THE SCOOP SHOP

Happenings in December 2008

2008-12-31T23:39:00.011+08:00

The Lourdes Event that took place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 6 December 2008 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Apparition of Mary Immaculate at Lourdes in France.

Dear blessed Mother, we thank you for bringing Jesus into this world to save us. Thank you for your sacrifice, courage and obedience in order for God's plan to be fulfilled through you. Thank you for opening the path and leading us to your son, Jesus. Help us to be gentle and kind as you.

Apart from the penitential service, I enjoy December most as it is a time of rest from catechism class, feasting and singing nice and catchy songs which are only sung once or twice a year. This year, the Kristokos choir has been invited to carol for the families of our Special Needs catechism class.

We are blessed with a new nativity set and it has been placed in front of our main church entrance. It is hoped that the many families who gathered to snap pictures of the Holy Family, not only remember the celebration but also that these figurines will enliven the beautiful stories of the Epiphany and the 3 magi in their minds.

Making A Wish Come True

2008-11-28T22:08:00.010+08:00

In August and September this year, our confirmation 2 teens had a first hand experience with the aged at St Teresa’s Home for 5 consecutive weeks as part of their Service Learning Project. Instead of the usual catechism lesson in the parish, about 70 youth were packed into 2 buses and spent at least 3 hours every week interacting and bringing Jesus to the aunties and uncles at the home. In the course of the 5 weeks, the teens overcame the communication barrier and made friends with the residents. They shared their life stories and brought much joy to these lonely old folks. The teens were also tasked to find out the Christmas wishes of each resident and were also challenged to request the residents to sing a song to them. Every week our teens also spent half an hour praying the rosary with the residents in the chapel situated at the home. The teens and the residents reluctantly say goodbye to each other at the end of the 5th week. It was a sad and emotional moment with lots of hugs, kisses and well wishes but most importantly of all was the promise to be back to make their wish come true for Christmas.

Back at Holy Family Church, the catechists, youth facilitators and teens reflected on the purpose of this Service Project and decided to do a fund raising weekend at our parish in order to have enough funds to throw a Christmas Party and buy the presents for the old folks. The teens had great fun gathering together to shop and wrap the gifts after their final term examination.

As promised on 22 November 08, the con 2 catechists, youth facilitators, parents and teens headed back to St Teresa’s Home. The Saturday and Sunday teens took turns to perform for the old folks.

Last but not least, the St Mary’s choir of Holy Family brought more hope, joy and love to the old folks through their Christmas carols.

Witnessing of a Catholic Praise and Worship - Archdiocesan Youth Rally 2008

2008-10-24T23:21:00.003+08:00

About 1,800 youth from 25 parishes in Singapore were at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and be witnesses to the ends of the earth ACT1V8 on 18 October 08.

AYD08 was a living testimony of what our catholic youth could do at parish and archdiocesan level. Brother Derrick and Shireen, our very young, witty and hilarious emcees kick started the whole event. In the opening address, Archbishop Nicholas Chia expressed his pleasure to be with the youth and said that “A shepherd must always be with his sheep”. Our guest speaker, Bishop Rolando Tria-Tirona of the Philippines, also reminded us to be generous in using the gifts God has given us now.

Undeniably, the music and singing of the worship team, Zion Joy touched many hearts present that night. Most importantly, our youth witnessed for themselves a true catholic praise and worship without the jumping and shouting on stage. These actions are often mistaken by youth as praise and worship. A member of the Zion Joy testified that they are not professional musicians but only long time friends who got together regularly after their confirmation to praise God through music.

Another group of youth called Walk on Water, the drama ministry from the Church of St Anthony also put up a spectacular skit at the rally. In the course of the music, rapping and the light hearted dialogue, the two opposing groups of youth in the drama depicted the vulnerability of our youth in their search of identity in the material world and how our willingness to open ourselves to the gifts of the Holy Spirit can bring about unity, peace and joy in the community.

After seeing so much, we also heard from our youth Brandon who shared about his rebellious teenage years and the car accident which made him realize the presence of God in his life as his protector and saviour.

AYD08 has opened my eyes to the potential of our youth in the Archdiocese of Singapore and a deeper understanding of the youth scene in my parish. It brought to mind the amount of influence that a youth minister can have on their youth. Thank God for blessing me, the catechists, youth facilitators and the 39 confirmands with this awe inspiring experience.

6 years of Faith Journey

2008-10-16T16:13:00.010+08:00

Last Saturday, 11 October 2008, was the Day of Recollection for the Cat 6 children whom I have journeyed with for the past 6 years. Their first day of catechism happened to be my first day as a catechist.

The day started with parents, catechists, youth facilitators and children gathering together for a hearty breakfast at the St Patrick’s school canteen. Most of the other activities were held at the air-conditioned La Salle Hall located on the 3rd floor. It was indeed elevating to see these pre-teens responding so positively to the ice breaker “Hunter, Earthquake, Fire” and the action songs.

Following the movie, MOST, everyone spent some quiet time writing on “Where is God in every year of our life”. The kids finished their timeline very quickly as they only had 12 points as compared to mine.

After lunch, the “chair, chair” (meaning older sister) took turns to inspire our pre-teens with their own testimonies of why they wanted to become youth facilitators after their confirmation. The catechists also shared on why they became catechists.

Alvin then helped us make the phone connection with our heavenly Father. It went ring, ring…Hello, Father…
The conversion between “Child to God” was first, followed by “Parent to God” and lastly the “Catechist to God”.

We thank God for this day and pray that our pre-teens had been inspired to take on their confirmation journey.

What Pope says...

2008-09-18T07:39:00.020+08:00

Pope says Western efforts to marginalize religion would be disastrous
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service PARIS (CNS)

Pope Benedict XVI warned that Western cultural efforts to marginalize religion and believers would bring disaster for humanity and ultimately "play into the hands of fanaticism."

The pope made the remarks Sept. 12 in an address to academics at the College des Bernardins, a medieval landmark confiscated during the French Revolution and recently reacquired by the church for scholarly events.

The 81-year-old pontiff, looking energetic on the first leg of his four-day visit to France, was greeted with a standing ovation as he entered the vaulted hall of the 13th-century building.

Vatican officials said the pope had worked long and hard on this speech, which took up one of his favorite topics, the relationship between faith and reason.

After tracing the profound effects of medieval monastic life on Europe's culture, the pope said that what drove the monks in their prayer and scholarship -- "the search for God" -- is equally necessary today.

While God has become for many "the great unknown" and often is thought to be absent from people's lives, still the search for God and the desire to be found by him lives on, he said.

He warned that if modern culture tries to drive the question of God into the realm of the merely subjective and unscientific, that would be "the capitulation of reason, the renunciation of its highest possibilities, and hence a disaster for humanity, with very grave consequences."

"What gave Europe's culture its foundation -- the search for God and the readiness to listen to him -- remains today the basis of any genuine culture," he said.

A group of Muslim dignitaries was in the audience, and the pope greeted them. Unlike his talk in Regensburg, Germany, almost two years earlier, this speech did not explicitly touch upon Islam and the need for reason in religion, but it raised some issues related to Islam in a broad sense, including religious fundamentalism.

The pope said the monastic tradition in Europe had promoted a "culture of the word" and invited Christians to a conversation with the word of God.

He said Scripture in this tradition is a dynamic unity involving each new generation, a process of understanding that becomes a process of living.

"It excludes by its nature anything that today is known as fundamentalism. In effect, the word of God can never simply be equated with the letter of the text," he said.

Monasticism, the pope said, also was influenced deeply by the tension between freedom and obligation, which today risks degenerating into the poles of subjective arbitrariness and "fundamentalist fanaticism."

"It would be a disaster if today's European culture could only conceive freedom as absence of obligation, which would invariably play into the hands of fanaticism and arbitrariness," he said.

The pope said work as well as prayer formed the basis of monastic life. This "culture of work," which greatly influenced Europe and the rest of the world, saw labor as a special form of human resemblance to God the creator, he said.

The risk today, he added, is that man is losing this connection with God and assuming for himself the status of godlike creator.

The pope then turned to the question of missionary proclamation. For the Christian, he said, outward proclamation is not merely a propaganda effort, but is felt as an "inner necessity" to share the truth that God has revealed himself in the person of Christ.

This revelation distinguishes Christianity and underlines its connection to reason, since God now stands revealed and not simply imagined, he said.

"The novelty of Christian proclamation is that it can now say to all peoples: He has revealed himself. He personally. And now the way to him is open," the pope said.

In this way, he said, Christianity responds to the deepest longings of human thinking, assuring that "at the beginning of all things, there must not be irrationality, but creative reason -- not blind chance, but freedom."

Article contributed by Paul Domingo Molina

The Refiner of Silver

2008-08-27T07:28:00.010+08:00

Once a woman was puzzled and wondered what the Bible verse 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' meant about the character and nature of God. She offered to find out the process of refining silver and called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire.

If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you and, no matter whatever you are going through now, you will be a better person in the end!

Scripture reference: Malachi 3:3
article contributed by Jeremy Tan

TOO BUSY? NO TIME?

2008-08-09T19:53:00.008+08:00

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
'We can't keep Christians from going to church.'
'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.'

'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:
'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'

'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered.
'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'

'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.'
'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'

'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'

'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.'
'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.'
'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'

'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.'
'Give them headaches too! '
'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'

'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'

'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. '
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'

'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!

Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

A Christian

2008-07-30T22:22:00.004+08:00

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change. " The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town?" "Yes" he replied.

"Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. “I'll see you at church on Sunday." When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.

"Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Dear Papa in Heaven, I wanna tell you...

2008-06-22T14:18:00.005+08:00

I Love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out.

I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can't help
Dimly seeing there,

And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else has looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you
For helping me make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song...

Amen
- Author unknown

Retreat from Insanity

2008-06-09T14:43:00.003+08:00

“We are not ourselves when nature, being oppressed, commands the mind to suffer with the body.” King Lear (King Lear at II, iv)

It is not the law of nature to father or mother, as the case may be, 70 hot-blooded teens and all of the same age. Even Ramses II who was reputed to father a hundred children had decades to increase his brood and probably adopted many of them. Yet Christian catechists are asked to do the impossible and to top it all, without the pre-creation pleasure. Enough to drive anyone insane.

I speak not for others but for me, confirmation catechesis demands blood. In His divine mercy, however, my mortal body carries the burden only for 40 months. Coincidence with scriptural overtones aside, I strive to make the journey, especially the annual retreats, mean something to me personally – to be stronger, sagacious and slower.

Strength to affirm or negate requests and take the consequences, strength to teach and learn, strength to give thanks when all you want is to drop and sleep.

Wisdom to know not to panic when well-laid plans seem reeling out of control, wisdom to know that He is already working a miracle out of my mistakes, wisdom to know that He is the master and I am His, albeit a little shamelessly bossy and pushy, servant.

Slowing down to pray, slowing down to see that my spiritual needs can be so similar with my teens, slowing down to listen to people and edify.

It was insanely tough seeking a balance for their retreat – on the one hand an engagement with their senses and on the other an engagement with their spirit. Everything came into play – food (not necessarily sinfully sumptuous), games (not necessarily sweatily physical), sessions (not necessarily painfully didactic) and personal moments with friends and our God (not necessarily holily molly – at least it rhymes). For all these I thank these friends:

To Liesl and Merle who had worked ungrudgingly in the background providing for our sustenance and rest, and to Josephine and Mark who had accepted the barely skeletal session plans with alacrity and delivering them so engagingly, and to Raymond who liaised with our very talented externals to bring us music. To the YFs who had sportingly done so much of the legwork and cheerfully (except for momentary shocked looks) executed last-minute instructions (can’t help it at times). To Fr Ignatius who shut an eye to our mischief and cheekiness.

