January 2025
Vol 22 Issue 1
Go to Galilee
Mt 28:10
Dear brothers and sisters,
In this first issue of Letters of Aquila and Priscilla in 2025, we reflect on what it means to return to Galilee. But why is Galilee important? There are two reasons. First, it was in Galilee that Mary gave her fiat, a defining moment in the history of salvation. Pope Benedict XVI associates the Annunciation with hope; and Pope Francis encourages us to fan the flame of hope. Mary is also known by the title Our Lady of Hope. Second, it was in Galilee that Jesus called his first disciples and made them "fishers of men." Thus, the fundamental tasks of Christ's disciples are evangelization and pastoral care. Returning to Galilee means returning to these twin tasks. As pilgrims of hope, let us return to our Galilee accompanied by Our Lady of Hope.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
May 2025
Vol 22 Issue 5
Distribute it to the poor
Lk 18:22
Dear brothers and sisters,
We are pleased to share with you our experience and reflection arising from the gift giving event we held in barrio San Roque, Unisan, Quezon on 27 April 2025. Since we attended and served at the CFC Global Conference 2025 in Rome on 16-18 May and 23-25 May 2025 and then made a pastoral visit to CFC Greece in Athens from 26 May to 2 June, this Letter is delayed. We hope that this will help, with God's grace, inspire everyone to keep in their hearts and mind what Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta teaches that "what we do for the poorest of the poor is nothing more than to put into practice our love of Christ."
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
2025
February 2025
Vol 22 Issue 2
It is I, do not be afraid.
Mt 14:27
Dear brothers and sisters,
In the story of Jesus walking on water, what is the significance of the sentence, which is found only in the Gospel of Mark: He (Jesus) meant to pass by them (Mk 6:48). Does this mean that Jesus wanted to sneak past the disciples? No. Here, Mark is inspired by the words in the Old Testament that made known the one true God.
Find out more by reading the attached Letter of Aquila and Priscilla.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
P.S.
Watch out for the coming website of Letters of Aquila and Priscilla. We will send you the link once completed.
June 2025
Vol 22 Issue 6
Hearts are set on pilgrim road
Ps 84:6
Dear brothers and sisters,
We traveled as pilgrims of hope serving in the CFC Global Conference 2025 held at Centro Mariapoli Internazionale in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. We walked around the well-kept Papal Gardens where popes pray and meditate while vacationing in Castel Gandolfo. We attended the first Wednesday General Audience of the newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. We passed through the Holy Doors and meditated and prayed the Holy Rosary at the four major basilicas in Rome, namely, St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore. We prayed at the shrine of Our Lady of Revelation at Tre Fontane.
May the Holy Spirit make these reflections a source of spiritual nourishment.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
March 2025
Vol 22 Issue 3
You did for me
Mt 25:40
Dear brothers and sisters,
Mt 25:31-46 is a long pericope of 16 verses which is often called the Parable of Sheep and Goats. But strictly speaking, it is not a parable in the usual sense of a parable being a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. It is more accurately classified as a vision of a future event describing Jesus' return and the separation of people based on their actions toward others, particularly those who are poor and marginalized. In this letter, we share our almost two-decade experience of annual gift-giving to the poor.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
April 2025
Vol 22 Issue 4
Whom the Lord loves he reproves
Wis 3:12
Dear brothers and sisters,
A dear friend and brother in Couples for Christ, Joe Tale, former CFC chairman and member of the International Council for many years, died suddenly in the United States, age 74. In this Letter, we recall how we first met Joe and reminisce about a few significant moments serving with him in the CFC community during which we witnessed his humility, simplicity, vision, dedication and commitment. In particular, we remember how the Lord tested Joe -- in the way God tests people he loves the most -- and observe the semblance with the experiences of great saints like Paul and Barnabas and Augustine and Jerome.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN