READY FOR THE HARD TRUTHS

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Michael Voris is back in Manila & another CFC-FFL engagement!

TO LIVE IS TO LOVE

P6Understand our theme

for 2012 through a pictory of Deuteronomy 30:15-20

CFC-FFL POSTCOMMUNITY UPDATES!

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DARE TO LIVECFC SFL

WORLD SINGLESCONGRESS 2012

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CFC-FFL SOUND THE TRUMPETS MAGAZINE

STTVOLUME 6 ISSUE NO. 1 FEB2012

P9M E E T T H ESIA FAMILY!

C F C - F F L 2 0 1 2HOUSEHOLD TOPICS!The topics are ready for downloading at www.cfcffl.net

P4READY TO TAKE ON 2012!

under theFIG TREE

Our community is happy to wel-come back Michael Voris, media personality, Pro-Life speaker, de-fender of the Catholic faith. He spoke at the Live Pure Movement’s Truth and Dare Forum last Febru-ary 2011, which was attended by students, youth and single profes-sionals in and out of the commu-nity, as part of the activities of last year’s Pro-Life month. We were also privileged to have him as a re-source speaker in one of our gen-eral assemblies.

His presence here in the Philippines and involvement in our community paved the way for members of our very own Family and Life Quad Me-dia (FLiQ Media), to intern with him and his team at RealCatholic-TV.com and St. Michael’s Media in Michigan, USA last May 2011. The interns sent, brought home rich ex-periences and a deeper conviction to bring the truth of Catholicism to Asia.

Another opportunity to hear him and learn from him came for our entire CFC FFL delegation of young lay missionaries when he spoke at one of the youth-directed activities that coincided with the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, August of last year. Many youth welcomed his remarks on the chal-lenges on the faith with the onset of modernity, and the prevalence of evil in the decisions of leaders and those with influence. The youth are not exempted from the conse-quences of these hence Voris’ talk awakened many in the audience to the realities of the time.

This time, Michael is back in the Philippines for engagements in Cebu and Bacolod, still in line with our celebration of Pro-Life month. CFC FFL is very fortunate to have him back as a resource speaker for our General Assembly this Febru-ary. He comes back with the same fervor and objective, to shed light on the harsh realities faced in the world today, and provides an exam-ple of how we, as Catholics, should equip ourselves for the battle against evil that lies ahead.

The New Evangelization

Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have called for a New Evan-gelization. What is the New Evan-gelization? Well, first of all, there is nothing new about evangeli-zation. It is 2,000 years old. Jesus himself commanded his disciples to go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all. This is the very same call to us to-day.

The call actually has to do with the reality that the world is fac-ing a new paganism, in the very nations that are supposed to be Christian. It is a call to re-evange-lization, to reach the many nomi-nal Christians who are no longer involved in the Church. It is meant to reach baptized pagans.

It is an even more urgent call to-day, because we are now in the end times. There has to be a con-certed effort to prepare the bride of Christ for his imminent coming.

The New Evangelization is not just about continuing formation for those already active in the Church, but more importantly, a focus on bringing in the many lapsed and nominal Catholics who are outside the Church. In other words, it is not about preaching to the choir.

It necessitates harnessing the laity, the sleeping giant of the Church. As it is, most laypeople have nothing to do with the mis-sion of the Church. New Evange-lization is about mainstreaming Catholic lay evangelization. It is about a concerted, deliberate, insistent, persistent, committed work of getting Catholics to meet Christ, live Christ and share Christ. It is aimed at making an evan-gelistic lifestyle and a missionary spirit as a normal part of the life of a Catholic.

The New Evangelization is urgent, prophetic and revolutionary. It calls on re-focusing and re-di-recting the Church’s priorities, to committing all of the Church’s energies. It will involve new ardor, methods and expressions.

We in CFC-FFL have been well prepared to be a part of the New Evangelization.

FRANK PADILLA

Michael Voris:

The Messenger of the Hard Truth

for Catholics

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A story is often narrated about how a village idiot claimed his way to fame in an old frontier town in the old West. What always catches the attention of visitors about this town is the way all the structures seemed to be peppered with holes and bulls-eyes drawn around them. One day, a notorious gunslinger dropped by this town and he was amazed by this phenomenon that littered the whole town. Out of curiosity and perhaps goaded by some envy, he said, “somewhere in this town is also an outstanding crackshot and expert marksman because he never seemed to miss hitting his targets right at the center. I should search for him and find out the reason for his 100% shooting accuracy.” It was not that difficult finding the guy who was then sharing a drink at the town’s only saloon. The gunslinger approached the guy and popped the question, “what is the secret behind your 100% shooting accuracy?” Mat-ter of factly and without batting an eyelash, the village idiot replied, “it’s fairly simple. First you shoot and then you draw the target around it.” Bullseye!

