JAN—MAR 2016Volume#5 BCBP CONSOLACION CHAPTER Sharer’s Writing Workshop by Kuya Ruel Participants of the workshop The BCBP Consolacion Chapter, through its former chapter head & current AGL’s Kuya Wilbert & Ate Girlie Ang, conducted a writing workshop last February 6, 2016 for upcoming sharers/ sharer prospects. The venue was at Siknoy Restaurant at Insular Square, Mandaue City, What’s inside? Jan - Mar’16 activities 1-3 Kuya Mory’s story 4 Jakarta Mission 6 IEC Feature 8-10 CH Message 11 Q2 Celebrations 12 Q2 Activities / Intercessory 12 held right after our joint breakfast. Said initiative was spearheaded by the chapter’s new Formation Directors Kuya Julius & Ate Melody Foronda, wherein the main purpose of said exercise is to continue to invite & develop new sharers (whether men’s or couple) from within the chapter. These would-be home-grown sharers, once their respective sharings are realized, will eventually be incorporated into our current rotation of chapter sharers regularly tapped for our own breakfast fellowships & for export to other chapters who request for such from time to time. Kuya Wilbert/Ate Girlie discussed at the session proper the current structure, format, ideal length of time for sharing compositions, plus the necessary spiritual and mental preparations needed for the sharer prospects before their schedule. The session was attended by the following: Magno & Jade Garcia; Julius and Melody Foronda; Ruel & Marissa Macaraig; Dado & Malou Besabella; RR & Alpha Kapuno and Jun & Vida Fernandez . “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” - Col 1:27 #BCBPmayforever In February 13, 2016, BCBP Consolacion toppled the nationwide trending of #walangforever, and turned it into a colorful, romantic valentine party with a theme #mayforever. Held in the 2nd floor of BIG Hotel, Mandaue City, the event was graced with more than a hundred members of BCBP Consolacion who dressed in pastel colors and filled the room with fun and love. The party started with a sumptuous dinner buffet, unlimited picture-taking at the photobooth, interactive games and the highlight of it all are the music video presentations of each unit depicting the theme #mayforever. The music ministry also gave a special song number and the night was capped with dancing. BCBP Consolacion members in pastel colors The ladies and their dance moves This memorable valentine party was spearheaded by PSD head, Ruel and Marissa Macaraig and the ever supportive PSD team couples namely: Leyson, Opo, Kapuno, Besabella, Roiles and Econar. EMCEE WORKSHOP by Kuya El One of the challenges for facilitating an event, aside from planning, is looking for a good emcee. It is very rare to see hands-raising when asked who wants to volunteer as emcee because the thought of facing a lot of people is such a dread. Have you been invited to be one of the emcees? The emcee, the storytelling event’s representative, is the bridge between our sharer and new comers. He sets the tone for particular events, defines the energy level all throughout, responsible for keeping the program on schedule and establishes the kind of community feeling the event will have. After the Mens’ breakfast last February 20, 2016, our formation head, Kuya Julius Foronda, had facilitated a workshop for our new batch of emcee pool for our breakfast fellowship and other events. The workshop was 2 participated by RR and Alpha Kapuno, Melody Foronda, Orly Secretario, Axel Tumulak, Warren Tompong, Ben Tompong, William Roiles, Jun Fernandez, Virgilio Ragasajo and yours truly. This workshop provides our members an overview on roles and responsibilities of emcees, the do’s and dont’s and great tips for effective hosting. The workshop contained sample scenarios and impromptu spiels mainly intended for new breakfasters. Participants enjoyed the activity very much as shown by their active participation. Know the basic steps of emceeing and you’ll be well on your way in becoming an entertaining, fun, no-nonsense and inspiring emcee in front of a crowd. The Way of Life in BCBP by Kuya Warren Last February 27, 2016, a BCBP Way of Life seminar was conducted at BIG Hotel. The seminar was a joint session among the chapters of Mactan, Mandaue, and Consolacion. The day was filled with learning and fun. Participants were also able to build camaraderie and friendship as we get to know people from the different chapter, making the seminar a melting pot of personalities and unique views, walks and understanding of life. After the activity, attendees were surely ready to take on the challenges and trials that one has to take to really follow and live the BCBP Way of Life. The Way of Life Seminar is one of the integral activities of the BCBP’s community. This