Confirmation Ministry SFX, PJ

News Update

2012-01-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

Level 1

Meet the Parents and Confirmands Session - 29th January 2012, Loyola Hall @ 10am to 11.30am

Level 2

Growing Towards Confirmation - 29th January 2012, Bellarmine Hall @ 10am

Level 3

Signs and Symbols of Confirmation - 29th January 2012, Canisius Hall @ 10am

Camp Update

Level 1 Camp will be held at Broga OUTBAC at Semenyih from 15th (Thursday) to 17th March 2012 (Saturday). More details will be given out during classes. Please make your dates available fot this camp.
Attendance is COMPULSORY

Level 3 Camp will be held from 10th to the 14th March 2012. Tentative venue is at St Anne's Church Bukit Mertajam. More details will be given out during classes. Please be available for this camp. Attendance is COMPULSORY for all Level 3 COnfirmands.

The Sacrament of Confirmation

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Confirmationin relation to the Eucharist

From the days of the early Christians thegreat sign of being joined together as the community of the Church was theircommunion in the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the "Breakingof the Bread." Eucharistic communion, along with acceptance of theapostolic teaching and manner of life, was a sign of the communion of life forthe early Christians (see Acts 2:42). This communion of believers was based ontheir having been baptized and confirmed by the apostles. Early Christiansnoted that "communio sanctorum" could mean both "the communionof saints" and the "communion of the holy things." It wasrecognized that communion in the holy things of Christ was the foundation ofcommunion with each other in the Church. Holy Communion in the Eucharist expressesand fosters the Holy Communion which is the Church. It is in sharing in thesacrifice of Christ that we are saved.

The early Christians entered the communion ofthe Church through baptism and the laying on of hands. Baptism and Confirmationintroduced Christians into the life of the community and prepared them tocelebrate the Eucharistic sacrifice and to share in the One Bread and the OneCup. Receiving the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, they became fully membersof His Body, the Church.

Living and celebrating the Eucharist is thesummit of an authentic program of Christian initiation, of liturgical piety,and of the Call to Holiness. To live as a Christian means to put the gift ofbaptismal rebirth into effect, a gift which is strengthened in Confirmation andnourished through regular participation at Mass (see synod #16). Fullparticipation in the Eucharist and the life of the Church therefore entailshaving been confirmed.

Why, then, are not all those who participatein the Eucharistic sacrifice and banquet confirmed members of the Church? Thissituation is at the root of the pastoral questions facing the Diocese of Tyler.

Confirmation in relation toBaptism

Like all Sacraments, Confirmation wasinstituted by Christ. In the early Church we hear that after Baptism theApostles would impose their hands upon Christians for the reception of the HolySpirit (Acts 8:14-17; Hebrews 6:2). Confirmation corresponds to this laying onof hands, which in time came to include an anointing with Sacred Chrism. In thefirst centuries, this usually meant that baptism and confirmation werecelebrated in unison. From the earliest times, then, Confirmation has beenclosely connected to the Sacrament of Baptism and to a sense of apostolicmission. These connections have been maintained across the centuries despitediverse cultural and pastoral situations.

Our practice in the Western Church haspreserved in a strong way the connection with the apostolic laying on of hands.As it became more difficult for the bishop to visit the many distant parishesof his diocese and personally to baptize all new Christians (many of whom werenewborn infants), the celebration of Confirmation began to take place at sometime after baptism when the bishop could be the celebrant. In this way, eachperson's baptismal process was completed by the father and the visible head ofthe particular Church. It must be clear that the ordinary minister ofConfirmation is the bishop. The priest confirms only when given the faculty todo so by the bishop. The role of the bishop in the Western Church as theordinary minister of the sacrament is important as a sign of the visiblecommunion of the confirmed with the local and universal Church.

The majority of Eastern Rite Catholics (andmost Eastern Orthodox) have preserved the close connection between Baptism andConfirmation, which they call Chrismation, by celebrating the two sacraments atthe same time. Typically, the celebrant is a priest rather than a bishop. Theapostolic aspects of the sacrament are maintained by the use of"Myron" (chrism oil) consecrated by the bishop and by the fact thatthe priest exercises the apostolic ministry because of his ordination at thehands of the bishop. The simultaneous celebration of these two sacraments,theologically and pastorally legitimate for Eastern Catholics, is not kept assuch in the Latin Rite because of our unique history and canon law.

Confirmation in the life ofGrace

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes thebaptismal grace. That is, the Holy Spirit, first received in Baptism, nowstrengthens the Christian, binding him more perfectly to Christ and the Churchso that, as a true witness of Christ, he might spread and defend the faith byword and deed (see CCC 1285). Thus it is not accurate to connect Confirmationto maturity in the psychological sense so that it would best given at an age ofsocial maturity.The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the person to bearwitness, rather than expresses the person's determination to bear witness, tohis faith. This strengthening is something that can be fittingly givenat any age. By the reception of Confirmation, the Christian is given the graceto take his place in the life and apostolic mission of the Church. That missionis, first of all, to go out to all the world and witness to the Gospel ofChrist. This witness is carried out in word and deed, in sacrament and service,by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with the guidance of theApostles and their successors. The premier expression of the Gospel, the greatact of Witness, the prolongation and fulfillment of the apostolic mission, isthe worship of God and the salvation of man effected in the Paschal Mysterycelebrated in the Eucharist. For a Christian publicly to take his place in theEucharistic assembly is the greatest participation in the apostolic mission ofthe Church that is imaginable. The greatness of the Martyrs is found here: intheir daily lives they lived fully what they celebrated at Mass. The twoSacraments at the service of communion, Holy Orders and Matrimony, serve tobuild up the people of God in living out of this great Mystery in their Call toHoliness.

It is through the grace of Baptism andConfirmation that the Holy Spirit and the Church prepares a person for fullcommunion in the Holy Eucharist. Reception of the Eucharist prior to receivingthe Sacrament of Confirmation may create some confusion in the community or inthe person. Anyone who professes the true faith and participates in thesacrifice of Christ, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, should be a fullyinitiated Christian through both Baptism and Confirmation, in as much as theyare participating in the full, public worship and witness of the Church. Theyare fulfilling the apostolic mandate given by Christ: "Do this in memoryof me." They are sharing in the pre-eminent work of Christ Himself, thefirst and greatest work of the Church: proclaiming the Paschal Mystery untilChrist comes in glory to bring it to completion (SC 7-8). They are respondingto the Call to Holiness. They ought, therefore, to be fully prepared for thelife and mission they now share by being confirmed in the Holy Spirit prior tobeing initiated into the Eucharist. This participation does not depend on humangifts, talents, or age; it depends on truth and love. We can only love becauseGod has first loved us. God conveys His love through Christ, the way, the truthand the life, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and chief among the instrumentsHe uses are the Sacraments of Initiation.

