Hey all!

Hope everyone enjoyed the movie and is looking forward to finding out how it ends. Given the one-week lull in between, here are some quotes to help you remember what happened in the first part:

Michael Simmons: I realised that it wasn’t my marriage that was broken. I just didn’t know how to make it work.

Caleb Holt: Marriage isn’t fireproof.

Michael Simmons: Fireproof doesn’t mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it.

Michael Simmons: The sad part about it is, when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better.

John Holt: But this is not based on feelings. It’s a decision.

John Holt:  Has she thanked you for anything you’ve done the last 20 days?

Caleb Holt:  No! And you’d think after I washed the car, I’ve changed the oil, do the dishes, cleaned the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude. But she doesn’t! In fact, when I come home, she makes me like I’m – like I’m an enemy! I’m not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off! Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her. I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away. I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it. I made dinner for her. I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, Dad. I’m not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?

John Holt: [touches, then leans against cross] That’s a good question.

Now that that has reminded you of the movie, here are the instructions for your journal entry (for those who haven’t gotten around to doing it yet):

1. Name 3 “ingredients” that you think are essential to make a marriage work and the reasons for your choice.

2. Lift up in prayer, a married couple that you know and write your prayer petition or thanksgiving to Jesus.

See you on Saturday! And have a wonderful week =)

In Christ,
Stephanie

Hello dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

Here’s a mid-week reminder to do your journal reflection! This past weekend (25 July), we discussed the sacrament of Holy Communion in which we receive the Eucharist. As mentioned at the end of class (it was a packed lesson, and I don’t suppose you remember!), your journal activity should consist of two parts:

1. Read John 6:26-66 in silence. Contemplate the meaning of this passage. Ask yourself: What is Jesus saying in these passages in the Gospel? Why did many of his disciples leave him?
2. Write an entry responding to the question: “What does the Eucharist mean to me?”

I hope you all remember the key points of this lesson as you journal. Bear in mind that in receiving the Eucharist, we receive the real Body and Blood of Christ. Remember the concept of ‘transubstantiation‘ which refers to the transformation (changing) of the substance (nature) of the bread and wine. (As opposed to the transformation of the form (appearance), a la Transformers )

Refer to those other Biblical passages about the Eucharist if that will help you with your reflection. And I hope that this activity and lesson will help you appreciate the Mass even more!

In Christ,
Stephanie

John 6:26-66

²⁶Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. ²⁷Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

²⁸Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” ²⁹Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” ³⁰So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? ³¹Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” ³²Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; ³⁸for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. ⁴⁰This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” ⁴¹Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴²They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” ⁴³Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. ⁴⁶Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” ⁵²The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” ⁵³So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; ⁵⁵for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

⁶⁰When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” ⁶¹But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶²Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. ⁶⁵And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” ⁶⁶Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.

Hello everyone,

It was good to see you in class yesterday (though we had quite a shocking attendance esp from the gals – only 4 showed up?! Hmm… I wonder if it’s becos they donno that class has resumed this weekend, or if they have travelled to H1N1 affected areas and are being responsible citizens who are locking themselves at home before they go out again?)

Anyway, just a few admin matters first….

H1N1

For those of you who have recently travelled to H1N1 affected countries (Mexico, Melbourne, Malaysia, New York, etc) please stay at home for at least 7 days (even if you feel well) before you come for class. This is what our Singapore Govt encourages all citizens to do as well. Even if you’ve not been to any of H1N1 affected countries, if you’re not feeling well/ having a fever, etc, please DO NOT come for class. Just give any one of your catechists a call/sms and let us know you’re not coming and why, but you MUST produce a letter from your parents (we will verify with your folks so don’t even THINK abt forging your folks’ signature or faking a letter, ok?!) so that your attendance will not be affected.

