Missionary Families of Christ • Cam Sur

05/09/2022

30/08/2022

Ate loisse testified that all of the things that happened in our lives were always aligned in God's plan.

30/08/2022

Proud MFC Youth Cam Sur doing mission in Catanduanes.

Ate lovely testified that Jesus Christ loves us to the point that He wants to be with us.

02/03/2020

Welcome to the world today.....
Where s*x is free and love is expensive. Where losing a phone is more painful than losing your virginity. Where modernization means nudity, profanity, and if you don't drink/smoke dope you're out of fashion/style. Where boys stay boys and never want to become men, and girls become men to rule over them. Where if you don't fool your partner it's because you're not clever enough. Where the bathrooms have become photography studios. Where pizza delivery is faster than the emergency response. Where people fear the thieves and the terrorists more than God. Where Worshipping God is difficult. Where temples turn into dating pools. Where lies become realities. Where the ladies fear pregnancy more than h.i.v., and babies are murdered so the ladies can escape. Where people become toxic when they speak the truth or you're resisting to turn from what is actually toxic. Where perspectives and clothes decide the value of a person. Where money is more important than family and God. Where children are ready to leave their families for their love of the moment, rebellion and spite. Where the marriage covenant is no longer sacred or taken seriously. Where it's easier to play house than to build a home. Where jumping from partner to partner for s*x or attention is easier than waiting for the right partner for life.
Where love is a game.
Where evil no longer exists.
Whoever plays with the mind always gets happiness and who plays with the heart always hurts.
Modernity, love and liquid education...

The new generation of humanity.

II Timothy 3: 1-4
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Matthew 24:12-13
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

There's still hope in Jesus, it's not too late!

16/02/2020

MASS ETIQUETTE
(Reverence in the Presence of God)

1. One must fast for at least 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion. The only exceptions are medicine, water or unless someone is ill and needs to eat sooner.

2. Don't pack a snack basket for kids. It's no picnic. The only exceptions would be milk for infants, water for the priest or choir and sick.

3. Don't bite your nails, it indicates nervousness. Don't shake your legs, it indicates tension. Don't fidget with your hair, it indicates distraction. You may not have been taught this when you were young, that it is wrong to focus on any other person or object, when the focus should be on God alone.

4. Never chew gum in Church. It breaks your fast.

5. Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering the church. This is a reminder of our Baptism, which made us members of Christ's Church.

6. Dress appropriately. Don’t use clothes that you’d wear at home or at a resort or at a party. Dress in a way that gives witness to your faith not to seduce anyone. Don't go for mass to check out people.

7. Come early and be as close to the altar as possible. Don't walk in when half the mass is over. If despite your best effort, you are late, stay at the back to avoid distracting other mass goers. Don't stand outside the Church. One shouldn't go for mass for the heck of it or to be noticed or to avoid uncomfortable questions.

8. Cell phones should never be used during Mass for checking messages, making calls or texting. Keep them on silent mode. No call is more important than mass.

9. Youngsters should offer their seats to the pregnant, sick or aged who are standing.

10. When we enter and leave Church, genuflect (bow your knee) toward the Tabernacle. Christ is present for our sake. By allowing our right knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He is our Lord and God. If someone is physically unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient. During Mass, if you pass in front of the altar or tabernacle, bow reverently.

11. Sit quietly in Church. Avoid talking with anyone; talk to Jesus instead.

12. Take loud children behind. Sometimes the baby will be restless. Parents with young kids should sit at the end of a pew, so that you can take the kid behind quickly. Don't joke with them & disturb others during Mass. Stop them from playing with hymn books and reading material. Don't joke, talk or play with toddlers during mass.

13. Prepare your offering before Mass. Christ tells us not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing when you make your offering. Keeping the basket while you get your wallet out can be quite a scene. Digging the basket for change is wrong. Come to mass with your offering prepared.

14. No sleeping, day-dreaming, bulletin reading or saying the rosary during mass. Pay attention to God's Word.

15. Respect the worship. Stand during the gospel reading and other set time during worship. Kneel at the consecration, it is part of worship. The only exceptions are for the sick, people with knee problems, aged and those with infants. If you can't kneel occupy a pew that does not obstruct the view of the Lord from those who do kneel.

16. Bow before receiving Holy Communion, you are before God.

17. Say Amen and bow before receiving Communion. Do not drop the host, or play with it with your tongue or bite it.

18. Do not leave early. We should stay to the end of the final blessing and the recessional hymn that accompanies it, if there is one. Remember who left the Last Supper early (Judas).

19. Pray after Mass, thanking God for His abundant blessings.

20. Leave quietly. We encourage you to visit others especially your pastors as a part of Christian fellowship, but only when you are outside of the main sanctuary of the church so you won't disturb others who want to stay and pray.

