EIP : Some words of wisdom from a wise woman

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

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

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

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

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 !!

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

Our response when called

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

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

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

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I Shall Not Flunk!Discovering the true meaning of excellence

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

Happy Mother's Day

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

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)

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.

1. We Answer God’s Call
   Revelation and Response
   Sacrifice and Promise
   Piety and Prayer
   Covenant and Commitment
2. 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

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

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

" 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

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

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

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

1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches)
3. 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!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.I love you, my special friend.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
12. 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?

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

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

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.....

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

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.