Stay Awake so You might be Ready

Stay Awake so You might be Ready.

Before the Church declares that Advent is here, the secular world is already getting into the spirit of Christmas. Most of the Christmas decorations are already up in the city area and various heartland shopping malls. The decorations are breath-taking and people are buying presents,etc but there's always this question in my head: Do they understand the true meaning of Christmas? Not that I want to be all holy and molly but the question is, do they understand the significance of God coming into the world as man? I mean I'm not even sure about the answer to this question myself.

It's nice to say that God send His only Son to die for us but what does these words really mean to you? Are these words just mere words or do you really understand? Is it even about what the Disney cartoons are potraying? Sharing and love? Or is it more then that? Think about it. Today I wanna challange you to think about this: What is different about me from the rest of the billions who are celebrating Christmas?

1) An Advent Session for Young People - Prepare yourself for the opening of Advent with Sister Chris Yeo on 23rd Nov @ 8pm in the Youth Room! Sister Chris Yeo is a dynamic and engaging youth speaker sought highly after in the youth circles. So do come and join us for an engaging session with her! Highly recommended for ages 14 - 30.

2) An Advent Fund Raising: TheatreWorkz - Be delighted and spoilt for choice this weekend as TheatreWorkz promises to tease your tongue buds with gingerbread, muffins, cupcakes... 50% of the proceeds will go to Infant Jesus Home and Children's Centre (a Catholic organisation started by the Infant Jesus). 50% of the proceeds will go towards youth efforts for 2010. Additional information can be found on this website: http://www.ijhcc.org/index.htm. YUM YUM!

3) An Advent Session for the Parish: Footsteps of God - Mary. Ever wondered about the significance of Mary in our history? Why does the Catholic Church honor and respect her so much? Come and find out for yourself with this DVD screening by Steve Ray, a popular Bible scholar in the States. After the session, get ready to pop your long-awaited questions on Mary, to Sister Theresa (fsp)! Happening on 4 Dec, Friday, 8pm in the parish hall.

4) An Advent Movie Screening: Children of Men. In 2027, as humankind faces the likelihood of its own extinction, a disillusioned government agent agrees to help transport and protect a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea where her child's birth may help scientist to save the future of mankind. Happening on 5 Dec, Saturday, 8pm in the Youth Room.

5) Altar Servers Camp - Our servers are organising an all-boys camp in Dec. It will be starting from 13 Dec to 16 Dec. Register outside the parish on 15 Nov and 22 Nov. There will be a parent's briefing on camp and collection of the consent forms on 22nd Nov. Venue will be at SFA. Cost: $20 per person

6) Living in God (LiG). 2010

7) School of Witness 2010 - Check out our blog! Interested? Get back to us!

8) Diocesan Vocation Camp - "St John Vianney: A Priest for All Men, A Man for All Priests" for our younger brothers ages between 14 to 17 year old. If you are interested in knowing how a priest is made, join them from Tuesday 1 December to Thursday 3 December. Time will be between 10am - 2pm. Venue will be at St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Please register at seminariansonline@gmail.com.

9) Intercessories - Once every 2 weeks, a group of young adults and youths will come together to pray for the needs of everyone in the parish. If you have any petitions, please send them back to our email and we will pray for you:) This week, we pray for both the sec 3 Confirmands who are having their Confirmation camp and the service team. The camp will be happening this weekend 27, 28 and 29 Nov.

Peace,

Joachim

Stay Awake so You might be Ready

Are you awake? Are you ready for the birth of Jesus?

As we approach Advent, the time of waiting, we are also stifled by doomsday prophets such as movies like 2012, which translates into telling us that we are practically waiting to die in the year 2012. Today, the world needs something definite to hold on to. It needs a clear cut between the gray areas; it needs someone to tell us that we are not waiting to die. It needs someone to tell us that we are not empty vessels that has no hope or love at all. It needs a champion. It needs Jesus, the Word made Flesh.

So Stay Awake and be not afraid. Stay Awake so You might be Ready for Jesus, in the upcoming Advent.

1) An Advent Session for Young People - Prepare yourself for the opening of Advent with Sister Chris Yeo on 23rd Nov @ 8pm in the Youth Room! Sister Chris Yeo is a dynamic and engaging youth speaker sought highly after in the youth circles. So do come and join us for an engaging session with her! Highly recommended for ages 14 - 30.