Don't say' Thank God mass is over,' when you come out. You will sound as if you were forced to attend or as if it is a weekly punishment.

We may have not always behaved well during mass, but it's never too late to learn.

Let's share this with all, to know how important it is to behave well in Church

ctto

13/02/2020

STRONG MARRIAGE, STRONG PHILIPPINES
Position Paper of Pro-Life Philippines on Bills Introducing Divorce in the Philippines

Pro-Life Philippines argues that:
1. Strengthening marriage strengthens the Philippines.
2. Divorce will add to our country’s problems rather than solve them.
3. Effective solutions to marriage problems exist or can be developed.

1. Strengthening marriage strengthens the Philippines.

The wisdom of our Philippine Constitution mandates our legislators to “strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution,” and to protect the “inviolable social institution” of marriage as “the foundation of the family.”

This wisdom has been confirmed by robust social science research that shows that the institution of marriage benefits society in a number of ways:[1]

· High quality relationships. With its commitment to serving the spouse and children, marriage fosters high quality relationships between adults, as well as between parents and children.
· Greater happiness. Married couples and their children are happier than divorced couples and their children.
· Better health. Marriage is associated with better health and less illnesses for the family. Marriage seems to be associated with better health among minorities and the poor. Parental marriage is associated with a sharply lower risk of infant mortality.
· More mental health. Married couples and their children are least likely to have mental disorders.
· Greater wealth. Married couples and their children are wealthier than divorced couples and their children.
· Improved parenting ability. Marriage enhances an adult’s ability to parent.


2. Divorce will add to our country’s problems rather than solve them.

Our country should learn from the experience of other countries who have introduced divorce. The researches cited above show the effects of divorce in society:
· More crimes. Boys raised in single-parent families are more likely to engage in delinquent and criminal behavior.
· More su***des. People who are divorced/ separated have an 83 percent higher risk of su***de than those who are married. The risk of su***de increases among children whose parents divorce.
· More child abuse. Divorce is correlated with a greater risk of abuse and neglect of children. A child who is not living with his or her own two married parents is at greater risk for child abuse.
· More premature deaths among children. The child of divorced parents has a higher risk of premature death.
· More health problems. Those who experience parental divorce or separation are more likely to have health problems.
· More depression. Divorce is related to increased depression and anxiety for both boys and girls of all ages.
· More poverty. Divorce and unmarried childbearing increase poverty for both children and mothers. Divorced mothers are 2.83 times more likely to be in poverty than those who remain married.
· More problems in family relationships. Divorce creates distance between parents and children, even compared to children living in married but unhappy families.
· More divorce and u***d parents. Growing up outside an intact marriage increases the likelihood that children will themselves divorce or become u***d parents.

All the above entails additional cost for the government. US research has shown that if the American government pledged to reduce family breakdown by just one percent, taxpayers would save around $1.1 billion dollars each year.[2]


3. Effective solutions to marriage problems exist or can be developed.


A common reason given by divorce advocates is to give a second chance to happiness for people in an unhappy marriage. However, empirical research shows these:


· Divorcees are not happier. Unhappily married adults who divorced or separated were no happier, on average, than unhappily married adults who stayed married.[3]
· Divorcees tend to have greater failure in next marriages. Second and third marriages have a higher failure rate than the first. While 50% percent of first marriages end in divorce in the US, the rate is 67% for the second marriage, and 73% for the third marriage.[4]


Given all the above, it important to look for solutions to marriage problems which do not entail destroying the very institution that makes the family and the whole country strong and happy:


· Declaration of nullity and improvement of laws in this regard. Declare null marriages that were never really marriages. The government has to improve and facilitate the process for this declaration of nullity.[5]
· Therapeutic separation. Couples in gravely intolerable situations can go through therapeutic separation.[6]
· Effective marriage preparation. At the root of many failures in marriages is the deficient preparation of those who want to get married. The government has to improve the marriage preparation method and content.
· Effective marriage therapy. Studies have shown the effectiveness of programs that help troubled marriages.[7] There has be more government support for these programs.
· Legislation to support the responsibilities of marriage. Lawmakers can develop new legislation that provides:[8]
o Tax deduction for each new child
o Improved leave benefits for father and mother with newborn children.
o Humane housing standards to accommodate larger families.
o Flexible minimum wage to adjust to additional children.
o Financial support for the education of children – many countries support not just public schools but private schools so as to lessen the tuition burden of parents.[9]
o GSIS and SSS benefits to support additional children.

The time of our government will be better spent if legislators implement our constitution by strengthening marriage and the family, and protecting them from harm, so as to make our country stronger: more committed, happier, healthier, wealthier and more productive.

11/02/2020

FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL

OUR THEME FOR 2020
(Part 34)

THE OLD AND THE NEW

February 11, 2020
Today’s gospel: Mark 7:1-13

To be built on the Rock that is Christ, we must know and live out God’s word. We must obey God’s commandments. Many Catholics today no longer do so.