program teaches the members the different characteristics, values, and mindset that a member of the BCBP should embody. The seminar provides a series of talks followed by individual sharing in a group. We were asked to share our insights on different topics such as, Tithes, BCBP Organization, BCBP regular activities, & other BCBP views on life. Family Lenten Recollection by Ate Rica March 12, 2016 marks the very first Family In one of the topics, parents discovered their Lenten Recollection of BCBP Consolacion with partner’s love language and had a better understanding how to show it. Love languages a theme “Family and Eucharist”. This was could be Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, made possible by our Family Ministry Heads, Acts of Service, GivKuya William ing of Gifts and and Ate Ann Physical Touch. In Roiles. It was the afternoon sesindeed a Satsion, parents and urday worth children were joined spending at together and the Pier Cuatro climax of it all was a Hotel, Cebu family dialogue to City. The recParents at the recollection pave an honest and open commuollection was administered nication within the members of the family. The by Verbum Dei, primarily led by Fr Michael fruits of this activity were way beyond expecCheong. Verbum Dei is a Catholic missionary tation. A lot of parents discovered their chilcommunity deeply rooted in prayer and dren more, relationships were healed, honesty grounded in theological training. was restored and more importantly, the family resolved to become ever better than before. During the morning session, parents and chilThe memorable recollection was attended by dren had their recollections in separate func52 BCBP Consolacion members and 12 teenagtion rooms. Various topics were discussed and ers who are sons and daughters of the BCBP the approach used for parents were entirely members. different fro the teenagers, thus the need for separate venues. 3 Kuya Mory’s Holding On To God’s Love Judy Kuya Mory passed away last February 2016, while playing the game he loved most, lawn tennis. We became friends when Nestor and I became their Discussion Group Leader during the Christian Life Program. Our close relationship was edified as we worked together to come up with SIDLAK. Kuya Mory was quite, simple, joyful and very versatile in the home. I always witnessed his love for Ate Elsa during meal times, as he served her first before himself. In everything, he always accommodates her needs first. He was always patient in waiting for us to finish edit SIDLAK even to the wee hours of the night. This quote learned from Ate Elsa exemplifies Kuya Mory’s life: “Though weak and helpless in life’s fray, God’s mighty power shall be my stay; without, within, He gives to me, the strength to gain the victory.” (D. de Haan) Mory Brothers and sisters, Good morning! As an inspiration, let me quote Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” (1Tim.6:12). I am Mory, born on November 6, 1943 in Matlang, Isabel, Leyte. Although my parents were both Roman Catholics, but I was never formally taught the basic prayers and catechism of the religion. I was trained by my mother to do house chores like washing and ironing clothes and cooking. I learned to do little repairs and tinkering around the house from my father. I was brought up to be industrious and helpful. It was during my high school years when I mastered the art of drinking, smoking and gambling with my barkada. These affected my studies that I wondered how I passed and finished secondary education. I took a two-year radio technology course in Cebu City. After graduation, I went to Manila and stayed there for six years as maintenance helper to my uncle who was working as a carpenter in an exclusive establishment. Upon the insistence of my mother, I took and passed the board examination on Radio Telegraphy. For two and a half years I worked as a ship-board radio operator in a tug boat crossing the seas of Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao. The forces of the sea were too much for my mother. Upon her insistence, I gave up the sea and landed a government job as a telegraph operator in Ormoc City. I was introduced to my sister’s close friend, who was a teacher in one of the towns of Camotes Islands. From then on, I crossed the seas between Ormoc City and Tudela several times to court her. Weeks before Elsa and I got married, I had to learn my prayers for the first time, and some basic truths of the church, as a requirement of the officiating priest, who was also Elsa’s spiritual counselor. I continue to work in Ormoc City. Thus, Elsa and I were “week-end” lovers, even until the time that our marriage was blessed with two sons. Enduring my trips