True Men Of God
October 9, 2010 by CFC Canada
Filed under featured
Highlights of the First CFC SOLD Canada National Conference
by Henry Liaz, CFC Edmonton
Couples for Christ (CFC) Canada held its first ever CFC Servants of the Lord National Conference “ABBA, Father’s Weekend” on October 2 & 3, 2010 at Lister Center, University of Alberta in Edmonton.
CFC Servants of the Lord (SOLD) is one of the family ministries of Couples for Christ catering all mature men from 21 years of age and above. CFC Servants of the Lord aims to provide a Christian support environment for men who want to follow Christ where ever they are and what ever their status may be with a vision to be a “True Men of God” (TMG).
The conference was attended by CFC Servants of the Lord members and CFC husbands from Toronto, Winnipeg , Vancouver, Calgary, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, and guests from the Philippines and the United States.
The conference was about being a Husband, a Father and Head of the Family. The weekend focused on Gods’ plan for fathers in the beginning and his significance in this fast changing world. Per “Familiaris Consortio” written in 1981 by Pope John Paul II as an apostolic exhortation to bishops, clergy and the faithful, said that within the community that as family, “the man is called upon to live his gift and role as husband and father”. Fathers are called to reveal and relive on earth the very fatherhood of God.
The ABBA Father’s Weekend stressed upon CFC’s’ mission of Building the Church of the Home that made CFC Servants of the Lord strive more to live the “FULLNESS OF LIFE IN CHRIST”, based on Colossians 2:6-7: “Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with Him. Keep your roots deep on Him, build your lives on Him, and become stronger in your faith as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.”
The conference started with a mass celebrated by Fr. Nilo Macapinlac, CFC Edmonton Spiritual Director and pastor of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vegreville, Alberta. After the praise and worship, the delegates were welcomed by Henry Liaz, Conference Chair and Ouel Gardon, CFC Family Ministry National Coordinator. The delegates chanted as their area was called. Jun Reyes, CFC SOLD National Coordinator, officially declared the conference open. These were followed by a series of enriching talks, group discussions, sharing, video presentations, reflections and Lord’s Day Celebration led by Henry Gutierrez and Manny Cerin. The Saturday night ended with a presentation from each group depicting the acronym of a FATHER (Faithful, Affectionate, Tender-Hearted, Honorable, Enduring, and Ready).
The second day began also with a mass, officiated by Fr. Jim Corrigan, pastor of St Theresa Catholic Church of Millwoods in Edmonton.
Bobbee Mella, a member of CFC USA National Council, summed up the weekend with a very inspiring talk on strengthening family relationships. The participants with some of their families had a chance to discover their love language, and how to fill their emotional tank with love and affection.
Chris Mateo, head of CFC Edmonton Music Ministry, led the closing Praisefest. The room was filled with rousing praise as the men worshipped the Lord together with their spouse and children. It was truly a memorable and remarkable weekend!
At the awards and closing ceremony, Nick Borja, National Director and Regional Head of Pacific Region, declared Niagara, Ontario as the next venue of the 2011 CFC SOLD Conference. The room once again vibrated with claps and shouts of joy in eager anticipation of God’s next great blessing for next year.
For photos of the weekend visit http://picasaweb.google.com/100015466898941039979/CFCSOLDConference#.
