An Afternoon with the Daughters of St. Paul

What's up here in FSP Singapore? Lately, both Sr. Karen and myself are planning to invite young women over to the convent for an afternoon, just to share about us, meaning as Daughters of St. Paul. We realized that small as we are as a country, many people do not know us, even though they might seen us around at the parishes. So, please help to pass the words around.

God, Grant Me the Glory of "Thy Gift"

God, widen my vision so I may see

the afflictions You have sent to me--

Not as a cross too heavy to wear

that weighs me down in gloomy despair--

Not as something to hate and despse

but as a gift of love sent in disguise--

Something to draw me closer to You

to teach me patience and forearance, too--

Something to show me more clearly the way

to serve You and love You more every day--

Something priceless and precious and rare

that will keep me forever safe in Thy care

Aware of the spiritual strength that is mine

if my selfish, small will is lost in Thine!

(Helen Steiner Rice)

Go Light Your World

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Some thoughts on the gifts of the Holy Spirit by Blessed James Alberione:
www.giacomoalberione.blogspot.com

My Redeemer Lives

Someone forwarded this message and powerful video:

"A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?'. The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too.

For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever.
The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together. View this race .......

On the Journey Toward Becoming Friends

Friendships are mysterious. They often begin and end when we least them expect them to. We sometimes become friends with people we are not initially drawn to. Sometimes we don't develop the kind of friendship we desire with someone we are attracted to. Some friendships take a lot of work, while others are as natural as breathing.

Friendship is a gift waiting to be revealed with every person I meet. With just a few people, the gift of covenant relationship will be revealed. With very many people, the gift of friendly waves and weather conversations will unfold. In between are the gifts of healthy working friendships, close lifelong friendships, friendships born in crisis, celebration, a shared passion for coffee, golf, children, faith, travel, et cetera.

Friendships are life-giving when we accept, nurture, and celebrate the particular gift that is present in each. Friendships are draining and difficult when we reject the gift by either not accepting the intimacy offered or trying to make the gift more intimate than it was ever meant to be.

These gifts of friendship are scattered like ripe fruit in the gardens of our lives, waiting to be tasted and enjoyed. Each gift is given by a loving God, who knows what we need and who desires a friendship with every one of us. Therefore, while we may choose our friendships, we do not create the gift of friendship. We can work on our friendships, but we cannot change them into something they are not gifted to be. This is the pain and the joy, the poverty and the incredible freedom we experience on the journey to becoming friends.

written by DOUG WEIBE

Laying Down Your Life for Your Friends

Good Shepherds are willing to lay down their lives for their sheep (see John 10:11). As spiritual leaders walking in the footsteps of Jesus, we are called to lay down our lives for our people. This laying down might in special circumstances mean dying for others. But it means first of all making our own lives - our sorrows and joys, our despair and hope, our loneliness and experience of intimacy - available to others as sources of new life.

One of the greatest gifts we can give others is ourselves. We offer consolation and comfort, especially in moments of crisis, when we say: "Do not be afraid, I know what you are living and I am living it with you. You are not alone." Thus we become Christ-like shepherds.

(Henri Nouwen)

Vocation Sunday

New Video

Gift of Baptism

Today is a silent and yet special day for me. 17 years ago, on this date, I received the gift of baptism at the Church of St. Bernadette, and back then was the Easter Vigil. 17 years seem long, yet, I still feel as if I am at the beginning, learning more about the faith, about Jesus, about God, about the Church.... This reminds me of the teaching of our founder, Blessed James Alberione, the attitude of studiosita--to learn from all. We will never finish our learning, and I agree this is the beauty of being human. Till the day we die, we continue to learn from everything.

Today, I am thankful for all the people who in one way or another, help in the growth of my faith--the sponsors, my friends, my god-mother, my sisters in the congregation, particularly my formators and those who journey with me. They have been the one to help me see and experience the love of God till this day. Without them, I would not have reach where I am today. A very big Thank You.