BY ARIJEL COLOMA
SFC-UK celebrates its 10th years… What a journey it has been!
On November 6-8 2009, the single men and women for Christ in the United Kingdom gathered to celebrate its 10 years of existence. The whole weekend celebration was themed ABLAZE – In Pursuit of Christ.
Those who have been with the SFC-UK for 10 years would remember how their love affairs with Christ began and how God patiently pursued them to know Him and to build a beautiful, long lasting relationship with Him. This relationship has been reinforced by so many teachings, conferences and of course every individual’s initiative and effort to nourish his faith. This of course with God’s grace has a penultimate reward. Every now and then, we witnessed brothers and sisters giving testimonies on how their lives have been touched and changed in this community for so many years. There were numerous accounts on how the community evolved, how it changed, how members came and have gone. Despite all these transitions, one thing still remains - the focus and our purpose have not changed. Our hunger and our desire to pursue our ultimate goal, which is oneness with Christ forever lingers in us.
As I reflect and ponder on what happened that weekend, I realized how God continuously pursued me in my relationship with Him. I have only been part of the SFC-UK community for over 2 years but my journey and my love story with Him have already been a roller coaster. This weekend served a good reminder that despite of what circumstances you face in your journey, God affirms that He will always be there and He is a loving father. There’s no need to be afraid of what lies behind and what lies ahead but rather we should continue to focus and aspire in our pursuit to have Christ in our life.
This weekend rekindled my love affair with our One True Lover. It has given me more passion and strong determination to continue to serve him with purpose and to make a difference. I am working hard not to slip out of this union with God for I have an exciting journey with Him.. an incredible journey which I do not want to end.
As single men and women, we should be anchored in Christ. We have been blessed to witness Christ and have been led by the Holy Spirit. We have been armed for the mission because we are zealous evangelizers and enthusiastic servants of Christ.
Let us all continue to be ABLAZE in our pursuit with Christ, be fired up and bold enough to proclaim the great unity we have with Him. Each of us has been especially called and chosen by our Father for a mission. A mission that He and Him alone can only define and allocate beyond our knowledge and expectations. As we continue to encounter Christ in our lives let us treasure the journey that we have and focus on claiming the ultimate Prize!
BY KRIS SANTIAGO
God`s pursuit of me was revealed in 2 ways. First, I was reminded of the countless blessings that He has showered me ever since I can remember. How He never actually let me be deprived of the essentials in life. He didn`t spoil me, but I felt like there was always enough going around that I didn`t have to beg or work too hard for anything I needed - not material things nor the love and attention of my parents. Second, I realized that during those times when I felt frustrated because things didn`t exactly go my way, those times when I felt like He was being a `difficult Father` - He was actually keeping me from circumstances that would have led me to make decisions I might later on regret. In fact, I was the one being stubborn by continuously trying to break free from His guidance.
This weekend was another affirmation, or rather it was an absolute proclamation of God`s immeasurable love for me. Like an in-your-face shoutout from God that removed any doubts from my heart. Although, I may still have fears or worries about what`s to come, I know I will always have a Father who knows what I need, what my heart desires even if I myself am unsure. Now I`m more open, I`m ready and willing to go forward in this pursuit.
BY JO CANDIDO
I was very grateful to be part of SFC United Kingdom 10th year Anniversary celebration and it was a wonderful experience to attend this conference. This conference made me realize that Christ patiently pursues me every day of my life. He never stops until He captures my heart and stays with me in this journey towards His Kingdom. Let me share that before this conference God really tested my faith to Him up to the point of questioning Him. Now I know that this is His way of pursuing me that He tells me, “My child, my daughter, my princess, don’t worry I am here for you. Entrust to me all your burdens, fears and doubts and I’ll give you peace. I am your King, your Father.” And for that I am ablaze to pursue Him by answering His call to love and serve Him. For all of these, may God be praised.
BY KRISTEN GONZALES
For the past couple of weeks prior to this conference I`m in the darkness. My longing for God is so deep and yet I could not feel HIS presence, maybe God is keeping HIMSELF away from me and HE must be forcing HIMSELF to do so because HE loves me so much and I need to realize and discover it by myself.
Through this retreat GOD revealed and affirmed me one thing - that HE is my all. I am a complete person and lack nothing because in my heart I possess the greatest treasure. As Saint Augustine said "our hearts were made for THEE oh Lord and it will always be restless until it rest in Thee".
