MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!

The dancefloor is huge but the Cluster 2 Dancers

are eveready to dance for the Lord!

The Passion According to MATTHEW

Throughout his gospel, Matthew follows closely the storyline of his primary source Mark but still colors that story with themes characteristic of his gospel. The same is true of the passion story where Matthew's account absorbs virtually all of Mark's story; yet here, too, Matthew recasts the narrative to highlight his own distinctive themes. In meeting death Jesus fulfills his God-given destiny foreshadowed in the Scriptures and inaugurates a new age of history charged with resurrection life. Jesus is the obedient Son of God, tenaciously faithful even in the midst of abject suffering. Jesus' trust in God, tested in the savage fury of death itself, is not in vain.

The Gathering Storm
Matthew 26:1-16 | Commentary

The Kairos
Matthew 26:17-35 | Commentary

Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-56 | Commentary

Jesus on Trial
Matthew 26:57-27:10 | Commentary

The Messiah Condemned
Matthew 27:11-31 | Commentary

The Dawn of a New Age
Matthew 27:33-66 | Commentary

The Passion According to MARK

The Gospel of Mark was probably the first gospel to be written so we will begin with his passion story. Like his gospel as a whole, Mark's passion narrative is lean and taut, moving swiftly and in a haunting fashion from the events of the last supper to Jesus' death and burial.


Fidelity and Betrayal:the Passion Begins
Mark 14:1-11 | Commentary

The Final Passover
Mark 14:12-31 | Commentary

Gethsemane: Prayer and Arrest
Mark 14:32-52 | Commentary

Confession and Denial: Interrogation by the Sanhedrin
Mark 14:53-72 | Commentary

The Roman Trial
Mark 15:1-12 | Commentary

Crucifixion
Mark 15:21-47 | Commentary

The Passion According to LUKE

One of the dominant images of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is that of Jesus as the Spirit-filled prophet. Luke begins Jesus' public ministry in his hometown synagogue of Nazareth, opening the scroll to do the reading from the text of Isaiah 61, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor...." (Lk 4:16-30). That prophetic fire would drive Jesus throughout his ministry and bring him to the climax of his mission in Jerusalem. Therefore, it is not surprising that in Luke's Gospel Jesus faces his crucifixion with the courageous fidelity and prophetic sense of justice that had characterized his ministry all during the long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem.

The Last Supper
Luke 22:1-38 | Commentary

The Hour of Darkness
Luke 22:39-65 | Commentary

Jesus on Trial
Luke 22:66-23:25 | Commentary

The Way of the Cross
Luke 23:26-32 | Commentary

The Death of the Just Man
Luke 23:33-49 | Commentary

Death and Victory
Luke 23:50-56 | Commentary

The Passion According to JOHN

John's Gospel has been called the "maverick" Gospel because its portrayal of Jesus is done in a manner quite distinctive from that of Mark, Matthew and Luke. For John, Jesus is the revelation of God's love for the world, the "word made flesh" whose death is an act of friendship love, a sign of God's total embrace of humanity and the final triumph over evil. John's passion account is read each year as the centerpiece of the Good Friday liturgy. His portrayal of the passion, with its masterful blend of suffering and triumph, fits well into the spirit of the Paschal Triduum.

The Arrest
John 18:1-11 | Commentary

In the Courtyard of the High Priest
John 18:12-27 | Commentary

Jesus before Pilate
John 18:28-40 | Commentary

Jesus the Crucified King
John 19:1-16 | Commentary

The Lifting Up of the Son of Man
John 19:17-30 | Commentary

Testimony
John 19:31-42 | Commentary

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Cluster 2 & SOLD
Batch ONE

DISCIPLES WEEKEND

TALK # 4 - You Are My Disciples
(Reflection)

POWERFUL!


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JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

2009 CATHOLIC DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE

2009 LITURGICAL YEAR 2009

The Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide
Cycle B, Year 1

MAY THEY BE ONE
PSALM 133:1 AND JOHN 17:21

How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's
people to live together in harmony!
Psalm 133:1

I pray that they may all be one.
Father! May they be in us,
just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they be one,
so that the world will believe
that you sent me.
John 17:21

We have many parts in the one body, and all
these parts have different functions. In the
same way, though we are many, we are one
body in union with Christ, and we are all joined
to each other as different parts of one body.
Romans 12:4-5

God communicates with us through the
Word of God
drawing us into communion
with Himself and with one another. And the
Word was made Flesh...

