“It’s an opportune time to plant the seeds of His love,” shared Bro. Obet Sanchez, Metro Manila Mission Head. “A time to pray, to intercede, and to minister—not only to our immediate families, but also to those facing difficult and challenging situations, whether in health, material concerns, or spiritual needs.”
These words were shared during the Mission Core Gathering (MCG) held on December 7, 2025, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The MCG is a monthly prayer assembly for Couples for Christ’s leaders from different sectors, family ministries, and programs.
Held on the Second Sunday of Advent, the gathering carried the theme “In This Christmas, One in the One.” CFC leaders embraced the spirit of the season, donning “winter wonderland” attire as a joyful expression of thanksgiving and unity.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Joel O. Jason, CFC Spiritual Adviser, offered a striking image of Advent. Rather than the familiar backdrop of malls filled with candy canes and silver lanes, he invited the community to see Advent as a desert: the place where John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. The desert, he explained, is a place of concentration, where we focus on what truly matters; a place of confrontation, where conscience invites honest self-examination; and a place of conversion, where the way we see ourselves within God’s plan of salvation is transformed. “Where we confront the Lord,” Fr. Joel said, “there is always conversion.”
Fr. Joel further described Advent as an invitation to reflect on three moments: the past, when Christ was born in a manger; the future, when He will come again in glory; and the present, where Christ continues to meet us in Scripture, in the sacraments, and in one another—most especially in the poor.
He also highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Dilexi Te, emphasizing the Church’s mission to love the poor—not only those suffering material deprivation, but also those experiencing deep moral and spiritual poverty. The encyclical reminds us that while all of us are poor and in need of saving, it is precisely among the poor that Christ comes to meet us. Jesus sees not statistics or problems, but persons—each with a name, dignity, and potential. Just as He saw promise in Peter, James and John, and even the tax collector Matthew, Christ continues to lift us up from our various forms of poverty and draw us into His life, offering hope, joy, and mercy in abundance.
The Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Abenet Abebe, Spiritual Adviser of CFC Ethiopia and National Director of the Office of Family, Marriage, Laity, and Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia.
It was preceded by the praying of the Holy Rosary, led by Bro. Raffy Bitong and his wife, grounding the gathering in prayer and Marian devotion.
The gathering opened in worship, led by Bro. Rouquel Ponte, OIC Executive Director and member of the CFC Board of Elders. In his reflection, he drew from the Gospel account of the Visitation—the meeting of two mothers and two sons, where John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s greeting. Bro. Rouquel invited CFC leaders to adopt the same posture of joyful readiness: to allow their hearts to “leap for joy” in welcoming Christ, regardless of physical limitations or the challenges that come with advancing age.
Metro Manila Mission Head Bro. Obet Sanchez formally welcomed the leaders to the day’s celebration. In his message, he described Christmas not only as a season of joy, but also as a season of reflection. He emphasized that the most meaningful gifts are often intangible—time, presence, and love—particularly through the simple yet powerful act of visitation.
“Let us continue to stay in faith and pray that we may be a light for others to see,” he said. “Let us listen closely to God’s message for each one of us this season, anchoring ourselves in Christ’s teachings on simplicity, generosity, and faithfulness.” With evident joy, he then introduced CFC’s new Christmas song, “In This Christmas (One in the One).”
In a video message, CFC Executive Director Bro. Jimmy Ilagan reflected on the year that was. He recalled how each Metro Manila sector took turns serving as the “Marthas” throughout the year, and noted that in December, the Mission Core brethren were invited to receive and enjoy the service and fellowship prepared by the Global Mission Center and CFC affiliates. Hethen encouraged the community to rejoice, describing 2025 as a banner year for CFC marked by significant milestones: the CFC Global Conference in Rome, participation in the first General Audience of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, and a Holy Mass celebrated exclusively for the CFC community inside St. Peter’s Basilica. All these, Bro. Jimmy said, were graces freely given by the Lord.
In a video message, CFC Executive Director Bro. Jimmy Ilagan reflected on the year that was. He recalled how each Metro Manila sector took turns serving as the “Marthas” throughout the year, and noted that in December, the Mission Core brethren were invited to receive and enjoy the service and fellowship prepared by the Global Mission Center and CFC affiliates. Hethen encouraged the community to rejoice, describing 2025 as a banner year for CFC marked by significant milestones: the CFC Global Conference in Rome, participation in the first General Audience of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, and a Holy Mass celebrated exclusively for the CFC community inside St. Peter’s Basilica. All these, Bro. Jimmy said, were graces freely given by the Lord.
He also underscored CFC’s continued commitment to building the Church of the Poor, recalling how the community stood alongside the Catholic Church and other like-minded organizations in condemning widespread corruption that has deepened poverty and eroded moral sensitivity. CFC members were mobilized to participate in the Trillion Peso March, not only in Metro Manila but also across provinces, dioceses, and archdioceses nationwide.
Looking ahead, Bro. Jimmy expressed hope for “new opportunities and new breakthroughs” as the community prepares to celebrate CFC’s 45th anniversary under the theme “In the One, we are one.”
The program then moved to a moment of acknowledgment, as Bro. Obet welcomed the new members of the Metro Manila Mission Core and thanked them for their generous “yes” to serve with greater responsibility and zeal. The celebration continued with lively music, fellowship, a food parade, and dance presentations led by the CFC Global Mission Center team of servants and the CFC International Council with their wives.
The gathering concluded on a joyful note with the community singing “In This Christmas (One in the One),” led by the GMC Chorale and team of servants. The Metro Manila Mission Core closed the day grateful for the year that had passed, and hopeful for the mission that lies ahead.