This weekend is another beginning in my journey with the Lord. I might take a U- turn and be on the wrong side of the road because of the sins that I might commit on my way or be on rough roads and make me slow down a bit. I pray that I will not be complacent with my faith and to remember always that I`m still a "work in progress". I also pray that God will give me courage and strength to remain focused on my final destination... to be home... to be in heaven....
BY SOCORRO SA-ONOY
Truly, God works in marvelous and mysterious ways!! Last November 6-8 was our 10th year anniversary of SFC in UK and it was the ABLAZE in Pursuit of Christ conference. This weekend comprised the great days of my life. I felt God embraced me all throughout the conference since we arrived in the venue til the end of the conference wherein we had a glorious and overwhelming praisefest and a nice and delicious lunch, courtesy of our very supportive brothers and sisters in Couples for Christ-UK.
Few days before the conference, I was still not sure if I will join the conference or not. I thought I wouldn’t be able to focus in the conference and on God`s messages for me because I was preoccupied with a lot of things in my mind - doubts, worries, most of them worldly things. But God sent His angels thru our two sisters in the community to pursue me to join the conference and not to miss the moments to be with Him and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. During the conference, God continued pursuing me. He cleared my mind with all the worldly thoughts, and He helped me focus on Him. God is really good. He sent us four powerful and spirit-filled speakers that made us all listen attentively to all the talks throughout the conference. He had given us an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation thru Father Chris Newman, our retreat master who made me realize that God is always in control of my life. All I have to do is trust Him and not to lean on my own understanding. I have to open my heart, let the Holy Spirit occupy it and feel His love. I was really amazed how God moved and enlightened me. He detached me from worldly love so that I will love no other but Him. In my journey in life, I will continue to pursue God until I get my heart`s desire, the great prize waiting for us in the end.. a place in God`s kingdom!!!.. Peace to all and may God be praised.
BY MELANIE MARSABAL
I was once an active member of YFC in XU- Ateneo de Cagayan way back 1999. In the midst of my life, I was too busy searching for happiness only to find out, I was in the wrong track. It was like I`ve been running in a race, aiming to reach a goal of winning just to realize I was making my own rules of the game that were not in accordance to what God has set. The phrase "been there done that" was one of my favorite lines when talking about vices. Worse, I had to add "with flying colors" every time I say it. I never had regrets of not having Him in my life. But from then on, I decided to change my perceptions about life. I`ve been trying hard to sustain our needs and wants as well.
I thought I can make it through out it all. I finished 2 degrees, I`m here in United Kingdom where almost all of my colleagues had been considering as their dreamland - with all the castles, snow, and of course the work itself. During my first few months here, I told myself this is it. I can buy anything I want. I can help my family. I can go to different places. What else can I ask for? However, I might be successful and fulfilled but the thing is, am I happy? “Of course, I AM,” I say. I thought I WAS. There was a part of me that was empty that no matter how I tried to fill it with worldly things, it was still longing for something.
I joined the CLP here in North East England. From then on, I`ve been attending general assemblies, conference, households, and even becoming service team in CLPs. I always say since I have God now, I will be fine. I do know him. I prayed and worshipped him. I was claiming He is my God but shame on me, the faith I had was too shallow, I was distracted these past couple of weeks. I`ve been struggling with work shifts, family problems, and other those legalities. I almost gave up to the point of questioning HIS existence.
Last Nov. 6-8, 2009 I attended ABLAZE in Pursuit of Christ. It was an opportunity for me to know HIM better. I`ve been following empty pursuits that made me panic every time they didn’t fall into my perspective. And you know what God told me and asked me to do? It is to surrender and put everything I desire into His hands and letting Him to hold me. He knows our needs. He is faithful and generous. Hearing the talks, I am now determined to follow Christ and let HIM be the driver of my journey towards the destination called heaven. Although there are barriers to ablaze because we are paralyzed with our ignorance, wrong beliefs, shame and guilt, pride and fear but with arms wide open, I gladly welcome Him in my life and proud to post this to God`s wall in facebook: "Send me Lord, and I will go; to the place YOU have prepared", " Alam ko hindi mo ako kelan man iiwan"; "KAYA NAKO NI. SI KRISTO AKONG SANDIGAN."
BY BING PADILLA
God has always been pursuing me especially if I tend to have pitfalls. For example this conference that we had, I’m supposed to be working on that weekend and in our area it is difficult to exchange. But GOD has found a way for me to attend the conference. Also, just recently I had a meeting with one of the big bosses in the trust and God has sent the Holy Spirit to be there with me while I was speaking to them - making sure that He always guides and protects me, and that I’m not in trouble at all times.
