This blog post is taken from project73.tumblr.com a blog created by Frater Emmanuel (Richie Aldaba).
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When Ray Mina, the speaker for the session, encouraged us to find people from different regions to share our love for them, I must confess I immediately disobeyed. I knew of two people that I wanted to say, “I love you to” and I knew they were standing at the back of the room. With my eyes fixed on the back, I headed straight towards them careful not to look at absolutely anyone else.
And there I found them, praying to themselves with the familiar and comfortable smiles on their faces. I nearly broke down when I approached them because I knew how much I owed them, how much they mean to me, and how important it is and was for me to let them know how I loved them so deeply.
That night, I approached Steve and Ellen Cadiz, couple coordinators who have worked with me since 2003. Although that night I only honoured them, (because they were the only ones there), I would be remiss to neglect posting about the amazing people known as parent or couple coordinators for YFC Pacific.
I would like to think the YFCs in my region have abundant blessings and gifts, most especially as it pertains to their faith. My younger brothers and sisters (on the most part) attend confession regularly, joyfully celebrate Mass, and have a remarkably deep understanding of faith for their age. All these gifts are a result of a number of things: solid retreats, great leadership, an amazing spiritual director etc.
But one thing often goes unnoticed. I firmly believe that our spirituality is due in large part because of the prayers of our beloved coordinators: the Rodases, the Cadizes, the Perezes, the Castroes, the Aguilars, the San Joses, the Alcantarras, the Marcelos, the Siys, the Jayins, the Villamayors, the Empigs, the Umalis, the Trigos, the Diazes, the Reyes, and the Tangcos.
It is through their amazing example that we learned how to pray, how to feast, how to fellowship and how to be authentically Christian.
For me personally, I would be completely lost especially without our titos. They taught me how to love in such a deep and profound way. Despite my faults, they continue to love me to this very day. It is through their blessed love and service that we were ever taught how to care for one another. It is through their blessed love and service we experienced Jesus on a whole different level.
Much like St. Monica and the Holy Family, they nourished us with Christ’s love. Yes they fed us food, but they drew us closer to Christ in the most amazing way possible, through their intimate love for each other, for us, and most especially, for Jesus.
Though the names and faces continue to change with time, Couples for Christ has shone a light in to the very need and longing for every year human being – a need to for community in the divine image and likeness of His Most Holy Trinity. May our CC’s never go unnoticed and may we, as the youth and young adults of the community, always show gratitude towards the sacrifices they make for us.
Thank you to all the CC’s who have mentored, pastored me and those I’ve been fortunate to serve alongside:
The Cabanos’
The Cadiz’s
The Atienza’s
The Castro’s
The Aguilar’s
The Reyes’
The Dimacali’s
The Dantes’
The Diaz’s
The Tangco’s
The Fournier’s
The Contreras’
The Ganaden’s
The Tadifa’s
The Ramos’
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the Glory, now and forever.
