TITTIT F. LEANO

“The LORD is my shepherd

I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Psalm 23

LET GO...
LET GOD...

Coming to Australia was a big challenge, indeed, a leap of faith, so to speak, but “Let go and Let God” kept echoing in my mind. With so many questions unanswered and so many things to do, we left with much hesitation and uncertainty. With three young kids in tow, these doubts and uncertainties were made worse. But yes, just let go and let God, take that leap of faith was the best decision we have ever made, and there has been no looking back since.

We left for Australia in June 2001 whilst Rodel, my husband, arrived in February of the same year. He was employed to work in the Cardiovascular Research Group of the University of Queensland in South Brisbane. On his own for a few months, he was invited to attend a Christian Life Program conducted by Couples for Christ (CFC), a Catholic movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. It was a much welcome invitation which he gladly accepted as he was homesick. Ironically, this community started in the Philippines, but Rodel and I never had an opportunity to join while we were back home. The Lord led us to “green pastures and still waters”, our adopted country, Australia, to be part of this beautiful community. Rodel’s faith journey had begun, and we, as a family, joined him as soon as we arrived. And the rest is history.

CFC is our extended family here. Our children started as part of our young family ministries. CFC is deemed a “Womb to Tomb” community where each member of the family has a place to be spiritually nourished. This is its unique aspect. Its vision… “Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth” and its mission ... To establish the church of the home and the church of the poor with family renewal as the heart of its mission. Although a Catholic movement, it remains open to non-Catholic Christians as members.

CFC has built within its ranks, priests and religious. One of our youth leaders joined the Sisters of Immaculata in Tasmania and two priests from Sydney and Canberra, to name a few. One is now at the Canali House discerning his vocation while one of our CFC leaders is undergoing the deacon formation program. Through God’s grace, the community has been SOMEHOW instrumental in their discernment. Our youth ministry has been actively participating in the Vocations Brisbane activities while some actively serve the parish as members of the pastoral council.

We have been in Australia for 20 years now. Our eldest son and the other young members who now have their own families have transitioned to CFC, bringing along their young families. This is what we are passionate about, passing on the baton to our younger generation, our future.

Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to our God, who brought us here. The Lord has blessed us with this role to do His bidding, whatever and wherever it takes us, by sharing our time, talents and treasures that He alone has gifted us. As current Chapter Leaders of Couples for Christ Australia (Oceania Mission Ltd.), Rodel and I can joyfully acclaim, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

DEACON ADAM WALK

“ADAM, YOU AREN’T WORTHY, BUT THAT SHOULDN’T STOP YOU!”

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This year’s Easter Vigil was the fifteenth anniversary of my entry into the Church. Receiving all of the sacraments of initiation was the first big milestone in a process of personal discernment that eventually led to my ordination as a deacon in November 2019.

My years of discernment have convinced me of several things, most importantly that God has a plan for every one of us, and that He gives us gifts and charisms to assist us in realising His plans. I have always marvelled at the diversity in the Church. People are called to serve God and His Church in such interesting ways, as a cursory look at the lives of the saints will confirm. Some combine a serious faith commitment with participation in secular professions. I have read of a Dominican sister who is a physician, a Jesuit brother who is an astronomer, and a Holy Cross priest who is a historian specialising in American presidents! Such examples helped me to accept that God might be calling me to be a deacon, while remaining committed to my marriage and my professional life.

I have never really had a problem trying new things, but I did struggle with a couple of aspects of discernment. First, was the sense of a lack of worthiness. Why on earth would God call me to anything, especially ordained ministry? As the Archbishop told me: “Adam, you aren’t worthy, but that shouldn’t stop you!” Second, I needed to learn to give up my normal preference for planning and being in control. Very early on, we were told that the Church discerns vocations, and it is clear to me there is a great deal of wisdom in this approach.

In the end, these struggles turned out to be positives in that they disposed me to the process of discernment and freed me to respond to God’s promptings without my plans and preferences drowning out the Holy Spirit. Now, I am left with a feeling of peace, knowing that I am, amidst my myriad inadequacies and occasional uncertainties, fulfilling God’s plan for my life. I trust that He will make up for whatever I lack.

DEACON PETER PELLICAAN: The Greatest Adventure

THE JOY OF A VOCATION IS THAT YOU’RE CALLED TO PLAY A PART IN THE ACTIVITY OF GOD!

