the feast - june 3, 2012 issue

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AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER

A Catholic Prayer Meeting of the LIGHT OF JESUS FAMILY

June 3, 2012

Today, I receive all of God’s love for me.Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless,overowing 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.

RECEIVE INSPIRING MESSAGESFROM BRO. BO!

BRO. Bo Sanchez is sending inspiringmessages and announcements to Feastattendees via text or short messagingservices (SMS) from his mobile phone andthrough email.

Want to receive messages? Just textyour mobile phone number and emailaddress to these numbers...

FOR GLOBE SUBSCRIBERS:09178494444

FOR SMART SUBSCRIBERS:09088949999

FOR SUN SUBSCRIBERS:

09228945555

“ARE we there yet?”

If you’re a parent, you’ve heard

this line a thousand times.

It doesn’t matter whether

you’re going to the park,

the mall, the beach.

Kids can’t wait to reach

their destination.

Me? I’ve learned

to like the drive to

the destination.

It’s the

drive that thrills

me. The joy of

being together.

Swapping

stories and singing

songs with the boys. And

breathing in the

charming scenery

along the way.

Friend, if you

want to savor life,

you have to learn to

enjoy the drive, not

just the destination.

Let me tell

you why.

Because healing

your performance-

oriented spirituality

will take time.

Healing your

skewed image of God

will take time.

Enjoythe Drive

B r e a k F e a

s t

Healing your shame-based

personality will take time.

Healing your low self-

worth will take time.

But that’s okay! Don’t

rush through this process. It

can’t be rushed anyway, even if

you tried. Enjoy the drive.

Before you know it, the

destination is before you.

Today, I pray that God

continue the miracle of

your inner healing through

the Feast.

May your dreams

come true,

BO SANCHEZ

FEAST YEAR 2 CELEBRATIONSee picture story on pages 4-6



LAST WEEK

PENTECOST SUNDAYcommemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostlesand the Blessed Virgin Mary inthe Upper Room. It is always ahappy occasion because it is the

birthday of the Church. At theFeast PICC, this year’s PentecostSunday is extra special because

it coincides with its secondfounding anniversary. To add tothe joy of the double celebrationat the PICC, Fr. Eric Santos

presided the Holy Mass, lacinghis homily with rib-ticklers.

Fr. Eric announced that beginning this Pentecost Sunday,the new Roman Missal (thethird edition) is used little bylittle in the Holy Masses until itsfull implementation on the rstSunday of Advent 2012 . Theresponse ‘And also with You.’will not be used anymore. Inits place, the congregation now

replies, ‘And with Your Spirit.’Why is Pentecostconsidered as the birthday of the Church, and not MaundyThursday when the Lordinstituted the Holy Eucharist?It is because the apostles werenot ready on Maundy Thursday.They cowered in fear, and drewstrength from the Blessed VirginMary. When the Holy Spiritcame, they were empowered, and

became cowards no longer. It wasnot easy for the apostles who alldied a martyr’s death – cruciedupside down, skinned, or roastedalive – except for John theBeloved who took care of Mary.

The Holy Spirit is at work even now in the churches andcontinues to be on re. It gathersus together in one church. TheLord makes use of every personto build the Church, offering usvarious opportunities to serve.We can’t afford to be idle becausethe Holy Spirit is working in us.It adds life to the power of theChurch and gives hope. The HolySpirit must be shared by beinggenerous enough to others.

– Bella Estrella

Build Your FenceAS we celebrated the second

birthday of Feast PICC, Bro. BoSanchez talked on Give Yourself

the Gift of Limits, Talk 3 of our LifeSavor series.

Bro. Bo said human beingshave limits or boundaries.We are limited by time andresponsibilities. But there are

people who carry burdens beyondtheir limit. Such gesture may bedue to a wrong interpretation of Matthew 16:24-26 where Jesussaid, “Whoever wants to be mydisciple must deny themselvesand take up their cross and followme.” Bro. Bo said the passageis for those who already have a

concrete self concept. He added:“Because if you do not have aself, how can you deny it?” Howdo you set limits?

Bro. Bo cited the exampleof the Good Samaritan. TheSamaritan chances upon an

injured person on the road, brings him to an inn, anddelegates him to the innkeeper

because he has to take care of his own business. The Samaritansets a boundary: he goes only sofar as to nd help for the injuredman—because he has business,without which he cannot be of help to others.