Confirmation not only strengthens us and setsus aside as witnesses to the apostolic mission. This strengthening by the HolySpirit also helps us to overcome the tendency to sin which remains in each ofus even after Baptism. The gifts of the Holy Spirit foster the formation ofsupernatural virtue as well as strengthening the natural virtues in the humanperson. Confirmation cannot be properly looked at as a single event, done andthen forgotten, like some type of 'immunization' or 'graduation'. Confirmationestablishes an ongoing relationship with God which animates the ongoing growthin holiness which is the vocation (or call) of all the baptized. The gifts andfruits of the Holy Spirit strengthen our souls by enabling a virtuous exerciseof our will and our faculties for the Glory of God. Unduly delayingConfirmation for those who already receive Holy Communion fails to accord theperson their proper role in the Eucharistic assembly, the life of the Church,and the strengthening of the sacraments. Worse than that, it could entail adenial of their right within the Church to receive the gift of the sacramentonce they have met the conditions required by canon law: the age of reason andproper disposition of soul (i.e., in a state of grace and open to receiving thesacrament). (Canon 843)

Sometimes in our activist andproduction-oriented American society and culture we succumb to pragmatismlooking at the Christian life and our sharing in the apostolic mission of theChurch as a matter being able to "do" things for Christ, the Churchor others. In fact, the Christian life is a gift and a call to truth and lovegiven to us by God. It is first a matter of "being," of simplyexisting as a person created by God and redeemed by Him in Christ. We live outthis truth and love in specific ways according to our age, talents, and uniquevocation. At no point are the sacraments about what we have done or promise todo for God. They are God's free gift of grace to us. At the same time, thesegifts of love entail an obligation to bear witness to God's love in word anddeed by our collaboration in freedom with the grace given.

If one is not careful, service projectsbefore Confirmation can seem to be demonstrating an ability to do things, andConfirmation becomes a type of graduation into an adult faith. This abuse ofpragmatism can result in failing to recognize that the desire "to do"or to praise God is itself a grace, as is the capacity to do good (WeekdayPreface IV ).

These ideas reveal a common misunderstandingof Confirmation by some, and as Bishop I want to take this opportunity toaddress them. Confirmation is not about an individual deciding to embrace thefaith of Baptism. It is not a human act similar to that of non-CatholicChristians who, perhaps in their early teens, choose to publicly profess thatthey have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Sacraments are primarilyabout God choosing and embracing us not the other way around. In baptism, Godmarks us unconditionally as a member of His family and co-heir with Christ, childrenby adoption. (see Galatians 4:5-7) Once baptized, at whatever age, we can nomore choose to cease being a child of God than we can choose to cease being thechild of our natural mother. Confirmation is not our "confirming"Baptism or our faith in Christ; it is Christ confirming us in the Christianlife we are already living. It is particularly important in East Texas that weavoid any sacramental catechesis that reflects the notion that Confirmation isa time for the person to individually embrace the faith or to become personallyengaged in the work of the Church. It is in the Sacrament of the Eucharist,particularly at the offertory, that we present ourselves as a sacrifice to theFather. Indeed, each moment of daily life is a time to reaffirm the Call toHoliness by a commitment to love of God and neighbor. Each instant calls us toembrace Christ as He has embraced us. Above all, the celebration of theEucharist is an appropriate sacramental moment for the individual to renew thecommitment to service in the Church and in the community for the common good

Confirmation and theSacrament of Penance

The Sacrament of Penance also allows us torenew our commitment to truth and service by restoring sanctifying grace andincreasing actual grace in our souls. In Penance we become reconciled with Godthrough the confession of our sins, desire to amend our life, and acceptance ofacts of reparation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is closely tied to Baptism,Confirmation, and the Eucharist, restoring the bonds of communion establishedby the Sacraments of Initiation that have been subsequently weakened by venialsin and imperfections or broken by mortal sin. The grace of repentance from oursins is necessary for salvation. The Sacrament of Penance is ordinarily neededfor the forgiveness of mortal sin and the return to sanctifying grace and theEucharist. This explains why the Sacrament of Penance was considered in theearly Church a type of "second Baptism" that restores the life ofgrace and reorders the penitent to the life of the Church and the celebrationof the Eucharist.

Throughout the history of the Church, frequent Confession hasbeen recognized as a premier means of renewing one's commitment to Christ andfor growing in holiness. Without penitence, that ongoing conversion expresseddaily in prayer, self-denial, and works of mercy, our personal salvation is indanger because without penitence we are not living the Sacraments of Initiationfully; we are not united to Christ in dying completely to ourselves out of lovefor God and neighbor. This ongoing conversion, fostered in a particular way bythe Sacrament of Penance, is necessary for encountering and adoring the AllHoly God in a spirit of truth and purity of heart.

This explains the role of the Sacrament ofPenance. It is about living the Sacraments of Initiation in the face of sinfulinclinations and actions. Confession fosters and, if necessary, restores thelife conferred in Baptism and Confirmation and nourished in the Eucharist. Weconfess not only when we have committed mortal sin, but regularly because wemay have committed venial sins and have imperfections and we acknowledge thatwe need the help of God's grace to fulfill our desire to love God and neighborperfectly in Christ. This understanding of Confession, which is that of theSaints and Doctors of the Church, is one that can be taught to anyone who hasreached the age of reason regardless of whether they have received anysacrament beyond baptism. This understanding allows the Sacrament of Penance toemerge in its beauty as God's gift to us in our journey to Holiness rather thana painful process reserved for mortal sinners. It is seen for what it actuallyis an aid to living fully our sacramental lives.

It is fitting, then, that baptized Christiansapproaching Confirmation and the Table of the Lord be introduced into thefruitful celebration of the Sacrament of Penance as a regular part of the lifeof a Christian disciple. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation requiresthe same spiritual readiness of being in the state of grace, and of respondingto the constant call to conversion that is essential for our daily Christianlife and the worthy reception of the Eucharist.

Let us consider the specialaffinity between the Sacrament of Penance, which aids us in the struggle forholiness, and Confirmation, which strengthens the Christian to bear faithfulwitness. Both sacraments aid us in our efforts to "avoid the things thatlead to sin" in the face of our tendencies to sin that remain within usafter Baptism. A Christian who is awaiting Confirmation or the Eucharist wouldnot want to receive either sacrament without the renewal of baptismal graceavailable in the Sacrament of Penance. When we are in a state of mortal sin,cut off from communion with Christ and dead to the Christian life, we shouldnot dare approach these sacraments of the Christian life until we are restoredto communion with Christ. It is through an act of repentance and the Sacramentof Penance that we are reconciled to God and others through the outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit.

(Source: Catholic Culture)

News Update

2012-01-04T02:39:00.000-08:00

Level 1 (Form 3)

Registration begins this Sunday, 8 January 2012, from 10am to 11am, at Bilik Bellarmine. Please bring along photocopies of your IC, Baptism Cert, First Holy Communion Cert and RM50 for registration and a copy of the YOUCAT (Youth Catechism)

Level 3 (Form 5)

There will be a meeting with parents, sponsors and candidates on this Sunday, 8 January, from 10am to 11am at Loyola Hall. ALL parents, sponsors and candidates must attend this session.

