Beginning of Pauline Year

As Daughters of St. Paul here in Singapore, we joined in the celebration of the beginning of the Year of St. Paul on 29 June 2008. The afternoon began with an hour talk on St. Paul by the known Msgr. Eugene Vaz, who was able to bring St. Paul to a more personal level for those presence. The talk was followed by a Mass with Fr. Cyril Lee and Fr. Louiseau con-celebrating. The evening ended with fellowship and dinner.

Pauline Year

On the night of 28 June the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul marked the beginning of the Year of St. Paul with a ceremony of opening the Church's main door followed by the unveiling of the statue of St. Paul and Eucharistic Celebration by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. At the end of the Mass, His Grace led the congregation to sign the Pledge Book--called "Singapore Catholics Commemorate St. Paul's Year" (of which one pledged to read at least one letter of St. Paul during this Pauline Year and is invited to submit an essay after that.) This book will be presented to the Vatican at the end of the Pauline Year.

Here's a video for the celebration:
Year of St. Paul - Celebrated in St. Peter & Paul Church

Up Close and Personal Afternoon

This afternoon of Up Close and Personal with young women turned up well. 6 young women came, with 4 of them from the University and 2 from our parish, St. Francis of Assisi. Both Sr. Karen and myself did the presentation of introducing them about our Founder, co-foundress, Spirituality, Mission and Community life. They seemed rather contented. Since we had rather limited time, we really do not have much time to share personally, something which we need to take note of in the future. Most of them had requested for more such sessions, so hopefully we will be able to meet again. Thanks for all your prayers.

Who Am I -- Casting Crowns

Day of Recollection

The Day of Recollection went on well yesterday. I am not sure we ever did something similar before in Singapore, but for most of us as vocation promoters, it was a new experience. If some of you remember or know, we had a kind of workshop on Vocation Sunday, where young women came to find out more about religious vocation from the women religious. Well, our team had decided this year that instead of doing this as a one-off thing yearly, we want to have follow-ups together for the young women, as a mean and channel for them to pray together, and get to know each other who are journeying together, and to know of other congregations.

So, yesterday was the first follow-up and Sr. Lucy of the Good Shepherd graciously volunteer to host it. The ambience was great, especially the prayer room. We had sharing in the morning with the theme: Call to Conversion and in the afternoon: Choosing Life. Both the relgious and the participants were opened to share their thoughts and reflections.

We hope that through these similar sessions, young women will find courage and strength together, and feel that they were not alone in the journey...for we are all Companions on the Journey.

Day of Recollection

31 May, the InterCongregation Women Religious is organising a Day of Recollection for Young Women who are discerning their vocation. This is kind of a follow-up session from our first gathering on Vocation Sunday. Back then we have about 12 young women who came. Since this day of prayer is open to all young women, we hope there will be more people attending. Our desire is that through this regular meetings, young women will have more point of entry to know the religious in Singapore and bring to awareness of their own vocation. Please pray for them.

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