We are not able to set our boundaries because we have broken fences. Bro. Bo gavefour kinds:

1. Money Fence. Whilewe are still young and strong,we must build our money fenceso we have savings which we

can use for future needs.2. Body Fence. Mothers,especially, live to take care of their children. But mothers, andeverybody else, should takecare of themselves so they can

better take care of others.

3. Friendship Fence. There are two kinds of friends

Nourishing Friends who

inspire and encourage you to be a better person; NegativeFriends who demoralizeand damage you. Look for anourishing friend now!

4. Helping Fence. Galatians 5 containstwo seemingly opposinginstructions. Verse 2 saysCarry each other’s burdens.Verse 5 says for each one

should carry his own load .Bro. Bo explained that the

passages mean we shouldhelp those who can’t carry

their burden. But don’t helpthose who can but won’t.Don’t take on the personalresponsibilities of other

people. If you do, your helping isn’t really helping,

but harming them.

Loading burdens on Bro. Bo, top,

from le: Paolo Espos, MarkleyVillarin, Kean Lim, and JC Libiran.

At right, Bro. Bo sets boundary byreturning backpacks to their owners. Photos by Edmundo L. Santiago

Happy Birthday!

2 THE FEAST June 3, 2012



REFLECTIONS

Beautiful, Beloved By APPLE B. CRUDA

Once upon a time, I thought I wasreally ugly. This

guy, however, kept on telling me that I

was pretty. But I just couldn’t see what

he saw in me. I ignored him.

WHEN I WAS a teenager, a mantold me that he’s in love with me.

And I couldn’t believe him. Iwas like, “How could you love mewhen I’m not even beautiful?”

At the time, I thought I wasreally ugly. This guy, however, kepton telling me that I was pretty. ButI just couldn’t see what he saw inme. I ignored him.

But after a few days, he wasstill there. He pursued me. Alas, Iwasn’t ready for a relationship. No,let me rephrase that. The truth is, Idid not feel I was worthy to have arelationship with this guy, or withany other guy. So, I continued toignore him.

A couple of months passed, and whoa, he was stillthere! I thought, “Crazy guy.He just doesn’t know what he’sgetting into.”

So, I confronted him, andtold him so. “Hey, stop pursuingme. You just don’t know whatyou’re getting into.”

After that, I thought he’d goaway. A year passed, and wow, Icouldn’t believe it—he’s still there!

But I just didn’t feel worthyof his attention. I continued toignore him. I continued living my

own life without him. I did my ownthing. I enjoyed excursions withmy family, I enjoyed school, sports,gigs with my friends, travelled tovarious places.

A couple of years passed, andunexpectedly, this man was stillthere waiting for my Yes. And I waslike, “This man is insane!”

Again, I told him, “Forgetabout me because I don’t have any

plan of saying Yes to you. Can’tyou understand that?”

And he goes, “Even if youdon’t love me yet, I still love you,and will always love you. I loveyou with all of me. I will wait

until that day that you will sayYes to me.”

That was lovely… if only Ifelt the same. I fell silent. I didn’tknow what to say. A part of mefelt guilty, and another part feltastounded. How could anyonelove me so much when I don’teven like me?

So again, I put the manon hold. I told him I didn’t wantto decide yet about going into arelationship with him.

Three years passed, andhe was still there. Nothing hadchanged. I was still living my own

life, and I still thought he was justreally crazy.Four years passed, he was

still there. I told him, “Don’t wasteyour time on me. You’re just goingto get tired of waiting for myYes, because I will always justsay No.”

This time, he was deadsilent. Was he getting mad at me?But then, I still couldn’t care lessabout him.

Another year passed. Igraduated from high school andstarted college. In the university,I met people who, again to mysurprise, told me I was beautiful.

One even told me I should join a beauty pageant.

With these people’safrmation, my insecurities beganto fade a little.

On my senior year in theuniversity, I said Yes-- to a boy inschool. He was in love with me,and so was I with him. He wasmy prince. I was his princess. Hewas my world, and so I thoughtit was the perfect relationship I’dever had.

Then, that fateful day came.He broke up with me. I was, to saythe least, devastated. I couldn’t

sleep. I cried and cried until I hadno more tears. Still, my heart crieduntil I felt numb all over. I didn’tcare about living anymore…

One afternoon, while I waswalking around the bend in theuniversity, the same man who washead over heels in love with meapproached me. He said, “Whyare you looking for your family?They’re far away from you. Whyare you looking for your friends?They have problems of their ownto x. Why are you still lookingfor your former boyfriend? He’s nolonger with you. Why? Am I notenough for you?”