Confirmation Schedule 2012 - Level 1

2012-01-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

January

08.01.12 Registration
15.01.12 Getting to Know You
22.01.12 Chinese New Year Eve - No Class
29.01.12 Meeting With Parents

February

05.02.12 Prophet Muhammad's Birthday - No Class
12.02.12 The Journey Begins
19.02.12 The Church as people of God
26.02.12 The Church in God's plan

March

04.03.12 The Church as Body of Christ
11.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
18.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
25.03.12 The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit

April

01.04.12 Palm Sunday - No Class
08.04.12 Easter Sunday - No Class
15.04.12 The Church Prays
22.04.12 The Church celebrates the Liturgy
29.04.12 The Church celebrates the Sacraments

May

06.05.12 The Church's Liturgical Year
13.05.12 The Church and the Word of God
20.05.12 The Marks of the Church
27.05.12 Proposed Date for Confirmation Mass - No Class

June

03.06.12 School Holidays - No Class
10.06.12 School Holidays - No Class
17.06.12 The Church is One
24.06.12 The Church Is Holy

July

01.07.12 The Church is Catholic.
08.07.12 Family Day - No Class
15.07.12 The Church is Apostolic
22.07.12 The Clergy in the Church
29.07.12 The Religious in the Church

August

05.08.12 The Laity in the Church
12.08.12 The Church serves the poor and the oppressed
19.08.12 School Holidays - No Class
26.08.12 School Holidays - No Class

September

02.09.12 The Church works for Unity with Other Christians
09.09.12 The Church dialogues with People of other faiths
16.09.12 Malaysia Day - No Class
23.09.12 PMR Break - No Class
30.09.12 PMR Break - No Class

October

07.10.12 PMR Break - No Class
14.10.12 The Church Hnonours Mary
21.10.12 The Church honours the Saints
28.10.12 Fellowship

Confirmation Schedule 2012 - Level 2

2012-01-04T02:11:00.000-08:00

January

15.01.12 Meeting with Parents
22.01.12 Chinese New Year Eve - No Class
29.01.112 Growing Towards Confirmation

February

05.02.12 Prophet Muhammad's Birthday - No Class
12.02.12 The Holy Spirit journeys with us
19.02.12 The Holy Spirit strengthens us
26.02.12 Gifted by the Holy Spirit

March

04.03.12 Living a spirit-filled life
11.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
18.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
25.03.12 Confirming a deeper bond with the Church

April

01.04.12 Palm Sunday - No Class
08.04.12 Easter Sunday - No Class
15.04.12 Living in communion
22.04.12 Celebrating our communion in the Eucharist
29.04.12 Serving community

May

06.05.12 Witnessing Christ
13.05.12 Gifted to grow
20.05.12 The gifts of persons
27.05.12 School Holidays - No Class

June

03.06.12 School Holidays - No Class
10.06.12 School Holidays - No Class
17.06.12 Living as a family
24.06.12 Building friendships

July

01.07.12 The gift of human sexuality
08.07.12 Family Day - No Class
15.07.12 Respecting human sexuality
22.07.12 Loving God and Loving others
29.07.12 Respecting and promoting life

August

05.08.12 Living in truth
12.08.12 Understanding and appreciating media
19.08.12 School Holidays - No Class
26.08.12 School Holidays - No Class

September

02.09.12 Called to justice
09.09.12 Review
16.09.12 Malaysia Day - No Class
23.09.12 EIP Planning
30.09.12 EIP Planning

October

07.10.12 EIP
14.10.12 EIP
21.10.12 EIP
28.10.12 Fellowship

Confirmation Schedule 2012 - Level 3

2012-01-04T01:58:00.000-08:00

January

08.01.12 Meeting with Parents, Sponsors and Candidates
15.01.12 Looking Back/Looking Forward
22.01.12 Chinese New Year Eve - No Class
29.01.12 Signs and Symbols of Confirmation

February

05.02.12 Prophet Muhammad's Birthday - No Class
12.02.12 Sacred Oils
19.02.12 Companions on A Journey
26.02.12 Celebrating Confirmation

March

04.03.12 Evangelisation - Sent Forth As Witnesses
11.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
18.03.12 School Holidays - No Class
25.03.12 LSS

April

01.04.12 Palm Sunday - No Class
08.04.12 Easter Sunday - No Class
15.04.12 LSS
22.04.12 LSS
29.04.12 LSS

May

06.05.12 LSS
13.05.12 LSS
20.05.12 Rehearsal for Confirmation
27.05.12 Proposed Date for Confirmation Mass

Faith Provides a Firm Foundation

2011-09-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

Benedict XVI says that ecumenism isn't an exercise in negotiation, in which benefits and drawbacks are weighed in search of a consensus. "A self-made faith is worthless," he says.

The Pope stated this today at an ecumenical celebration at the church of the former Augustinian Convent in Erfurt. The Holy Father visited the site, where Martin Luther lived for some years, on the second day of his four-day trip to Germany. He is in his homeland through Sunday.

He noted that prior to his visit, there was talk of "an 'ecumenical gift' which was expected from this visit."

The Pontiff clarified that such talk "reflects a political misreading of faith and of ecumenism."

He explained: "In general, when a Head of State visits a friendly country, contacts between the various parties take place beforehand to arrange one or more agreements between the two states: by weighing respective benefits and drawbacks a compromise is reached which in the end appears beneficial for both parties, so that a treaty can then be signed.

"But the faith of Christians does not rest on such a weighing of benefits and drawbacks. A self-made faith is worthless. Faith is not something we work out intellectually or negotiate between us. It is the foundation for our lives. Unity grows not by the weighing of benefits and drawbacks but only by entering ever more deeply into the faith in our thoughts and in our lives."

Unheard?

Benedict XVI offered a reflection on Christ's prayer for unity found in John 17.

"[Jesus] intercedes for coming generations of believers. He looks beyond the Upper Room, towards the future. He also prayed for us. And he prayed for our unity. This prayer of Jesus is not simply something from the past. He stands before the Father, for ever making intercession for us," he said.

The Pope then asked the searching question: "Did Jesus' prayer go unheard?"

"The history of Christianity is in some sense the visible element of this drama in which Christ strives and suffers with us human beings," he said. "Ever anew he must endure the rejection of unity, yet ever anew unity takes place with him and thus with the triune God."

The Holy Father invited his listeners to see both these things: human sin and God's triumphs.

"In an ecumenical gathering, we ought not only to regret our divisions and separations, but we should also give thanks to God for all the elements of unity which he has preserved for us and bestows on us ever anew," the Pontiff proposed. "And this gratitude must be at the same time a resolve not to lose, at a time of temptations and perils, the unity thus bestowed."

Needing God?

The Bishop of Rome also considered the question of if man needs God.

He suggested that in a first instance, it might appear that things can function without him. "But the more the world withdraws from God, the clearer it becomes that man, in his hubris of power, in his emptiness of heart and in his longing for satisfaction and happiness, increasingly loses his life.

"A thirst for the infinite is indelibly present in human beings. Man was created to have a relationship with God; we need him. Our primary ecumenical service at this hour must be to bear common witness to the presence of the living God and in this way to give the world the answer which it needs."

The seriousness of faith in God is shown by a commitment to man, the Pope proposed.

"We live at a time of uncertainty about what it means to be human. Ethics are being replaced by a calculation of consequences. In the face of this, we as Christians must defend the inviolable dignity of human beings from conception to death -- from issues of prenatal diagnosis to the question of euthanasia," he stated.

"Faith in God must take concrete form in a common defense of man," the Pope said, adding that this defense also includes love.

"God will judge us on how we respond to our neighbor," he said, and this is true not only as individuals but also as communities.

"Today," he said, "Christian love of neighbor also calls for commitment to justice throughout the world."

(extracted from Zenit, 23 Sept 2011)

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEXUALITY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

2011-09-11T00:44:00.000-07:00

1. Why does the Catholic Church have such a problem with sex?

Actually, the Church doesn't "have a problem with" sex. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a lot of beautiful, positive things to say about human sexuality.

It's just that the world can't accept the wisdom of Holy Mother Church when it comes to sexual issues (and many other issues as well). In many ways, it's the world which has the "problem" with sex, not the Church!

2.How does "the world" have a problem with sex?

