Ahead...

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy: The Three Wise Men" (named Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar). Detail from: "Mary and Child, surrounded by angels", mosaic of a Ravennate italian-byzantine workshop, completed within 526 AD by the so-called "Master of Sant'Apollinare". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are in the New Year and I am facing a new academic year ahead.

The Feasy of the Epiphany revealed the infant child Jesus to the world represented by the Magi who offered the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhh.

Revelation, newness and an anticipation of what the year ahead can offer.

What is your outlook for the year 2014 ahead?

Cusp of the New Year

Descending... (Photo credit: Annoysius)

She walked out by the Seminary's porch area, awaiting the transport which will take her to work. With a smile on her face, she said, "It is the eve. We are at the cusp of the New Year!"

Indeed we were.

We just finished about of spiritual direction (SD) and there were several matters we discussed which we set in place for her to get into the New Year on a better footing. Instead of just allowing the year 2014 to enter with a whimper, it would be better to make attempts to renew her position to greet it with a better perspective of life she would like to have as a person and a Christian that can make a difference in a world of today.

Singapore is 48!

Happy 48th Birthday, Singapore!

It's 10 Now!

It was 10 years ago when I said yes to my life as a priest after the heart of Christ.

Looking back at all that have transpired so far and the journey that led me to where I am now, I can only remain utterly grateful for this vocation that continues to allow me to unfold my potential as God's instrument to give his presence in the world today.

Certainly, there have been many hits and misses and I continue to learn from my mistakes and mishaps, where I continue onwards to carry out my mission as a minister of God, especially as pastor and mediator. Life as priest in the present times has been very challenging and theer will be no end to what I can already feel, which many times can be between a rock and a hard place. It can always come down to a situation that one can just give up and walk away from it all.

Being Healthy...

I was away for the weekend, out of Singapore. It was a short respite from the haze and a chance to enjoy a slightly new setting. It was nothing that great really, but to be out from the familiar and doing something a little different was a small welcome.

Now that I am back, I see that the haze has cleared somewhat and certainly a far cry from the worst we had last week going into Saturday. That certainly is a blessing! The change in wind direction and some rains over at some hotspots in Sumatra have helped greatly. However, it is duly noted that this clear condition may not last and teh haze can still return. The situation in Muar, Johor is the worst yet that can occur at a PSI of 700+. That would be the worst case scenarion which can hit this city state.

Life - Death

The Devil's Sinkhole, Texas

I just read the latest post of my confrere Fr Luke on his response to the bone marrow transplant via stem cells which almost happened. It certainly was a blow that the donor Canada pulled out at the last minute  from donating her cells. Life can be frustrating indeed. He was that close to getting the needed treatment to curing his leukemia.

Doulos

Jesus Discourses with His Disciples (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The gospel passage for today's Mass reading is so stark about how we humans are so attuned to seeking, and predictable even, positions of power when given the chance. The apostles James and John are perfect examples of this type of attitude.

Assuming that they follow Jesus in that manner, they deserve special positions of honor and prestige. We too have many opportunities and occasions that can get us seeking positions of honor and prestige just because we 'work for God'.

Jesus had to teach the brothers and the rest of his disciples that to follow him is to be a servant (doulos, Greek), and obviously, servants don't go looking for rewards or recognition. Service, if it is to be true, is selfless. It is concerned with others' needs, not our own.

10 Year Plan

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Singapore. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Archdiocese has lots of work cut of for it. Well, at least for the next 10 years.

That was the revealed plan from the new Archbishop William Goh as he presented his vision of "Building a Vibrant, Missionary and Evangelical Church" as the pastoral plan he hopes to accomplish within the next 10 years.

The first on the list of his priorities to move this vison and plan off the ground is the renewal and healing of the Presbyterium that wants to foster unity between priests and religious, engaging them through inclusivity, empowerment, passion and compassion.

Handing Over

Well, the announcement finally came about. This was what all in the archdiocese was waiting to hear.

As of 6 pm, Singapore time, on 18th May 2013, we have a new archbishop taking office in the person of His Grace Archbishop William Goh. It was almost 3 months ago that we witnessed his ordination and installation to the episcopate at the Singapore Expo.

