CFC Vancouver Shows Its Appreciation for the Clergy

To express gratitude and recognition for the encouragement and support for all its endeavours and for allowing it to be one with the Holy Catholic Church, Couples for Christ (CFC) Vancouver recently hosted a Clergy Appreciation Dinner & Fellowship at the Peach Arch Provincial Park Hall. The casual dinner was set up to honour the clergy as CFC celebrates its 20th year of existence in Canada. It was and is through their untiring support to our evangelization work that CFC in Canada was born; Vancouver was the location where Couples for Christ convened its very first Christian Life Program in the country.

The Appreciation Dinner was well attended by members of both the clergy and the laity. His Grace, The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, appeared at the function along with the pastors and priests from different parishes. CFC elders and leaders from the Lower Mainland came in numbers to signify their support and thanksgiving. It was an opportunity for CFC to pray in unity for the priesthood, to get to know more about them on a more personal level and to thank them for their dedication and service to the people of God.

The Reverend Father Patrick Chisholm of Our Lady of Fatima in Coquitlam, BC says grace before the meal.

Members of the clergy and special guests at the buffet table.

Kids for Christ perform a special number during dinner.

The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, applauds the children's performance.

After individually acknowledging the presence of invited guests, the emcee, Nick Borja, CFC Pastoral Formation National Coordinator, breaks the ice by sharing out-of-the-box church signs which he encountered during his travels. His personal favourite: "Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet Him." 

The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, expresses his appreciation in Couples for Christ's active participation in the Archdiocese.

Henjie San Juan of the CFC Vancouver Area Governance Team leads the opening worship. He recites a prayer for the sanctification of priests and invokes that they may be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist.

"My Soul Magnifies the Lord" - Sector Music Ministry

Jimmy Arzadon, Vancouver Area Director, speaking in behalf of CFC gives thanks to the clergy for allowing and helping Couples for Christ to thrive in the parishes. He affirms a previous statement made by The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller during the Eucharistic Congress in 2012, that the laity is no longer viewed as collaborators but rather "co-responsibles" for the churches actions and being.

Rita Chua acts as game master and inside informant. She shares information gathered about our clergy and challenges everyone to a guessing game.

The Reverend Father Terry Larkin raises his arms while shouting "That's me!"  We learned that Fr Terry speaks Tagalog.

DIFFERING OPINIONS. Everyone enjoying a good laugh during a light moment of the program.

Anita Aytona speaks on behalf of Rev. Fr. Patrick Tepoorten of IC Delta Parish. She later goes on to read his thoughts during their ANCOP Mission trip to the Philippines in March 2014. Fr. Patrick who is the outgoing Archbishop's representative to Holy Cross High School, wishes to be part of the next mission trip in 2016.

The Peach Arch Provincial Park Hall packed with attendees attentively listening to the exploits of the Holy Cross Mission Team as shared by Anita Aytona.

Jimmy Dimaculangan of the Vancouver Area Governance Team, presents a bird's-eye-view of the organizational structure of the Couples for Christ and how everyone is related and linked to one other so that no one is by himself. 

Rev. Fr. Glenn Dion, Spiritual Director of CFC gives the closing remarks. After ten years serving at the Holy Rosary Cathedral, he will be moving to the parish with three churches, the Star of the Sea Parish.

After distributing family prayer cards, Rev. Fr. Glenn Dion enjoins the congregation in prayer.

Behind the Scenes

Behind-the-scene shots can be viewed here:

http://jon2ejavier.blogspot.ca/2014/07/cfc-vancouver-clergy-appreciation.html 

Thank you.

CFC Vancouver Clergy Appreciation Dinner Behind-the-Scenes

As promised, I am posting several candid and behind-the scene shots taken during the Clergy Appreciation Dinner which was organized by Couples for Christ Vancouver to mark its 20th year in Canada. Hope you'll like them.

Tech Check. Rene Perez, Family Ministries Head, serves as the technical director in the Appreciation Dinner event.

Rev. Patrick Chisolm, Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Schools, chats with Anita Aytona, a CFC member and Holy Cross teacher.

OLGC Huddle. CFC members Tess Briones, Aida Domingo and Senen Alcos, all belonging to Our Lady of Good Counsel chapter come together in a huddle.

Noli Arzadon, Western Canada Head, at the base guitar.

Rev. Fr. Glenn Dion, CFC Spiritual Director, listens to a CFC member.

Jeffrey Javier of OLGC, notices the camera aimed at his direction and pulls off a smile.

Fraternal Huddle. Ethel Perez, Bing Rodas and Ogie Evangelista

Mic Test. Grace Boquiren and Brenda Navao, Music Ministry vocalists.

St Matthew's Huddle. Mary Ann Marfori and Zony De la Paz.

His Grace, the Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver.

Another Fraternal Huddle. Cesar Rodas and Chong Evangelista.

Jimmy Dimaculangan, West Cluster Head confers with Central Cluster Head Henjie San Juan.

Anna Marie Armea and Virgie Basbas man the buffet table.

Rev. Fr. Thomas Smith of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Burnaby, at the buffet table.

Members of the clergy enjoying the night.

Jimmy and Liza Arzadon, CFC Vancouver Area leaders enjoying the night.

Rev. Fr. George Atok, SDB, of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, stands after being acknowledged.

A KFC member looks at an older KFC member for guidance.

Thumbs up.

Gerry Andrada of Burnaby/New Westminster Chapter shows his answer during a game.

Inverted B?

ANCOP Vancouver Partners Up with Local Organizations

A social gathering was recently hosted by ANCOP Vancouver in Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, BC. Invited guests included individuals and groups who were open to the possibility of supporting the charitable organization and its projects. It was an opportunity to let the guests know more about ANCOP and the ANCOP Walk 2014 scheduled for August 24th at the Burnaby Central Park.

