Mission in Indonesia:

Learn, Un-learn, Re-learn

by:Kathryn Pacheco

one Indonesian officer offered to carry my luggage all the way to the lobby not passing the usual procedures-- God is truly near and He is in control. The opportunity given to me to go out for a mission was a privilege, though I am barely new and so far have only spent 2 years as a KFC Fulltime worker, I believe that it is Gods way of showing me of what is in store for my life as a missionary. I prayed each day during the mission that I may see and understand His wisdom in the events and situations I will be in. And truly, our God is a faithful God and He answered my prayers by teaching me a lot while on mission, I enjoyed each day knowing that He will unfold things that will make me see Him more.

spired by our passionate brothers and sisters who untiringly and devotedly give their time and efforts to bring more people closer to God. I realized a lot of things and found joy in being part of their meetings, planning for Kids camp and Youth camp, and as simple as giving out CLP flyers with them to the churchgoers after mass. God showed me a wider perspective of the work that He entrusted to us. Having the opportunity to converse and serve with the people in Indonesia, I saw in them something beyond their passion and beyond the act of doing mission work, a bigger heart for the One who gave them the missionJesus Christ. I am humbled and found myself learning more from them. There is always a big expectation for anyone from Manila who goes on mission. Representing not only the ministry but the whole CFC Home Office, people expect new information and updates. But among the things I realized is this: what matters more is the time we spend with them---our presence, openness and simple sharing of experiences and stories. I came to appreciate more deeply the

gift of our community-- we are given the gift to listen, to mentor, to pastor and more. This gift is for everyone and it goes beyond our own NOTES FROM THE area or grouping where the Lord had By Ramon Santiago placed us. The Indonesia mission also led me to unlearn. Unlearning carves out space for the new. This enabled me to learn new things about the people and their culture, taught me to adjust and do the work of the Lord more efficiently and relevantly; and also to re-learn things and go back to the basics of evangelization. I cannot thank God enough for the gift of mission in our community. I pray that more people would embrace and be given the same opportunity to go beyond where they are now, as Jesus reminds us when He said, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go then to all people everywhere and make them my disciples. Matthew 28:18-19 may we stand and take-on the challenge and go to more places and inspire more people to follow Jesus.

MISSION FIELD

Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

going through the Immigrations where I had a bad experience a year ago in crossing the So let us not become tired of doing border of Singapore-Malaysia, added good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the to the fear of traveling alone. harvest. Galatians 6:9 During the flight, I prayed to God to It was my first time to go out of the calm my heart for it has been beating October for CFC Indonesia is evangelization month; there are simultacountry alone. Though going to In- so donesia is just a three-hour flight fast the whole time. With Gods grace, neous CLPs and camps for the from the Philippines, the anxiety of everything happened smoothly. Even Family ministries and CFC. I was in-

Praise the Lord that we have WiFi connection in our hotel in Amman, Jordan - its been 2 days of our Holy Land pilgrimage. Our CFC group arrived yesterday in Amman and from the airport we went straight to Mt.Nebo which outside of the city. Mt. Nebo is where Moses viewed the Promised Land, Canaan. You can read more about this in Deuteronomy 34. Moses was also buried around Mt. Nebo. Our actual visit in this place was started with a Holy Mass led by our groups chaplain, Fr. Jose Barnadas OP. who incidentally was also a missionary in Sri Lanka before. Just a short reflection - in this first part of our trip, the Biblical characters like Moses, Aaron and Joshua, the places that they passed by on the way to Israel, like the plains of Moab, which includes Madaba City now, became real to Tita and me; and I am sure with the rest of our co-pilgrims. On this mountain is also erected a bronze serpent. From Mt. Nebo, we traveled more than 3 hours the Desert Highway to Petra (meaning rock) arriving there at 6:30 p.m. (about 12:30 a.m. Philippine time). We had a whole morning tour of this world famous heritage site today. Unfortunately, we have to wake tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. because we have to leave for Tiberias, Israel at 7:15 a.m. Hopefully I can continue this tomorrow in Tiberias, if there is Internet there. I- Invest your whole life in God (for He will not let you lose) Pag nag-invest ka sa Diyos, wala kang lugi. R- Rely on Gods power Exodus 4:2 What is that in your hands? God has provided us with everything we need to continue the mission. tions and quick response to its 24-bit high resolution display, and 720p HD video recording and an impressive 5 MP camera. Soon after, Tech guys and gals rushed to post their amazement about the newly released Tablet/Phone Samsung Galaxy Note that sports large & immersive screen with smartphone portability, full screen utilization for fast and effective tasking, Free capturing and creation and, powerful battery, camera, connectivity and processor performance.