Courtesy of T2 Jhon/Princess

2009 Catholic DBRG Download

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

"JOY AND GLORY"

Today Mary dwells in the joy and the glory of the Resurrection. The tears shed at the foot of the Cross have been transformed into a smile which nothing can wipe away, even as her maternal compassion towards us remains unchanged.

"AN UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE"

The intervention of the Virgin Mary in offering succor throughout history ... does not cease to call forth, in the people of God, an unshakable confidence in her. the Memorare prayer expresses this sentiment very well.

MARY LOVES YOU

Mary loves each of her children, giving particular attention to those who, like her Son at the hour of His passion, are prey to suffering; she loves them quite simply because they are her children, according to the will of Christ on the Cross.

"SEEK YOUR SMILE"

The psalmist ... prophesies regarding the Virgin Mary that "the richest of the people ... will seek your smile (Ps 44:13)

COMFORT FOR THE SUFFERING

Christians have always sought the smile of Our Lady ... This smile ... is for all; but it is directed quite particularly to those who suffer, so that they can find comfort and solace therein.

NOT OUTDATED

To seek Mary's smile is not an act of devotional or outmoded sentimentality, but rather the proper expression of the living and profoundly human relationship which binds us to her whom Christ gave us as our Mother.

TURN TO MARY

I would like to say, humbly, to those who suffer and to those who struggle and are tempted to turn their backs on life: turn towards Mary! Within the smile of the Virgin lies mysteriously hidden the strength to fight against sick and for life. With her, equally, is found the grace to accept without fear or bitterness to leave this world at the hour chosen by God.

RICH IN FAITH

To seek this smile of the Virgin Mary ... is the aspiration ,,, of those who are "the richest of the people" (Ps 44:13). "The richest" ... in the order of faith, those who have attained the highest degree of spiritual maturity and know precisely how to acknowledge their weakness and their poverty before God.

(Source: Homily, Mass for the Sick, 9/15/08, Lourdes, France)

PUT CHRIST BACK IN CHRISTMAS

Put Christ Back in Christmas

All great events and occasions require thorough preparation to ensure happy and successful results. We who do experience the true joys of Christmas can help others to share the treasures of this happy and blessed occasion with the example we give by our own preparations, and perhaps offering the following thirteen suggestions to put Christ back into Christmas.

Directions

1. Make Advent a period of preparation for the coming of Christ by entering into the spirit of the liturgy of the Church which wisely urges us to use this season as a time of "fasting before the feast" and not "feasting before the feast." Waiting ("fasting") and longing for something which is good, and which you know you will receive (in this case the joys of Christmas), will make the reward all the more welcome and satisfying.

2. An aid to bringing this spirit into the home is the Advent Wreath, which is an old Christian custom. A leaflet giving details and prayers is available at our service office, at the address listed below.

3. If time is available, either at the family table, in the classroom, or community, the daily reading from the book Christ the Light is Coming will help the readers in attuning themselves into the proper spirit for the coming of the Christ Child. This book has a reading for every day, commencing with the First Sunday in Advent, and also has a treasury of meditations and instructions. It is available at our committee service office.

4. Make plans for the "Christmas Eve Program in the Home" as outlined in an explanatory leaflet also available at our office. Let Jesus make your family circle complete, just as His coming made the Holy Family complete.

5. Make the Crib, not the tree, the center of attraction in your home, club, or place of business. Let the entire family participate in building the stable, painting the figures, arranging the background, etc.

6. If you drive a car, display the "Put Christ Back Into Christmas" auto stickers. Who knows but that this tiny appeal may help to put Christ back into some lonely heart this Christmas?

