Post-ROA Fellowship

Good morning to one and all!

It was a great evening of fine dining in an exceptionally homely ambience. I'll like to thank everyone for their generous responses of "YES" when asked to help. not forgetting those who simply showed up early to offer help... especially the neophytes and catechumens...

I'm saying "Thank You" because I personally feel touched to know that so many of us are willing to work together for a common cause, simple as it may be... and that is, to make ROA memorable for the catechumens and candidates and to fully appreciate the significance of this Rite.

And I think, most of all, I'm deeply moved by how we're willing to give up our time and make the effort to show up, even if it's for a little while, just to be a part of our faith community which I have no doubt, the catechumens and candidates on this journey are beginning, if they haven't already, to start to understand and fully comprehend what it means. (After all, it is a Saturday night and even if we had nothing better to do, we'd be able to find something better to do...!) I had hoped more catechumens and candidates would be present but I guess we've learnt from Arthur's "Play Initiate" as well that sometimes, absences can work in favour of the absentees. And again, it is all in God's time.

I've asked myself this many times, how do I know if I'm working for RCIA or for God? A good friend said, "You'll know in your heart." and I guess it is so. The line may not be so clearly drawn and after all, there may not even be one since God called us to love others and the RCIA is made up of many such 'others' all seeking God in their own ways. And we are striving to reach these brothers and sisters.

Lastly, it is clear that we aren't serving for our personal glory. With that in mind and with a conscious effort to place God in the center of our reasons, I know He'll give us the strength and the motivation to push our limits and serve tirelessly. For I have been surprised many times over, even now, at just how far these limits stretch. When we think we have too much on our hands and too little time to accomplish all, there always seems to be that little bit extra time and effort for Him.

So once again, tonight was great. It could have been a better party (there's always room for that!) but at the end of it all, I look back and I see great FELLOWSHIP. With a sincere attitude of well-wishes for one and all throughout.

Thank You all for tonight!
Joyce

Mug-Shot

When Resident Photographer, Henry, was taking pictures of the Catechumens and Candidates for ROA, 4 sweet and angelic faces tried to sneak their shot onto the big LCD screens in Church.

However, for some strange reason, this never made it to the ROA powerpoint... we wonder why.

Joyce

life's struggle

Life is a struggle. Through joining my family members to attend church over the years, I have found & valued the peace of mind, which have come over me despite these struggles. In the course of the RCIA last year, we were given insights into the various aspects of the catholic faith. During this journey, you will become aware of the abundant, joyful & merciful love, that almighty God, through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, has in store for each & everyone of us. You will find that you will gradually become a different person, with at least a different, more positive, attitude in your relationships with those around you. You will relish the simple pleasures of your fellowships with others at RCIA & elsewhere, and begin to come to grips with life's struggle. May God be with you.

peter

Why are you back?

Yesterday afternoon, I was sharing two sinful scoops of Haagen Daaz ice-cream with my good friend when she suddenly asked, "What is it about the RCIA that keeps you going?" I paused, trying to find the words to fully express what I feel.

All I could say was, "The people there are genuine."
Genuinely sincere? Genuinely real? Genuinely genuine??? It didn't make sense to me. Except I know I FEEL you guys are more real people than a lot of people I've known longer and better.

Not to say that there isn't hypocrisy... or backstabbing... lies and pretences... but above all these, it still surprises me how such a variety of people can come together and work together (sometimes, it's even unclear why we do what we do...) with no need for personal recognition.

How is it we try to make our schedules fit around RCIA?
And are willing to burn weekends, more often than not, to do physical labour?

I always wonder what the magical formula is that inspires us because I think that if organisations can follow this formula, employees will be happily slogging away with no complaint whatsoever. Strangely enough, it is at Church that we give more than what we think we can or are willing to give and truly, expect nothing in return.

I don't know what you guys do at work... and I think it helps me form better relationships with you. If i found out just what a high-ranking position you hold, I probably will not talk to you as comfortably and with such little reservations. If I had met half of you on the streets, I wouldn't have even thought about being friends with you.

And here, stripped of societal garments we don outside, we're forced, maybe, to see one another for who we are, not what we are made of...

So what is it that keeps me returning to RCIA? I cannot put my finger on any one reason... except I know that each time, what I take away from it is more rewarding and fulfilling than anything I have ever gotten outside.