Attendance for Term 1

For the benefit of those who did not turn up for class yesterday, I shared in class that a few of you have very poor attendance for the first half of this year (I think you know who you are). If you are serious about getting confirmed in Con 4, PLEASE buck up and turn up for class regularly. Remember you have to fulfil 80% of your attendance should you wish to proceed to Con 3 and be confirmed at the end of your 4 year journey. On the other hand, if you feel that you are not ready, or it takes a lot from you to drag yourself to class every Saturday, then we recommend that you have a chat with your parents and should you decide to drop out of catechism, please ask your parents to write a letter to us (your catechists) and to Fr Fred/Fr Greg to state your intentions. We will not force you to stay on if you don’t want to.

Syllabus for Term 2

For term 2, we will be covering “Sacraments”. For those of you who donno what that is, it is “an outward sign of an inward grace”. Sounds chim? Well, come to class and find out more! For the next few weeks, we will be delving into each sacrament – Baptism, Reconciliation (Confession), Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony (Marriage), Holy Orders (Priesthood), Annointing of the Sick. If you have any questions on any of the Sacraments, now is the time to ask! We may not have the answers to every question,  but we will try our best to clear your doubts, or even ask the priests or find out from CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church).

We also welcome Ryan, our new classmate who has joined us from Holy Family Church, starting from Term 2. Ryan has been very participative and enthusiastic in class yesterday. This can be evidently seen in his small group discussion with Jeremy and Naomi, when discussing about the poster to design for a Christian Fair. On the other hand, we had 2 “telepathic grps” yesterday who communicated via telepathy (duh!) with one another in their grps about their designs for the poster (if you know what I mean) We will be breaking all of you up from your usual cliques to provide opportunities of getting to know all of your classmates (some of you don’t even know their names after 1.5 yrs of being in the same class! Tsk tsk!). Please also try to open up and share (ie. TALK “in a spiritual way” words quoted from Jerome) with one another during your small grp sharing. Don’t be shy! =)

That said, may you have a good first week in school after a well-deserved holiday. We’ll see you all in class next week (with your Bible/ Journal) when we share about the Sacrament of Baptism!

~ Marlene

Here’s a pictorial look at week 1 and 2 of Catechism class!

Week 1 – 7 Feb 2009

Week 2 – 14 Feb 2009

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!

For our year end party, I’ve booked a BBQ pit at East Coast Parkway on Sunday, 30 Nov. We haven’t decided if we should just cater food for the BBQ or have a potluck. What do you guys prefer??

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#

So do help to spread the word to your classmates and RSVP your attendance to catechist@ymail.com so we know how much food to order. You can also sms/call either one of us to let us know!

~ Marlene

Hi guys and girls,

Hope things have been going great for you so far. I just came across an article that talks about what we’ve mentioned in class — the role of the Bible (word of God) in helping us strengthen our relationship with Jesus (Word of God). It begins with…

Here’s the word: Catholics must know Bible to know Jesus, says bishops
By Cindy Wooden

The Catholic Church wants people to know and love the word of God — the Bible — so that they will come to know and love the Word of God — Jesus Christ.

While the world Synod of Bishops is focusing on ways to educate Catholics in the importance of reading, understanding and praying with the Bible, several participants addressing the synod Oct. 6-7 insisted that people understand that for Christians the Word of God is Jesus.

“When asked what ‘the word of God’ is, many believers respond, ‘the Bible.’ The response is not wrong, but it is incomplete,” said Italian Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, rector of Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University and president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Because the word of God is more than the Bible, he told the synod Oct. 7, Christianity is not so much a “religion of the book” as a “religion of the Word,” who is Jesus.

[...]

Click here to read the entire article.

Take care and God bless!

- Stephanie

Hi class,

Don’t forget it’s our last Catechism class this weekend! Do ask your friends who have been absent to come! See ya all soon!

Below is a good read, in case you are or know of anyone who’s worried about finances… 

God bless!

Marlene

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bob Dylan sang it many years ago, and it’s still true today: “The times, they are a-changin.” In barely two years, gas prices have more than doubled. Costs for diesel fuel have surpassed gasoline, and the result is a snowball effect that is sending our incomes into a downward spiral of lower and lower spending power. What’s a believer to do?

        Trust God. Or as He Himself told us, “Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear…. Can any of you add a cubit to his height by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:22b, 25-26).

