Press Release/NAFCON’s Virtual Advent Reflection Touches on Social Realities

NAFCON’s Virtual Advent Reflection Touches on Social Realities

Left photo: Rev. Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns-Midwest (NAFCON Midwest) will hold a virtual advent reflection series with the theme “The Promise Of Salvation: Struggle For Righteousness”. The reflection will tackle social realities affecting Filipinos in the US and in the Philippines. It will highlight four different topics. It will be held from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Central Time on December 1, December 8, December 15, and December 22.

To join contact nafconmw@gmail.com or RSVP at tinyurl.com/2021adventreflectionseries

During Advent, Christians look forward in eager anticipation for the coming of Christ. While the season is filled with holiday celebrations, shopping spree, lights and decorations, and joyful carols, for Christians Advent is intended to be a season of prayer and preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a time to think and reflect on the violence and evil in the world that causes us to cry out to God to make things right— to put death’s dark shadows to flight, to be inspired by the good news, and to unite on our response to the “signs of the times”.

As Filipino migrants and immigrants, as a people in diaspora, as we continue to face the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic in the US and in the Philippines, and as we register our concerns on the social ills of graft and corruption and the extra judicial killings in the Philippines, we are called to reflect and pray so that we may come to unite on our common actions in facing these challenges.

On December 1, Reverend Fr. Ben Alforque, a Roman Catholic priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will speak on the topic “Reading The Signs Of The Times” with bible readings from Luke 21:25-36.

On December 8, Reverend Digna Campanano (right photo)  of the United Methodist Church will share her reflections on “The Mary Of The Magnificat” with bible readings from Luke 1:39-55.

On December 15, Deacon Rebecca Asedillo (right photo below) of the United Methodist Church will guide the participants through her reflections on the topic “Preparing The Way: Denouncing Injustices”with bible readings from Luke 3:1-6.

And on December 22, Reverend Fr. Primo Racimo  (left photo below)of the Episcopal Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente will speak of his reflections on the last topic “Judgement: Proclaiming The Good News” with bible readings from Luke 3:7-18.

The advent reflection is interactive and is a venue for community dialogue. The participants are encourage to share their prayers and reflections, their questions and clarifications, and their thoughts and suggestions. At the end of every reflection, a call to action in response to the signs of the times will be united on.

 Advent is a season of the liturgical year observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. (Wikipedia)