I will pursue GOD by making sure that I will be free from sin, helping the community to evangelize, contributing my talents, being prayerful, attending the Holy Mass and a good follower of GOD.
BY LILIAN LOTA
Never have I known that I would be attending last weekend`s SFC 10th Anniversary ABLAZE in Pursuit of God. Having said that, I am in awe right at this very moment that I am actually writing my reflection regarding the said event, and I can’t help but to smile about it.
Two months ago, I ended a complicated relationship which I have been nurturing for about 3 years. God knows that I needed healing for I was trying to mend a broken heart. And so, this was how His pursuit took place…. a few weeks before the event, I am my usual self...doing my usual routine each time I come home from a 12 hours shift. I opened my computer and checked my emails and browsed thru them. I have come across with the email regarding the invitation for the SFC 10th Anniversary...didn`t pay attention to it because I know that I wouldn’t be able to join anyway. I have used all my annual leaves when I went for vacation back home last March.. and I thought, there is no way I could make it. And so, I brushed the thought off my mind. Just a few days after reading that email, I got text messages from sisters Aimee and Angie both on the same day, encouraging me to attend the event.. and my goodness?!.. They we`re very persistent! Having said all the reasons which I thought were reasonable.. it seems that I couldn’t work my way out to make my beautiful sisters come into rest. And so I assured them that I would get back on them as soon as I sort the matter out.. and of course, I asked for them to pray for me. I started to look at my options.. I could try looking for colleagues who could swap their shifts with me for 3 days or even for 2 and then have 1 day as off sick - no success. My time`s ticking away, I only have about 2 weeks to confirm my registration. Within the first week of my `countdown`, I went to a job interview for a band 5 Occupational Therapy post in Eastbourne Hospital (NHS), but unfortunately, I didn’t make it. I felt devastated, because I spent a lot of energy to prepare for that interview just to make sure that would be accepted..I needed it badly for I couldn’t bare to stay in my current work place, where my ex-boyfriend is working. But then, within that week, I received a great news from my employer that I have been made permanent as full-time OT in the hospital that I have been doing part-time with for about a year. Whoa!? A promotion? Never thought it will ever happen. The processing was quick. They sent me the job offer and as soon as I read it through and was satisfied with the conditions.. I signed it. Come the second week of my `countdown`, I needed to wait for my starting date to be announced. During those times, I am already feeling at ease because I know God will fix it.. and Lo and behold..on that Friday (last day for confirming my place for the conference), I was told by my service manager that I would be starting on the 9th of November. I readily spoke to my Senior Nurse if I could take the weekend off before I start my new post...and he didn’t have second thoughts.. he answered `yes` straight away! I felt my heart was jumping for joy! God made me feel His Mighty Providence and Love for He seemed to put everything into their right places. He`s taking me away from the place that I have lived for almost 6 years (comfort zone!) and from the man who have hurt me, and had given me my profession as an OT and to work for 8 hours everyday with weekends off! Amazing! I thought...He really must have wanted me that bad!?
Having to experience His healing last weekend - I have come to realize that I have been longing for true love. He made me feel empty for Him to be able to fill me up. Not knowing that He has been doing that for a long time.. and I just didn’t take notice. All the while, I thought I found it in the man I fell in love with, believing that love is about taking risks and giving.. give as much as you could to make the relationship work. I have worn this belief like a virtue around my neck, until I lost my dignity as a woman and as a person. For all those years, I was trying to please a man, for him to see my worth and appreciate the things I have done just to win his heart. But I was wrong - I crashed.. big time! But just like a knight and shining armour, knowing the deepest desires of my heart, God started to take on my case. He let me attend these wonderful conferences such as Princess Diaries and the 10th SFC Anniversary, to ignite the fire I`ve lost for such a long time. Having to hear His messages through the powerful speakers and sharers He had appointed during those events, from washing my sins and guilt away and availing his forgiveness through the sacrament of Reconciliation, by experiencing `heaven` through the company of my brothers and sisters in SFC. He again had made me anew. His embrace is so warm that I felt truly loved despite of my brokenness. If I were to please someone.. there`s should be no one else but Him.