I guess this narrative fairly describes how we go about both our individ-ual lives and our collective lives as a nation. In the impeachment trial of the CJ, the haste with which the im-peachment was carried out was done in record time by the Lower House. Never mind if we have enough goods to convict the guy for as long as he is first impeached. Shoot and aim for the impeachment first regardless of how crass and crude the articles were hastily crafted. Then we pat ourselves on the back for hitting the bullseye and feel good about what is now turning out to be a short-lived phyrric victory.

The trial is now on its 8th day and slowly, the lack of preparedness and the ineptness of the prosecution nev-er fails to draw rebukes from the er-udite Senators who know their law. The first “kuryente” was really in the

articles of impeach-ment. The basis for proving ill-gotten wealth has all been lumped up under the prosecution claim that the CJ failed to declared his SALN. The disconnect is a monumental fiasco of presenting os-tensible evidences when the basis for the complaint is completely alien to the proofs being pre-sented. Too date, the CJ is said to secure a loan from a mori-bund company and is said to have paid for it but the pros-ecution team seems

Speaking about bulleyes , our collective lives as a nation seemingly run along par-allel runs. Shoot first and draw the targets around them later. The sequel can very well take care of itself. So far, what we have done is turn in anger on the names of those who took the money and plundered. Arrest them . People should be indignant. Put them in jail. And as the Chief of State turns Chief of Police coming with hammer and tongs on the former President and the CJ, either the evidences get warped up by ill-prepared maneuvers and documenta-tion and the rest can wait because she de-serves more humane treatment because of a lingering sickness. Let the evidence gather cobwebs first because the convic-tion of the present target leads the path to the benefactor. Shoot first, get the me-dia behind you to be part of the team of marksmen and let’s draw our bullseyes later.

In the meantime, the BIR still gives you the runaround with the hope that you end up so frustrated that you give up and fork over the grease. The Customs continue to ply its trade literally behind your back as the frustrated importer hands over the pork using another agent as a body shield to cover up the transaction. And how about those who have piles of cases with the PCGG and continue to strut their wealth in high society with nary a trace of remorse or guilt?

Pretty soon, the fun and games will be over. Another circus comes to town. The chickens will come to roost . And preety scrawny chickens they could be. The mir-rors of our collective selves because we have allowed ourselves to be gullible, as those who have chosen to be critical re-main to be voices in the wilderness. Let us face it. We share the guilt of what we have become….a nation of believers who chose to believe in the secret of the village idiot.

POLITICAL SIDELINES SLANTS 4:

THE STORY OF THE VILLAGE IDIOTby: NONONG CONTRERAS

photo from freenj.blogspot.com

to be far removed from the reality that even dissolved companies could technically operate to secure pay-ments from its borrowers. The latest breaking news is that the properties alleged to be properties of the CJ do not number 45 but 21. Earlier on, this team announced they have 100 witnesses ready to testify but soon, backtracked on the number. And so the circus in town moves on and the public continues to be entertained, amused, bewitched, bothered and bewildered by how man’s intelli-gence continues to be insulted by his less mentally endowed primates.

Everyday, however, the leading broadsheets continue to scream and banner headlines proclaiming the victories coming from the planet of the primates. In a rather pitiable manner, some even in broadcast media continue to act as the agents whose sworn duty it is now to do the salvage work, mend, repair the mistakes wrought by an obviously ill-prepared team of gunslingers who shoot first and then draw targets around them. Bullseye!

A newspaper’s bounden duty is to inform and to do this, it must do so with all pro-bity and fairness. But if headlines are supposed to summarize and say the events, why do they consistently banner value judgments and conclu-sions? Again, shoot first and let the public be damned if it believes the half-truths . That way, media saves on proving it has hit the bullseye.

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CHASTITY FORUMFeb 12 - Immaculate Concepcion Basilica, BatangasFeb 13/14 - St. Paul, San MiguelFeb 14 - Colegio de Sta. Rosa, MakatiFeb 18 - Our Lady of Hope Parish

CHASTITY FORUMSFeb 17/24 - Diocese of CubaoFeb 25 - Diocesan Youth Day of AntipoloFeb 26 - Parish of Jesus, Lord of Divine Mercy, Novaliches Uno Per Cristo, Diocese of Paranaque

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I belong to a large family and I have been proud of it every waking day of my life. If you ask my parents if they planned it, they will simply answer by saying that each of us is a bless-ing from God. Life indeed is a blessing from God. We must always remember that.

