Wednesday 28 February 2007

LENT 1

TODAY'S FLAVOURS

Ashes To Ashes
It was a funny feeling to see the same people who queue up to receive the host now queue up to be marked with ash. We Singaporeans queue for all sorts of things: good food, bargains and freebies and lottery tickets. But ash? I would not even queue up to kiss the cross on Good Friday. It is, after all, unhygienic.

On that Ash Wednesday, however, I got off my butt, slid along the pew and joined the queue after having abstained from it for years. Little wonder that on reaching home, the lady of the house asked whether I just attended a Hindu wedding.

Later in the evening while preparing for the class later in the week, I noted the gospel reading on the first Sunday of Lent was the temptation of Jesus.

Luke records that the Adversary tempted Jesus continuously for 40 days. But on the last day of his desert sojourn, he delivered the most deadly salvo. Catching Jesus when he probably rather dried out, wind swept, hungry and exhausted, the Adversary called Jesus to account for his acclaimed sonship of God by doing miraculous signs. That was a master stroke. The last thing you need after completing a 40-day fast in the desert is someone to come and tell you that you were not good enough and hound you to prove yourself.

It occurred to me that the trying temptation was an apt exercise for the inauguration of Jesus’ public ministry. It brought him up close and personal with the personal battles the people, as we do, fought each day that he was always ready to forgive. It gave him insight into the desires and needs the people had, as we have, each day that he hastened to comfort us that his Father will provide plentifully. It filled him with compassion about how little the people knew God, as we do, that his first act was not to do miracles but to preach the good news of salvation.

What is ash on the head but to remind us of our mortality and also of our salvation in Jesus. From earth I came and to earth I will return, but my spirit would not be bound by my remains. If Jesus has resisted the very fundamental temptation of putting his personal ego before all else and to prove himself to others, and for that had won the favour of God, then he had understood me perfectly.

Resting in this knowledge, I can then go about God’s work to the best of my ability trusting in his providence. And if I should falter in the process, I can trust in his forgiveness. That gives me strength to forge ahead fearlessly.

How blessed indeed are the disciples of Christ.

-Contributed by Francis Ow, 26 Feb 2007



TOPPINGS

This poem isn't obviously 'God' but I like it and chose it because it is a call to action. Quite like how Jesus was called to action and quite like how the catechists have been called to action. Perhaps more so now that it is Lent. Importantly too, this call to action signifies Hope. May we be inspired to inspire.

-A personal comment contributed by Michelle Goh – 25 Feb 2007

O Me! O Life!
O Me! O Life!O ME! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself,
(for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d; Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer:
That you are here
that life exists, and identity;

That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.

-Walt Whitman (1819–1892), published in 'Leaves of Grass', 1900.




EXTRA GOODIES

Flicks for Lent
Simon Birch (1998)
(Click the above link for more!)

This movie really touched and inspired me. It reminds me that even the smallest, weakest and unlikeliest person has a place in God’s plan. Bittersweet yet funny, it harks back to a more laidback time and centers on the friendship of two boys on the brink of puberty - with all its requisite emotional confusion.

Don’t forget your tissue.

- Liesl M., 26 Feb 2007. Not meant to promote nor critique the film.



COMING SOON...

1. Formation 1 (Workshop)
Sunday, March 11 2007
Time: 2pm - 5 pm
Venue: Holy Family Church 4th Floor Canteen
Activity: Group Dynamics
Aim: Instill group bonding by level
Theme:
"Myself: My gift to this Ministry"

by Sr. Francesca Tan (Cenacle Sisters)

Dear Catechists, come and learn practical ways on serving gladly!
(For further details, check out the Letter from the Formation Committee on 27 Feb)


2. Formation 2 (Prayer Meet)
What is a Sedar Meal?
Watch this spot for more sumptuous enlightenment!


3. Parish Assembly
Sunday, March 25 2007
Time: 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Venue: Singapore Swimming Club (Tanjong Rhu Road)
Want to know what has been happening in your parish of Holy Family?
Want to know how you can make a difference in your parish?
Take part in the Parish Assembly!
Send in your registration forms early ‘cause registration closes on Sun 11th March 2007.


