Update  July/August 2004 News Flash   T&T Conference  We bring the good news back from Jamaica that the 6th CFC Caribbean Conference will be held right here in T&T in August 2005 (date still to be decided).  Many of you who have gone with us in the past to these conferences know and see the effort, commitment and hard work that goes into organising such an event, so we are depending on you CFC Trinidad to make the next conference a success in every way.  As soon as we have established our planning committees, we will inform you and look forward to your support in any of the areas that you may wish to volunteer your help.  We have brothers and sisters in our neighbouring islands who have opened their homes and hearts to us, so now it's our turn to show them our true Trini-style hospitality.   5th  CFC Caribbean Conference Experience  The T&T CFC contingent was 19 strong as we entered Stephanie Hall in Kingstown Jamaica for the 5th CFC Caribbean Conference on Friday 9th July. Most of us had already been indulged in a full day of Jamaican warmth and hospitality having arrived on Thursday.  Every host home went out of their way to accommodate all our needs, wishes and whims.  Shirley Wiseman (Diego Martin) and Nicole Rivers (St. Augustine) have not stopped proclaiming about the generous heartedness of their hosts; and the sentiment was echoed all around the T&T contingent.  Those people could cook!!  Conference theme was “Braveheart”.  No doubt the hope for a little renewal or revival had brought us here. Maybe it was also the thought of meeting people like Frank & Gerry Padilla or Tony Meloto who we were told were some of the original founding couples of CFC. But ……. the Conference… (as usual) exceeded expectations.  The testimonies were pure inspiration.  Sylvia Delacuesta (USA/Antigua) and Arthur Anthony (St. Lucia) remain etched in this reporter’s heart as evidence of how personal our God is: how intimately he sees our need and gently moves us out of bondage into empowerment.   The talks were serious, moving, sometimes entertaining - all strengthening our love and lifestyle for God.  But they became eye-opening as we absorbed how broad is the CFC vision for “renewing the face of the earth”.  Experiencing the conviction, simplicity and passion of Frank Padilla; sharing the struggles, and humble faith of Tony Meloto…..as they elaborated on how “Gawad Kalinga” the CFC community building project was changing the face of the Philipines.   Well the conference became not just renewing, it was challenging, heart wrenching and moved us to a conviction that we in CFC T&T can and will by God’s grace renew the face of our country.  Our household meetings and prayer together have given birth to this conviction.  God has been preparing us for this moment in time when our love for God and for our brothers and sisters bears fruit in concrete works to accompany our faith.  We will learn from CFC Philippines, we will “get involved” we will build communities that foster life in Christ, we will be “BRAVEHEART”.   As our men stood together to receive the anointed prayers of our women led by Frank and his wife Gerry, we were poignantly aware that we  are ignorant of what tomorrow brings except for God’s word to us “Fear not for the Lord your God is with you”  (Is 41:10).  All God wants of us is the response “Here I am Lord” ……”be it done unto me according to Your will”     Curacao Mission YFC While the adults were in Jamaica the Youths were kicking up a heavenly storm in Curacao. Our Trini posse spent their first few days at the Vacation Bible week among 200 Curacao youths, singing, praising God and even showing them a bit of our Trini life, by composing a song in a matter of minutes!!.  It was not all fun and games though, as they got down to business with the YFC camp for 27 young people. It was a “blow-minding” experience for these youths, as many of them never experienced this type of spirituality before, and many of their questions were answered.    The parents, who, on Sunday afternoon, experienced a heart-warming reunion with their renewed youths, were deeply touched both spiritually and physically. As the tears of healing flowed, parents came forward to thank our team. But how can you respond when you know "it is all God's work". A tired but satisfied CFC T&T team led by Jonathan & Joey gave all the glory and thanks to the Almighty. And we say AMEN ! Webteam Vacancy  Well it is here, it is up,  it is running.  Thanks to our web team, we are now represented on the web world with our own website  CFCTRINIDADANDTOBAGO.   On behalf of everyone congratulations to Sheldon Blugh and his hard-working team. You were magnificent! ……… okay …..okay we know….. “It is all God’s work”.   Seriously though….. Sheldon needs help .  He says ”We are looking for 2 or 3 individuals to be part of a website team to maintain and update the site. You all know the address of the CFC Website right? Here is the link: www.cfctrinidadandtobago.org.  So contact us on the website and Sheldon will get back to you.   Eyes on Our Members Well what do you know?  Mildly perusing the Catholic News we uncovered this photo and discovered that our own Claire Peters (St. Augustine) was among graduates from the Catholic Bible Institute.  Also receiving diplomas were Gwendolyn Ottley and Dyllis Modeste (both of San Juan).  Well done San Juan!  All three agreed that the Bible School experience was worth every minute!!.  