Our Pilgrimage StMichael.catholic.sg To enter into marriage, one needs to understand and accept the indissolubility of marriage. No one should enter into marriage with the idea that if it does not work there is always the option of a divorce. The scripture text of today does not provide any escape clauses. Some may remember Mt 19:9 Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife -- I am not speaking of fornication -- and marries another, is guilty of adultery. The term fornication is a loose translation of the word porneia. The exception is for the case of an illicit union, for example, where a father marries his daughter. In today s gospel, the standard is set to which many think is an ideal. It is the law that was reinforced by Jesus himself. A marriage without the understanding that it is meant for life brings with it great amount of anxieties for the couple entering into this sort of union. Marriage is a total giving of oneself. A marriage entered into thinking that it can be terminated at will, is a marriage less than a total self-giving. Questions for reflection: @ChurchofStmichaelSG 7 th Oct 2018, VOLUME 33 27 th Ordinary Sunday Marriage is not the next step of a courtship that has lasted for several years. Marriage is not the natural progression a subsequence of dating but a deliberate decision after considering all the knowledge that one has of the other. Courtship with a real desire to know the other party will produce a fruitful and lasting marriage. Some people see marriage a ticking off a checklist before they can consider themselves as making it in life. Marriage is a serious commitment with serious consequences. Love and Adventure, Fr. Terence Pereira Do I know what I have to look for during courtship? Am I truthful to myself and to my partner during the courtship? The commitment made in marriage becomes stronger when there is a desire to know the other at a deeper level everyday. Is this my orientation in marriage? What God has united, man must not divide First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 127(128) Second Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11 Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 Mark 10:2 OUR LOGO The two C stand for the Christ (outer circle) encompassing the community (inner circle). Christ Jesus is always present in his Church. The golden stylised sword represents the community rooted in the word of God ready to move as represented by the wings spread out to bring the Kerygma as represented by the cross to everyone. The colours are that ofthe Archangel The sword and wing represent the Archangel who is always there as our guardian. Editor: Kelly Gabrielle Loh VISION A vibrant loving community of disciples making disciples for the Kingdom of God MISSION To Create moments ofgodencounters To Form Disciples in Christ To Nurture community spirit through the Word of God Sub-Editor: Julianne Danielle Lim
Feast Day Triduum Day 1: Know Our Faith If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you, Give me something to drink, you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living water. John 4:10 This year, our St. Michael s Feast Day celebrations began with a three-day triduum from 26 to 28 September. Know Our Faith was the first of three themes presented by celebrant, Fr. JJ Fenelon, followed by Faith to Serve by Fr. Valerian Cheong, and Faith to Share by Msgr Ambrose Vaz subsequently. I was determined to be in church on the first day of the Triduum, but alas, work got in the way. Instead, I told my family that I wanted them to share their takeaways from the evening. Later on, I asked my mum what Fr. JJ preached about, and she shared how parents are the first catechists, the teachers of the faith to their children. How apt, I thought to myself. Since I was a child, my mum nurtured our faith. She often read the bible to my siblings and I, led by example with prayer, introduced me to classics films/musicals (think The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner, The Prince of Egypt, Fiddler on the Roof, and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and taught us how to sing and commit the Ten Commandments Song to heart. It goes like this: My dad, on the other hand, was a convert who was with us every step of the way. As a family, we attended mass at CSM every Sunday since I was baptised as an infant, and we were involved in the Christian Family Social Movement (CFSM). As a child, I fondly remember the times my parents roped in my siblings and I to fold and prepare CFSM newsletters for mailing to other families. It s surprising how one remembers