7. Buy and send only Christmas greeting cards symbolizing the true meaning of Christmas (Nativity, etc.) to all friends, relatives, and business associates, regardless of whether they have any religious affiliations or not. Resolve not to send any other kind. The cards you send will reflect the sincerity of the sender by their beauty in both appearance and thought expressed. Keeping this resolve alone will be a big help in "Putting Christ Back Into Christmas" and into the hearts of men.

8. When doing your regular neighborhood shopping, perhaps you might casually suggest to your grocer, druggist, etc., that it would be very nice if he would consider including in his holiday displays the Nativity scene, or something akin to it. If you yourself are in business, try to include in your advertising and displays something to remind your patrons of the true meaning of Christmas. Encourage the use of package stickers with the Nativity scene and message.

9. In giving gifts, give them in the spirit of the Giver of Gifts whom we are honoring. Tuck in an offering of an extra prayer, Mass, some religious article, bookmark, etc. And in planning your gift list, why not include someone who is unable to reciprocate — someone who is ill, needy, the missions, etc.?

10. Most gift giving demands some material sacrifice, but the greatest gift of all is yours for only a little sacrifice of time — the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. How about attending weekday Masses, Holy Hours, or just a short visit to your parish church, if possible, and offering those for your friends, and at the same time reaping infinite benefits for yourself?

11. And don't forget to bake a birthday cake for Baby Jesus and give it a place of honor, with one candle, at the principal meal on Christmas. It will be another reminder that it is His birthday that we are celebrating. As a suggestion, it will make a very effective centerpiece set in the middle of the Advent Wreath you have been using in preparation for this great feast.

12. In setting your table you might use napkins lettered in gold with "Put Christ Back Into Christmas," "Bless Us, O Lord," or "Pray the Family Rosary Daily," which can be obtained from our service office.

13. By all means, make all of these preparations a "family affair," by having all members participate, and especially the children. Explain to them that all this preparation is being done for the purpose of giving honor to the Baby Jesus. Gather them around the piano or record player and teach them the beautiful Christmas songs. Make the entire season of Advent one of joyful anticipation.

Activity Source: Our Christian Home by Rev. Joseph A. Fischer, Seraphic Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1954

ABOUT CHRISTMAS

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

— Isaiah 9:5

Joy to the World the Savior reigns, let men their songs employ.

Catholic Culture offers this section to help you experience the joy of Christmas by keeping a spiritual focus on the season.

Throughout this wonderful time there will always be much hustle and bustle, shopping and baking and gift giving. But we hope you will refer here often for ideas and spiritual nuggets to increase your Christmas joy.

Let us try to celebrate Christmas with the innocence and humility of children always keeping in mind the wonderful birth of the Christ Child.

Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King.

• Christmas at Home and in the Liturgy
• The Masses of Christmas
• Put Christ Back in Christmas

FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

[source]

This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by Pope Pius XII for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953-December 8, 1954), which was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Enraptured by the splendor of your heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, 0 Immacuate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in your most loving heart appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.

Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled you, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of your conception until the day on which, after your assumption into heaven, He crowned you Queen of the Universe.

O crystal fountain of faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily of all holiness,
captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume! 0 Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin, which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell!

O well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In your name, resounding harmoniously in heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.

Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, you are the joy, you are the honor of our people! Amen.

[Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954]

MARYCHRISTMASSaya 2008

C2CD MaryChristMassaya FAMILY Tree

CLUSTER 2 MUSIC MINISTRY

DOWNLOAD FROM HERE

PROBLEM SOLVER!

RESOURCES FOR ADVENT

[source]

Here are some resources for Advent to increase your knowledge of and appreciation for this liturgical season in the life of the Church. It's the Catholic New Year! Let us wait with eager anticipation for the coming of the Savior.

