CFL Leaders Retreat

CFL LEADERS FIND THE NOURISHMENT TO SHINE IN THE 2024 ANNUAL LEADERS RETREAT 

Two months before our 8^th CFL anniversary and despite rains and the aftermath of flooding caused by super typhoon Carina, 81 CFL leaders were gifted with the experience of being refreshed as they attended CFL’s second Leaders Retreat.  It was held last July 27-28, 2024, at Saint Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite.  The retreat theme was “Nourished by the Eucharist, Shining in Virtue,” led by our beloved spiritual adviser, Fr. Serge Maniba, who flew all the way from Antique to direct the retreat.

Session 1 was about the Eucharist as a Sacred Meal.  Fr. Serge explained how beyond an ordinary meal, the Eucharist meant friendship with God expressed through a meal.   The virtue about the sacred meal was gratitude.  An activity called “Happy Meal” followed, where participants had the opportunity to meet other leaders and share funny and serious stories about themselves with those they didn’t know well.

In Session 2, Fr. Serge presented the Eucharist as Sacrifice.  Participants learned that it’s not all about good times, but love challenges us to suffer for those we love as we give the total gift of self.   The virtue focused on for this talk was humility.  It was deepened in a 2-part humility activity.

In Session 3, the Eucharist as Real Presence, participants watched a music video called “How Real Am I?”, after which Fr. Serge discussed the faithfulness of Christ and His real presence in the Eucharist.  When Christ says, “This is My Body,” we become one with Him but also one with one another and with all of creation. Together we become Christ’s Body to each other and to the world.  The highlighted virtues were communion and solidarity – our oneness and togetherness.  The session ended with face-to-face confessions with 4 priest confessors. Everyone then assembled again for Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.

One highlight of the retreat was the after-dinner movie night featuring the 2017 Philippine romantic comedy, “Kita Kita” where everyone laughed and cried with the movie characters, while also enjoying some popcorn and coke, just like in the movies! Day 2 then began with processing of the movie as several participants gave their own powerful insights and moving sharing.  The movie was aptly synthesized with the message that while we may feel unimportant and unseen sometimes, God compassionately says, “I see you!”. He sees all our sacrifices, sufferings and offerings, and out of His sheer love, He is always with us and blesses us! 

Sunday mass was celebrated by Fr. Serge with the blessing and pray-over for all brothers and sisters who are already grandparents,  July 28 being declared World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.  This was a tradition started by Pope Francis in 2021, where the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne (Jesus’s grandparents) was declared a special day for all grandparents and elderly.

CFL Leaders left the retreat house on a rainy afternoon, armed not only with delicious breads baked by the St. Paul nuns, but with a feeling of gratitude and renewed energy.  They were refreshed and recharged so that they could continue to let their light shine to world. 

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