Lenten Session II

Last Sunday, we learned about Christ's magnificent transfiguration and the effects it had on the disciples who were there to witness it. Jesus was transformed into an image of splendour and beauty, and through this change, the disciples, too, were changed.

There is so much in our world and lives that requires that which the disciples experienced: change. Nations wage wars, sin is ever making its presence known, and somewhere in our lives, someone is lonely or sick or depressed. There is so much for us to do, so much for us to make right. But none of this is possible until we exact this change on one very important thing: ourselves.

Before we can set out to carry out God's work, we must first be transfigured as Christ was. This means our very attitude and outlook on life must be reshaped to fit God's will. In this life, intention is everything. Are we doing good deeds so others might notice, or are we doing them because it is the right thing to do, and we genuinely want others to be happy? Are we befriending others so they can be our latest 'pet project', or because they provide us with some sort of advantage?

Likewise with our Lenten penance; if we give up the world, but refuse to give our hearts to God, then our resolutions will be for naught.

So as we journey together in this season of Lent, let us take a step back and rethink our intentions. Only when our hearts are open and our intentions pure can we truly be transfigured and start changing the world and people around us for the better.

Lenten Session I

Before he began his ministry, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness. The trials he faced, along with his 40 days of fasting, are synonymous with the season of Lent.

Jesus was not alone in the desert. The devil was also with him, desperate to tempt Jesus into breaking away from his Father's will. Much like himself, Jesus' temptations were far from ordinary. He was asked to turn stone into bread, to jump from a great height and be rescued by angels, and to worship Satan for all the possessions of the world.

As Berenice so aptly put it, Jesus' temptations represent very real trials in our lives. Often we go out of our way to obtain things we think are necessary for our happiness; but Jesus, who was aching with hunger (YOU try fasting 40 days), refused to be swayed despite having the power to turn stone, not just into bread, but into a grand feast for himself. Don't ask God for more than you need; instead, be grateful for what you have and seek the Kingdom first in all that you do.

The second trial represents our tendency to test God's love for us. When situations seem hopeless, or when we want something we cannot get, we pray. Which is fine and dandy, except that a lot of us make 'deals' when we pray. "God, if you give me this, I'll do this and that..." Is that truly necessary? God asks nothing more from you than your faith and trust in His will, however dire a situation may seem. He doesn't need to 'prove' his love for us; we should know how much He already loves us. Jesus rebuked the devil: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." We should do well to remember those words.

Finally, the third temptation is one we've all faced: idol-worshipping. Wealth, power, fame. It is not just the obsession or the pursuit of it; how often have we treated a person better because they are richer, famous, or in a position of power and authority? God is the only being worthy of our worship, and Jesus reminds of this when he says, "You shall not have any other god except the Lord your God."

The way of Christ is not easy, but we know it is achievable because Jesus, who was as human as you and me, managed to do it. Isabel and Michael mentioned that perhaps Jesus had an unfair advantage; after all, he is the Son of God, and possessed the knowledge of what was to come. But very often, we, too, know the consequences of our actions. We can differentiate between right and wrong, so why do we still sin? It is our human inadequacies that prevent us from focusing on what is beyond the here and now, driving us to seek immediate gratification instead of long-term goals. This, I believe, is also a weakness that Jesus faced, and so brilliantly overcame.

So as Lent begins, let us all pray that the Spirit (which both we and Jesus have access to) will lead us on our road to salvation. Pax Vobiscum.

*Based on STAC Lenten Session I*

Easter Vigil Song List

Hi all. This is the song-list for Easter Vigil, provided by Leonard.

Ordinaries & Misc.:

• Exultet
• Service of light
• Gloria (ray repp)
• Kyrie elesion (same as Christmas)
• Alleluia (2 years ago)
• Litany of the Saints (by flowing waters)
• Our Father (normal one)
• I Saw Water
• Springs of Water
• Holy Holy (Christmas)
• Memorial Acclamation (Creation )
• Doxology (Great Amen)
• Lamb of God (St. David)

Offertery:

• To Be Your Bread
• Take My Life and Let It Be

Communion:

• Panis Angelicus
• At the Lamb’s High Feast
• I Know that My Redeemer Lives (soper)

Recessional:

• Ye Sons and Daughters
• Regina Caeli Laetare (chant)

Please prepare your scores! =)

Big Beatrice's 21st!

Happy belated birthday to the oldest member of the BBB Sisters, who turned 21 just yesterday (22nd Feb)! Thank you for inviting us to your party, and may you have a great 21st year of existence! =D

Schedule for 2011

Hello choir!

This is our schedule for the first half of the year, courtesy of Bernard! For more details, please refer to his email.

3 Feb - CNY 7.30am Mass (STAC)
9 Mar - Ash Wednesday (NOT a day of obligation, but good to go)
10 Mar - Intercessory Prayers @ 8.00pm. All choirs to attend.
11 Mar - Mass + Stations of the Cross I @ 7.30pm (STAC)
8 Apr - Mass + Stations of the Cross V @ 7.30pm (STAC)
22 Apr - Good Friday 3.00pm Service (STAC)
23 Apr - Easter Vigil Mass @ 10.00pm (SAC + HSC
13 May - Marian Mass + Procession
2 Jun - Ascension 6.30pm Mass (STAC)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy 37th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary my dear STAC! Wow, we've really come a long way. Can you believe it's been 37 years since a bunch of like-minded young people came together to form this group? Though I've only been in this choir for 4 years, I would just like to say that I thank God for how far we've come. It really is amazing!

My fellow STAC-ians, let's never forget that we're more than just a choir. We're a family, and we will remain that way as long as we're of one heart, one purpose and one voice. So let us pray for unity and strength and God's continued blessings as we journey into 2011. Come what may, we will get through all obstacles and hardships together, and rejoice in the good times as a family! God and St Thomas Aquinas will always be looking out for us! =D

This blog, along with this post, is my personal present to all of you this anniversary. It will contain updates for various events, as well as hold links to uploaded scores, pictures and useful sites. So make good use of it!

I wish all of you the best for the year ahead. May God hold you in the palm of His hand! =)

A Candlelight Carol

On 18th December 2010, the Saint Thomas Aquinas Choir helped spread the message and joy of Christmas by organising A Candlelight Carol for parishoners of Nativity Church and members of the general public. This caroling session was a huge success, seeing almost 200 people in Casa Maria that song-filled night. The choir presented not just traditional carols, but spiritual and contemporary pieces as well, creating a lively and comfortable setting for the audience to rediscover God's gift of Christmas.

STAC wishes everyone a wonderful, meaningful Christmas and a happy New Year. Thanks to everyone who supported and helped out with this event, be it by being physically present, giving us moral and spiritual support, or even filling up our love-offering box with your generous donations.

Cheers to our Saviour's birth as well as to 2011!