THE Couples for Christ (CFC) Conference held on January 14, 2012, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was, like in previous years, a momentous event. The much-awaited gathering was attended by an estimated 15,000 CFC community leaders—including those from the Family and Social Ministries—coming from all over the Philippines and from foreign areas such as Australia, Brunei, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, USA and the Middle East.
The Mass which formally began the event was celebrated by His Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines. Concelebrating were His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder, OFM Cap, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, and other priests, including Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, director of the CBCP Communications Group and CFC spiritual director Monsignor Allen Aganon.
Archbishop Pinto’s homily highlighted the important role of the laity in the mission of the Church, especially in defending the Christian family and the Gospel of Life. He emphasized that CFC truly has a calling from the Lord to strengthen families and “set the world on fire.”
The opening worship, led by IC member Mannix Ocampo, CFC Family Ministries Director, was Spirit-filled and vibrant, a foretaste of what was to happen during the rest of the afternoon. Ocampo exhorted the crowd filling the coliseum to open their hearts to the fire of God’s Spirit.
Joemar Salumbides, CFC Events team head and Servants of the Lord council member led in the On Fire chant, joined by performers from CFC and the various adult Family Ministries, who truly glorified God by giving their “time, talent and treasure” for the presentation.
After the worship, a creative presentation “re-telling” the story of our faith, and the importance of Mary’s “yes” to God’s call was performed by members of the younger Family Ministries, i.e. KFC and YFC. The Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, Jesus’ public ministry, death, Resurrection and Ascension, and the Acts of the Apostles — were re-enacted to the accompaniment of inspiring songs rendered by the 29 AD “Musicionaries.”
CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca delivered the first talk entitled, “Hearts on Fire,” emphasizing that throughout the course of CFC‘s history we, too, have experienced the hand of God blessing us. Cuenca stressed that having a heart on fire means we, like Mary, must learn how to accept the will of God and to say “yes” to His calling.
He exhorted everyone to not be afraid to “set the world on fire” and to respond to our calling as evangelizers and missionaries.
Cuenca ended his talk by exhorting the crowd to move forward in hope towards CFC’s 50th Anniversary, and to continue to treasure and share Christ’s gift of love to others, especially to the poor.
The second session, which soon followed, started with a sand artist “painting” images with sand to the accompaniment of the song “Reaching for You,” which was mostly about God’s “all-consuming love.” It was a simple but nonetheless inspiring prelude to the talk proper, entitled “Hands on Fire,” delivered by CFC Executive Director Melo Villaroman Jr. He shared that although storms have come our way, and our themes have changed along the years, CFC’s vision remains unshaken.
Our mission continues because our vision and mission is not just of man but a plan of God, for many families today and in the future.
Villaroman also encouraged the participants to recall their first “encounters” with God through CFC, especially the time they joined the CLP. He asked those present to reflect and assess themselves on the question: “Do our hearts continue to burn intensely?”
Villaroman, who is also the CFC Home Office Director, also explained that “On Fire,” taken as an acronym ,can also describe the “priority of our hands in our CFC mission:”
“O” - “One with Christ, One with the Catholic Church”, which was further emphasized by a sharing from Bishop Paul Hinder of Saudi Arabia, who talked about evangelization in a non-Christian environment.
“N” - “New Generation”, referring to preparing the new generation of Christian leaders, while refreshing ourselves with a new generation outlook and energy to our mission.
“F” - “Fullness”, requires that we pray and immediately commit to God that we will act on both “Evangelization and Social Action; Proclamation and Poor; CLPs and ANCOP.”
“I” - “International Or Global Calling” led Villaroman to remind everyone present that “when you travel, you are sent with a global calling.” He then introduced the “On Fire Missions Program” (via a video), as a response to the need and call for evangelization.
“R” - “Relevant Life And Formation” is a call that is crucial to every CFC member’s life, especially receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, participating in regular household meetings and formation programs, etc. This year, CFC is also called to tap the power of Intercessory Prayer, by including it in every household member’s life.
“E” - “Effective Governance and Stewardship” emphasizes the importance of faithful generosity, especially in giving tithes, and contributing to the International Mission Fund (IMF) and Build My House (BMH) Fund. CFC members’ faithful generosity help provide the “fuel” for the missions, especially in countries and areas where CFC is not yet present.
Villaroman ended his talk by encouraging everyone to keep on burning with God’s fire in their hearts. He also led the crowd in a “lighting ceremony,” which featured a huge “cross of lights” in front of the stage, and everyone in the coliseum lifting their lit-up cellphones, as a symbol of commitment to be “on fire” for the Lord. The CFC missionaries to foreign countries were also prayed over during this time.
The conference ended with a powerful worship led by Goi Villegas, YFC Metro Manila Head. The nourishing talks, sharings and powerful worship sessions during the CFC On Fire Conference is the first salvo of the year for CFC to live out its theme for 2012 -- to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.”
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