God be praised.

shared by Francis Ow

Come Holy Spirit

2008-05-15T21:36:00.009+08:00

God our creator and redeemer
We are privileged to be called your children
Give us the courage to be open to Your Spirit
And be led to follow your ways

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord
Fill our minds, our hearts and our whole being with your Spirit
And let your Spirit be praised for all the good deeds

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord
May your Spirit give us the light to embrace the truth of God
And give us the strength to allow our lives to be directed by the Spirit

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord
May your Spirit of love move within us
And lead us to be true witnesses of Your love and compassion

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord
Fill us with the Spirit of True freedom that comes from
doing God’s will
And lead us to be obedient to your teachings

Send forth your Spirit, O Lord
Fill us with the Spirit of humility and service
And inspire us with Your example

Bless us Lord with the life of your Spirit and renew us
Keep us from stumbling and fall
Protect us and give us your healing grace

A prayer for our confirmands

Only a bagger?

2008-04-22T03:33:00.029+08:00

Not really.

This week, Scoop Shop is featuring someone,

who's willing to make a big difference in small ways...

Picture from www.sodahead.com

Being catechists, we sometimes fall into the mundanity of

going in and out of classes,

doing similar things each week.

Whether we know it or not, we affect the young ones we teach,

through what we say, what we teach, our body language

and who we are -

Friend/Fellow child of God/Soldier for Christ/Faith sharer.

We only have 90 mins each Sat/Sun with the young, impressionable ones,

working out to 360 mins a month- barely 1 full day!

How can we "scoop the ice-cream" differently?

How can we "serve our customers" in a different way?

Nope, we don't have to part any seas, or calm any storms

to cause heads to turn and hearts to stir.

Simple deeds can go a long way...=)

Here's a story to share. Be inspired!

Don't just watch. SEE what you can do too!

Are we only catechists?

Enjoy! =)

http://www.stservicemovie.com/

The Waffle Cone.

Picture from http://www.haywardsicecream-nh.com/

This week, the ice-cream analysts would like to introduce a new concept to all you scoopers out there! ;)

We were all taught by our momsies and daddies to always remember to say "Thank you" to someone who has been kind to us, or have done us a favour.

God, our daddy in heaven, has never failed to give us gifts every single day of our lives, whether we know it or not. ;P

Let's use our little Scoop Shop to make Him an ice-cream creation to say, a big "Thank you". Let's FILL our Waffle cones with ice-cream and toppings today and everyday! ;D

How?

Get creative! Think out of the cone. =)

picture from www.pdicone.com

Smiling @ a stranger who needs one =

Rainbow sprinklers and M & Ms

Giving your favourite stall's uncle/auntie an affirmation =

1 Scoop of Cookies and Cream

Finishing all the food on your plate =

Freshly cut strawberries/kiwi/bananas

Picture from art.gnome.org

Helping others finish theirs ;P =

Whipped cream, maraschino cherries and chocolate rice

Make PEACE, not war =

3 Scoops of your favourite ice-cream!!

Saying "Its going to be a great day! =) As opposed to "Why do I have to wake up..." =(

= Chocolate sauce and almond nibs

Picture from www.damnilikeit.com

Make your own list and have fun saying thanks! =)
God bless you loads!
Love,
love

Good! It is good!

2008-04-21T01:32:00.009+08:00

Hey there!

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen to you? Why you? Usually, we don’t have the wisdom to understand the reason behind it at that point in time. We may get all sad and dejected, or even frustrated and confused.

But our good Lord will always reveal the reason, in his own time, whenever He deems appropriate. Wait…and you’ll see. =)

Sit back, relax and get comfortable...

Illustrations provided by Elena Kucharik
elisangels.net

I have a story to tell. =)
Once upon a time, there lived a tribal king who loved to hunt.
Whenever he went on his hunting trips, he would bring along his able tribesman, who was very good at navigating the forests for game.

One day, while the tribesman was loading the rifle, he accidentally pulled the trigger,

and he shot at the tribal king’s last finger.

Upon seeing what he had done, the tribesman said, “Good, it is good!”

Furious and in pain, the tribal king threw the tribesman into prison,

banishing him from his future hunting trips.

But the tribesman said again, “Good, it is good!”
The tribal king could not understand why he said that, and ignored him.

After recovering from his injured finger, the tribal king went on his hunting trip.
This time, he went alone.

picture from www.bluebison.net

Because he was unfamiliar with the territory, he treaded on forbidden grounds and was captured by another tribe. This tribe was a carnivorous tribe…so you can kinda guess what’s going to happen from here…; P

The tribes people started preparing a cauldron of broth, ready to cook their
new found “food”. (Yikes!)

Picture from http://www.flowrdup.co.uk/

While they were inspecting the tribal king, they found that he was short of a finger!

Now, these tribes people had a superstition…they cannot eat any human being who’s not complete. Disgusted and disappointed, they released the tribal king.

Upon his release, the tribal king ran back home gleefully to look for his tribesman locked up in prison.
“Good, it is good! Now, I finally realize why you said that!

My life was spared because of the accident!”

The tribal king released him at once, and apologized profusely for locking him up.
The tribesman told him, “No, no, don’t have to apologise! Good, it is good that I was locked up! Cos if I went on the hunting trip with you…guess who would be eaten instead?”

So, scoopers, sometimes the bad may not be that bad, especially when you realise why it happened in the first place.

Hope this will put a smile on your face this Monday morning.

Wake up with a positive mind, and tell yourself, Good! It is good!

Illustrations provided by Elena Kucharik
elisangels.net

Gentle reminders!

27 April: Parish Assembly 2008 - Many Parts. One Body. One Church.

What time? : 2-6pm.
Where ? : Singapore Swimming Club - The Grand Ballroom Level 2

03 May- Catechists Briefing for our annual recruitment drive!

What time huh? : 2 pm.
Where ah? : RCIA Room
Must I come?: You say leh? Ah-boh den!
10/11 May- Recruitment in Classes (targeted @ parents..heh heh heh... ;P)
17/18 May- Catechist Recruitment Drive! ;D
=

God Bless!

Love,

love

You've been shortlisted!

2008-04-12T02:42:00.032+08:00

Dearest Scoopers,

Happy Easter!

Hope yours is filled with many new beginnings!

Thank you for sending in your resumes.

After careful consideration and much pondering,

you've been selected for an interview with God.

Some of you may have gone thru it before,
you may take this opportunity to renew your contracts. =)

Going for it again may give rise to new perspectives,

or serve as a gentle reminder.

For the newbies, enjoy the conversation and good luck!

Click on the link!

http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

Picture courtesy of http://graceofgod.files.wordpress.com/

Love,

HR
The Scoop Shoop

NEW FLAVOUR for this Easter!

Our Con 3 Catechist Mark Ortega and his lovely wife have a brand new addition to their family!

We invite the lil' one who was born on 12 April @ 8.30pm into our scoop shop!

Welcome Little Benjamin!!

Some extra toppings for you to enjoy!

Nowadays, young people especially, want to see.

You speak of love, you speak of prayer.

They want to know how YOU live and how YOU pray,

and what compassion means to you. That is how they judge.

How YOU really live the life of a co-worker,

a carrier of God's love.

-Mother Teresa.

picture from www.wf-f.org/WFFResource/Mother%20Teresa-1.jpg

Take-aways!

Just to give you guys a heads-up, please emboss and mark these days on your memories!

03 May- Catechists Briefing for our annual recruitment drive!

What time huh? : 2 pm.

Where ah? : RCIA Room

Must I come?: You say leh? Ah-boh den!

10/11 May- Recruitment in Classes (targeted @ parents..heh heh heh... ;P)

17/18 May- Catechist Recruitment Drive! ;D

Just wanna say thank you catechists for being an inspiration to so many little ones out there!

There may be times when we feel tired, or that we can't carry on any longer...

We may be so tempted to throw in the towel, because we lose sight of the focus.

May this song encourage you once again...remember that He is the King,

even during times of floods!

Be still, know that He is God and He will show you the way, because you trust. =)

www.searchingthescriptures.net

STILL

Hide me now, under your wings

Cover me, within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father you are king over the flood

I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone

Know his power In quietness and trust

Love,

Love.

As I have done for you - using yourself as an example

2008-03-25T20:47:00.012+08:00

I, your Lord and Master,
now become your servant.
I who made the moon and stars,
will kneel to wash your feet.
This is my commandment
to love as I have loved you.
Kneel to wash each other’s feet
as I have done for you.

I applaud Dan Schutte for the appropriateness of the words and the beautiful music accompaniment which had touched the hearts of many at the Holy Thursday Mass.

Going through every word in the song “As I have done for you” and watching the re-enactment of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples by our priests on Holy Thursday Mass is a valuable lesson and reminder of the love and humility of our Lord and Saviour.

Yet, another difficult lesson awaits me on Good Friday. Only You, Jesus, who is sinless, can sacrifice yourself for our sins. Only You, Lord, can surrender Yourself totally and obey the Father to the point of death.

Lord, I realized how small I am as compared to You. I adore and give You thanks for all that You have done for me.

Article by Linda Heng

Photos by Alf

The image of God through a 5 year old blind girl

2008-03-06T12:10:00.012+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSOaLH8vxYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmaHBFhXEPs

You were born to be loved

And you are receiving that love

through your life

The love from God that started

since the beginning of your birth

That becomes connected with us

meeting each other

A Walk in Soul Garden

2008-02-19T04:21:00.007+08:00

Hello dear ones!

May this short but reflective and insightful piece of work,

rekindle flames of love

depths of compassion

and child-like kindness

in YOU.

The beautiful work of art, is another piece by Lyn Snow, entitled "Reflection".
See how its almost like a mirror image when you draw a line in the middle of the picture?
May we also mirror God's image and love to those we meet on our way.

Enjoy yet another scoopee... =)

May this LENT be a different one.

God guide you.

Be loving, Compassionate and Kind

In our busy lives, we let life carry us away on a never-ending road filled with the responsibilities of a day filled with the responsibilities of a day-to-day existence.

We often forget that there is more along the way than just bills to pay,
phone calls to return, and errands to run.

There are people in our lives who need to be hugged,

who need to be loved.

There are people in our lives who need their accomplishments

noticed and praised.

We need to remember how fragile hearts can be,

how quickly a soul can grow weary, how fast a spirit can break.

We forget that a heart is like a garden that needs to be tended and nourished

with what only another heart can give.

Love and appreciation, devotion and honesty.

-Tracia Gloudemans

Being true to your heart... =)

2008-02-14T07:05:00.006+08:00

Dear Scoopers!

A Valentine's Day Special!

Our Very Own Scoop Shop is offering a "Rose-flavoured" ice-cream today, with a story from a great story-teller, Max Lucado. =)

A gentle reminder that we should be true to our hearts as

LOVE transcends all.

Jesus loves us, no matter how we may look...Let's love our kids/teens as He did too, and not turn away from them because they are not what we expected them to be...

we may be in for a suprise. =)

Enjoy!

The People with the Roses

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell.

With time and effort, he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding.
Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.

When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting--7:00 p.m. at the Grand Central in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.

I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened...

A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blond hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were as blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small provocative smile turned her lips, "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured.

Almost uncontrollably I made one more step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell.
She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was quickly walking away. I felt as though I was split in two. So keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and upheld mine.

And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful.

I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me. May I take you to dinner?"
The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"

-Max Lucado, Stories from the Heart (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Books, 1996)

-Watercoloured Rose from www.lynsnow.com

Embracing LENT

2008-02-11T15:19:00.000+08:00

Dear Scoopers,

Hmm, ice-cream may be considered an indulgence to some during this period of lent...but @ The Scoop Shop, we aim to share the goodness of what the cream can offer!

Here's some almond nibs and cookie crunch for you to chew on, and share with others.

May this Lent be a different one for you this year. =)

Living Simply During Lent

I once was visiting a beautiful home, finely furnished with exquisite furniture, lovely artwork and impeccable décor. However, the heavy draperies around the windows blocked most of the natural light in the rooms, and left an atmosphere of heaviness and, quite frankly, suffocation. Although the home was beautiful I couldn't wait to leave and enjoy the freshness and plainness of the light and air outside.

I can't help but think, as we enter into this season of Lent, about the "heaviness," the complications of everyday life, that have the potential to snuff out the fresh light and air of Christ in our lives.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about living simply. Obviously Lent is a time for penance, reflection, renewal. It's a time for introspection and consideration of things eternal. What I'm proposing this Lent is paring down life, getting rid of the 'heavy draperies' so that things eternal can shine into our daily thoughts and lives.