BY RJ MUSNI
Spending 3 days in a castle, being with the Lord the whole time and simply allowing myself to experience the love of my brothers and sisters in SFC have been what my weekend was in the Ablaze Conference. During the whole time, the Lord just made me realize how blessed I am to do the mission for Him. I used to believe that enduring all the hurts and downfall I had in my life with the Lord have been the key message that He wanted me to know, thus making me a stronger person. But I was wrong, all this time that the Lord has let me experience being in a difficult journey, He was actually pursuing me and I just failed to realize it. I failed to feel His embrace every time I stumble, making me dwell on my hurts and nurse the pain. I served the Lord by doing the mission He gave me, but I couldn’t say that all those times that I have called myself a missionary that I was actually also pursuing Him. Every time I would hear my fellow SFC’s sharing, I felt so embraced and humbled. It made me excited to experience the pursuit that God will continue to do for me. These allowed me to see the beauty of continuing my journey with the Lord. This would be the best love to experience, a chance to look forward to and the greatest thing to hope for. I know I could give more and I am willing to continue giving more. I’m proud to be a member of SFC, blessed to belong and happy to be a missionary. To God be the Glory.
BY BELINDA QUICHO
As I reflect on it, God actually pursued me all my life, blessings of a good family and wonderful parents were ways that God pursued me. My parents were hardworking. They never really stopped to work to provide for me and my brother. When I was in college in Manila, my Nanay made it sure that I am very comfortable and taken cared off. I was 16 years old when I first been in Manila alone. I stayed in Pius XII dormitory, run by Salesian sisters of Don Bosco. Since their main vocation is for the youth I got involved with their congregation that I seldom went home on weekends, just stayed in the dorm and volunteered to help the kids from a nearby estero. I got very much involved. I really adored the works of the sisters and I’m very happy doing it. Pius dormitory became my home away from home. I got so involved with the sisters that I was considering to enter the vocation. I attended vocation orientation encounters with the Salesians. The Don Bosco culture is very inviting and the sisters really were very jolly, happy and you can see true vocation in them. The vocation theme was that we are all called to love may it be in marriage, in religious life, or in single blessedness and contemplation but we just need to choose the road less travelled. When I asked my parents if they will allow me to continue a religious vocation, I know that I innocently gave them a fright or shock. It never occurred to them that I will seek such approval from them regarding this. My Nanay told me she wants to compromise -- finish my studies first in college, concentrate on it and then we’ll talk again when I have finished my studies. To make it short, I stayed for 5 years until I finished my chosen profession in physical therapy. I kept on reflecting on my parents’ words saying, “there is time for everything and at the moment I need to study.” I was never to enter the religious vocation since I was preoccupied after my graduation and my thoughts that time was to start my own life back home. I made a choice of continuing my profession since I get to serve the community of the Salesian sisters even if I am not inside as a sister. One time I was talking to the oldest sister in Pius, Sr. Pilar FMA +. I told her I’m very blessed as I’m surrounded by nice people everywhere I go. I got a very nice circle of friends at school and at the dorm. She told me that my mother is praying hard for me and God answered well enough to keep me away from bad people. She said I was truly blessed for having a mother like her.
I went home to Bataan after college and I started my new life. My parents then were new members of CFC. I got shocked by the culture of CFC. I was hoping to stay more at home and be with my parents but sadly, they were always out and doing their CFC duties. I learnt not to bother them but at times I wanted to be with them but they were out in CFC service. When my nanay asked me if I wanted to join SFC I told them arrogantly, “What for? I already know what they’re going to tell me.. especially the teachings.” I was with the Salesian sisters for 5 years, I organized World Youth Day with them, all their conventions internationally, I am testifying for the street children. Why do I need to join SFC? So Nanay just kept quiet, saw my point and never really asked me to attend the SFC CLP.
After 2 years we had that conversation, I remembered clearly that September 2001, I was getting very professionally burnt out having been very busy with PT clinic that we started. When I graduated it was too hard for me go back and forth Manila and serve for the Salesian sisters. I just asked Nanay (not aware those words came out from my mouth) if there’s any ongoing CLP for SFC. I saw my Nanay’s face light up, grabbed my hand and took me to the CLP which was on its second week. As if I was a grade 1 student, my Nanay accompanied me to the venue and started my journey in SFC and never missed a session after that. It turned out I knew very little from the service I had before with the sisters. I realized God is leading me to places He knew I will grow in love with him. God started with me by knowing the Salesians of Don Bosco, his life and passion and vision for the youth. I fell in love with Don Bosco and the Salesian sisters. I’m embracing their works and I’m very happy, contended and very committed to my service. I may not be for religious life but I know I got a life of service. I used to dream to become a missionary even searching congregations with missionaries sent all over the world. I loved the idea. It never materialized but all I know is that all my desires were seen after I joined SFC. I started serving SFC, became a household head then unit head. The mission work I was longing to have, I experienced it when my chapter sent a mission team to revive the SFC in a not so near place in Bataan. It was a very challenging mission. All the plans we talked about were not followed and it turned out that it was only me and an SFC brother to do everything. We were left with no time to turn back since we got news that 7-10 people have already signed up for the orientation. So we had to carry on. We had 18 graduates upon dedication. After 2 years, we were able to produce quality SFCs, even more vigilant than I am. I heard they’re now strong and still growing.
