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 Word So I would become More 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.

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

January 06, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

GUARANTEED

3 Things That God Promises You

Talk 1: Supply

Talk 2: Solutions

Talk 3: Significance

Big Bonus: Three More

Promises from God!

He Never Changes His Mind“But he promised to marry me!”

THE girl was weeping in front of me. She sobbed, “But my fiancé said that he changed his mind!”

It was a heart-rending story. They were already engaged. But after a year, the man “changed his mind” and didn’t want to push through the wedding.

I told her, “Your pain is immense, I know. But I’d rather that you go through this pain now. Rather than experience it later—after the wedding—when he changes his mind!”

Just ask all the separated men and women out there.

All over the world, 50% of marriage promises are broken.

Everywhere you look, life becomes chaotic when promises aren’t kept. When a father promises a child, “I’ll be home,” but repeatedly fails to show up.

When politicians break their promise --and become corrupt. When companies break their promise--through false advertising.

Thankfully, I know of Someone who doesn’t change His mind. He never has, He never will. He promised to love you—and that’s that. His promise is carved on rock and for the next billion years, you can be absolutely sure He will always love you. For all eternity.

This month, I’d like to share with you God’s dependable promises. You’ll be greatly encouraged by our brand new series titled Guaranteed: 3 Things That God Promises You.

May you experience His great abundance in your life.

Have a beautiful Feast today.May your dreams come true,

BO SANCHEZ

FEAST SOUTHHermie Morelos

FEAST TALAVERAFEAST CABANATUAN

Boggs Burbos

FEAST MAKATIRandy Borromeo

FEAST ORTIGASVic Español

FEAST BALIWAGMarvin Tan

FEAST ALABANGJ Yogawin / Arun Gogna

FEAST BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITYGeorge Gabriel

FEAST ANGELESRJ Si FEAST SUCAT

Adrian Panganiban

FEAST CAVITERex Robillos

FEAST MALOLOSJohn Cruz

FEAST MANILA/PASIGObet Cabrillas

FEAST TAYTAYPio Espanol

FEAST DAVAOJing Sto. Domingo

FEAST LAGUNAJon Escoto

FEAST MARILAO / FEAST PICC P.M. SESSIONAlvin Barcelona

FEAST VALENZUELAEng Si

FEAST CEBUBuddy Tan

FEAST CARDONANap Col-Long

LAST WEEK

2 THE FEAST January 06, 2013

FR. ERIC SANTOS said the Gospel from Luke 1:39-45 is about mustering faith in God as exemplified by Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.

Fr. Eric said Mary and Elizabeth embraced the life God chose for them and are both an epitome of the Lord’s servant. Mary and Elizabeth have nothing to offer to God except to obey His will-- which they chose to. It was difficult to understand why Mary was chosen. Fr. Eric pointed out that just like in our times, a lot of things are difficult to accept but we accept God’s will and continue believing in Him-- the reason we celebrate the Advent season, the coming of Jesus.

During the Advent season, we light the candles of hope, faith, peace, and love. The colors of the candles represent the colorful waiting for the Lord. During Christmas, the manger represents the birth of our Lord to come and live with us. Fr. Eric encouraged us to prepare for the coming of the Lord.Let us keep believing and let us keep the faith in Him.

-- Regiele Anne Cruz

Exemplary FaithSpecial Christmas Message

BRO. BO SANCHEZ said that there can be a lot of “beating around the bush” about Christmas – the Jingle Bells, Santa Claus, Quezo de Bola, the gifts, and the parties. To explain what Christmas is all about, he referred us to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Bro. Bo said Christmas is Jesus telling us, “I’m here because I love you.” Christmas is God invading the Earth; it is heaven conquering the Earth. Christmas is about God disrobing His Divinity, stepping down from His Throne, and coming on Earth to tell us that He loves us.

Becoming a WormBro. Bo shared an

experience when he was 12 years old. While he was playing at the backyard of their house, saw a worm. As he put the worm in his palm, he heard God speak to his heart, “Bo, may I make you a worm? You’ve got to become a worm so that you can tell them, ‘I love you,’ in worm language that they understand.”