First, attain mastery over time.

The clock should not be our god.

It is true we need to watch the clock to make it to work, keep our dentist appointments,

and get to Mass on time.

Take time to get at eye level with your child and really listen. Make time for 'date night' with your mate. Do one thing at a time. Do not worry about work when you are home with your family or your home projects when you are at work. Think about the one thing you are currently doing and do it well. (Kreeft bluntly tells his readers to stop "octopussing" — trying to do eight things at once. I might add that some of us are likely even "jellyfishing.

" Did you know some jellyfish have hundreds of tentacles?)

Slow down and here's the biggie: pray... without watching a clock. God is the creator of time, reminds Kreeft. God can multiply time, but first we must offer our time to Him. And it is good to remember that God cannot be outdone in generosity. He will take our sacrifice and bless us a thousand fold. A good place to start this Lent is going to Confession and attending other Catholic devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration or Stations of the Cross.

Like the Nike commercial advocates, "Just do it."

Second, live more naturally.

Go to bed earlier and get up earlier, following nature's cycle of darkness and light. Kreeft says this aids in simplicity because the things people do in the morning are usually simple things — walking, praying, and tidying up. And the things people do in the evening or more complicating (or time-wasting) — busywork, attending parties, watching television. Spend more time outdoors (yes, even in the winter!) Breathe in the fresh air. And take walks frequently. Kreeft writes, "[When you walk] you will begin to recapture the natural rhythms of the body...It attunes us with the earth and air...It is a symbol of life, the road to eternity... And it gives us an opportunity to think."

Third, recognize that often less is more.

Don't just give up sweets this Lent. Take less food. Chew it slowly. Savor its flavor deliberately. Enjoy it more. We've all seen women who have overdone it in the jewelry and make-up departments. They have baubles and beads on every limb, and layers of gold or silver around their necks. Heavy eye shadow and lip color emphasizes their faces. Who can deny that this actually detracts from a woman's natural beauty? Contrast that image with simple cleanliness and light makeup, a plain cross necklace and a pair of simple earrings on a female. One young woman I knew in college gave up make-up for Lent. Less truly is often more.

Fourth, decrease expenses.

We don't need half of what we want anyway. Love of money is the root of all evil. See what you can do without.

Fifth, embrace silence.

Kreeft calls silence "the unknown power source...the great untapped resource." He says that silence is more, not less than noise. Cultivate inner silence by eliminating outer noise. Turn off the television. Skip the radio in the car. Listen more. Talk less. God speaks to us all the time, but often with the cacophonic sounds intruding into our lives we just don't hear Him.
Simplifying life truly is like pulling back or even taking down thick draperies in a stuffy, dark room. In removing the fabric that blocks luminosity we will find more light, more freshness, and quite likely more room for God.

Theresa Thomas, a freelance writer and columnist for Today’s Catholic resides in northern Indiana with her husband David and their nine children. She has been home schooling since 1994.

This article originally appeared in Today’s Catholic and is used by permission of the author.
Edited specially to make it more bite-sized...
http://www.catholic exchange. com/node/ 69585

On the side of me...

2008-01-23T15:48:00.001+08:00

Hi Scoopers,

This song marked someone's turning point in life.
It reminded her of God's unfailing love, through the people He has sent her.
Those who stand by you through your toughest times are true blessings
that can only come from Him.

If you have met someone like that, maybe you'd like to remember
that someone and say a sweet "Thank you."

Sharing with you, one of this Earth's greatest blessings, Corrinne May...and her song
"On the Side of Me"

On The Side of Me
By Corrinne May

I'm not the easiest person to love
I'm often the one who lets things go unresolved

Yet you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me
Yet you choose to be on the side of me
on the side of me

I'm not too proud of some things
I've done in my life
The skeletons in my closet
Are too big for me to hide

Yet you choose to be
on the side of me
on the side of me
Blessed Charity
You're on the side of me
on the side of me

Everyone needs a friend to hold
when it's cold outside
and there's no place to go
Everyone needs a friend to hold
all alone I cried
there was no place to go
I remember when nobody cared
but you

I'm not the easiest person to love
But you, you've opened your heart to show me what I'm worth

'Cause you choose to be on the side of me
on the side of m
What a mystery
You're on the side of me
on the side of me

Paying it forward thru little actions, hearts and prayers...

2008-01-08T16:52:00.000+08:00

Dear Scoopers!

Our first entry of the year after a wonderful retreat to reflect and rest in the Lord!
As you enjoy and savour the "ice-cream" below, take time to remember what's important in your life and make 2008 a fruitful one. There may be many things you have not accomplished or wished you had, but its never too late to refocus, reprioritise and make a difference! =)

Jesus sees and appreciates every little effort you make.

We're not only catechists in church, but also models for our Maker! Just like how Fr David Garcia shared in the cat retreat 3 years ago, through us, others see the ONE who made us.

As we challenge ourselves to be strong amidst the temptations and distractions, we ask God for his spiritual wisdom, guidance and patience to see things through for our ministry, family and the larger community!

January 8, 2008

Offering Our Gifts

It's easy to get caught up in our personal lives and forget that we have an obligation to be responsible members of our communities. For some of us, expressing this responsibility is so interwoven into our personal lives that it is simply a natural extension of who we are. Others may need to take a moment to consider how to be more responsible for the communities in which we live.

For those of us who live in large cities, we can start with our neighborhoods. Anything we do on a small level will automatically ripple out into the larger system. Communities thrive on the talents of their members, so one approach to community responsibility is to consider what you have to offer and find ways to bring that into your community.

If you have a special gift when it comes to bringing people together, you might agree to throw a party or event once a year that includes the whole community. Even a small open house in an apartment building can accomplish a lot in terms of making people feel more connected and comfortable with each other.

If you have a talent for organic gardening, you might offer to help people in your neighborhood plan their own organic gardens. You might be the go to person for neighbors who need someone to water their plants or care for their pets when they're away. You might take an abandoned space in your community and galvanize others to help you transform it into a community garden or a playground for children.

In an area where there are many homeless people, starting a soup kitchen or organizing a holiday meal makes a big difference not only to those in need but to those who want to help. All holiday parades, picnics, and ceremonies started somewhere, with someone who wanted to give back to the community in which they lived. It's not too late to propose and execute a new tradition in your own community, whether it’s a block party or an annual picnic.

Your particular vision, gifts, and strengths are part of what makes your community unique, so as you recognize them in yourself, feel free to offer them to those who live in your vicinity. Whether your offerings are visionary or practical, they are the very essence of community.

Resource: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2008/11684.html

The Role of Prayer

2007-12-28T14:53:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

No one can live a Christian life without prayer. But we have to understand what prayer is and what it does.

Three men were trapped in a dark cellar which had no doors or windows. How did they react to their predicament?

The first was a writer by the name of George. He had no faith. He just sat there cursing the darkness. “There’s nothing we can do,” he said despairingly. “ We might as well resign ourselves to our fate”

The second was Peter, who was a very religious man,. He prayed for a long time. When he had finished, he sat back and waited for a miracle.

The third man was a bricklayer by the name of Ivan. He was quite religious in his own way. But he was also a very practical man. He had a small chisel in his pocket. With the light of a match he found a small stone. Using this as a hammer he began to chip away at the wall

The work was slow, monotonous and extremely tiring. He got dust in his eyes, and blisters on his hands. Neither of the other two showed any inclination to help him. George sat in one corner smoking. Peter sat in another corner praying. From time to time Ivan too prayed: “Dear God, I believe that with your help we can make it out of here. So help us now.”

Finally, after hours of painful work, a big stone dislodged itself and light streamed in from next door. He began to shout for joy, praising and thanking God at the same time. His two companions helped him to widen the hole, and eventually all three crawled through and were free.;

Here we see three different attitudes to prayer. For George it was a waste of time. Since he had no faith, his attitude was logical. If you don’t believe in God, who can you pray to? For Peter, prayer was a substitute for action. So, once he had prayed, he sat back and waited for God to come to his rescue. A lot of our prayer is like that, especially our prayer on behalf of others. It’s just words, an excuse for doing nothing.

Ivan believed in prayer, not however as a substitute for action, but as a spur to action. Having prayed, he immediately took whatever action he could. His prayer served the purpose of keeping up his courage and hope. It also gave him a sense of God’s nearness, and an assurance that God had not abandoned him. He drew great strength from this.

Prayer does make a difference. It sustains us. Those who pray never lose heart. When we turn our thoughts to God, we feel a new strength in our soul, in our entire being. “Without divine assistance I cannot succeed; with it I cannot fail.” (Abraham Lincoln)

And faith and prayer are interconnected. St Augustine said, “Faith pours out prayer, and the pouring out of prayer sustains and strengthens faith.” Prayer is the oil that keeps the lamp of faith burning. The fruit of prayer is faith. The faith of love is service. And the fruit of service is peace.

- shared by Sr Angela

Foundations Mininstry Certificate Programme Graduation 2007

Front row: Annie Pillai, Priya Arul, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, Caleb Loh, Pauline Pakiam, Audrey Wee
Back row: Roy Tan, Linda Sim, Natalie Chew, Titiek Erawan
Absent: Mark Otega, Rhonda Ho, Valerie Sim, Linda Heng

Extra Goodies

Catechist Family Gathering
Date: Sunday, 30 Dec 07
Venue: RCIA room
Time: 4pm

Thanksgiving Mass
Date: Sunday, 30 Dec 07
Celebrant: Archbishop Nicholas Chia
Time: 6pm Mass

Holy Family Feast Day Dinner
Date: Sunday, 30 Dec 07
Venue: Church carpark
Time: 7.15pm after 6pm Mass
(Please note that church carpark will be closed from 1 pm onwards)

Catechist Retreat
Called, Blessed, Broken and Shared
Date: 5-6 Jan 2008, Sat-Sun
Venue: IHM retreat centre
Contribution: S$20 per pax
Transport included: leaving church on 5 Jan 08 at 8.30am
(All retreatants encouraged to stay over for full benefit)

Catechist Commissioning
Date: Sat, 12 January 2008
Venue: Holy Family Church
Time: 6pm sunset mass
(Please note: compulsory for all Church catechists. Children Liturgists, CGS catechists, Special Needs Class catechists and Home catechists)

Journey to Emmaus

2007-11-24T15:15:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

My Emmaus Journey (Luke 24: 13-35)

I had the privilege to journey with Christ and two of his disciples on their way to Emmaus last week together with 13 bishops, 31 priests, 7 religious and 45 youth ministers from 19 Asian countries.

The Emmaus walk was an awakening of my faith journey. It was a very humbling experience for me and more importantly, my eyes were opened to the understanding of holy vs. holey.

“Holiness” is not about putting on a serious look and do nothing but pray all the time. Instead, it is to be truly yourself and carrying out God’s will in you including the courage to speak the truth and to stand up as His witness.

“Holey” on the other hand is the recognition of my own inadequacy – the many holes present in my life that need to be filled up through learning, persevering and conversion. It is a reminder for me not to be “complacent” which will direct me away instead of moving me nearer to Jerusalem.

The Emmaus Journey is my relationship with Jesus. I desire to relive this walk as often as I can, so as to sharpen my faith formation like knowing when to slow down and when to speed up so that I am always at the right pace with Jesus... well, more or less. ;P

-Shared by Linda Heng, Nov 2007

Extra Goodies!

Advent Prayer Meet

Every Friday starting 30 Nov
(also on 7 Dec, 14 Dec and 21 Dec)
8pm at The Scoop Shop (catechist office)

Youth Mass
Date: 15 Dec 2008, Sat
Time: 6pm sunset mass

Catechist Retreat
Called, Blessed, Broken and Shared
Date: 5-6 Jan 2008, Sat-Sun
Venue: IHM retreat centre
Contribution: S$20 per pax
Transport included: leaving church on 5 Jan 08 at 8.30am
All retreatants encouraged to stay over for full benefit

The Ice-Cream Workout!

2007-11-07T12:33:00.000+08:00

Rules from God

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

-Thushari Perera, Nov 07

In Flanders' Fields

John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders' Fields.

In Flanders' Fields reminded me to take up my Cross bravely and be the warrior that God wants.

