On September 18th, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) opened their annual General Conference with a lively dialogue with the CFA management team on the mission of communication. An international delegation of forty MSC priests, led by the Superior General Fr. Mark McDonald, visited CFA for the half-day encounter and tour.

It was the first time that the MSC General Conference had met at the CFA compound. CFA's founder Fr Cornelio Lagerwey, who passed away in 1995, was a Dutch MSC priest who had worked in the Philippines for forty years.

CFA President Fr. Fil Pelingon, MSC, introduced the day's theme with a talk on the historical links between CFA and the MSC. This was followed by the talk of a special resource person, Fr. Peter Malone, MSC, the former president of OCIC and Signis, the World Catholic Association for Communication, and also a consultant to CFA. Fr. Malone introduced the ideas and plans for Chevcom (Chevalier Communications), and cited CFA as an important model of a media apostolate.

A media educator himself, Fr. Malone stressed the need for media awareness and literacy. He also encouraged the strengthening of pastoral ministries that are related to the media (like parish renewals for the ongoing formation of people, weekend seminars, and spirituality websites). He issued a challenge to the MSC leaders for greater networking, drawing in lay associates who work in the media.

Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC, CFA's Electronic Media Production Supervisor, discussed the effectiveness of maintaining websites in fulfilling MSC's mission, particularly in the task of teaching and shepherding the people of God. He urged the MSC conference delegates to initiate and promote dialogue with the online world in order to share ideas and explain matters of faith and morals in depth.

The executive director of CFA, Ms. Teresita Hermano, then explained the mission and vision of CFA, and the ultimate goal they have in common with the MSCs. Affirming that "evangelization is, basically, a mission of communication," she related how CFA's activities and projects, such as the Youth Peace Camp, the Voters' Education campaign and the media support for Pondo ng Pinoy, all related to the overall vision of integral human development.

Noel de Leon, the head of the Electronic Media, Training and Catechetical Cluster, introduced samples of recent video productions by CFA. Excerpts from the Pondo ng Pinoy video and "Dear Peace" documentary were shown and discussed. The "Dear Peace" traveling exhibit was also set up at the back of the CFA Auditorium. Ms. Bob Lopez, CFA Training Department Head, explained the background of the exhibit, and took the visitors on a tour of CFA facilities.