Mother Church takes what we might call a "holistic" approach to human sexuality. She teaches that God intends for sex to involve the whole person, body and soul, in the context of a loving, committed relationship, for the sake of both bearing children and the mutual benefit of the spouses. The world, on the other hand, tries to have each of these elements separately; is seeks pleasure for pleasure's sake, union without procreation, physical satisfaction without spiritual benefit, intercourse outside of marriage. Thus the sexual experience it promotes is broken, fragmented, not whole.

Sexuality is like a beautiful vase which God created to bear the sacred flowers of human life. Our modern Western mentality shatters this precious vase into hundreds of pieces and then scrambles for the fragments. Not surprisingly, many people get badly wounded in the effort!

3.Why does the world do this?

This fragmentation of sexuality is only a symptom of a deeper fragmentation in the human psyche caused by original sin. God created humanity as a harmonious whole, body and spirit, in communion with the Creator and at peace with ourselves and all creation. But the disobedience of our first parents shattered this original harmony, setting flesh against spirit, man against woman, man and woman against nature and against God. Is it any wonder we ofter refer to our sinfulness as "brokenness"?

This brokenness extends to every aspect of our being, including our sexuality. Mother Church, in her Divine wisdom, sets before us an ideal of wholly integrated, harmonious sexuality in her moral teachings, not to "spoil our fun" but to prevent us from hurting ourselves by misusing God's sacred gift.

4.How could the Church have a positive attitude towards sex when most of its leaders don't get any?

The Cathoic Church is more than a mere human organization run by celibate males; she is the Mystical Body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit, her "Soul", speaks through her on matters of faith and morals. The Church's positive teaching on sexuality comes from the Spirit of God. If you want a good example of a celibate male who has a positive attitude toward human sexuality, I suggest you read the writings of Pope John Paul II. You may be pleasantly surprised by what he has to say.

5.Is sex a sacrament?

A sacrament is a visible sign, in symbol and ritual, which Jesus Christ established as a channel of his saving grace and a means of sanctifying the members of His Mystical Body. Mother Church recognizes seven Sacraments: Baptism, Penance, Holy Communion, Confimation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. Now, intercourse pertains to only one of the above, namely Matrimony - in which it plays an important role. Consider the following facts:

o The Church considers impotence an impediment to marriage, for an impotent man cannot consummate a marital union.

o If someone marries with the intention of withholding sex from his/her partner, this is considered grounds for an annulment.

o If a married person takes a vow of celibacy without the consent of his/her spouse, the Church considers this a mortal sin (based on I Corinthians 7:3-5)
So conjugal relations are clearly an important aspect of the Sacrament of Matrimony.

That being said, however, we must point out that marriage is much more than sex, and not all sex is conjugal. So the fact that marriage is a sacrament does not automatically make sex a sacrament.

(This is reminiscent of the peculiar anti-Catholic notion that the Church considers celibacy a sacrament because Latin Rite priests are generally required to be celibate. Those who hold this belief fail to consider that married men can have Holy Orders-permanent deacons and married Eastern Rite priests, for example-while nuns and lay brothers, though celibate, do not have Holy Orders!).

Now Mother Church teaches that the marital union is a sacred act, a renewal of the marriage covenant, and can be a source of grace and sanctification to the husband and wife if performed in a state of grace. So while not a sacrament, sex can transcend the mere physical act and become a "sacramental" reality, a created means of grace.

Perhaps this is what people are trying to express when they say that "sex is a sacrament".

6.Speaking of celibacy, if the Church thinks sex is so wonderful why does she tell priests and nuns not to do it?

Sex is good, but not the ultimate good. Since sex is a good thing, celibates are not giving up something bad, they are sacrificing something good for a higher good: the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ Himself approved of such a sacrifice: "There are eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him accept it who can" (Matthew 19:12). In I Corinthians 7:1, 8, 29-35, Saint Paul expresses his approval of voluntary celibacy for the kingdom. He says celibacy is a good thing (vvs 1 & 8) - not a bad thing-and that remaining unmarried allows one to focus ones attention entirely on God, without the distractions of a spouse and family.

7.But doesn't the Church consider virginity preferable to marriage?
Only because it is a greater sacrifice. Those who make a greater sacrifice for God will receive a higher reward. Yet marriage is a sacrament-a powerful means of grace-and celibacy is not. So married people receive a sacrament, while celibates do not(unless they have Holy Orders, but some married men can receive that too! Marriage is the one sacrament which a celibate person cannot receive).

8.I still don't see how a religion which holds celibacy in such high regard can have a positive view of sex.

Sex and virginity are not at war with each other; both coexist in the Catholic Church. Marriage and celibacy are two positive vocations; just because the latter is good does not make the former bad.

9.Haven't clerics thoughout the ages said negative things about sex?
Yes, but they were expressing personal opinions, not the official teaching of Holy Mother Church. The extent of their influence on the laity in these matters is also open to debate. Just because a scholar holds a certain opinion does not mean that the average man or woman in the pews agrees.

10.Don't Catholics belief that sex was the "original sin" of Adam and Eve?
Though some Catholics have believed that in the past and may still believe it now, it's just not the official teaching of the Church. The original sin was one of prideful disobedience to God's command, not lust. Pride is the worst sin of all, and the root of all sin.

11.What about the Catholic belief that children are stained with sin because their parents conceived them by having sex?

Again, that is not the teaching of Mother Church. Original sin consists of the consequences of the sin of Adam, namely, the lack of sanctifying grace in the soul and an inclination toward sin. It has nothing to do with the act which gave life to the child.

12.But the Church says that Catholics should not do it for fun, only for procreation.
This is another common misunderstanding. Procreation is the primary purpose of sexual intercourse, but not the sole purpose. The Church has always recognised the importance of marital love and mutual help (secondary purpose) and the legitimacy of spouses having relations to satisfy physical urges (tertiary purpose). As the Bible says, "It is better to marry than to burn" -I Corinthians 7:9.

13.How can you say procreation is the primary purpose of sex?

An objective look at the biological function of the sex act clearly shows that it produces offspring. Do we not refer to the sex organs as "The Reproductive System"? This is clearly the primarly purpose of intercourse. The Church, in stating this fact, does not deny the importance of love in the marital act.

Deitrich von Hildebrand, a twentieth century Catholic theologian, explained that procreation is the purpose of conjugal relations and mutual love is the meaning of conjugal relations. This is why the Church teaches that the procreative and unitive (mutual love) aspects of the marital act are both important, and not to be separated!

14.What about pleasure?

The pleasure of the marital act is a means to an end, not an end in itself. After the world fragments the sex act, it seizes the shards of pleasure first, as if that were the sole purpose of sex! In God's plan, the pleasure of the act is supposed to facilitate the unitive and procreative ends, not be an end itself. The Church teaches that it is perfectly lawful for a husband and wife to enjoy the pleasure of the marital act as they draw closer to one another and remain open to the procreation of human life.

15.Why does the Church allow Catholic couples to have relations only on Tuesday and Wednesday, but not the rest of the week?

That is not an official Church teaching, only a penitential practice often recommended to married couples by priests many years ago (I doubt anyone recommends it nowadays, but I could be wrong). Some priests used to tell couples to abstain from marital relations on Thursday in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, on Friday in honor of Christ's Passion, on Saturday in honor of the Mother of God, on Sunday in honor of the Blessed Trinity, and on Monday in honor of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
But Mother Church never officially required this of anyone.
Now it's not a bad practice; if a married couple wants to do that they certainly can. It falls within the provision of I Corinthians 7:5. But it's not required at all.

