Counter trafficking Family Congress
On September 21, 2014, Four Hundred Fifty persons mostly made up family members gathered to participate at the Second Family Congress organized by Laura Vicuña Foundation held at the Bro. Donato Rafael FSC Center for the Performing Arts at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan City . This year LVF Second Family Congress has adopted the CBCP theme: Year of the Laity: “Called to be Saints, Sent forth as Heroes. Choose to be Brave, Counter Trafficking!” Its sub-theme is “Pamilyang Pilipino, Banal at Bayani, Matatag na Naninindigan Laban sa Karahasan!” The participants came from the following areas: Mabalacat, Pampanga, Novitiate, Aspirantate, MHCS Canlubang, Laguna, Sta. Mesa DBS, Laura Vicuña Sta. Mesa and the different outreach areas like CPC-Taguig, CPC-Masambong, CPC-Judge Jimenez, CPC-Bacood and CPC-Hillcrest and CPC Marikina.
The Congress started with a beautiful prayer and powerpoint presentation with a family enthroning the Word of God. A segment from Faith Explained of Cardinal Luis Tagle opening the Year of the Laity and explaining the theme was shown to the participants.
The welcome remarks were given by Sr. Mabel Pilar, the FMA Provincial Vicar and one of the LVF Board of Directors. She mentioned about the importance the Holy Father placed on the Holy Family.A short video presentation was shown about the OFWs- their happiest moments if they are with their families.
The Congress started with a beautiful prayer and powerpoint presentation with a family enthroning the Word of God. A segment from Faith Explained of Cardinal Luis Tagle opening the Year of the Laity and explaining the theme was shown to the participants.
The welcome remarks were given by Sr. Mabel Pilar, the FMA Provincial Vicar and one of the LVF Board of Directors. She mentioned about the importance the Holy Father placed on the Holy Family.A short video presentation was shown about the OFWs- their happiest moments if they are with their families.
Ms. Lot Ortiz Luis, the Cross Catholic Outreach Country Director gave a short message congratulating LVF for organizing this Family Congress. She said that LVF is their favorite organization because of its dynamism in organizing the grassroots especially strengthening families towards protection of the vulnerable, the women and children. LVF is also doing a great job in counter trafficking.
It was Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, the Executive Director of LVF who gave the overview of the Congress. The Family Congress II is a sequel of last years Congress which values the family as a potential tool towards new evangelization. According to her, the family is the basic social institution, the cradle of human person and the cornerstone of the domestic Church. The Family Congress recognizes the critical role of the laity especially the family in the New Evangelization.
She then introduced the topic of Counter Trafficking. She said that each one of us is created by God in His own image and likeness. This is the basis of our dignity, being God’s children, we are all equal no matter our standing in life. Nobody can take this dignity away. We share Christ’s three-fold mission by virtue of our baptism: priest, prophet and king. Our mission today, is Be Brave: Counter Trafficking. She said human trafficking is modern day slavery and the third most lucrative business in the world as women are sold over and over again for sexual purposes. We need to protect the families and communities against abuses, violence and exploitation. Three elements of human trafficking were also discussed which are acts, means and purpose. Acts is recruiting, transporting, maintaining and harboring. Means is by deceit, fraud and abuse of power and Purpose is for sexual, labor and sale of organs. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis said that trafficking is a crime against humanity and must be stopped. The participants then watched the film entitled Human Trafficking.
Sr. Aleth Evangelista then processed the movie. One father stood to air his anger and disgust at how the women were exploited and sold over and over again and this was echoed by many men in the assembly. Many if not all admired the great love of the father in endangering his life to save his ambitious and rebellious daughter from the traffickers. They admired the woman policewoman who dedicated and risked her life to save the women victims from the traffickers. Lessons learned were not to trust and go with new acquaintances; we have to be strong and continue hoping and praying to be saved if one life is in danger or are victimized; there should be love in the family, so the members will not look for it elsewhere; parents are ready to die for the sake of their children, so children should obey and listen to them.
