Advent Retreat 2010

Savio Youth Ministry has organised an Advent Retreat catered to youths aged 15-25.

We warmly encourage all youths to participate in our retreat themed "Submission, Renewal and Service"

Where: Queen of Peace Church

When: 3 - 5 December 2010, 7pm

Speakers: Longinus and Br. Cornelius

You can register at our registration booth outside the canteen over the weekend or email savioyouthministry@gmail.com

angelfrances@gmail.com

charlene_siow@hotmail.com

Registration ends 28 Nov !

We hope to see you there !

God Bless,

Charlene

Sports meet @ ecp

Hey Brothers and Sisters in Christ !

This Sunday, 21 Nov, will be our monthly sports meet but this time round, we'll be heading to ECP instead for cycling, roller blading and frisbee ! So come on down to ECP to join us this Sunday.
Meet in the cabin at 12pm or meet directly at ECP at 1pm (Macs)
See you there !

May God's peace be with you always.
God bless.

Bible Fridays

The QOP Youth Ministry has put together a bible sharing session just for you !

This bible sharing session will be held every Friday for the rest of the year 2010 (:
We will pray, read and reflect on the bible passages of the friday readings (First reading, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel). You just need to bring a pen and paper to take down notes. Bibles will be provided but feel free to bring your own(:
Sessions will be conducted by our very best - Longinus. This is a very good experience for all of us to deepen our faith by knowing more about God, the Saints and their teachings.

When: Every Friday
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Where: QOP House of David Rm 3.2
Who: Youths

See you there !

For any enquiries, contact Gabriel Ho (justaboutfood@gmail.com) or Charlene (charlene_siow@hotmail.com)

God Bless all of you,
Charlene

Month of Mary

For the month of October, the Youth Ministry will be having a devotion to our Blessed Mother every Saturday, 3.30pm - 5.30pm. We will be having a short session by Longinus on the mysteries of the Rosary then followed by the praying of the Holy Rosary.

It will be held every sat in Oct from 3.30-5.30pm, followed by evening mass.
House of David Room 3.2.

See you there! :D

Feel free to contact Gabriel Ho (justaboutfood@gmail.com) for any questions you may have.

Archdiocesan Youth Day 2010

AYD 2010
PURITY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Come join all Catholic youths and be part of this fun yet spiritual event ! You will definitely enjoy yourself ! It is an event not to be missed !

When: 26 November 2010, Friday
Time: 7pm-10pm
Where: Toa Payoh Sports hall
Cost: $10
Who: ALL youths & young adults (post confirmands)
* [confi 3s will attend the confi3 segment on 27 November 2010, Sat]

Please email us your registration at savioyouthministry@gmail.com or contact Angele/Charlene at angelefrances@gmail.com or charlene_siow@hotmail.com.
Please state your Name, Age, Contact info, i/c number and email by latest 31 October 2010(Registration Deadline).

Feel free to contact Angele or me if you have any questions (:
You can read more about it here: http://cayconline.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/411/

Thank You and God Bless,
Charlene

Mid Autumn Festival

Savio Youth Ministry will be organising a mid autumn festival celebration for all Youths !

it will be a night of fun ! we will have games, mooncakes, lanterns and fire crackers ! feel free to contribute anything you like ! :D :D

When: 24 Sept, Fri
Time: 8pm - 1030pm
Where: QOP outside canteen

See you there !

God Bless,
Charlene

AYD 2010

CALLING FOR AYD 2010 FACILITATORS !!

We are looking for facilitators for this year's Archdiocesan Youth Day on the 27 Nov ! Training will be provided ! (:

If interested/for more information, please contact Angele or email us at savioyouthministry@gmail.com

Love,
Charlene

YOUTH MASS

YOUTH MASS IS BACK !
"God is my shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble - Psalm 46:1"





Join us !

5 September 2010, Sunday
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
10am - 1130am : 10am - 1030am Praise and Worship
1030am - 1130am Mass
Celebrant: Fr Timothy Yeo


See you there !! :D



God Bless,
Charlene

Prayer Requests

Hi guys!