Growing in the Spirit

2011-08-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

I’m sure that most of us know that the Holy Spirit can help us live a good Christian life. Either that or we can make it difficult for it to work in our lives. St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians tells us that “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man” (cf Eph 3:14-16)

Paul was asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Christians in Ephesus. In the New Testament, we can see that the Holy Spirit is the key to victory over sin and to living a holy life. The Holy Spirit provides spiritual power for ministry and to help us understand the Bible. These are the few examples in which the Holy Spirit works through us. All of this can only happen when we are “walking in” or filled with” the Holy Spirit.

There are people in this world who think that the key to victory over sin is self punishment, doing penance and abstinence. This is essentially pre Vatican thinking. St. Paul himself tells us that the key to living a holy life as a Christian is to walk in the Spirit. As Christians, we are commanded to walk in the Spirit since the Spirit is already living in us. (Read Gal 5:25)

When we start to walk in the Spirit, we will not be constantly sinning, no one can escape sin but the Holy Spirit can help us to lessen it. Once we start to faithfully and constantly walk in the Spirit, we will grow in the Spirit and the fruits of it will also bloom.

On our own effort, we will not be able to live a good Christian life, that is why God gave us the Holy Spirit so that we can continuously grow and receive God’s grace. The Holy Spirit lives in us and will never leave us. Whether we let it do something in our lives is up to us. God gave us that choice.

How do we experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives? First and foremost, we need to respond to its promptings. We should try to listen to what the Spirit is trying to tell us, what is it that it wants us to do. We should obediently follow its lead.

The Spirit is the power source of our Christian life. We are empowered by it if we obediently respond by faith. This is a gradual process. We need to continually submit our attitude, actions, decisions and lives to the Spirit. (Read Rom 8:5) Obedience is always difficult, That is why we have to continually ask the Holy Spirit to help us to be obedient to its promptings. In this way, we will slowly grow. Some may say that “Oh, I have attended LSS and that is enough growth for me” LSS is only a means to recharge our spirit and to guide us to follow the Holy Spirit that is in us.

How then, do we respond to this Spirit that God gave us? First we have to acknowledge that we are not superman/woman, we have to be honest and tell ourselves that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives. The second one is to go for confession on a regular basis, twice a month is good enough. This will help us to gauge how much we have grown in the Spirit. And lastly, we need to commit our lives to the one who gave it to us, God. “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all things will be given unto you”

We may not be able to see our own growth. But no matter how difficult life is, we must never give up, we have to faithfully believe that we are growing, no matter how slow. Life is definitely challenging, without challenges, we will not be able to realise the power of the Spirit.

If we follow the wisdom of the Spirit, it will guide and protect us. It will never fail us.
- Philip

Roles and Responsibilities of Parents

2011-08-26T00:26:00.001-07:00

Parents should expect to:

• Worship with your families regularly

• Be actively involved in the Confirmation preparation of the candidate.

• Engage in discussions about the material being studied including sharing your understanding and perspective.

• Encourage your child to reflect and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

• Pray for your child’s spiritual growth every day.

• Support and encourage completion of assignments, activities and expectations.

• Emphasise the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the celebration of Confirmation.

• Assist in retreats, service work, meetings, classes, spiritual events and social events.

• Faithfully bring your teen (and when necessary yourself) to meetings, programs, and prayer services that are planned to help your child prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Confirmand's Parents

2011-08-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

“Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the opportune time.” (Can. 890).

“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. Through the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents’ have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (CCC #2223, #2225, and #2226, on the Role of the Parent).

As parents, you have the primary role in the sacramental preparation process for your child. You will help your child grow in the faith as you prepare him/her for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Your attendance at required events and Sunday Mass is important. In addition, your willingness, example, witness, and prayers make a difference in your child’s decision to receive the Sacrament.

As the primary educators of their children:parents are to be intimately involved in the catechesis for Confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children.

Because parents:

- Are the primary educators of their children.

- Are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life

- Serve as models for their child by being committed Christians

A PARENT MAY NOT BE A SPONSOR FOR THEIR OWN CHILD.

Requirements:

* Prepare your child for the decision to be confirmed through instruction, example, and prayer.

* Instill in your child the desire to continue their religious education.

* Assist your child in ensuring they attend all the Confirmation classes.

* Ensure your child attends the mandatory Confirmation Camp.

The Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation

2011-08-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

The Sacrament of Confirmation confers special graces of the Holy Spirit upon the person being confirmed, just as such graces were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost. Like Baptism, therefore, it can only be performed once, and Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:

•It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";

•It unites us more firmly to Christ;

•It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;

•It renders our bond with the Church more perfect;

•It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

Because Confirmation perfects our baptism, we are obliged to receive it "in due time." Any Catholic who did not receive Confirmation at baptism or as part of his religious education should contact a priest and arrange to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation

2011-08-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

Confirmation is the Sacrament in which one is enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to the Church. It strengthens us and obliges us to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It is the Sacrament in which one enters into full membership in the Catholic Church.

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives us the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply as children of God, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us to bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC #1316)

Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once. (CCC #1317)

A Christian does not live as a child of God through his or her own efforts alone, but through the grace of God. We see this in a practical way when we look back on our own lives and the lives of others, even the lives of saints. Therefore, it is our duty to seek the grace that God offers us in order to live our lives as Christians in the way that God intends.

The introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:
“…by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptised] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”

Confirmation Class Schedule 2011

2011-08-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

Level 2

28.08.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

04.09.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

11.09.11 Loving God & Loving others

18.09.11 Respecting and promoting life

25.09.11 Living in truth

02.10.11 Understanding & appreciating media

09.10.11 Called to justice

16.10.11 EIP Planning

23.10.11 EIP Planning

30.10.11 EIP

06.11.11 EIP

13.11.11 Fellowship

18.11.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

19.11.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

20.11.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

27.11.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

Level 1

28.08.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

04.09.11 NO CONFIRMATION SESSION

11.09.11 The Church serves the poor and the oppressed

18.09.11 PMR BREAK

25.09.11 PMR BREAK

02.10.11 PMR BREAk

09.10.11 PMR BREAK

16.10.11 The Church works for Unity with Other Christians

23.10.11 The Church dialogues with People of other faiths

30.10.11 The Church honours Mary

06.11.11 The Church honours the Saints

13.11.11 Fellowship

18.11.11 Level 1 Camp

19.11.11 Level 1 Camp

20.11.11 Level 1 Camp

Some references from Timothy Kwan

2010-03-30T16:34:00.001-07:00

Just thought I would share some Catholic resources on the internet
with you. Partly because I think it will be useful, and partly because
I promised to share these with some of you

Universalis - online Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office)
http://www.universalis.com/0800/readings.htm

If you would like to download the program into your mobile device or
create a weekly eBook for your own reading, then go to the main site
for more information:
http://www.universalis.com/Library/index.htm

Olive Tree Bible Reader for your mobile phone
http://www.olivetree.com/

Daily Reflections, from a Jesuit community. This is what I access from
my mobile phone and internet tablet for Sunday mass readings.
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings
http://www.mycatholic.com/reflections/

the WORD among us
http://wau.org/

God's Little Notes - Part 1

2010-02-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

These were just too good not to be shared......Have a great day everyone

EIP : Some words of wisdom from a wise woman

2009-10-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

My all time favourite person : Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (as I noticed in a book which I borrowed from the GYM)

"Someone once told me that not even for a million dollars would they touch a leper. I responded: "Neither would I. If it were a case of money, , I would not even do it for two million. On the other hand, I do it gladly for love of God."
Blessed Mother Teresa

A true essence of what EIP should be.