Our speaker, Ms. Elsie Lising, discussed further Christ three-fold mission which we share. She said we need to be prayerful, spread God’s message and serve. God should be the center of their life by praying together. Parents should be role models. There are many challenges the family is facing right now regarding firming their faith in Christ, open communication with one another and the joy of spreading His Gospel.
There were three (3) groups of reactors, Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Joy Arenas of CPC-Bacood, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Lorna Posadas with their son from MHCS-Canlubang and Mr. and Mrs. Rey and Emily Bolongaita of Aspirantate-Canlubang. Mr. and Mrs. Arenas said to place importance on the family. We must have a right attitude by being role models. They suggested that they should walk their talk by serving as examples of good values, attitudes and behavior. Children should need guidance and there should be open communication with one another. Another one suggested that they should not blame another person if he commits a mistake but deal with him with love and respect. Lastly, one of them said they should spend quality time with their children by regular outings.
It was Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, the Executive Director of LVF who gave the overview of the Congress. The Family Congress II is a sequel of last years Congress which values the family as a potential tool towards new evangelization. According to her, the family is the basic social institution, the cradle of human person and the cornerstone of the domestic Church. The Family Congress recognizes the critical role of the laity especially the family in the New Evangelization.
She then introduced the topic of Counter Trafficking. She said that each one of us is created by God in His own image and likeness. This is the basis of our dignity, being God’s children, we are all equal no matter our standing in life. Nobody can take this dignity away. We share Christ’s three-fold mission by virtue of our baptism: priest, prophet and king. Our mission today, is Be Brave: Counter Trafficking. She said human trafficking is modern day slavery and the third most lucrative business in the world as women are sold over and over again for sexual purposes. We need to protect the families and communities against abuses, violence and exploitation. Three elements of human trafficking were also discussed which are acts, means and purpose. Acts is recruiting, transporting, maintaining and harboring. Means is by deceit, fraud and abuse of power and Purpose is for sexual, labor and sale of organs. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis said that trafficking is a crime against humanity and must be stopped. The participants then watched the film entitled Human Trafficking.
Sr. Aleth Evangelista then processed the movie. One father stood to air his anger and disgust at how the women were exploited and sold over and over again and this was echoed by many men in the assembly. Many if not all admired the great love of the father in endangering his life to save his ambitious and rebellious daughter from the traffickers. They admired the woman policewoman who dedicated and risked her life to save the women victims from the traffickers. Lessons learned were not to trust and go with new acquaintances; we have to be strong and continue hoping and praying to be saved if one life is in danger or are victimized; there should be love in the family, so the members will not look for it elsewhere; parents are ready to die for the sake of their children, so children should obey and listen to them.
Our speaker, Ms. Elsie Lising, discussed further Christ three-fold mission which we share. She said we need to be prayerful, spread God’s message and serve. God should be the center of their life by praying together. Parents should be role models. There are many challenges the family is facing right now regarding firming their faith in Christ, open communication with one another and the joy of spreading His Gospel.
There were three (3) groups of reactors, Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Joy Arenas of CPC-Bacood, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Lorna Posadas with their son from MHCS-Canlubang and Mr. and Mrs. Rey and Emily Bolongaita of Aspirantate-Canlubang. Mr. and Mrs. Arenas said to place importance on the family. We must have a right attitude by being role models. They suggested that they should walk their talk by serving as examples of good values, attitudes and behavior. Children should need guidance and there should be open communication with one another. Another one suggested that they should not blame another person if he commits a mistake but deal with him with love and respect. Lastly, one of them said they should spend quality time with their children by regular outings.
The next activity was problem-solving. The participants were divided into area-based groups. They were asked to identify the threats/challenges to the Filipino families and how they can resolve them in their families and localities. The following were the problems and threats to their families:
Then the participants committed to do the following: The family members should have quality time for each other and have bonding moments: a child cited he appreciates a time with their parents during mealtime, another is their parents reading to them bedtime stories; assistance in schoolwork, and being there during leisure time. Children should also be guided properly and taught good manners, commitment in relationships and respect for girls and for life. There should be an open communication between parents and children. Another thing, there is a saying that the family who prays together stays together. Spirituality can be nurtured by putting God as the center of their family life. They should go to Holy Mass as a family and thank Him for all the graces they received in life. Family members should be treated with affection, love and respect and not be abused. Parents should become role models to their children. Media should not take the place of busy parents. Lastly, husbands and wives should be faithful to one another.