After centuries of Catholicism, many today are lapsed Catholics, basically abandoning the faith. Many are cultural Catholics, born into Catholic families and living in Catholic lands, just “keeping the tradition of the elders.” (v.3b). These might be good traditions, such as making the sign of the cross at various times and in various circumstances. For the Jews, they washed their hands before eating (v.3). Nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is that the heart does not conform to the outward actions. “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (v.6b). Such people do not live the commands of God, but remain with their superficial religiosity. “You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (v.8).

Today there is another problem. There are those who actually want to re-interpret the commands of God to suit their human thinking as to what Catholics should be doing. For the Jews, it was with regard to the financial support of parents, which they negated by claiming it is qorban(v.10-12). For some today, even among clerics, it is making acceptable such wrong things as LBGT and giving Communion to those in irregular unions (live in; divorced and remarried; homos*xual unions). The word of God, the catechism of the Catholic Church, and the apostolic tradition through two millennia are clear as to what is right and wrong. But there are those who want to reach out to those in sin (and rightly should we do so) but in the process “nullify the word of God” (v.13a). This is all about political correctness.

There is today a drift within our Church to modernism, which looks to the well-being of man but sacrifices the precepts of God. It is looking to the zeitgeist. It is misinterpreting the word of God, or worse, deliberately distorting it, in order to achieve one’s human objectives. It is placing in importance the human person above the divine Being. It is desecrating the Eucharist by celebrating LGBT, with LGBT banners in the altars. “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.” (v.7).

So to remain built on Rock, which necessitates listening to and acting on the word of God, there are two aspects to be careful of. One, it is just going through the motions of being a Catholic without actually living the word of God as a true Christian. Two, it is re-interpreting the word of God and remaking Christianity in order to make the faith more acceptable and accommodating, but in the process violating the commands of God. The first is hypocrisy and the second is modernism. Both are condemned by Christ and his Church.

It is interesting that the first is about tradition, keeping what is old, and the second is about modernity, making what is new. There is nothing wrong with looking to the old and to the new, but what is crucial is to keep to the word of God, which is unchanging.

09/02/2020

FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL

HOLY WARRIORS
(Part 68)

DAVID

February 7, 2020
Today’s reading: Psalm 18:31-51


David was God’s holy warrior (even as he had fallen into terrible sins). He was tasked to govern the people and preserve the kingdom in the land given them by God. He fought many wars. Today we too are engaged in spiritual war, and tasked to extend God’s dominion over the world. We too are called to be holy warriors. We serve the same God and we fight the same enemy. Thus we can look to the same victory granted to David.

Our theme this year is “Built on Rock.” “Truly, who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is the rock?” (v.32). What does God do for His holy warriors? How can we go forth in battle with confidence?

First, God trains us. It is He “who trained my hands for war, my arms to string a bow of bronze.” (v.35).We are not left to our own devices. We fight God’s war, and we fight in His way, with weapons of righteousness to the right and to the left. He has brought us to our community MFC to be formed and trained. He entwines our lives with the lives of fellow warriors.

Second, God empowers us. It is “this God who girded me with might” (v.33a).He fills us with His Spirit, the Spirit of power and might and strength. He enables us to engage and defeat a powerful enemy. “Your right hand has upheld me” (v.36b).

Third, God keeps us on the right track. He “kept my way unerring.” (v.33b). He has given us our vision and mission and Core Values. He keeps us from veering away and losing our way. He keeps us focused on the critical tasks at hand. He gives us the grace to be single-minded for His cause.

Fourth, God infuses us with bravery. “You girded me with valor for war” (v.40a). We face a powerful enemy that on our own we cannot defeat. This enemy has many powerful worldly forces that can cause us great harm. But He emboldens us, keeping our eyes fixed on the cross, enabling us to endure and persevere.

Fifth, God protects us. “You have given me your saving shield” (v.36a). We are under His protective embrace. God “saved me from my enemies” (v.49a). We can survive the flaming darts of the evil one. “He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (v.31c). If God is for us, who can be against us?

Sixth, God has given us victory. “I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till I destroyed them.” (v.38). God has sent us on the offensive, and we are to go to the ends of the earth, being assured of His presence and help. “Truly you have elevated me above my opponents” (v.49b). None can withstand His power.
Seventh, God destines us for greatness as His instruments. “Your favor made me great.” (v.36c). We do divine work. We do the very work of God, in the very name of God. As such, being granted the favor of serving a great God, we can move from glory to glory.

God favored David, sending him forth as His holy warrior. “You have given great victories to your king” (v.51a). God will also favor us if we remain true to His call as His holy warriors. And we can achieve great victories in His name.