I thought of this idea of posting prayer requests on this blog. If any of you are going through difficult times, or you experiencing usual monday, tuesday, wednesday or thursday blues, feel free to post it up! Don't need to be too personal about it but you can always rant it here so we can all pray for you! :) So do feel free to post yeah?

Love,

Steph.

Harmony Games 2010

Hi guys!

Mariana from Catholic Archdiocesan Centre invited us to an inter-religious sports event on the 26th June 2010 (Saturday morning), called Harmony Games 2010!

The purpose of Harmony Games is to build relationships between members of different faith communities through games and sports.
Each contingent need to have at least 30 pax, the more the merrier, and we'll be regroup with youths from other faiths.

Here are the details:

Harmony Games 2010
date: Saturday, 26 June 2010
location: Singapore Islamic Hub, 273 Braddell Rd
start time: 8.00am (contingent gather at the void deck of Singapore Islamic Hub)
end time: 11.30am
Guest of honor: Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan

For further details, please read your email on how to submit your participation and more information on the games that you will be playing. Thank you!

FAT FISH FRIDAY EXPLORES “WHY BE CATHOLIC?” WITH EAST DISTRICT YOUTHS

Hello fellow YM-ERS!

Good day to you. Fat Fish Friday was held at Holy Trinity Church on 28 May 2010. For those of you who did not have the opportunity to come for this event, here's a write up by Charlene, to let you know more about the inspiring session by Gregory Chan.

FAT FISH FRIDAY EXPLORES “WHY BE CATHOLIC?” WITH EAST DISTRICT YOUTHS

By Charlene Siow

28 May 2010 – Over 150 youths and young adults from the East District turned up for Fat Fish Friday this evening. Fat Fish Friday, an East District Youth Event, was held for the first time in the Church of The Holy Trinity. It was themed “Why be Catholic? (I mean, God loves everyone right?)” with humorous and inspiring speaker, Br. Gregory Chan, who managed to successfully enlighten the hearts of the many who were present in the Parish Hall.

The casual and fun dialogue session welcomed youths and young adults from all walks of life, for an evening of food, fellowship, praise, fun and most importantly, God. The air conditioned hall was dimly lit with candles, creating a ‘cafe-like’ atmosphere.

Singing their hearts out, the Christus Dominus Choir started and ended the event with a few songs where the participants joined in and sang along. Also, during the short break, participants helped themselves with a variety of finger food, and drinks.

Following up on last year’s East District Youth Rally held at C.H.I.J Katong Primary, Fat Fish Friday focuses on youths and young adults aged 17 – 35. This year, the event is of a smaller scale and covers more specific topics relating to youths of the specific age group.

Planning since January, the dedicated and talented organising team were made up of representatives from CAYC and the various Churches in the East District – Church of the Holy Trinity, Holy Family, St Stephen, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

During these 5 months, the organising team were focused on working out an enticing programme which strongly focuses on the theme. Taking each detail into consideration and with such an exciting programme catered to the youths, it is no wonder why there was such an overwhelming response to the event.

The event covered a number of insightful and relevant topics relating to the Catholic Faith and ended off with the importance of having a Catholic Community. Youths participated actively and shared their personal experiences in the discussions led by Br. Gregory Chan.

On a whole, the many friendships made and the engaging responses from participants proved the event successful. Being only the first Fat Fish Friday, the organising committee is looking forward to more Fat Fish Fridays in the coming years.

When interviewed, Priscilla Chong, 19, a Youth Ministry Member of Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace found the event interactive and added – “The whole event was very enlightening as it tells us things that we should know as a Catholic. It helps us to look at our religion from a different point of view.”

Stephanie Yap, 19, also added “This session has been very useful to me as it gave me the opportunity to learn more about my faith and cleared some of the doubts I had. The most interesting thing is that they've made it into a dialogue session where it's free and easy to voice your opinions. The speaker's both friendly and inspiring, hence he was able to captivate the audience's attention on the topics he discussed. All in all, I wouldn't mind to go for future sessions like this.”