Then Bro. Bo realized that God was talking about Christmas. It is God becoming man as a helpless baby in a dirty manger so that we will understand Him when He tells us, “I love you.” It is God sacrificing and disrupting His schedule to

tell us how important we are to Him.

Being a MangerBro. Bo described a

manger – a container where you put the food of the animals. It is a dirty, smelly box-- but that was where Jesus was born.

In the same way, all of us have dirt in our heart. But that’s okay because Jesus is telling us, “I’ll be born in your manger, in your heart. And I will sanctify you.”

Bro. Bo said allow Jesus to be born in your life and He will clean, transform, and empower you.

-- Bethany Anne P. DechavezPhotos by ELS

CELEBRATING JESUS, from left; Bro. Adrian Panganiban, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Bro. Alvin Barcelona, and Bro. Obet Cabillas.

Albert Zabala, head of the Feast Formation Ministry, and fiancee Kim Pamplona of the Feast Media Ministry light the Advent wreath candles.

THE FEAST January 06, 2013 3

HATS ON! Feast attendees join Christmas headdress contest. And named best among the best are Lourdes Banal (left) and Jerome Anthony Palma (above).

The Holy Family at the Feast: Andrew Bridwell as Joseph, Khristine Bridwell as Mary and Remington Bridwell as Baby Jesus.

Lay ministers as the Three Magis, members of Creatives and Events Group as shepherds and angels sing praises to the Baby Jesus.

The Chorus welcome Feast attendees with Christmas carols.-- Photos by Ces Arcilla

TODAYTalk 1: SupplyGod Provides Raw Materials, Not Finished ProductsPhilippians 4:19 And God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed for the sower…

Personal Reflection and Group Discussion:What specific action can you do to take back from difficult people control over your life?________________________________________________

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Christmas at the Feast

4 THE FEAST January 06, 2013

MINISTRIES

OUR COMMUNITY is called the Light of Jesus. So our head office at 60 Chicago, Cubao, Quezon City, is called the Lighthouse. And we can call the Lighthouse personnel’s Christmas celebration Merry Light!

The Lighthouse is home for the various organizations first founded by Bro. Bo. Sanchez-- the Light of Jesus Family, Light of Jesus Counselling Center, Shepherd’s Voice Publications Inc., Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television Foundation, Kerygma Family, Catholic Filipino Academy, and Beaconlight.

The orgs’ officers, employees, and their families celebrated Christmas together at the Crown Plaza last December 21. Yup, the day predicted to be the end of the world. But for the Lighthouse people, faithful, hardworking servants of the Lord, Christmas, the birthday of our Savior, is the beginning of our Christian faith-- yes, the most wonderful time of the year, a day to be merry, to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World!

LIGHT SINGING STARS, above, from left: Nash Vergara of LOJ Finance impresses judges Gigi de Jesus, Joe Dean Sola, and Carl Fontanilla; Bongbong Ramos, Oyette Las Marias and SVP Finance drummer boys snag first prize; from right: second prize winners, Liza Capinpin and Aldo Lineses of SVRTV; third placer, Jovy Ojascastro of SVP Finance; SVP Production talented ladies and children; Mitzi Camonias of SVP Marketing rollin’!

HAPPY DAY OF LIGHT, clockwise from left: Fr. Alex Balatbat celebrates Mass; Bro. Jill Ramiscal, finance director, begins the fellowship; the excited crowd; hosts Randy Borromeo, Chelle Crisanto and George Gabriel; praying over Sis. Pilar Sanchez, mom of Bro. Bo and mother of Light of Jesus Family, from left: Bo, Pio Espanol, Vic Espanol, Carl Fontanilla, and Jill Ramiscal.

Merry Light!

THE FEAST January 06, 2013 5

THE Feast is big and growing bigger. But the Christmas get-together of the Feast PICC Council is simple yet what a riot! Francis Sanchez stole the show with his own Gangnam Style, his dad Bo and mom Marowe couldn’t help laughing with pride, like you’d never seen them laugh before.

And whoa, Francis got your untiring leaders drop their guard and gyrate with him Oppa Gangnam Style!

Well, okay, early on, they’d already gone silly wearing those crazy Christmas hats. Hey, it was a contest and the winners are, the wackiest of them all, Tom and Rita Yokingco, leaders of the Family Cluster.

