MANDALUYONG City, Feb. 14, 2013—Less than a week before the CFC – Singles for Christ’s (SFC) International Conference (ICON), a little over a hundred service team members took a much-needed breather in the form of a recollection last February 10 to be spiritually prepared for the big event.
Fr. Benedict Lagarde of the Missionaries of Jesus, who gave the recollection, said SFCs should not forget to have spiritual “journeys” that involve relating with the self, God and others while working for the conference.
Drawing on his missionary experiences in Latin America, Lagarde talked about the “journey inward”.
“The more we get involved in SFC, the more we should know ourselves better,” he said. Being busy should not be an excuse not to have time to reflect on one’s actions and experiences.
Second, Lagarde noted the importance of the “journey upward” through prayer. “There are moments when you need to be alone with God. Find that moment to rest with God,” he said.
Another journey is the “journey outward” to meet one’s neighbors. As Christians, he said our call is to do mission as Jesus did.
Jesus’ preference was to work in the periphery, never in the center or in the limelight, he said. Jesus chose to serve the marginalized, the ostracized, the ones pushed aside.
The recollection ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Members from the different working committees of the ICON, logistics, program, secretariat, administration and even dancers and band members attended the recollection at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Mandaluyong City.
More than 7,000 delegates are expected to converge on the World Trade Center on February 15-17 for the 20th ICON. [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