Articles:

• Advent Workshop:

What Is Advent?
Jesse Tree
"O" Antiphons
Advent Calendar
Activities and Customs
Prayers and Hymns

• Advent Overview
• New Advent: Advent
• Renewing the Mystery of Advent, Part One: The Meaning of Advent
• Advent in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: nos. 524 and 1095
• See Advent's Meaning Through Mary
• Advent Wreath: Prayers and Explanation
• The Advent Wreath
• Our Whole Life Should Be an Advent
• The Crib Can Help Us
• Family Advent Customs
• Jesse Tree Symbols
• Divine Preparations
• Rose-Colored Vestments on Gaudete Sunday
• Advent Reflections: 2004
• Significance of the Advent Wreath
• The Liturgical Season of Advent
• Advent Dynamism
• Advent
• Catholic Traditions for Advent and Christmas
• Bring Our Fallen-Away Relations Back to Church During Advent
• Following Mary's Advent Footsteps
• Meditation Notes on the "O" Antiphons
• Advent: Preparing for Christ's Coming
• Advent: The Reason for the Season
• As We Enter Into Advent: Thoughts from Archbishop Fulton Sheen
• Advent Vigilance
• A New Year of Grace and Favor
• Advent Challenge
• Advent Questions: Holy Water, Blue, and Gaudete Sunday
• Take Time to Prepare for the Miracle of Christmas

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ADVENT?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Modern Catholic Dictionary, by Fr. John A. Hardon provides the following definition:

• A period of prayer in preparation for Christmas, including four Sundays, the first nearest the feast of St. Andrew, November 30. It is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. The use of the organ and other musical instruments is restricted in liturgical functions. However, it is allowed 1. in extraliturgical functions, 2. for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 3. to support singing, and 4. on Gaudete Sunday, feasts and solemnities, and in any extraordinary celebration. Altars may not be decorated with flowers. In the celebration of matrimony, the nuptial blessing is always imparted. But the spouses are advised to take into account the special character of the liturgical season. Masses for various needs and votive Masses for the dead are not allowed unless there is a special need. (Etym. Latin adventus, a coming, approach, arrival.)

Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is a time of preparation for and anticipation of the coming of the Lord that we celebrate on Christmas Day. It is an opportunity to place ourselves in the shoes of the Jewish people who waited so long for the coming of the Messiah. It is an opportunity to renew our appreciation for the Incarnation, the moment when the Son of God became man, one like us in all things but sin. Advent takes on a somber tone, similar to Lent, because our minds are focused on what life is like without Christ, without God’s entrance into our world. Of course, in waiting for this coming of the Lord, Advent takes on an eschatological tone as well since, as Christians, we also await the Second Coming, when Jesus will come again and make all things new.

THE ROSARY

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

"INTIMACY WITH JESUS"

The experience of the Saints bears witness to it: this popular Marian prayer [the Rosary] is a precious spiritual means to grow in intimacy with Jesus, and to learn at the school of the Blessed Virgin always to fulfill the divine will. It is contemplation of the mysteries of Christ in spiritual union with Mary ...

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

To be apostles of the Rosary, ... it is necessary to experience personally the beauty and depth of this prayer which is simple and accessible to everyone.

LET MARY LEAD YOU

It is ... necessary to let the Blessed Virgin take one by the hand to contemplate the Face of Christ: a joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious Face. Those who, like Mary and with her, cherish and ponder the mysteries of Jesus assiduously, increasingly assimilate His sentiments and are conformed to Him.

"CONTEMPLATION AND SILENCE"

The Rosary is a school of contemplation and silence. At first glance, it could seem a prayer that accumulates words, therefore difficult to reconcile with the silence that is rightly recommended for meditation and contemplation. In fact, this cadent repetition of the Hail Mary does not disturb inner silence but indeed both demands and nourishes it.

THE VOICE OF GOD

... In reciting the Hail Mary, we must be careful that our voices do not "cover" the voice of God Who always speaks through the silence like the "still small voice" of a gentle breeze (1 Kgs 19:12). ... How important it is to foster this silence full of God, both in one's personal recitation and its recitation with the community!

"RESPONSE TO THE WORD"

If it is to be a contemplative prayer, the Rosary must always emerge from the silence of the heart as a response to the Word, after the model of Mary's prayer. Seen clearly, the Rosary is completely interwoven with scriptural elements.

"STAY FAITHFUL"

Let us stay faithful to Our Lady and thus we shall stay faithful to love and to peace.

(Source: Meditation at Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii, October 19, 2008)

WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING...

GOD IS TRULY SO GREAT!

I just can't get enough of this song - so beautiful!