Yup, you read that right. Merrymaking after a year’s hard labor is all in the Feast Family!

More -- work and fun-- in 2013!

Merry Feast!

Francis in Style!

Your leaders daring to go Gangnam!

And the winners are... Tom and Rita Yokingco!

Bro. Rolly begins the party!

6 THE FEAST January 06, 2013

IT was Christmas season and everyone was busy with shopping and parties. Nevertheless, the Awesome Kids Ministry (AKM) took advantage of the season to deepen their relationship and strengthen their bond as a ministry.

On November 30, 2012, as early as 6 a.m. the Awesome Kids Ministry headed by Bro. Tom and Sis. Rita Yokingco prepared for the ministry’s team building seminar at the Montreal Garden Resort in Pila, Laguna. It was a two-hour ride from Manila to Laguna, so the members had ample time to share stories and get to know each other better.

The group arrived at Montreal at around 9 a.m. and the team building seminar started with a moving Worship.

Games, fun learning activities, and group performances followed.

Sis. Cathy Evangelista and Sis. Rem Lopez share beautiful memories of the seminar.

Most Unforgettable Activity Rem: Our group presented a skit. I also

liked our adjective game and the fabulous catwalk, which gave us chance to learn how to conquer fear.

Cathy: The yarn activity. Each participant was given a chance to share experiences as well as concerns and challenges while serving in the Ministry. The activity was unforgettable because we were

reminded that there’s Awesome Kids because there’s Jesus. He is the head and center of the Ministry. He is our strength.

Another memorable activity is the carpet game which reminded us that no matter how difficult the challenges when we serve the kids, if we help each other as a team, we can overcome the trials.Greatest Challenge

Cathy: Most challenging is finding time for the Ministry. I really have to practice time management to be able to serve the Lord. The Team Building Made a Difference

Rem: The teambuilding seminar gave us a deeper sense of service for the Ministry.

Sis. Rita Yokingco, co-head servant, reminded us that we are not just ordinary volunteers. We are called servants. Servants serve not only when they have the time to do so. Instead, they really commit precious time for the Ministry.

The seminar also allowed us to get to know our self and our fellow servants. We were able to discover each other’s gifts, strengths, and talents. Being Part of the AKM is a Blessing

Cathy: The seminar helped me in discovering my purpose.

Rem: AKM is second family to me. The members love you as you are. In our AKM heads, Tito Tom and Tita Rita, I have also found my mentors and advisors. They are there to support you. It’s the

personal relationship with the group that made it special. What Led Them to the Awesome Kids Ministry

Cathy: I love kids. What Made Them Stay at the Awesome Kids Ministry

Rem: I’ve been with AKM since 2009. I serve at the Registration Table and act as marshall for the kids. What has made me stay in AKM is the warmth of the people in the Ministry. I’m thankful that the Ministry is there to support me even beyond the AKM service.Wisdom Learned at the AKM Team Building

Cathy: Tita Rita shared to us that children are like a sponge. They absorb everything. Thus the servants act as models to the children. They should always feed the kids with… LOVE. The Treasure Discovered

Cathy: The true meaning of service.What Best Describes the AKM and the Teambuilding Activity

Rem: I felt loved.The Christmas season was just another

way to express warmth and love among the servants of the Awesome Kids Ministry, which they reflect to our children every Sunday at the Feast. Their commitment to God, the community, and the Ministry is undoubtedly awesome!

Living, Loving, and Sharing the ‘Awesome’ SpiritBy MARY JOY O. ACABADO Photos by ROBZ TAN

TEAM BUILDING, from top: Group hug; Tom and Rita Yokingco, Awesome Kids Ministry Heads; Rem Lopez and Cathy Evangelista (2nd and 3rd from left) with co-servants; the team for God’s kids.

THE FEAST January 06, 2013 7

CARING GROUPSTen Women of Faith

By LORY DE LA CRUZ

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” --Proverbs 31:30-31

NOT by ordinary stroke of luck. Nor by sheer coincidence or fate. But by faith and amazing Divine Providence. That’s how ten women of varied background and interests came together to share God’s words, blessings, bliss, as well as life’s challenges. In the process, they have gotten to know each other and have become an inspiration to one another.

