CFC – Kids For Christ National Family Conference By Sis Joyce Cocos

Everyone was so excited on the day that was filled with love and joy. The CFC Kids for Christ celebrated its 25th anniversary as a ministry and all families from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Northern Emirates gathered together for the first ever Kids for Christ National Family Conference. We all Ate together, had Fun together, Prayed together, Grow in Faith together, and Celebrated God’s Gift of Family together in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE last October 12, 2018.

The spiritual element was clearly evident in the celebration of the Holy Mass and by praying the Holy Rosary before the conference start. Our lovely and jolly Ate’s and Kuya’s of Kids Praise Dancers from different emirates led the gathering and teaching of a new song entitled “We Will Celebrate”. All the delegates, parents and kids dance and grooved more for the Lord. It was then followed by an opening Kids Praise led by one of our YFC from Abu Dhabi.

Next was the Family Praise Parade, that was really an exciting spectacle, with families from the different sectors and emirates, dressed in their Filipiniana attire, with colorful and dazzling costumes, families rocked the stage and shared their talents as they performed the festival dances of the particular Philippine festival assigned to them.

The fun part of the conference had all the kids excited. It will not be complete without our cute friends named Happy and Faith (conference mascot). This time they introduced a new friend from the neighborhood named “Charity the rabbit”. And It was so lovely to see the kids eyes full of excitement and joy as the three mascot enters the stage with music, dancing and waving to the audience. 

There are Three Sessions of this National Conference entitled “A Family for God”, “A Family for Each Other”, and “A Family for Other Families”. Various workshops were also offered for the families during the three sessions. And throughout the conference, entire families did things together.  Even the sessions were delivered by families on stage.

In Session 1 "A Family for God" The Resurrection family talked about spending the time to pray as a family. They taught us how to show our love for God. That whenever we talk to God through prayer, we become connected to Him. Because prayer is very important in the life of a family and it is the heartbeat of a Christian home. They emphasized that prayer makes the family’s relationship with God stronger, teaches members of the family humility, and prepares the children for the future. Lastly, let us all be reminded “The family that prays together, stays together”

The Jimenez family, on the other hand, talked about Session 2 “A Family for Each Other”.  Our family is indeed God’s gift to us, and spending time for each other is very important. This session taught us how to spend time as a family at play. They presented three major reasons why families fail to spend time together: work time, study time, and screen time. Playing is more than having fun, it fosters healthy and loving relationships in the home, and it helps create memories for the family. And indeed, “A family that plays together stays happy together.”
 

On the last Session (A Family for Other Families), the Quilala family taught us a song from the word F-A-M-I-L-Y 

F is for friendship
A is for acceptance
M is for being Merry
I is for initiative
L is for Love
Y is for yearning

F-A-M-I-L-Y
I want to be with my FAMILY
F-A-M-I-L-Y
I want to be, I want to be with my FAMILY

This song emphasized how we became families for God, where lasting friendship, acceptance, joy, a father’s initiative to bring the family closer to God, love, and the desire to spend time with the family are all present. This way, it would be easier for the families to witness to their neighbors, relatives, friends, and the community. Being a family that proclaims the love of God to other families.

And at the end of Session 3, all families participated in doing Family Mission Plan. It has one goal as one family proclaiming the Gospel of God and celebrating the gift of the mission.

Afterward, a YFC from Northern emirates led the Closing Kid’s Praise and reminded the kids to make their parents proud by the way they serve Jesus and the way they love them.

As what Pope Francis said during the World Meeting of Families in 2015: “Love is shown by the little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home.” Truly, faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place to become life, and a life to learn and grow in faith.

That was truly a joyful sight to see families praying to God together! That day was indeed a celebration, not only of the ministry’s 25th year but of the gift of family. 

Let’s all “Celebrate God’s gift!” “Our family is a gift.” 

And for all of these. May God be praised and glorified!