To God be the Glory: January 2015

Gathering members of Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries in the Greater Vancouver Area, this year's Evangelization Rally heralded the celebration of 2015's theme: LOVE MORE. The E-Rally was held January 17 at St. Patrick's Parish in Vancouver, BC.

The following are contents from the memo of the CFC International Council signed by Joe Tale, Chairman, and George Campos, Executive Director:

Our hearts overflow with thanksgiving for the word of the Lord to the global family of Couples for Christ: “Love more!” This shall be CFC’s theme for 2015.

“Love more!” is inspired by John 21: 15-17 (NAB Revised Edition):

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, “do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

The theme is a result of beholding God’s love, and after pondering how beloved we really are. It is an expression of gratefulness—for the grace, mercy and compassion showered to us by Him who became poor to make us rich, and had to suffer and die on the cross, and resurrect to initiate reconciliation and fellowship with Him.

It springs from a gentle reminder of the Lord that of the many things that we are called to do, we must make sure that we do not miss on the most essential: loving God and loving our neighbour.

It is a humble admission that it is love that moves mission. While we may think that we have done much, we have actually done too little because we have loved too little. We have to do more by loving more. We have to strengthen one another more by serving and loving each other more.

With much excitement and anticipation, we shall pray, as one global family, for a wonderful journey of CFC to love God and neighbour more.

CFC Vancouver Area delegates wear their colours representing their cluster or ministry: Pink - Handmaids of the Lord; Green - CFC West Cluster (Richmond 1 & 2, Burnaby/New Westminster Chapters); Orange - CFC Central Cluster (Vancouver 1, 2 & 3 Chapters); Yellow - CFC East Cluster (Surrey 1, 2 & 3, Tri-City Chapters); White - Kids for Christ; Black - Youth for Christ; Blue - Singles for Christ

Roll Call

Jimmy Arzadon, Vancouver Area Head, welcomes the crowd and shares his vision of convening an E-Rally at BC Place.

The Vancouver Area Governance Team, as they get ready to call out their respective groups.

Central Cluster members joyously respond by raising their banner.

Kevin Joseph Solis, SFC Household Head, and Lois Umali, YFC Central Cluster Leader, preside over the event.

Opening Worship

Noel Armea, Sea to Sky Mission Head, leads the opening worship.

The Liveloud Band graces the E-Rally.

A CFC-Youth ROCK (Reaching Out Christ to Kids) member extols the Creator.

A CFC member opens his arms in worship.

Speeches

Noli Arzadon, Western Canada Region Head, mentions that it is the Lord God who is the one who enables us to accomplish the work through His continued guidance and love. For 2015, the Lord wants us to do and achieve more for Him.

Greg Parillas, CFC Canada National Director, reports that for last year, more Christian Life Programs were conducted in new parishes, new dioceses, and a new province. More priests and bishops are openly accepting CFC in their parishes. November 2014 was when the first CLP in Newfoundland and Labrador (the farthest province eastward) was conducted. This year in March, CFC will be breaking ground in New Brunswick.

Performances by Cluster or Ministry