It all started when they answered the call to join a caring group for the second trimester of 2012 to be held at Waltermart, Munoz, Quezon City. One night in July, they met for the first time. Some joined a caring group for the first time, while others are remnants from previous caring groups.

Little did they know that the Wednesday nights that they willingly blocked from their busy schedules would later become addicting. They began to look forward to such meetings where they dined together, shared victories, laughed and cried, and yes, prayed together.

Each has her own beauty and gift. Each has her own story of struggles and triumphs to share. Who are these fantastic mature ladies? What made them stick together and support each other? Let me introduce them one by one.

The insightful yet energetic and ever reliable head is of course Imee, a doting mother of two over active and loveable kids, who provide so much stress, yet, meaning and fulfillment in her family-centered life. As a caring group head, Imee is cool as a swimming pool. Even if only one group member comes to the meeting on certain days --though this never happened this season-- she won’t mind. Like a trooper, she says the show…er… meeting, must go on. She’d still be there to be with her sister. Facilitating a group is her natural gift. She is firm but kind-- a deep mark of maturity and total presence. Any success attained by this Caring Group is credited largely to Imee’s faith, poise, dedication, and compassion.

Dinah is a dentist and with a sweet smile, she’s one of the calming presence in the group. She’s also a member of the Welcome Ministry of the Feast PICC, a task cut out for her not only because of her infectious smile but because her gift of service is just so enormous.

Daisy, as her name suggests, is as pretty, simple, and delicate as a flower. One time, when she had to be interviewed for her upcoming promotion as bank officer, we prayed for her in full force. And when she passed the interview with flying colors, we celebrated with and for her.

Rose, another pretty mom in the group, is an active and committed member of the Intercessory Ministry. Hers is another story of strings of answered prayers. Her transition from private to public employment is an edifying story as she successfully surmounted challenges along the way. When her only son finally joined the Sunday Feast a few months ago, she was so jubilant and thankful.

Cristy, the partner of Rose in the Intercessory Ministry, comes all the way from Paranaque just to attend the weekly meeting. And if you know the distance from Paranaque to Waltermart, Munoz, you will agree that her commitment to the group is of no small measure. Cristy’s disposition is yummy as the cakes she passionately bakes. And the huge volunteer work she does for the Special Olympics Philippines to help mentally challenged individuals is simply inspiring.

Ivy, the Sunlife lady, brings sunshine to our meetings. She juggles her time attending to various business commitments and personal concerns but she still manages to be present during the meetings. She is in the process of starting her career at Sunlife and, through hard work and prayers, she hopes to attain significant breakthroughs.

Rinah is the photographer and IT lady of the group. She has lost the love of her life due to a critical illness six months ago, yet, instead of sulking, she’d decided to join the Feast and our Caring Group.

Meet Tina, the self-confessed introvert and a cool mom who can easily turn into

a tiger lady once she’s in the car sales pitch. Like Dinah, she chose to serve at the Welcome Ministry every Sunday. The amazing story of how she survived the flood on her way home during a recent typhoon was only one of the many compelling testaments of how God magnificently works in her life.

Connie is the group’s pretty and lively songstress who actively serves in the Feast Music Ministry as well as in the Creative Events Group. Recently, she was chosen to be part of the quartet for the Feast overflow crowd at the Forum. Naturally, the group was ecstatic for her as the opportunity will hone her talent and fulfill her desire to serve the Lord in a special way.

Me? I am Lory, the most senior member of the group. I am the blessed one and ever grateful recipient of the group’s love and oozing generosity.

Call it serendipity or by any other name-- it doesn’t matter. The bond of friendship formed through this Caring Group is indeed special, and amazing as it is, it could be fashioned only by God’s loving hands.

BE RENEWED.A priest will hear your confession

at the second floor lobby,

Reception Hall side.

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 feasteditor@gmail.com.

