Fred Jover
As the autumn leaves fell to the ground, so does God’s Mercy abounds among his people and warmed the hearts and spirit of 300 plus members and guests of the Catholic lay community, Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL). The occasion was the Second Australian Echo Conference of the Charismatic Catholic community last 9-10 April 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall in Oakleigh. It was attended by delegates/members from all over Australia, as well as members from Hong Kong, New Zealand and Manila.
The conference speakers were led by the community’s charismatic Servant General Francisco de las Alas Padilla, affectionately called Bro Frank, who spoke on “Mercy to Others”. The other main speakers were Sonny Manuel, Country Servant for China/Hong Kong, who shared on “A Merciful God” and Pancho Lopez-Tan, North East Asia Country Coordinator, who shared on “Mercy to the World. The participants’ spirit and jubilation were uplifted and sustained by praise and worship sessions led by Tony Haber, Australia Country Servant and Jun Caramat, Australia Country Coordinator, Joven Bacusmo, State Servant Queensland and accompanied with music by the CFC-FFL Melbourne Music Ministry led by Anthony and Rita Estrada. The exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday morning by Fr Benneth Osuagwu of St Andrews Werribee and celebration of the Eucharist by Bishop Mark Edwards, Archdiocese of Melbourne was also accompanied by the glorious and divine voices of the Melbourne-based Excelsis choir conducted by Tom Buchanan.
The participants’ hearts and mind were touched by the sharing of real life challenges and experiences of William Maranon, Carol Braganza of Melbourne and couple Butch and Mini Enriquez from Queensland.
The two-day event of the CFC-FFL community have proven once again that this Catholic lay movement provides complete nourishment to mind, body and spirit, through sharings about the authentic Christian life, as well as entertainment numbers enthusiastically performed by all groups within the community, such as the Kids for Family and Life (KFL) that almost brought the house down with laughter. The Youth for Family and Life (YFL) also presented a fast-paced dance number to the delight of the older “Titas” (aunties) and “Titos” (Uncles), who wished they could have the same physical energy and stamina.
The Handmaids for Family and Life (HFL), also made an obvious statement that for many of them, the freedom from domestic responsibilities of raising a family, i.e. children and sometimes looking after their husband, allowed them the liberty to express their artistic talent through dance and role-playing the conference’s theme into the hearts of the audience.
In his closing message, Bro Frank reminded the participants of a brilliant and wise military leader motivating and inspiring his soldiers to go to battle, and summed up the three inter-related topics of the two-day conference. First, that being a member of the CFC-FFL community should not only be a feel-good and emotional experience, but rather the spirit to embrace the passion and commitment to do God’s work as His faithful servants. Second, members must be able to go out of their comfort zones to express love and good relationship with other brethren, outside of their household group. And third, to carry out God’s evangelisation work by living and sharing Christ’s love, especially to those who do not know Him.
Finally, the huge parish hall, exploded with joyous delight and celebration when it was announced by the Australian elders that the 2017 Australian-Asian conference will be held in Queensland with an anticipated bigger attendance of members from both interstate and international CFC-FFL communities.
For details on how to help and support this mission-orientated Catholic lay community currently active in 56 countries worldwide and growing, you may visit the CFC-FFL website, http://www.cfcffl.org/contact_us/contact_us.htm or visit CFC-FFL Australia FB page, https://www.facebook.com/cfc.ffl.victoria.australia and CFC-FFL Melbourne (Victoria) FB https://www.facebook.com/CFCFFLVictoria