Amanda Andrew's Testimony on Maranatha Teens Retreat

2009-10-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Amanda is a facilitator of the Confirmation Ministry who was not so long ago a confirmation candidate - very much like most of you today. Here is her testimony for the Maranatha Teens Retreat which she attended in June this year. Hope it will encourage you to want to attend such retreats in future :

Amanda Andrew says…..

I attended a retreat in Maranatha in June this year. It was a wonderful experience. Let me tell you why.

At first I did not feel like going for this retreat because I thought I would not have friends and will be lonely. But I was wrong, I met so many new friends and they were all nice and friendly people.

I learned a lot from this retreat, even though it was just 2 days. I learnt to be more patient and calm when I have problems. I also learnt that I do not have to make a problem bigger than the Lord, all I have to do is just leave it to Him and it will be alright.

I learnt a lot also by listening to people’s sharing of their experiences. I have learnt how to make decisions in life. Now I know what I must make a priority in my life and what can wait. I enjoyed listening to Fr Larry’s sharing and the Sister from the Daughters of St Paul (what’s her name again?)

Finally, the most interesting thing in this retreat was the activities during the sessions. It was all fun. This was the best retreat I have ever been to! The place was nice, it was so calm and relaxing. The food was also good! Not forgetting all the presenters, they were also nice people. And their sharings taught me a lot. If I was asked to go for another retreat like this in Maranatha, I would certainly say YES!

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

2009-10-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here is some good reading on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2009-10-07

Today's sermon - at SIC - Fr. was sharing about Mary's humility and willingness to be used in the God's mission. How often were we called to serve and we refused. I have been guilty of that - especially when called to do wardening on Sunday or Saturday. I usually use the excuse of being tired.

Lord help me to not shirk in my service for you. Help me to always say yes to Your Will.

Martha or Mary : Luke 10: 38 - 42

2009-10-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

Image taken from: http://www.bible-art.info/images/GREENE_Nathan_Martha_and_Mary.jpg

I often found this Gospel appearing at the apt moment in my life. Lately, I have come to realise that I have always been a Martha - busying myself with my work, Confirmation Ministry and my prayer group and on rare occassion - the BEC. I rarely spent my time in prayer - prayer to me was usually a quick one in the car - not even on the whole journey to work - coz I have a colleague with me or sometimes as I lay on my pillow - exhausted from "Martha"-ring around the whole day. And now I find myself being burnt out.....:-(

So who do I turn to? Where I run for help? - Christ in the Holy Eucharist
This morning, I went for Mass and in the sermon, I believe this message was for me: God has given you 24 hours in a day. How many of that hours do you give back to him in prayer and meditation? 5 minutes? 20 minutes? or less? Are you not short changing Him? As I pondered on this I realised that in the 24 hours a day I have been giving more hours to my place of work and hardly made any time for my Lord and Redeemer. How could I have cheated Him?

I pray today Lord that everyday I will be "disturbed" in my work - so that I may find the peace I seek in you.

Level 2 : Exposure Immersion Programme

2009-10-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

We had a rather busy day last Sunday with our Exposure Immersion Programme (EIP) start-up. I was really pleased to note the enthusiasm among the candidates, parents and sponsors regarding the EIP. I believe there are many parents who on their own have made it a point to get their family involved in such activities even before attending our Confirmation Programme.

I would like to share with you my experience of EIP but not one which was part of the Confirmation Programme - like you do now - but this was organised by the prayer group where I was attending. This was when I started working. We were sent out in pairs to live with, for a few days, poor families. My friend, Anne and I stayed with an old indian couple in a squatter settlement in Batang Berjuntai. We went there by public transport - an old rickety bus - at that time there were no express busses like we do today. No air-con as well. We were met by the coordinator of a group who deals with social concerns of the community in Batang Berjuntai - not from the church but from an NGO. He took us to the house - made of wood, had a well from which we had to draw water from, had no electricity but depended on a generator at night. We met this old Indian couple - and not being able to speak Tamil, we conversed in Bahasa Malaysia.
One of the things I remember was the rice which they ate. It had a strange smell but not wanting to be rude, we ate it. Another thing was the other living creatures we encountered : a frog in the bathroom and since it was kinda dark we could not really see it until we entered the bathroom and was about to bathe. At night we slept on the floor in one of the rooms and as we looked up we saw a rat running across the panels of the wall. Good thing we had a bedsheet which we used to cover ourselves - from head to toe.
They had a television set but it was not on for long as they were using the generator. Also, we learnt how to draw water from the well. Now the best impact this visit had on me was - thereafter I never saw the need to be overly conscious or concerned with things that are not necessary in this life. Also, I learnt to be thankful for the many blessings I have received in my life.

Hope to be able to share more with you sometime. Once you have done your own EIP it would be good if you could write in to me or put a comment in this blog telling of your own testimony / experienve. A good sharing / testimony would be an encouragement to others who would need to hear it.

Make a wise choice ya?

Take care and God Bless.

Exam Blues !!

2009-10-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

Dearest Level 1 Candidates, ................especially those of you sitting for you PMR shortly.......getting nervous about the exam? Have faith la.....you are really blessed, you know.........coz besides your parents, family and friends praying for you, your facilitators are also praying for you, myself included of course, and in fact the whole Parish especially this weekend. I was really overjoyed to see many of you at Life Mass today and even going up in front for blessing.....Also happy to see the facilitators there as well......indeed I am sure our Lord will not forsake you.

Just to share my testimony about the power of prayer and intercessions when I was sitting for my SPM once upon a time.....(BTW you should get a copy of Word Among Us this month and read about intercessions)....the weekend before my SPM Bahasa Malaysia paper was my cousin's First Holy Communion in Penang. My family travelled all the way to Penang (and if I recall we did not have the North South Highway, back then) for the ocassion. On Sunday afternoon, before we left Penang, one of my uncle's uncle was told about me having taking the exam the next day. He then laid his hand on my head and prayed for me. I did not know anything about laying of hands or even had any idea about intercessions at that time. But what happened in the end was, I passed the Bahasa Malaysia paper with an average credit. This is one incident that I remember even today - the fact that someone prayed for me and the Lord was with me througout the exam and even after.

Don't forget to pray before leaving your house for the exam. And when you are trying to pray and there are disturbances, ask our Lord to remove the distractions. When, during the exam you are not able to answer / understand the questions, stop pray a while and then, continue.

Anyway.....all the best for the exams and know that we would lift you in prayer.

Amen

Being Thankful

2009-08-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

Our response when called

2009-07-31T22:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZDD2sVKaGA

Self Worship: The 'Sin of ME' - Catholic Online

2009-07-17T16:42:00.001-07:00

Self Worship: The 'Sin of ME' - Catholic Online

Shared via AddThis

I Shall Not Flunk!Discovering the true meaning of excellence

2009-06-05T01:23:00.000-07:00

I Shall Not Flunk!Discovering the true meaning of excellence
Host:LifeTeen SFX
Type:Education - Workshop
Network:Malaysia
Date:06 June 2009
Time:20:00 - 22:00
Location:Gonzaga Youth Ministries (GYM)
Street:Jalan Gasing
Town/City:Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Email:lifeteensfx@yahoo.com
Description:
PMR, SPM, STPM, Argh!Crunch time approaches, and moments of last-minute studying, late-night mugging, extra classes and special 'seminars' are about to take over our student lives.But how does God fit into this whole mess of past year questions, flipping notes and highlighted key points?Join us this Saturday, 6 June 2009 for a night of tips, tricks and advice to calm the nerves and soothe our stresses as we explore more about our Great Comforter.See you there, leave the books at home!

