The Joyful Shout of Deliverance

Kaye Baylon, Mission Volunteer and CFC Kids for Christ Program Head, speaks joyously and vibrantly during Session 3, entitled “Sing and Shout”. (Photo: Paddy Magdua, May 18, 2013 at the Guildford Recreation Centre in Surrey)

Does the sight of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist bring to your eyes tears of joy and bring butterflies to your stomach? Unrelatable? Then, did the sight of your Conference crush make the butterflies in your stomach flutter?

Being invited to Jesus’s wedding, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (a.k.a. Mass), is definitely something to sing and shout about just as if you were to see your crush.

Kaye Baylon, from Surrey 3 and speaker of Session 3, “Sing and Shout,” reminded us to be joyful for Christ is in us! How about the times when aspects of our lives appear to be at their worst and our struggles are unbearable?

Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy.” (Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

As CFC Youths, we belong to two households: our family we live with and our brothers and sisters in the community.

Familial Household

Our parents, siblings, guardians, and whoever else we may live with are our God-given blessings. Unfortunately, what Kaye said about spiritual struggles and our families is true: “How often do we recognize that our spiritual struggles usually hit our homes first?” Spiritual struggles at home may be rooted in pride making us impatient and disobedient with our family. “When was the last time you experienced something where your family did something together for fun?” asked John Sangalang of Vancouver 1.

Why bear these struggles at home? Because we are called to do so (refer to the Ten Commandments). The home is where we learn many virtues like patience and charity. Truly it is difficult which is why even the CFC Youth community is based on our familial households.

CFC Youth Household

Kaye said, “You can be a source of unity in your household until you are strong enough to be that at home.” Our Household Heads and members are our second family who desire to bring us close to God.   Struggles exist here also just as Marhielle Gelera and Pauline Macapagal, both from Tri-Cities, described. You may feel out of place and your friendships may not develop as quickly as you want, but like Marhielle and Pauline testified, these struggles are surmountable. In God’s time, the two sisters found whole-hearted love for each other.

Being home and active in the community brought Kevin Locsin of Surrey 2 to tears of joy. There is hope amidst your struggles. No matter which identity of a CFC Youth you battle with, God is always present and has already conquered. Find your strength in Him and say “yes” to His invitation. Sing and shout!

My yes to God is not just a good answer, but the greatest answer I’ve ever answered in my whole life.” (John Paul Escala, Surrey 1)

I am a CFC Youth: a missionary, model of excellence, champion of the poor, patriot, 100% free, single-minded for God, and source of unity to the family. I am a CFC Youth. Our God is a God of greatness. Therefore, I am destined for greatness.

Praise God for God.” (James Rodas, Pacific Region Area Head, 2012)

Let’s reflect: What makes you sing and shout? What makes you sin and scream? Which of the seven CFC Youth identity do you struggle with? What are we going to sacrifice to live a life to sing and shout about?