. Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Rev. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB. 

Some notes on Fr. Chito during his talk:

What for Marian Devotion?

• Children have a special affection for their Mother. Jesus must have had the same.
• If Mary prays with us, how can Jesus refuse?
• Early Christians honored her with the title Theotokos, God-bearer, since Jesus' human and divine natures were united in the one person she bore.

Reason for Devotion

• Mary knows on whose side God is (Lk 1:52-53)
• Mary knows on whose side her Son is as Savior
• Mary consoles as much as she demands from us

Where are we right now?

• Contours of hopelessness
• Metaphysical and Moral Materialism
• Progressive dehumanization
• Hedonism
• Crisis of Truth

The Role of Popular Religiosity

• Our devotion to Mary is part of what we are and who we are as Filipinos
• If you want to bring Jesus, you need to tell it by means of stories, images, songs, not by highly conceptual ideas
• Popular piety to Mary are kundiman, tigib ng damdamin at puso

Why We Need Mary More than Ever

• Fundamental meaning of fatima: the power of evil in our time, the suffering of the Church, the weakening of the forces of the good in the world
• Mary's answer: hope, love and penance
• When in pain, our people have always lifted up the banner of Mary

Arrival of pilgrims and preparations...

Happy faces of our brethren...

Start of the procession...

Images of Our Lady of Mediatrix.

During the consecration prayers...

Start of the Holy Mass.

Rev. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB during his homily.

During the talk of Fr. Chito....

Closing prayer and final worship led by bro. Rene, Servant leader
of the District of Paranaque (DOP)

AWIT NG SUMISINTA SA INA

Aba Ginoong Maria, napupuno ka ng grasya. Ang Diyos ay sumasaiyo, bukod kang pinagpala sa babaeng lahat, at pinagpala ka naman at ang iyong anak na si Jesus. Santa Maria Ina ng Diyos, ipanalangin mo kaming makasalanan, ngayon at kung kami'y mamamatay. Amen

FESTIVE RALLY FOR LIFE

Pro-Life supporters were gathered along Padre Faura St., in front of the Supreme Court yesterday, July 9, 2013, to show their collective support for the petitions filed against the RH Bill. Dubbed as BUHAY MAHALIN... RH SUPILIN... FESTIVE RALLY FOR LIFE!

Led by Filipinos for Life, the festive rally was peaceful, full of love and concern to all human life being. Also present were priest, nuns, seminarians, members of Soldiers Of Christ, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., CFCFFL, students from St. Paul University Manila, San Sebastian College Recoletos De Cavite, Siena College, UST, Don Bosco and other pro-lifers.

The faithful pray for the Justices, for them to be enlightened, that they see RH law as immoral and against the constitution.  Prayers were said for the Holy Spirit to empower the lawyer-presenters, who will argue against the RH law or the Republic Act (RA) 10354 before the Supreme Court.

Related articles can be found here:
CBCP for Life Youth dominate anti-RH rally at SC
The Paulinian SPU MANILA SUPPORTS PRO-LIFE CAUSE

Ang Kapatiran senatorial candidate Mr. Lito Yap David

Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc. Board
Member,  Ms. Rita  Dizon Dayrit

Filipinos for Life President Mr. Anthony J Perez

 

Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Executive Director Lorna Barcarse - Melegrito during the media interview.  

All photos above courtesy of Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Note: Some editing done by the cvm admin)

Some CFC-FFL full-time missionaries posed before the Supreme Court.

Special Mass for Supreme Court Oral Argument on R.A. 10354

A special Mass was celebrated specifically for the intention of the opening of oral arguments on R.A. 10354 in the Supreme Court this morning, Tuesday, 9:00AM, July 9, 2013. Held in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia in Ermita, Manila, it was presided over by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D., Bishop of Antipolo, and Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life. Said mass was attended by lawyer-presenters as chosen by the Supreme Court, to represent the Anti-RH side, for the Oral Arguments, which was scheduled in the afternoon of the same day. Also present were priests, nuns, officers and affiliate members of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFCFFL), Soldiers Of Christ, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation, Inc., students from different school, and other lay people.

 

Most Rev. Bishop Gabby V. Reyes during his homily.