He said, “I’m crazy for you. I’m madly in love with you.You don’t see what I see. Youthink that I don’t know what I’mtalking about. Well, you’re wrong

because I know everything aboutyou. I know your strengths andweaknesses. I know you haveaws, and I’m not expecting you to

be perfect. I understand your moodswings. I know your dreams, andI’m here to support you all the wayPeople may have left and betrayedyou, but I’m still here to show youthat you’re worth knowing, andI’m sticking with you. I’ll be your

companion, your best friend, your everything. Won’t you say nowYes to me?”

Then, he stretched his arms,and for the rst time, I saw theMan. I realized he’s real… as realas the cross behind him. For therst time, I realized his love for meis real. And I heard myself saying,“Yes, my Lord.”

I was then only 19 yearsold when I said Yes to Jesus.And my life has never beenthe same. I began to seemyself the way Jesus sees me:Beautiful, Beloved.

My dening moment all

came back to me as I listened tothe talk on our LifeSavor series.Yes, I once felt unworthy. I oncefelt ashamed of myself. But in thisseries, I heard God’s comfortingwords: Do not fear, for you will notbe ashamed; Neither be disgraced,

for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth...(Isaiah 54:4).

Actually, I remember theshame. But I don’t have the feelinganymore… because it has beenerased by God’s unconditionallove for me which I savor tothis day.

LIVING WITH BORDERS. JB Rodriguez and Carlo Lorenzodemonstrate how to set limits.

Bro. Bo said there are twoendings to this skit:

Ending 1: JB lets go of Carlo. Carlo is forced to swim for his life. Both remain alive.

Ending 2: JB tries in vain

to pull up Carlo. Drained of hisstrength, JB falls off the bridgetoo. With no more support, Carloswims for his life. He lives. JBdrowns and dies.

Bro. Bo concludes: 1)When you help others, don’tforget to help yourself. “Donot kill the goose that lays goldeneggs.” 2) Do it with a team. Don’tdo it alone. Delegate tasks.

Kristine Mutuc Photos by Arlene Batislaong

and Gerald Gonzalez

Carlo and JB are on a bridge.Carlo depends on JB for hissurvival by tying a rope aroundhis waist.

Carlo gives the end of the ropeto JB.

Alas, Carlo falls o the bridgeand holds on to the rope.

THE FEAST June 3, 2012 3



FEAST PICC YEAR 2

Anniversary Special

REMEMBER the words of Bro. Bo Sanchez on the first few weeks of FEAST

PICC? “The empty seats I see don’t mean the place is too big. It means space for new attendees!” Those were prophetic words. For on our second year, Feast PICChas become bigger, better, and more powerful than you could ever imagine.

This called for a celebration, of course! Last Sunday, anniversary balloonscascaded on everyone during the Feast. Buntings lined the Bridgeway where theFeast Ministries mounted an Anniversary Festival complete with games, singingand dancing, raffle, a photo-op with a life-size picture of Bro. Bo, an exhibit of the Feast talks paraphernalia and photos showing why the Feast is the happiest

place on Earth!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!By JANELLE IBAY

Toward 1000 Feasts, from left: Bro. Rolly Espana, his wife Donna,

Vita Monforte, and Beckie Sanchez.

4 THE FEAST June 3, 2012



Bro. Bo Sanchez and Bro. RollyEspana present donaon to campus

missionaries to support their mission

to build Feasts in schools. Receivingsymbolic check, from le: MigsRamirez, Carlo Lorenzo, John Ben

Rodriguez, Raser Alfante, and JC Libiran

Fesval fun, clockwise from top: photo-op with life-sizepic of Bro. Bo; Youth Ministry members dance for theLord; memorabilia booth; grand revelry!



Best treats, 1st row: games

galore; 2nd row: free BP

checkup, and oooh, massage;

3rd row: Butch and Elvie

Rafols of Feast New Zealand

with kids Manuel and Janina

check out photo exhibit;

wacky Creave and Events

Group members go for 1000!



CARING GROUPS

TRILOGYBy KIM PAMPLONA

A CG IS A CLINIC

WHEN we hear out each other,

we become instrumental to healone another. Thus we can alsosay that a Caring Group is aclinic. Like a pill of love, it istherapeutic, comforting, andnourishing to accept, care, and

build one another.Talking about healing, do

you know that every Sundaymorning before the secondsession of the Feast, a group of health professionals convene inthe PICC Lobby? This group iscomposed of doctors, professors,nurses, and others with healthrelated careers. While they

spend most of their career lifecaring for others, they havealso found a refuge where theycan in turn receive thesame care.

