YFC Timor Leste - TO'O ROHAN

On 13 to 15 August YFC Timor Leste will hold its 4th National Conference with the theme: TO'O ROHAN taken from Colossians 2:6-7. The theme is adapted from the recent YFC ILC held in Baguio City with the theme TO THE MAX!

Let's all come together to worship the LORD to the max! Mai ita hahi Nai hamutuk to'o ba rohan!

SFC Timor experiences the Fullness of Life!

On June 5 and 6, SFC Timor Leste held its 4th National Conference at the John Paul II Formation Center in Comoro, Dili. Over 140 participants from all over Dili, Ermera, Baucau, Fatumaca and even as far as Uatu-lari, gathered to worship, listen, learn and be FILLED with God's love and life.

 It was a truly inspiring weekend and the singles were able to discover what BEING FULL truly means. To be FULL is to empty one's self and be FILLED with God's never-ending love, especially as manifested through the most satisfying FEAST of all, receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist!

(More pics to be uploaded soon!)

May God be praised in all things! Congratulations and praise God especially to the hard-working Conference service team, especially the Program and Logistics Committees! Hahi ba Nai Alleluia!

CFC Timor Leste - A New Generation Is Taking Its Place!

Breaking News!

Today, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, marks a milestone in the life of CFC in Timor Leste. The grand love of the Father, the passionate zeal of the Son and the empowering fire of the Holy Spirit are truly molding the New Generation of Timorese leaders, a fitting end to what could be termed as "transition month" for both the leaving Filipino missionaries and the remaining local (and one Filipina) missionaries and leaders.

Earlier this week, our three local missionaries, Francisco "Chico" da Costa (CFC), Aleixo "Lyus" do Rosario Pereira (young Family Ministries), and Joaquina "Quina" da Costa Sarmento Barreto (young Family Ministries) were able to finish the pastoral formation course given by their Filipino co-missionaries. They were also officially introduced and endorsed to His Grace Bishop Dom Alberto Ricardo da Silva of the Diocese of Dili.

 (From L to R: Karen, the only remaining Filipino missionary effective June 12, 2010, Quina, Bishop da Silva, Lyus & Chico)

The soon-to-be departing Rodriguez family also went to see Bishop da Silva to thank him for his support of their mission and of CFC as a whole.

A similar visit to His Grace Bishop Dom Basilio Nascimento of the Diocese of Baucau is planned for next week.

Yesterday and today, the newly-appointed Governance Team of CFC Timor Leste had its recollection-training-planning, which capped off CFC TL's transition from being led by a Filipino mission head to local leadership.

(Aleixo giving the recollection "You Are Invited" to the new Governance Team members)

 (Worshipping CFC Timor style!)

  (Initial planning of the Governance Team)

It was a fruitful, information-filled, faith-renewing weekend for CFC's new generation of leaders.

(The men of CFC Timor Leste)

 (CFC Timor Leste's Governance Team (L to R top row) - Jose Orlando Magno, Chico da Costa, Joao da Silva (L to R bottom row) - Francisco da Costa, David da Silva)

On the same day that CFC's new leaders were inspired and empowered to bring God's fullness of life to the whole of Timor, a dynamic training session was also held for those who would be responsible for the future generations of CFC. The KFC Facilitators' ROCK Training (the first of its kind since KFC updated its Facilitators Training!) left fourteen YFCs on fire to serve the Lord through the youngest ministry of CFC.

Indeed, CFC Timor Leste is blessed and privileged to be empowered by the Holy Trinity to evangelize from the womb to the tomb!

We only pray that God will continue to move CFC forward, in faith, hope, joy, and especially LOVE.

Holy Trinity, bless Your new generation of leaders!

There's a new generation that is seeking Your face
There's a new generation that is taking its place
Lord we surrender to Your will let it be done
Come this day, have Your way
Let Your kingdom come

We will rise, we will run
We will exalt the name of Jesus
By His blood we overcome
We will sing, we will dance
Come on and celebrate the kingdom of our God


There's a new generation that is running by faith
There's a new generation that is willing to pray
Wind of revival, come and sweep across this land
What a change with one move of Your mighty hand


We will rise, we will run
We will exalt the name of Jesus
By His blood we overcome
We will sing, we will dance
Come on and celebrate the kingdom of our God

CFC Dili celebrates Pentecost! "Happy Birthday Mother Church!"

On Pentecost Sunday, around 140 members of the CFC community in Dili, the capital of Timor Leste, gathered to commemorate the “birthday” of our beloved Catholic Church with a lively celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Rev. Fr. Alan Bondoc SVD led everyone present - Couples, Singles, Handmaids , Servants, Youth and Kids alike - in praising God through the Liturgy. 

 Everyone truly felt the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in their hearts, especially after receiving Holy Communion.