BO SANCHEZFounder

CYNTHIA U. SANTIAGOEditor-in-Chief

BELLA ESTRELLA Managing Editor

KRISTINE MUTUCAPPLE CHICO Associate Editors

EDMUNDO SANTIAGOChief Photographer

CRIS LEGASPIAssistant Chief Photographer

ROSALYN ALBERTOCES ARCILLABLAISE GOMEZSHOJI MERISCHINO MODESTORAMEL ROBLESALEX UY YCOPhotographers

REGIELE ANNE CRUZBETHANY DECHAVEZIMELDA FERRERANNA MODESTOLOUIE RAMOSIRISH RAMOSReporters

JOEL ESTRELLAChief Artist

JANELLA IBAYDON FRONDOSOAssistant Artists

MEMBERSHIP:KIM PAMPLONAHead

ARLENE BATISLAONGAssistant Head

FINANCE:JANE IBAYHead

CHICHI BARBAAssistant Head

PUBLIC RELATIONS:RHODA OSALVO

Head

MARTHINA G. SALOMEAssistant Head

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 Awesome Kids ministry takes care of your children while you attend the Feast. After the 10:45 Holy Mass,

bring the children to the Awesome Playroom,

2nd floor of the PICC main building.

8 THE FEAST January 06, 2013

ONE MORE MIRACLE

Got One More Miracle? A mysterious, inexplicable experience—a miracle God has allowed to happen to let you know He loves you? Share! Email your article with your picture to feasteditor@gmail.com.

Cheerleader, Anyone?By JAMES BARDOS

“FOR such a very long time, I had been deliberately avoiding the Holy Mass and other religious services and activities, including religious books and articles. I was allergic to them.” Thus Pol Sangalang used to say every time someone invited him to attend a prayer gathering.

Pol is a lawyer. Once, he was simply focused on addressing the legal needs of his clients, and busy hosting a radio program DZRJ 810 kHz. every Saturday at 2 p.m.

As a busy person and a logical thinker, Pol once believed he did not need to attend a prayer meeting. For him it was enough to have a private conversation with God.

But God, in His loving, yet mysterious way, led Pol to an intense spiritual awakening. It happened this way...

In July 2011, Pol joined a mastermind group composed of his classmates in the PSI Heroic Leadership Seminar which held a dedication and covenant session last July 2011. PSI stands for “People Synergistically Involved” and the seminar provides opportunities for the participants to develop their fullest potentials.

One day, a member of the group, Michelle Pangwi, asked Pol if he wanted to attend a weekly Holy Mass with her so that he would fulfill his dedication and covenant.

“Initially, I resisted,” Pol recalls, “because although I was born, baptized, educated, and raised as a Catholic by my parents, elders and teachers, I somehow became cynical and skeptical, not only with the Church, but religion in general. Although I still believe in the existence of God, I reasoned out that I prefer to have my own private conversations and personal relationship with the Lord --which actually was just my lazy excuse as I had already made up my very own ‘god’ who fit my lifestyle then.”

But Michelle persisted in inviting Pol. She told him the Holy Mass is followed by a talk of a preacher named Bro. Bo Sanchez.

Pol relates, “Michelle said Bro. Bo is not your ordinary preacher. She said he is a powerful speaker, so much like our PSI speakers. And so I got curious.”

So Pol attended what he would later know as the Feast. And, as he listened to Bro. Bo’s talks, he experienced inner healing. He said he received God’s love, forgiveness, acceptance, and blessings, and knowing so, he sobbed uncontrollably.

He has since attended the Feast regularly. He shares, “The truly happiest and most successful times of my life are the times that I walk in faith and have a close relationship with God.”

Pol still experiences trials. There are times he feels he is not worthy of God’s love because even if he already attends the Feast, he says he still commits sin. Still, he feels God’s unconditional love. He says he is like the Prodigal Son who was forgiven by his father no matter how grave his transgressions were.

Pol now reads Bro. Bo’s books as well as the Kerygma, the inspirational magazine founded by Bro. Bo.

Pol started reading the Bible in December 2011 and finished reading the book last August 2012. He continues to read the Bible as part of his daily spiritual nourishment.

“I’ve experienced healing – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual,” Pol attests.

He adds, however, that he is still God’s work-in-progress. He says he feels God speaks to him every time he attends the Feast, telling him, “Relax Pol, I got you covered already. You are very serious. Lighten up and have fun! Enjoy the new life I’ve given you!“

Yes, Pol’s spiritual journey may be like riding a roller coaster. But, he says, “God smiles and cheers me on.”