Everyone gathered at the Millwoods Park to hold the ANCOP Walk 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta. The CFC Music Ministry, led by Bro. John and Sis. Anne Braun, came early in the morning to set up the sound system.
Special thanks to Deacon Gem Mella for the inspiring prayer and blessing. The ANCOP walk was officially opened by the Edmonton Area Leaders, Bro. Ernie & Sis. Divine Anzures.
The ever generous ANCOP Walk sponsor since 2014, Dolce Vita Homes also joined the walk led by Ryan Smith, President (Marketing).
Representatives from the United Conservative Party, Kaycee Madu, Tim Uppal and Marjorie Newman, also attended to grace the occasion.
The Couples for Christ Regional Head, Bro. German Roldan shared his inspiring message.
The ANCOP Head for Edmonton and mission areas, Bro. Henry Gutierrez, provided an update on the progress of the various ANCOP housing projects and child sponsorship.
The adorable CFC Youth and Kids Choir rendered two actions songs ”He is God” and “Make Me an Instrument”. They sing at St. Theresa and Corpus Christi parishes regularly.
There were 428 registrants. The venue was big, so participants did one round only.
After the walk, the Singles for Christ members delivered the canned goods to the nearest Food Bank station. Whilst Bro. Henry & Sis. Millete led the raffle and gave away prizes donated by our generous sponsors and donors.
The event ended with the closing remarks from Bro. Greg Parillas, CFC Mission Support Group Head for Edmonton and former ANCOP Head.
Everyone is excited to meet again at Millwoods Park for the 2020 ANCOP Walk in Edmonton.
Ponoka walked for the poor
All gathered at the Lions Centennial Park to hold the first ANCOP Walk in Ponoka, Alberta, a mission area of Edmonton. The music ministry, led by Bro. John and Sis. Anne Braun from Edmonton, came early in the morning to set up the sound system. Also, among the early birds was the service team who brought the gazebos to protect the ANCOP registrars from the sun for the entire activity and to get the registrations organized for walk-in participants. Ponoka held the first walk from out of the three walks scheduled for Edmonton and mission areas, so they were the first to get their iconic green ANCOP t-shirts.
The Area Leaders, Bro. Ali and Sis. Maria Perez inspired many with their opening remarks. Bro Ali spoke how daunting it first felt being newly assigned as area leader and as the same time as ANCOP leaders who would coordinate the 2019 ANCOP Walk. But with God as their guide and under the direction of Edmonton ANCOP Leaders, Bro. Henry and Sis. Millete Gutierrez, they became confident things would turn out right. Sis. Maria was grateful that the participants placed “priority to being at the walk and helping the poor, instead of going camping or gardening”.
This was followed by prayers and blessing from Fr. Abraham Shimit, Pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Ponoka. The ANCOP walk was officially opened by the Edmonton Area Head, Bro. Ernie Anzures.
There were 74 participants who registered online and 11 more registered on that day of the walk. The venue was not that big, so participants did about 4 to 5 rounds until they could not go on anymore.
The ANCOP Head for Edmonton and mission areas, Bro. Henry Gutierrez, provided an update on the progress of the various ANCOP housing projects. The event ended with the closing remarks from Bro. Greg Parillas, Mission Support Group Head for Edmonton and former ANCOP Head.
There was a feeling of joy among the participants after the walk as this was a momentous event for Ponoka, a small mission area with population of 7,229, “to be put on ANCOP map”, using the very words of Bro. Ali Perez.
Everyone walked home with a feeling of achievement, to meet again in Red Deer for the 2020 ANCOP Walk for Central Alberta.
Lloydminster walked for the second time for the poor
For its second year, the continuance of ANCOP Walk in Lloydminster was initially thought to be doubtful. As of the evening before the walk, there were only 12 registered participants.
The spirit of the Edmonton ANCOP Head, Bro. Henry Gutierrez, was however not shaken by any means. He gathered his service team, music ministry and the ANCOP core members. They drove from Edmonton to Lloydminster early on Saturday, 17 August 2019, the day of the walk and met at the Bud Miller All Seasons Park. The walk must go on!
The day was surprisingly beautiful considering the weather forecast was cloudy and strong winds. The Edmonton team excitingly completed the set-up, still hopeful of a good turnout against all odds. While the extra vibrant music was filling the air at the venue, supporters from Lloydminster came but in small numbers. Walk-in registrants totalled 20, bringing total participants to 32.
The program began with welcome address from Bro. Jun Amo, Chapter Leader in charge of this mission area. Prayers and blessings were given by Fr. Antony Michael, Pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Parish.
Bro. Jess and Sis. Eva Aquino gave an opening remark. The CFC Youth members headed the exercise and stretching.
After two rounds, Bro. Henry gathered the walkers for the announcement of the results of the walk and for an update on the projects of ANCOP for 2019. He also called on the winners of the raffle that afternoon.
In closing, he encouraged the Lloydminster brethren to keep their zeal in helping the poor and to continue working for an increase in support for the ANCOP Walk in 2020.