such things even when you re all grown up. God reveals Himself to us and invites us to a relationship with Him Fr. JJ Fenelon As I reflected on John 4:10 and what Fr. JJ said above, I realised that it s the little things that count. There s no fixed or perfect way to imparting our faith to those around us. What matters is that we try. In essence, Fr. JJ reminded everyone about their baptism vows, as well as each parent s role in teaching their children the faith during the Triduum. It isn t simply about baptising one s child and leaving them to their own devices (or the catechists) to learn the faith. Faith formation begins at home. Let s guide each other in our journey of faith and introduce the living water to our loved ones and others. Don t let them Google their faith. First, I must honor God; Second, honor His name; Third, honor his day keep holy - This will be my aim; Fourth, I must be obedient; Fifth, be kind and true; Sixth, be pure in all I say and see and hear and do; Seventh, I must be honest; Eighth, be truthful in all things I say; Ninth, be pure in mind and heart, - in all I think and desire each day; Ten, I must be satisfied, not be jealous come what may; These are God s Ten Commandments; These I must obey. By Charlene Sng Whoever drinks this water will be thirsty again; but no one who drinks the water I shall give will ever be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will become a spring of water within, welling up for eternal life. John 4:13-14
Feast Day Triduum Day 2: Faith to Serve Consciously or subconsciously, it was Blind Faith: Wanting others to be blind to your religion. What is Faith to you? Fr Valerian Cheong, Rector of the St Francis Xavier Seminary, shared with the community of St Michael on the theme "Faith to Serve". His first question to the community seemed simple yet our answers were probably far from adequate. Fr Valerian pointed out that it goes beyond the rituals we associate with our faith. It is timely to remember that God chose us, not the other way around. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. ~ John 6:44 Faith is a gift. Salvation is a gift. And what do we do with the gift? Perhaps some of us may realise that we haven t really unwrapped this gift? Reflecting on this, I feel it is like being given spectacles to see things better, but we just don t want to use it at times, perhaps we think we don t look so good in them. So we hide it and prefer to walk around blind. I was like that for 40 years, people may know that I was Catholic, but they would not hear a word on religion from me. Not a single phrase. Not even a Peace be with you or God bless you. Faith is a Tall Order Fr Valerian explained that faith should entail our whole being. Faith is about courage, about defending what we believe in. Faith is also about suffering and we remember how Christians have been mocked at and put to death. Our rewards are not of this earth and we need to carry our crosses, to live out our faith. So we should not hide our faith. Jesus set the example for us. When Jesus walked incognito with his two disciples on the road to Emmaus, he pointed out how they have misunderstood God s plan from the time of Moses and he touched their hearts with his earnest interpretation. Are we able to speak out on behalf of Jesus and our faith? Service to one another What has your faith experience been like? Have you been resolute to serve the Lord? Our faith is not complicated. It is simple. What we believe is in the Apostle s Creed that we recite. It is about Service to one another. As Christians, we go out to serve because we see the Christ in others. We want to bring the Good news to others. Let us allow Jesus to transform us and may we in turn touch others with our faith. Then they said to each other, Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us? ~ Luke 24:32 By Karen Roberts-Fong
Feast Day Triduum Day 3: Faith to Share On Day 3 of our Parish Feast Day Triduum, Msgr Ambrose Vaz spoke about three levels of faith - knowledge, experience and testimony. He said, Day 1 s theme of Know our Faith was about knowledge, Day 2 s theme of Faith to Serve was about the experience, and to conclude, him speaking on Day 3 s theme of Faith to Share was about our faith as a testimony. He proposes that testimony is the best way to get someone to know about the good news and that knowledge, experience and testimony should work in a cycle. He gave an example: I did not know that there was a good place to eat, and one day I found out (knowledge), I acted on the knowledge (experience) and it changed my life. How did it happen? Someone