It is also a reminder that there are many who are wounded thru' no faults of theirs and needed care and love to continue living.

How many will remember the sacrifice or appreciate those who died or struggling to live

in order that others can enjoy the peace and goodness of lives.

-Linda Heng, Nov 07

It finally all syncs!

2007-10-15T09:08:00.001+08:00

Grand Opening: The Scoop Shop

(Extracted from http://alvinmark.blogspot.com/.)
On Oct 13, Saturday at 4pm, the newest Scoop Shop on the east side of Singapore had finally opened! It is not an ice cream parlour, neither is it a virtual shop where you take orders on the internet. It is a "school" revamped to provide faith sharers at the church of the Holy Family with with a fresh perspective on things. Since we are what we eat, by adding that element of fun, we hope to pick up on more creative ways to share the faith especially with our little younger brothers and sisters in the parish. God bless us!

There's so much room out here to evangelise!

We finally have a central point of focus in the room!

Fr. Pat giving us a reflection and a blessing. Matt 18:1-5.

Our parish pastor reminding us of our role as shepherds.

Our future faith sharer distributing ice-cream and balloons!

Okie... so where should we open our next branch?

Thank you ALL who helped put the room together in the last 3 weeks!
And thank you, God, for the inspiration!

Pictures taken by Ben & Alffy.

Musings of a Catechist

2007-09-13T20:36:00.000+08:00

So often we tell ourselves that we must carry out our responsibilities as Catechists in catechising our teens (or children) that we often forget about our own spiritual needs and struggles in faith.

No one can say they have got everything down pat in terms of faith. Faith isn’t something we call upon to suit our ideas of what is right and wrong. Faith is a gift that calls us. It constantly puts us where we don’t want to be – it challenges our way of seeing things, of thinking, of living.

There is one thing I’ve learnt in this journey so far (learning never stops until you’ve reached the real journey’s end, by the way):

1. God loves me – in spite of and despite who I am – ‘cause I am His.
2. God calls me to put myself on the line – even though it’s the last thing I want to do or it’s the last place where I want to be.
3. God wants me to love – to care in big stuff or small.
4. Life is short – live it like it is.
5. Laugh! Especially at myself. Life is strange, silly, weird, sad, trying, infuriating and sometimes downright stupid but it should never be bland.
6. I am entitled to be weak, silly and to make mistakes at certain times. But I should never dwell on these times or continue to punish myself. Learn and move on.

Contributed by Lisel, Chief Editor, The Scoop Shop

Through the eyes of an 8 year-old

2007-08-30T00:03:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the day!

THIS ONE IS FABULOUS!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA. San Diego County . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment to "explain God."

I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
He had such an assignment in California , and someone published it. I guess miracles do happen!

EXPLANATION OF GOD:

"One of God's main jobs is making people.

He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."

"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside the bed. He doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off."

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your mom and dad's head, asking for something they said you couldn't have."

"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church." "Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him.

But He was good and kind, like his Father, and He told his Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K." "His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth, so He told him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in Heaven. So He did.

And now He helps his Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."

"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway." "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can.

It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids." "But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime he pleases.

And... that is why I believe in God."

-Contributed by Danny Dutton...shared by Alf, August 2007

About Us - Youth Facilitators of Holy Family

2007-08-03T13:08:00.000+08:00

FLavoUR of the DaY

Our buddies in catechism!

Holy Family Catechetical Ministry is very fortunate to have a group of teen helpers known as the Youth Facilitators, or affectionately known as “YFs”.

The YFs are under the Catechetical Ministry umbrella and their primary role is to assist the Catechists teaching Confirmation levels. More often than so, they have been a source of inspiration for Confirmation teens as role models and as a bridge between the teens and Catechists. Their duties do not bind them within the classroom; however, they are involved in the planning and running of activities during retreats and rites.

In the classroom, YFs do not just help the catechists arrange chairs or mark attendance. They assist in group discussions and even with lesson planning. Very often, lessons are planned within the limitation of Catechists which sometimes can be very lecture based. However, YFs help to inject a sense of fun and excitement by coming up with out-of-the-box ideas and games for the lesson, complimenting the work done by the catechists.

Usually, YFs will go through 1 cycle of confirmation (3 and half years). At the end of it, they would either progress on as a senior YF or a junior catechist. As a senior YF, they would head a group in the areas of music, praise and worship or formation etc. As a junior catechist, they will take on responsibilities of a Catechist such as planning and presenting a lesson, organizing retreats and activities etc. The journey of a YF has been very meaningful because it provides an avenue for them after receiving the sacrament of confirmation to grow spiritually and contribute back to the church.

-Benson Woon, Con 1 Catechist

Below are some testimonies by current YFs.

Angela Espehana…
My experience being a YF -in training so far has been eye-opening yet at the same time enlightening. I'm surprised that the students I'm facilitating are that naughty, but I can see a part of myself and my friends in them when we were that age as confirmants (ie. people preparing for confirmation). Right now I'm trying to relate to them and be their mentor, giving them guidance and encouragement to participate along the way. As a YF I'm also learning more about Jesus' mission for me and learning new things about God with the Con 1’s, be it in their lessons or during formation.

Valerie Tan…
I have grown spiritually after joining this ministry. The best thing about joining this new ministry is that I get to learn many new things such as the true characters of my friends, the importance of serving God and the joy of seeing the teens enjoying themselves (during games day). I have also made many new friends and going from being an acquaintance to friends is simply amazing. But most importantly, I have learnt much more about God and have gotten closer to him. My experience so far has been a very pleasant experience and enriching one both spiritually and physically. I have also learnt the importance of teamwork and that nothing can always be perfect.

TOPpings

When we feel weariness tinkling down the muscles, uninspired or restless,
Let us kindly ask God to steer us back to where the focus is, and be our anchor during stormy weather and rough seas…

Teaching your least ones

Jesus, loving friend and Saviour
you have said so clearly in Scipture
that what I do for your “little ones”
I do for you.
I find this hard to remember
especially when a child
is disruptive or loud or rude
or even just too playful.

I forget that you are with me
when a child is too slow or too unwilling
to learn or remember what I am teaching
It’s so much easier to believe
that you are present in those children
who are quick, bright and well groomed.

The “nice” little boys and girls
are so much easier to teach!

Forgive me, Jesus,
when I fail to see your presence
in the messy, less than perfect children

Forgive me when I show preferences
and give me courage
to love and teach every child
as you want me to love and teach.
May I reach out to your “least ones”
in every class I teach.

I can only keep it
if you help and guide me.

Amen.

-Gwen Constello
“A prayer book for Catechists”

ExTRA goodIES

Before

Before I forget, let me remember the laughter and tears
Before I forget, let me remember the dreams and fears
Before I forget, let me remember the dazzling sun
Before I forget, let me remember the cool night air
Before I forget, let me remember you there.

This is dedicated to all who have passed (too soon) into the next world and to those who are left behind -family and friends alike. For some of us, the most difficult is to go on with life. For many, it is a time of questioning ‘why’? There are no easy answers, no clear-cut explanations. Perhaps the most important thing is to remember how much we loved them. Perhaps that is all that matters: LOVE.

-Contributed by Liesl Massang, August 2007

Youth in Age, Heart & Holy Family Church

2007-07-27T22:14:00.000+08:00

Taking time out with the youth facilitators in training every week has a certain je ne sais pas flavour about it. Over the dozen or so Thursday evenings I spent with this dozen, I have come to treasure these moments. Although their boundless energy and fleeting attention span can put your blood pressure and sanity to the test, they inadvertently occasional flashes of insight are something to relish

But when each evening ends, I laugh to myself on the way home thinking over their in ane nun jokes and hilarious fish jokes, and shivered a little when I realized that they remind me of myself at their age only worse – skeptical, cynical, quick tempered (maybe still a little), impatient with the world, and feeling like a hero without a cause.

Each of them pledged to be each other’s fellow journeymen on their journey of faith just as we ought to be for one another. Sometimes it is hard to know where to go or do and although we have been exhorted time and again to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit she tends to be inaudibly soft.

I remember that many years ago I asked a priest how would I know that all the things I have been working at so far is something God wants, he said, “You have not been struck dead right? You must be doing something right.” Talk about living dangerously!

Matthew 19:14: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. In many ways, these teens are children in their faith and we adults bear a heavy responsibility to welcome, nurture, encourage and empower them. I am grateful that I had a priest who through my years as a young adult taught me that the God’s youth needed ample room, literally and metaphysically, to explore their faith, discover their identity, and act on it.

What now with these youth whom I spend an evening with each week? The parish is known for its wealthy parishioners but surely there must be something more which they can give. I rejoice that the young people may in time revive the drooping (if not already paralysed) youth movement, at the same time, fearful that they may implode into themselves as an insular parochial group tending their own turf, or worse, give up and their energies diverted away from God’s work.

Contributed by Francis Ow, picture of YFs taken by Robert Lim

Prayer for Level 3, RCIC, CGS and home catechesis children receiving their first holy communion on 29 Jul, Sun

Dear Lord Jesus,

We ask for your special blessings on our children who will be receiving this very important Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the 1st time. As you feed them with your body and blood, may they becontinuously nurtured and increase in their faith,always faithful and steadfast in loving you. As they grow and mature, may they come to know that your 'BODYAND BLOOD' is the "Centre of their life"

May their parents and catechists who are journeying with them receive your grace to guide them along the way.

We ask this in your most precious name! AMEN

Contributed by Titiek, HF Catechist Coordinator

Catch-a-Kiss

2007-07-13T14:26:00.000+08:00

Catch-a-Kiss
(Catechist)

Stop any catechist in their tracks and ask them

if they’ve felt God’s love in their mission?

They’ll tell you that they’ve had many God-kisses. =)

Catechists come in all shapes and sizes,
bringing different flavours and scents.

For one thing, most of them believe in “Paying it Forward.”

Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings will never be the same again.
Saturday’s high tea might be leading the kids/teens in a role play of Noah’s Ark.

And Sunday’s breakfast? Singing and praising God in worship songs!
And the best thing you can ever get cannot be measured in $, or m & ms.

It might just be a simple yet life-changing embrace from a child or kid/teen
who has finally learnt the true meaning of God’s love.

Each stone is unique and different, just like how each kid is special.

When you share your life and faith with love,
you’ll find that many are actually listening.

Public speaking may be a challenge,
but God will see you through and bring you there.

Soon, they will be as brave as you.
In time, they will flower and bloom. =)

In all things, remember to affirm and give thanks!

Be a catechist.

Make a difference in someone's life someday.

Ice-BEAUTY cream?

2007-06-29T23:30:00.001+08:00

Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People(kids and teens), even more than things, have to be

restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;

Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,

one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a (catechist) is not in the clothes he/she wears,

the figure that he/she carries, or the way he/she combs his/her hair.

The beauty of a (catechist) must be seen from in his/her eyes,

because that is the doorway to his/her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a (catechist) is not in a facial mole,

but true beauty in a (catechist) is reflected in his/her soul.

It is the caring that he/she lovingly gives, the passion that he/she shows,

and the beauty of a (catechist) with passing years only grows!

-Made popular by Audrey Hepburn after she read it on Christmas eve of 1992.

Originally written by Sam Levenson.

Specially adapted for the catechists in HFC and the world over!

I'm sure Levenson won't mind, sharing the goodness of his works!

A word of thanks and farewell from Fr. Aloysius

2007-06-25T19:22:00.000+08:00

When I stepped foot into the parish of Holy Family, Katong, never were there any thoughts of my presence being there forever. As the days became weeks, weeks into months and months into years, the thoughts changed to other matters that were far removed from staying or even leaving.

Life then just was about making a life in the parish and serving to the best of my abilities whatever that came my way in the ministry given to me. A large part of that was the presence of the Catechetical ministry that promised much potential in reaching out, teaching, serving and being with all the persons, young or old, man, woman or child that constitute this call to share God's love and live with all.

It would be a ministry that would take hold of my four-year tenure in the parish that also saw various ecletic mix of persons, other ministries and experiences which would form and mould my outlook about what the priesthood is all about. The Catechetical ministry certainly pulled no punches about what it had to offer: complacent parents, unruly children, troubled teens, unprepared catechists, you name it! Of course, there were also caring and competent catechists, cooperative parents and helpful teens and children that go a long way to make the life of teaching and sharing faith a joy to do.

