What Mary’s Yes, Galilee, and 30 Years of CFC WA Have in Common — And Why It Matters Now
After a spirit-filled opening worship, it was Bro. Carlos Jamito’s turn to take the stage and lead us into the heart of this year’s Theme Weekend Retreat (TWR) Echo.
Tasked with delivering the Prologue, he guided us into a deeper reflection on the 2025 CFC theme:
“Rejoice! Take Courage. Return to Galilee.”
With conviction and gentleness, Bro. Carlos shared that these aren’t just poetic words — they are the very words Jesus spoke at His empty tomb.
Words filled with life, hope, and mission. He invited everyone to turn to the person beside and behind them and speak these same words aloud — a simple gesture, yet deeply moving.
This year’s theme calls us to rejoice in the Risen Lord, to return to Him with courage and joy, and to go back to the mission entrusted to us. It’s a call to remember, to renew, and to respond.
Bro. Carlos gave us a glimpse of the discernment process that took place a year ago when our CFC Elders prayerfully sought the theme for 2025. Out of that discernment came not one, but two Scripture verses:
Matthew 28:8,10 – “Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed… Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’”
Galatians 4:4 – “God sent His Son, born of a woman…”
At first glance, the two seem unrelated — but as Bro. Carlos shared, there’s a beautiful unity between them, one that unfolds throughout this retreat.
He reminded us that Galilee is where it all began. It was the backdrop of many defining moments in salvation history.
First, it’s where Mary gave her fiat (Luke 1:26), setting in motion God’s plan of redemption. And while it’s easy to forget, Nazareth — where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary — is in Galilee. Many scholars even refer to her as “Mary of Galilee.”
And what about the disciples? While we often associate them with Galilee, Bro. Carlos pointed out that it wasn’t until Acts 1:11 that they were explicitly called “Men of Galilee.” This was where Jesus called them — and where He would send them back after the resurrection, to reignite their mission.
He went on to reflect on Galatians 4:4, which ties in beautifully with the role of Mary. Her “yes” gave the world hope — a hope that continues to live in us today.
Bro. Carlos quoted from Pope Benedict’s homily in 2009, where the Pope spoke of Mary’s fiat as a joyful mystery — one that shows us that God continues to enter our story with creative power to accomplish the impossible.
He then shared a touching story from Church history:
During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, in the small village of Pontmain, France, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared and urged the villagers to pray for protection.
They responded not just with prayers, but with hymns. As they repeatedly sang “Mother of Hope”, their enemies eventually retreated — and the village was spared.
At this point in the assembly, Bro. Rodg Villanueva. and Ate Rhea Caseres. led us in singing that same hymn:
“Mother of Hope, whose name is so sweet, protect our land. Pray, pray for us.”
And as the community joined in, it was as if heaven itself joined our voices.
Bro. Carlos then got a personal reflection. As he prepared for this talk, he realised something beautiful — this year marks 30 years of Couples for Christ in Western Australia.
He recalled how, just like Nazareth, CFC WA began small. During their early years, CFC WA faced many challenges. But like true missionaries, they always turned to prayer — and to Mama Mary.
Before every mission and every Christian Life Program (CLP), they prayed the rosary.
He and his wife Sis. Lyn, witnessed miracles with their own eyes. From Bunbury, to Kalgoorlie, to Dalwallinu, and now Northam, the mission grew — all from a handful of families who said “yes.”
His message to us was clear:
This evangelisation must continue. The mission doesn’t stop here. We are called to be fishers of men.
As we celebrate this Jubilee Year, Bro. Carlos invited us to reflect on Our Lady of Hope, whose maternal care has always accompanied our journey.
Quoting Pope Francis, he encouraged us to “fan the flame of hope that has been given us… to look to the future with open spirits, trusting hearts, and far-sighted vision — just like Mary.”
To return to Galilee is to return to our roots.
To Mary’s fiat.
To Jesus’ call.
To the very heart of CFC — evangelisation of families.
He ended the Prologue by reminding us of another important part of our mission: pastoral care.
Mending the net, as he put it, is just as important as casting it. Without care, the net may tear — and people may drift away.
This is why we must use the Marian style of evangelisation: quiet, compassionate, persistent, and full of love. Mary was the first evangeliser, and she continues to walk with us today.
After giving a brief description of the four main talks that would follow, Bro. Carlos invited everyone to say the Prayer to Our Lady of Hope — a fitting end to the Prologue that reminded us of our roots, our mission, and the flame we were called to keep burning.
2025 CFC CFC Cluster Prayer Assembly CFC-WA Couples For Christ Theme Weekend Retreat Western Australia
But the journey doesn’t stop here.