Holy warriors are built on the Rock that is Christ! “The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, my savior!” (v.47). Ho-wa!

07/02/2020

06/02/2020

FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL

HOLY WARRIORS
(Part 67)

TAKING OFFENSE

February 5, 2020

Today’s readings:
2 Samuel 24:2-17
Psalm 32:1-7
Mark 6:1-6


Many people are easily offended. They take offense for many things:
A perceived slight or snub.
Being bypassed in promotion.
Being spoken negatively to.
Being done some harm.
Their advice, input or preference not being followed.
Feeling rejected.
Not being commended for good work done.
Being offended and taking offense often lead to a disruption of relationship. It can lead to anger, animosity, strife, separation, and looking on the other person as an enemy.

Oftentimes, it is not the fault of the supposed offender, who even might not know that people are already taking offense. This was the case with Jesus. “And they took offense at him.” (Mk 6:3c). Who took offense? His townfolk, as he had come “into his native place.” (Mk 6:1). In fact, they thought he was great. They were astonished with him and said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands?” (Mk 6:2). Then we get a clue, as they also said, “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary” (Mk 6:3a). In other words, is he not just an ordinary person, just one of us? What makes him think he is so special? So from being amazed, they took offense at him.

This happens too in Christian community. People look up to leaders, admire gifted brethren, extol good workers, but then, when they are offended, they turn against them. This should never be the case for a servant leader and holy warrior. How can we avoid this?

I would first like to distinguish between being offended and taking offense. This is akin to temptation and sin. We have no control over temptation (though we can avoid things and places that can tempt us), and it is not a sin unless we act on it. So if someone has done something offensive to us, then we can indeed be offended, but we do not have to take offense. Being offended is an emotional reaction over which we have no control, but taking offense is a response over which we have control. We can be offended, but we can choose not to take offense.

Why is this posture important? Because we are engaged in spiritual warfare, and one major tactic of the enemy is causing division, knowing that a house or kingdom divided against itself will not stand. A divided army can be easily defeated.Taking offense is a first step to division. So we must know we have only one enemy and need to be united in our common cause and mission.

How then are we able not to take offense?

First, consider if the other person actually did wrong. Or is it just your perception? Examine yourself. Be not judgmental but pure in heart. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Ps 32:2).Try to understand why the other has spoken or acted in the way you did not like. Be generous and charitable in your evaluation. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

Second, consider your own part in any negativity that has occurred between you and the other. Do not see the splinter in the other’s eye and miss the plank in your own. If you have some fault, not admitting it will weigh heavily on you, before a God who is just. “Because I kept silent, my bones wasted away; I groaned all day long.” (Ps 32:3). That is the poison that is consuming you. And God will not let up on you, as He wants you out of such negativity. “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me, my strength withered as in dry summer heat.” (Ps 32:4). What is your way out? Admit your guilt and repent, as David did. “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. Take away, Lord, your servant’s guilt, for I have acted very foolishly.” (2 Sm 24:10b). Taking offense can be foolish indeed.But we repent and God responds. “Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, ‘I confess my transgression to the Lord,’ and you took away the guilt of my sin.” (Ps 32:5).

Third, if ever the other actually did say or do something that was offensive, consider how your response can adversely affect the unity of the body. Thus, if you respond negatively, any resultant division will be your fault. The other may have offended you, but that had not yet caused division. It is your negative response that will result in division. So even if the other is guilty and you are an innocent victim, you must consider the impact of your response on the body, on all the innocents that will be adversely impacted. As David said, “But these sheep, what have they done?” (2 Sm 24:17c). You could end up sinning against the body.

Fourth, given the above, even in your distress, your recourse is to let go of any offense and just entrust the matter to God, who is just. In this way you are loyal to the community. “Therefore every loyal person should pray to you in time of distress.” (Ps 32:6a). In this way, the community will be built on Rock and not collapse under the buffeting of the flood waters. “Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach him.” (Ps 32:6b). There is great grace in this posture. It keeps you from being distressed. It keeps you secure in the embrace of God. It preserves your joy. “You are my shelter; you guard me from distress; with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me.” (Ps 32:7).

When you purposely strive to not take offense, consider the virtues that can develop in you. These are patience, tolerance, empathy, kindness, forgiveness, mercy, unconditional love. These are virtues essential to unity and to the prophetic witness of God’s army. So let not our community be made up of warriors who are honored by others for their work but are put down by their own brethren. Let not Jesus’ words be applicable to us, when he said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” (Mk 6:4). That would be unfortunate in itself, but it would also adversely affect Jesus’ work in and through us. “So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there” (Mk 6:5a).

Holy warriors, be on the offensive against the enemy. But do not take offense with your fellow warriors. Ho-wa!

02/02/2020

MFC formally recognized in Diocese of caseres.

join with us to do the mission!!!