Walking on Water

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

2009-07-25T10:55:00.001-07:00

The story from today's gospel. Enjoy.

eucharistic miracles...

2009-07-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

video we used for reflective prayer during rite of commitment. enjoy. :)

more kids in church

2009-07-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"

~~~~~

A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon. "How do you know what to say?" he asked.
"Why, God tells me."
"Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?"

~~~~~

A Sunday School teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letter back the following Sunday. One little boy wrote, "Dear God, We had a good time at church today. Wish you could have been there."

~~~~~

Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and all the people walked across safely. He used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike. They sent in bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.
"Now, Joey, is that REALLY what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

~~~~~

A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: "They couldn't get a baby-sitter."

~~~~~

This comes from a Catholic elementary school. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. They have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., incorrect spelling has been left in).

In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.

Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.

Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments.

The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar.

Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you. He also explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone."

The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

~~~~~

My son's rendering of the Lord's prayer:
Our Father which aren't in heaven, halloween be thy name... (Jason Age 5)

~~~~~

A mother was teaching her three-year-old the Lord's prayer. For several evenings at bedtime she repeated it after her mother. One night she said she was ready to solo. The mother listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some E-mail, Amen."

source: http://butlerwebs.com/jokes/religious-kids.htm

KIDS IN CHURCH

2009-06-28T03:23:00.001-07:00

3-year-old Reese :
'Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little boy was overheard praying:
'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't
worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a
Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One particular four-year-old prayed,
'And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service,
'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?'
One bright little girl replied,
'Because people are sleeping.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laus Deo Semper

Another Video.

2009-06-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

This is the one Adeline wanted to put up,
So here it is.

And the lyrics..

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you

So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now

Lyrics.

2009-06-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

And here are the lyrics..

I will sing by Don Moen.
Lord You seem so far away. A million miles or more it feels today.
And though I haven't lost my faith, I must confess right now that it's hard for me to pray.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.
I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true. I will sing.

Lord is hard for me to see all the thought and plan You have for me.
But I will put my trust in You. Lord will meet Your guide to set me free.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.
I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true. I will sing. (2 times)

Video.

2009-06-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I wanna post this video but I don't know how to.
I'll try now.

Tada. Enjoy.

con 1 photo

2009-06-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

well, compare the con 2 photo to the con 1 one! how much you've grown. :)
stay happy. see u all in class!
regards,
elizabeth

Con 2 Camp photo!

2009-06-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

HELOOOOOOOOOO

2009-05-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

Hey,i m back.
So,any suggestions?
WE NEED TO REVIVE D BLOG!
Please feel free to tag your suggestiond or something.If theres any links,feel free to tell too,ok?

Have a happy weekend,
Adeline:D

WATCH THE VID

2009-05-27T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
I'm back again. To make it easier,i have posted the link to the song that i hope would be on our playlist.i think its damn nice,so plz listen and give comments!Or tag!Whatever. As you see the lyrics,you can reflect too,on your faith!:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2xqhAYprUs

Enjoy!
Adeline

2009-05-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

Hello peeps!
We're gonna revive d blog!Its gonna ressurect(see the connection?)
Any suggestions?I want to put dis song called "Believe Me Now". i heard it in school and it has that positive effect??
Okay anyways,any suggestions on new blog skins and songs 4 playlists or whatever,tell me,amanda or elizabeth!
Cheers,
Adeline

hey

2009-05-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hello again.
I hope that once the blog's done up,
we can all keep it alive. Alright?
I mean like tag and stuff and talk about stuff.
Okay bye,
Amanda.

Suggestions

2009-05-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hey people,
Please suggest songs or whatever
so that i can put some songs in.
And if you know any links and such, please tell me too.
Thanks!
Love,
Amanda