acted on the knowledge and shared it with me (testimony). Now I can share in the experience too. It is not enough to just bring others into the knowledge of the good thing, but also into the same experience as well. Speaking on the Gospel of the day, he then gave examples of how we can bring others into similar faith experiences and get to know Jesus through our testimonies. When Jesus healed in the Gospels and said that his disciples are able to heal as well, the focus of the healing was about bringing glory to God the Father by showing all that the Father and Him are one, hence enabling people to come into contact with God and allowing them to do the same thing. Similarly, when He mentioned that his disciples are able to cast out devils in the world today, it was not so much about the supernatural, but about evil values and philosophies that are not bringing us closer to God. Through actively living out of our faith, we are a testimony and sign of bringing God s light into the world and hence fulfilling our role of casting away these devils. When it is mentioned that believers have the gift of tongues, Msgr Vaz explained that this meant that believers have an extraordinary gift of communication that can go beyond all vernaculars, and that is the language of love. When we show the love we have in our hearts, we show the love of God. Similarly, in the Gospels when it is mentioned that disciples are able to drink deadly poison and will not die, it is not literal. It signifies that believers will be able to do what the world finds impossible to do, and that includes things like forgiveness, being kind, and loving those who do not love us. True believers are able to exhibit unconditional love and make that difference. Their lives as a testimony can bring others into the encounter of God, and this is what we are called to do! By Pearlyn Neo
Feast Day 2018: Vibrant in Faith Check out all photos: StMichael.catholic.sg This year s Feast Day celebrations was markedly different for many of the congregation, who had been worshipping at St. Michael for years. For them, it was the first time in their life that they had witnessed the consecration of the altar, and the 12 crosses placed on the pillars of the church. In Archbishop William Goh s homily, His Grace admonished that, To deny the presence of evil spirits is to deny the existence of the Holy Archangels. The reality is that evil is real. Jesus in His Ministry had spiritual warfare against the evil one, and exorcism was central to His Ministry. He then went on to elaborate about how evil is creating discord even within the Church. When we look at how the world is developing, it is frightening. Look at how Halloween, a Catholic festival is celebrated today by the secular world. The Church too has been rocked by the scandals surrounding it. If the evil one can destroy the leaders of the Church, what more you the ordinary Churchgoer? This was followed by an exhortation to be discerning and to be aware of how the devil works as the devil is the deceiver and accuser who brandishes lies and half-truths, that we unfortunately take as truths. His Grace posed a question to the congregation: If you love your children and your children s children, how are you defending them against the evil one? The Prayer to St. Michael was a solution that was recommended by His Grace - To pray this prayer every day, so as to invoke the help of St. Michael in our daily battles with evil. To fight against the evil one, we need to be like Michael who was like God in in all things, to be healers like Raphael, and to bring powerful news of great joy like Gabriel. To consecrate the Church is to consecrate the place to GOD. The homily was then concluded on the salient note that there was no point in condemning the world. We need to strengthen ourselves and the world, by offering the world a culture of life and of Jesus. We pray that we can become like angels to others to overcome evil. We must overcome evil with Good. Christina, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, but who worships at the Church of St. Michael gave the following testimony after the Eucharistic Celebration: I sat upstairs today, and I felt the warmth and the joy of the Holy Spirit. I was baptised here 7 years ago. It is my first time seeing something (the consecration) like this. God is really awesome. By Brian Bartholomew Tan