Isaiah 43: 19....

The Lenten period continues as we cross the halfway mark with Laetare Sunday last week.

With the months that went by as we make our way towards the great feast of Easter, we were given experiences that spoke of the work of God that would want to instil in us a proper sense of the dynamics of God's activity - He is still actively working in our world, as I write, and continues in His unique and mysterious manner that always circumvents all human machinations and motives.

The recent ordination of His Grace Archbishop Coadjutor William Goh at the Max Pavilion of the Singapore Expo, offers the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore (clergy, religious and lay faithful) an opportunity to move into the year ahead with renewed vision to face the challenges ahead, with the values of His Grace that spoke of passion and compassion. This stems from his motto of his coat of arms, "Ut Vivant", i.e. "that they may live..." (Jn 10: 10 - 11). Our archdiocese need to sorely return to basics and know how to care for the flock like how the father in the prodigal son parable of 4th Sunday of Lent gospel reading did, when he dealt very magnanimously and with love as well.

2013 Ahead!..

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Singapore. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the last day of the year (2012)!

When the new day breaks tomorrow it will be another New Year to go into and what that promises is anybody's guess.

But, thus far, since the past week, we have, at least, been given a sign that 2013 may be a meaningful year ahead. How it will eventually fare still remains to be seen. There was the announcement last week that the Rector of the SFX Major Seminary (S'pore), Fr William Goh, has been chosen as Archbishop Co-adjutor for the Archdiocese of Singapore. He will later be appointed as Archbishop of Singapore at a date which is to be announced later.

Faith Relook and Renew

Crucifix on the wall of the sanctuary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Much have been said about the Year of Faith and finally it is here. That began in Singapore with a formal ceremony and Mass celebration at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Thursday, 11 October at 8.00 p.m.

During this weekend, in the parishes, there would be ceremonies to enthrone the Creed and calls for a more reflective reading and deepening of the Vatican II documents, as well as a more thorough living out of our faith lives. That this year is the 50th anniversary of Vatican II is all the more crucial that we get ourselves in to this awareness of our Catholic understanding on the way of our faith life in the Church and in the world.

For most of us, that the Church is more than its institution and building, is something that is incomprehensible and a far flung notion that doesn't have much prominent place in one's faith awareness and life. Fifty years ago, the Church has this to say, "The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the men of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well" (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Vatican II, Gaudium et spes, 7 December, 1965, para. 1).

This was the Church's bold and decisive way of saying that it empathises with all of the world's joys and griefs and sees the need for reconciliation and healing. But it is a reconciliation and healing that does not come from or through the world directly: "Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men, of men, united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, press onwards towards the kingdom of the Father and are bearers of a message of salvation intended for all men. That is why Christians cherish a  feeling of deep solidarity with the human race and its history" (emphasis mine).

This Year of Faith has a call that wants to get us out of our complacency and comfort zone to take a good look at what we have done to ourselves in keeping tabs on our lives as Catholic Christians today in the wake of all that is happening in our highly technical, information overload, materially consumed, and God-ly allergic world we live in: "In wonder at their own discoveris and their own might, men are today troubled and perplexed by questions about current trends in the world, about their place and their role in the universe, about the meaning of individual and collective endeavour and finally about the destiny of nature and men" ((Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Vatican II, Gaudium et spes, 7 December, 1965, para. 3).

The Church's stand in this light goes on to say that the following which is unfolding today, making this document a highly prophetic and profound assessment of our world:

a. Ours is a new age of history with critical and swift upheavals spreading gradually to all corners of the earth. They are the products of man's intelligence and creative activity, but they recoil upon him, upon his judgments and desires, both individual and collective, upon his ways of thinking and acting in regard to people and things (para. 4).

b. Increase in power is not always accompanied by control of that power for the benefit of man (para. 4).

c. We have not yet seen the last of bitter political, social, and economic hostility, and racial and ideological antagonism, nor are we free from the spectre of a war of total destruction (para. 4).

d. A change in attitudes and structures frequently calls accepted values into question... In the past it was the exception to repudiate God and religion ... nowadays it seems a matter of course to reject them as incompatible with scientific progress and a new kind of humanism (para. 7).