Our Father - Skit

2009-02-14T07:25:00.001-08:00

Hi all
hope you enjoyed the little skit we did for you all today.

Here is the text for those who missed it or would like to read it another time! :)

The Lord's Prayer Skit (with a different perspective)

"Our Father which art in heaven....."
---Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
---But you called me.

Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying.
"Our Father which art in heaven....."
---There you did it again.

Did What?
---Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven."
Here I am.....What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just
saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer.
It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done.
---All right. Go on.

"Hallowed be thy name....."
---Hold it. What do you mean by that?

By what?
---By "hallowed be thy name"?

It means.....it means.....Good grief, I don't know what it means.
How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way,what does it mean?

---It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed"
meant before."Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
---Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?
---What are you doing about it?

Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of
neat if you got control of everything down here like you
have up there.
---Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.
---That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper?
You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money---all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of
those people at the church.
---Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done.
If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you
mention it, I could probably name some others.
---So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really
would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to,
you know, be really free.
---Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together,
you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot
longer than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."
---You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I
was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
---Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed,
you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you.
You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now.
Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of your prayer
.....(pause). Well, go on.

I'm scared too.
---Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.
---Try me and see.

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

---What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why Lord,
she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family.
She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to
get even with her!
---But your prayer? What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.
---Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun
carrying that load of bitterness around inside, is it?

No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I
got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never
moved into this neighborhood.
---You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse.
Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are.
But I can change all that.

You can? How?
---Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and
sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have
settled your heart.

Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to
revenge Ann, I want to be right with you. Ann, I want to
be right with you.....(pause).....(sigh).
All right. All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the
right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Someway,somehow, show her the right way.
---There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel
pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll have to go to
bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember.
Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.
---You're not through with your prayer. Go on.

Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil."
---Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a
place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?
---Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend chaffing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should re-think the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch.

I don't understand the last part.
---Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

Yes and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.
---Which bargain are you remembering?

Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out.
I remember praying, "Oh God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."
---I protected you, but you didn't keep your promise, did you?

I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.
---Go ahead and finish your prayer.
"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
Amen
---Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really be one of you followers.
---You just answered the question.

I did?
---Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you TRULY love me. And I see that happening between us.
Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we can do together.

Lord, let's see what we can make of me, O.K.?
---Yes, let's see....“

Resource: http://www.ourchurch.com/view/?pageID=163145

Christmas

2008-12-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

A real cute retelling of the nativity story by children. Enjoy!

Maybe as we quickly approach Christmas, you all may want to ponder:
What gift can I give the baby Jesus today?

Have a blessed Christmas!

Elizabeth

Con 1 BBQ

2008-11-26T06:24:00.001-08:00

Hey guys & gals,

Hope your exams went well and you’ve aced them! Fret not if you didn’t do as well as you should, there’s always next year to try harder!

There will be a con1 level BBQ at East Coast Parkway on Sunday, 30 Nov. We are catering food, so do bring $10 to the BBQ (let me know if u have financial difficulties).

It’s at BBQ Area C, Pit No. 32. It’s near Carpark C3/ Marine Cove/ Beach Cabana/ Raintree Cove. For exact location, log on to http://203.208.249.111/NParks/Internet/search.php# Arrive at about 6pm would be good.

So do help to spread the word to your classmates and RSVP your attendance to me ASAP so we know how much food to order.

see u all there!

elizabeth

Sing to the Dawn... of Hope

2008-11-02T04:08:00.000-08:00

Watched Sing to the Dawn yesterday.
Loved the theme song. here are the lyrics:

Is this my future?
Is this my life?
Has my destiny arrived?

It seems like it’d win, but I know I tried
One shot at my dreams but denied

Dreams, they really can come true
And all I really have to do
Is believe that though its hard sometimes
I know i’ll find the strength inside

Sing to the dawn of hope
Since love is still the faith I hope
And I believe in who I am inside
Now I found the strength to live my life

I’ll sing to a brand new dawn
You’ll never know
If you never try
You’ll make it a long, long way
If you believe…

Who is God to you?

2008-09-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

We've talked a lot about the different sides of Jesus: friend, teacher, healer, miracle worker etc. Who is Jesus to you? Watch the video and see which term you can most relate to.

enjoy.

Shine Jesus Shine Rally

2008-09-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all
there is a Shine Jesus Rally at Novena Church tomorrow, 8 September at 7.30pm.
Some of us are meeting at Novena MRT at 7.15pm.
It is NOT compulsory and NOT part of the catechism program.
But it would be fun to go.
If you want to come with us, do drop me a message.
See you if i see you! :)
Regards,
Elizabeth

Who am I?

2008-08-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hi
Today in class, we talked about where our sense of self comes from.

Is it from being accepted? being in the "in-crowd"? being cool?
Is it determined by how much money we have, how good we look, how many friends we have, how much power or authority we have, how famous we are, how successful we are? how well we do in our studies or CCA?

These external things may fail us someday. Only God will never fail us.

Here's a video entitled, "Who am I?" You are a child of God. You belong to God. No one can take this dignity away from you. Enjoy!

The Bamboo and the Fern

2008-08-24T01:47:00.001-07:00

Stole this from the blog of the 3pm class! :P Enjoy, nonetheless.

One day I decided to quit… I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

‘God’, I asked, ‘Can you give me one good reason not to quit?’

His answer surprised me…

‘Look around’, He said. ‘Do you see the fern and the bamboo?’

‘Yes’, I replied.

He said: ‘When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.

Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

Your time will come. You will rise high.’

‘How high should I rise?’, I asked.

‘How high will the bamboo rise?’ He asked in return.

‘As high as it can?’ I questioned.

‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Give me glory by rising as high as you can.’

What presents itself as silence on God’s part need not be indifference. Perhaps God is allowing you to grow roots as you mature.

Got faith?

2008-08-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

A tight-rope walker strung a wire across the Niagara Falls as a crowd gathered on both sides of the falls. First, he walked across using a balancing pole. Next, he walked back across with the pole. Then he wheeled a wheel-barrow across. On the other side, he shoveled 150 pounds of dirt and rock into the wheel-barrow and wheeled it back across the falls. The crowd's applause was louder than the roar of the falls! The man asked the crowd, "Who believes that I can wheel a man across the falls?" Everyone shouted their affirmation. Then he asked, "Who's going to get in the wheel-barrow?" The crowd dispersed immediately.

We may think that we have faith God, but what we really have is just belief. It’s one thing to believe in God, but it’s quite another to have faith in him. Just like it’s one thing to believe that a master tightrope artist can carry you over Niagara Falls in a wheelbarrow, and it’s quite another to have enough faith in him to get in the wheelbarrow and let him push you across.

What about you? If God asks you to get into the wheelbarrow, will you get in? Let us pray for the gift of faith.

Vending Machine God

2008-08-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

Last lesson, we talked about the image of a Vending Machine God, a God who was supposed to give you what you wanted as long as you prayed.

One of us talked about how God is a con-man. You pay money (pray), choose your drink (ask for something). You ask for one drink. God gives you two. Unfortunately, neither drink is what you asked for!

Well, God gives us what we need, not what we want. Here's a poem I would like to share with all of you.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

2008-08-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

Something for you to read :

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town.

One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.

Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?'

'Just some old birds,' came the reply.

'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time'

