PASAY CITY, February 17, 2013 — Many voices compete for our attention, but how do you know it is God’s voice? During today’s mass, Bp. Pablo Virgilio David gave us some tips on how Jesus listened to God’s voice.

Listening, more than hearing

“Not all who hear listen…It is always a struggle to listen especially to the word of God,” Bp. David said during the last Holy Mass of the 20th CFC – Singles for Christ International Conference at the World Trade Center.

According to Bp. David, Jesus showed us how to discern God’s voice when He Himself was tempted in the desert. More..

PASAY CITY, February 16, 2013 — In 1984, Melo Villaroman Jr, CFC Executive Director doesn’t have any idea about evangelization. Probably, he says, there is no CFC Singles for Christ at that time. “Looking at you, 8,000 of you tonight, I can declare how blessed are you to be in CFC Singles for Christ.”

“Many of us have forgotten that our greatest lover is Jesus Christ,” Villaroman said as he gives the 3rd session of the SFC ICON entitled “Transformation.” He reiterated what Fr. Robert Barron said, “We try to satisfy the hunger for God with something less than God.” We became empty jar, out of wine with all frustrations and dissatisfaction. More..

PASAY CITY, February 16, 2013 — Turning away from God completely for two years, Bryan Funcion of SFC Cebu finally sees that a life apart from God was the saddest, driest time of his life.

Bryan led a double life of two incompatibles — active service in the community and lust.

“How passionate I am in worship is also how much I crave lust,” he said, explaining how a daily battle between good and evil waged inside of him. More..

PASAY CITY, February 16, 2013 — Flush with success, cash and achievements, Nathalie Antonio from SFC Australia realized, God was the missing piece in her life, the only One who could truly fill her.

Nathalie had a master’s degree from a prestigious London university at 23, would “buy” friends’ affection, went shopping and clubbing, was rich, but still felt empty. More..

PASAY CITY, February 16, 2013 — Being “empty” is a universal experience, but is also often misunderstood. Rob Escaño, who gave talk 2 of the 20th ICON, talked about how being empty is really a longing for God that we often try to satisfy with all kinds of things.

What is emptiness?

“Emptiness is not about a jar or filling up. Emptiness is the space between the heart of God and our hearts,” he said.

Following a Glee-inspired creative, Rob explained the following points about emptiness:

- Emptiness is really a longing for love. “God is love and love is God. Our hearts long for God,” he explained. This makes perfect sense, since our identity is founded on our being created in God’s image and likeness. More..

MANILA, February 16, 2013 — What is worse than being a sinner? It’s being a “joyless Christian”, this is according to a lay Catholic speaker who gave the SFC International Conference’s second workshop today.

“The most powerful argument against Christianity are joyless Christians,” according to EWTN head for Asia Pacific region Edwin Lopez, who gave the “Witness” workshop this afternoon.

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This day is more than just listening, it is about learning to apply the Word in our everyday lives. SFC members start day 2, in Ninoy Aquino Stadium, 8am, in order to be empowered through the workshops. Adrian Enaje prepares the heart of the people, through the worship. More..

“More than a celebration, this weekend is also an invitation to the Eternal Union with God,”  missionary JQ Quimpang said as he gives the first session entitled “The Invitation” of the SFC 20th ICON.  ”Our Ultimate destination is heaven,” he added.

The Invitation is about our intimate and constant exchange of love with God.  This union is a heavenly marriage wherein we are called to embrace our earthly journey as a transit to our final home. More..

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Singles for Christ for inviting me to be with you on this annual conference.  I cannot but bring joy to priest and especially with Bishops to be with young people.  With young people I am always reminded by the statement of our hero Jose Rizal, ‘Kabataan, kayo ang pag-asa ng Bayan.’ (The youth is the hope of the Fatherland.)”  This was the first statement of Bishop Bernard Cortez as he celebrates the first Holy Eucharist at the 20th CFC Singles for Christ International Conference. More..