Evangelization

Today Ben and Fran gave a session on Evangelisation - with regards to a talk they attended a few Fridays ago about Faith.. (I cant rem the exact title)
I actually went to google on the definition of 'evangelization' itself.

And it says:

Evangelization means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel
itself.
(This is the definition for Evangelization used by the Church from the writings of Pope Paul VI - On Evangelization in the Modern World [Evangelii
Nuntiandi], no. 18, 1975.)

I used to think that to evangelize is something not done by the laity, but only by the religious priests, brothers and nuns. It's like something that needs to have authority to perform on other people. St Francis of Assisi once quoted - 'Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words'. This further confirmed for me then that it wasnt something common people like us could do, rather you have to be trained for it officially.

Not only that, evangelization was a term that I associated more with the non-Catholics, put more simply - the Protestants. Its always seems that its their innate nature to go out into the streets handing out flyers and telling strangers how good God is. And I always found these people intimidating.

Apparently I was wrong, evangelization does not only consists of preaching the word of God to other people. but it also involves living the Christian faith and doing good to others in your own way. As how Pope Paul IV puts it. " Evangelization is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize."

As I googled more into this topic, I came across a phrase ' New Evangelization', and it was coined by Pope John Paul II, that in this new age and century, evangelization is no longer just a task performed by the religious brothers and sisters, but also by the congregation.

In The Mission of the Redeemer, he wrote [Redemptoris Missio], “the
moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new
evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no
institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all
peoples.”

And this reminds me of a Peanuts cartoon/comic strip I saw from one catholic blog that I stumbled onto cos i was googling about comic strips for a cathechism class about family.

This defensiveness can be seen in many of us - Catholics today, especially when we meet someone who knows more about our own religion, or is more out-spoken about Christianity/Catholicism. We think we know everything, yet we get stumped at questions/views posed to us. But after all that, it just goes to show that we take our religion for granted.

But now, the question is, have we shown that we are good Christians through our actions and the words that we say. Or are we only Christians on Sundays? That was the question posed to us during the session today, and that got me thinking. We take for granted that there is always someone who will start the ball rolling, but the irony is.. everyone is waiting for that someone to take the first step. So then, what exactly is the thing that holds us back from being Christians to others, from evangelizing to others about Christ's love for us? What are we waiting for anyway?

What is your take on this? Pls do comment. (:

Love, angele

Come & Be Re-Charged!

Deacon Harold from Portland, Oregon is regularly featured on the globally broadcasted Eternal Word Television Network – EWTN. Many of his talks onMale Spirituality, Family & The Eucharist have been received with rave reviews globally.

He has a talk in OLPS this Sat!

Topic: Youth As Warriors Of The Faith

Venue: St. John-Luke Room (Level 2)

There are also other talks available, just click on the poster!

If you are interested to listen to his talk, do contact Marlene @ 96420214. (:

Addressing the Pastoral Needs of the Catechist

by Br Collin Wee
30 May 09 @ CAEC

What would you say the synopsis of a talk titled like that could be? I went thinking I was going to learn a thing or 2 about how to connect with teens, and help shepherd them through life’s problems. However, I was surprised to find out that Br. Collin would be talking about suicide instead! Haha reminds me of my counseling days =p But before we go into the details…

Fran and I were the 2 earliest participants. So we did a really nice thing, we helped Br Collin compile and distribute his handouts to the other participants. What a way to start a beautiful morning, in service of others =)

The talk started with us doing a questionnaire to get us thinking about how we viewed suicide. Br Collin also gave us some background to how people viewed suicide in the past. Not too long ago in the church, a catholic victim’s body had to stay outside at his own funeral mass because of the nature of the mortal sin. The police used to handcuff dead bodies of people who had committed suicide because it too was a crime. Lol sounds a bit crazy? Mind you that was the practice just under 50 years ago.

