the feast - august 12, 2012 issue

AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTERA Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY

August 12, 2012

KCON 2012LAUNCH!See pages 4-5

Today, I receive all of God’s love for me.Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s universe.Today, I open myself to God’s blessings, healing, and miracles.Today, I open myself to God’s WordSo I would becomeMore like Jesus every day.Today, I proclaim that I am God’s beloved, I am God’s servant, I am God’s powerful champion.And because I am blessed,I am blessing the world.In Jesus’ name. Amen.

YOUNIQUE. Your thumbprint. Your handprint. Everything about you is unique. Just as there are various kinds of shoes, there are various types of personalities. Details on pages 2-3 -- Photos by ELS

NormalDon’t BeWHY be normal?

Why try to be like your siblings—or other people around you—if God made you unique? If God made you His Masterpiece?

Last week, we talked about the fascinating uniqueness of your personality. Why try to change your personality’s strengths if God designed you to be quiet or talkative, or analytical or spontaneous, or extrovert or introvert…

In the same way, another big factor that influences us is our family. For example, our birth order, or our age rank in the family influences us in a large way. Being born first, or second, or third, or fourth impacts you by giving you a set of strengths and weaknesses. And I believe God will use that influence to prepare you for

the special purpose He has for you.

For example, if you look at more “structured” jobs such as architecture, accounting, and engineering, you’ll find many first-borns there. But the youngest children tend to get more people-oriented jobs.

But other factors influence you as well. For example, I’m the youngest of six children—so yes, I love to make people happy. Yet I’m also the only boy in the family, and I was born five years after my youngest sister—which gave me a stronger streak of taking responsibility and leadership.

By knowing these specific differences and influences, you’ll be able to understand why you respond (emotionally) to various situations. You’ll also be able to understand your siblings—and other people—if you’re aware that God created each of you differently.

Bottomline, be yourself. Use your strengths. You’ll be happier and make others happier too.

May your dreams come true,

BO SANCHEZ

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LAST WEEK

Change

SHARING

Three Steps to TithingDR. Bong Inciong, head of the Feast PICC Medical Ministry, shared three steps he has taken to be able to follow God’s mandate to tithe to help our faith community to fulfill its mission to spread the Gospel:

1. Discipline. Dr. Bong said he has limited socialization

so he can save money for his 10 percent for the Lord.

2. Trust. Dr. Bong said he is able to tithe regularly because he has trusted God and His generosity. True enough, Dr. Bong said God has provided for him generously, guiding him until he was able to finish his Medicine

course. Dr. Bong gives back to the Lord by attending to the sick in the Feast.

3. Give. Experiencing God’s amazing generosity, Dr. Bong continues to give his time, talent, and treasure to the Lord, and, he attested, God has returned what he has given more than a hundredfold—as the Lord promised to cheerful givers!

REFLECTING on the Gospel from John 6:24-25, Fr. Froilan Briones said that we all deal with changes that lead us to abandon old patterns and ways to face what is unfamiliar. Sometimes, we don’t like to cope with the unknown. Fear causes us to resist change.

The day’s Mass was about changes. In the first reading, the Israelites complain in the desert and want to go back into slavery. In the second reading, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to start anew and turn away from their former way of life.

The Gospel presents a central reason you and I are Catholic – the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, His bodily presence. It is a kind of bread that not only satisfies our hunger, but it is food that nourishes our soul, a bread that strengthens our spirit.

God wants us to accept Him who wants to live within us. Seeking to be specially close to us, He asks us to receive His Body and Blood. God who lives above comes to live within us. This is astounding and revolutionary, and requires a complete change in our heart and most especially in our life. Jesus said, “My father gives the true bread from heaven.” This is the Bread that fills souls with the love of God Himself.

In every celebration of the Eucharist, cherish every moment when you receive Him. Allow others to feel that Presence, too

-- Bella Estrella

Celebrate Who You AreTHE series Younique started with Talk 1: Your Personality. Bro. Bo Sanchez said the series focuses on You, as God’s Unique Creation.

Bro. Bo said we should celebrate our individuality. He said when God looks at us, He will never mistake us for someone else. Some people think that God prefers a particular personality over another. It couldn’t be more wrong because God loves every single personality.