Back in college, I would often listen to some of my friends who were the only child or who belonged to small families, relaying their stories of sadness at home. Some of them even lived a comfortable life – one that you I could only dream of having and yet they would be unhappy and discontented. I would always why I never felt what they did until I real-ized that our family and our home would never be as quiet or empty as theirs. I am fortunate and thank-ful to God for allowing me to be born into a big family. Having my parents plus my nine siblings* means hav-ing a strong family support system. Each of us always have within our reach our own best friend, protector, confidante and shoulder to cry on. These are the rea-sons why I can face each day with a happy and posi-tive outlook.

There is always excite-ment inside our house. Ev-ery day is a lively one and there is never a dull mo-ment. We always talk and discuss anything under the sun. Our constant commu-nication with one another enables us to understand each other more. We may have different interests

or views and opinions of things but that diversity in perspective helps us look at things from various an-gles.

If you ask me, large fami-lies are good for the planet. Growing up in a large fam-ily helps develop self-disci-pline and compassion for others – desirable quali-ties of good and respon-sible members of society.

Each of us learned to share things fairly and forego little things that may not be necessary. The prob-lem faced by one is often shared by all and that af-fects us indirectly. That’s why we learned how to become helpful and caring with each other each time one member is faced with life’s challenges. This is why, I strongly believe, that children fromlarge families

WhyBigFamilies Rock!

By: Mariesol D. Sia

will grow up as responsi-ble adults, ever-conscious of the needs of others.

Of all the perks and ben-efits of belonging to a big family, the thing I like best is the opportunity to see how well our parents care for us. The key in raising a good family is good par-enting. This applies to all families either big or small. How parents are and how they relate with one an-other and with others, strongly influence a child. In our case, we are very lucky because our mother and father are our living testimonials of patience, understanding, persever-ance and determination. Having to deal with ten* children means having to provide for and be re-sponsible for that many individual lives, having to deal with that many differ-ent personalities, and hav-ing to tend to that many concerns all at the same time. We are blessed for despite all of the obvious challenges, our parents are the very people who have influenced us to be close to God. When you live with God, you live a life that is full of faith, happiness and good values. This is the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in life which I wish to pass for generations to come.

I come from a big family. And no matter what other people say, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

*Editor’s Note: Towards the end of 2011, a new ad-dition was added to the Sia Family.

Raising the Future Defenders of Life. I see and experience LIFE celebrated everyday in the classroom not only through the Birthday Cor-ner where the names and pictures of the celebrants for the month are posted, but also through prayers where children learn to say thanksgiving prayers and where they pray not only for their own con-cerns, but those of others; when children visit differ-ent places in the commu-nity and meet the different community helpers; when they learn about virtues and Bible truths every step of the way as these are in-tegrated in the daily inter-action between teacher and children.

Discovering LifeThrough Reading. It is through the Bahay Karu-nungan Reading and Liter-acy Program (BKRLP) that the Education Ministry propagates the value of dis-covering life through the beauty of God’s creation reflected in the wonderful world of print. The BKRLP encourages the setting-up of community-based Ba-hay Karunungan Centers. I am amazed seeing how the children enjoy reading the storybooks while sprawled on the rubber mats, and how the youth coming from a basketball game de-cide to visit the BK and en-joy the company of other young people like them.

The Public School as a Battle Ground. The Lord opened the first door in 2003 when we gave a rec-ollection to the teachers of Vicente Madrigal High

School in Rizal Province. The next door was opened, this time with windows, when we officially “adopt-ed” Bagumbayan Elemen-tary School in Quezon City in 2007. This endeavor was made in partnership with the Department of Education through their Adopt-A-School Program.

Making Allies Outof Teachers. Commit-ted. Passionate. Hopeful. These are how I can best describe our ever-faithful BATA Center teachers. They breathe life. They live life to the full by CHOOS-ING to serve the poorest of the poor in our Restoration Villages and Mission Areas. It is not a very promising profession as far as career and financial resources are concerned, but THEY ARE HERE. For them, the BATA children is where life is. They see hope in these children and they desire to be vessels of this hope. This characteristic is not innate in all. That is why the monthly formation ses-sions we conduct for these teachers are pathways to

develop a soul, which de-sires only the will of God.

Life = Future. Another area that the Lord has brought our ministry to reminds me of the pain I feel for this special group of children. They are the children of the inmates of the National Bilibid Prison and Correc-tional Institute for Women. God led us to them through the ministry’s Binhi ng Pag-Asa (Seed of Hope) Scholarship Program.