to and from my family was a sacrifice but a strong gesture of my loyalty to them. I exerted efforts to transfer to Tudela. Luckily a position was vacant and I was accommodated. Living together as a family under one roof was a dream come true. We built our house in Tudela, while the children were in grade school. Then, Elsa was promoted and transferred to work in Cebu City. I resumed my trips during week-ends, this time from Tudela to Cebu. By then, the boys were already in high school. Again, we exerted efforts to build our residence in Consolacion through hard work and living simple lives. I ended my romance with the sea upon my retirement in 2003. continued to next page 4 Kuya Mory’s… continued from p4 As a person, I am shy, silent, and simple in my ways. I easily got irked and don’t have enough patience as in “putong nga hilumon”. If classified under the kind of intelligences, mine belongs to action and manipulation, rather than language and communication. This is where I am often misunderstood, even by my wife and sons. As a father and husband, I gave my utmost affection even if I was working away from my family most of the time. I know that my vices of drinking and smoking were not good examples to my sons. I struggled hard to stop and change, using strong will and by the grace of the Lord, I got rid of my vices. As a government worker, I was an efficient employee. When it came to being one of the top five grossers in terms of income, I always put my town on the map of the province. But my stint with the government was tainted with bad practices, like using government supply as fuel for my personal use, spending official time to play tennis in the afternoons, declaring brownouts on Friday afternoons and on Monday mornings, when in reality, I spent these periods for my travel to and from Consolacion to spend week-ends with my family. For three months, before cellphones were in vogue, I accepted a bribe to receive every morning, the winning numbers of masio tickets, on my telegraph wires. On one occasion, I missed sending on time, a telegram to the addressee, which contained important information. A complaint was filed by the sender and after an investigation was conducted, I was reprimanded. The warning came as an awakening bolt of a signal for me to stop all these practices in my work. In thanksgiving to God’s goodness, Elsa and I readily accepted the offer to portray as King Humabon and Queen Juana in 2003 Sinulog reenactment, of the first Baptism in Cebu, which was one of the highlights in the Feast of Sto. Niño de Cebu. The guy, who drove us to the site where the activity was held, invited us to a BCBP Breakfast. Just to be polite, we accepted his invitation. The breakfast fellowship was a new experience. The warmth, the greetings, friendly atmosphere were evident as almost everybody wanted us to feel at home. We listened to the couple sharers in a crowd of “strangers”. We decided not to attend the succeeding breakfasts. We did our usual Saturday early in the morning brisk walking and jogging, when out of the blue, some fifty meters away from us, our sponsor waved a hand and reminded us about the breakfast. We looked at each other as we shouted, “Yes. We are going!” Three more breakfasts with the group made us regular BCBP breakfasters. Elsa and I were a bit awed about the courage of the couples who bared the incidents of their own lives to a crowd of total strangers during breakfast fellowship. Silent questions were raised in our mind such as: What good does it do to both sharers and listeners? How come this structure is being adopted by BCBP? There must be a purpose. The answers were not explicitly cited but our constant attendance to the breakfast fellowship taught us to discover answers to our own questions. I discover within myself the Christian tenets of sharing, loving and evangelizing one another by opening up our lives to become a part of the whole community of the Lord. The experience of having a prodigal son was felt in 1999. We found out that our elder son, continued to next page 5 Archbishop of Jakarta Welcomes BCBP By RCD Ani Serrato One of the objectives of our Jakarta Mission in 2016, is the approval and blessing by the Archbishop of Jakarta for the BCBP to operate as a bonafide community in the Archdiocese of Jakarta. It was an overdue action plan, but the delay turned into a blessing when during our meeting with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma last November 20, 2015, to discuss on the BCBP support to the 51st IEC and to seek his endorsement of BCBP Mission to the Archdiocese of Jakarta, he shared with us that the Jakarta Bishop is his good friend. Archbishop Jose Palma immediately agreed to give an