Bro. Bo added that we are amazing because God knitted us, fashioned us, and so we are beautiful as we are. We should not think about being like the others because our workmanship is marvelous as we are crafted by the Author of Life.

There is no one exactly similar like you in the whole world because you have your own unique DNA. There are 6 billion persons in the world and yet there is no one exactly like you.

Bro. Bo challenged us to take the Personality Plus test by Florence Littauer which revealed four kinds of personalities: Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic, with their corresponding animal symbols. After the test, Bro. Bo presented the strengths and weaknesses of each personality—making the attendees realize the best and what can be improved about their personality.

1. Sanguine 2. Choleric

The Sanguine is symbolized by the dolphin.

Strengths:• Talkative• Optimistic

• Life of the Party• Fun loving• Emotional and Demonstrative• Inspire• Volunteer• Easy to forgive

Weaknesses:• Lacks discipline• Good starter but bad finisher• Forgets things like names, schedules, assignments, keys, wallet• Disorganized, late for appointments• Vanity• May be self-centered

3. Melancholic

The Melancholic is symbolized by the oyster.

Strengths:• Deep Thinker• Good planner

• Hard working• Artistic• Sensitive to Others• Loyal• Consistent• Finds creative solutions• High StandardsWeaknesses:• Pessimist, Skeptical, Suspicious• Perfectionist• Prone to criticize oneself• Prone to criticize others based on his high standards• Not very adaptable• Easily gets depressed• May be too cautious• Tends to hold grudges• Lacks courage because of fear of shame

Strengths:• Self-Motivated• Goal-Oriented• Heroic• Optimistic• Must correct wrongs• Strong willed• Decisive• Thrives on opposition

Weaknesses:• Temperamental• Arrogant• Abrasive• Argumentative• Stubborn• Hypocrite (because of pride)• Cold and Heartless• Ulcers, Hypertension, Heart problems

2 THE FEAST August 12, 2012

TODAYTalk 2: Your PastYour History Prepared You for Your DestinyJob 10:8Your hands shaped me and made me.

Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Peter 1:6-7In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Personal Reflection and Group Discussion:How has your family “position” (birth order) influenced you? How has the parenting style you received influenced you?_____________________________________________________

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4. Phlegmatic

The phlegmatic is symbolized by the turtle.

Strengths:• Self-content• Low-key

• Calm and Cool• Patient• Avoids conflicts• Can work with anyone• Finds the easy way

Weaknesses:• Shy• Unemotional• Unresponsive• Indecisive• Easily abused and manipulated by others• Passive• May lack ambition• Sluggish or Lazy

Two Things To Do With Your Personality

Bro. Bo challenged everyone to do these two very important things.

1. Use Your UniquenessBro Bo said: “Remember: The most painful thing you can

ever do in your life is to pretend who you are not. Be faithful to the uniqueness of your personality and you’ll be happier.”

2. Work Your WeaknessBro. Bo added: “Allow God to transform your weaknesses.

Surrender them to God. Ask for the Holy Spirit to do a miracle in your life.

“Remember that your strength is also your weakness. Because your strength and weakness are simply two sides of the same coin.” God Doesn’t Make a Big Deal Out of Your Weaknesses and Failures

Bro. Bo gave a friendly warning: “You might get so engrossed to fix your personality weaknesses, you’ll worsen the problem. (Anything that you focus on gets bigger.)

“God knows you’ve got weaknesses in your personality. It’s not a big deal for Him. Because He knows you’ll be getting better and stronger and taller and wiser…”

Nothing Is Impossible with GodBro. Bo revealed that he is phlegmatic: “Even when I was a

baby, my mother told me that I was a low-maintenance baby. She’d put me in a carton box beside the laundry woman and I’d just stay in that box the whole day. I even have a picture to prove it…”

Bro. Bo added: “But God made me phlegmatic for a purpose. Because I’m phlegmatic, I keep listening and keep learning. That has become my strength. I’m a sponge, absorbing wisdom from others. I keep growing! And because I grow, the organizations I lead keep growing as well.”

--With reporting by Imelda Caravaca Ferrer Baby photo from Bro. Bo’s family album

THE FEAST August 12, 2012 3

KCON 2012CLAIM THE VICTORY NOW!