They highly recommend that we all take advantage of the opportunity the Bible Institute offers in T&T to dig into God’s Word. Catholic Bible Institute principal Wendy Ann Jones (centre) with 2004 graduates (l-r) Claire Peters, valedictorian Petronilla Matthews, Kelvin Dass and Joan John. All four received special presentations at the graduation ceremony. (Raymond Syms photo courtesyCatholic News July 11 2004)     Our sleuths also unearthed that some members are considering attending a few worldwide CFC events particularly the USA HOLD (handmaids) Conference which will be held September 24, 25 and 26 2004 at the Reston, Virginian Hyatt, which is near Dulles Airport Washington DC.  Also perking their interest are the CFC USA National Conference 2005 will be held in New York in July and the CFC Europe Conference 2005 which will be in Rome.  Who do you think will be the guest speaker in Rome ?!?!?    FAITH MATTERS What is a Scapular?  The Scapular is a "Sign of Mary" One of the signs in the tradition of the church from many centuries ago is the brown scapular of our Lady of Mt. Carmel It is a sign approved by the church and accepted by the Carmelite Order as an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her, and of the commitment to live like her. The word scapular indicates a form of clothing which monks wore when they were working. With passage of time, people began to give symbolic meaning to it: as like a cross to be borne everyday as disciples and followers of Christ. In some religious orders, such as the Carmelites, the scapular turned into a sign of their way of life. The scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to  Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and others.   Thus it became a sign of Mary. The value and meaning of the Scapular The scapular finds its roots in the tradition of the Order, which has seen in it a sign of Mary's motherly protection. It has, therefore, a centuries-old spiritual meaning approved by the Church.It stands for a commitment to follow Jesus like Mary, the perfect model of all the disciples of Christ. This commitment finds its origin in baptism by which we become children of God. What the Carmelite scapular is not -                     - a magical charm to protect you;                      - an automatic guarantee of salvation;                     - an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life. What the Carmelite scapular is -     A Sign which...     - has been approved by the church for over seven centuries;     - stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary:          * open to God and his will,          * guided by faith, hope and love,          * close to needs of people,          * praying at all times,          * discovering God present in all that happens around us; introduces  people into the   family of Carmel; points to a renewed hope of  encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary's protection and intercession.   (Article excerpted from Catholic website courtesy Lydia Jimenez) Notes to self - remember to… ·         Register for Liturgy School: one week that will enhance my understanding of liturgy in my church ·         Call Germaine at Bible Institute 645-2602 and find out about Bible Institute classes in my area.  …….tell them CFC sent me ·         Ensure all household leaders know about their 2 day retreat August 14th – 15th at St. Xavier’s ·         Pray for the ongoing work of Jonathan & Joey for our young people ·         Be at Mass at 6:30 at St. Finbar’s, Morne Coco Road in Diego Martin on Monday 26th July in honour of Sts. Ann & Joachim wearing my CFC apparel ·       Copy this Update to my fellow CFC members without e-mail   May God Bless !  All members of the T&T Mission Team who went to Curacao:…Lisette, Keisha, Sandra…….. everyone. Our clpprayerwarriors.  This team, though based in Diego Martin has been given the responsibility of intercession for all prayer requests received online at our website. Our Singles For Christ whose mission includes ensuring a public Pro-Life stance and ensuring everyone is educated about the Church’s teachings on life. All our KFC members who are entering Secondary School in September.  “You are the light of the world”   Calendar of Events ·  YFC National Leadership Training: Monday 2nd August 2004, 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. Arouca RC Church. Target audience - All YFC Leaders, potential or interested YFC members and YFC Couple Coordinators. ·         Retreat for Council Heads, Unit Heads & Household Leaders: Sat August 14th – Sun August 15th at St. Xavier’s in St. Joseph   ·      YFC National Conference: Saturday 21st August 2004, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, at the Chinese Association, St. Ann's. Target Audience - YFC members, interested SFC members and all other youths of T&T. Fee - TT$15. ·    Anti-Abortion Training Workshop: SFC is planning a Training Workshop for SFCs, on Abortion and Natural Family Planning on Sunday August 22nd from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Fatima Parish Hall, Curepe. Attendance is not restricted - non SFC members are welcomed. This is a train the trainer type of day since we need to be better advocates for this particular cause. Please walk with lunch and a $$$ contribution to cover costs. ·         Couples Retreat: Fri Sept 3rd -  Sun Sept 5th at Caroni Retreat Centre ·      CFC HOLD North America Leaders Conference: The 6th CFC HOLD North America Leaders Conference will be held from September 24-26, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston,Virginia. <<Click here for more details>> ·         Household Leaders Retreat: Sat  16th Oct. 9:00—12:00 , St. John’s Parish Hall St. Augustine ·         Handmaid's Retreat: Fri Oct 29th – Sun Oct 31st at Caroni  ·         Household Leaders Retreat: Sat  26th Nov. 9:00—12:00 , St. John’s Parish Hall St. Augustine  ·         6th Caribbean CFC Conference in Trinidad August 2004 …..get ready   Happy Holidays Communications Team

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