Thankfully, views on suicide are changing to become more accepting. Accepting of what? Namely that suicide is only the surface of a much deeper and longer problem and it is less a crime and a mortal sin (not that it isn’t), than it is more of a medical and psychological state that people are in which causes them to commit the act. A simple way of understanding this is like, no one really steals because he thinks its right, he is usually driven by a need or has something like an addiction/impulse to steal.

Similarly, people who contemplate suicide and finally commit the act are often saddled with so many problems, that they use suicide as a final means to get rid of them forever. All studies have shown - and we know cos we are also human beings - that people DO NOT want to kill themselves, they only want to kill the problem. Tragically, the former is always implicated in the latter.

Even though on an institutional (church and society) level we are more understanding of the problem now, we still have to work on our acceptance of it on a personal level. That’s the only way to healing. Suicide is a taboo issue, especially when someone close is a victim of it. Very few people will openly talk about it even with their family and close friends. However, reconciliation can only come about if we let our wounds be mended through communication, both with others and with God. If not, like a physical wound, it may fester inside and decay our minds and souls.

There were so many things that were covered at the talk about how do we identify people who may be suicidal, how should we go about helping them, what are the dos and don’ts. Listing them down here won’t be able to convey the appropriate background meanings and nuances, so I’ll just share the summary of what I took away as the right disposition and attitude when working with others on this issue.

1. Every human creature is a blessed creation of God, and bears his likeness. It is from the fundamental dignity of each human person that we try and help them to treasure and find meaning in their lives.

2. Suicide isn’t the problem; it is the tip of the quick-fix method to solve the real problems.

3. Engaging a suicidal person in a sincere and dignified way is the best way to help.

4. Listen, listen and listen to him. Never judge, but suggest helpful advice in a Christ-like manner.

5. Find out the underlying problem by getting to know him and gaining his trust.

6. Apply a wholesome approach to therapy. Work with the person in body, mind and soul, together with person, family and friends, including where necessary faith, religion and society.

7. Let God work through you, just place yourself and your charge in his care. Pray, pray and pray.

It was truly a morning filled with touching moments where Br Collin shared his personal encounters with many teens he has helped over his 27 years as a counselor; the little and huge differences he’s made in their lives. It was also a hilarious morning peppered with humour as he shared joke after joke. Here’s one based on a true story.

A man from IMH had threatened to jump off the 6th story at a HDB block one morning. Many people were at the scene and police and civil defense personnel had also arrived. All of them were unable to coax him off the parapet of the floor. In Bro Collin’s animated pose and tone, ‘I’m going to jump, I warn you ah, I’m going to jump. All of you don’t come near me, you all treat me like that, I don’t want to stay with you anymore.’ After many hours, one of his friends, also from IMH, happened to walk by and saw what was happening. He nonchalantly walked to the base of the block and asked his friend what he was up to. The protagonist repeated the words he told everyone else. His friend replied, ‘Aiyah you want to jump from 6th floor? Who cannot? I also can, everyone here also can. Why don’t you try coming down here then jumping up there instead?’ Whereupon his friend promptly got of the ledge, took the lift down to the first floor and was rescued.

Hahahaha!! I was laughing my bum out of the chair! It truly takes a crazy person to understand another crazy person sometimes. Fran thoroughly agrees! =p

So after the session ended, we went over to IHM and said our rosary for the YM and all of you. The church was beautiful and peaceful. Only the 2 of us were there, and the quietness was truly blessed.

And the day didn’t end there just yet, for there was something even more wonderful, ecstatic and breathtaking to come! But, that is a story for another time =)

Love,
Ben

Here are the 2 songs that you can practice for before coming to our Worship Workshop =) Do reflect your attendance on facebook thanks.