The best things about home: CATCHFIRE 2011

By Mylene Dones

Happened in the Feast of Christ the King and just in time to start up the Advent season, the CATCHFIRE Inspirational Rally was a cornucopia of grace and things that remind you of home. With the battlecry: ONE KING. ONE PEOPLE. ONE MISSION, the crowds in ULTRA sang praises, cheered, reveled and basked in the fire of Gods love. The whole afternoon was divided into three segments, each carried one phrase from the rallys battlecry. Glenn Glorioso led us into ONE KING, an hour of praise and worship, with a verse from Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God. It was an hour of childlike prayer wherein one was invited to forget about the gifts and start focusing on the Giver. My friends from the Singles for Christ

and I found it to be a tearful yet blissful remembering of the days we spent as kids who peeped from our rooms to where our parents households sing the Glory songbook classics in their prayer meetings. ONE PEOPLE is a round of moving testimonies of three brothers from different communities: Nadz Gawat (Ligaya ng Panginoon), Ernie Abringe (Couples for Christ) and Mon Puno (Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals). Our relationships are our mission, Mike Joseph quotes a phrase in a letter by Bo Sanchez (The Light of Jesus Community) as he opened the floor for sharers. Mikes words made me realize that whichever group one belongs fades upon coming to witness Gods grace and love for all. It

is seldom that I attend huge religious gatherings other than our own. I have to admit that there were jitters the moment I stepped into the venue, but this relative unease carved out the opportunity for me to fumble way back on what community really means, at least, for me. Especially having witnessed and felt how warmly each welcomed another with a smile and hug despite not knowing one anothers names -- just taking delight in the truth that we are all Gods children. The last segment, ONE MISSION, is a sendoff talk by Bobby Quitain. Bobby calls everyone to be creative and crazy in making God known to our family, friends and those who, even unknowingly, yearn for God the most. He played with some mnemonics to help us remember that afternoons message:

TECH-ing up for Christmas

By Fernando Academia

E-Explore new territories Mark 2:22 ...new wine for new wineskins. We should be willing to try anything....and not let anything be an excuse to serve. Jesus is worth it. t Towards the end, as we found ourselves praying for one another and worshipping the Lord in spirit and truth, I felt the moment had evoked the tranquil feeling of being home. I trace my spiritual provenance not only to our community, but most F-Find your Mission Field especially to God, whose grace has (and stay there) brought us together in gentleness Grow where you are planted and and joy. Home means sharing and be fruitful where the Lord has sown you. The Mission Field can be ones being together, loving despite of and sincerely watching out for the good of office or job, community, friends, family, passion and advocacy. Some- the other. What we felt, saw and heard times, Bobby says, it can also be just in CATCHFIRE brings us back to the core of our faith who is Jesus, our one one person. true King.

Few weeks before advent, I was browsing the internet for new gadgets to indulge my simple joy for technology, and Google updated me with good handheld devices to gadgetize the season. The cheaper alternatives, most people say, also take their own places in The most desired stuff were those their niche namely Kindle Fire (the from Apple that have been in the mar- newest and the only Kindle Tablet) ket for months now, still never los- and the Alcatel One Touch Phones to ing the limelight Ipod touch, Ipad provide almost similar functions at a 2 and Iphone 4s. Adding up to the less-than-half price of their top priced specs was the recently released IOS competitors. 5 which adds more use to your Apple Products. High-end functions vis-a-vis range of prices, altogether give you the feel Another Smartphone that shouted a that you want to buy them now or big, Hey! during the Ber Months youll be out of the trend. But sumwas the touch- Querty phone from ming up the fuzz for the new, we must Blackberry (BB) the Blackberry also start trending now and updating Bold 9900/9930. The sleek and ourselves not with battery operated thinnest BB phone yet boasts of its device but with Holy Spirit-powered 1.2 GHz to power up smooth anima- experience of one-another.

The David Awards Night

By Beth Comahig

The night started with the Youth Cross enthronement, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Monsignor Allen Aganon who was also the first recipient of the first David the Shepherd Award for guiding us in our community life. Dinner became a venue of meeting new friends and sharing life blessings. Metro Manila is just awed on how God blessed the area and empowered each and everyone for the mission. The roster of David Awardees started with the Pastoral Formation Category. This category aims to honour all those who gave all their best to give the pastoral formation in their area. Represent award was given to Big East for representing and winning the Stomp Out Loud competition in the ICON last February. Learn award was given to Central C for rallying and having the most number of participants in the Theology of the Body series. The DO thisawards were given to Central A1 and South B1 for immediately cascading the Knights Tale and the Princess Diaries in their chapters. The Come awards were given to West B and Central C for having the biggest number of delegates last MMC and for having the most number of Chapter heads/leaders who attended

South B for the CLP in Prison. The Empoweraward was given to North B for encouraging their leaders to empower themselves by attending trainings and summits and for sending the biggest delegation to SFC GLS in Thailand last October. Lastly, the GO awards were given to those who fearlessly answered the call to go on mission during the Back Packers Great Adventure namely: Bodenar Mananquil, Anthony Sacramed, Kristine Mapanao, Patrick Campos, Charles Yao, Manz Padilla, Dominic Barrios, Karen Lorico, Beth Comahig, Erick Abad, Raymond Villapena, and Lucy Lacsamana. The 12, together with 26 more CFCs and Sacs conquered 5 countries in the Greater Mekong Area witnessing Gods love in every people they meet.