Last night I delivered the CO Talk # 4 to a 4-month old household only as pinch hitter for T2 JM who can't make it back in time from a long travel and boy, I was so glad coz I went home more enlightened.

The talk is entitled "Our Christian Culture in CFC" and God's message is about our covenant with our God and with one another. We are to be His people, and our lives are to reflect our intimate relationship with Him. We are called together in CFC to live out a common life.

And, here is where this song of Sanctus Real perfectly fit into the picture. The lyrics aptly sum up the whole talk of giving up our old self, being selfless, loving one another and entering into Jesus' new covenant of LOVE.

It was really a perfect night, T2 Steve introduced this song during the mood setting, it was T2 Noel's birthday celebration after the HH and I went home not only with take home of pancit luglug and bibingkang Cavite but with God's very clear message to me from this household.

I have no regret joining Couples for Christ 11 years ago, I'm happy serving the Lord 11 years after and I see no reason for me to stop making myself and my family available to do God's work.

Here is God's message...

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what you really want from me
I give everything, I surrender...

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there is peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Something Heavenly!
...

CODA:

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and LET EVERYTHING OUT!

ST. PAUL, MISSION AND MIGRANTS

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

"PROCLAIMED TO ALL"

Guided by the Holy Spirit, he [St, Paul] spared no effort to see that the Gospel ... was proclaimed to all, making no distinction of nationality or culture.

"A SINGLE PEOPLE" IN JESUS

His [St. Paul] life and his preaching were wholly directed to making Jesus known and loved by all, for all persons are called to become a single people in Him.

WE HAVE THE SAME MISSION

This is the mission of the Church and of every baptized person in our time too... a mission that with attentive pastoral solicitude is also directed to the variegated universe of migrants-- students far from home, immigrants, refugees, displaced persons, evacuees-- including for example, the victims of modern forms of slavery, and of human trafficking.

"THE SAME APPROACH"

Today too the message of salvation must be presented with the same approach as that of the Apostle to the Gentiles, taking into account the different social and cultural situations and special difficulties of each one as a consequence of his or her condition as a migrant or itinerant person.

"THE SAME APOSTOLIC ZEAL"

I express the wish that every Christian community may feel the same apostolic zeal as St. Paul... May his example also be an incentive for us to show solidarity to these brothers and sisters of ours and to promote, in every part of the world and by every means, peaceful coexistence among different races, cultures and religions.

"LET US NOT TIRE"

Let us not tire of proclaiming and witnessing to this "Good News" with enthusiasm, without fear and sparing no energy! The entire Gospel message is condensed in love, and authentic disciples of Christ are recognized by the mutual love they bear one another by their acceptance of all.

(Source: Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, January 18, 2009, issued August 24, 2008)

YES! WE ARE DISCIPLES...

BACK-TO-BACK

10 months

after the first Disciples Weekend in Baguio City...

... 50 days
after the MEC in Bahrain

FINALLY!

