The serene ambiance of session two was still present on day 3 of the ICON as YFCs gathered at the venue wearing white shirts in preparation for the day’s activity.

As Sunday’s obligation, a mass has been offered, celebrated by the Diocese of Talibon’s Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon. He emphasized that we were not born by chance but with purpose and mission; and we are here on Earth for nothing but love. He concluded that we need to obey God because that is the best expression of our love for Him. Before he gave the final blessing, a prayer for community leaders has also been offered where he prayed for their hearts to share their faith to those people who lack Jesus in their lives.

As the morning continued on, Kuya Edyvmar Abuan, a Fulltime Pastoral Worker for Laguna, led us into worship and asked God to take hold of the part of our lives that complains and the portion of our hearts that give thanks for the love and joy which acknowledges Him. After the worship, an AVP was shown displaying the transition of YFC ILC to YFC ICON milestones.

Kuya GJ Ramores, Fulltime pastoral worker for Metro Manila led session three, entitled Grateful, a session focusing on our feeling of gratitude towards the blessings we receive. He explained the conditional and comparative kinds of gratitude that hinders us from wholly appreciating and thanking the Lord for what we have.

He reminded us that ingratitude begins when we lose recognizing Jesus’ presence in our lives. He, then, countered that when we start to realize the abundance of Christ in our lives; we stop comparing and become contented of what the Lord has given us. It is gratitude that makes Jesus Christ unlimited in our lives, he cited.

A sharing from Tito Sime Gomez, a Couple Coordinator of Lanao Del Norte, told us how God introduced CFC in their lives and how they accepted the call of service in spite of being torn between the duties of family and service. Despite the struggles and despair they went through, they continued to giving thanks to the Lord. They saw that their service is not boredom but a gift where they’ll see more of Christ.

The last sharing came from Kuya Jake where he told us his love story. He highlighted how his previous Couple Coordinators guided him in his ventures for love. He’s very thankful that God has sent second parents like them. As a way of giving them gratitude, he asked them to be their godparents for their wedding.

Our Couple Coordinators go beyond the service and partnership that we have, he concluded. Delegates were led into prayer and were asked to express their gratitude by brushing paints on the shirts of the people they’re thankful of.

Even though the paints weren’t enough, it didn’t hinder the delegates and used their colored marking pens to write ‘Thank You’ and countless affirmations and messages and on the shirt of their Brothers and Sisters.

After the Praise fest, winners for the sports and creative competitions were awarded. Cheers from the winners were heard all around the open venue. Tito George Campos, CFC Executive Director, gave his closing message where he inspired everyone to not forget to share to their families, communities and schools what they have experienced and seen during their well-spent weekend in Bohol. Let other people see that YFC is beautiful, he added. He also encouraged us not to be silent to say that we are going to bring them in the glory of Christ.

As the of the 23rd ICON nears its end, Kuya Lawrence Quintero, our YFC International Coordinator, together with the loud applause and cheers from the delegates, thanked and honored CFC Bohol for hosting this year’s ICON. “As we say thank you and good bye to Bohol, let us say hello to Ilocos Norte!”, kuya Lawrence announced with enthusiasm. Soon after the event, delegates bid farewell to their new found friends.

Before departing, everyone exchanged numbers, took pictures and prayed for each other. For us YFCs, the 23rd YFC International Conference has been more than the usual summer week but rather, it had became a weekend that made to us see and know more of God’s unlimited love to each of us.

HIGHLIGHTS (IN PHOTOS):

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”5″]