Nonetheless, it is by the grace of God, that the work carries on despite these limitations and difficulties. This is not to say that we just depended on God with nothing to show for ourselves It is therefore the credit of the catechists that we have today, who continue to stick to their commitment to do their best in re-echoing God's Kingdom in the midst of all the usual trials and obstacles that we face each day.

Yes, we still have a long way to go before some semblance of professionalism and dignity be found to push and direct this catechetical ministry towards a future ahead that sees a community that knows and appreciate their faith and who God is in all its true manifestation. It is a future I am sure this ministry and all catechists in it would want to work for. It is also a vision that all catechists, deep down, will appreciate and want to do their utmost to make it a reality.

I may not have been able to assist you fully for such a reality to take place and am no longer privileged to be there to see it happen. Nonetheless, I am sure with the help of my replacement and with your continued conviction in this dream, this vision may just be around the corner.
I bid you all farewell and a big thank you for a great time spend there. For all my shortcomings, I ask for your forgiveness and for all good that arise from my work with you, praise the Lord! In everything, may the very love of God continue to speak through all your actions and work done in this challenging and yet rewarding and meaningful ministry that taps into the very lifeblood of evangelisation!

Keep up the good work!

"... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4: 8-9

Kids + Water + Games = Smiley faces!

2007-06-15T23:36:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

Conf 1 Games Day at the Beach

The first thing that comes to mind when organising a Games Day for the Confirmation 1 teens, more often than not, would be “What am I supposed to plan for a whole bunch of restless teens? Controlling them in class is already stressful enough! Imagine spending a whole day with them!”

However, the teens proved us to have misjudged them when they gamely took part in the Games Day on the 19th May 2007.

The day started off with the teens streaming into church at 9am. By 10.15am, the teens had already assembled at ECP after walking there from church. Surprisingly, they enjoyed their walk and few complained of fatigue.

We started off the event with ice-breakers to allow them to feel comfortable in their allocated groups. Ice-breakers, as always, are often the most boring games as many of the teens would refuse to budge or participate. However, our confirmation 1 teens were filled with enthusiasm as they played the ice-breakers. After the ice-breakers, the teens went off to the four different stations to participate in the games which consisted of “seated-soccer”, “captain-chicken-ball”, “spider web” and “dice-a-bomb”. Their screams of delight, surprise and shock filled the air as the water bombs were thrown at them and buckets of water emptied upon them, drenching them from head to toe.

Gradually, they started throwing water bombs and buckets of water on their catechists and youth facilitators. Benson emerged as the wettest catechist! Every teen was partially or fully wet.

Lunch was an enjoyable affair as everyone tucked into the delicious food provided by the parents of the teens. After lunch, we proceeded back to church for the “amazing race” which involved them running around the church in their groups to search for the answer. Many of them approached Uncle Benny in the office to ask for answers. How ingenious! We should have warned him before hand not to give out the answers!

After the “amazing race”, we ended the day with a prize-giving ceremony and a closing prayer by Andrew. The teens then departed with smiles on their faces even though they were clearly exhausted.

Although there were a few unruly teens, the event was a smashing success. Hence, who says taking care of teens is a stressful and unrewarding job? The joy of success is in seeing the teens enjoying themselves. That alone is our reward.

-Contributed by Valerie Tan (Conf 1, Youth Facilitator)

Toppings

How to enjoy games at the beach?

Rule 1) Have Faith in God for providing fine weather - carry an umbrella not for the rain but for SHADE from the Sun

Rule 2) The Catechists must get wet

Rule 3) Teens must not be drier than their Cats

Rule 4) Have lots of buckets of water bomb

-Contributed by Valerie Tan ( Con 1's Youth Facilitator)

Extra Goodies

A drunk stumbles along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the
river.

He proceeds to walk down into the water and stand next to the priest.

The priest turns and notices the old drunk and says, "Mister, Are you
ready to find Jesus?"

The drunk looks back and says, "Yes. I sure am."

The priest then dunks the fellow under the water and pulls him right
back up.

"Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asked.

"No, I didn't!" said the drunk.

The priest then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up
and says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?"

"No, I did not Reverend."

The priest disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this
time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "My God, have
you found Jesus yet?"

The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the priest ...

"Are you sure this is where he fell in?"

-Contributed by Mark Ortega, Con 4 Catechist

A Spiritually Nourishing Smoothie...

2007-06-07T01:02:00.000+08:00

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.

"This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this ... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing....

God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

-Contributed by Thushari Perera, 21 May' 07, fotos, Nana.

Fr. Aloy’s Farewell Party

2007-05-25T17:11:00.000+08:00

Flavour Of The Day

If you’ve been following mails from the loop of catechists lately regarding the above event, you would have already noted what a wonderful, touching and most of all - fun farewell was held on behalf of our Dear Spiritual Director Fr. Aloysius Ong who will soon leave us to Rome, for further studies.

The planning took off weeks ahead, and the turnout was huge. Each person bearing witness of their deep appreciation, what it meant for them to have worked with Fr. Aloy during the past four and a half years. (oh sure, we represented the ones who couldn’t make it too!)

It was an effort put together with love, generosities of all kinds and of course Talent! Weren’t the organizers, comperes, photographers, song composers, caterers and singers all outstanding! While it’s difficult to pinpoint one occasion as the highlight of the night, possibly it was when Father departing from his usually quiet demeanor sang a beautiful song for all in attendance.

Father, we have never seen you keeping your ear to ear smile for so long…Thank you for enjoying the little we could do for you, for all that you have done for us.

I have not quite known you, ( the quiz results only showed!) but it’s not often when the departure of someone hardly known to one ,seems to leave a void which appears difficult to fill. I am sure these sentiments are shared by all of us who are reluctantly compelled to bid farewell to you. Study hard!!

-Contributed by Thushari Perera, 25 May 2007

Toppings:

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant.

My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked.

"Cross my heart," the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

The End

- Contributed by Serene Wee, 25 May 2007

Our gifts and Identity

2007-05-25T16:21:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

Last Sunday, 20 May 2007, I witnessed 79 teens, clad in white, receive their Sacrament of Confirmation from the Archbishop Nicholas Chia at the 6 pm Mass of Holy Family Church. The catechists and youth facilitators wore a contrasting colour from the teens –black.

Being a member of the St. Mary’s choir, I sat at the choir pews and watched the whole ceremony clearly. I am happy for the teens who have finally reached the end of a decade long journey of catechism classes. To them, this is their window to adulthood – the beginning of their freedom. Hopefully, they will be guided by the Holy Spirit to make the right choices in life. They brought back memories of my daughter’s confirmation just last year. Like them, my daughter and her friends were filled with the Spirit after their confirmation and arranged to meet up once a week to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist. However, this arrangement did not last very long. I was quite disturbed when my daughter told me that she was following her friends to other churches to experience God. I questioned the need for this as I felt that God is already with us in our own church. Then later I realized that my daughter and her friends were actually searching for a place where they could find their own identity.

During the celebration of their Confirmation last Sunday, the teens not only received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but also received mementos from their catechists, God-parents and parents. Members of the Youth Council also presented the teens with a hand-made rosary as a sign of welcome and invitation to join them. I could feel the relief and joy of the Confirmation 4 catechists who have sacrificed a lot of time and effort to journey these three and a half years with them. However, I could not help but feel a bit sad knowing that after this day, we will lose some of the Confirmation 4 catechists from our ministry and a large number of these teens - who hold the future of our church – going out into the world. It dawned on me that my next challenge as a catechist was “How to help these teens find their own identity in our church?”

Contributed by Linda Heng, picture by Christina Lim

Extra Toppings

This is a picture of our Church's Main Hall Stained-Glass. At the Centre of it is a picture of the Holy Family. Surrounding the Holy Family are 16 pictures depicting scenes in the life of Jesus.

Picture contributed by Christina Lim

Smoothies:

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Contributed by Francisco Furtado (Conf 1 YF)

A catholic's ART

2007-05-18T16:29:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

The Art of Teaching the Faith

Shepherding and opening doors of hearts of our young ones

The catechist

What is our task as catechists? To help our young children encounter God. There cannot be teachers of the faith other than those who are convinced and faithful followers of Christ and the Church.

Nothing – not the method or the texts, or any part of the program – is more important than the person of the catechist. The gifts given to the catechist by the Spirit to witness faithfully and live accordingly are the very soul of catechetical ministry. The catechist is a mediator, facilitating communication between our children and the mystery of God, among our children being catechized, and between them and the larger community. Because of this, the catechist is called to a Christian way of life that reflects his or her beliefs well.

Our teaching methods

There are a variety of methods for teaching catechism, not just one. The nature of the message determines, in part, how it should be taught. We should adopt the most effective way to make the communication of faith understood and to make it plain.

There are however two general methods of teaching we can adopt: the inductive and the deductive.

The inductive begins with such things as biblical events, liturgical acts, events in the Church’s life or events in daily life so as to discern the meaning they might have in divine Revelation.

For example, we could refer to Jesus’ many examples of love in the Bible to teach our children how much God loves us.

This method has many advantages because it resembles the way God has chosen to reveal the divine mystery to us. It begins with experiences and enlightens them with the word of God.

The deductive method on the other hand explains and describes the doctrines and principles first. One then comes to understand experience by deriving conclusions from such principles. This approach begins with Scripture, doctrine or liturgy and applies them to life.

For example, to teach about the sanctity of life, we can start with the Commandment “Thou Shall Not Kill” and expand the principle to explain why capital punishment, euthanasia and abortion are violations of this commandment.

Needless to say, both methods are legitimate and needed.

Human experience

Human experience is the stuff of life. We have the task of making our children more aware of their most basic human experiences so that they become aware of God’s hand in their lives. Interpreting and illuminating human experience through the eyes of faith is how the revealed message and human experiences connect and lead one to faith.

-Contributed by Mark Ortega, 14 May 2007

Adapted from “The General Directory for Catechesis in plain English” by Bill Huebsch

Toppings:

I came across this book by H.Jackson Brown, Jr, “Live and learn and pass it on Vol II” filled with quotes shared by human beings 5 to 95 about things they’ve discovered along the way in life…

Here are some sprinkles:

I’ve learned that your “I can” is more important than your “IQ.”
- Age 14

I’ve learned that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else.
-Age 20

I’ve learned that life is both simple and complicated at the same time. The trick is finding the simple truths that are contained in the complicated confusion.
-Age 24

I’ve learned that people can surprise you. Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.
-Age 32

I’ve learned that no one drinks the last tablespoon of anything in a container- they would have to wash or refill.
-Age 49

I’ve learned that perspective is everything. To a worm, digging in the hard ground is more relaxing than going fishing.
-Age 65

I’ve learned that absent-minded people get lots of exercise looking for things they can’t find.
-Age 66

Extra goodies:

Mothers' Day Specials

A little something for all mothers who’ve smiled much, loved much, taught much, and gave much.

Mothers are unique creatures. Sometimes we may not understand them, as they can be quite a conplicated bunch. But sometimes they know us better than we do. They may nag alot, eat alot, laugh alot, burp alot but what they do best is loving us more than a mega-million scoops of ice-cream, and a gazillion M & Ms. They make the best goodies in our “LIFE party bag.”

We remember our mothers, not only on mothers' day, but their little deeds of love that go a long long way. We seek our heavenly Mother Mary's intercession for mothers all over the world, new mothers, soon-to-be mothers and fairy godmothers, that they will continue to herald God's great love.

-Contributed by Nana Philea Moo, 18 May 2007

Smoothies D'lite

2007-05-10T00:53:00.000+08:00

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What
majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful
animals!" he said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river, he heard a
rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7
foot grizzly charging towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over
his shoulder, he saw that the bear was closing in on
him. His heart was pumping frantically, and he tried to
run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He
rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear
raising his paw to take a swipe at him.

At that instant, the atheist cried out: "Oh my God!...

Time stopped.

The bear froze.

The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man, and
a voice came out of the sky saying:

"You deny my existence for all of these years, teach
others I don't exist and even credit creation to a
cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of
this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light.