endorsement letter to The Most Reverend Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, the Archbishop of Jakarta and Ordinary of Military Ordinariate of Indonesia. The endorsement letter immediately got into the hands of our Jakarta core group members who set an appointment for the meeting with the Bishop on January 22, 2016. However, the terrorist bombing in Jakarta last January 15, 2016 almost stalled the meeting, but we were not frightened by the incident. With strong faith, brave and bold hearts, and prayer power, the Mission Team left for Jakarta for the opportune meeting. It was 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon of Friday, January 22, 2016, we were accompanied to the Archbishop Residence by the Jakarta core group namely, Sister Lanny Rahadja, Bro Jeffrey Pesuarissa, Bro Alex Wijoyo, and Bro Gunadi Sugiharso. The meeting started with the introduction of the BCBP members from Jakarta and Cebu. As the point of reference, the endorsement letter of Archbishop Jose Palma was reiterated by Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo which mentioned that BCBP members are very good people. Then, the BCBP Cebu Members took turns of explaining to the simple and soft-spoken Bishop the purpose of our mission in Jakarta, the mission and vision of BCBP, the Be Honest Advocacy, the Breakfast as our evangelization tool, and the various formation and social action programs of BCBP. On the other hand, our BCBP Jakarta members Meeting with Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius were facilitating for the good understanding of all in the Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (center) meeting, by translating our English to Indonesian Bahasa and vice versa. In the end of our discussion, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo gave an inspiring message for BCBP. He said, “The Archdiocese of Jakarta has many communities of business people with their various advocacies. Your Be Honest advocacy is a challenging and tough one. You might have a hard time bringing businessmen and professionals to your community because of this advocacy. But I advise you to be more patient and courageous. You are welcome and continue your evangelization here in Jakarta.” Then, he advised the BCBP Jakarta members to invite to the next breakfast meeting a reporter from "HIDUP" magazine, one of the popular catholic magazines in Indonesia to write an article about BCBP and its programs. The cordial meeting ended with the exchanging of gifts. We also gave the Bishop a copy our Community Manual and a Be Honest Standee.We left the meeting more inspired and zealous in our mission works in Jakarta. With BCBP now exposed, the pressure for it to go, grow, and glow in Jakarta is now mounting. But with a clear path and strong plans now in place, and with the hands of the Holy Spirit moving in Jakarta for us, we claim a vibrant Jakarta Outreach by the end of this year. To God Be the Glory! 6 Kuya Mory’s… continued from p4 Myron was into drugs, drinking and smoking. Elsa and I clung to God’s constant love. As a couple we never stopped praying, taking inspiration from the life of St. Monica. We were still beset with this problem when we attended the BCLP 3 Consolacion Outreach in 2003. I did not express this concern to my Discussion Group Leader (DGL) because I was not comfortable and I considered him a “stranger”. Then there was also this lingering question in my mind: “Is there a way out of BCLP?” We did not want to get involve with BCBP! However the perseverance of our DGL in calling Elsa at the office or at home reminding us of the next CLP schedule; or asking us of our prayer concern; sometimes they requested us to drop by their house because of this and that; their treating Elsa as their equal and not one with influence, paid off. Reluctantly we finished CLP. Then we joined BCMR 3 Mandaue Chapter. At this point we were 60% convinced that BCBP was the community for us. The talks and activities during the BCMR gave us more insights as to my role as a Christian husband, father and grandfather. Endowed with a stronger personality, Elsa had always been “the speaker of the house”. But after the BCMR, I have to promote myself to be the “president of the Senate”. We understood our roles as spouses and now I accepted my position as Padre de Familia. Every day, I lead our couple prayer. One year into BCBP, our prayers were slowly answered. My son was diagnosed to have Hepa C infection. There was a new drug released on the market for its cure. The six month treatment would cost us more or less 500,000.00. The doctor advised my son not to go back to his vices once the treatment started. For even a drop of beer, a cigarette sip and a single