COMING TOGETHER IN SPIRIT

Sounding off just a week prior to the affair, the call for this particularly unique Music and Praise Party came in a bit late so it was quite expected that not many people would make it to the event. Looking back, it was almost as if the night would not even transpire at all due to the numerous perceived barriers that gave hint of hindrance to any possibility of staging the modest and unconventional gathering. It was mid-December after all and every other person we know was either going to attend a Christmas party some other place or was going to host one.

Seemingly like a family living away and separated from each other for some time---no walls, fences nor borders (imagined or otherwise) were strong enough to keep everyone who came in that night from warmly embracing siblings as brother found brother and sister found sister and everyone else found each other.As the night went on, Praise music, both old and new-- were randomly mixed in with regular secular numbers as the bands led by Tony Cruz of FFL and Rey Peralta from Global joyfully shared playing time for the night with songs from the 70’s and 80’s thrown in the mix. Lito Legaspi’s group, from Global as well, added their own touch to the evening for some added 60’s flavor.

In the end, the evening was closed with a beautiful Praise Session that despite being short as it was — ultimately became the highlight of the affair as music ministry brethren from both sides held hands together again after so long --and with hearts full – worshipped as one!  Sharing the same songs and most of all, the same prayers… it was quite plain to see the Spiritual lineage of each one who was there that night. As summed up by both Glen Angeles from FFL who led the worship and Thess Lugue from Global who helped make the arrangements, the evening was neither about issues nor walls nor of barriers. It was all about the Spirit which has led everyone that night to come together in united celebration of Christmas with friends and family.

Contributed by: Bro. Jet Revilla

COMING TOGETHER (AGAIN) IN SPIRIT 

A graphic artist need not have to weave his magic to assemble a bevy of personages representing the Church, State, CFCFFL and CFC Global in one picture.  A single click with a camera is all it takes to affirm that differences in beliefs and priorities are not obstacles to progress.  The event: groundbreaking ceremonies for a new convent in Greenwoods Executive Village (GEV), Cainta, Rizal.  Timestamp: November 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM.

The residents of GEV led by the Chapel Pastoral Committee and supported by the CFC family, initiated a move to upgrade its mini parish into a full parish under the Archdiocese of Antipolo.  Prerequisite to this is the construction of a convent within the confines of the chapel.  On November 30, 2008, coincidentally the feast day of San Andres Apostol, the village’s patron saint, Bishop Gabriel Reyes officiated the 8:00 AM mass and the CFCFFL Greenwoods choir accompanied the rites.  A simple groundbreaking ceremony ensued followed by a sumptuous meal and joyous fellowship.