LINGKOD NG EUCHARISTIA The Feast of Christ the King falls on November 24, 2013.

FR. IMAY AT ANG MGA LINGKOD NG EUCHRISTIA

The Feast of Christ the King falls on November 24, 2013,
at Pagibig Garden Barangay Tudturan, Infanta Quezon

Christ the king RETREAT 2013

The Feast of Christ the King falls on November 24, 2013. The Feast of Christ the King is a moveable feast. It is celebrated on the final Sunday of theliturgical year, which is the last Sunday before Advent starts. 

6 Ways for Busy Women to Stay Close

Grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, take the kids to soccer practice, take the kids to their doctor's appointments, laundry, pay bills, exercise, eat, holidays, birthdays - when does the list end? With everything that is included in the daily regimen of life, it is hard to remember to connect with friends.

Friends are important people in our lives and in many cases close friends are more like family. Good friends are irreplaceable and help give our lives more meaning. Here are six ways to stay close with your friends despite your busy lives.

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Galleries/6-Ways-for-Busy-Women-to-Stay-Close.aspx

LOVE & FAMILY : 8 Ways to Simple Living

Simplifying your life can help your stress levels and overall attitude. On a daily basis there are so many things that end up on our to-do lists. If you're able to cut the anxiety that comes along with those tasks, then you'll be on your way to living simple. Who doesn't want to accomplish more with less stress - check out how.  http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Galleries/8-Ways-to-Simple-Living.aspx

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19:1-10.

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. 
Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 
was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 
And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." 
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." 
And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB

100% KATOLIKONG PINOY!

Updated: What Is A Storm Surge And How Do We Prepare For It?

Updated: What Is A Storm Surge And How Do We Prepare For It? (Videos + Infographic)

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the wrath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). In a way, we know the feeling, as we were also devastated by Ondoy more than four years ago. However, I would have to admit that Ondoy looked like a very tame typhoon compared to Yolanda, which is many times deadlier because of its storm surge. Question is, do we really know what a storm surge is?

Source: http://www.foreclosurephilippines.com/2013/11/what-is-a-storm-surge.html#ixzz2l7m1vgUS

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES FOR SALE: ISANG MUNGKAHI PO NI Jimmy Abesamis

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES FOR SALE: ISANG MUNGKAHI PO NI Jimmy Abesamis: Sana po makarating ito sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo na mga kababayan natin sa visaya,kung wala pa kayong mapagkunan ng pagkain,meron po ka...

A Powerful Prayer For Healing

http://www.youtube.com/v/umD1R7C6EmM?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=drwCyW3mK9lnLrASp3aTQA&autoplay=1&feature=share&showinfo=1&autohide=1

http://youtu.be/umD1R7C6EmM

Morning Prayer - A peaceful start to your day.

http://www.youtube.com/v/7vyuQvwsQV8?

COVENANT ORIENTATION Talk No. 2: PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

COVENANT ORIENTATION

Talk No. 2: PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE

Expanded Outline

A. Introduction.

1. Prayer and Scripture are crucial tools to growth in the Christian life.

2. We need to know God and His ways more. The most basic ways we can do this

are by communicating directly with Him (prayer) and by studying His word(Scripture).

3. In CFC, we commit to a daily personal prayer time and to a daily reading of the Bible.

B. Some reasons why we do not have a personal prayer time.

1. I already go to Church services (Mass) and that's enough.

a) What we are speaking about is personal prayer time.

* Alone by ourselves with God.

* This is necessary for us to develop a deep intimate personal relationship with Jesus.

b) Mass, rosary, novena, etc., are all means of prayer. However, we must not neglect personal prayer.

2. Lack of understanding about prayer. 

a) Most of us may have been taught to pray early in our childhood. But what we

may not have learned is why we should pray.

* Most see prayer as just asking God for things.

b) Prayer for us should be a means of communicating with God and

establishing a personal relationship with Him.

* As we communicate, we get to know God more, and thus have the basis for loving Him more.