God led me to serve in SFC. He prepared me with a life of service and fortitude for me to move on with my vocation for SFC mission and vision. God pursued me with abundant blessings. I rest on weekends doing CLPs, meetings, fellowship, teachings, do CLP talks, sing with the music ministry for SFC. That was my rest, tiring yet very fulfilling. As I reflect on it God really planned things for me -- guided and gave me the right people and enough push to continue my service. When I decided to try my luck here in UK, no one knows about my plans not even my chapter, I just tried because I got that feeling I needed to act on something. So I did what I needed to do, I applied and I got my visa, plain and simple. The hardest thing was to let go my chapter which I worked hard to build. When my upper household held an honouring night for me, my elder told me that my role in our Chapter is finished and God wants me in UK for a new phase in my life. God made it possible because God’s plan is truly working in my life.
I went to UK, searched in you tube and saw SFC UK. I was contacted by Babes Briones and I was able to attend a household. I told myself I am a member now so I will act as one - I have no direct responsibility on anyone and I kept justifying that to myself. As a result, I slowly compromised my commitment in SFC and later on I realized that I was going through spiritual dryness. Work, stability, security and satisfaction took me away from focusing on God. I knew the activities but I kept on cancelling attending the last minute due to tiredness brought about by working 5-6nights a week. I know I was blinded with work and school duties. I realized I needed a boost. I found myself losing a part of my commitment to God who in the first place put me in this place.
I know the ABLAZE conference will give me the boost. Months before the conference, everything was falling into place. I prayed, “Lord, I know you want me to come to the conference, but my schedule in school and work are hard to squeeze in. But I just live it to you God.” God pursued me and made a way for me to clear my schedule.
The ABLAZE conference helped me realize several things. I realized the purpose why I was brought here. I simply was a member who just attends conferences and meetings which are exactly opposite from my service in the Philippines. I thought I was over with service since I did it for many years that I just wanted to rest. That is why when Sister Rhoda asked me to lead a household last year, I was very hesitant. I felt I cannot do it since I have to work and study and it’s hard to lead a household with limited resources of time. I said I was not yet ready. But I realized this weekend that I had the same constraints when I was in the Philippines but it did not stop me from serving. I also had limited time and financial resources but accepted the mission to revive SFC in one of our chapters. So, what is the difference now? God intimately conversed with me. I shared with my household head that this is the only conference that I was really swept away, felt pursued and been intimate with God. We really interacted. He talked to me the way I want to be pursued. I felt very blessed, renewed and challenged. I realized what I did and interpreted God’s purpose and plans for me here in UK. I really appreciate my CFC and SFC brothers and sisters for being very intimately in love with the Lord and showing me what service is. God put me in a place where He knows I will really grow in love with Him. God knew all along my needs to grow. Fellowship and prayer are things I should be concentrating. He knew me too well that He knows that I will get comfortable if I stayed in the Philippines. God sees potential in me to grow more and I’m very blessed he gave me such attention. I can work less hours these days, but still I can earn enough for my needs and my family. He really orchestrated my life and realizing that made me feel that I am very, very loved and blessed by God. I thank God for the attention and calling me to have a mature kind of service. This really inspired me.
How will I ABLAZE to pursue Christ? I’m in a constant struggle to do good. I am always in a dilemma. I have a personality that if I can handle it, I don’t consult anyone because I know I can do it by myself. My household knows only a bit about my hardships because I seldom share it. I know it is in this area that God wants me to. When I was in confession the priest specifically pointed out the need for me to share this to a trusted friend so I can get the level of support. God doesn’t want me to carry it alone. He wants me to lighten it by sharing burdens and difficulties with a trusted friends in my household and the community. God doesn’t want me to carry it all. He wants me to share my burdens with Him. I’ll stay ablaze this way and serve the community where I am called to love and share His love to others.