"It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to
treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you
make the BEAR a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice. The light went out, and
the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive, and for which I am truly thankful, Amen."

- Joke contributed by Thushari Perera.

Another side to seeing it...

2007-05-05T00:09:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day
Witnessing to Others:

Now having met together, the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, has the time come for you to restore the kingdom of Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to earth’s remotest end.”

(Acts 1: 6-8)

To many people, Ascension may seem a paradox. It seems like a necessary means to an end -- that only after Ascension can there be a Pentecost. Thus, many people tend to gloss over the significance of the Ascension, and tend to focus more on Pentecost, that great birthday of the Church.

Thus, it may come as a surprise to most of us, that the Ascension is actually a new beginning by itself. The disciples’ last statement before Jesus went up to heaven is a somewhat selfish one, it is clearly stating the disciples wish that Israel regained its former glory and power, most likely at the expense of others. However, the Lord turned it into a much more positive slant, by exhorting them to witness to “earth’s remotest end”.

What then does this have to do with us? In fact, this has a lot in parallel with each of us. We can choose to follow the disciples’ mindset, or the Lord’s command. In the disciples’ mindset, they expected some rewards to follow immediately after the ascension, in this case power and dominion. It can be also be same for us, that just because Christ has risen from the dead, our salvation is assured, and therefore we are only waiting for the reward of eternal life. But that is clearly not what the Lord intended us to do.

The interesting fact here is that even though Jesus’ ministry on Earth is finished, neither the disciples nor ours are done yet. The Ascension will lose its true meaning unless we are a witness of the Good News to those around us. How then do we witness to others? The best way is by reaching out to others like Christ reached out to us, by loving others as Christ has loved us, by dying to others as Christ has died for us. There are many men and women in history, from St Vincent de Paul to St Francis of Assisi to Mother Theresa, who by their lives and examples, have touched more people than any earthly power can ever hope to achieve. Thus, by their actions, they have expanded the kingdom of God. Therefore, Jesus has made a very wise decision in choosing witnessing over power and dominion. It is up to us to do the same.

-Contributed by Raymond Ang, 03 May 2007,
Photo by Nana, taken in Oklahoma City.

Toppings

It is not how much we have, but how much we know we have.

One day, 2 young boys were talking under a palm tree. One was from a middle class family, and he has what the world calls "Luxuries of Life". The other boy was lucky if he could have breakfast the next morning. But there was always a smile on his face.

Rich boy: "Why are you always smiling?" You don't even have a roof over your head!

Rich in spirit answered: "I have the stars to watch me go to bed every night, the sky as my blanket, and the gentle night breeze as my fan.

Rich boy: "My mother just bought me the newest MP3 player, it’s really cool! Will you ever get one?

Rich in spirit replied: “I have a heart full of song, and God sings to me through the rustling of the trees, and the tweeting of the birds. Sometimes, even silence is a song of peace.”

Rich boy: “I go to school and I have all these books with beautiful pictures to teach me about the world and about life.”

Rich in spirit replied: I spend my whole day watching God’s creation. I watch the sun rise, till it sets at dusk. I watch little plants grow into tall sturdy trees. I watch the birds lay eggs, and I play with the baby birds when they hatch. I use mud and the river water to build myself a play pen. I know which plants I can eat from, and which shoots I can use to make my mom a basket for her things. I thank God for these lessons of life.

-Contributed by Nana Philea Moo, 05 May 2007

Extra Goodies

“For many are called,but few are chosen.”Matthew 22: 14

17 inspiring stories that make life a little fuller, smiles a little wider and hearts a little softer. A great trEAT! Where priests share their stories of being Called and Chosen...

Takeaway

Confirmation Mass!

Share the “Holy Spirit” moment with them!

Date: Sunday, 20 May 2007
Time: 6pm Mass
Venue: Main Church Hall

Smoothies D'lite!

2007-04-27T16:28:00.000+08:00

Dear Scoop Shop fans,

Here’s your lite dessert this week!

Enjoy the smoothies and delectable goodies that will come your way every alternate week!

Enjoy it before it melts!

Love,

The Scoop Factory

Peace was Jesus’ first word to His beloved disciples after His resurrection. Today, our Risen Lord continues to offer us His gift of peace! St. Paul tells us that prayer is key in attaining God’s peace:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

An encounter with two nuns from the Little Sisters of the Poor proved that prayer works wonders! As the nuns shared about their experiences with the elderly in their hospice, there was a deep sense of peace and tranquility that radiated from within. Despite having to constantly grapple with suffering and death (the average age of their patients is above 90), the nuns remain strong. Prayer is unsurprisingly their secret!

Before Jesus sends us out to do His work, like the disciples, He first offers us His peace. Only when we are at peace with God and with ourselves can we work to build His Kingdom. Let us never get so caught up with the work that we fail to make time for prayer. For it’s in the silence of our hearts that we hear His gentle whisper, “Peace be with you!”

May the Peace of our Risen Lord dwell in your heart today and always!

- Contributed by Francesca Lee, 26 April 07

Easter Treats!

2007-04-20T14:55:00.000+08:00

Flavour of the Day

Planning a Lesson, Anyone?
I would like to share a few pointers from the first chapter of ‘Tools for Teaching: Classroom Tips for Catechists’ by Joe Paprocki in the light of our Singapore context.

Tips for Lesson Planning:

1. Look ahead - Most catechists are given a calendar of topics at the beginning of the teaching year. Sometimes though, this calendar it’s pretty much redundant by the second month, because there are so many change along the way. Still, it is a good idea to get a picture of what’s happening during the calendar year in
order to know what you need to accomplish by the end of it.

2. Get to know your text and your class – If you are like many Singaporeans, you may suffer from having too much to accomplish in too little an amount of time. We really thrive on those step-by-step notes; but it’s relating to the children or teens that’s tough. Either they are distracted, disruptive or indifferent.
Suggestion? Take it easy on yourself and show an interest in them (even if they are not interested in you). You don’t have to know everyone’s names by heart. What’s most important is that you show that you care about them, but would brook no nonsense nevertheless.

3. Examine the teacher notes in the instructor’s manual – It’s great to have at an instructor’s manual (we’re quite happy to follow it). However, for the catechism levels that have no manuals at all, don’t panic: Get advice or notes from your ‘seniors’ – catechists who have gone a few rounds of teaching.

4. Visualize yourself teaching the lesson – This might be good for those who are self-conscious or have little experience with teaching. If time permits, do try it. Visualize presenting the lesson you have planned. Imagine every possible scenario and how you would react. Imagine problems that might arise and visualize how you would best handle them.

5. Make adjustments to fit your particular class – Just as life is not predictable, no lesson plan is set in stone. Once you’ve got the gist of the lesson, think of your particular’s class’ readiness (or lack thereof) for what the lesson calls for. Sometimes the children’s personalities do not fit the activity set in the lesson plan. The better you know the class, the better you’ll be able to make adjustments in order to have an effective lesson.

6. Know your goals and learning outcomes (objectives) – Know the purpose of your lesson. It’s not about finishing all the activities in the lesson plan. It whether your goals and learning objectives have been accomplished.

7. Get your materials ready – This is a no-brainer but we should keep this in mind all the same.

8. Have Plan B ready –Always have an option ready in case something falls flat or just isn’t working the way you had hoped.

Contributed by Liesl Massang, 20 Apr 2007, pic by nana.

Toppings

In the still of the night...

It's the wee hours of the morning and I'm alone with my thoughts... the steady ticking of the clock, my only company in the quiet of the night... my mind is racing... it up drifts along the thin sliver of moonlight that is coming through my bedroom window... it imagines the world beyond that moon... of planets in a solar system... solar systems whizzing around the centre of the galaxy... countless galaxies moving at unbelievable speeds to the edges of reality... dark matter... black holes... a huge expanse completely incomprehensible to our small minds... and I ask:

"God, where are you in the universe?"

It's frightening really. We are just one infinitesimal speck in the entire universe. A universe so unimaginably massive and seemingly void. An enormous darkness. Did one Being create all that? Why should He even care about the small thoughts of someone on that speck.

My heart feels constricted as my logical mind tells me I'm alone in the night... My breath grows short and shallow... I feel...

"I'm right here."

My breath becomes regular. I feel cosy and comfortable... like someone is cradling me. I sleep like a baby...

-Contributed by Michael Puhaindran, 09 April 2007, pic by nana.

Extra Goodies

In addition to Liesl's flavour of the day, here are some goodies you can add to your ice-cream creation!

1) Smile (Rainbow Sprinkles)
Greet the childen with the sunshine of the day. YOU
Yes, yes amidst all that taking attendance and keeping them quiet.
The best topping they can enjoy is a smile on their catechists’ faces and a crisp “Hello”!

2) Praise and Encouragement (Almond Nibs)
I’m quite sure most of you know and practise this in class. Aside from teaching them about God, and their faith, we catechists play an important role in helping the kids learn to love themselves, even when they are nutty. ;p

3) Sincere Affection (Whipped Cream)
God is love. A simple pat, a nod of acknowledgement or a hug can show a kid that we care. Just like how cream milk is slowly stirred and beaten till it forms fluffy whipped cream,

we need to stir love and mix effort into loving them.

4) Sweet treats (Chocolate Treats)
For ages 2 to 92. Top up love with something sweet. You can never go wrong with a candy treat once in a while!

5) Praying with Love (Chocolate sauce)
At the end of the day, our aim is to help the kids build a relationship with God. Infusing chocolate sauce with ice-cream will make the creation a whole lot yummier!

-Contributed by Nana Philea Moo, 16 Apr 2007

FREE ICE CREAM TODAY (17 April)

2007-04-16T03:03:00.000+08:00

Dear Scoop Shop fans,

Free ice cream today from our good friends at Ben & Jerry's. Since we are not so technologically advanced yet, and we can't beam 3D objects thru the Internet, you have to physically make your way down to any of the listed stores from 12pm to 7pm on 17 April 2007 for your free ice-cream cone. No kidding!!

The 8 participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops (in Singapore) are:
Downtown East, #01-08A
Great World City, #02-40A
Suntec City Mall, #01-152
Raffles City, #B1-80
The Cathay, #02-12
United Square, #02-40A
VivoCity, #02-135
White Sands, #01-36

Also during the Easter Season,
we'll be alternating a full blog with a lite one
every two weeks.

For all you teachers out there...
A little lengthy but if you need a booster,
enjoy this one.

http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/

love,
The Scoop Factory

ALLELUIA! CHRIST HAS RISEN!

2007-04-08T01:36:00.000+08:00

TODAY'S FLAVOURS

Risen!

(Click on image above for animation.)

If you celebrate Easter then you must believe the impossible. You are not merely asserting you believe that a dead person could come back to life, like Lazarus, but you are declaring as a tenet that such a person will not die again like our Lord Jesus Christ.

To the unbeliever, the Resurrection is a myth, as Zeus and Hercules are. To the skeptic, the Resurrection is a legend, as the ghosts in St Patrick’s School are. To the intellectual, the Resurrection is a scientific phenomenon awaiting an explanation, as restorative powers of certain herbs were.

The mechanics of resurrection answer the “HOW” question. Such intellectual forays may be interesting but not necessarily useful. For example, if you swim, there is no point asking how. Your limbs automatically cooperate with each other to propel you forward. If you are writing this article, you need not ask how. You simply race across the keyboard to put words together in a comprehensible order to tell a story. The real question to ask is “WHY” – why did you swim at the time at the place in the manner you did? Why do you write the article as such?

So if you behold the Resurrection like an interested observer two millennia after the fact, the HOW question would figure largely for you. As a participant in the Resurrection, however, it should no longer be important how it happened but why it happened.

How do I mean? When she broke up with me a little less than two decades ago, my life went to bits. The world took on a dull sheen like the underside of a casket lid. I spent many waking moments moping and trying to get her to change her mind. When I failed, I imploded and withdrew inwards. I searched myself to know what of me that was unworthy of her. Nothing else interested me, neither God nor studies.

