Christian Life Program

Are you a weekend Catholic, meaning your idea of being a Catholic is to attend Mass on Sundays?  Do you have everything but feel empty inside?  Do you want to have a more personal and intimate relationship with the Lord, your spouse and your children?  If you answered Yes to any of the questions, you are an ideal candidate to attend the Christian Life Program.

The Christian Life Program (CLP) is the entry point to the Couples of Christ.  It is open to couples from all walks of life who want to have a deeper relationship with God and a more meaningful existence as a Christian.  While the organization is for spiritual renewal, it is not boring or dogmatic as religious organizations are perceived to be.  Being a member of Couples for Christ opened me to a lot of friends, better understanding of what a wife, a mother or a Christian should be.  I have been a member since 1998 and I won't stay this long if I found it boring.

Come August 13, 2011 at 8 PM, the chapter where my husband and I belong to will be conducting an Orientation on the CLP.  I hope you say yes to my invitation.  By the way, did I say that it is FREE?  It is free.  Just come with your spouse, have an open mind and be ready to make new friends.

WHAT:  Christian Life Program

WHEN:  August 13, 2011 to November 5, 2011

8:00 in the evening

WHERE:  Sanctuario de San Vicente de Paul

Tandang Sora Ave., Quezon City

CONTACT PERSONS:  Bro. Deng Yango (0916-4625254)

Sis.  Reiah Yango (0922-7245192 or 288-0402)

Sis. Marla Rances (788-2025 or 215-1305)

Sis. Vicky Francisco (0929-1540737)

God is My BFF

Whenever problems arise, what do you do to lessen the load?  As for me, I pour the heaviness of my heart to my husband, children, my family or to my dear friends.  I don't broadcast my problems to the world, just to a select circle of people.  Their words of wisdom, comforting words, ready shoulders to cry on and reassurance that everything will be alright do a lot to lift my spirits.  

What if the problem is just insurmountable? A problem that neither money nor the counsel of well-meaning friends can alleviate?  Whom do you turn to?  I turn to God.  I draw strength from the words of St. Matthew from 11:28-30:  Come to me, all you work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart: and you shall find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light.  I lift all my cares and minutes after I feel a sense of serenity within me.  Truly He is my best friend, my BFF.

In 1939, Mary Stevenson of Pennsylvania, USA wrote a poem that remains very popular to this day, Footprints in the Sand.  Orphaned by her mother at the tender age of 6 and a childhood spent during America's toughest and most trying times, Mary wrote this poem.  It talks of God's benevolence, magnanimity and love to mankind.

On introspection, I came to the conclusion that being benevolent, magnanimous and loving is not exclusive to God.  Ordinary mortals can emulate God.  A lot of our countrymen are mired in poverty and its attendant problems and we just can not afford to sit back and relax in the comforts of our homes and airconditioned offices.  Let's get our act together and find out what our less fortunate brothers and sisters need.  We need not look far.  He or she may be your household member or your barber or hairdresser.  As I said, we don't have to look far.