Imagine for a moment that God is real. Imagine that God is the source of all life, the author of love, the cause of all that is good, true and beautiful. Imagine that every person is specifically designed by this all powerful and holy God and that the deepest desire of every human heart is to encounter God.

Imagine that this loving and creative God revealed himself to humanity by becoming a man, and that this man would give up his life so that humanity could be reconciled to God. Imagine that this God who became man was inviting you to be a part of this divine plan! Imagine that God would continue to impart grace through people like you and I!

The joy of having a vocation is that you’ve come to see that this whole ‘God-thing’ is not simply a product of the human imagination. It is reality. This Jesus, God made flesh, is in fact more real than anything. He is the way, the truth and the life. The joy of a vocation is that you’re called to play a part in the activity of God. You’re called to be a minister of God’s grace in order that God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and life would f low through you to those you minister to. What could be more exciting, challenging, exhilarating, and life giving! What could be more of an adventure!

For me personally, the encounter with Jesus began in baptism when I was only a week or so old, but this baptismal grace came to life for me anew when I encountered Jesus at about the age of 8. This was followed with another significant moment at 14 where I had the distinct sense that God was calling me to give my life in service of the Church. Though this calling has manifested itself in different ways in a variety of contexts, it has been a constant conviction and a great joy.

There is nothing more life giving for me personally then being involved in someone else’s encounter with God. It’s incredible to accompany people as they first discover the furious love, forgiveness, grace and mercy of God. It is such a joy to see people find healing, wholeness, purpose and identity as they encounter Jesus and surrender to him. This vocation thing – as the Archbishop likes to say – is like signing a blank cheque, and it will cost you your life – but in it you’ll find more life than you could ever give away!

ARMANDO AND CLARICE, MARRIAGE: Two Imperfect People

THE SECRET TO KEEPING THE LOVE FIRE BURNING IS TO BEAR IN MIND TO MAKE A RECIPROCAL CALL AND MAKE OUR SPOUSE FEEL NUMBER ONE AND SPECIAL IN OUR RELATIONSHIP.

Prior to one’s wedding day, how many of us do any reading on marriages and relationships? Most of us embark on this sacramental journey with very little preparation, in fact, we think marriage, like parenthood becomes for us an ‘on the job’ learning situation.

As a society, we put so much emphasis into one day, which is our wedding day, and yet in a blink of an eye, the sun sets on that day and only faint memories remain.

Armando and I have been married for 46 years and sometimes we wonder how has this union, this relationship, lasted this long? We, certainly, have had many tricky moments when it has been difficult to ‘see’ the other spouse with a loving heart.

Faith, Hope, Love, the greatest of these is Love. 1Cor.13:13

Our Faith determines our decisions as it did many years ago during a beautiful nuptial mass when we became husband and wife. Our Faith has been our fortress against the ever-pressing secular pressures of the outside world. As a couple, we realized faith is best kept alive if it is nurtured, so our commitment to our church and our relationship with Jesus was paramount. God became the silent, third party in this relationship right from the ‘get go.’

If we are experiencing any differences between us, the Sign of Peace during mass has always been and still is our catalyst to move on, and to start afresh with a peaceful heart. We also find that receiving communion together as a couple and welcoming the prince of peace into our lives, we are open to reach out to each other in a more loving and peaceful way.

Hope is important to have in all areas of life but more so in a marriage as it gives us a driving force to continue to work in maintaining our beautiful relationships.

Everyday, we know we need to commit ourselves to our pledge to see each other through the eyes of Love. Love and respect are two key ingredients for a healthy, harmonious marital relationship. St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians was suggesting that the new Christians can show faith and hope in all their dealings with each other but without love for one another, their efforts would be futile. So too, in a marriage, if the foundation which is love is missing, the union of two people can become shaky and crumble. The secret to keeping the love fire burning is to bear in mind to make a reciprocal call and make our spouse feel number one and special in our relationship.

As a married, veteran couple, this relationship has taught us that there is no perfect relationship, but with a mutual commitment to work at it, a marital relationship can succeed and be life-giving to the couple and to others.

Over the years, we have learnt that marriage is about two imperfect people looking out for each other with Faith in God, Hope in our commitment, Love and respect as our common ground, and together with our silent partner, God, who is the Perfect Love.