THE SEASON OF LOVE AND HOPE

THURSDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2008

From the Director, Joe Tale Last Christmas, we kicked off the season with our hugely successful “A Time to Dance,” which in turn launched the equally hugely successful “One Time Big Time.”  This was the big miracle in our community life last year – that we were able to wipe out more than P20 million in debts – in spite of the relationship conflict and the challenges that we went through.   Now, it is Christmas once again.  How fast time flies, indeed!   And so we rummage through our things to bring out mothballed decorative items -- the Christmas tree, the belen, the little knick-knacks that proclaim that our household joyously anticipates the coming of our Savior.   But there is a cloud in our horizon this Christmas.  Ed David, who spoke at our most recent Mission Core Teaching Night, called it “A Perfect Storm,” the worldwide financial crisis that is now rapidly roiling through the developed nations and threatening to engulf small nations like ours.   Should we, as Christians who firmly believe in God’s mercy and providence, allow this cloud to affect how we respond to the Christmas theme of love and joy and generosity? Should we now lock up not just our wallets but also our hearts so that, seemingly battened down against the “storm,” we can say we are prepared?   At no other time of the year are expressions of love and caring more apparent than at Christmastime.  At no other season do we allow ourselves free rein in showing those we love how much we value them.  In fact, at no other time do we also allow our hearts to soften towards those who have hurt us.    Should the financial crisis now prevent us from giving expression to our love and caring?   I say NO.  It is precisely the threat of hard times ahead that should spur us to think of others besides ourselves and our loved ones.  It is the thought that so many people will be in even more dire situations than ours that should move us to express our concern for them NOW.   As Ed David suggested, there are so many creative ways by which we can show our love this Christmas.  It is said that Filipinos are expressive people and consequently, very creative in expressing their emotions.  So we should not run out of great ideas to show our brothers and sisters that Christ reigns in our hearts, not just at Christmas but always.   We can enjoy the season without the luxurious trappings that we normally associate with it.  We can light up a single lantern instead of stringing thousands and thousands of lights around our homes and fences, and even our trees.  We can give gifts made by our hands that are totally expressive of our love, rather than spend precious pesos on meaningless gewgaws.  We can write letters that speak of our love.  We can pay personal visits to friends we seldom see.  A hug and a warm handshake speak greater volumes than any gift ever can.  We can say, and mean, the precious words “I love you.”  That, to a Christian, is a gift more costly than any thing store-bought.   As CFC, what can we do to enjoy this particular Christmas season?  Let us all revisit our households and the way we relate to each and every member.  Have we shown our members the love and care that, as household head, we are obligated to provide?  Have we asked after their welfare?  Are we aware of their problems and needs and have we given them our assurance of support in their own periods of stress and difficulty?  Have we fulfilled our basic roles as household heads, meaning, have we provided them with the pastoral care that is expected of us as their leaders?  Are they better persons and Christians because of our love for them?   During this season, how wonderful it would be if we all took time to pay our members (even past members) that personal visit that speaks of love and the special relationship that Jesus alone can bring.  Or else invite everyone to a simple repast and give them the gift of honoring and affirming them through our kind words, spoken in love and felt by the heart.  This kind of honoring and affirming is what has sustained CFC households through all the 27 years of its existence.   The “perfect storm” may be coming.  But we are unfazed because our perfect Christ and Savior is by our side.    So we await the Redeemer’s coming this Christmas.  And we pay him the most perfect homage we can give – by loving our neighbor and witnessing to Christ’s presence in our lives.   A blessed Christmas to you all!

Household Topic November 17 - 23, 2008

Do Not Judge Others (Romans 14: 1-12)

Verse:

"Who are you to judge the servants of someone else?"

Reflection:

Many times, we wrongly judge others by using ourselves as yardstick. The Lord continuously reminds us of pride. Pride is self-focus. Pride is self-righteousness. Pride is wrongly taking yourself as standard.

The world does not revolve around us. We do not own anything. All is the Lord's. And so the Lord reminds us - "Who are you to judge the servants of someone else?"

If we are loved, if we receive love, and if we are blessed with the grace to share it - all are possible because of the greatest love that God is.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Discussion Questions:

1. What beliefs do I have of myself that I use to judge others?

2. What is it in others that I long to have in myself?

3. Does it impact on me - that we are all truly servants of God?

BIBLE QUIZ & PUZZLE - TRY IT!

Bible Quiz

Bible Names Crossword Puzzle 

ROSARY.BEADS

Try the Rosary.Beads from here.

- Choose manual or auto mode

- Choose manual to pause also

- Drag handle is on the top right

- Press play to start

You don't have to be connected to the internet to use Rosary.Beads.

Download it and use it anytime!.

Download Rosary.Beads here.

Download Instructions:

- Unzip the file Roary.zip

- Inside is a folder named Rosary

- Navigate to this folder

- Choose index.html

- Thats it!

PASS IT FORWARD!

DISCIPLES WEEKEND

All about... APOLOGETICS!

Christ the Teacher Series

VOL. I: The Apostles' Creed A seventeen-part discussion of the Apostles’ Creed, looking at Scripture, the Church Fathers and the great Catechisms of 1566 and 1992. Detailed, but easy to read, it amounts to a solid resource for catechists, home-schoolers, and those wishing to learn their Catholic Faith.