My All in All

Verse 1

E B C#m
You are my strength when I am weak

G#m A
You are the treasure that I seek

B E B7
You are my all in all

E B C#m
Seeking You as a precious jewel

G#m A
Lord to give up I’d be a fool,

B E B7
You are my all in all


Chorus

E B C#m G#m A B E B7
Je - sus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your Name


E B C#m G#m A B E B7
Je - sus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your Name

Verse 2

E B C#m
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

G#m A
Rising again I bless Your Name

B E B7
You are my all in all

E B C#m
When I fall down You pick me up

G#m A
When I am dry You fill my cup

B E B7
You are my all in all



Shout To The Lord
Darlene Zschech

Verse 1
A E/G#
My Jesus my saviour

F#m7 E D
Lord there is none like You

A/C# D A
All of my days I want to praise

G D/F# E
The wonders of Your migh-ty love

Verse 2
A E/G#
My comfort my shelter

F#m E D
Tower of refuge and strength

A/C# D A
Let every breath all that I am

G D/F# E
Never cease to wor-ship You

Chorus
A F#m D E
Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing

A F#m D E
Power and majesty praise to the King

F#m D
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

E D E
At the sound of your name

A F#m D E
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands

A F#m D E
Forever I love You forever I stand

F#m D E A
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You


Fran

Youth Mass

It's our very first Youth mass.. in goodness knows how many years!!!

We are so blessed to have a band from Saccre Youth to help us with Praise & Worship!!!

And of cos, Fr Simon to celebrate mass for us!

All is invited!! Do come and join us!!!

Food For Thought

JOB vs MINISTRY

Some people have a JOB in the church;
others involve themselves in a MINISTRY.

What is the difference?

If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY.

If you quit because somebody critized you, it was a JOB.
If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY.

If you'll do it only as it does not interfere with your other activities, it's a JOB.
If you are committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's a MINISTRY.

If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a JOB.
If you stay with it even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it is a MINISTRY.

It's hard to get excited about a JOB.
It's almost impossible not to be excited about a MINISTRY.

If our concern is success, it's a JOB.
If our concern is faithfulness, it's a MINISTRY.

An average church is filled with people doing JOBs.
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in MINISTRY.

Where do we fit in? What about us?

If God calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB.
If you have a JOB, give it up and find a MINSTRY.
God does not want us feeling stuck with a JOB,but excited and faithful to Him in a MINISTRY.

===========
So many times I neglect the real purpose of why I continue to serve esp when times seem so tough; I cant see the light. But yet, after reading this old email that I received 2 years ago, suddenly makes sense especially now when i am more involved.

Hope this appeals to you as much as it did for me. (:

Hugs, angele

Day of Recollection (DOR) for YM

28 Feb 2009, Saturday was the day of our DOR. This is my sharing on what I learnt that day. I found it totally useful =) Thank you Eugene! (theres the urge to call u brother still haha.)



Activity 1: Silent amazing race

Rules: No talking unless instructed to do so.

Only the leader for that station is allowed to read out the instructions.



Station 1: Walk to ECP (mind you we were at QOP!) in a single file and each to pick up a handful of sand and a seashell.

My thoughts: Oh man...just when I'm getting all hyped up, he makes me play this game which has no talking...its rarely that i have so much energy in me...now i gotta supress it -_-

Anws, i can live without talking. Lalala..oh wow the nice warm sun after coming out of that freezing cold room. (after walking for 10 mins)...crap its damn hot...oh how nice the clouds r moving to give me some shade =) oh now got some wind =) wow God is good =p he listens to my complains haha! Thank you! k i should stop complaining...



now that we are reaching ECP..what were we supposed to do again? Oh i only rem something bout everyone having a handful of sand. Oh phew, ben rems the seashells. ok sign language isnt tt effective. Anw what i learnt here was tt after a long journey, thru all the toils n snares =p we forget our Mission! But no worries, that's y we travel in a group, each helps to rem different stuff. We need reminders every once in a while =)



Station 2: Going to Holy Family Adoration rm

My tots: Wow..i had catechism lessons for 2 whole years in holy family n I've never been into the adoration room! Tsktsk, this just reflects my longing for my wanting to be in God's presence. I'm ashamed.

(Damien joins us at holy fam with his car)



Station 3: Find the lamb with the 7 seals, where the shamrock resides, by bus.

We never guessed the right place(holy trin)...we got stuck at st pats. We are tired n lost! Can we pls go back! lets call eugene...can we skip to station 5 (which is QOP)? due to time constrains..yes =) we managed to skip station 3n4.



