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