Saturday 17 February 2007

Grand Opening - All Are Welcome!


TODAY'S FLAVOURS
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the last hurrah before the Catholic season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It also has links to the Christmas season through the period known as Carnival.

Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, for example, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday, with battalions of streetsweepers pushing the crowds out of the French Quarter towards home.

What is less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. (Ordinary time, in the Christian calendar, refers to the normal "ordering" of time outside of the Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter seasons. There is a fine Scripture From Scratch article on that topic if you want to learn more.)

Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in pre-Christian traditions based on the seasons. Some believe the festival represented the few days added to the lunar calendar to make it coincide with the solar calendar; since these days were outside the calendar, rules and customs were not obeyed. Others see it as a late-winter celebration designed to welcome the coming spring. As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking.

How apt it is for those celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year on the 18th to the 20th Feb, just days before Lent (21st). There is only one advice during this time of reunion: eat, drink and be merry!

[Most part of the article taken from www.americancatholic.org]

TOPPINGS
A special Lenten fast
Give up harsh words: use generous ones.
Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.
Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.
Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.
Give up worrying: take up trust in God.
Give up complaining: value what you have.
Give up stress: take up prayer.
Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.
Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.
Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.
Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.
Give up words: fill yourself with silence, and listen to others.

- Anonymous, Latin America


Flicks for Lent
Chocolat (2000)
(Click here to see reviews)


EXTRA GOODIES
Highlights of our Jan retreat






COMING SOON...

Meeting Jesus...
Richard Tan Huay Beng
[Roy's
dad (L5 coordinator)]

Monday (19 Feb 2007)
Wake: 8.00pm (3-D Chapel Road - next to Holy Family Church)

Tuesday (20 Feb 2007)
Funeral: 12.00pm (Holy Family Church)

Chinese New Year Mass Times
Chinese New Year's Eve (17 Feb 2007)
Mass time: 6.15am and 6.00pm.
There will be NO Novena Service.

Chinese New Year (18 Feb 2007)
Mass time: 7.15am, 9.15am, 11.15am
6.00pm (Mandarin/English bi-lingual mass)
Blessed oranges will be distributed at all masses.

Public Holidays (19 & 20 Feb 2007)
Mass time: 8.30am. There will be NO evening mass.

Ash Wednesday
Day of Fasting and Abstinence (21 Feb 2007)
Mass time: 6.15am, 6.15pm and 8.00pm
Blessing and distribution of ashes at all masses.

Friday 9 February 2007

Opening Soon!

Greetings from Sunny Singapore! The Scoop Shop an Ice Cream Palour located on the eastern part of the island called Katong, created for the soul purpose of nourishing the busy weekend catechist. Whether you choose to dine-in or take out, this is a place for anyone who needs byte-size info or sprinklings of inspiration. Let's take a look at the menu...

TODAY'S FLAVOURS
Just like any regular ice-cream palour, you first run through the day's flavours. Here you will see scoop-size news on latest happenings and reports on related stories. We will try to concoct new flavours out every two weeks... but no promises. So, drop by whenever!

TOPPINGS
Be inspired by the sharings and reflections from the very people that teach - YOU! It is through sharings and stories that we all learn and grow. Lasting age-old teaching methods will be rehashed and new tools of the trade will be recommended to keep you equipped.

EXTRA TOPPINGS
Here, anything goes. From jokes to use in class or a clip of a movie that can be used for discussion.
Photos of busy catechists will be posted up here too. You can pray for them or bray (with laughter) at them.

and finally... COMING SOON
This section very quickly previews new toppings of what to expect or look out for.

So remember, if you're feeling worn out, tired, or just lack that motivation and inspiration for your coming weekend class, drop by and be FULL-filled!