         Really, why do we worry? We can’t control the weather; God does. We can’t control the seasons; God does. When it comes right down to it, there are a very limited number of things over which we have any control whatsoever, and even in those areas, our first and foremost priority as believers in Christ Jesus is still the same mandate: Trust God.

         Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Does that mean that we’re to plod through these tough times with no financial plan of action because we’re simply to “trust in the Lord”? Of course not. The teaching of Proverbs 3:5 continues in Verse 6: “Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”

         Folks, the only person who needs a guide is someone who’s going somewhere! I don’t know about you, but I plan to get on with my life and His Commission despite the downturn in the economy and despite any other setbacks that may come my way.

         In the early 1980s my husband, Larry, found himself without a job. For two years we had no steady income. And it was during those two years that my penny-pinching savvy was honed like never before; so I can truthfully say that I’d not be where or who I am today were it not for the lessons learned during that tough stretch.

         But not only did we learn a lot of new “survival” skills, we learned how awesome our Heavenly Father was and is providing for our needs. Time and again, we received just what we needed just when we needed it. Of course, we did our part to bring in an income. In addition to selling real estate, I cleaned houses, did yard work, a little substitute teaching, and countless other odd jobs, all while trying to remain as much of a stay-at-home mom as possible. Larry found a couple of long-term temporary jobs and joined me in a lot of the odd job opportunities.

        Yet sometimes it still wasn’t enough. I recall that on more than one occasion, we prayed fervently for a way to earn enough money to buy groceries. Once, I was still in mid-prayer when the doorbell rang and a couple from our church stood smiling in the doorway. “We hope you won’t be offended,” our friend, Cheryl said, “but Daniel works for a grocery wholesaler and the company let us have all of the damaged goods in this week’s shipment.”

        Offended? I was elated! We quickly emptied their burgeoning pickup, stacking the less-than-perfect cans and boxes into our empty pantry and together thanking the Lord for His amazing love and perfect timing.

        Once, on my birthday, another friend, Helen, phoned. “I didn’t know what to get you for your birthday, so I bought you groceries. I hope you don’t mind.” I can still remember lifting that truly heavenly turkey breast out of the grocery bag and weeping with happiness.

        Then there was the time we found a refund check in our mailbox. Our insurance company had discovered that we’d been charged too high a rate for the whole past year.

          People of God, tough times are no reason to worry. They’re a time to get excited about the new and miraculous ways you’re going to see the Lord take care of you. Do your part to be a responsible manager of His blessings: Continue to tithe, cut back unnecessary spending, and make whatever other changes may be needed to reduce your regular expenses. But most of all, trust Him, and joyfully expect your Heavenly Father to take good care of you, His precious son or daughter.

Hi guys and girls,

I received this in the email, and thought I’d share it with you.

See you on Saturday =)

- Stephanie

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I have liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named “Friends ” was next to one marked “Friends I have betrayed.” The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed at.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve yelled at my brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger”, “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked “TV Shows I have watched”, I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him..

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.” I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”-Phil.4:13 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If you feel the same way, forward it, so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My “People I shared the gospel with” file just got bigger, how about yours?

Hi guys & gals,

I was just wondering how much you know about OLPS, our parish. Do you know how many ministries we have in church, and what they do?

For a better idea about what our Youth Ministries are, what they do, when do they meet, what’s in store…. do visit our OLPS Youth Ministry website at http://www.olpsyouth.org/

Feel free to ask us any questions about the youth scene in OLPS. Don’t forget, you are a youth in OLPS so you have a part to play in our parish!! =)

Cya all tomorrow in class for Part 2 of “Bedazzled”. Don’t forget to prepare your homework on writing a short script with Christian values for your very own movie!

God bless,

Marlene

Hi guys!

How has your week been so far? Good?

I just got the ‘Faith’ cd this past weekend — you may have seen it advertised on tv — and really liked this song by Martina McBride. So I thought I’d share it with you =) Enjoy!

- Stephanie