'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'

'How much?' the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked .

'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'

'How much?' He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'

Jesus said, 'Done!'

Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

Hope you were as blessed by this story as I was.

I asked Jesus "How much do you love me?"
"This much," he answered, and stretched out his arms and died.

When God Ran

2008-08-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

Hi
This is the song we played in class. Same song, different pictures. i think this one nicer! :)
Enjoy.
elizabeth

2008-08-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

SHINE JESUS SHINE
Youth Rally

08 September 2008
Novena Church

Hello all. Let's try to attend this event together. It'll be an experience!

my first post

2008-08-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hi all!!!

This is your other Cathecist, posting my first post on this blog.

I must say, Liz, you've been doing a really great job keeping up the blog with all the posts and all... There're really great posts related to our Faith. I guess with me around, the general 'mood' of the blog will change. Cos... ah well, I guess you guys get a lot of spiritual input in class, so we can use this blog as a platform to throw in some other aspects of our life I guess? :)

Nice to see you guys are pretty active over here... keep this up!! there're, any dead blogs on cyberspace, let's not let this one become one...

Well, here's a nice quote I read some where... really interesting...
"Ironically, our society tends to portray artist as dreamers. But those who suppress their creativity are actually the ones living in a dream. An artist is someone who sees and feels reality very intensely."
Danny Gregory, The Creative License

This is a really great book with practical tips and encouragement on how to bring creative energy into your life, and how to unlock the "natural" artist within you. Good for all those aspiring artists/musicians etc... It has this interesting idea that art is essentially a way of seeing the world, and porducing art helps you appreciate the beauty of life more.

Btw, I heard Zach recorded a CD... Mind bringning it to class one day? Curious to listen what you can produce...

Cheers, all.
Mark

Mary Had a Little Lamb

2008-08-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

Well, the Feast of the Assumption is coming. So I'll talk about Mary.
I don't know where I heard it from, but apparently the children's song we sing, "Mary had a Little Lamb" may be a hymn. The lamb is Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Here are the lyrics:

Mary had a little lamb ,
Its fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school one day;
Which was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play;
To see a lamb at school.

"Why does the lamb love Mary so?"
The eager children cry;
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
The teacher did reply.

Well, I'm really not sure whether it was meant to be a hymn, but I came across this picture online. I believe it is speaks about the school shootings that happen in America.

The Feast of Assumption is on Friday, 15 August. It is a day of obligation. Do remember to go for Mass!

Mass timings:
Thursday, 14 Aug: 6.15pm
Friday, 15 Aug: 6pm, 8pm

Let Go, Let God

2008-08-10T07:41:00.001-07:00

As children bring their broken toys
with tears for us to mend.
I brought my broken dreams to GOD
Because He was my Friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
in Peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried
"How can You be so slow"?
"My child," He said,
"What could I do?
You never did let go."

I’m afraid

2008-08-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

Wrote his poem quite a long time ago. But today's Gospel about Jesus walking on the water reminded me of it. May we all learn to trust God in the daily storms of our lives.

I’m afraid
To cross the stormy sea
All my bones cry out
This is crazy!
But walking on the water
You smiled and said,
“Come, follow me”

I’m afraid
To break down the wall
To reach out to the world outside
I’m afraid
To let others come in
I’m afraid I’ll end up hurt
And they’ll be hurt by me

I’m afraid
To open up my heart
To let another in
I’m afraid
To let them see who I really am
I’m ashamed of me

I’m afraid
To let go of the wheel
To let God take control
Cos He never tells me where He’s going
Just asks me to trust His will.

Walking on Water

2008-08-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’

When things get really tough, may we always keep our eyes on Jesus. When we feel that we are drowning, may we always cry out like Peter, "Lord! Save me!" And may we always have that faith that God will save us. He will never let us go.

Shine for Singapore

2008-08-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

It's National Day and there's really a lot to be thankful to God for on this day: We enjoy peace and prosperity. We have an honest and clean government. There are equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, religion or how rich you are.

I think what strikes me most about the national day video is that it sends a message that there is a place in Singapore or everyone: the child, the elderly, the physically disabled. We are a family.

That's the same with the church. It doesn't matter who you are, what your background is or even what you have done. There is place in church for one and all, saints and sinners alike. If you haven't been to mass in a long time, just remember this: your family, the church, will always be waiting for you to come home.

Happy National Day!

Dinosaurs and the Bible

