When I welcomed all
participants worldwide to the 51st International Eucharistic
Congress (IEC) in the article, “God’s creative intentions” posted December 16,
2013 @ nestofglory.blogspot.com, I did not expect to be one of the thousands in
attendance.
Together with Judy, my wife
and Francis John, our only son, we were privileged to attend the historic
international significant event in the Catholic Church.
Our
souvenir picture
Judy and I are communicants
who strive to attend the Holy Mass daily.
I believe that “the Eucharist … becomes the venue of God’s revelation”
(Sabbath 2016. p. 62) allowing us to see, encounter and experience Him in our
daily living.
Our attendance and
participation in the various activities of the 51st IEC strengthen
our resolve to receive Christ daily through Holy Communion. Impressive, awesome, amazing, astonishing are
some of the adjectives to describe the different activities of the week-long event.
Looking at the two (2) ways to live our lives, little miracles happened “as
though everything is a miracle in one end while at the other end, nothing is a
miracle” (Albert Einstien cited by Ignatius Fernandez, Life Lessons: A
Christian Sharing. p. 15)
With my desire to connect my reflective thoughts to the vast minds of the world and ultimately with the Infinite Mind, I exchanged “calling cards” with national and international participants encountered. Its punch lines, “Mankind should be our business, … our trade.” Let us build the “bond of charity” (theme of the 34th IEC at Budapest, Hungary in 1938) where the “Christ in us is our hope of glory” (Col 1:27) reflecting the theme of the recent Congress. One of those I met and briefly exchanged pleasantries was a school director in Togo, South Africa who in spite of the language barrier being French speaking, both encountered the “Christ in us”.
The life testimony of the Thai entrepreneur who shared how she was persecuted and eventually converted to Catholicism was highly impressive that Judy took the opportunity to pose with her after she delivered her public declaration and profession of faith.
With
Ms. Sarindhorn Mativachranon who “survived and succeeded in life despite grim
circumstances”
As a couple, Judy and I
shared the “story of the Lord” in our lives in a joint breakfast fellowship of
the BCBP Consolacion Chapter on March 5, 2016.
We claim, “for over two (2) decades, we continue ‘to go, grow and glow’
bearing fruits ‘seeking first the Kingdom of God…’(Mt 6:33) through our
proactive membership in the BCBP Community from Mactan to Mandaue and now with
the Consolacion Chapter”.
Blissfully, the glorious realization of hopes and dreams for our family was joyfully attained through our attendance to the Family Lenten Retreat last March 12, 2016. The theme was “Family and the Eucharist” through the able leadership of Sis Ann and Bro. William Roiles. It was a unique opening salvo for the many activities involving the whole family. The day-long activity was facilitated by the Verbum Dei Catholic Missionaries headed by Rev. Fr. Michael Cheong. Life lessons were learned and relearned. The first miracle of turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana connects Jesus with the family.
The institution of a successful marriage requires communication which can be expressed in five (5) love languages: words of affirmation; quality time;.giving of gifts; acts of service and physical touch. For the family, the message reverberates, “the Eucharist being a consolation, a promise and a calling”. nmg
A cheerful family picture at Hotel Pier Cuatro, Cebu City after the
“Family Prayer Dynamics” courtesy of Sis Marissa S. Macaraig, BCBP Consolacion
Chapter