taste of the forbidden drug can cost him his life, because it would react negatively to the medication. Furthermore, we made him realize that we can no longer afford to spend that much of a cure over a mistake repeated for the second time. God provided us resources in the form of my retirement. We realized that money is not that important over bringing a lost sheep back into the fold. More so, we were equipped with the grace to hope and pray and to hurdle the pains of waiting for our son to come back to our arms. Despite his wayward journey, he was still able to finish his Bachelor of Science in Architecture. At present, he has a stable job, and is a responsible husband and father. Like any BCBP member, we too were assigned to an action group after our commitment. It was in the action group that our doubts and apprehension about BCBP community were erased. It is in this small group that we experienced camaraderie. Elsa was simply treated as Ate Elsa and not Ma’am Elsa, an experience which she missed after becoming a superintendent. Moreover, she was able to open up freely with the group about my son. We draw more spiritual strength from the members of our action group. We support each other through our daily prayers. I find action group as a unique structure in BCBP, because it concretized my Christian values as I listen to the sharing of other members. In the process we become real brothers and sisters in Christ. The opportunity opened for us to join BCBP is one of the most significant episodes in our lives. The learning I got, made an explosive impact on my life. Most of all, I realized the importance of daily prayers. What happened to Myron, made me ask God “Why?”. I did not let these feelings pass, but later on, when I was alone; I still thank Him for giving me some difficulties to make my faith stronger. More BCBP ways were slowly integrated into our lives, as a person, as a family man, and as a community member. We willingly accepted assignments for services as a way of thanksgiving. In closing, may I quote from Sirach (39: 1617): “All that the Lord has done is very good; all that He commands is sooner or later, done. No one should ask why things are as they are; these questions will be answered at the right time.” 7 The Call to Service…(My IEC Story) by Ate Lucille I remember it all too clearly. I was about to have my dinner, when my Dad arrived and asked me, and my sister inlaw Rhese, if we wanted to join the IEC grand choir for the Statio Orbis. Lucille Latonio at IEC “Who whhoohoo who, me Dad? Are you sure? The three of us? I mean, really?” I must have heard him incorrectly. I asked him again, “Are you sure Daddy? THE IEC? You want us to sing for THE IEC?” “Yep, THE IEC. Precisely”, my Dad replied in all seriousness. Woooaaaw! Geez. What a privilege to be a part of that historic event in the Philippines. This once-in -a-life-time opportunity to serve the Lord through this congress is a blessing in itself! The International Eucharistic Congress is one of the biggest gatherings for Catholics all over the world…and I’ll be a part of it! This is truly an honor. I zoned out and painted a scene inside my head of growing old with gray hair, all wrinkly and stuff, sitting in a rocking chair with my grandchildren on the floor listening to me tell stories of my heroism in the decades past—and one of the stories I can brag would be how I majestically sang 8 in an international convention and was part of the 2,500 people gifted with music, singing their hearts out for the Lord! As I drifted back to reality, I realized that with the blessing we were given, there has to be a responsibility that goes with the privilege. We had to learn the songs by heart by attending the daily practices despite the heat, rain, long walks (just to get to the venue), running out of food, arguments, getting sick with the cough, colds and sore throat! I was not letting all these draw backs stop me from serving the Lord. I guess it was only by God’s grace that I was able to sustain my passion to join the Statio Orbis. There were hurdles along the way alright. The temptation of staying at the comforts of home, relaxing—away from the inconvenience of being there with the throng of people and cars and heavy traffic. Serving the Lord is not easy. I know. But looking on the bright side, it made us bond as a family. We ate together. We practiced and sang together in the car and when we were home. We were just together as a family serving the Lord. What is sweeter than seeing your loved ones, having the heart for God? continued to next page to be the star that would bring forth the light in other nations. In other countries, churches are empty, vocation is dying, Christianity is in the