VOL. II: Law and Life An analysis of the Seven Sacraments, the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer looking at Scripture, the Church Fathers and the great Catechisms of 1566 and 1992. Detailed, but easy to read, it amounts to a solid resource for catechists and home-schoolers.

VOL. III: The Family and Human Life A brief discussion of family and human life matters, including marriage, contraception, abortion, euthanasia etc., looking at Scripture, the Church Fathers and the great Catechisms of 1566 and 1992. A useful introductory work.

VOL. IV: Defend the Faith! Lumen Verum’s most popular work, a 400-page defense of the Catholic Faith in 40 topical chapters. Updated and improved, it amounts to a powerful tool to defend the Faith, catechize the baptized and new converts, and introduce it to potential Catholics.

The Secret of Mary
by St. Louis de Montfort

With Imprimi Potest, Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, 1947

Contents: INTRODUCTION

THE NECESSITY OF SANCTIFYING OURSELVES

OUR SANCTIFICATION THROUGH MARY A NECESSARY MEANS

DEVOTION TO MARY A PERFECT MEANS

NATURE AND SCOPE OF THIS DEVOTION

EXCELLENCE OF THE HOLY SLAVERY OF LOVE

INTERIOR PRACTICE OF THE HOLY SLAVERY OF LOVE

EXTERIOR PRACTICES OF THE HOLY SLAVERY OF LOVE

THE TREE OF LIFE: HOW TO MAKE MARY REIGN IN OUR SOULS

THE RENOUNCEMENT OF THE WORLD AND THE THREE KNOWLEDGES

SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO MARY

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE INCARNATE WISDOM

CONFRATERNITY OF MARY, QUEEN OF ALL HEARTS

SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S PRAYER TO JESUS

ABOUT SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT

All about... PRAYER!

E-BOOKS

#118 – Prayer


#119 – The Lord's Prayer


#304 – Lord, Teach Us to Pray


#309 – Prayer Time


#363 –The Way of the Cross:
Traditional and Modern Meditations

CFC International Missions

This site is dedicated to all of us in the international missions. We will now find additional strength that we are not alone on mission, but we are part of the larger family of God trailblazing in the love of Christ and bearing witness to His words in our life and our mission area walking in greater faith with an Omnipotent God.

• A CFC missionary is doing God’s work and is at the forefront of CFC’s missionary thrust.
• Crosses come our way. We look to them as blessings that can draw us closer to God and strengthen our faith.
• Trusting fully in God who calls usto be His missionary.
• We are in His hands and He is accomplishing His plan in our lives.
• Expecting to have the most rewarding time of our lives.

www.cfcinternationalmissions.com

CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM - Module One

CLP MODULE I - Through the Lens of LOVE
(Fast Track)

COMBINED TALK 1 & 2

COMBINED TALK 3 & 4

by Bro. Ernesto Santiago, Jr.

CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM - Orientation

by Bro. Ernesto Santiago, Jr.

THE SEVENFOLD UNITY

"Make every effort to preserve the unity."
Ephesians 4:3

From prison, Paul pleaded with his Christian brothers and sisters to "livea life worthy" of their calling (Eph 4:1). This meant being humble, meek, long-suffering, and lovingly forbearing (Eph 4:2). This radically different way of life was necessary to preserve and deepen the early Church's unity in the Spirit (Eph 4:3). One very high priority was unity in the body, and the Spirit, and in hope, unity in the Lord, faith, and baptism, and in the God and Father of all (Eph 4:4-6). This sevenfold unity is still necessary for our lives to be worthy of our calling by the Lord.

Jesus is continuing to pray that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Despite centuries of disunity among the various Christian denominations, despite millions of divorces, despite an almost total disregard for a practical living out of our baptismal brotherhood and sisterhood, despite the utter divisiveness and disunity of sin, the Lord will never change (see Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). He wants us in unity with Him and with each other. We must be united even if we have to die for it, because He already has died for it (Jn 11:51-52).

Repent! Live a worthy, humble life of unity.

Prayer: Father, unite the Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox before theyear 2012.

Promise: "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father ofall, Who is over all, and works through all, and is in all." —Eph 4:5-6

Praise: St. Anthony not only gave missions himself, he founded theCongregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.


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