  Before the Final Blessing, Fr. Alan led the congregation in a rousing praise and worship session that had everyone raising their hands, clapping, dancing, jumping and singing their hearts out to the Lord. It was truly refreshing and empowering for all present!

(Pictures above show CFC's staunch ally, charismatic priest Fr. Alan in action, doing what he loves the best, worshiping the Lord CFC-style along with CFC Dili members. After the mass, Fr. Alan proudly shows off his SOLD T-shirt, and takes time to pray over members who came up to him, asking to be prayed over for healing.)

 

After the Mass, the formation course on “Living As A People of God” was given to leaders and members of CFC, HOLD, SOLD and SFC, as part of CFC Timor’s transition to local governance.

Although physically drained from the heat, humidity and the lengthy whole-day affair, everyone went home on fire with the Holy Spirit, eager to give light to Timor Leste and the world through CFC and its Ministries. Hahi ba Nai Aleluia! Praise the Lord Alleluia!

CFC Timor Leste Mission Team meets with Dili Diocese Family Commission Head

BREAKING NEWS!

Earlier today (May 5) the CFC Timor Leste Mission Team headed by Anthony and Tina Rodriguez, and composed of young Family Ministries missionaries Karen dela Cerna, Aleixo do Rosario Pereira, Joaquina da Costa, CFC missionary Francisco da Costa and missionary kids Tim and Rysse Rodriguez, were blessed to meet up with Rev. Fr. Jose Tacain, SVD, the newly-assigned Head of the Dili Diocese Family Commission. CFC TL had previously collaborated with Fr. Jose for the launching of CFC's Pro-Life Month in July of last year.

 This afternoon's meeting was held upon Fr. Jose's request for CFC to become an integral part of the newly revamped and "re-activated" Family Life Commission of the Dili Diocese, which had previously been lacking a priest to head it. During the meeting, Fr. Jose acknowledged the "good work" that CFC and its Family Ministries is doing for the Catholics of Timor Leste, especially by encouraging families and youth to be active in their parishes. He exhorted the Mission Team to continue the work and also requested that a representative from CFC be selected to join him in the Commission. This is to ensure the smooth coordination and implementation of all activities under the Family Commission that CFC can be a support to. Fr. Jose also hopes that CFC will become a program adopted by all parishes in the Diocese of Dili.

The almost 2-hour long meeting ended with Fr. Jose jokingly asking the Rodriguezes to extend their mission as "the need is still great," and the assurance of the CFC Mission Team that CFC is committed to being one with the Church in all its objectives.

To God be all the glory now and forever! Hahi ba Nai Aleluia! Praise the Lord Alleluia!

Change of date of SFC TL 2010 National Conference (Mudansa data nian ba Konferensia Nasional KLBK nian)

The SFC Timor Leste 4th National Conference has been moved to JUNE 5-6, 2010. Venue will be at the John Paul II Formation Center in Comoro, Dili.


Konferensia Nasional Klosan ba Kristu nian ba dala haat sei halao ona iha dia 5-6 fulan Junhu tinan 2010. Fatin iha Centro Formacao Joao Paulo II iha Comoro, Dili.

 

Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei visits CFC TL Mission Office

The recent ordination of His Grace Bishop Dom Norberto do Amaral was indeed a joyous occasion for all, and truly showed the beauty of our being one family in the Church.

Bishop Amaral's ordination also brought about a wonderful opportunity for the CFC Timor Leste Mission Team to spend time with our beloved Bishop Cornelius Sim of the Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam. Considered an "old friend" of Anthony and Tina (who knew Bishop from a long way back, when she was still a youth in Brunei and Bishop was still Fr. "Corny" as he was known among the Brunei Catholic youth), it was an afternoon of sharing mission experiences and stories.

 
Bishop Sim was also able to meet our new Timorese fulltime workers, Francisco da Costa and Joaquina Barreto. 

THANK YOU BISHOP FOR THE VISIT! MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOU AS YOU SERVE MOTHER CHURCH!

CFC Timor Leste celebrates with the Catholic Church in Timor Leste on the installation of the new Bishop to Maliana

Dili, Timor Leste (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)

Last Saturday (April 24, 2010), Couples for Christ Timor Leste, represented by 2010 Mission Head Anthony Rodriguez and Family Ministries Missionary Karen dela Cerna, were privileged to join the thousands of faithful who converged on Tasi-tolu, the historic site where our beloved Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in 1989.

It was the occasion of the ordination of His Grace Bishop Dom Norberto do Amaral, as Bishop to the newly erected Diocese of Maliana. The event was telecast live on national television and an estimated 30,000 people attended, composed of clergy, religious and laity. Various bishops from Australia, Macau, Indonesia and Brunei joined in the auspicious event.