The highlight of the affair was a commitment signing in support of ANCOP which was witnessed by Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap who opined that ANCOP fits as a suitable partner in bringing about meaningful transformation in the lives of the less fortunate.

Emcee Rosette Correa calls the meeting to order.

Rene Garrucho, ANCOP Coordinator for BC, invites attendees to be not just donors but active participants.

Rene Garrucho acknowledges guests and the organizations they represent. He thanks them for exploring meaningful partnership and lasting relationship with ANCOP.

Anita Aytona, who represents ANCOP and Holy Cross High School, describes the roles the youth play as agents of change.

Holy Cross students John, Laura and Rachel lively express their experiences during their Mission Trip to the Philippines in March 2014 where they helped provide manual labor in building ANCOP houses.

Open forum. Among the questions asked was the administration cost where it was disclosed that ANCOP has a low rate of 10% vis-a-vis other charitable organizations where it goes up to 25-30%.

Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap shakes hands with Rene Garrucho after his brief speech where he acknowledges that ANCOP in the Filipino vernacular means being of the "right fit." He further declares that ANCOP is the right fit for partnership with the Philippine government in delivering meaningful progress and assistance to our less fortunate kababayans. 

Members of the media were among those who signified their commitment to support ANCOP. Representatives of business organizations, alumni associations, regional groups, trade and professional societies likewise expressed support (see their photos below).

Shared Vision Supporters

Our partners in attendance during the gathering were:

Filipino Seniors Club of BC

Holy Cross Regional High School

One La Salle Alumni Association

Ateneo Alumni Association

University of the Philippines Alumni Assiciation

BIBAK British Columbia

Filipino Canadian Construction Society

TFC

Balitang Vancouver

Reyfort Media Group

AJ Insurance

LBC Express

Unang Hirit Parade

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Conservative Party Nominees Mike Calingo and Jojo Quimpo

Salad Master

Lita Tapia, Community Leader

Usana Health Sciences

PLDT Global

Allan Espejo, Community Leader

ANCOP Walk 2014 Expands Its Campaign

One with the Filipino Community in commemorating the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, ANCOP Vancouver joined the Pista ng Bayan Community Picnic at Slocan Park. In the true spirit of a Filipino fiesta, participants and visitors not only get to enjoy the rich culture and diversity of our heritage through song and dance numbers but they also get to savor the unique delicacies of Philippine cuisine, from the mundane to the ambrosial, as they visited the stalls around the park. Such was the scene when Rene Garrucho, Peter Dumlao, Rey Fortaleza and Chito Concepcion, all ANCOP volunteers, went around to campaign for the ANCOP Walk 2014 tabled in August 24.

Clad in their neon green ANCOP shirts, the group were like walking billboards attracting the attention of anyone close by and those they come in contact with. They distributed flyers and leaflets and more importantly they engaged key people and leaders of various groups and associations in promoting ANCOP and its work. The men toured the park meeting and greeting people while the rest of the troop stationed themselves at the booth where passers-by were presented with materials and photos of ANCOP programs.

Cursory to joining the festivity was to promote awareness of ANCOP and its projects which are intended to uplift the lives of the poor in the Philippines, India and Africa.

Ramon Busaing of BIBAK pays attention as Rey Fortaleza and Peter Dumlao explains what the ANCOP Walk 2014 is all about. BIBAK is an acronym for Benguet  Ifugao Bontoc Apayao and Kalinga, an association of people hailing from the Cordillera Central Mountain Region in Northern Luzon. After the discussion we were handed bubod, a starter culture and important ingredient in the making of tapuy, a ceremonial rice wine.  

Members of the Filipino-Canadian Construction Society (FCCS) mingle with ANCOP representatives. FCCS is an umbrella organization of Filipino Canadian engineering and architectural professionals, contractors and industry workers. They were invited to join the ANCOP Walk 2014 happening on August 24 at the Burnaby Central Park.

A gentleman who represents an alumni association looks at Rey Fortaleza of the Reyfort Media Group and co-chairman of the ANCOP Walk 2014. Among the alumni associations approached by the team are those belonging from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo University and De La Salle University.

Business owners and leaders of private organizations were also approached by the group to explore the possibility of supporting the ANCOP Walk 2014.

Rene Garrucho, ANCOP Coordinator for BC, shakes hands with Neil Frank Ferrer, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General. The two bump into each other as they separately visit the many groups and organizations participating in the event.

Evelyn Bantayan of the West Coast Domestic Workers Association (WCDWA) welcomes Rene Garrucho. WCDWA is a non-profit association that provides free legal advocacy and other services to live-in caregivers based in British Columbia.

Peter Dumlao and Rey Fortaleza, co-chairmen of the ANCOP Walk 2014 together with Rene Garrucho exchange information with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. volunteers. Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in the province.

Members of the Batangas Club of British Columbia (BCBC) listen intently as Rey Fortaleza encourages them to support the ANCOP Walk 2014. BCBC is composed mainly of people from the Batangas province and those related or affiliated to a Batangueno by blood or marriage. The club later on persuaded the group to feast on their sinaing na tulingan, ginataang munggo and menudo.

Treenee Lopez of Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada shares a light moment with the team. Her group is  a community of Filipino Canadians, Filipino immigrants and Filipino overseas contract workers. She offered bread pudding which the gang took on with much gusto. 

Peter Dumlao, Rene Garrucho, Rey Fortaleza and Chito Concepcion surround the booth of One Filipino Cooperative of British Columbia (ONEFILCOOP) and engage them in lengthy and positive discussions. ONEFILCOOP is the first Filipino Cooperative established in the province and aims to enhance the lives of our kababayans through bayanihan.

Tireless ANCOP volunteers at the ANCOP station