3. I don't have the time.

a) We have a lot of time for the many different things we do in life.

* Our problem is not lack of time, but our attitude.

* If we considered prayer important enough, we would find the time.

b) Let us ask ourselves two questions:

* If I were not too busy working, would I be busy praying?

* If God gave me some extra hours today, will I automatically allocate it to personal prayer?

4. I am unworthy.

a) Some may be so filled with guilt due to our sins and weaknesses that we

create a feeling of unworthiness to come before the Lord.

* Yes, we are unworthy to enter into the presence of a holy God.

* But we have forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus. We are

restored to our relationship as children of God.

b) The devil would always try to convince us of our unworthiness.

* We should not allow Satan's lies to keep us from the intimacy God desires

to have with us.

c) Remember that as long as there is a desire to pray, it is a clear sign of the

Lord's prodding us to spend time with Him.

* The Lord will not plant this desire only to frustrate us. He would never lead

us to seek something which is impossible.

* Thus even when we feel unworthy, we should just pray.

5. It is too difficult.

a) The difficulty is often of our own making.

* We expect too much from ourselves, imposing a heavy burden.

* We raise up as a standard the lofty prayer times of others.

b) Prayer is really very simple: it is coming into the presence of a loving God and

allowing Him to love us and touch our lives.

c) Techniques can help, models can guide, but it boils down to our very own

personal relationship, done in our own personal way.

C. What should we do?

1. Make a commitment to pray at a scheduled time.

a) Decide when is prime time for the Lord.

* When would I be most alert or attuned to fellowship with God?

* This is not simply left-over time.

b) If possible, make this your regular prayer time each day of the week.

* Getting into this "routine" of prayer makes it easier to pray faithfully every

day.

* Be flexible in making adjustments if necessary due to your varied weekly schedule.

c) Defend this time of prayer.

2. If you are just starting to pray, start with a short time of prayer.

a) Our covenant card mentions at least 15 minutes.

* But if you would still find this long, then start with what you would be comfortable with and can sustain.

* Again, we are not legalistically concerned about the amount of time, but are

after your developing a personal relationship with God. The length of time will grow as this happens.

b) Spend more time as you grow in prayer.

* You will find that 15 minutes will be very short.

3. Look for the right place where you will not be distracted.

a) Jesus' example. Lk 5:16; Lk 6:12; Mt 14:23-24a; Mk 1:35.

b) Jesus' instruction. Mt 6:6a.

c) We owe God our undivided attention.

4. Resolve to be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

a) Techniques, like ACTS, are all right, as long as we are not locked in to them.

b) Be open to variety in the Holy Spirit.

* Quiet vs expressive.

* Different physical postures.

* Speaking and listening.

* Praying in tongues.

c) The goal is not "to pray well", but to enter into communion with God.

5. Deal with obstacles to prayer.

a) Anxieties and concerns that distract us.

* Know that you are coming into the presence of your loving Father, Who is

able to provide richly for all your needs.

* Intercede for your concerns and leave these in God's hands.

b) Too much concern about the quality of our prayer.

* God is not concerned about our technique or the loftiness of our prayers,

But simply with our desire to be in communion with Him.

* Prayer is the simple reality of a child coming into the presence of his/her

Father.

* The Holy Spirit will help us. Rom 8:26.

c) Dryness.

* Spiritual dryness in prayer and even in our Christian life may happen. It is

normal and nothing to be alarmed about.

* Sometimes dryness comes from God Himself. He seeks to find out if our

faithfulness comes from the consolation and joy we experience in prayer, or

simply from the reality of being in His presence.

* Thus we should just persevere in prayer through times of dryness. Prayer is

our commitment, not just an emotional experience.

d) Difficulty in listening or hearing the Lord.

* Prayer is not just talking to God, but listening to Him. We listen in the

silence of hearts.

* Prayer is not just asking God for things, but allowing Him to form our

hearts and our minds.

* But perhaps our human nature makes it easier to talk and harder to listen.

We need to learn how to do both.