(Pictures below show: 1. The ordination ceremony 2. Bishop Cornelius Sim of the Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam with Jorge Teme, CFC member and Oe-cusse State Secretary and his wife, Tina Teme, with Missionaries of Charity sisters) 3. CFC TL Family Ministries Missionary Karen dela Cerna with Bishop Dom Basilio do Nascimento of Baucau Diocese)

Who is Bishop Norberto Do Amaral?

(CFC TL 2010 Mission Head Anthony Rodriguez with newly-ordained Bishop Dom Norberto do Amaral )

He was ordained priest on October 18, 1988 for the Diocese of Dili. He subsequently ministered as follows: 1988: Assistant Pastor of the Parish of Ainaro, 1989-2000: Pastor of the Parish of Maubisse, 2000-2004: Rector of the Diocesan Minor Seminary in Dili, 2005-2007: Studies for a licentiate in dogmatic theology at the Urban University in Rome. Since 2007: Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Prefect of Studies at the Major Seminary in Dili. From 2008 up to his recent ordination, he served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Dili and Director of the Diocesan Magazine “Seara.”

With the installation of Bishop Norberto, there are now three bishops serving the over one million Catholics in Timor Leste. The addition of the new bishop will also then qualify Timor Leste to have its own Archbishop which is normally elected from the numbers of bishop present. The archbishop will then reside in Dili and at the same time be the bishop of Dili.

The diocese of Maliana (nom. lat. Malianensis), includes the administrative region of Maliana in three districts (Liquica, Bobonaro, and Cova-Lima) and 16 sub-districts. It borders the Diocese of Dili to its East and that of Atambua (Indonesia) to its West. The parish church of Maliana, dedicated to the “Sagrado Coração de Jesus,” (Sacred Heart of Jesus) is now considered the Cathedral of the new diocese.

Maliana Diocese is formed of 10 parishes serving just over 200,000 Catholics, who represent more than 98% of the area's population. Six diocesan and 25 non-diocesan priests, along with 108 religious brothers and sisters, are assigned within the new diocese's limits. The Diocese of Dili was divided to create the new diocese, which now joins the Diocese of Baucau as the nation's third.

Additional Sources:

http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=25941&lan=eng

http://renovatimor.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-bishop-in-timor-leste.html

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope_benedict_xvi_erects_new_diocese_in_east_timor/

Joven ba Kristu: TO THE MAX!

Hahi ba Nai ba ita nia joven sira nebe hamutuk ho maun-alin joven sira hamutuk nain 10,000 bele esperiensia NAI nia domin "TO THE MAX" iha Konferensia Internasional Joven ba Kristu nian nebe halao iha dia 9 to'o dia 11 fulan Abril. Obrigadu ba NAI no ba ita nia komunidade no ema hotu nebe suporta no tulun sira!

Praise the Lord for our youth, who together with their 10,000 brothers and sisters, experienced God's love "TO THE MAX" at the CFC Youth for Christ International Leaders Conference last April 9 to 11. Thank You LORD and our community and everyone who supported and helped them!

 

A Heart All Soft at the YFC ILC '10

(hetan husi www.cfcinternationalmissions.com)

This YFC – International Leaders' Conference was indeed a very special one for me because I was able to feel that my heart was indeed willing to surrender God. All this time, I have always doubted and complained to God. 

Move my heart

I could also say that I decided to become full-time because I wanted to see what God's miracle would be for me. During the time that I complained and argued with God was also the time that I really wanted to surrender myself to God. I would always pray, “Lord, if this is indeed Your will, move my heart, make me understand Your will in my life and also strengthen me to surrender myself to You.”

During this year's YFC ILC, I could really feel that God wanted to throw a big party for His prodigal daughter in front of more than 10,000 people. God proved to me that even if only one is lost among thousands, He will look for the missing one until He finds it.

Love the youth

God seemed to be telling me, “Quina, I want you to love the youth. Don't doubt the path that I have chosen for you, because it is also for this reason that I wanted you to be born into this world.”

This was the time that I felt my heart go all soft and really give in to God. I have been serving for 5 years now but this was the first time I cried until I couldn't catch my breath. I felt that God really used the speakers for talks 2 and 3 to really move my heart. I really repented because all this time, I have never lived a full life in Christ.

Healed doubts

My studies and my family have always made me doubt God's will for my life. I am scared that this path I am now choosing will separate me from my family. All this time, I have been moving forward in doubt, I have been serving in doubt, I have been making decisions in doubt. Now, God has softened and healed my heart of all my doubting.

Now, I choose to live a full life in Christ, on this special path that God has shown me. I feel that God is so much bigger than my doubts. God is so much bigger than my problems and God's desire for me is so much more beautiful than my own desires and better than my life.

