Couples for Christ Convention in Bedford, MA INQ7.net
November 14, 2006
Months of anxiety over the 3rd Northeast Regional Conference of the Couples for Christ paid off. Everything went smoothly at the Bedford VA Medical Center on Oct.21. The theme was “Show His Power and Majesty to a Sinful Nation (Tobit13:6).”
Bedford, Massachusetts, between Concord and Lexington, is one of the smallest towns in the state. It has the distinction of preserving the American flag carried by Nathaniel Page on April 19, 1775, as the American Revolution began. “Embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard ‘round the world” at old North Bridge in Concord. Adjacent Lexington Green is where first blood was shed in the American Revolution.
Three centuries later, CFC conference timing was perfect. The ride from different areas of the Northeast was through autumn foliage peaking, the trees absolutely gorgeous in crimson and yellow. Busloads left New York, New Jersey and Maryland at dawn to arrive in Bedford, MA on time.
On a bright October Saturday, the ground floor of the Bedford VA Medical Center was all ours to use. A light and sound crew from California, New Jersey, and Philadelphia worked all night preparing. A video team documented the occasion, but some brought their own cameras to keep its memories.
The theatre was packed with delegates from Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Registration was halted at 540, but 48 more came. A total of 128 kids were also present. Singles for Christ and Youth for Christ volunteers divided them by age into two groups, took care of their bruises, kept them from fighting, and made sure they were busy and well fed.
Speakers came from the various sectors of CFC and its ministries. One couple spoke of an incident when Immigration Service detained and put them in jail. Praying hard, they were suddenly released.
Bebet Benitez of New Hampshire told the story of how she convinced her family to donate their lands in San Pedro, Laguna for the Massachusetts Village where MA Gawad Kalinga will build houses for the poor.
Couples for Christ are spreading world-wide fast. It had already established a foothold in Iraq but activity was suspended by war. Many hands were raised in the audience when a call was made for volunteers to open a CFC ministry in Afghanistan,
The caterer from Panda Express lived up to expectations with fried breaded pork with duck sauce, beef with broccoli, and fried rice at a price hard to beat. Usherettes saw to orderly distribution of food in a record 20 minutes. They also collected the trash after the lunch break, freeing time for worship, praise, and dialogue.
The Flame Ministry handled the sale of CFC items in a makeshift gift shop. Green CFC T-shirts were sold out. Sales totaled $3,800 in that one day. The souvenir program was entertaining, newsy and full of pictures.
After much pep talk, praying, singing and clapping, the Praisefest ended with Mass. Fr. Sebastian, Bedford VA’s chaplain, welcomed the guests saying he was honored to participate in the event. He also commented on how well-behaved the children, “the future of CFC,” were. Fr. Celestino Pascual, spiritual director of Boston’s Filipino Apostolate, was co-celebrant.
After Mass, the CFC MA Service Team was asked to approach the altar to thunderous applause. “This has been the best CFC convention so far,” said one of the New Jersey officers.
The delegates went home spiritually strengthened, happy to have participated in a vibrant, uniquely Filipino event with its roots in the Philippines. They hoped to attend next year’s convention in North Carolina for another spiritual renewal.
