Things never happen the same way twice

This year during the Mission Volunteers Annual Retreat, I was reminded of the importance of going to a retreat.  As obvious as it may sound, it is quite important to attend retreats for it has a plethora of information that may nourish your hearts.  Though this is common knowledge, sometimes events can get repetitive.  Closing your eyes and heart to the possibility that the Lord will show you something new and exciting.  

 As much as I would like to deny it, more often than not, I find that this is the posture of my heart.  However, this year revealed, as Aslan once said, “Things never happen the same way twice, dear one.”  This year, I allowed myself to open my mind, body, and soul to what is in store for me.  I realized that going to retreats not only gives us the opportunity to see old and new friends, but it allows us to put the world in slow motion. It opens a way for us to be vulnerable towards the voice of the Lord that gets drowned out by the world’s cacophonous voice.  

I have noticed during this retreat that when I’m asked to be silent, my mind continues to talk.  Asking the questions of what if, or planning my next move once I go back to work.  It is so hard to concentrate on the Lord when your plans do not include Him.  Making time for the Lord is a CHOICE.  During this retreat, I chose to do just that.  Though it was the hardest task that I have ever chosen to do, I chose Him and to be with Him above all else.  In doing so, this gave me the greatest sense of peace and understanding of what He wanted of me.  The retreat is only just the beginning of this new, yet old, found relationship that I’m learning to build with the Lord and I look forward to what is to come. 

Micaella  "Kei" Sibayan - Mission Volunteer

Embracing Hope: Trusting God’s Plan for the Year Ahead

I always look forward to going to the Mission Volunteer yearly retreats because it is always at the beginning of the year and it just makes starting the new year out right. Personally, I always treat going to a retreat (especially if I’m just a participant) as a time to rest from the busyness and fast pace of life. It’s a time for me to slow down, rest, and reflect back on the things that God has done for me up to that point whether it be struggling times or joyous events. And it allows me to really refocus myself where I am currently in life and most importantly my relationship with Jesus. And this year’s MV retreat was no different.

The overarching theme for this year's retreat is full of hope, which I find very fitting where I am currently. Going into 2025, I had my eyes set on a lot of things that may or may not change how my life would be like. And with change, you got to have hope that everything will turn out right. There were many things that helped me solidify my resolve of my plans for 2025, but one highlight that really sealed the deal was during an activity where we had to create a timeline. We were to create a timeline of your life’s story and indicate parts in your life that you felt were full of hope and parts where you felt it was seeming hopelessness. As I was creating the timeline, it was very refreshing to see how my life has been like up to now. Just seeing all the ups and downs that have happened and being able to see that there was always one person throughout all of it that was always there helping guide me through: Jesus. Even though I only started my real and authentic relationship with Him in 2017, the years before that He was always there ready to guide me through times of hope and times of seeming hopelessness. Just as He has always been there for me in the past, He will continue to be there walking with me as I go through 2025 facing any changes that may occur, good or bad.

So I just need to trust in the plans He set for me, as said in Jeremiah 29:11, and continue to be hopeful. The start of a new year is always a new adventure, but I will face 2025 with the same attitude that is said in Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” I’m looking forward to what the year has in store for me and I’m also excited to see what service God is calling me to do this year!

 Ray Angelo Siapno - Mission Volunteer

Full of Hope

 This year’s Mission Volunteer (MV) Retreat has left me full of hope. It was a timely
reminder that no matter what happened last year, or what didn’t happen, we are
presented with a new opportunity to do great things. We were reminded that our God
has plans for a future full of hope. During the retreat we were given many opportunities
to share our hopes for this year, as well as share in the successes and challenges of
the past year. We were able to look back and compare what we want for this year to
what we tangibly accomplished last year. The worships always give us a reason to
continue pushing forward and serving. I always look forward to this retreat every year
because of the camaraderie that we get to experience. Being together with my fellow
MVs is something that only happens once and it's always such a huge blessing. There
are so many great minds, and everyone always has great ideas for the coming year.

Once we all come together it is so apparent that the Holy Spirit is in the room. This
weekend has empowered me to go out and do more, be more, serve more. I’ve seen
how fired up my fellow MVs are, and it makes me want to do more than I ever have
before. God has placed an immense amount of hope within my heart, and this fills me
with so much excitement for what’s to come.

This year the retreat focused on the book of Romans, which talks mainly about how to
love your neighbor, and how to love like Jesus did. I’m taking that as my challenge for
the year. I’m going to push myself to find new ways to love in my service, especially
when I find it more challenging. The MV retreat is such a cornerstone of who we are as
missionaries. It allows us and reminds us to lean on one another to become empowered
to serve. God has blessed me with such an amazing team, and I will never take that for
granted.

