Yesterday is my 2nd month in Doha. While I feel so blessed
and happy, I am homesick. To while my feelings away I browsed old pictures of
friends and family on FB. And then I saw this picture of Papa.
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| Taken last 17 April 2013 |
Many people asked me that time why I chose that not so
serious picture. I told them, that's Papa-- always finding reasons to smile,
always giving people reasons to smile. I want to remember how he is even until
his last days.
Today though I do not want to talk about his death. I want
to talk about something related to the shirt he is wearing on that picture.
My parents are members of Couples for Christ Laguna.
Papa's contribution to my Catholic faith was strong. As an
OFW, his overseas calls and letters were filled with lessons on praying always
to Papa God and keeping our faith. Mama on the other hand was an active servant
of our church and was responsible in making sure we attend a Catholic school,
participate in church activities, and yes, join different Catholic
organizations. In 1997, I was a member of Youth for Christ at an early age of
12.
Back then I did not appreciate it much. I felt obligated to
do it. Things changed when I became a member of Singles for Christ. I started
developing real and personal relationship with the Lord. I gained extended
families through my sisters and brothers in SFC, as well as my Titos and Titas
in the community. When I graduated from the Christian Life Program in December
2005, I resolved to bring my family in the community by God's grace. I was
successful in forcing my sister to join SFC the next year, and she was grateful
that I did. The two of us served with all that we can since then.
The community of Couples for Christ has been like a second
family to me. Twing my gatherings, hindi
ako magkandaugaga sa kamamano, kakakiss, kaka bati. Parang fiesta lagi. For
me, there is so much love, joy and sincerity. I felt jealous of families coming
together, all serving God through the community. Yung tipong pag CFC Laguna anniversary kumpleto sila kasi parents CFC,
si ate SFC, tas yung sumunod YFC, and then si bunso KFC. Being part of the
events group of the community, I saw everything behind the stage. One day, I
told my sister, "balang araw,
makakasama rin natin sila Mama at Papa dito."
Papa retired in 2008 and so finally we were together as a
family. While he was not evidently prayerful and vocal about his faith, I knew
that he is a man of faith. He came home several times from the Middle East with
overused Bibles and crucifix. He would call our attention when we chat inside
the church. And most importantly, he was a good husband and father to us. He was
a good man.
He was also the type who can never say "No" to
friends. And so in 2009, when I heard that a CLP in our
subdivision was being opened, I knew my strategy. I approached Tito Jun Domingo (then PFO of Golden City Chapter if
I'm not mistaken) and told him, "Tito, come to the house now and look for
Calvin, my dad, and invite him to join the CLP." True enough, Papa was shy
to directly say no, and Mama got tired of us reminding them of the opening
date.
Papa and Mama graduated from Couples for Christ that same
year. I even watched them practice their dedication performance to the tune of
Willie's "Ikaw Na Nga". By God's grace, I saw how Mama, but more so
Papa transformed. He started leading us into prayers, attending households
(even if he is alone), and big gatherings. And eventually, they became
household heads. Our weekends were spent serving God through the community. My
most memorable CFC family experience however is to be able to bring my entire
family in one of my CLP talks, "The Christian Family" in 2010.
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| Parents, Candy and myself during my CLP Talk 7 (The Christian Family) last November 2010 |
I would have loved to see my parents become Team Leaders,
and eventually be couple coordinators in any of the ministries. But God's plan
is not my plan. I am just thankful enough to have my prayers answered.
As proof that CFC is not just an affiliation but really a
family, my parents' household never left us alone in my Papa's hospital
episodes. They visited frequently to
provide us prayers and moral support. Coincidentally, when Papa was declared
dead in the morning of April 16, the first couple to aid us at that very
traumatic moment, was also Tito Jun and his wife (the couple whom I approached
to recruit my parents in CFC).
I maybe bad with names, as I won't remember all the names of the couples in my parent's household or from their chapter, but I will never forget the faces and the good heart of the CFCs who were there physically, emotionally and spiritually during the most difficult moments of our lives.
Once, a couple coordinator from SFC told us during a provincial CLP evangelization, "bakit nahihirapang magrecruit? eh hindi naman kelangan tumingin sa malayo? Sino sa pamilya mo ang hindi pa miyembro ng community? Simulan natin dun. Make "families renewing the face of the earth" come to life right in your home."
I did. By God's grace I did. And so this is my CFC -
Camingawan family in the community. :P
The night before Papa died, Mama and I were able to do a mini household in the ICU, holding hands. Still in his last days, we were a family praying together.
Today I know that Papa is in even bigger community now that
he is in heaven. And while I miss him so much I am comforted by the fact that
heaven has earned another angel. In the
coming days however, my new mission begins -- to inspire Mama to crossover and
serve in Handmaids of the Lord.
So help me God.
