The Journey of Faith

After the opening day where we had fun, it was time for the inquirers to have their first session: building the relationship with God on faith. The sponsors invited Brother Gabriel to conduct the session and he shared with us many stories that helped us to understand the concept of faith. Faith is a never ending journey.

"Faith is something that we cannot see, touch, smell, hear or taste; it is what we believe in." 

After which, we broke into our sharing groups and discussed the following questions: 
For Catholics,  
1. What is faith to me?
2. How has it changed my life?

For Inquirers:
1. What kind of faith will you like to have or hope to have?   

Session closed off with a prayer and most of us proceed to Mass. 

"Dear Lord, we thank You for bringing us to You through the RCIY. As we continue this journey of faith with You, allow us to experience Your presence whenever we offer our prayers to You. Please continue to watch over us as we welcome the coming week with an open heart and grant us Your wisdom and patience for those who are having their exams and in work. I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen."

 

RCIY Opening Day!

4 May: RCIY Opening Day

It was the day we start our new process of sharing God's love and words. Some of the inquirers were so excited about the new process that they arrived at the church before the notified time of 230pm! Well done! 

In the 2 hours we got to spend with each other, everyone got really comfortable with each other and had so much fun. During the games, the inquirers were so enthusiastic that they were so steady in the forfeits! From Who is the celebrity to Hunter-fire-earthquake to Human Bingo to the MRT game, the atmosphere became lighter, friendlier and warmer. These games helped us to know one another better, to remember one another's names and of course to break off the awkwardness among all of us. For this, we thank You, O Lord, for guiding Brandon (our games IC) through the preparation of the games, allowing him to come up with such fun and meaningful games so as to help us know each other better. 

Iris, our coordinator, giving a warm welcome to the inquirers.

Father Kenny, our Spiritual Director, explains what RCIY is.

Daryl, our other coordinator, gives an overview of the bus-stops of RCIY.

First game: Who is the celebrity?

Second game: Hunter, fire, earthquake!

Third game: Human Bingo

Fourth game: MRT game

Lastly, we had our sharing session. We broke into small groups and introduced ourselves, wrote down things that the inquirers already knew about the Catholic faith and what they would like to know through this process of RCIY. 

Iris explains what sharing is.

Closing off with a prayer, the opening day had come to an end. Most of us went for mass together and I'm glad that this day started well good and I hope that there will be more memories to come (: 

"Heavenly Father, as this entry comes to an end, I thank You for gathering all the inquirers together on that day and allowing us to experience Your presence through our interactions with one another. As we look forward to the future sessions and camps, please continue to watch over us, fill us with Your wisdom, love and patience. And so I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen."

You and I can make a difference!

If each grain of sand were to say :
One grain does not make a mountain,
There would be no land.

If each drop of water were to say :
One drop does not make an ocean,
There would be no sea.

If each note of music were to say :
Each note does not make a symphony,
There would be no melody.

If each word were to say :
One word does not make a library,
There would be no book.

If each brick were to say :
One brick does not make a wall,
There would be no house.

If each seed were to say :
One seed does not make a field,
There would be no harvest.

If each of us were to say :
One person does not make the difference,
There would never be love and peace on earth.

You and I do make the difference.

Begin today and make the difference.

~ Author Unknown ~

No Time!

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came,
I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'

God's Promise

"God has not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain
joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,
rest for labor, light for the way,
grace for trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love."

Lyrics to Everybody Said (But Nobody Did) :

Chorus:
Everybody said that anybody could do
The important things somebody should do
Everybody knows that anybody could do
All the good things that nobody did

Well the preacher came to me and said what I ought to do
If I wanted to make my religion true
He'd do it himself but he really didn't have the time
He said that the duty was mine

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Well the deacon came by and said give me a hand
If you want to be going to the promised land
Here is something that I don't have time to do
So I better give it to you

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Well I'm too busy so I tell everybody
The work's got to get done by somebody
It could be done by anybody
But nobody, nobody, nobody did

Repeat Chorus (x2)

All the good things that nobody did (x2)

Scriptural Reference:
"The Lord has assigned to each his task." 1 Corinthians 3:5

BULLDOGS AND POODLES

BULLDOGS AND POODLES

The story's told of a bulldog and a poodle who were arguing one day. The bulldog was making fun of the poodle, calling him a weak little runt who couldn't do anything. The bulldog said, "I challenge you to a contest. Let's see who can open the back door of their house the fastest and get inside." The bulldog was thinking he would turn the doorknob with his powerful jaws,
while the poodle was too small to even reach the knob of his back door. But to the bulldog's surprise the poodle said, "I can get inside my house faster than you can. I accept the challenge."

