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THE recent mission trip to Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar, had been suggested by Bishop Crispin Vasquez of the Diocese to Borongan as early as September 2011, during the 17th year Anniversary celebration of CFC Eastern Samar. The bishop was concerned that follow-up teachings after the Christian Life Program were not made available to the brethren there because of the distance and the difficult sea voyage. He particularly made mention of Homonhon Island, the historical place where Magellan landed on March 16, 1521. It has eight (8) barangays and each barangay has CFC members present.

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Read more: Mission Accomplished in Homonhon

On Fire Missions

This story started late in 2010 when the then Philippine Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Marilyn Alarilla, being the “mother hen” that she was to the Filipinos in Laos, expressed her desire to see a Filipino community that is bonded way beyond mere sports activities and social gatherings. The Ambassador had always longed to see the Filipinos being solidly anchored on the right sense of values and with a brotherly and sisterly regard for one another, being far from their family roots in the Philippines. And so it was that a decision was made to begin with a bonding type of activity and “feel the way” as to what else needs to be done.

And so, one Sunday morning after the usual once-a-month Filipino-sponsored English mass, the Ambassador invited the Filipino churchgoers to lunch in her residence. An impromptu “getting to know you” followed the sumptuous lunch, during which all those present were made to introduce themselves, the nature of their work, and whatever concerns they may have that may be helped with the prayers of their new found friends. The introductory activity turned out to be very touching as some attendees unabashedly allowed their tears to freely flow as they shared with the group the difficulties they were facing being away from their families. The affair was an eye-opener for everyone, who agreed that there indeed is a need for a support system where one could find a family to go to, where one could find brothers and sisters to laugh with, where one could find music, comfort and refuge.

Read more: CFC in Vientiane (Laos): God’s Hand at Work

On Fire Missions

Fr. Pius Perumana S.J., Pro-Prefect Apostolic and Director of Caritas Nepal, representing Bishop Anthony Sharma S.J., delivered the welcome remarks during the CFC Nepal Magnificat Conference at the Assumption Church, Dhobighat, Lalitpur, Kathmandu on 3rd August 2012. Close to 75 CFC members from the parishes—Pokhara in Western Nepal, Godavari about 1 hour from Kathmandu, Baniyatar and Lalitpur in Kathmandu—attentively listened as Fr. Pius, expounded on the conference theme “Proclaim the Greatness of the Lord.”

nepal Fr. Pius Perumana SJ

Read more: CFC Nepal Holds Magnificat Conference

On Fire Missions

It was hard to imagine that this would be our 4th trip to Vietnam since Joy and I took over as Country Coordinators this year. It’s never hard to come back to the warm people who have accepted us as part of the family in the short time that we have been together.

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We arrived in Vietnam past midnight on August 17 and were met in the airport by Mr. Dan, the Vietnamese driver of our host Uly Espadero of CFC Vietnam.

Friday was rest and shopping day and it was a very enjoyable respite. We capped the day with dinner with our CFC friends Antit and Tinay Macatol, Praveen and Anna D’Souza, and Fr. Christian Limbaring in an Indian restaurant, enjoying mildly spicy curry dishes, lamb, tandoori chicken, basmati rice, and other gastronomic delights.

Read more: Celebrating 14 Years the CFC Vietnam Way

On Fire Missions

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