Nativity Feast Day 2012

Thank you everyone for coming today. Our carnival stall was a huge success! We actually sold out and the kids loved it. It was great having so many people around again. Special thanks to:

• Brian, Berenice, Beatrice and Marilyn for turning up every Saturday without fail to do the necessary prep work;
• Samuel, Matthias, Unc Sam, Amanda, Sean, Sandy, Kelvin & my parents for helping out with the box-making;
• Michael, Beatrice See, Amanda, Nicholas, Kelvin, Sandy, Brian, Unc Sam, Marilyn, the BBBs and Sean for staying till the end;
• Priscillia, Samuel, Isabel and Shirin for taking time off their busy schedules to help out;
• Unc Sam, Marilyn and the Aunties for providing the presents;
• Bryan, Selene, Ignatius, Nicol, Laoren and Aunt Kat & her family, families and friends for coming down to support and help out;
• STAC, for making this yet another memorable Feast Day.

 God bless and see you all the week after next!

Hope, Home & Heart

Important Dates in September

1/9 - Sees' Anniversary / Funfair Stall Set-up / Latin Mass

2/9 - Nativity Funfair
8/9 - KBox Outing (Brian's Birthday Celebration)
9/9 - Feast Day Procession
10/9 - Brian's Actual Birthday
13/9 - Beatrice See Flying Off
15/9 - Berenice's 21st Celebration
16/9 - Samuel's Birthday
19/9 - Marilyn Flying Off
20/9 - Michael Flying Off
25/9 - Berenice's Actual Birthday
28/9 - Ivan's Birthday

Reflections - Birth of John the Baptist

1. John was called by God from the moment he was in his mother's womb. We, too, are called from the moment we are conceived. Let us work towards discovering what that call holds for each of us.

2. Everything about us leans towards the vocation God has set us aside for.

3. Not properly living out our vocations could lead towards a superiority complex (judging others, stereotyping, pride) or an inferiority complex (jealousy, envy, self-loathe).

4. God created each of us for something, giving us both gifts and weaknesses for that purpose. Learn to love your true self as God loves you.

5. The name 'John' means 'God's graciousness'. What does your name reveal about God's plan for you?

Reflections - 11th Sunday

1. Nature is the biggest manifestation of God's power. Like the sower, we should allow nature to take its course after sowing our seeds, then reap the rewards of the harvest.

2. We don't always need to know how our crop grows work in order to reap a good harvest.

3. The Christian faith has survived and grown over 2000 years of persecution, trials and hardships regardless of mankind's actions. God alone makes such growth possible; allow yourself to grow in Him.

4. Patience and participation are key to personal growth.

5. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed; the smallest actions--a smile, a word of comfort--could make all the difference in the world.

6. Don't let a small obstacle stop you. Similarly, do not allow small victories to distract you from the bigger picture.

Reflections - Corpus Christi

1. Covenant-making (the Law) is an external experience. The Eucharist, however, is internal, which means we participate in it fully, body and soul. Are we Catholics by Law or by Spirit?

2. The blood on the altar and the blood on the Israelites binds them together. Similarly, the blood Christ shed for us binds us to Him.

3. As we were baptised and bound to Christ, we are no longer our own person. Rather, we must hold ourselves accountable to our 'owner', who is none other than Jesus our Saviour.

4. "Where is my dining room?" Make a room for Christ when you come to receive Him during the Mass.

5. Adoration is the act of opening our eyes from the material world to the spiritual as we kneel before the true presence of Christ.

6. While wanting things is not wrong, materialism is a disease that prevents us from looking beyond the physical, into the spiritual where God dwells.

7. Whatever we do at Mass, be it sit, stand, kneel or bow, we must do it deliberately and with reverence, knowing that each action has its own weight and meaning.

8. Each time we participate in the Mass, we enter a timeless period and are conjoined with the hosts and powers of Heaven, where a constant Eucharistic celebration is being shared. Therefore, we must participate fully and with great reverence for the true presence of Christ.

Reflections - Trinity Sunday

1. God is a Mystery, and our devotion to learning more about Him reflects our desire to deepen our love and understanding for Him.

2. There will never be a definitive answer to our questions about God, but the journey of discovery is a joyful one that we should not be afraid to undertake.

3. Since we are made in God's image, we are mysteries in our own right; don't be afraid to discover that you don't know the people you love all that well.

4. We have a lifetime to learn about God, and a lifetime to learn about those around us.

5. Christ is God's adventure among mankind, His desire to be with us on our journey of life.

6. Religion is not a matter of feel, but a continuous act of love.

7. To love is to undersetand: loving someone is the highest form of understanding them.

8. The Way assures us of our Destination; as long as we keep trying, we will never venture too far from God's plan and, ultimately, the rewards He has set aside for us.

The Father is the light that shines upon us.
The Son is the light that shines among us.
The Holy Spirit is the light that shines through us.

Happy Easter!

Today's the day! Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

It was a day of great joy and celebration today. Many thanks to BBBs and family for inviting us into their home and preparing all that food for us. The waffle party was nothing short of fantastic.

Let no soul be downtrodden this day, for it is a day of immense JOY. Praise the Lord!

'By loving us, Christ has made us loveable.'