Sunday, January 27, 2008
Another Year...
I thank the Lord for another year of LIFE. Even though sometimes, life is bleak and there seems no hope of moving on. I also thank Him for the blessing of encountering so many wonderful- and instrumental- people who have in one way or another helped me in my Christian journey.
In the course of my growth in maturity of faith, mind and body, I find myself more open to the promptings of the Spirit as I continue to discern His materplan for my life.
I enjoy the fact that my birthday is a day after the Feast of the Conversation of St. Paul, my patron saint. It reminds me of the need to be converted before being able to receive the new life that God has in plan for me and to accept all the challenges- come what may- in order to feel the exhilaration of victory and direct it Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
My birthday wish/prayer is for all YOUR wishes/prayers to come true. Please continue to keep this aspirant in your prayers.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have wished me a very happy birthday via text message and e-mail.
Special thanks goes to Darren, Melvin, Philip, Graeme, and Ajay who made this day a memorable one (and that does not include singing "Happy Birthday to Father Paul at Hagen Daz" hahaha...). Special thanks also go out to Angela whose constant prayers for me before the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday enables me to continue to do His holy will.
Heartfelt appreciations to Fr. Andrian Wee who offered the Holy Sacrifice specially for me, to Revd. Frs. Edmund Chong, Augustine Tay, Michael Teo who have helped me in both my vocation discernment and my personal walk with the Lord, to my parents who taught me the values and principles of life, to my grandmother for the generous gift of her Honda Accord, and to the Holy Spirit whose loving presence is like a spring in the desert.
God grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Labels: Birthday, Personal, Prayer, Testimonials, Thanksgiving
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Deo gratias et Mariae
Now here's the good news: I was awarded 90 marks! Deo gratias et Mariae.
Ps. Edward, your explaination in Constatine's Art History Class video (Jul '06) was very useful.
Labels: Icons, Personal, Thanksgiving
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Confession: St. Mary of the Angels
On the way to the parish, I explained to them to importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the importance of participating in Sunday Mass, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Their confessor was Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nasanathan. Both came out of the confessional with tears welling from their eyes (Fr. had packets of tissues in hand!). Fr. Joseph, spent approximately 10-15 minutes with each of them. Overall, I felt that their first confession was indeed a grace filled one; with clear and decisive rejection of the sins committed, out of their love for God.
As I reflect on the homily by Fr. Jivan Daniel (more of a Gospel reflection; Fr. Daniel wasn't feeling too well), the selection of hymns, and the scripture passages, I can clearly see the gracious hand of God in this matter. Praise Him!
Now on another matter, as I was waiting for my cousins in the Parish Office, Parish Priest Fr. John-Paul Tan approached me and struck up a conservation. We chatted as if we'd known one another rather well; he thought that I was his parishioner. Being a Canon Lawyer, he was excited to know that I was taking legal studies myself. He wanted me to form a group of Catholic Students in my diploma course for application to the Catholic Lawyers Guild!
One thing I found great about St. Mary's was that their priests do not 'run away' after Mass but stay behind and mingle with the faithful. I think our parishes need to have more of such interection to make Catholics feel more welcomed and at home and give them a sense of belonging.
LiturgyPlus!: Fr. Daniel incenses the gifts in the old cross-circular fashion.
Labels: Canon Law, Confession, Liturgy, Personal, Rants/Musings/Thoughts, Testimonials, Thanksgiving
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Oueen of May
There is something about this great Mother of ours pulls at the heartstrings, and, more importantly, the deepest parts of the souls of her children. She is always calling us to new conversion, greater love of her Son, more sincere charity towards our neighbor.
Thank you Mother!
Heavenly Father, we thank you with all our heart for giving us Mary, to be our Mother. She is so loving, so thoughtful, so understanding and so kind. We thank you for her. Amen.
Do pen you testimonial(s), if any, in the comment box.
Labels: Mary, Thanksgiving, Thoughts
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
SFX Vocation Retreat: Testimonial & Thanksgiving
+ JMJ
It has been a while since I returned from the Major Seminary Vocation Retreat, here's a short testimonial and thanksgiving letter:
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the beloved!
Father Rector, William Goh, mentioned in his first talk during the retreat that there must have been an impetus- divine or otherwise- that made all of us sign up for and attend the retreat. I think he is very right. Thorugh the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we have been blessed with the Lord's sanctifying grace; making us worthy spend an entire weekend basking in His presence.
Faithful readers of this blog, Deo Juvante, and Holy Vocations, would know my impetus for signing up for the retreat; so I shan't dwell on it here...
I've visited the Major Seminary, the Redemptorist Seminary, as well as the Carmelite Friar's Monestary on several occassions. Each time, it is a sense of peace and belonging. The fraternal warmth and charity displayed by both the brothers and formators have made my stays very pleasant. Time and time again as I vist the Seminary, I feel a sense of affirmation and belonging. How many people are likely to feel the same? I mean, being 'isolated' in the forests of Ponggol.
Before the retreat as I was discerning the chrisms, I didn't know if what appealed to me was due to my personal want(s) or desire(s), or if it was something that God wanted. It has been hard for me to discern between what God wants and what I am so attracted to personally. Therefore, it was by providence that Fr. William Goh shared some information that allayed some of my confusion(s) and mixed feelings.
After the retreat, I was affirmed that (those who read my post 'Fiat Volunta Tua' would have come across the following quote) "the priesthood is not for us or for our personal satisfaction and delight. Rather, it is for the service of the Church and souls: God calls men to be priests so that he will be able to make himself present "in the flesh" in the Eucharist for all who need him. He makes men priests so that all who need their sins forgiven can go to them and be cleansed of their sins. He makes men priests so that the sick can be strengthened with the Sacraments, so that his word will be preached, so that people will receive hope and be renewed through their work and service... He makes priests so that the poor and abandoned may be administered to.
Therefore, I shouln't let my own emotions get in the way of my discernment.
I would like to thank:
- God the Father for giving us the opportunity to discern His will together as one body; united in the Christ that cannot be divided,
- Rev. Fr. Willaim Goh (Rector and Formator); though I didn't get a chance to speak to him personally. God had indeed used him as an instrument in answering some of the doubts and queries in my heart.
- I also thank God for the Seminarians, especially Br. Jude David who had sent me many messages, inviting me to the retreat; I wouldn't have gone otherwise due to my heavy workload.
To quote Dominic Hutt (one of the retreatants) in his testimony, may we all someday "sing praises and walk through those seminary doors".
Amen. So I hope. So may it be.
Pro Eccelesia et Pontifice,
J-PDM
St. Rita of Cascia
Labels: Photos, Priesthood, Retreat, Seminarians, Seminary, Testimonials, Thanksgiving, Vocation
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Deo Gratias
The final steps include having to take the Final Theory and the Final Practical Test.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Personal, Thanksgiving
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Pope John Paul II
Labels: Holy Father, Thanksgiving, Video
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