COVENANT Talk No. 1: OUR COVENANT IN CFC

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

COVENANT

Talk No. 1: OUR COVENANT IN CFC

Expanded Outline

A. Introduction.

1. In CFC we encounter the word "covenant".

a) After the CLP, as a condition for membership in CFC, we entered into the

"Covenant of the Couples for Christ".

b) As we read the Bible, we find out that its two parts, the Old Testament and

the New Testament, are covenants.

c) All Christians actually have a covenant with God by virtue of baptism.

d) Also, as baptized Christians, we have a covenant relationship with one

another. We have a commitment of loyalty, unity, and service.

2. We need to understand more about our covenant.

a) It is at the heart of where we are at right now.

b) We need to appreciate the concrete situation, which allows us to live out our

covenant.

B. What is a covenant?

1. A covenant is a solemn agreement between parties through which they commit

themselves to certain relationships, tasks, obligations or ways of living.

2. Two types of covenant relationships.

a) Between parties equal in power and position.

* Gen 21:22-32. Abraham and Abimelech.

* 1 Sam 18:1,3-4. David and Jonathan.

* Marriage partners.

b) Between parties unequal in power and position.

* In this case, it is unilaterally bestowed by the greater on the lesser.

* E.g., a conqueror with his new subjects. He provides military protection

while exacting loyalty and tribute.

* God and His people.

3. Covenant agreements do not just bind persons to something outside themselves

(e.g., a business contract). Rather, the parties are bound in a personal way.

What is established is a significant family-like relationship between the agreeing

parties.

* Gen 15. God with Abraham.

* Gen 31:44-54. Laban and Jacob.

C. Some important basic truths from the Old Testament.

1. Covenant = treaty or contract which established a relationship between two

parties and bound them together.

a) Conditions and clauses were important, but more important was that which

these were meant to safeguard: a lasting relationship.

b) Through the covenant, God and His people are joined together.

2. The covenant was not a treaty between equals, but between a mighty person and

a lesser person.

a) It was between God Almighty and a people owing their existence to Him.

b) It was issued by the stronger king at his initiative. The old covenant was

initiated by God.

3. The contents of the covenant.

a) Usually began with an introduction in which the mighty king identified

himself as the one initiating the treaty and then proceeded to summarize the

history of the relationship between the two parties, with emphasis on what

the mighty king had already done for the lesser party.

* Deut 5:6 and Ex 20:2. Introduction to Ten Commandments.

* God freed the people first, then entered into a covenant (God did not give

the commandments first, then free the people if they obeyed).

* Our covenant with God is based on what He has done for us, and only

secondarily on what we do in response.

b) Next listed what the weaker party needed to do.

* The obligations flow from what the other had already done.

* Ten Commandments. Deut 5:7-21.

* All other commandments are part of our covenant.

c) Concluded with a list of blessings (if obey) and curses (if disobey). Deut 28.

* Breaking God's commandments = breaking our relationship with Him.

There are consequences.

* Being faithful = blessings, Promised Land.

D. New Testament teaching.

1. God wants to make a covenant with us and enter into a personal relationship

with us.

a) Jesus came to bring about a new covenant.

* Lk 22:20. Jn 6:56.

b) The New Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying a set of laws, but of

entering into a living relationship with Jesus.

2. As with the old covenant, the new covenant is not an agreement between equals,

and is not done on our initiative. Rather, God acted first by sending Jesus.

3. All that God asks of us flows from what God has already done for us.

a) 1 Jn 4:19.

b) God's commands are taken in the light of His action in Jesus.

* Jn 13:15,34. A new commandment of love. Jesus' example.

4. There are also blessings and curses. Our response has eternal consequences.

E. Our response.

1. Jn 13:34-35. Commandment of the new covenant.

a) But in the Church today, there is a tendency to interpret this as a call to love

all men and women.

b) True we must love everyone, but the New Testament distinguishes between

love for those who are not Christians and the covenant love of Christian

brethren.

* Gal 6:10. It is important to note the distinction and have a special love for

our brethren.