Feast Day 2018: Vibrant in Faith Check out all photos: StMichael.catholic.sg This sentiment was echoed by Rachel Foo, a parishioner who was baptised in St. Michael 13 years ago, In all my 13 years as a Catholic, I never knew something like this (the consecration) existed. It is an eyeopener for me. A parishioner of St. Teresa also shared that he found the message of Archbishop s homily meaningful that instead of complaining, we can strengthen our faith, communities and families. Interviewed by: Brian Bartholomew Tan Prepared by: Julianne Danielle Lim
Feast Day 2018: Feast and Fair Check out all photos: StMichael.catholic.sg The CSM Feast and Fair was a fitting way to conclude the 57 th Feast Day Celebrations. Decked in an array of resplendent ethnic outfits, the community through a series of feasting, games, and faith-filled reflections, gave testimony of what it was meant to be one people and one community of faith under the sovereignty of Christ. We even had St. Michael and a Korean Princess gracing the occasion! Praise the LORD! By: Brian Bartholomew Tan Prepared by: Julianne Danielle Lim
Notice Weddings in Church of St Michael Those who desire to enter into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at Church of St Michael will have to book their wedding dates one year in advance. The booking will be confirmed only when the necessary documents are signed. Infant Baptism 1 st Sunday of February, April, June, August, October, December Parish Collection Sunday Eucharist Collection: $ 10,151.20 Date Celebrant Schedule Eucharistic Celebration Celebrant Preacher 6 Oct 5.30 pm Fr. John Fr. John Events in the Parish Recycling Awareness Talk 13 Oct, Saturday We are going Green! Come for the Recycling Awareness talk to find out more. Register: csm.secretariat@catholic.org.sg Time: 3pm to 4pm Evening Brew 19 Oct, Friday Is it against our Catholic faith to sign the Advance Medical Directive (AMD)? Did you miss the last brew where this and many other faith /theology questions were discussed and answered? Well, come join us in the next brew! Let s kick back and relax with a drink and have some faith burning questions answered. Expect also some fun and laughter Venue: Outside St Michael's room Time: 7.30pm Lumen Gentium Part II 26 Oct, Friday Delve deeper into the Vatican II documents in this second part series Venue: Worship Hall Time: 8pm 3 rd High Tea for Seniors 27 Oct, Saturday We will be putting together another High tea for our seniors from 3 to 5 pm. Please come and enjoy another fun afternoon together! Register : Starts next weekend after Eucharist Celebrations Parish News Fr Terence will be on leave from 6 Oct to 16 Oct 2018 RCIA Journey (English) - Begins 25 Oct, Thursday A new process will begin. Do speak to your non-baptised friends and bring them to RCIA. 7 Oct 10 am Fr. John Fr. John 7 Oct 5.30 pm Fr. John Fr. John 13 Oct 5.30 pm Fr. John Fr. John 14 Oct 10 am Fr. John Fr. John 14 Oct 5.30 pm Fr. John Fr. John Eucharistic Celebration Opening Hours Weekend Eucharist Sat Sunset: 5.30 pm Sun: 8 am (M), 10 am, 5.30 pm Confession: 30 mins before EC Weekday Eucharist Mon- Fri: 6.30 am & 6 pm Sat: 6.30 am Eucharist on Public Holidays 7.30 am only Holy Hour 7.30 pm, 1 st Fri of the month only. Followed by Eucharist at 8.30 pm (except during the period of Lent) Main: 6291 9272 Parish Secretariat (ext. 1) Parish Directory Email : csm.secretariat@catholic.org.sg Parish Priest: Fr. Terence Pereira (ext. 6) Asst. Parish Priest: Fr. John Van Dich MEP (ext. 5) Columbarium (ext. 3) We are located at: 17 St Michael's Rd, Singapore 327976 Parish Office Mon- Fri: 8.30 am - 5 pm Sat: 8.30 am - 11 am Sun: Closed Adoration Room Daily: 7 am - 10 pm Columbarium Daily: 7 am - 7 pm Prayers: every 3 rd Sun of the month only. 9 am (M) & 11.30 am * (E) Canteen Sun: 7 am - 12 pm Archdiocesan News Come Alive: A Weekend Retreat - 7 to 9 Dec, Fri to Sun Pray with the songs from the movie, The Greatest Showman. Discover who you are and discern God s dream for you. Where are you fully alive, and what keeps you from being fully alive? Venue: Montfort Centre Cost: $330 (Single) $250 (Twin). Register: anthonyatmontfort@gmail.com or 9631 1943 Closing date: 23 Nov Caritas Singapore Young Adults Building the Kingdom Workshop The Spirituality of Recreation - 10 Nov, Sat A formation workshop for young adults (aged 18 to 35 years) on the social teachings on rest and recreation. Main Speaker: Rev Fr David Garcia, OP Time: 5pm to 9pm Venue: Agape Village, 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319264 For more details: www.caritas-singapore.org or youngadults@caritas-singapore.org Willing to tell others about Jesus but don t know where to start? Try this: Before meeting your family members or friends who have yet to know Jesus, pray for your conversations with each one of them to be God - centered.