Station 5: Split into groups of 2 or 3. Able to talk to own group mates. Take a bus back to QOP.

My tots: omg its finally over! Ah who cares bout the toking...n the bus! Let's take damiens car!



BIG LESSON: *I sold my FREE WILL for convenience, saving face..etc*

Why? We compromised so many rules, taking the car, talking to each other in the end ..etc. Why did I take the car? Caz I was tired and everyone was going to take the car. Why did I not tell my grp to not take his car? Caz I tot its ending..plus its just a game..we dun have to stick to the rules..or more like caz i knew everyone wanted to take the car and objecting would be so malu. Why did I talk to the other grp? caz we were in the same car n i did not want to seem as if i was such a sticker for rules.



My resolution: Next time when making decisions, I should look deep into the real reason of why I'm choosing that. Is it out of convenience? (usual thinking: no harm breaking stupid rules with no consequences right?) even when I know it is wrong.



Activity 2: Pick fotos that relate to me

http://www.herronisland.org/home/geoduck/Blood....jpg this isnt the exact picture but same meaning...It represents me falling down and getting dirty and hurt.



http://www.naturalperson.com/New%20Website/5%20Advance/Adv%20Site%20Pics/Red%20Pill%20Hand.jpg pill in hand. I have my pride, I hate eating med or going to doc, just like how I dislike receiving external help. I try to do everything on my own first. But I realised, for a speedy recovery (from my falls), I should humbly accept this external help.



http://www.michigan.gov/images/mdch/hands_in_sand_243183_7.jpg (if u go search goolge for "hands" you will find my hands doing many things. Our pair of hands have served us well, they can do millions of things. What more if we be humble and work together. We would be able to acheive 7X 70 X 70 million. =) Each hand has a different talent. Isn't that beautiful.



http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1433/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1433R-102025.jpg If only I kept quiet more often and tried listening to God. I would be able to c the beauty in everything around me http://media.photobucket.com/image/meditation%2Bhands/Xina1/Fantasy/l_8861f96a51c72e77950a1774b698be-2.jpg I know God loves me =)



Activity 3: The Seven Sacraments



Reconciliation: We can do this in our daily lives when we allow forgiveness to happen. Not only do we have to forgive others, we should let others forgive us...and let us forgive ourselves. Reconciliation is the reuniting of 2 parties, to have a closer relationship.



Eucharist: Jesus sacrificed himself to allow others to live. Have I sacrificed anything to help others live better? Eg: Sacrifice my time to listen to other people's complains, so that they know and feel that other pple care for them. Hence they feel more like living.



Holy Orders: A priest or nun?! I do not have to be any of those to live this our in my life. I can spread the word of God to others in my daily life! If people do not go to God, I can bring God to them. =)



Marriage: This seems so far away..I'm still studying...but guess wad, Marriage is about commitment. Commitment to love others thru thick and thin. I can love all my YM members =) even though we do dumb things and get angry over stuff...Unconditional love means that there are no "if's". There is no "if you were good, or if you did not have AIDS, or if you did not smoke, then I would love you." NO! I love you no matter what you do, or have or are. =) Ez to say..hard to do...but with God, nothing is impossible =)



Anointing the sick: Caring for people when they are in need of SOMEONE, not something. To be there for the person. No early thing (ipod, car, house..etc) can or will console a dying person. What they need is to know that someone is there with them, and they are not alone. Do not be afraid.



Confirmation: The bishop says "Be sealed with the Holy Spirit" and in the past, they give you a tight slap!(WAKE UP!) We are to be soldiers for Christ! no more babies drinking milk. Soldiers means we defend and protect. We fight for what is right! Has anyone insulted your friend and you did not say anything to defend him/her? How about ur religion? Do you feel unprepared or ill armed with knowlege? For me honestly...yes. My plan =) is to go for more courses and read more to learn more n more...never ending amt of learning.