Jeremy San Miguel - Mission Volunteer

Meet Me in The Morning

“Meet me in the morning.” If I had to summarize the MV retreat we had on the first weekend of January, it would be that. In one of our discussion groups, a sister referenced that one of the reflections she was praying relayed how Jesus wants to always spend time with us - so we should start our day right. 

Every morning, I start my day in prayer and having an “early” Friday flight to go to San Diego was no different. I started my day praying my usual morning prayers and for everyone’s safe travels. Once that was done, I got ready to head to the airport. Upon waiting for my boarding group to be called, they had to deplane those who had already boarded. My flight was delayed multiple times. The first time for almost three hours. The second time another thirty minutes. The third time we were already on the plane and about to take off, but we had to remain on the ground for a few more minutes or so. Though it felt rough initially and I was almost thinking I was not going to attend this retreat, the Father allowed me to arrive in San Diego safely. I then learned my fellow brothers and sisters had a similar experience. Though their flights were delayed, what mattered was we were all able to get to our destination safely. We started our retreat with visiting the Father and Jesus at adoration. We then attended mass. For the remainder of the retreat, we started our days with worship, prayer time, and mass.

By Saturday evening, we were able to fellowship with one another. I learned I would be the Most Inspiring MV of the year. I was definitely surprised and very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. The Father has affirmed me that I must be doing something right despite the times I feel I cannot see (clearly). The Father has shown me that even in the times I face my darkness and my dragons, in the times where I feel that I have to fight or push through many battles or hurdles, He will always take care of me. He will always provide. He will love until the end. He is the light in the darkness. We can see this in Scripture with two examples below:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)

“Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Though easier said than done, we should not be afraid. We should also move forward. So, if you’re like me and not a morning person, I still encourage you to meet Jesus in the morning. I meet the Father, Jesus, Mom, etc. in the morning.  I do that because I love them, and I know that when you put the Father first, everything falls into place. 

Nicole Pineda - Mission Volunteer

2025 Mission Volunteer (MV) Retreat

"Full of Hope"

Jeremiah 29:11

As we step into 2025 with fresh energy and renewed purpose, we look back on a meaningful experience that set the tone for the year ahead: the Mission Volunteers Retreat held from January 3–5, 2025.

This inspiring gathering, led by our National Coordinator for the Young Sections, Kaye Matignas, was more than just a retreat—it was a spiritual journey of reflection, renewal, and recommitment.

At the heart of this retreat was a profound exploration of the message shared by Pope Francis during the 38th World Youth Day in 2023: “Rejoicing in Hope” (Romans 12:12). Click here for the full message 

These words became a guiding light, encouraging everyone present to embrace the new year with a spirit of joy and unwavering trust in God’s plan.

 Through prayer sessions, group discussions, and moments of quiet contemplation, the retreat emphasized the transformative power of hope—a hope that not only lifts our own spirits but inspires us to bring joy and love to the world around us.

Special gratitude goes out to Bro. Froilan and Sis. Loribelle for graciously opening their home to host this retreat, creating a warm and welcoming space for reflection and fellowship. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire MFC San Diego for their incredible support and hospitality throughout the event.

A huge thanks as well to Newly appointed National Mission Coordinator, Bro. Barber Rabor, whose inspiring session on evangelization and being a true missionary, challenged us to spread the Good News with passion and purpose. His heartfelt sharing was beautifully complemented by the unwavering support and testimony of his wife, Sis. Ella Rabor, who reminded us of the power of faith and hope in overcoming life’s challenges. Their words left a deep and lasting impact on all of us.

As we carry this message into 2025, we are reminded that our journey as Mission Volunteers is a call to live out this hope daily. It is a call to trust in God’s providence, to find joy in serving others, and to share the light of Christ wherever we go.

So, let us embrace this year with open hearts and a renewed commitment to rejoice in hope. Together, we can make 2025 a year full of hope for “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).

Share your thoughts and let’s inspire each other to walk boldly in faith!

The Servant General of the Missionary Families of Christ Frank Padilla graced the first meeting of MFCUSA and Latin America Servant Leaders held via Zoom on December 18, 2023.

CHRIST IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY (Col. 1:27). The MFC Singles USA invited fellow young adults to a praise and worship in celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! The Praisefest was held in November 25, 2023 at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic School in Valley Stream, NY.

The Familias Misioneras de Cristo of New York hosted the November 2023 Area Family assembly at the St. Anselm Church in Bronx. The event is MFCNY's monthly assembly attended by members from the different Units and Sections.