And thanks be to God!
Joyce

Oh, Sweet Wine and Words...

Tonight, i attended a friend's wedding... an estranged friend, i might add... watching the video clips made of her preparing for her wedding, i felt transported back to the times when i saw the same types of clips made of older relatives... things like weddings and funerals seemed only a distant possibility back then. seeing one made of my peer tonight made me feel nostalgic for my more youthful days and also jolted me to the reality that i was growing up. it didn't seem strange that my friend was getting married... but it made me realize that i was not a young girl anymore.

i used to be a very emotional person. when i came to the RCIA 2 years ago, my one prayer/wish/hope was that i learn how to let go of my own will. i am a fighter by nature and if i want something, no matter what the odds are, i will persevere. it doesn't matter if the results aren't as what i had hoped for so long as the fight was fought and that i didn't give up halfway (hence, all the last minute preparations for RCIA!!!!)...

when i came on the RCIA, i had fellow catechumens who had lost their spouse, or enduring the process of losing family members through sickness.... my prayer seemed so simple, just to learn how to let go of what i want and to do what He wants. i learnt through the sessions drilled into me how to accept Christ... (that's KNOWLEDGE, as Father Vaz explained...) and then i EXPERIENCED it through the love and care of the RCIA community... after that, there's no stopping... i have to TESTIFY to that... just as the neophytes are doing this year with us as sponsors....

today, i am a much calmer person than i had ever been. i still cry easily. a mass can move me to tears. a good homily can still do the same. goodbyes always do. a Praise and Worship session can bring me to such high. i still laugh at the silliest and simplest events.

but when i am brought low, at the times when my faith seemed to run dry; when i cannot seem to reach God; when my prayers seemed to just be words without real communication; when things go awry; when i am saddened or even depressed by mundane happenings, i don't feel lost anymore.

as Bert said, so they tell us now, that being a Catholic doesn't erase the sufferings that may come our way. but i think we've all learnt, in our own ways, that our faith DOES indeed, give us the strength to weather our trials. and i thank God for this little faith community we have.

because when i'm lost, i just have to look around me to be inspired to carry on. and when my friend is shaken in faith as well, i know that i have to say the 'right' things to her and even if i'm not filled with conviction by what i say then, it's a powerful reminder of why i believe. alongside with the awareness of just the responsiblity us Catholics have, to stand by our faith.

growing up has never been easy for me because of my emotional nature. a friend used to say to me, at every new year, that she feels as if she had wasted another year doing nothing. and i never failed to be puzzled by that comment. how can a year be wasted? no matter how much wrong you've done in a year, how much damage you've caused, haven't you learnt any lesson from those experiences? and if you have, doesn't that mean you're repentant and from there on, can envision more clearly the path to carry on? so how can a mistake be such a mistake if you learn how to be a better person from it?

i'm not sure... i think guilt is a heavy burden to bear... but then again, Christ came for us. as he did, so shall we for one another... let's help one another carry our crosses, however light or heavy and pull one another through the journey, for ourselves as sponsors and more importantly, for the catechumens and candidates...

Joyce on a Midnight Rampage

faith and fellowship

Dear friends,

Through the rcia journey, I have come to have a better understanding of the catholic 'faith-knowledge, -experience & -testimony'. [Also along the journey, acquaintances (becoming friendships) have developed; it is to be hoped that the valuable friendships made will endure].

You are to be congratulated, Joyce, for taking the initiative of starting this forum, in the interest of bloggers, the above-mentioned aims and the rcia.

With best wishes,

peter cy

No Easy Street After Baptism

Father Ambrose said last evening "there is still suffering even after baptism". My quiet response was "now he tells me" with my eyes rolling upwards! It is through such individual sufferings or setbacks that we learn to appreciate and experience God's presence.

Well, I can attest to "its not easy to be a Catholic"...my golf game is suffering because I am shooting scores like the famous isotonic drink called "100 Plus". My scores are such because it is difficult to even think of improving the lie of the ball or convieniently forget to add one stroke getting out of the sand bunker i.e. cannot cheat anymore lah! I suppose that's the price one has to pay for being a Catholic. However, someone did say "some good will come out of every suffering"

Well, I am now "well-liked", a huge improvement, good I suppose, by my golf "kakis" because they can shoot lower score than me !