Baptism: We are to give 3 promises which lead us into 3 missions

3 promises are Poverty (poverty of spirit meaning that we depend solely on God), Chastity (in Latin it also means love...to love only God) and Obedience (listen to God, willingly, becaz you love Him, not becaz u are afraid to go to hell)



3 missions: Priestly (bring Jesus to people)

Prophetic (the voice that dares to speak the truth)

Kingly (we are heirs to God's Kingdom, let us BE a good example)



In these 7 sacraments, we have to bring God to ourselves first before we can bring them to others. How do I love others if I do not know what loving myself is?



BIG question to ask yourself: Who owns YM?

if your answer is WE DO! the answer is wrong/insufficient. The correct answer is I DO!

When we say "we" there is this idea that if I do not do xyz, someone can cover for me. Hence it is not a 100% commitement from each person. If you say "I" then there is a 100% commitment for each person! so imagine how much more powerful we are =) 10X100=1000% ! Do not underestimate yourself and what God can make you become. God takes the weak to shame the strong.



After all this, what are you going to do about yourself? What are you lacking that could be improved? How can this improvement help YM? What is YM lacking? How can I improve that?

God's answers to your problems

How many times have we said "I cant..." and gave up on ourselves?
How many times have we had the intention to run away from our problems?

I have.

It's amazing how the bible has so much enouraging words for me, that everytime I feel horrid, like giving up. When I feel myself falling backwards into a deep valley, there always seems to be a pair of hands that grabs me and pulls me up again.

And tt, I know is You, Lord.
Thank you for always being there, for never letting me go, no matter what I do. (:

I hope some of these will answer your problems too, like how it answered mine.

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34)

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Hugs, angele

St. Paul's msg

Do you remember last Sunday's 2nd reading?

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

Brothers and sisters:If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,for an obligation has been imposed on me,and woe to me if I do not preach it!If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.What then is my recompense?That, when I preach,I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.



I didnt understand it at first, but after Fr. Ambrose Vaz explained St. Paul's msg...which was, "The revelation of God's justice; the fact that God has already reconciled humankind in himself in death and resurrection of His Son." Meaning, we don't need to earn our salvation! It is given to us! Hence the reason for doing good should not be because we are afraid to go to hell, or because we wana earn a place in heaven. It's because we are rejoicing and we want to share this joy with everyone else!



The analogy Fr. Ambrose gave was...imagine I gave you a million dollars. I come to tell you that I have put the million dollars into your bank. You can 1. not believe me, and do not even bother going to the bank to take a look or 2. believe me and be very super happy and go to the bank to check it out. However you cannot be proud of this money because you did not earn it, but can only be thankful. Similarly with St. Paul when he said "this is no reason for me to boast", caz whatever he preaches is not from his own intellect but from God.

"woe to me if I do not preach it!" in our words...Im so happy I need to share this news with everyone! if not someone ought to smack me on my head!

"If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship." Meaning, if St. Paul preaches willingly, then thats his extra reward..he gets joy for preaching the good news. If unwillingly, then preaching is just like a job.

"What then is my recompense?That, when I preach,I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel." So what does St. Paul get for preaching? He doesn't want to be paid because that would seem like he is preaching to earn money. It would be suspicious...like..is his ulterior motive to earn money for himself? NO! He removes all these suspicion, by not collecting money so everyone will know that whatever he preaches is not for himself, but for God.

Going back to St. Paul's main msg that is green above, "The revelation of God's justice.." Since all our sins have been reconciled thanks to Jesus, God's justice is not referring to punishment. It is a restorative justice. Hence purgatory is not a punishment, it is to restore our soul, to make us whole again. =) Isn't that great?! All this while I was fearing terrible things that did not even exist haha!To me, purgatory now seems like a choice, for me to cleanse myself and make me whole again =) before I go into heaven to meet God.

Anw, just to let you know, I was totally lost last Sunday during Mass, caz I din understand. Luckily on every Monday, there is an Introduction to St. Paul and his letters @OLPS 8pm (open to anyone who is interested). It's very interesting and enlightening. Fr. Ambrose explains really well. Thank you Fr. Ambrose!