One-day Recollection Conducted For Family Life Apostolate/Pangulo Sa Kristohanong Banay

The Family Life Apostolate (FLA) / Pangulo Sa Kistohanong Banay (PSKB) of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish, Buhangin, Davao City successfully conducted its ONE-DAY RECOLLECTION last 26 June 2022, Sunday held at SMPR Parish Seminar Hall with its objective and theme: TO EMBRACE AND DEEPEN OUR FAITH & COMMITMENT IN SERVING THE LORD JOURNEYING TOGETHER AS ONE FAMILY (FLA/PSKB) IN THE FACE OF LIFE’S CHALLENGES. Despite the pandemic, it was a remarkable spiritual journey that God designed for us, infusing and instilling in our hearts, minds, and spirits the desire to love Him not only as servants but as friends. We were all delighted & inspired by our speakers as they openly and comprehensively shared their insights. Our core group’s effort through their dedication and the number of attendees with full attention and cooperation during the event were a sight so good to see. These were the main topics during the recollection:

1. Commitment
2. Stewardship
3. Family Spirituality
4. Roles and Functions of FLA/PSKB

COMMITMENT. The gospel reading from John 21:15-29 in which Jesus asked Peter three times, “Peter do you love me?” is the same question asked of us. If we do love Him as what Fr. Diony tells us then there is no turning back in serving Him. We must stay focused on the path we are on; problems, weaknesses, struggles, calamities in life are not hindrances in serving Him cheerfully. Denial is our own enemy, preventing us from serving because there is no room for acceptance and we are unable to follow the good pattern established by the Holy Spirit. Humility and recognizing our sinfulness before God and to re-connect, re-commit, and promise to love Him by serving Him as we also serve our family and others in the fullness of our faith and other gifts that we received from the Holy Spirit is the way to holiness.

STEWARDSHIP was shared by The Parish Formators team. We are encouraged and called to share and be a channel of God’s care to others as the ultimate owners of God’s creation.

FAMILY SPIRITUALITY was shared with us by our FLA/PSKB Coordinator Bro. Toto Frias. The face of the family in the midst of a pandemic leads every family closer to God through the Holy Spirit, who sustains us with His mercy and love and calls us to be faithful to Him. Family Life is a vocation, and we are so grateful that the said recollection is aligned and parallel to the festivities of family celebrations in Rome, Italy for the 10th WORLD OF MEETING OF FAMILIES, which already had its finale day on June 26, 2022 with the theme “FAMILY LOVE: A VOCATION AND A PATH TO HOLINESS.” The message of Bishop Jesse Mercado, who led and chaired the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life is that the family as a domestic church should be encouraged to possess domestic love and the challenge is to be salt and light to the society which means to be humble, generous, and self-sacrificing.

ROLES and FUNCTIONS of FLA and PSKB was shared and explained by Sis. Nita Balio, Pre-Cana Lead Couple which needed concrete actions and commitment not only from the participants but also to them (speakers).

A heartfelt gratitude is extended to all the speakers, FLA/PSKB coordinator, Toto and Delia Frias with all the participants from zones 1 to 10 for sharing their time and effort to be part of the said activity who cultivated the works of God in our hearts with the help of Mother Mary the mother of Jesus and our mother too, the mother of church as our guiding light. Praised be Jesus and Mary, now and forever! (Dinah B. Gonser)