God Bless

Bert, yes its me.

in the beginning

dear friends,

i'm not sure why i set up this blog, except perhaps, i'm curious to see how this alternate form of communication will turn out and how long it'll last, if it even begins.

for me, this community of friends have become somewhat like a family to me. friends i have not expected to meet or to make, bonds which i have not foreseen will cement in any way. but who knows how these friendships will turn out in a year's time? perhaps it's the novelty of new relationships that brought us together... or perhaps it's a recognition that we share a vision of a better world that gels us.

sometimes, i feel it's futile what i do... collecting memories, cherishing certain moments... where will all these go when we close our eyes for the last time?

but most times, it just cannot get any better. i feel like i've found the journey of my life. the one that had been missing in my younger years, the missing part of me that i searched for without being able to identify what it is or understanding the true nature of what i wanted. to a large extent, i have found my place. and i know that because of the peace that lingers with me even in my weakest moments. and i know that because of the joy i feel. a joy that is completely PURE.

so a new journey has begun... i wonder what lies ahead. i have fears for this journey, doubts that have never crossed my mind before... but against all these, i look forward to growing with each and every one of you. sharing intimate stories and creating new ones.

not to mention, our unique style of 'FELLOWSHIPS', of course.

 

love you all,
Joyce
31 May 2005

A Reflection for Sponsors by Al Dizon

A little message for everyone in the journey (sponsors).
 
THE death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI brought unusual media attention to the papacy’s role in both the church and world affairs. Today’s Catholic feast of Saints Peter and Paul likewise draw attention to the Petrine office and its service to the church and to the world.

Peter and Paul brought totally different backgrounds and experiences to their roles of leadership in the church. Peter was a humble fisherman when he responded to the call of Jesus: "Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." A married man, Peter was a Galilean Jew steeped in the religious traditions of his people. He saw how Roman rule had brought suffering to his people. He carried a sword and drew it in defense of Jesus when the temple police and Jewish leaders came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Olives. Peter was passionately in love with his people and with Jesus. Although he sometimes misunderstood Jesus and even himself, there was something genuine about him. He really meant his boast that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus, though it took years before he could ultimately keep his word.

In contrast, Paul was a Jew raised outside of Palestine. His family must have had considerable social status for Paul to have Roman citizenship. Although he was passionate about this faith, Paul was raised in the city of Tarsus where he was educated in Greek thought and literature. Studying in Jerusalem, Paul became a leading scholar in the Hebrew Scriptures and he set about enforcing the Law of Moses and persecuting those who followed the teachings of Jesus. He became a believer after his encounter with the risen Christ while he was on his way to Damascus to round up disciples of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. He claimed to be an apostle, equal to Peter and the others, although he had not known Jesus personally during the latter’s life and ministry. Paul’s letters and the narratives about his missionary activity eventually came to be major parts of the Christian scriptures. His views formed part of the apostolic foundations of Christian life and theology.

We should try to recall the variety of gifts found in the apostolic leadership of the local churches formed around faith in Jesus. Perhaps the greatest challenge posed to Catholics by this feast is the task of continuing to make the message of Christ the heart of their lives and the anchor of their living witness to the love of God made incarnate in Jesus. Peter and Paul were passionate in their faith. They proved their love for Christ by sacrificing their lives in service to the church. Hopefully, the church will never lack such apostolic witness and love for the flock of Christ. Are we as passionate about our calling as sponsors?


29 June 2005

Genesis

Good morning dear friends!

Having started fiddling with these blog thing-ies to set up one for our RCIA and then realizing most of us couldn't get online to do anything with it was somewhat disappointing. And defeating of the purpose itself.

So... here's our NEW BLOG!

Unfortunately, i can't find a red-coloured theme... which is our RCIA colour, for those who don't know. Not orange, not golden, not green. But, red, Yes, RED as in Arsenal RED (in order for us all to continue getting along, i shall have to mention, yes, Man-U RED, Liverpool RED as well...), Red Hot Chilli Peppers RED.

I'm going to bring over all the rubbish i had written from the previous blog and hope this one fares better!


With love to all my friends who're snuggled up in bed right now,
Joyce