Being a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine whose eldand interest include VeterinaryPractice and Public Health, the

CG head, Dr. Arwin Serrano,established this type of CG twoyears ago. He joined the Light

of Jesus Family in 2003, andhas served as one of the pioneer CG heads, Service and SinglesCouncil member, and MakatiChapter Head.

Health professionals arenaturally caring and nourishing.They pray for one another,observe generosity in tithes andLight of Jesus missions, inspireand disciple others. They planto undertake a small MedicalMission at the Anawim, our home for abandoned elderly, andthe members are also active invarious ministries like Creative

and Events, Counseling,Intercessory, and, of course, theMedical Team.

What is their prescriptionto a healthy spiritual life?

“Strive to be a goodexample to others, and be aninspiration of the goodness of the Lord.”

ENDOWED WIDOWS

CARING GROUPS magnify love, joy, and healing, as can be wit-

nessed in the CG especially madefor widows.

Sis. Sally Habana, CG head,shares, “The CG for widows was

borne out of my desire to createa group where widows would becomfortable sharing their thoughtsand innermost feelings, becausethey know that they are talking to

people who truly understand howthey feel. You cannot really mixthem with singles or with couples.They do have a different prole.Our CG has become a venue for sharing the joys and pains of beinga widow. What is truly interesting

is that each of us has her ownstory to tell. And from thesestories, emerge new learning andrealizations for all of us.”

Sis. Sally has threedaughters and became a widowin 2003. Her background is onhuman resource management.

LET US now check the proleof the Caring Group for Face-

bookers. This CG is headed byFerds Nantes who works in aglobal rm with hotel propertyaccounts. In August 2010, Ferds

Health professionals, clockwise from le: Prof. Beng Ramos-Mortel, Dr. Arwin Serrano, Michael Angelo Minano, Dr. MitchellFeraren, Rhyan Jay Belano, Dr. Josena Almonte, Gilbert Ravidas,Amy Pamplona, Sheila Marie Arjona, Rowena San Jose

Ferds Nantes (2nd from right) party with CG members.

She joined the Light of JesusFamily ve years ago, and nowserves in the Warmth Ministryfor all the three sessions of

Feast PICC. Starting with ageneral CG in January 2011, sheeventually focused on widows.

Serving and growing in theCG, Sis. Sally further testies:“Catering to widows, we get todiscuss the challenges of not only

being a mother but a father as wellto our children. The women, sincemost of them are between 40s and50s, can be pretty stubborn anddenitely have a mind of their own. At a glance, you might think they are fragile because they arealone, but deep down inside, theyare really strong. In each meeting

that we have, miracles and healingdo happen. We feel the presenceof God. We deepen our hope andfaith in Him.”

These sisters are endowedwidows. They nd comfortand strength when they supporteach other.

outnumbered by members withvaried background – family man,nurse, entrepreneur, among others.

Most members are also “Feastaddicts” and whose network of friends can really multiply.

In this CG, no one is beingtagged with ridicule or criticism.Ferds says, “They can show their real self and be accepted. This is a

place where we can vent out their burdens, as we are surroundedwith people wounded and fallenlike us.”

With each moment spentwithin a CG, every burden ex-

pressed, every prayer uttered, andlaughter shared - good things areindeed magnied!

was dealing with problems athome, and the Feast came like arefuge. He can clearly recall howin December 5th of that year, herealized he found a second homeat the Feast.

Ferds got inspired by hisformer Bro. Noli Benavent, hisformer CG head, who created a

CG for Facebookers. Throughthis CG, Ferds said he outgrewhis awkwardness and learned toenjoy the company of others. Hewas eventually molded and trainedto head his own CG. He adds,“We are all called to serve. So Ithought this is my humble way of fullling that role, a humble wayof shepherding God’s children.”

This CG is very diverse.Originally intended for Face-

bookers in Call Centers, but likein Facebook, they welcome anymember and do not limit work toCall Centers. In fact they are being

LOOKING for a way to supplement the weekly Feast? We highly recommend joining a Caring Group. In such smaller units called Caring Groups in the Lightof Jesus Family, the members guide and encourage each other to experience aspiritual family and pave the way to start or deepen their relationship with God.

Within Feast PICC, there are dozens of choices of Caring Groups to join,offering various categories which cater to one’s status in life, age group, profession,interest, or concern. Here, we feature a trilogy of CG categories.

TAGGED, SHARED, AND BLESSED!

Merrywidows,from le:AgnesNavidad,WilmaGonzales,SallyHabana,and GinaAbao.Below le,Wilma,Gina, andSally,sharingstoriesduring aCG session.