2. Many Christian groups are unsuccessful because:

a) Their models are secular in nature.

* Democratization of personal relationships. Majority rule.

* Aim is self-fulfilment. Promotes selfishness.

* Priority of personal independence, of individual freedom.

* Relationships proceed from feelings.

b) Relationships are not based on a covenant.

c) There is no authority to oversee the relationships.

d) There is no common life, no significant relationships within the body.

3. The Biblical model for relationships.

a) Like a family.

* Membership in one body, interdependence, unity, common life.

* Loving relationships (brotherhood and sisterhood), sharing.

* Authority and order.

b) If so, there are practical needs:

* Need to express commitment and love to a specific, concrete group of

people.

* Need for such group of people to learn a specific set of relating and living

out their commitments.

4. The nature of our commitment.

a) We are to love and serve God.

* We are to be God's own servant people.

b) We are to love and serve one another.

* We are no longer our own masters.

* We are to lay down our lives for one another.

* Practically, we should be willing to meet our brethren's needs with our

personal resources.

c) We are to live our lives in true righteousness and holiness.

d) We are to be a people that the Lord can use as a body.

* Have unity, order, peace, and support for our common life.

e) We are to be light and leaven to the world.

5. Practical considerations.

When people agree to put their lives in common, the following are necessary:

a) Clearly spelled out commitments.

* Thus our written covenant.

b) An authority to govern the body and oversee the set of relationships.

* Our pastoral structure of household, unit and chapter leaders.

* Our overall governing and pastoral authorities: the CFC Council and the

Board of Elders.

c) Taking responsibility for one another and for our common life.

* Not just the responsibility of the leaders, but of every member.

* Correction, intercession, financial help, etc.

d) A visible common life.

* Our various meetings and events.

F. Conclusion.

1. The Old and New Testaments are God's old and new efforts to establish a

relationship with His people.

2. CFC is a vehicle, an opportunity by which we can respond fully to God.

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

COVENANT ORIENTATION

Talk No. 1 : OUR COVENANT IN CFC

Participant's Handout

1. A covenant is a solemn agreement between parties through which they commit

themselves to certain relationship, tasks, obligations or ways of living.

* Covenant agreements do not just bind persons to something outside themselves.

Rather, the parties are bound in a personal way, in a family-like relationship.

2. God wants to make a covenant with us and enter into a personal relationship with

us. Lk 22:20. Jn 6:56.

* The New Covenant is not merely a matter of obeying a set of laws, but of entering

into a living relationship with Jesus.

3. Our response: Jn 13:34-35.

4. The nature of our commitment.

* Love and serve God.

* Love and serve one another.

* Live our lives in true righteousness and holiness.

* Be a people the Lord can use as a body.

* Be light and leaven to the world.

5. When people put their lives in common (like us in CFC), some elements are

necessary:

* Clearly spelled out commitments. Thus our covenant in CFC.

* An authority to govern the body and the common life.

* Taking responsibility for one another.

* A visible common life.

Discussion starter

1. How has God initiated a relationship with me? How have I responded?

2. How can CFC help me in living out my covenant with God and with His people?

CFC Covenant Orientation Program

PROGRAM

Morning

8:30                  Arrival and fellowship

9:00                  Introduction

9:15                  Worship

9:45                  Talk 1 – Our covenant in CFC                 Bro. Ogie Rutaquio- MM/former CH

10:30                Group discussion

11:00                Break

11:15                Talk 2 – Prayer and Scripture                  Bro. Japs La Torre- UH

12:00                Group discussion

Afternoon

12:30 pm          Lunch break

1:15                  Afternoon praise

1:45                  Talk 3 – Strengthening family life            Bro. Oding Torres/ Sister Edna Torres-UH

2:30                  Group discussion

3:00                  Break

3:15                  Talk 4 – Our Christian culture in CFC       Sis. Elvie Avellaneda-UH

4:00                  Group workshop

4:30                  Open forum

5:30                  Closing prayer