Buiding Bridges Around the World
and Fostering Global Unity…
Pope’s December prayer intention:
‘For Christians in areas of conflict’
As he prepares to depart on his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV released The Pope Video on Wednesday to accompany his prayer intention for December, which is for “Christians living in areas of conflict.”
“Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope,” he said in the video.
The Pope then offered a prayer to the God of Peace that Christians surrounded by pain may feel the “gentle kindness of your presence and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith.”
He prayed that God may help them strengthen fraternal bonds and become seeds of reconciliation that build hope and bridges of justice and mercy.
Pope Leo invited all Christians to pray that we may never grow indifferent to the suffering of other Christians, but rather that we may be builders of unity.
‘Unshakable faith even amid rubble’
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which produces the monthly Pope Video with Vatican Media, released a communique linking the prayer intention with his visit to Türkiye and Lebanon.
Even as the Middle East faces instability, Christian communities continue to safeguard the faith, serve the poor, and work together with people of other Churches and faiths to build bridges of coexistence.
“According to Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom Report 2025,” noted the statement, “the number of conflicts in the Middle East and the socio-economic conditions there expose religious minorities, and Christians in particular, to a condition of extreme vulnerability.”
In their “unshakable faith even in the midst of rubble,” Christian communities are coming back to life after recent wars and offering charitable aid and spiritual assistance to others.
“All of these are signs of the presence of that Holy Spirit who, as the prayer reads, the Pope says, is ‘the source of hope in the darkest times’.”
(Above was from an article written by Devin Watkins, Vatican News, November 26, 2025 issue.)
Past Events
Participation in the Los Angeles
Religious Education Congress
The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco participated as an exhibitor for the first time at the LA RE Congress, held at the Anaheim Convention Center from February 20-23. Members of the Filipino Ministry Consultative Board who attended the event and helped manage the booth were grateful for the opportunity to experience the diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives shared through the speakers and liturgies. The event fostered a deep sense of community, providing a valuable space for connecting with fellow Catholics from various parishes, while also allowing our members to promote the upcoming 2026 Pilgrimage to the Philippines.
In light of recent challenges, including the devastating fires in Southern California, the theme “Called to Compassion” deeply resonated with attendees. Many felt inspired to embrace greater compassion and mercy in their interactions with others, strengthening the bonds of faith and solidarity during these trying times.
Click on the link to view additional photos from the event – https://photos.app.goo.gl/MdWm6EZT3hrYSgyE7
Servant Leadership Retreat
San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, California was the perfect setting for FMCB’s retreat held April 13-14. The tranquility and beauty of its surroundings, amid a myriad of green trees and verdant hills, provided an ambiance of serenity for deep reflection. Father Jerome Magat, Vice Rector and a professor of moral theology at St. Patrick Seminary and University, was the Retreat Speaker. Kudos to Fr. Jerome for leading a very engaging and inspiring retreat. The topic: SERVANT LEADERSHIP. A couple of key takeaways — to develop a TEFLON mindset and to be mindful of the “Donkey Theology” in serving the community. Donkeys are models of meekness and humility, and also of resilience and patience . More often than not, leaders are confronted with challenges and harsh criticisms, so it’s important to rise above the fray and develop a ‘Teflon Mind’ — to not dwell on the negative and have a “short-term memory” of the negativities and to focus more on the positive aspects. For additional photos, click on the link below –
Click on the link for additional photos – https://photos.app.goo.gl/GQLvdmBFWiW5nZTWA
