Dec 14 2011

Advent reflection: God dares us to dream big

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

Every Wednesday during the Advent-Christmas season, we will post a reflection from Larry Livingston, CFCA church relations director. We hope these reflections help you on your own journey through Advent.

ì…for nothing will be impossible for God.î (Luke 1:37)

An unopened Christmas present is a wondrous thing. When I was a child, many times I would park myself under the Christmas tree and gaze at a brightly wrapped package with my name on it, trying to guess what was inside.

My imagination would always kick into high gear on such occasions. This was possible because of the simplicity of a childís mind, which knows nothing of recessions, budgets or the laws of physics.

As far as I was concerned those presents could be anything, and believing that gave me the freedom to dream big.

Sadly, that sense of infinite possibility tends to fade away as we grow older, especially where God is concerned.

Instead of embracing the glory and wonder of our Creator, in our limited imaginations we try to rein God in.

The Scripture readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent include two stories of people struggling to understand the limitlessness of God. In each situation, God lovingly reminds the person in the story of who he or she is dealing with. Read more

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Dec 7 2011

Advent reflection: Choosing to be ‘eager,’ not ‘anxious’

Posted on December 7, 2011 by admin

“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

I confess that I get a little irritated by some common ways that people misuse words.

For example, it bugs me when I hear notoriety used as a synonym for fame, or when people say less when fewer would be more appropriate. (And don’t even get me started on very unique!)

I recognize this as my own little persnickety hang-up, and my purpose here is not to lecture about the decline of the English language.

I really just want to set the table for a reflection on one common misusage that seems especially pertinent during Advent.

People often say they are anxious when they are looking forward to something. For example: “It has been two weeks since Joe left on his trip and I am anxious for him to come home.”

But anxious is a form of anxiety, which means a state of worry or apprehension ñ hardly the sentiment Joe would want to be greeted with upon his return! Read more

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Nov 30 2011

Advent reflection: God shares in our humanity

Posted on November 30, 2011 by admin

“…Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.”
(Mark 1:2)

There is an urgency in the Gospel of Mark that contrasts with the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Where those writers start with events surrounding Jesusí birth, Mark begins his account with John the Baptist setting the stage for Jesusí public ministry. John is one of the most vivid characters in Scripture.

As if his garb of camel skin and his penchant for eating locusts werenít memorable enough, his single-minded devotion to calling people to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah sears him into our collective imagination.

This rough intensity makes John an interesting symbol for Advent.

While society likes to pretty-up this time of year with bright colors, warm thoughts and overindulgence on sentimentality, John reminds us that preparation for Christmas isnít just a feel-good exercise. Read more

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Nov 11 2011

Excited for NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference)!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by admin

It’s been our honor to be involved with the National Catholic Youth Conference, or NCYC, for several years now.

Young people are a crucial part of our community, both as sponsors and as sponsored friends.

In developing countries, we help youth continue their education through sponsorship and the scholarship program.

In the U.S., we encourage and support youth ministers in their work to raise awareness about global poverty and how everyone ñ no matter their age ñ can help make a difference.

This year the conference is Nov. 17-19 in Indianapolis.

CFCA representatives will be at booth No. 143 with free resources and information on Raise Funds Raise Hope, a program for church youth groups to raise money while helping find sponsors for people in poverty.

Oh, and did we also mention a giveaway for a Kindle Fire?

If you’re headed to NCYC, feel free to stop by our booth and see how you can enter!

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Jul 22 2011

‘Amazing grace’ of a mission awareness trip

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

Ron Bliss sent us this testimony of his mission awareness trip to Guatemala. He decided to take the trip after receiving a cancer diagnosis and eventually going into remission. His story is amazing, and we’re honored to share excerpts of it with you.

Ron Bliss, CFCA sponsor, and Elida in Guatemala

Ron Bliss visits his sponsored friend, 8-year-old Elida, in Guatemala.

For the past five years or so I have sponsored two needy children through the Christian Foundation for Children and the Aging (CFCA) ñ a young man in Nicaragua and 8-year-old girl in Guatemala.

I thought of a mission awareness trip (MAT) to see one of my sponsored children, but have always found some reason to say, “Not this year … maybe next.”

Well, I think the good Lord gave me a wake-up call with the cancer diagnosis!

One year ago I was in Arizona, facing the fifth of six chemotherapy treatments to combat a rare type of lymphoma cancer in the lungs.

A PET scan showed the tumors had shrunk and the cancerous activity appeared low, but still there. We returned to our home in Washington to wait until my next PET scan.

Days later I experienced the same symptoms as when I received the cancer diagnosis. I was running a temperature every day and experiencing night sweats.

My wife, Vonnie, and I rescheduled my PET scan for an earlier date.

During my illness I was blessed with prayers from around the country and as far away as Europe and Japan. Before my scan, I received special blessings from Holy Spirit Parish. Father Auve visited me twice, brought communion and prayed for my complete healing.

The day before we left, my daughter, Nicole, said her friend Megan wanted to give me something.

Over a year ago Megan had received two crucifixes that had been blessed in Medjugorje during one of the Holy Mother’s appearances there.

The man who gave them told her to give one to her mother, who was suffering with cancer.

He told her she would know when to give the second one to someone else in need.

A slideshow of CFCA sponsors and their friends

Posted on July 8, 2011 by admin

We were recently at Los Angeles for the 2011 Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Office of Religious Education, a department of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

This conference is the largest annual gathering of its kind worldwide. About 40,000 attend annually, and we were privileged to attend and explain how CFCA can help make a difference regarding global poverty.

CFCA set up a booth at the conference, and many sponsors stopped by to say hello. We compiled this quick slideshow of their pictures, as well as pictures of the friends they sponsor. Enjoy!