A Ministry Dedicated for LIFE. It is LIFE when you touch the hearts of the scholars. It is LIFE when the scholars learn how to value and respect them-selves and others. It is LIFE when sponsor and scholar meet face to face. It is LIFE when the scholars feel motivated to study be-cause of the outpouring of love and concern. It is LIFE when they yearn for more youth camps because they learned so much from, and enjoyed the company of,

CFC YFL. It is LIFE when you give a sense of HOPE… that there is a BRIGHT FU-TURE awaiting you… that there are brothers and sisters who love you un-conditionally regardless of your family background. It is LIFE when we bear good news to the NBP and CIW parents of these scholars. It is life-giving for them, knowing that their chil-dren are cared for and whose future are attended to.All told, I believe that in order for one to choose life, he must first believe in LIFE itself. You value some-thing because you benefit from it, or because it gives you a sense of fulfillment... a source of JOY and HAPPI-NESS. In the end, it is not just about teaching oth-ers to choose life, but it is in making pro-life a WAY OF LIFE. It is a challenge, but certainly something achievable. LIFE brings forth joy and happiness.

EDUCATING FOR LIFE by Myra M. Menguito, CFCFFL Education Ministry

P10 I STT MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2012

In MemoriamNerissa Abello, sister of Bro. Rene Villa-rino, CFC-FFL of the Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Marcelo Village. Nerissa succumbed to lung cancer in Melbourne, Australia.

Bro. Eulogio Aguila, husband of Sis. Juling Aguila, father of EJ and Joy (Full-time Pasto-ral Workers), and Enrik and James, all of the CFC-FFL District of Pasig.

Amneris Brion, mother of Sis. Marian Arel-lano, wife of Bro. Claro Arellano, member of the Core Team of the CFC-FFL District of Paranaque

Martin Diaz, nephew of Bro. Benny & Sis.Ching Vergel de Dios. He has succumbed to cancer. Also please pray for his wife Jennifer and three children ages 6.5 yrs., 2.5 yrs., and 7 mos. old that they will be able to cope with the trials that are happening in their lives.

Sis. Susan Dizon, member of CFC-HFL of Vienna, Austria. Sis. Susan succumbed to cancer on January 30, 2012.

Marciana de la Rosa Evangelista, mother of Sis. Ria San Pedro, wife of Bro. Jun San Pedro of CFC-FFL District of Paranaque. Marciana passed away from multiple strokes.

Mariano Fabian father of Bro. Ramie Fabian, Servant Leader of CFC-FFL Cannes, France.

Ruben Gatbonton, father of Bro. Rey Gatbon-ton Markham-York Chapter. Ruben peace-fully joined our Creator at 8:45 am Sunday. January 29, 2011

Diosdado de Guzman, Diosdado passed away last February 1, 2012 and that consolation and peace be among his family members and relatives left behind.

Nemesio D. Millare, Father of Bro. Tito Mil-lare, Cluster Servant of CFC-FFL Novaliches. Nemesio passed away Jan. 25.

Cresencia Mina, mother of Sis Nida Hilario, CFCFFL Hamilton, Ontario.

Susana Narvios, grandmother-in-law of Bro. Erwin Banzon, Area Head of CFC-FFL Kentucky, USA.

Emiliana (Lourdes) Pagatpat, mother of Manny Pagatpat of CFC-FFL District of Pasig. Emiliana passed away last January 15, 2012

Sis. Mely Quiballo of CFC-HFL Vienna, Austria. Sis. Mely passed away on 12 January 2012

Dante Ragonjan, Dante is the beloved brother-in-law of Bro. Art Corral of CFC-FFL Downtown / Etobicoke Chapter. Dante battled cancer for more than a year.

Raul Rodrigo, brother of Bro. Francis and Sis. Debbie Rodrigo, CFC-FFL Pro-Life NFP Cen-tral Core Coordinators. Raul succumbed to a massive heart attack. He was 46 years old.

Silverio Ronquillo, father of Sis. Susan Ronquillo-David, wife of Bro. Edwin David of CFC-FFL Turin, Italy.

Junior del Rosario, Uncle of Bro. Gary del Ro-sario Olanday, Country Servant of CFC-FFL New Zealand. Junior passed away, January 31, 2012

Bro. Ver Santiago, CFC-FFL Servant Leader of Kawit, Cavite. Bro. Ver passed away of Janu-ary 28, 2012 from kidney failure

Roderico J. Serra father of bro. Arvin Serra, CFC-FFL Full-time Worker. Roderico passed away January 13, 2011.

Gloria Sotong, Prayers for the repose of the soul of mother of Sis. Cynthia Arnaldo, who passed away in the Phil. last Jan. 24. Sis. Cyn-thia and husband Bro. Tony Arnaldo are new graduates of our CLS in Vancouver.

Jose Valerio, father of Joy and Cris Lopez, Young Couple- Vancouver CFC-FFL. Jose passed on last Jan. 1, 2012 in the Philip-pines.

C F C - F F LMONTHLY

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