1. Balanced thought and spirit in SERVICE Page 1 The official Publication of the SERVI DEI Marriage Encounter Community January – March 2011 Reflections… NEVER GIVE UP Marlon-Teena Casidsid One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said. "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said, "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He asked me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots". "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.“ "Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, Never, Never Give up. For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity. Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is! Dear God.. Letter of Sis. Weng (Bong’s widow) Magandang gabi po! Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko sisimulan at sasabihin ang pasasalamat ko sa inyong lahat, Una, sa Poong Maykapal na Siya mismo ang gumawa ng paraan kung bakit kaming mag-asawa ay naakay dito at sumali sa Servi Dei Marriage Encounter Community. At higit sa lahat sa taong gumabay sa aming mag-asawa, na sila rin mismo ang dahilan kung bakit kaming mag-asawa ay napadpad dito. “Ma’am Beth at Sir Lito, Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo na sa una at huling sandali ng buhay ni Bong ay di kayo bumitiw sa pagtulong sa aming mag- asawa, na kung hindi dahil sa inyo, baka di na siya umabot sa buwan at petsa ng pagkawala niya sa amin.” Alam ko na kung madugtungan pa ang buhay ni Bong, siya mismo ang nasa harap ninyo ngayon at naririnig ninyo ang mga pagsambit niya ng pasasalamat. Alam ko na baon ni Bong sa kabilang buhay ang Arcadio Corporation na kung saan nandoon ang mga taong pangalawa sa buhay niya, mga anak ng Diyos na nagturing sa kanyang hindi iba, at tinuring siyang tao, sa kabila ng hirap na naranasan niya sa buhay. Hindi niya ininda ang pagod para sa amin na pamilya niya. Kung hindi siya nagkasakit di ko malalaman na maraming nagmamahal sa kanya at mahal siya ng Diyos. Sa Marriage Encounter, nagpapasalamat ako ng lubos at kahit sa huling sandali ng buhay ng aking asawa na si Bong, ay naipahayag niya kung sino siya at kung ano ang tunay na nilalaman ng loob niya na parang yon na rin pala ang huling habilin niya, dahil tugma lahat ng tanong sa nangyari sa kanya. Sa maikling panahon ng pagsali namin sa Servi Dei MEC alam ko na kapos man sa oras at panahon pero higit pa dito ang natutunan namin sa buhay mag-asawa. Sa mga ka brother at ka sister ko maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tulong ninyo at sa mga dasal para sa asawa ko. Alam ko na dala niya sa kanyang kaisipan ang lahat ng mga magagandang nangyari sa huling sandal ng kanyang hininga ang M.E. Sa sarili ko, kasama ko si Bong habang ginagawa ko ang pasasalamat na ito, kahit nasa kabilang buhay na siya, gabay at lakas ko pa rin ang mga alaala niya sa amin at walang sawang babasahin paulit-ulit ang mga iniwan niyang salita sa amin. Weng Rom 12:2 Don't change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Current Issue... 2011 Planning Conference The annual planning conference was held last January 2011 at Ka Bency and Doring Raymundo’s residence, attended by the respective ministry heads as well as its chaircouple and co- chaircouple. As a result of the Team Building held last Novermber 2010 in Dinalupihan, Bataan and during the discussion in the said conference, this years theme was formulated as “Balanced thought and spirit in SERVICE”. Likewise, the SDMEC Vision, Mission, Goals & Objectives were stated as : VISION Deeper faith of individual, couple and family relationship that leads to reconciliation and unity founded in Gospel values. MISSION A parish-rooted community committed to pursue the Core Values set by the Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines (MEFP) (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)

2. SPECIAL GREETINGS TO ALL WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATORS FOR THE MONTHs OF January, February & March Page 2 Balanced thought and spirit in SERVICE… Team Couple: Beth/Lito Jamiro Jules/Pennie Borja Class 37 : Marlon/Juliet Gammad, Mhan/Nelly Bautista, Willy/Rose Adision, Eugene/Mila Taneca, Joey/Belen Noynay, Ron/Len Jose, Ben/Letty Roldan, JR/Josie Estinozo Current Issue... from page 1 GOAL To actively implement with all humility, the programs and activities anchored on the Vision and Mission statements of the SERVI DEI Marriage Encounter Community (SDMEC) Also, the following CORE VALUES to be observed by the community were set by the group: †MAKA-DIYOS †MAKA-PAMILYA †MAKATAO †MAKABAYAN †MAKA-KALIKASAN †MABABANG-LOOB The conference was adjourned with the joy in the hearts of the servants and hope that this year’s plans and programs will be implemented successfully. An exchange of messages by couples thru the courtesy of SLM The Ash Wed Mass was presided over by Fr. Eric Santos with a Huge Cross in each and every forehead of the member, perhaps to remind us the true essence of LENT : “REPENT and be FAITHFUL to the GOSPEL”