THE FEAST June 3, 2012 7



SHARING

BE RENEWED.

A priest will

hear your

confession at the

second foor lobby,

Reception Hall side.

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 Jesusheld 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 PM p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The FEAST holds ofce 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 (PICC1) APPLE CRUDA (PICC3) ManagingEditors

KIM PAMPLONACHICHI BARBADANIEL L. SANTOSAssociate Editors

EDMUNDO SANTIAGOMARK DOMINGODAVE APALLAAPPLE CHICOARLENE BATISLAONGCRIS LEGASPISHEM OCHOCOPhotographers

NAYSAN ALBAYTARKRISTINE MUTUCJOY NACURAYMARTHINA SALOMEFERDY R. VALDIVIAJAY STA. ANAWriters

GERALD GONZALESCEZ GONZALESLOUIE RAMOSIRISH RAMOSPAOLINA SALOMEDIANA LORRAINE HIDALGOMACKY S. CASAMORINJANELLE IBAYCHANTAL CRISOSTOMOReporters

JOEL ESTRELLAREYMUND UNTALArsts FEAST MEDIA MINISTRYMARK DOMINGOAMOR MELITANTECo-Assistant Heads

JANE IBAYFinance

RHODA OSALVOJOHN PANGANPublic Relaons

WOMEN play a signicant rolein the fulllment of God’s great

plan for humanity. They are thelight of every home, the partner of every household. Mothersare the ones that carried us for nine months, giving us life.

Mary carried in her womba Son who is a true man anda true God. She found highfavor from above. With her grew a child who obeyed her in everything. In her camea child, despite all the painsand agonies, still thought of His mother’s welfare as Heentrusted Mary to John tocare for her, before He died.But Mary’s life was not a bedof roses. She accompaniedher child in His journey of salvation for humankind. As theFather gave Mary to be Jesus’mother, we also are given our natural mothers. They also

I REMEMBER the rst time Iattended the Feast was on May10, 2010, at Valle Verde CountryClub in Pasig City. I found theatmosphere familiar. Way back incollege I was an active member of Youth for Christ so I knewwhat a prayer meeting was like.

Still, something differenthappened to me during my rst

Feast. I felt an intense spiritualrenewal. I felt so blessed thatI decided to attend the Feastevery Sunday.

I followed the Feast whenit transferred to PICC and sincethen I hardly missed the Sundaygathering. Gradually, my faithin God grew, until I began to feelthat simply attending the Feastwas not enough. Our founder,Bro. Bo Sanchez, called for volunteers to serve in the variousministries and I realized that waswhat I had to do to get closer to

the Lord: serve Him.In June 2011, one year since my rst Feast, I began to

serve God as a greeter in theWarmth Ministry. And sincethen, I’ve never felt happier. I’vefound new friends at the Feast.I’ve found a new family and mysecond home. I’ve been so active,so full of life and so at peacewith God. I just love serving theLord, and blessing lots of peoplethrough my service.

Truly , the Feast is thehappiest place on Earth. This iswhere all your dreams come truein God’s wonderful time.

--Paolina Salome

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

HAPPINESS IS...THE FEAST

BRO. PIO ESPANOL,longtime elder of the Lightof Jesus and District FeastBuilder of Rizal province,launches his long-awaited

book, Jesus at Home.In this practical, easy to

apply book, Bro. Pio sharessensible wisdom gleanedfrom years of marriageand parenting.

Addressing true-to-lifedilemmas, Bro. Pio dispenses

realistic advice based on theBible that anyone can applyin daily life. This book is amust-have guide for spousesand parents who want tolive their faith right where itmatters—in the heart of their

home.For details, call

Shepherd’s Voice PublicationsInc., 725-9999, or logon to www. shepherdsvoice.com.ph.

have their stories of joys andsorrows, faith, and challenges.Being a mother is not easy butshe is willing to sacrice for herchild and hopes for the best for her family. A mother nurtures,cares and love unconditionally.

Her beauty is classic andher essence is timeless.Blessed are the womenwho boldly say “Yes” andcommit to the role God hasentrusted to them.

Moms are worthy of our love. They are a gift. Theyreect the glory of the Giver of life who loved us rst.

Jesus, the Perfect Lover,teach me how to honor andlove mothers the way you wantme to and let my thoughts,words, and deeds manifest thislove in every moment and inevery way.

--Mary Joy O. Acabado

YOUR FAMILY MATTERS!

8 THE FEAST June 3 2012

the feast - june 3, 2012 issue

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