So with the poodle watching, the bulldog ran to the back door of his house and jumped up to the doorknob. He got his teeth and paws around it and tried to turn it, but he couldn't get enough grip on the knob to do it, so he finally quit in exhaustion. Now it was the poodle's turn. He just did what he'd been doing every day for the last several years. He went up to the door and scratched a couple of times, then waited patiently. Within a few seconds his master not only opened the door, but picked him up in his arms, patted him on the head affectionately and carried him inside.

The difference was in the relationship. Some of us are bulldog Christians. It's all grunting, growling and trying to please God. While all God asks us to do is, "Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you."

Juliet's Touching affirmation

Sigh, it's so ironic that my first post is going to be copied from someone's email......


Hmm... I was thinking that I'm gonna write an affirmation email this morning once I reach the office. But Steven was faster than me!! And yeah lah Steven, it was an attempt to touch your sexy back... you realised liao can don't say out so loudly in public? I'm very shy one leh... *blushex*

Anyway, just to share some thoughts with everyone else... was actually quite unsure about going for the retreat because although there are quite a number of familiar faces, but there's still a sense of unfamiliarity and I was apprehensive because I wasn't sure if I could "blend" in.But thanks Bernard, on the very first night, when we did the Mandala, he turned around to me to invite me to sprawl between him and Elaine just by opening up a space, patting it and saying simply, "Eh! Togetherly!" . To Elaine for inviting me to supper (because I was too shy to invite myself). I realised that this is a group that accepts and invites.

Thanks Elaine, Joy, Greg for listening to my sharing of my dad's conversion story, to Joy, Greg, Ilona and Jiazheng for listening to my job ethics dilemma story. To everyone who listened attentively and supportively as I shared and cried at the same time on the second night (argh... totally unglam!~). I could really sense the silent support. And thanks to Eric Tan who approached me to affirm me and give me his two cents after my sharing. I realised that this is a group that listens and supports.

Thanks to Kevin who checked with me on the first night if I feel alright and inviting me to speak to him if I want to after the retreat. To Steven who suggested buying Mutabak back for me (don't worry, I felt alright hanging out with two pairs of lovebirds! we had fun too! haha!) and Freddie who try to ignore his cigar calls because "Don't smoke lah... if not Juliet will feel very left out leh!" and he with Bernard who reminded me that I should sleep if I'm tired because I may not be used to being a night owl like they do during our overnight Bridge. I realised that this group is sensitive and cares for the feelings of others.

Thanks to Joy, Elaine, Steven, Dennis, Thaddeus for your sincere sharing about your labyrinth walk. Your sharing were particularly meaningful to me (hey Joy, your sharing in particular, made me more appreciative of my mum's love for me, thanks!). I realised that this is a group that trusts (us with your deep sharing).

Thanks Eric Tan for sharing the salad because he knows I also miss my vegs, for sharing the roti john with me because I probably can't finish it, thanks Elaine for sharing Milo with me when there weren't enough cups. I realised that this is a group that shares.

Thanks Steven, Eric, Ignatius, Michelle, Freddie, Dennis, Bernard, Elaine for the Bridge sessions. Bridge is my archilles' heel lahh... cannot resist one, so thanks for playing with me. I realised this is a group that plays together.

Thanks Eric Sng and Michelle for your sincere sharing about not being able to open up easily and why you've been away for a while (respectively) . We all take time to grow, just allow God to mould you in His time. I realised this is a group that's true and honest.

Thanks Greg, Ignatius and Eric Tan for being our "official resident drivers". You didn't have to, but you did. And double thanks to Ignatius who initiated driving me back because he remembered I've once mentioned I stay near him. I realised this is a generous group.

Thanks Thaddeus for your very lame milk-joke that made Elaine laugh like mad and Freddie for your many many jokes (even you falling asleep in Mass can be so tickling!). Greg and Elaine for the oreo-condense milk concoction for Iggy and Steven for your multi-layered present for him and "guess-the-present" clues. I realised this is a group that has a sense of humour.

Thanks Eric Sng for suggesting the counting of the tiles for the perfect square that we've to create and the insights that you mentioned about the pentagram (can sense Steven's tensed feelings ease immediately! ). To Greg and Steven who shared what made them love their jobs (I feel damn inspired!). I realised this is a group that shares knowledge and experiences readily.

Thanks Steven for the previous email of affirmation and Elaine for sharing that she appreciates my support during the walk in the park. I strongly believe that affirmation helps an individual grow and it is the input that we all need to walk another extra mile for another person the next time. It's free and super powerful fuel basically! I realised this is a group that affirms.

There are probably many many other incidents from the retreat that are significant to me but I don't want to bore everyone with a too-long email (considering this is my first post on this yahoo group, I'm not usually so lo so one, ok?). I really really appreciate every act, big or small, that reflects wonderful traits and values that are shining through in the group.