MINISTRIESTHE OLYMPIC TORCH arrived

a-blaze at the Feast PICC last Sunday! Oops, wait a minute. Nope,

the Olympics hadn’t run from London to Manila.

We don’t need the games, not the gruelling competitions to find out who are the best of the best, who

are the winners. That’s because we already know the champions.

You ask who?You’ll find out soon at the

Kerygma Conference 2012, happening at the SM Mall of

Asia Arena and the SMX Convention Center by the Manila

Bay on November 24-25!Bro. Bo Sanchez declared the

games...er... the conference registration open last Sunday. And balloons filled the hall, attendees swarmed around

the KCON registration tables, tickets sold like

hotcakes, and free T-shirts colored the Lobby

red, red, red!

By KRISTINE ANNE MUTUC

MINI CONCERT! Bene Sanchez, Migs Ramirez, Audee Villaraza with Gilbert Tiongson, Carlo Fernandez, and Youth dancers rock the Lobby with victory songs.

TICKETS AND CHOCOLATES, from left: Attendees swarming around registration table; a couple choosing their streams; attendees liking KCon Facebook page and getting free chocolates. Every ticket entitles you to two (one per day) of these streams: Health, Prayer, Career, Worship, Business, Education, Catholic Faith, Inner Healing, Single Blessedness, Solo Parents, Family, Youth, Singles, and Leadership.


Bro. George Gabriel said we can choose two of the 14 conference streams—1 per day. I might not be able to go on the second day. May I attend two streams on the first day?

--Bel We discourage this as streams per day will be happening simultaneously. Neither do we encourage transferring from one stream to another.

I will be 60 years old on November 11—barely two weeks before the KCON. May I avail myself of the Senior Citizen discount now?

--Senior Jojo You need to show your Senior Citizen card and card number to avail yourself of the discount.

For more information on the Kerygma Conference 2012: Champions Arise, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kerygmaconferenceofficial, and our website www.kerygmaconference.com.

Q and A

OLYMPIC LAUNCH, from top, left: Bro. Bo Sanchez declaring the KCon open; Bro. Randy Borromeo, head of the KCON 2012 Working Team, bringing in the Champion’s Flame; Bro. George Gabriel, KCon creative director, telling Eric Barroquillo, the real Olympics is in London; Chichi Barba (extreme left) showing off free Kcon T-shirt; attendees choosing their T-shirt size.Photos by Alex Uy Yco, Blaise Gomez, Cris Legaspi, Mia Catan, Rosalyn Alberto, Shem Ochoco, and ELS.


PRAYER POWER forBy BELLA ESTRELLA Photos by MIA FRANZ CATAN

RAIN fell, like tears from Heaven, as thousands lined the streets of EDSA and

Ortigas, and the footbridges along the EDSA Shrine in the afternoon of August 4, 2012.

Sometimes, the sky cleared, but the rain didn’t leave, as if Heaven couldn’t stop crying,

like the Church couldn’t stop its cry for Life. In a couple of days, on August 7, the

House of Representatives was to vote on whether to wrap up debate and move the

Reproductive Health Bill forward. Thus, rain or shine, the Catholic Bishops Conference of

the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL), together with

the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM), and Pro-life Coalition held the

Prayer Power Against the RH Bill.And rain or shine, the faithful came...

Life

The FAITHFUL

The RELIGIOUS


LifeThe YOUTH

The BABIES

The LAWMAKERS

CRIES IN THE RAIN, opposite page, from top: An estimated 10,000 throng come with umbrellas and banners; the main speakers, from left: Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle expresses the Church compassion for the poor; appreciating the ralllyists’ sacrifice, Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D. , Bishop of Antipolo, paraphrases the Hiligaynon song,“Wala ko baliha ang akon kabudlay, Basta ko lang makita ang imo larangway, (I did not mind the hardship, just so I could defend life.” ) CBCP-ECFL Executive Secretary Fr. Melvin Castro, with Debbie Rodrigo, a mother, who asks the crowd: “What’s the right thing to do to the RH bill?” and “What to do to the congressmen who will vote for it?”This page, from top: Backpacker expresses his stand; ladies lining up for the Holy Eucharist; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Tito Sotto show up for Life; the youth fighting for “faith and the Filipino people;” T-shirt speaks for a tearful baby.