Fr. Edwin Soliva, SDB said the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Father said we do special kindness because we see the face of God in every person. We should not limit Him because He is an extraordinary God. Our God is not mediocre He challenged the group, “Choose to be Brave. Fight for your faith. Being disciples of Jesus is not just admiring Him but making Him our model. After communion a prayer for families entrusting them to Jesus, Mary and Joseph was recited led by Mr and Mrs Posadas and son Lawrence.
Sr. Marivic concluded the day by thanking Ms. Lot Ortiz Luis representative of Cross Catholic Outreach for sponsoring the day’s event and all the trafficking initiatives of LVF. She also thanked Bro. Victor Franco of La Salle Greenhills for generously allowing LVF the free use of their facilities for the said event. She thanked all the Sisters of the different communities and for LVF Social Workers for bringing all the families at their centers to join the Congress and for all the participants for spending their Sunday to be with the Lord and all their peers from the different centers of the Salesian Sisters. This day too is a great bonding for the families present as well as for our friends from the other Centers we have known since the first Congress last year. As parting words Sr. Marivic said that if we want our families strong, God should be the Center. She underlined their resolutions especially to love and respect every member of their families. God has called us first, to be saints in our families, to be Homes that Evangelize, as we are sent to be Heroes to each other so we can bring God’s love to others, in that, every person deserve our respect and love. Let it be our commitment to be brave and say no to violence in our homes nor to any persons. This is how we begin our commitment to be Families for the New Evangelization!
- misunderstandings between parents and among children,
- lack of communication,
- lack of respect to elders,
- children who are often glued to television sets, computer games, cellphones and internet,
- consumerism,
- premarital sex,
- short time relationships and fast change of partners with no commitment,
- teenage pregnancy,
- abortion,
- single parents,
- broken families
- parents who are OFWs
Then the participants committed to do the following: The family members should have quality time for each other and have bonding moments: a child cited he appreciates a time with their parents during mealtime, another is their parents reading to them bedtime stories; assistance in schoolwork, and being there during leisure time. Children should also be guided properly and taught good manners, commitment in relationships and respect for girls and for life. There should be an open communication between parents and children. Another thing, there is a saying that the family who prays together stays together. Spirituality can be nurtured by putting God as the center of their family life. They should go to Holy Mass as a family and thank Him for all the graces they received in life. Family members should be treated with affection, love and respect and not be abused. Parents should become role models to their children. Media should not take the place of busy parents. Lastly, husbands and wives should be faithful to one another.
Fr. Edwin Soliva, SDB said the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Father said we do special kindness because we see the face of God in every person. We should not limit Him because He is an extraordinary God. Our God is not mediocre He challenged the group, “Choose to be Brave. Fight for your faith. Being disciples of Jesus is not just admiring Him but making Him our model. After communion a prayer for families entrusting them to Jesus, Mary and Joseph was recited led by Mr and Mrs Posadas and son Lawrence.
Sr. Marivic concluded the day by thanking Ms. Lot Ortiz Luis representative of Cross Catholic Outreach for sponsoring the day’s event and all the trafficking initiatives of LVF. She also thanked Bro. Victor Franco of La Salle Greenhills for generously allowing LVF the free use of their facilities for the said event. She thanked all the Sisters of the different communities and for LVF Social Workers for bringing all the families at their centers to join the Congress and for all the participants for spending their Sunday to be with the Lord and all their peers from the different centers of the Salesian Sisters. This day too is a great bonding for the families present as well as for our friends from the other Centers we have known since the first Congress last year. As parting words Sr. Marivic said that if we want our families strong, God should be the Center. She underlined their resolutions especially to love and respect every member of their families. God has called us first, to be saints in our families, to be Homes that Evangelize, as we are sent to be Heroes to each other so we can bring God’s love to others, in that, every person deserve our respect and love. Let it be our commitment to be brave and say no to violence in our homes nor to any persons. This is how we begin our commitment to be Families for the New Evangelization!