Pentecost Vigil

2009-05-28T03:07:00.000-07:00

2009-05-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-08T05:20:00.001-07:00

I pray this prayer for all mothers in the Confirmation Ministry - facilitators who are mothers, facilitators who "mother" the candidates though they may not have children of their own, and mothers of all the candidates.........you are all very special even and especially when times appreciation seem to be absent......
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb.You have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for all Your children.Watch over every mother who is with child, strengthen her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and for her unborn baby. Give her courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Grant her joy in the birth of her child.To mothers You have given the great privilege and responsibility of being a child's first teacher and spiritual guide. Grant that all mothers may worthily foster the faith of their children, following the example of Mary, Elizabeth, and other holy women who follow Christ. Help mothers to grow daily in knowledge and understanding of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant them the wisdom to impart this knowledge faithfully to their children, and to all who depend upon them.Assist all "spiritual mothers", those who, though they may have no children of their own, nevertheless selflessly care for the children of others -- of every age and state in life. Grant that they may know the joy of fulfilling this motherly calling of women, whether in teaching, nursing, religious life, or in other work which recognizes and fosters the true dignity of every human being created in Your image and likeness.We beseech You to send Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to all mothers who sorrow for children that have died, are ill or estranged from their families, or who are in trouble or danger of any kind. Help grieving mothers to rely on Your tender mercy and fatherly love for all your children.We ask your blessing on all those to whom You have entrusted motherhood. May Your Holy Spirit constantly inspire and strengthen them. May they ever follow the example of Mary, mother of Our Lord, and imitate her fidelity, her humility, and her self-giving love. May all mothers receive Your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in Your presence in the life to come.We ask this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. AMEN.

Humility

2009-05-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

A word we may have heard over and over again......its meaning understood in different ways - like someone in my group shared - a different perspective to a different person.....When I read this in my sister's office, it left me to think .....how have I understood / practiced humility all this while? Was humility to me merely "being modest or pretending to be modest about compliments, etc"? I guess my limited understanding has left me blinded / narrow-minded in a certain way. While reading this may seem interesting, putting into practice is a totally different ball game altogether.

Mother Teresa gave these rules to her Sisters to help them develop the virtue of humility:
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity.
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Accept injuries and insults.
12. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
13. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
14. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
15. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
16. Always choose the more difficult task.

Have a blessed week.......:-)
God Bless.

Looking Back, Moving Forward (LBMF)

2009-04-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

It's our first LBMF session -for both Level 1 and Level 2. For those who are not sure about this, it is that time when we, "stop, look, and go" - stop from the normal delivery sessions, look back at all that was covered (and hopefully gained) - reflecting on it as well, and go - moving on to what we can do to put our faith in action (if we had not already done so). In more practical terms, I invite each of you to go through the sessions we have had and see how the session/s has/have made an impact in your life. It need not be a really "huge" difference / impact - like water changing into wine - but I am sure if we allowed the God's Spirit to lead us, some form of transformation would have taken place and we would have been able to recognise it. Now is the time to acknowledge it. So, at the very least, prepare an A-4 size presentation / document to illustrate this.

We are planning to have 3 of such sessions - this being the first - so in this session, this Sunday - 3 May - we can share in our own small groups. For those in Level 1 who may have poor memory like me here are the list of topics that were covered since Jan 2009.

We Answer God’s Call
Revelation and Response
Sacrifice and Promise
Piety and Prayer
Covenant and Commitment
We Ask God’s Forgiveness
We Can Choose What is Good
We Celebrate God’s Forgiveness
We say We are Sorry
We think about our Choices

For Level 2: The sessions were as follows:

Introduction to precepts of the church (4 marks of RC)
The church is One in unity
The church is Holy
The Church is catholic
The church is Apostolic
Roman catholicism -Understanding Liturgy
Roman Catholicism Wisdom of RC
Roman Catholicism - Worship of RC

Hope we are able to give some input......on Sunday.

Testimony on Letting Go and Letting God

2009-04-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Just couldn't wait to share my testimony with you all on what happened today.........Over the month we, my colleagues and I, have been very busy preparing for 3-day visit from the National Accreditation Body.....on my part I was supposed to prepare by reading up on the documents that were produced and submitted....it was a lot like....and in fact worse than ......preparing for a major exam cause a lot of justification is needed........My personal challenge was in answering questions verbally, ad-hoc, without making a fool of myself, or messing up by saying the wrong thing and practically shooting myself in the foot......Today's session was meant to be even more challenging because of the smaller group which means more chances of being asked questions......anyway, this morning I woke up at 4.30 am......hoping to read the documents...but around 5.30 am I was, I believe led by the Spirit, to attend Mass - one was to pray for the my challenge today and the other was to pray for some people who had asked me to pray for them and to pray for my cousin celebrating her birthday. Without completing my reading, I went to church and then to work and attended the meeting. Praise the good Lord, there were hardly any difficult questions - at least all that I had feared did not happen....so ......Trust in the Lord......Seek Him at all times...........

Getting the most of a sermon / homily

2009-04-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

What a memorable Sunday it was - very apt message from the Word of God followed by a very powerful homily - at a most appropriate occassion - the Rite of Calling for the Level 1 candidates. If you had missed the homily and / or would like to reflect further - which I would strongly encourage all of you to do - here is the link.........

http://homiliesofajesuit.blogspot.com/

Charismatic Youth Rally

2009-04-15T09:25:00.001-07:00

" You Are My Witnesses"
Diocesan Service Team of Kuala Lumpur will be organizing a Charismatic Youth Rally. The Most Hip Rally Ever!!
Date/Time: 25th (8am-7pm) & 26th (9am-7pm) April 09Venue: Stella Maris Community Centre @ St. Annes, Port KlangRegistration Fee: RM 30Registration Closing Date: 19th April 2009It is not a stay-in Rally, but accommodation at Foster Homes can be arranged.
Featuring speakers from all over Malaysia:Rev. Michael Raymond, OFM Cap Rev. Christopher Wilvaraj Rev. Surain Durai Raj Rev. V.A. Michael Dr. Patricia Martinez Dr. Steven Selvaraju Mr. Mervin Ratnasingam Mr. Damian Prakash Mr. Vincent Nathan Mr. Eddy Dorai
Featuring Gospel Bands of Malaysia:Blood RedemptionChristian Youth Musician Network (CYMN)Prodigal Apostles
There will also be a..Praise & Worship Concert on the 25th @ 8pm. Open To Everyone and it's FREE!

The Empty Tomb

2009-04-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

While preparing for a P&W session yesterday I came across this article in the Word Among Us about The Empty Tomb and began to reflect on this.
On Easter Sunday, amidst preparing for lunch - with all the meat dishes etc, I was just thinking about the "lenten plans" I had made before Ash Wednesday. Initially on the top of my list was fasting - so I began with Ash Wednesday, of course. That did not last so long.......by day 2 or 3 I was already getting symptoms of gastric pains - I think. Then I decided to just stick to abstaining from meat / fish. Not too bad but there were days when I did not abstain .......well so much for that.....but the greatest challenge was to abstain from passing remarks and being sacarstic or gossiping. .......a whole lot of plans made for lent - including wanting to attend morning / evening mass everyday.......now...on Easter Sunday I realised how I had fallen short of my lenten observances......regretting....but after reflecting on "The Empty Tomb" I realised that our ever Compassionate and Loving Father had forgiven me but I had not forgiven myself. I was still seeking comfort looking in the empty tomb instead of recognising that the risen Lord was all I needed. He was waiting outside the tomb - in the light to receive me yet I was still heading into the dark tomb to seek Him.

