An Afternoon of Praise and Worship

On 18 October 2025, the CFCA Vic community gathered at St. Dominic’s Parish in Melton for a day dedicated to a singular, powerful purpose: deepening our understanding of Praise and Worship. The event, well-attended by members from various chapters and ministries, was a vibrant reminder that our life in the Spirit is rooted in a heartfelt connection with God.

We had as our special guest speaker, Bro Mike Macahilig, CFCA's National Music Ministry Coordinator. With clarity and passion, he led us through the very heart of why we gather as a community.

Why We Lift Our Voices and Hearts

Bro Mike began by reminding us of the core purpose of Praise and Worship. It is not merely a prelude to a teaching or a time to sing songs. It is our divine response to a loving God—an act of giving back to Him the love, honor, and glory He deserves. We praise God not because of what He does, but simply because of who He is: our Creator, our Father, and our King.

He explained that as a Catholic Charismatic Community, our worship is both a personal encounter and a powerful corporate experience. The Holy Spirit moves among us, and through worship, we open our hearts to His grace, allowing for healing, renewal, and empowerment.

The Framework of Our Gatherings

A key takeaway was the practical guide to Corporate Worship in CFCA. Bro Mike detailed how every gathering, from a simple Household Meeting to a large Evangelisation Rally or Anniversary, as a unique spirit. Each element, from the opening prayer to the final song, is intentional. We learned that starting with a clear and heartfelt exhortation is crucial. This short talk sets the tone, focuses our minds, and prepares our hearts to receive the Lord, making our worship more unified and profound.

To help us practically, Bro Mike also walked us through the different classifications of songs we use i.e. Worship Songs which are directly addressed to God, expressing our love and adoration,

Fellowship & Gathering Songs, songs that are focused on our unity as a community and our shared faith.

Putting Faith into Practice

The teaching truly came to life during the dynamic workshop that followed. Participants formed into eight groups, each tasked with creating a model worship service. The challenge was to develop a theme, find a supporting Bible verse, prepare a sharing, and most importantly, select songs that perfectly complemented the theme’s message.

Each group presented a practical exercise converted theory into a real skill, enabling all of us to participate more significantly in our chapter's worship.

Bro Ed Cablao, the NC Coordinator for PCS and Music Ministry, also talked about the Christian belief of speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. He explained in simple terms what the gift of tongue is. He defined it as an unintelligible prayer language directed toward God that allows for profound, personal prayer and spiritual edification. While presented as a desirable gift that can deepen one's faith and prayer life, it is also to be placed in proper perspective. The text concludes by encouraging believers to desire, ask for, practice and actively receive the gift through faith, while also addressing common obstacles like fear, doubt, and pride.

Carrying the Song Forward

As we left St. Dominic’s, our hearts were full. We were not just given information; we were given a mission. The day reinforced that worship is the engine of our community. It is the sacred space where we lay down our burdens, recharge our spirits, and stand together as one family before God.

Let us carry this inspiration back to our chapters, our households, and our families. May every song we sing be a sincere offering, and every gathering an opportunity to encounter the living God, who is so worthy of all our praise.