When I finally came out of my doldrums, it was illuminating and humbling. It shed light on how I had been treating the relationship and my expectation of it. It changed my idea of what really mattered. Life came back slowly. That day I died to my uncharitable attitude and I rose to a new appreciation of what a life-giving relationship is. Much later, I realized how God had held me in his palm the whole time even though I was oblivious of His presence.

Easter is not just a historical event. It is not just a day of remembrance. It is a logic defying, a life reorientating experience. The Lord has risen and so must I for I know He loves me enough to raise me from the dead again and again.

- Contributed by Francis Ow, 07 Apr 2007

TOPPINGS

"Once we had no sugar for our children. I don't know how, but a little child heard that Mother Teresa needed sugar. He went home and told his parents, "I will not eat sugar for three days. I will give my sugar to Mother Teresa." After three days, the parents brought the child to our house. In his hand, he had a little bottle of sugar. He could scarely pronounce my name but he taught me that it is not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving." - Mother Teresa.

Loving others above yourself is not just a lenten journey. It is a Christian journey.

- Contributed by Nana Philea Moo, 06 Apr 2007

EXTRA GOODIES

See the highlights

TAKE AWAY

Bible HA-HAs
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew outa little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Q.. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.

Happy Triduum!!

2007-04-05T06:14:00.000+08:00

Dear ice-cream fans,

We apologise but The Scoop Shop will be virtually
closed from Thursday evening (5 April)
to Saturday late night (7 April),
to observe the Triduum
celebrations of the Lord!

However, visitors will get a special lenten multimedia treat!
[Click right here]

Lent 5

2007-03-31T01:42:00.000+08:00

FLAVOUR OF THE DAY

The Way God Calls Us
I would like to share some elements from Fr Thomas Green SJ’s book ‘Prayer and Common Sense’ in the chapter called “Theology of Vocation” namely:
God always makes the first move, either directly or through another human being;
God takes each of us precisely where we are, in our uniqueness;
God’s call is never compelling. God respects freedom – inviting us and awaiting our response.

God always makes the first move…
We see this clearly in John’s account of the call of the first disciples. There are five: Andrew and John himself, then Peter, Philip, and finally Nathanael. In each case it is Jesus who makes the first move. He calls Philip directly, but usually he works through a human instrument. John the Baptist points out the Lamb of God to Andrew and John. Andrew, in turn, calls his brother Peter. And Philip calls Nathanael. In our lives, too, God normally works through instrumentality – the preaching or good example – of another human being.

God takes each of us where we are…
In John’s account God approaches each of us where we are, in a highly personal way. John and Andrew could be described as sensitive souls. Their encounter with the Lord has a mysterious, almost mystical quality about it. “What do you want?” “Rabbi, where do you live?” Come and see.” They did go, they saw and they stayed with him.

Peter’s initial encounter with the Lord is quite different, because Peter is a very different person – dramatic and impulsive. The very first thing Jesus does is to change his name: “You are Simon, son of John; you are to be called Cephas (Peter), meaning ‘Rock.’”

Philip is the simple, unimaginative one. In John 1:43 Jesus simply calls him: no mystical depths, and no dramatic change of name – which Peter loved, but Philip would have found totally confusing. After all, he had been called Philip from the day he was born. And all his family called him Philip. How could Jesus change his name now? So Jesus takes Philip where he is and says, very simply: “Follow me.”

Finally Nathanael is the good Pharisee, the man of the law. Jesus also meets him where he is, discussing with him how any good can come from Nazareth. He explains the messianic hopes of the Law and the Prophets to Nathanael, the lover of the Law.

God respects our freedom…
Not only does Jesus meet each of us where we are in our uniqueness, but he also respects our freedom totally. John and Andrew had to decide to “come and see.” So did Peter, Philip and Nathanael. The decision to do so was not as immediate and wholehearted as John’s account might lead us to think. One of the central themes of Mark’s gospel is the first disciples’ slowness to comprehend and their hesitancy to respond totally. Jesus was infinitely patient with them, sometimes to the point of exasperation (Mk 7:18; 8:17, 33; 9:18-19). He respected their freedom and unfreedom. He danced to their music, while teaching them to dance to his.

Let’s remember when Jesus said: “You did not choose me, no I chose you, and commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16)

- Contributed by Nicholas Tan, 27 March 2007

TOPPINGS

New Life
As one journey ends, another begins; when a door closes, somewhere else a windows opens… many different expressions but essentially, the same message. What is this message?

As we draw close to the end of our Lenten journey, can we reflect and ask ourselves: Are we ready for Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus?

I am reminded of something a tour guide said as he took us past a forest of Mountain Ash not far from Melbourne, Australia. It was the first time I had seen such trees: so tall and straight, with smooth looking bark that was ash gray – almost white (not a familiar sight in tropical Singapore). Yet some had been scorched, blackened by bush fire. What the guide told us surprised me: The extreme heat of a bush fire allows the tree to release its seeds – thousands and thousands of them. Even though the tree may die, its seeds are spread far and wide in the forest. I could not imagine how this could make sense until recently, when I finally saw a picture of these seeds. They were tiny, as tiny as the ants that harvest them on the forest floor. The seeds that are not harvested by ants will germinate and grow into new trees.

The Australian Mountain Ash Eucalyptus regnans is the world's
tallest hardwood tree and the world's tallest flowering plant.

Only in destruction of the tree can it bring new life and life in abundance.

Call it a cycle, a circle of life, whatever you wish. It is a call to be recreated. Are we ready to step forward towards this call to change, not because we are forced to, but because we choose it?
It may not be a baptism of fire (although for some, it may be); it may just be letting go of the baggage that weigh us down, the ghosts of our past. It may simply be taking a deep breath and walking with our heads held high, towards whatever the future may hold.

So let us leave behind the things that impede our journey: the guilt, the anger and irksome self-doubts. Let us welcome and celebrate our New Life!

- Contributed by Liesl Massang, 27 March 2007

EXTRA GOODIES
Easter is right around the corner leading us into the ordinary sundays. A fairly popular parable will be the Good Samaritan. Do check out Who Is My Neighbour (VCD) produced by the Daughters of St Paul. This piece is great because it tells the story from the Singaporean point of view and this product is 100% made in (uniquely) Singapore! ;O)

Great for our little brothers and sisters from L3 to C2. It is available for loan at the cat office library. Don't all go looking for it at the same time because there is only one copy at the moment. In case many of you are planning to use this on the same week, there is another video, The Miracle Maker, on DVD for loan too. Although this is just a few minutes of the parable, the animation involved is fantastic! Enjoy!!

TAKE AWAY
Halfway on the other side of the globe, in a little town called South Pasadena, in Los Angeles, Holy Family Church (So. Pas.) prepares their parishioners for Holy Week.

On Friday (30 Mar) at 2pm in the afternoon, the eighth graders (14 year olds) put up a 'live' Station of the Cross in church. The play happens every Friday during the season of Lent.

Jesus meets his mother.

Jesus dies.

Women and children weeping.

Women and children watching.

At 6pm, soup is served at the St Joseph's Centre followed by a movie screening and a reflection by Fr Tony. This week's movie, Miracle of Marcelino, is heart-warming tale set in Spain about a little orphan who finds solace in the crucifix of Christ.

Parishioners and priests having a simple meal at St Joseph's Centre.

Now Screening: The miracle of Marcelino.

- Contributed by Alf, 30 March 2007

LENT 4

2007-03-23T11:06:00.000+08:00

A note from the Scoop Factory:
Some changes to our Seder Meal's date,timing and venue.
Look out for it in this week's TAKEAWAY!

FLAVOUR OF THE DAY

My dear brothers and sisters in the Catechists Ministry,
It’s been a week since the Confirmation 4 Retreat began, and I’m hoping that our desire to praise and thank God for all He’s done for us in that short time never ceases. As a team of Confirmation catechists, it was arguably the most meaningful time we’ve ever had with our teens.

Trying Something New…

At the beginning of the term, we the Confirmation 4 catechists were excited yet apprehensive about the Youth in the Spirit Seminar (YISS) materials we were told to use over the next six weeks. Most of us had not experienced the YISS in any form for ourselves, and yet, now we were supposed to prepare our teens? Yet, filled with a confidence that we ourselves could not explain, and could only have come from God the Father, we overcame our fears and tried to do the best we can.

In the five weeks prior to the camp, we created opportunities for the teens to share in their groups about various topics, such as “Experiencing God’s Love”, Come, Be My Disciple” and “God, the Holy Spirit”. This sharing was done to varying degrees of success. It was a struggle for us. Over time, however, as each of the catechists found our own ways of creating an attitude for sharing, we began to better experience the teens and how they felt about these topics.

We knew the teens were desiring an experience of God, but so far, despite the sharing sessions in class, it was difficult to gauge whether they were ready or not for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A couple of us were worried if they’d ever be ready.

With God’s grace, however, the Retreat this past week became, without a doubt, the climax of our YISS programme and, as I said earlier, arguably the climax of our whole Confirmation journey.

Overcoming Difficulties With Love And Humility
It was almost a Retreat that wasn’t going to happen. We had secured the location at FMM House of Prayer along Holland Road, but the priests were difficult to confirm and we barely managed to rope in the help of the Youth Council a month before the retreat proper.

There are two lessons to be learnt from this, of course:

First and foremost, do ALL your planning way beforehand! Priests are extremely busy people and are likely to turn you down, VERY reluctantly, if you contact them even a fortnight before. We were most fortunate that our own Father Chris was able to rope in our former Altar Server chairperson, Father Damian De Wind to help Father Aloy out with the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the last minute. As we had over 50 teens in attendance, we were also blessed to have Father Jivan Daniel OFM from the Church of St Mary of the Angels help out as well.

Secondly, and more importantly, do ask for help from other ministries in the parish and show your teens that there’s more to the parish than just the catechists. For our camp, the Youth Council (YC) was instrumental, possibly crucial, in their role as group facilitators, musicians and leaders for Praise and Worship, but most significantly, as representatives of the youth of the parish. About 15 members of the YC showed up at various points during the Retreat and at least half of them stayed throughout the whole event, despite having their own commitments that weekend. I’m sure the teens were well aware and moved by this gesture of love.

The Importance Of Being A Team
Despite all the generous help we received from the YC and the various priests involved, including Father Clifford Augustine OFM who presided over our in-house Mass, the Retreat wouldn’t have been a success if not for the wonderful team of catechists I have been blessed to work with.

Shaun, our co-ordinator worked tirelessly in ensuring that no detail was omitted during the planning of the camp. He was so dedicated to his role that he even took leave on the first day of camp in order to ensure that all the logistics were accounted for. He did this so that no one else would be inconvenienced.

Yet, despite his role as leader and co-ordinator, Shaun chose the attitude of a servant as he remained opened to the ideas of the other catechists and tried his best to accommodate all the suggestions that were brought up during our meetings. He alone worked with the strength of two and freed us all to serve the teens to the best of our ability.

We continue to thank God who, in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to equip our team with catechists who have invaluable gifts, not least of all, driving licenses and fast cars. Seriously though, the gifts this team were blessed with, including prayer, administration and story telling, complemented one another so well that it is beyond a shadow of doubt how God’s hand continues to guide our way.

Based on these experiences:

My recipe for a successful Confirmation retreat:
2 scoops of servant leadership
1 scoop of detailed administration
1 scoop of honesty, sincerity and respect for your teens
1 HUGE scoop of trust in God and fellow human beings (including priests and everyone you might have roped in to help out)
Sprinkle a generous amount of fervent prayer and unconditional love, and serve with a huge dollop of openness!

This recipe may be tweaked to meet your needs and wants, but we, the Confirmation 4 catechists definitely know one thing:

It worked for us.

-Contributed by Peter Lin, 23 Mar 2007

TOPPINGS

The Prayer of Peace

Peace before us
Peace behind us
Peace under our feet
Peace within us
Peace over us
Let all around us be peace.
This song was used as the closing for our recent catechist formation. I felt a kind of serenity within me as the tune was being played. The actions which Sr Francisca taught us also added meaning to the soothing tune and simple lyrics. The word “Peace” can be replaced by “Love”, “Light”, “Christ” and finally the whole song replaced by “Alleluia”. Praise the Lord for “The Prayer of Peace”. You can find this song from the CD “Blest Are They” vol 1 by David Haas.