By Quina da Costa Sarmento Barreto, Timor Leste
 

CFC Timor Leste Fulltime Pastoral Workers

For the first time in CFC Timor Leste's history, the Lord has blessed us with fulltime workers for CFC and the Family Ministries...
Ba dala primeiru iha istoria KBK Timor Leste nian, Nai mak haraik bensaun mai ita hodi haruka "fulltime worker" sira ba KBK no Apostoladu Familia nian.

Here's a look at these mission-ready servants of God.. as shown on their official CFC TL Mission Office IDs... :)
Haree tok Maromak nia atan sira nebe prontu nafatin ba misaun.. iha sira nia ID Sede Misaun KBK TL nian... :)

Francisco "Chico" da Costa, for CFC... effective November 2009. :)
................................................................. hahu fulan Novembru tinan 2009 :)


Aleixo do Rosario Pereira, for the Family Ministries... effective August 2009. :)
............................................................................................. hahu fulan Agostu tinan 2009 :)


Joaquina Sarmento Da Costa Barreto, for the Family Ministries... effective November 2009. :)
...................................................................................................... hahu fulan Novembru tinan 2009 :)


LET US PRAY FOR THESE MISSIONARIES, THAT THEIR LOVE FOR GOD WILL ALWAYS PUSH THEM FORWARD TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE.

MAI ITA REZA BA MISIONARIU SIRA NE'E, ATU SIRA NIA DOMIN BA MAROMAK SEI HALO SIRA ATU BA OIN NAFATIN HODI SERVI NINIA POVU.

What is Couples for Christ?

For those of you who have no idea what Couples for Christ is about, check out the links below to know more:
(Ba sira nebe seidauk konyese ka hatene Couples for Christ ka Kaben na'in ba Kristu, haree tok link sira iha kraik:)

Couples for Christ Official Website

CFC International Missions Official Website

Jesus Follower Website - read about our own Aleixo do Rosario Pereira! (Lee kona ba ita nia alin rasik, Aleixo do Rosario Pereira!)

CFC Timor Leste experiencing the Fullness of Life in Christ!

4^th CFC Timor Leste Leaders Conference Highlights

On March 7, 2010, one hundred and ninety-eight leaders of CFC and its Family Ministries in Timor Leste gathered at the Pope John Paul II Formation Center for a day of worship, fellowship, and inspiration. Everyone was excited to experience the fullness of life in Christ, and what better way to kick off the day than experiencing Christ in the Eucharist.

After the Celebration of the Holy Mass, participants were hyped up to give their all to God during the Conference by CFC Timor Leste Mission Director, Anthony Rodriguez, and the ever-energetic YFC and SFC dancers, who taught everyone CFC Timor’s own Tetun version of the “Fullness in Christ” chant.

This conference was a significant milestone for CFC Timor, because it was the first ever spearheaded by CFC Timor’s homegrown local fulltime workers, Francisco da Costa (CFC), Aleixo do Rosario Pereira (SFC) and Joaquina Da Costa Sarmento Barreto (SFC). (The latter two are currently in Manila undergoing training).

(Left to Right: Francisco [Oops! Forgot to look at the camera & smile!], Joaquina, Karen, Tina, Anthony with Rysse, Aleixo)

Before partaking of a simple but filling lunch, everyone was able to witness presentations from the various Family Ministries, each promoting their respective conferences for 2010. The participants also had a chance to play some lively and funny games, which enhanced the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood among all.

After lunch, the Conference proper started with a look at CFC Timor’s significant milestones for 2009, given by Francisco or Maun Chico (Brother Chico) as he is fondly called by his co-fulltime workers. Chico exhorted everyone to look at the blessings that God had bestowed upon CFC for the previous year, more than the negative things like some members becoming inactive, etc. He encouraged everyone to show support for one another and rejoice at the works God has done in and through CFC. The session ended with a powerful and tear-filled (for many!) time for healing, thanksgiving and encouragement among all participants.

CFC Director Anthony gave the second session entitled “Fullness of Life in Christ” and set the directions for CFC Timor for 2010. He encouraged everyone to recall their basic call, and return to the basics of CFC, mainly our covenant with the Lord, and our mission to evangelize. He emphasized God’s call for CFC Timor to “stand on its own” and introduced the new structure i.e. the setting up of a Governance Team by mid-April, the gradual withdrawal of all foreign missionaries and the transition to local governance.

The session ended with an empowerment prayer as the participants grouped themselves according to area and affirmed one another with these phrases: Hau mak responsavel ba ita. Kaben na’in ba Kristu nia futuru mak ita nia responsabilidade (I am responsible for you. CFC’s future is our responsibility).

The signature praisefest after the session proved a fitting end to a powerful, inspiring and empowering day. Challenging but exciting times are ahead for CFC Timor as the transition to local governance begins, but with the prayers of our worldwide family, we’re confident that God will enable His people to experience the fullness of life, love and peace in Him!

(Anthony and Tina Rodriguez, CFC Missionaries to Timor Leste)