Spend some time reading the article and reflecting on it - you can access it on http://wau.org/resources/article/re_easter_sunday

Blessed Easter

2009-04-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

The fasting is over .....the feasting has begun......
Our desert time is over, it is time to await for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
19th April is a really special Sunday for us all.
1 - It is the feast of the Divine Mercy.I believe you have all heard of the Church of Divine Mercy in Shah Alam. It would be good if you could find some time to attend mass there during the week or even on Saturday. Here is the schedule.
2 - For Level 1 Candidates of Confirmation (2009/2011) it would be a special day for you as we present you to the parish priest and congregation of SFX at the 8.30 am Mass on Sunday, 19th April 2009. Please be in church by 8 am and meet at the porch. Please dress in your Sunday best. Your sponsors are to be present as well but if they are not able to make it, please ask your parents to stand-in for them.
3 - Also, for Level 1 Candidates of Confirmation (2009/2011) we would now have our sessions at the Church Basement Carpark. The place will be cordoned off especially for you. We need you to be there immediately after mass to help set up - at least to arrange your own chairs.

Please find attached a link to a blog on reflections of a cradle catholic.......May be interesting reading.........

Have a blessed Holy Week

2009-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

I received this from our PPC Chairman - and find it so true so I wish to share this with you all....

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

HOW TO STAY JOYFUL

Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!
Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches)
Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
Enjoy the simple things.
Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.I love you, my special friend.
Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Are we Spectators or Participants?

2009-04-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is something interesting which I received from Rachel Wong - the CC of RCIA.

I hadnt realised there that were that many spectators and participants in the Passion reading today including the young man who left his linen cloth and ran away naked...it is said that he was St Mark who inserted himself into the scene..

Hmmm.. if I had to insert myself into the scene, I was wondering which character would I be ...

Here is a short but lovely reflection by a Dominican brother.

Have a prayerful and blessed Holy Week.

Rachael
*********************************************************************************************
SPECTATORS OR PARTICIPANTS

At the beginning of Lent it seems that there are things we can do, fasting, praying and almsgiving, practical works of asceticism and charity, in order to participate in what the Lenten season is about. A few weeks in, though, the liturgy begins to direct our focus away from ourselves and on to Christ, in particular by relating him to many Old Testament figures - Jonah, Jeremiah, Susanna, Moses - prophets or innocent sufferers whose experience and mission anticipate those of Jesus. By the time we get to Holy Week it can seem that all that is asked of us is to be spectators, no longer participants, onlookers amazed at the glory that is being unveiled.

And yet it seems impossible to remain purely a spectator. Some of the less central figures in Mark's account of the passion show this in different ways. The woman whose love leads her to anoint Jesus scandalises by her extravagance and yet is praised by Jesus for her way of participating in his paschal mystery. Her symbolic action, he says, will be told in remembrance of her wherever the gospel is preached. A bystander in Gethsemane is moved to cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, thinking that perhaps this is a way to be helpful. His action is only implicitly rejected by Jesus (explicitly so in Matthew's and Luke's accounts). Is this bystander the young man who then runs away naked (Mark 14:52)? This is a strange verse, almost surreal, perhaps intended to make us think of Amos 2:16, 'those who are stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked on that day, says the Lord'.

Simon of Cyrene is forced to participate, helping Jesus to carry the cross. He becomes a living parable, then, of the teaching of Jesus that it is only those who take up the cross and follow him who can be his disciples. Mark alone mentions Simon's sons Alexander and Rufus, a personal detail perhaps to help his readers identify a family known to them, who could no longer be counted simply as bystanders and onlookers to the passion of Christ but had become sharers in it. The centurion too seems to have something forced from him as he witnesses the death of Jesus, a sudden expression of faith that echoes the voice of the Father at the baptism and the transfiguration: 'truly this man was the Son of God' (Mark 15:39).

We may feel that in Holy Week we are invited to be bystanders and spectators only but it is impossible to remain neutral about these events. It is impossible to remain indifferent about what was done to this man (if only to include Him with all the many millions of innocent people whose suffering cries out for justice). If we hang around and watch this drama unfold and allow it to touch our humanity we will find ourselves drawn to get involved as His love evokes our love and His obedience evokes our faith.

Palm Sunday Procession

2009-04-04T06:36:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning hope to see members of the Confirmation Ministry - candidates and facilitators between 8 - 8.15 am at the Church porch for the Palm Sunday Procession. FYI we will be right behind the queue - after all the BECs under the banner of the Parish Groups. After the procession is Mass but you are not required to sit together during Mass. Also, gentle reminder - we do not have Confirmation session tomorrow. Oh by the way please do not forget to bring your own palms.

God bless and see you tomorrow.

Check out our newly renovated church

2009-04-01T02:44:00.001-07:00

Check out our newly renovated church .....really beautiful.....
http://sfxpjphotos.blogspot.com/

BTW we really need "youth-power" to assist in the cleaning up and moving back into the church. If you can, please call Linda at the GYM to find out how you can be of help.

FYI the part of the church basement would be cordoned off permanently for our coming classes. This is what the parish is sacrificing for us..........ask not only what can the parish / parish priest do for us but now ask yourselves, "What can I do for my parish?" Remember by attending your Confirmation classes in SFX you are already part of this parish. What is your response? Where is your faith in action?

I encourage all of you - candidates, parents, sponsors and facilitators alike, to be part of the parish.

Just to share with you.....

2009-03-31T19:17:00.001-07:00

I found this beautiful....enjoy

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ff56e049d61da730b3e1&utm_source=newsletter330&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos

Upcoming Events

2009-03-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Candidates of Confirmation / Facilitators,

Please take note of the following events:

Moving Back
4th April - We will be moving back to the church. From 2nd April - 4th April please make yourselves available to assist in moving and cleaning of our very own newly renovated church. If we do not help, ........who else is expected to do this for us?
Look out for more announcements.

Palm Sunday
5th April - 8.30 am Palm Sunday Procession followed by Mass
All candidates (Level 1 and Level 2) are invited to be part of the parish and join the procession. Please be in church latest by 8 am and meet in the porch. Look out for the banner or for your respective facilitators.

Chrism Mass

7th April - 7.30 pm - This is the first time our parish is organising the Chrism Mass. For further information on Chrism Mass, pick up a leaflet from the rack that has a write up on it.

Maundy Thursday

9th April - 8.00 pm - It is the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Silent adoration will follow thereafter until midnight.

Good Friday

Stations of the Cross - 11.00 am
Service of the Lord's Passion - 3.00 pm, 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm
Tenebrae - 10.15 pm

Holy Saturday

Divine Office - 9.00 am
Easter Vigil Mass - 7 pm and 11.30 pm

Easter Sunday

9.00 am and 11.30 am

Rite of Calling

19th April - 8.30 am - This is for the Level 1 confirmation candidates. Please be in church by 8 am with your sponsors, dress appropriately and wear your name tags. Confirmation Sessions would be on as usual at 10 am. Bring your own breakfast.