Recommited
The
Almighty made His presence felt at our 29th anniversary
at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City last June 19,
2010. More than 4,500 people packed the gym to celebrate
with us! It was a great affirmation of what has happened,
and a challenge for what is to come.
That
morning, I shuttled 6 vans-full of Mindanao delegates from
the Renewal Center to the gate of ALPADI. It was the least
I could do, considering how much care and love they show
us when we visit them. I don't think they could walk all
the way up, seeing how steep the climb is. I even took them
on an ALPADI tour on the way up. They knew so many info
tidbits of Lolo Paddy (Senator Ambrosio Padilla) and Lola
Lily (Lily delas Alas Padilla)! One “tita” even
remembered the campaign song of Lolo Paddy.
I
got to Ynares Sports Center before lunch and practices were
wrapping up. Just seeing bits and pieces of the presentations
made me feel really excited for the afternoon! Even minor
glitches, personal oppressions would not be able to take
the joy away from me - from any of us! All those are part
of the territory of serving God, anyway. Bring it on!
The
afternoon started with a worship led by Oca Oblefias, CFC-FFL
Regional Area Coordinator for Luzon, and went straight into
the VARIETY SHOW! Jay Pangan and Joseph Tesoro did a great
job in emceeing. Emceeing something like that is not easy,
for sure. There were also people around the venue finding
"Begotten" contestants, the CFC- FFL version of
"Hep-Hep Hooray", name that CFC-FFL song.... all
those just added to the fun of the anniversary. And also
the Christianized version of the Wowowee songs! We should
enter TV already!
Frank
Padilla, CFC-FFL Servant General, gave his anniversary message
immediately after. And it really is a wonderful sight to
behold young people and babies all around - considering
all this started when Frank was 34 years old. It is a future
of promise, and a future full of hope.
The
Praise Concert came after that. I really have to commend
all our dancers - especially Maurice Roque (CFC-KFL, District
of Novaliches), Jerald Cruz (CFC-YFL, District of Pasig),
and Macke Montilla (CFCFFOL, Bulacan). They are such GOOD
dancers. Also, the J-Band is awesome. The CFC-FFL Choir,
led by Denver Daradar and Chinka Sarmiento did a wonderful
job. Cocoi Javier was inspired and Spirit-filled in leading
us in worship. Where else can you hear sharings of pain
and struggle - and yet hear them rejoice in God being an
Awesome God? It makes me just want to serve even more, just
like them.
My
"renewal" at the Family Ministries Congress the
night before was re-affirmed by this Re-Commitment. To serve
with all my heart, mind and soul. This is what we are all
called to do. Go beyond ourselves. Go beyond our complaints
and our inconsistencies. Go beyond all that to do God's
work - in our lives, and be the example for the lives of
others. This is the right thing to do.
Bishop
Gabby Reyes, CFC-FFL Spiritual Director, together with Bishop
Francis Lodonu, of Ho Ghana, and Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD, the
Spritual Adviser of CFC-SFL celebrated the Mass at the end
of the day. A perfect way to cap off the day of celebration
and love within community, and being challenged to bring
that love to all people around the world.
Everyone
needs God. But they just don't know it. We are called to
bring that love to all those people around the world - as
FAST as we can. And I have re-committed to do that.
Contributed
by:
Xavier
Padilla
CFC-FFL Missionary