twilight zone. The danger to humanity is evident in the laws that are legalized in their countries that are destroying families. The Call… continued from p8 Now, let’s fast forward to the day of the culminating mass of the IEC. January 31, 2016, Sunday. Everything was set. The bleachers for the IEC grand choir, the stage, security, military tanks, police everywhere, K9 dogs, etc, armed personnel. We were there at the venue early morning just so we could park our cars close to the site. Can you imagine how big SM Seaside is? It is 430,000sqm and it was full of people from top to bottom, side to side. Imagine that! All those people eager to join the culminating mass and more were still coming in, walking from the SRP going to San Pedro Calungsod Temple. The sky was overcast with dark clouds that morning as the weatherman predicted that it’ll be rainy on the weekend. It rained hard at noon, but it stopped early in the afternoon and the sun was up just in time to dry the wet bleachers for the choir! Would you call that a miracle? I definitely would! Strengthening catholic families is our hope of glory. We have to have the centrality of Jesus, the Bible and the Eucharist. Grace is Mercy and Love. This keeps the family intact. Simple acts of love by saying “Thank you”, “I’m Sorry” and “Please” to one another. Our strength as a nation is in our youth. The future belongs to nations with young people, not with weapons, lands and oil. He even asked that we Filipinos continue to grow and multiply and send our youth in other countries to be missionaries and to spread the gospel. The PHILIPPINES: A Nation of HOPE…our sons and daughters will be blessed a hundred fold. Our nation will rise in GLORY and PROSPERITY—a light not only in Asia but to the whole world. The thrill of being a part of that celebration was not because we were seen on TV several times (Ahem, ahem) It was getting the feel of the crowd and seeing all those people that filled that wide expanse of land join in unison to praise and glorify the very God I was serving! Christianity is not dead in this part of the world, definitely! More than 70 countries that day received the spiritual food that nourished the soul—the EUCHARIST, the source and summit of our faith. That was a day that will be imbedThe Holy Eucharistic mass attended by thousands of Catholics ded in my heart. It was at that very moment Hearing all these brought tears to my eyes. My heart that I was so proud to be a Christian. Celebrating the swelled with pride. I have two sons that I have to introEucharist is to live in JOY and HOPE. It renewed my duce Jesus to. I have two boys that I have to minister to. apostolic and missionary zeal. I felt it then and I still feel it I have two kids that I need to plant the seed of knowing up to this very moment. Christ in their hearts so they’ll grow up to be God’s powHearing first-hand the beautiful homily of Cardinal Bo erful champions as is my hope of becoming one! that day was worth all the sacrifices to be there next to I continued to sing majestically and even more so with the stage. Hearing him say that the Philippines, our counpassion in my heart heard in my voice for the Internatry, is the biggest Catholic nation in Asia, the favorite tional Eucharistic Congress, as it was indeed my Hope of daughter in Asia—the rising star from the East, the choGlory! sen one in this millennium—it was at that moment that I was so proud of being a Filipino (never mind the height and the cute nose…hehe). The youth of the Philippines is 9 Our Hope Of Glory by Kuya Nestor When I welcomed all participants worldwide to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in the article, “God’s creative intentions” posted December 16, 2013 @ nestofglory.blogspot.com, I did not expect to be one of the thousands in attendance. Together with Judy, my wife and Francis John, our only son, we were privileged to attend the historic international significant event in the Catholic Church. Judy and I are communicants who strive to attend the Holy Mass daily. I believe that “the Eucharist … becomes the venue of God’s revelation” (Sabbath 2016. p. 62) allowing us to see, encounter and experience Him in our daily living. IEC Souvenir picture Our attendance and participation in the various activities of the 51 st IEC strengthened our resolve to receive Christ daily through Holy Communion. Impressive, awesome, amazing, astonishing are some of the adjectives to describe the different activities of the week-long event. Looking at the two (2) ways to live our lives, little miracles happened “as though everything is a miracle in one end while at the other end, nothing is a miracle” (Albert Einstien cited by Ignatius Fernandez, Life Lessons: A Christian Sharing. p. 15) With my desire to connect my reflective thoughts to the vast minds of the world and ultimately with the Infinite Mind, I exchanged “calling cards” with national and international participants encountered. Its punch lines, “Mankind should be our business, our trade.” Let us build the “bond of charity” (theme of the 34th IEC at Budapest, Hungary in 1938) where the “Christ in us is our hope of glory” (Col 1:27) reflecting the theme of the recent Congress. One of those I met and briefly exchanged pleasantries with was a school director in Togo, South Africa who in spite of the language barrier being French speaking, both encountered the “Christ in us”. With Ms. Sarindhorn Mativachranon who “survived and succeeded in life despite grim circumstances” The life testimony of the Thai entrepreneur who shared how she was persecuted and eventually converted to Catholicism was highly impressive that Judy took the opportunity to pose with her after she delivered her public declaration and profession of faith. continued to next page 10 Our Hope... continued from p10 As a couple, Judy and I shared the “story of the Lord” in our lives in a joint breakfast fellowship of the BCBP Consolacion Chapter on March 5, 2016. We claim, “for over two (2) decades, we continue ‘to go, grow and glow’ bearing fruits ‘seeking first the Kingdom of God…’(Mt 6:33) through our proactive membership in the BCBP Community from Mactan to Mandaue and now with the Consolacion Chapter”. Blissfully, the glorious realization of hopes and dreams for our family was joyfully attained through our attendance to the Family Lenten Retreat last March 12, 2016. The theme was “Family and the Eucharist” through the able leadership of Sis Ann and Bro. William Roiles. It was a unique opening salvo for the many activities involving the whole family. Life lessons were learned and relearned. The first miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana connects Jesus with the family. The institution of a successful marriage requires communication which can be expressed in five (5) love languages: words of affirmation; quality time;.giving of gifts; acts of service and physical touch. For the family, the message reverberates, “the Eucharist being a consolation, a promise and a calling”. Chapter Head’s Message I could say I was not ready when I was named as chapter head in November, 2015. I did not aspire to be one, but God called me by name. Very soon after I and ate Luth officially assumed this role, I immediately found out my deep-seated inadequacies. I discovered that the Chapter Head not only works within the chapter but also with a bigger world outside of the chapter. I became part of an all-chapter-head action group, of people we don’t know. As the neophyte, I felt like I was barging in to a closed knit pack. I felt so inadequate, so uncomfortable among these strangers. There was this preparation for the 2015 National leaders retreat in Cebu. I had to attend a series of meetings, and we had to practice for the dance presentations. My feeling of uneasiness grew bigger as I see very unfamiliar faces one after another. Imagine my restlessness when I was asked to lead the opening prayer for this group of leaders. For the upcoming NAC 36 celebrations, I was compelled to accept the job of leading the CARE committee. I had to assemble other chapter heads for a meeting. Me, a newcomer, shall lead a flock of seasoned chapter heads? Not my cup of tea. Then of course there is the chapter, and its constant and regular need for shepherding. So after 3 months in this role, I have adjusted, in a surprisingly quick manner. So I sought to explain why it took me some 10 years to adjust to BCBP, and just 3 months in the CH job. For the first 5 years of my 13yrs in BCBP, I was just a spectator but God constantly worked on me. One time, we were deeply disturbed when we were transferred to a new action group. We didn’t want to be with strangers, we just wanted to be with our friends we were already comfortable with. I now realize that all these, the time I was first asked to lead an AGM, lead the prayer, transferring to a new action group, are routine parts of BCBP life. But in truth all these prepared me for my current role. I came in BCBP as a rock, an island to myself, not wanting to be touched, not wanting to touch anyone. It seemed that the BCBP, for over a decade, molded me into what I am today; an island that has become a tree, sprouting new branches, high in hope that birds passing by will find shelter in my growing branches, in just three months. “For I know my plans for you…”, says the Lord. 11 Q2 2016 CELEBRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Q2 INTERCESSORY SCHEDULE 12