lives in making everyone experienced Christ. The Witness award were given to our brethren who died this year due to sickness or accidents; Carlo Taneo of West B, Erick Espinosa of Central C, Janon Cudal and Alex Petilla of East A. The Declare award was given to Jee Ann De Guzman of North A who died because of crime and injustice. Their lives will always be a declaration of Gods love and mercy, The Build award, under the Houseand their death will always remind us hold category, was given to East B on the urgency of our Mission. Chapter Servants for consistently and constantly updating the Info system As the night came to an end, Kuya for their Household meeting and all Shok Arriola, SFC International other activities of their areas and the Head, shared the Expanded SFC ViEast B as well for being faithful in sion to the leaders. He honoured evTithing. eryone for giving their all, that though the climb was difficult, it was worth it The last two awards under the Lifeafter all. He encouraged everyone to time Category were given to our SFC continue to journey and to be a witbrothers and sisters who offered their

ness to all single men and women as SFC becomes the next generation of CFC and will continue on the mission of building a Christ-centered society. It was a night of honouring, a night where not only individuals nor sectors were recognized. This year would not have been a great year for Metro Manila if it werent for the Household heads, Unit heads, Chapter Heads/Leaders, Cluster Heads, Sector Heads, MM Heads, Mission Volunteers and Full Time Workers who worked hand in hand, served and continue serving passionately for God and our community. It was a night of honouring the source of all grace, our Great God, who loves us endlessly. Dear Father God, you are the BEST and we bring back the glory to You! (Beth Comahig SFC Metro Manila)

by Bro. John Lennen Deciar, SSS

Word for the Season

The Evangelization category on the other hand, aims to honour those who continuously responded to the call of Mission and Evangelization. The Evangelize awards were given to East B for the most number of CLPs in the year; South A for the biggest growth in membership; Central A3C for bringing the community in Jollibee Corporate; Central A and B for opening the CLPs in the Rehabilitation center and

On Fire

CFC On Fire Zine is a monthly, crowdsourced family-zine under the CFC Evangelization and Missions Office. Your stories and Jesus experiences fuel the content of our Zines! Wed be very happy to get across Gods message through you to our brothers and sisters all over the world.

CFC EVANGELIZATION AND MISSION MAGAZINE

Add us on facebook: http:/www.facebook.com/CfcOnFire or cfconfire@gmail.com

Red carpet, flashes from cameras everywhere, lovely ladies in sweet dresses, handsome gentlemen in suits, a classy mood of mingling with friends, perfect for party...Its the last Metro Manila Leaders Assembly for 2011... and people came dressed up to celebrate the evening. More than 700 leaders from Metro Manila gathered in the Meralco Multi Purpose Hall last 19 November 2011 for The David Awards Night - a night of worship, honoring and celebration of a blessed year for SFC Metro Manila. From last years festive theme, this year-ender was inspired by no other than David. Next to Jesus, David was a king, a good leader, a shepherd, made after Gods own heart. His calling was just like our leaders calling to be a child of God, to be a leader, to be a pastor.

the ICON and the MMC respectively. The Sacrifice awards, under the Work with the Poor category, were given to East A, East B, Central A, Central B, Central C, West A, and West B for wholeheartedly accepting the call to serve in the Cornerstone Schools outside their areas, waking up early every Saturday just to teach and learn with the kids.

and together, let us allow God to use us powerfully in setting the world ON FIRE! and/or follow us on Twitter @CFCOnFire
Vol. 1 Issue No. 2

Every year we celebrate the most awaited joyful seasons: Advent and Christmas. In these seasons, we are also invited to take to the time to understand what these times intend to teach us. Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and for the second coming Christ as king. The season of Advent serves as a reminder of the first coming of Jesus as a savior and His second coming as a judge. This twofold meaning of His coming reminds us all to reflect and celebrate Jesus presence in our lives. We call to mind how we embrace Him in our lives here and now as we participate in the eternity of Gods plan of salvation, and how we hope to share in the eternal life God prepared for all of us. Advent develops in us this spirituality of waiting. Waiting and longing for Jesus to be born in our hearts and or Him to give us strength to grow in love. This waiting also call us to nurture this love, not just of oneself, but meant for all humankind --- so that in the dawn of His coming, we find ourselves rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth in His heavenly kingdom. There are four Sundays of advent prior to Christmas. Christmas is the greatest love story ever told, the most observed and most popular. It manifests the great love of God for humanity, sending his Son to be with us. We celebrate the Nativity of Jesus, the Word made flesh, assumed the human flesh to live and be one of us. It is a season of merry-making, giving gifts and festive gathering of family and friends. As we fill our tables with good food and material gifts, we must remember why we are celebrating Christmas. Jesus is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Let us fill our hearts then with love and compassion for one another. Christmas is forever and not just for one day, it is a season for loving, sharing and forgiving. The good we do for others is the good we do for ourselves. Together we praise and thank God for the gift of His only Son to lead us and guide us to eternal life. Have a merry and faith-filled Christmas!