To end off, I'd also want to thank everyone for letting me know that my desire and struggle to build a relationship with God is not isolated - it's really great to know that we all share the common desire to walk closer with Him, no matter how tough it may be sometimes. But team, I'd like to point out that, even if God still doesn't seem THAT present/tangible to you during this retreat, perhaps you'll like to walk through the retreat in your mind again, think about your many interactions with everyone, and then perhaps, like me, you'll see a piece of Jesus in each fellow sponsor's face too.

-Jul

Ignatius' 20th Birthday!

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP

We have recently created a new group in Facebook.

If you haven't joined yet, then quickly log on to look for it!!

Group title: RCIY, Catholic Church of Christ the King

Fr. Robertus' Farewell

A few days ago, I was sending out my usual mass sms wanting to make sure that all the sponsors remember that there was a meeting the coming Sunday. I was really excited because we were doing our farewell for Fr. Robert and it was also the last time we were going to see Gerald before he comes back from Thailand.

Even more exciting was that Steven would be joining us for meeting. It was almost depressing to get negative responses and the next thing I know, I was writing down the names of the sponsors we have and who will not turn up and who has not responded. I counted over and over again. I was afraid that if there were only the very few of us, then how would Steven think of us? Would he reconsider his decision to join us? Should Fr. Robert see that there were only so few of us, would he be unhappy or disappointed? I told Joy that "Today feels so gloomy."

I wanted to make sure that even though not many will be there, we would have food as promised. I called up Canadian Pizza and placed an advance order making a mental note to not over-order.

I woke up this morning feeling scared when I saw Bernard's sms saying he might not turn up. I must have called Iggy and Freddie a million times because I was afraid that they were going to oversleep. Something told me to stop and to surrender all my fears and anxiety to God. I said a short prayer asking that if it is God's will, may they be present at the meeting. Not only were they all at the meeting, Freddie made it to mass. I left the room to get Fr.'s present and came back to a bustling room. I was so touched by everyone's presence and then more people started to come in.

We did more than to meet this time. We shared. I believe that many of us, as we shared and listen to each other's sharing, there's this warm tingly feeling in our hearts because we remember that we are all significant and vital parts to this community that we have built and through the support of one another, we stand strong and ask that God continues to use us as his instruments to bring the Good News and Good Lord to his chosen ones.

Dear friends, what I am sharing is that, when we let go and let God be in control, He will not forsake us. Instead, He will bless us aplenty and continue to love us unconditionally. Like Joy has shared, our purpose to love is something that's struck me in Fr. William's teaching last week and I'm learning to see Christ in everyone and to love. It is definitely not easy. But I really do love you all! One day, I wish that this love we share will be our instrument of evangelism with non-believers looking at us and go, "see how they love one another."

I hope that you all had an enriching afternoon as I did. (:


With many love.

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My dearest friend

I want to personally invite you to COME for the Day of Recollection to be held in My Church.

I will bring you into this day a Spiritual Banquet you will not easily forget. Close to My Heart, you will meditate upon all the Graces your heart has received, and a deep Peace will accompany your soul. I want the eyes of your soul to be always fixed on My Holy Will. This is the 'Way' that you will delight Me most. No sacrifice can be compared to this. Throughout all the exercises and what you will hear, you will remain close to My Heart. The priest who will preach during the retreat will inspire you and lead you to Me.

I want you to know of your goodness and encourage you to Trust in Me. I Love you as you are and will grant you Graces and Strength to help you overcome the world and enter into a Loving Relationship with Me forever.
I hope you will accept My Invitation and come away with My many other beloved friends to experience Me, My Father, My Spirit and My Mother. Yes, We long for you and want to share Our Gift of Life with you.

I have told you; "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; No man can come to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

So sign up and come, I long for you and I look forward to see you.

Your Forever Friend,

Jesus.

PARISH DAY OF RECOLLECTION

By Fr William Goh
Theme: “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life”
Date: Sunday, 20 July 2008
Time: 1:30pm
Venue: Church

Programme Highlights:• Praise and Worship• Spiritual Input• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Healing Service, Confession and Eucharistic Celebration

Jesus is inviting you to spend an afternoon with Him? What is your answer to Him?

Registration forms are also available at the parish office or the booths in front and at the back foyer of the church during the weekend Masses.

Dear all neophytes,

It's been almost 2 weeks since your Baptism. Mystagogia Sessions begins this Sunday, 13th April 2008. Class will most probably be from 11am - 1pm. I'm still trying to get the room available.

Please bring along $10 for a CD copy of your Baptism Photos.

I'm paying the photographer this Sunday.

Pls inform your personal sponsor if you are not able to make it. Or you can sms me too!!