-Contributed by Linda Heng, 12 Mar 2007

EXTRA GOODIES

A sneak peak of treats at a Passover Meal (Pesach)!

The Unleavened Bread (Matzah)
The sweetness of unleavened bread as compared to the sourness of leavened bread symbolizes the sweetness of freedom out of slavery in Egypt. Another symbolism was that the Hebrews baked the bread with haste.

They had no time to wait for the bread to rise.

Hard-Boiled Egg (Beitzah)
A symbol of new life and hope for the future!

Bitter Herbs (Maror)
A symbol of bitterness of life in bondage and the suffering of the Israelites.

Green vegetables (Karpas)
It represents hope and redemption

Haroses ( a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon)
It represents mortar used by the Jews in the construction of buildings when they were slaves.

Wine - A symbol of celebration and rejoicing.
Represents God’s 4 Promises
Cup of Sanctification
Cup of Deliverance
Cup of Redemption
Cup pf Praise and Thanksgiving

Zeroah (a piece of roasted lamb)
It symbolizes the paschal sacrificial offering

TAKEAWAY

Why is the night of 05 April going to be different from all other nights?
Because you are warmly invited to partake in a special meal to remember God's promises to His people!
Let us join together in this meal to also remember what God has done for us and give thanks for his saving grace.
What can make it more special?
None other than your humble presence!

Passover Meal
05 April 2007, Holy Thursday Night!
Time: 8.15pm- You'll find out when you're here!
Venue: Holy Family Church, 3 Sea Ave (#02-02)

Some ice-cream for your diaries?

Penitential Celebration - 28 Mar 2007
10.30am, 7pm, 9pm

Holy Thursday- 05 Apr 2007
10.30am: Chrism Mass
6.30pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Adoration till midnight)

Good Friday – 06 Apr 2007
8.30am: Stations of the Cross

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5.30pm (Mand)

Holy Saturday – 07 Apr 2007
8pm: Easter Vigil and Baptism
No mass in the morning
No Novena Service

Easter Sunday! – 08 Apr 2007
7.15am, 9.15am, 11.15am, 6pm (Mand)

LENT 3

2007-03-15T00:46:00.000+08:00

Note from the Scoop Factory:
From today, "Coming Soon" will be replaced by "Takeaway".
Same good stuff with a different name.
So don't panick, and enjoy your visit!

TODAY’S FLAVOURS
Faith & Reason
One of the often asked questions that we Catholics face is “How do we know there is a God?”

Some of us respond by saying that we experience God in our lives. Others simply by relying on blind faith. But can we go further and argue that by purely by reason of logical thinking, there must be a God in the design of the Universe?

I have just read a book titled “Faith and Reason by Austin Schmidt and Joseph Perkins which attempts to make such an argument and I will endeavour to summarise their views.

1. A design requires a designer
The radio (or TV or telephone) that we listen to didn’t just come together by chance. It is quite impossible that all the parts of the radio came together purely by chance and in a certain order of arrangement. The only logical explanation is that the radio was made by someone with intelligence who had a purpose in making it. So we can reason that complicated order and design prove the existence of an intelligent designer.

The ever-running water cycle, no doubt free,
is something we cannot take for granted.

2. Nature’s order and design prove God’s existence
No equipment made by man can ever equal in delicacy, beauty and efficiency the wonderful works of nature. Consider how our eyes, ears and brain work for example to appreciate the wonderful design of it all. A robot designed by man can never equal the creation that is Man.

3. Chance cannot explain order
Was it chance that particles moving about randomly in space just came together and created the sun, moon, the earth, the seas, animals, plants and men? Did it just happen that we have eyes with which to see, ears with which to hear, and minds with which to think?

Some of us know of the Big Bang Theory. In simple terms, our universe was created from nothing and in a single blinding pulse, a moment of glory much too swift and expansive for any form of words, this nothingness assumed heavenly dimensions, space beyond conception. While science is able to explain how the universe was created from this point on, it cannot explain how we could get something from nothing. All that science can really say is that at some indeterminate point in the very distance past, for reasons unknown, there came the moment known to science as t = 0 and we were on our way.

The beautiful and intricate folds of the Canadian Rockies
are signs of the unseen forces of our Creator.

What is extraordinary from our point of view is how well it turned out for us. If the universe had formed just a tiny bit differently – if gravity were fractionally stronger or weaker, if the expansion of the universe had proceeded a little more slowly or swiftly – then there might never have been stable elements to make all the things that we see on earth today.

The person who deny the existence of a supreme Creator is asking us to believe that this immense universe, full of so great a number of things most delicately arranged, is the result of blind chance.

If chance really did bring about the existence the thousands of living things that we see around us, why is it that chance, when we give it every possible opportunity to work and even help it, does not create any living thing today? A human cell is a very simple and tiny thing and we know what its structure is and what materials enter in to. But we cannot make one of these tiny cells nor do we find that chance is making any cells.

4. Proof of God’s existence surrounds us
Whether we look upon the little violet growing in the garden, or whether we lift our eyes to the innumerable stars in the heavens, we see everywhere evidence of wonderful design, of wise and loving purpose. This has even prompted a great scientist to remark that “Overwhelming proofs of intelligence and benevolent design lie around us … teaching us that all living things depend upon one ever-acting Creator and Ruler.”

Everything from the huge redwood trees to the tiniest
of creatures are part of His wonderful design.

The universe proclaims the existence of a Supreme Being, a Being of incredible wisdom, power and goodness. This Supreme Being we call God.

- Contributed by Mark Ortega, pictures by Alf, 14 March 2007.

TOPPINGS
Love & Prayer
To quote Blessed Teresa, “Love is a fruit in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. Everyone can reach this love through meditation , prayer, sacrifice and an intense inner life.”

Blessed Teresa is referring to God’s consistent and unconditional love for us and the need for us to love one another as love is within us. Her words are worthy of noting as she (had been) and the Missionaries of Charity are indeed living examples of God’s love in action, which are real and we can emulate.

Drawing her inspiration from God who is love, she succinctly shows us the joy of loving, of seeing God in every person, of being one with God through prayer, sacrifice and service. We are reminded that each one of us is created in God’s image to love and be loved. Through prayer, we are brought closer to God, to His love for us and to love within us.

-Contributed by Roy Tan, 12 Mar 2007.

EXTRA GOODIES
Myself: My gift to this Ministry

Last Sunday the catechists of Holy Family were given an interesting session on ‘Myself: My gift to this Ministry’ by Sr. Francisca Tan, a Cenacle Sister. It was a very enlightening afternoon, which took us on a soul-searching journey to find out who we really are as individuals and where our strengths lie. We had to participate in a written exercise in which we were asked to list our talents or strong points under 3 main categories: namely, I AM, I HAVE and I CAN.

It was interesting, yet a bit awkward too, as we shared our strong points with fellow catechists of the same teaching level; who later also added to our personal list, other talents they thought we possessed. It was a great experience which enabled us to look inside ourselves to find out more about our abilities and strong points, some of which probably we had even forgotten existed. All in all, I believe this session deepened our commitment as catechists and teachers of the faith.

-A sharing by Merle DeSouza, 14 Mar 2007.

TAKEAWAY
Come, all ye who hunger! We invite you to a table fellowship at the seder meal or what is commonly known as the Passover. Some of you may have done this with your children in class on a simpler level but we invite all catechists and children liturgists to join together in this meal to explore the theological, confessional, and educational dimension of the festival. Yes, there will be real gastronomic food as well as spiritual food.

1. “Seder Meal”
31 March 2007, Saturday
Venue: Holy Family Church, RCIA room (Priests’ House)
Time: 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm
As shared by some Catechists above, we believe the recent formation touched many who attended. We fully encourage all our Catechists and Children Liturgists to attend these future sessions. Don’t miss them!

2. “My Prayer Life/ Teaching Children how to pray”
5 May 2007, Saturday
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Holy Family 4th floor, Canteen (Spirituality)

3. “You are a Gift to our Catechetical Ministry”
27 May 2007, Sunday
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Holy Family 4th floor, Canteen (Group Dynamics)

LENT 2

2007-03-08T23:57:00.000+08:00

TODAY’S FLAVOURS

Essence of Lent
Lent has gone by year after year for me. After all the research on Lent, what dawned on me is that I don’t seem to be a better person after each Lenten season. What has gone wrong? It all boils down to lack of understanding and too much focus on self-gratification and the individual.

To understand the whole nature of Lent, there are two ESSENTIAL themes any Catholic should know: the first being the recollection of baptismal promises and the second, repentance. In addition, there are three main things we practise during Lent – PRAYING, FASTING and ALMSGIVING.

Let’s look at REPENTANCE. Yes, this word sounds rather downbeat and all too depressing. Nah, it’s nothing like that. Sometimes, we approach the whole nature of repentance the wrong way. When one repents, one rethinks his past actions and also takes on new courses of action. What’s the consequence of repentance? You’re accepting God’s invitation to place yourself before Him so that He can transform you in love - think of water changing into wine. Wonderful!

FASTING (or Abstinence). Contrary to what many believe, the ability to abstain comes only when God allows it, not out of his or her own free will. Seek guidance and permission from God to practise abstinence. Give up practices that hold you in bondage. At times, the things we give up are not bad in themselves but rather, out of balance.

Abstinence from certain foods is less complicated than abstinence from negative behaviour and actions. How many of you have supposed “toxic” colleagues in your office? Abstain from judging them or giving them the little finger. Smile at them! Abstain from being glued to CSI Las Vegas or Days of Our Lives (horror of horrors!). Use the time to pray a little more; communication is the key to flowing and growing love in all relationships!

ALMSGIVING
I prefer to see this as COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY.Remember the Good Samaritan? Take some time out for those who need you. Abstain from buying 3 pairs of branded shoes during these 40 days; instead buy cheaper pairs or not at all (I can imagine many ladies rolling their eyes now) and give the money saved to the needy. Cut down your time playing online games and use the time to research on which charity you might want to help during this Lent? Extend compassion to your enemies. The outcome? A more compassionate heart and a highly possible solidarity with the needy!

Lent has never been so important to me this year. God has been good to me through all the adversity and blessings but unfortunately, it has taken me a long time to realize that I’ve not embraced the all-encompassing significance of Lent. To all who say “It seems so fake” and “Why only in Lent..?”, let’s refocus: It is about God’s abundant love. It is about compassion, contrition and change.

“Father, change my heart this time.” Amen.

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.
(Joel 2:13)

-Contributed by Bernadette Yew, 26 Feb 2007

TOPPINGS

A Different Approach to Fasting...Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus' healing touch.

Here are suggestions you may want to consider:

1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family an extra dose of love each day.

2. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

3. Fast from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.

4. Fast from complaining. When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.

5. Fast from resentment or bitterness! Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.

6. Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.

EXTRA GOODIES!

The Pursuit of Happyness (2007)

This is a story about perseverance especially for the destitute and the marginalised. It's also about making things happen in our lives, and not just waiting for that something to happen. Takes a lot of WILL power if you know what I mean... ;p

Screening in theatres NOW!

More Reviews:
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808722062/details

Watch the Trailer!!
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/thepursuitofhappyness/medium.html

- Contributed by Alvin Tan, 4 Mar 2007

COMING SOON...

We welcome all members of the catechetical ministry to come for these sessions by the Cenacle Sisters specially arranged by the Formation Committee. In order to create a vibrant community of faith builders, we must first build a strong foundation in ourselves.

Please submit the reply slip indicating your attendance for these sessions (available in email sent last week or through your level coordinators).

FORMATION SESSIONS:

11 March 2007, Sunday
“Myself: My gift to this ministry”
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Holy Family 4th floor, Canteen

5 May 2007, Saturday
“My Prayer Life/Teaching Children how to pray”
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Holy Family 4th floor, Canteen

27 May 2007, Sunday
“You are a Gift to our Catechetical Ministry”
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Holy Family 4th floor, Canteen

LENT 1

2007-02-28T23:39:00.000+08:00

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.

Grand Opening - All Are Welcome!

2007-02-17T12:05:00.000+08:00

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.

Opening Soon!

2007-02-09T00:19:00.000+08:00

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!