2) ) Altar Servers Camp - Our servers are organising an all-boys camp in Dec. It will be starting from 13 Dec to 16 Dec. Register outside the parish on 15 Nov and 22 Nov. There will be a parent's briefing on camp and collection of the consent forms on 22nd Nov. Venue will be at SFA. Cost: $20 per person

3) Living in God (LiG). 2010

4) School of Witness 2010 - Check out our blog! Interested? Get back to us!

5) Diocesan Vocation Camp - "St John Vianney: A Priest for All Men, A Man for All Priests" for our younger brothers ages between 14 to 17 year old. If you are interested in knowing how a priest is made, join them from Tuesday 1 December to Thursday 3 December. Time will be between 10am - 2pm. Venue will be at St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Please register at seminariansonline@gmail.com.

6) Intercessories - Once every 2 weeks, a group of young adults and youths will come together to pray for the needs of everyone in the parish. If you have any petitions, please send them back to our email and we will pray for you:) This week, we pray for all the busy young people in the world, so they can spend time with God once in a while.

Peace,
Joachim

Your Friendly BLYM Weekly

Hey people!!

It has been one crazy week for me which I hope was not for you! After a tiring night while going home, I saw this quote sticker on a car windscreen "It's not other's opinion of you that affects your esteem. It's your own esteem that affects you." This message came at the right moment just as I was feeling put down by something negative that day. All emotions begins in the head. Don't allow what others say to put down your own esteem. Your esteem is dependent on how you feel about yourself. And don't worry, God still loves you no matter how lousy you feel.

"My grace is sufficient for you alone." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Updates

1) Altar Servers Camp - Our servers are organising an all-boys camp in Dec. It will be starting from 13 Dec to 16 Dec. Register outside the parish on 15 Nov and 22 Nov. There will be a parent's briefing on camp and collection of the consent forms on 22nd Nov. Venue will be at SFA. Cost: $20 per person

2) Advent is coming up! Check the list of exciting things that will be happening in our parish for the entire parish regardless of your age! - An advent program 09 by the youths for the Parish. Stay Awake so You might be Ready.

4) Living in God (LiG). 2010

5) School of Witness 2010 - Interested? Get back to us!

6) Intercessories - Once every 2 weeks, a group of young adults and youths will come together to pray for the needs of everyone in the parish. If you have any petitions, please send them back to sfa.youthteam@gmail.com and we will pray for you:) This week, we pray for those who are starting their 'A' levels.

Hooary to those who are completing your O's this week! Happy holidaying!

Peace,
Joachim

Your Friendly BLYM Weekly

Hey people,

Peace be with you! Did you guys receive any SMSes about the tabernacle and crucifix stolen from St Vincent de Paul parish? It has been proven to be a joke. But imagine the horror it must have brought to so many people! The power of media! Within the span of one day, hundreds if not, thousands must have received the msg. And today, in the media, they are saying that the world will come to an end in 2012. If we have no tv or handphones in this modern age, I'm pretty sure I'm going to breeze through 2012, not fearing that I will just drop dead anytime on the streets...

1) Altar Servers Camp - Our servers are organising an all-boys camp in Dec. More details coming up in the next issue.

2) Chill out with Father Timothy - If you are 18 and above and is still VERY INTERESTED in this, you can contact me @ 92394826 as I've an extra tix... It's happening on 19 Nov, at the Love the World Soul Rock Bristo & Bar @ Singapore Flyer. 7.30pm to 10pm.

3) Advent is coming up! Check out the side-bar! Stay Awake so You might be Ready.
- An advent program by the youths for the Parish.

4) Living in God (LiG). 2010

5) School of Witness 2010 - Interested? Get back to us!

6) Intercessories - Once every 2 weeks, a group of young adults and youths will come together to pray for the needs of everyone in the parish. If you have any petitions, please send them back to our email and we will pray for you:) This week, we pray for those doomsday prophets that they will turn back to God and stop trying to predict the end of the world.

"But as for that day and hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father alone." - Matthew 24: 36.

Lastly, for those holidaying now, enjoy! To those who are having 'O's, hang in there! Last week of 'O's! For those starting 'A's next week, just do your best!

Peace,
Joachim