LOST and FOUND If you lost or found an item, please approach any of the ushers who will guide you to our Lost and Found section.

The FEAST, published by the Light of Jesus Family, is distributed during The Feast by the Manila Bay, a weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus held at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, every Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.,10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The FEAST holds office at The Lighthouse, 60 Chicago St., Quezon City, with telephone numbers 725-9999, and email address [email protected].

BO SANCHEZFounder

CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGOEditor-in-Chief BELLA ESTRELLA Managing Editor

KRISTINE MUTUCAPPLE CHICO Associate Editors

EDMUNDO SANTIAGOChief Photographer

CRIS LEGASPIAssistant Chief Photographer

GERALD GONZALESSHEM OCHOCOALEX UY YCOROSALYN ALBERTOMIA FRANZ CATAN Photographers

IMELDA FERRERBETHANY DECHAVEZCEZ GONZALESMARTHINA SALOMEPAOLINA SALOMEReporters

JOEL ESTRELLAChief Artist

JANELLA IBAYDON FRONDOSOAssistant Artists

MEMBERSHIP:KIM PAMPLONAHead

ARLENE BATISLAONGAssistant Head

FINANCE:JANE IBAYHead

CHICHI BARBAAssistant Head

PUBLIC RELATIONS:RHODA OSALVO

Head

JOY NACURAYAssistant Head

ONE MORE MIRACLEMy Birthday Gifts at the KCon 2011

TICKET PRICES! Premium - P1,500.00 Regular - P975.00 Youth Regular - P400.00

Available at the Lobby

For the benefit of Grace To Be Born Shelter for Women in Crisis, Tahanan ng Pagmamahal for Orphans, He Cares Home for Street Children, Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship for Out-of-School Youth, Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television Foundation, Light of Jesus Counseling Center, and Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly.

For details, call 725-9999 or log on to www.kerygmaconference.com

By MARK VILLACORTEON November 19, 2011, I turned 26 years old. It was also the second day of the Kerygma Conference 2011 which centered on the theme G2G, or Glory to Glory. And God gave me the best birthday gifts ever.

The first gift was, a couple of weeks before the KCon, I had the privilege to volunteer as reporter of the the Media Ministry to cover the KCon for The Feast bulletin.

The KCon had various conference streams happening simultaneously. Our editor told us volunteer servants to choose the stream we would cover. Since I was only 25 years old, I was, technically, still within the Youth age range. But a few months before the KCon, I got married, so I wondered if I should choose the Family stream. We were newly married, we still didn’t have a child, so I thought my wife and I aren’t yet “family.”

Mark’s photos of Kcon 2011 Family stream turned out all right. But that’s not the miracle.

But God clearly showed me where I should serve.

I really wanted to cover the Youth stream, but to my dismay, slots for Media servants for the stream were already filled up. Then, I saw that no one had signed up to cover the Family stream.

“Hmm,” I thought, “maybe having advanced course on Family Life is not a bad idea.”

Still, I prayed more servants would cover the Family stream so I would have back-up staff.

Thus, on KCon day, with my wife, I went to cover the Family stream. To my relief, I saw our Ministry heads already there.

“Wow,” I thought, “thank God, my ‘back-up’ are no less than our leaders.”

Our heads were happier to see us. They were in the Family stream only because they saw no one was there to cover it. But they had to go around and check what’s going on in the other streams, so they were so relieved that we arrived to cover the Family conference. Turned out, we were the back-up!

I kind of froze because all we had then was a small digital camera and I

worried that we won’t be able to submit quality photos. But God put us there, didn’t He? So our photos turned out all right. But really, that’s not the miracle.

That day, my wife and I learned how we can best handle the challenges of Family life. I believe through the speakers, God taught us what we needed to know as a newlywed couple. And I wrote all about it to share the lessons to couples reading The Feast.

I did not really think I should serve in the Family stream. But God let me know He knew better what’s good for me. That day, God’s promise in John 15:16 unfolded to me:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

The succeeding days, up to this day, seem to be a birthday celebration for me as our Father has been answering what I ask of Him—not really according to the way I want Him to, but in His better, really amazing way, bringing me from Glory to Glory.


the feast - august 12, 2012 issue

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