2008-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Someone in class asked why dinosaurs were not recorded in the bible. I surfed the internet for a while and this was what I got:

It wasn't until 1841 that the concept of the dinosaur was formed. There is no word for "dinosaur" in the Hebrew language.

Obviously, there were a lot more creatures than just dinosaurs that were left out of the creation account. If God were to have included every creature in the creation account (well over one billion), such inclusion would have completely lost the spiritual significance of the passage. The purpose of the Genesis creation account is to give an account of how God created mankind and provided for him.

While not limited to dinosaurs only, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

"Nothing exists that does not owe its existence to God the Creator" 338

"Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God's infinite wisdom and goodness" 339

hope that answers your question! :)

Transfiguration

2008-08-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow, 6th August, is the Feast of the Transfiguration.
The account can be found in Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.

Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’

When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, ‘Stand up, do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus. As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about this vision until the Son of man has risen from the dead.’

Jesus was transfigured just before He had to make that difficult journey up Calvary. He was so afraid. But God encouraged him by giving him a taste of the eternal glory to come in the transfiguration.

If your life seems to be in darkness now, do not be afraid. You are not alone. God will give you the courage and the strength to go through it all.

Happy feast day!

Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano

2008-08-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

At around 700 AD, a Basilian monk, wise in the ways of the world, but not in the ways of faith, was having a trying time with his belief in the real presence of Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. He prayed constantly for relief from his doubts, and from the fear that he was losing his vocation. He suffered through the routine of his priesthood day after day, with these doubts gnawing at him.

One morning, while he was having a strong attack of doubt, he began the Consecration of the Mass for the people of the town. What he beheld as he consecrated the bread and wine caused his hands to shake, indeed his whole body. The host had turned into Flesh. The wine had turned into Blood.

The Body and Blood are still present and kept in the Church of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano. Here are pictures:

An extensive scientific research was done in 1970 which used the most modern scientific tools available. The results of the tests are as follows:

* The flesh is real flesh. The blood is real blood.
* The flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart (myocardium)
* The flesh and blood belong to the human species.
* The flesh and blood have the same blood type (AB).

Adapted from: http://www.miraclerosarymission.org/lanciano.html

Team Hoyt

2008-08-03T03:27:00.000-07:00

Someone forwarded this message and powerful video:

"A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?'. The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.

For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever.
The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together. View this race .......

Go light your world

2008-07-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all, the video i showed in class. Enjoy. Go light your world! Elizabeth

YOUTH MASS - Hidden Treasure

2008-07-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
There will be youth mass this Saturday, 8pm at the verbist hall. Pre-mass segment starts at 7.30pm.
I'm going! Do come. It'll be fun!
Elizabeth

Don't Change

2008-07-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe i'd like to start the blog sharing one of my favourite stories:

I was a neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish. And everyone kept telling me to change. And everyone kept telling me how neurotic I was.

And I resented them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but I just couldn't bring myself to change, no matter how hard I tried.

***************************************************

What hurt the most was that my best friend also kept telling me how neurotic I was. He too kept insisting that I change.

And I agreed with him too, though I couldn't bring myself to resent him. And I felt so powerless and so trapped.

***************************************************

Then, one day, he said to me, "Don't change. Stay as you are. It really doesn't matter whether you change or not. I love you just as you are; I cannot help loving you."

Those words sounded like music to my ears: "Don't change. Don't change. Don't change... I love you."

And I relaxed. And I came alive. And, oh wonderous marvel, I changed!

Now I know that I couldn't really change until I found someone who would love me whether I changed or not.

Do you love me this way God?

Note: This passage was taken from the book "The Song of the Bird" by Fr Anthony de Mello, S.J.

some of you may feel frustrated with yourself because no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to fit in. you can't seem to do better. u seem to always be a disappointment to yourself and those around you. u know what? It doesn't matter. God loves you just as you are, weaknesses and all. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!