One Family in Christ: A Celebration of Faith, Unity, Joy, and Service

CFC Central America Regional Theme Weekend Retreat 2026

Under the warm Salvadoran sun, with temperatures reaching approximately 30-35°C, around 350 brothers and sisters from different parts of Central America and the USA gathered in San Pedro de Nonualco, El Salvador, for the recently concluded CFC- PPC Central America Regional MENSA CHRISTI Retreat. Despite the intense tropical heat, the atmosphere throughout the gathering was anything but subdued. With representatives from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, the United States, and El Salvador—the host country this year—the retreat became a joyful expression of the richness and diversity of the CFC family, united by one faith, one mission, and one Lord.

Brothers and sisters who had traveled from different countries came together with excitement and longing, like a family reunited after a long time apart. The venue was alive with prayer, worship, fellowship, laughter, and the unmistakable joy of people who were happy to be together again—or meeting one another for the first time.

Among those who made a special effort to be part of the gathering were our brothers and sisters from CFC Guatemala, who traveled 13 hours by land to and from the retreat venue. CFC Guatemala’s spiritual adviser, Padre Benigno Ordoñez, also drove his private vehicle to the venue. Their journey itself became another beautiful expression of fellowship and commitment—sharing the long road together to be part of the CFC-PPC family gathering.

The retreat sessions provided spiritual nourishment, encouragement, and renewed inspiration for the mission of Couples for Christ in the region. The invited speakers—Fr. Hector Bernabe, parish priest of San Pedro Nonualco Parish; Bro. Errol Martinez, CFC FTPW Missionary based in Brazil; Bro. Carlos Valladares, CFC El Salvador Leader; and Bro. Toffee Jeturian, CFC Americas Head —shared messages that challenged, encouraged, and inspired the participants to deepen their relationship with God and renew their individual, conjugal, family, and community commitment to the mission of Christ.

The program was complemented by the heartfelt testimonies of brothers and sisters who openly shared how God has been working in their lives. Their stories of faith, struggles, perseverance, grace, and God’s faithfulness reminded everyone that the CFC journey is not simply about activities and programs, but about allowing Christ to transform our lives and our families.

Adding a special dimension to the retreat was the Music Ministry, whose joyful and wholehearted service helped shape the atmosphere throughout the weekend. Having traveled approximately three hours to reach the retreat site, the music ministry arrived not simply ready to perform, but ready to serve—with energy, warmth, and hearts fully prepared to lead the community in prayer and worship.

Through their all-out, beautifully harmonized singing, they brought vibrancy and life to the gathering while also creating moments of profound reflection and prayer. Their music helped participants move seamlessly from joyful praise and celebration into deeper momentsof silence, contemplation, and encounter with God. One especially meaningful moment was the singing of “EN EL DIOS SOMOS UNO,” The CFC theme song for this year became a powerful musical expression of the unity experienced throughout the retreat.

The service team, led by Bro. Don and Sis. Gemma Paras, CFC El Salvador’s Country Coordinators, and supervised by CFC Regional Coordinator of Central America, Bro. Glen Santayana, also worked tirelessly to create an atmosphere where everyone could participate fully and experience the retreat meaningfully. Even the logistics contributed to the experience, with two LED screens helping everyone follow the sessions, presentations, and activities clearly and comfortably.

But beyond the program and the beautiful arrangements, it was the spirit of service of CFC-PPC El Salvador that truly stood out. A great majority of the service teams were JPC, or CFC Jovenes Para Cristo, together with their CFC-PPC Country Head, Bro. Carlos Valladares and Karly Valencia. Throughout the week, they could be seen working tirelessly— day and night—with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. They served, assisted, prepared, welcomed, carried, cleaned, organized, and responded to every need with remarkable energy and generosity. Their example was a beautiful reminder that service becomes truly joyful when it is offered to God and to one another with love.

One of the most vibrant highlights of the retreat was the much- awaited CFC Fellowship Evening, or Cultural Night. Each country brought its own beautiful colors and traditions through national costumes, music, and, most especially, dance. The evening became a joyful celebration of the cultures represented within CFC-PPC. Brothers and sisters proudly shared their heritage while cheering enthusiastically for one another, showing that our differences do not divide us—they enrich the family we share.

The setting for the cultural night made the celebration even more special. Held right in front of the San Pedro de Nonualco Parish, the Cultural Night became not only a fellowship for the retreat participants but also a joyful and thrilling spectacle for the local community. Neighbors were able to watch, enjoy, and share in the vibrant celebration taking place right in their midst. The music, dancing, colorful costumes, laughter, and enthusiastic cheers transformed the evening into a memorable celebration of culture and fraternity.

The retreat was beautifully capped off by a powerful and memorable session from Bro. Toffee Jeturian. His creative delivery of the session, Para Que Nuestra Alegría Sea Completa, brought laughter and a deeper understanding of the meaning of joy in service in CFC and the Church. The whole retreat culminated in the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, where everyone was invited to a deeper appreciation of being present at the table of Christ—a challenge well taken by everyone to carry the retreat’s graces beyond the venue and back into their homes, communities, and CFC missions.

This was more than simply a regional gathering. It was another beautiful experience of love, brotherhood and sisterhood, faith, service, and unity in Christ.

Different countries. Different cultures. Different stories.

But truly one FAMILY, one FAITH, and one HEART in CHRIST, living out its calling:

“En DIOS, Somos UNO.”