5th Family Congress
The Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) conducted its 5th LVF Family Congress with the theme “Pamilya Ko, Alagaan Ko” on October 8, 2017 at the La Salle Greenhills, San Juan City. Five hundred fifty (550) participants coming from the Child Protection Clinic on Wheels outreach areas and the Salesian Oratory Centers attended the activity. Sr. Cathy Urgello, FMA, one of LVF’s Board of Trustees gave an inspirational message.
An excellent speaker, Fr. Eli Cruz warmed the hearts of the participants present, by discussing some articles of Amoris Laetitia illustrating with video presentation depicting real family life situations, as follows:-
1.The complexities of the reality of the family today with both its lights and shadows as discussed in Pope’s Francis encyclical Amoris Laetitia. Sometimes separation becomes inevitable. He emphasized that children should grow up hearing their mother speak well of their father, even though they are not together and their father speak well of their mother.
2 The value of the family
2.1 Where life begins
2.2 Where love never ends
2.3 Where habits for life are first formed
3) Open and caring families find a place for the poor and build friendships with those less fortunate than themselves. (Amoris Laetitia No. 183)
4) If a family is centered on Christ, He will unify and illumine its entire life. Moments of pain and difficulty will be experienced in union with the Lord’s cross and his closeness will make it possible to surmount them.
In the darkest hours of a family life, union with Jesus in His abandonment can help avoid a break-up. (Amoris Art. 317)
Fr. Eli Cruz concluded with a challenge to the families not to model themselves on the world around them but let their behavior change and be conformed in Christ. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do. (Rm 12:1-2)
The program host Ms. Carolyn Zepeda Thor spiced up the program with her dynamism.
Skit presentations on how to resolve family problems and demonstrate care for the families were showcased by the different areas:- Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Marikina, Judge Jimenez, Hillcrest, Pinagkaisahan, Culiat and other areas in Metro Manila and a panel discussion which highlighted the need for daily family prayers and testimonies of how God can come to their rescue. The panel discussants were families of Mr. & Mrs. Dennis & Linda Cabuang, Ms. Arlene Banta Timuat and Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Eppie Clark.
Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, LVF Managing Director, concluded the Family Congress with a challenge: Families as a school of life and love, should take care of their families by communicating their pains and joys, resolving conflicts by dialoguing, forgiving and listening to each member of the families and praying together.
An excellent speaker, Fr. Eli Cruz warmed the hearts of the participants present, by discussing some articles of Amoris Laetitia illustrating with video presentation depicting real family life situations, as follows:-
1.The complexities of the reality of the family today with both its lights and shadows as discussed in Pope’s Francis encyclical Amoris Laetitia. Sometimes separation becomes inevitable. He emphasized that children should grow up hearing their mother speak well of their father, even though they are not together and their father speak well of their mother.
2 The value of the family
2.1 Where life begins
2.2 Where love never ends
2.3 Where habits for life are first formed
3) Open and caring families find a place for the poor and build friendships with those less fortunate than themselves. (Amoris Laetitia No. 183)
4) If a family is centered on Christ, He will unify and illumine its entire life. Moments of pain and difficulty will be experienced in union with the Lord’s cross and his closeness will make it possible to surmount them.
In the darkest hours of a family life, union with Jesus in His abandonment can help avoid a break-up. (Amoris Art. 317)
Fr. Eli Cruz concluded with a challenge to the families not to model themselves on the world around them but let their behavior change and be conformed in Christ. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do. (Rm 12:1-2)
The program host Ms. Carolyn Zepeda Thor spiced up the program with her dynamism.
Skit presentations on how to resolve family problems and demonstrate care for the families were showcased by the different areas:- Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Marikina, Judge Jimenez, Hillcrest, Pinagkaisahan, Culiat and other areas in Metro Manila and a panel discussion which highlighted the need for daily family prayers and testimonies of how God can come to their rescue. The panel discussants were families of Mr. & Mrs. Dennis & Linda Cabuang, Ms. Arlene Banta Timuat and Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Eppie Clark.
Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, LVF Managing Director, concluded the Family Congress with a challenge: Families as a school of life and love, should take care of their families by communicating their pains and joys, resolving conflicts by dialoguing, forgiving and listening to each member of the families and praying together.
LVF Acts
Eight hundred eighty-three (883) teachers, parents and students were given advocacy sessions against child trafficking in schools for the month of October. The following schools were given the sessions: Epigenio Lizares National High School and Don Enrique Lizares Elementary School (231 students) on October 2, 2017, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (591 students) on October 4, 2017, Laura Vicuna Women Development and Training Center (42 parents) on October 22, 2017, Begonia Elementary School (11 teachers) on October 24, 2017 and Putingbato Elementary School (8 teachers) on October 26, 2017.
What was amazing were the commitments given by the Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias students. They committed to do the following:
What was amazing were the commitments given by the Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias students. They committed to do the following:
- Be vigilant. Report cases of human trafficking.
- Educate children and youth especially on their rights.
- Poverty should not be a hindrance. Study well to stop the cycle of poverty.
- Speak up and take action.
Visit to LVF
Ms. Muna Wehbe, Chief Executive of Stars Foundation together with her colleague Swatee, her Partnerships Consultant, visited Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) on October 3, 2017 to see the new Center of Excellence. They were there to see also what LVF is doing after winning the Stars Impact Award. One hundred (100) children from the LVF’s Child Protection Clinic on Wheels outreach areas welcomed her. After that a dinner get together was given to them by some of LVF’s Board of Trustees ; Atty. Regis Puno and Ms. Cora dela Paz-Bernardo. Some LVF volunteers also attended.
Sr. MariVic at Theresians International Gather
Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA was the keynote speaker at the Theresians International gather in Tagaytay last October 19. The Theresians International Conference focuses on global issues that affect women. Their spiritual theme for 2017 is “WITNESSING IN ACTION, LEARNING ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.” Invited speakers from October 19 to 22 talked on human trafficking, trauma recovery and spiritual healing.
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