A good practice to take up, during this Year of Faith, would be to go to this particular Church document and reflect deeply and honestly as to one's state of faith today and make those relevant and needed changes so that, with the Church, be able to dialogue to all "... in order to unfold the mystery that is man and cooperate in tackling the main problems facing the world today" (para 10).

Related articles

• Inside the synod: Celebrating Vatican II, launching Year of Faith
• In Time for the 50th Anniversary of the Vatican II, New Book 'The Good Pope' is a Comprehensive Profile of Pope John XXIII
• Vatican II and the Ecclesiology of Joseph Ratzinger
• Hungry for change: Food and the Year of Faith
• ANALYSIS: 50 years ago, Vatican II changed the Catholic Church - and the world - Articles
• Card. Brandmüller on the liturgical reform of Vatican II

Praying Together?...

Image by aronki via Flickr

Greetings friends and welcome to the new year!

Yes, I did say that I would be back over the next few days after Christmas but that didn't happened. Nonetheless, the year carries on and now we are 2012. It is going to be an interesting one because, once again, we are facing another swirl of doomsday talk about the end of the world and all that goes along with it. It will be interesting because I am going to witness another round of 'shaking-my-head' at the end of it all and, to use a known social media term, ROTFL, when we get pass this year and greeting 2013 instead. It seems we never learnt from past mistakes or that we give too much credence to doom-sayers and quack seers who don't really know what they are talking about or dealing with.

Aside those, closer to home, there is a niggling discomfort and disquiet that came up with the recent article by Chua Mui Hoong, 'Quiet Contemplation on Common Ground', on her recent attendance at a meditation conference organised by the Catholic Church's Archdiocesan Council for Inter-Religious and Ecumenical Dialogue and the World Community for Christian Meditation, which was also supported by the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) of Singapore.

First, was the letter from a Buddhist reader in the Forum section of The Straits Times about Ms Mui Hoong's description that the participants were engaging in a (praying) practice which was both unique to their tradition and common to all faiths, namely a reaching out to God through silence, was a misrepresentation of the Buddhist faith. While the article may seem respectable and informative to the event that had transpired, there were certainly quite a few elements in the article, which are rather questionable. The Buddhist issue is one thing and rightly so because to any practicing Buddhist, they will mention that they do not profess to a God or a Divine Being. Thus, their ultimate goal, even in their meditation is never to or for God. Strictly speaking, they don't really profess a religion but more a way of life.

But perhaps a wider and problematic issue here is concerning our own Catholic view on the following matter: Can we pray together with other faiths, in a situation such as this, at all?

Perhaps an article with the headline, 'No Joint Prayer at Pope's Inter-religious Meeting', and another here, can shed some light on the matter. This article would put before us that the recent meditation event in Singapore is very questionable and the way it was conducted, especially with the presence of the Catholic Church there is somewhat in contradiction to the basis of our own Catholic faith. The Pope himself is very clear about praying in such a setup: we don't (or cannot) pray together.

This event could serve its intentions better when, it best promotes the dialogue of faith sharing but avoid any religious syncretism, or combining of different beliefs and practices. The current Assisi prayer meet would be a better template (thought not perfect) to engage in this meditation event: that we meditate/pray separately and in private areas alloted for each faith.

Perhaps those in the Archdiocesan's Council for Inter-religious and Ecumenical Dialogue be a little more discerning about such matters when dealing with events like this in the future.

Related articles

• Meditative Weekend (7 - 8 Jan 2012) (julianaplim.wordpress.com)
• Nepal awaits a message of peace and harmony for the country from Assisi, 2011 (onecatholicnews.wordpress.com)

Fun

It is not always prayers and studies. We do know how to have some fun, now and then!

Time Slice of Punggol

Image by Annoysius via Flickr

The new template somehow didn't work and stayed on and now we have this original one back in place. I, myself, wasn't too confident with that new look, so I wasn't all that disturbed that I got back the previous layout. 

I am now about a year or so (I have passed 1 year, 3 weeks and 6 days) since I came in the Seminary. Much have taken place since then but the work and responsibilities involved has not necessarily lessen. However, the peaceful and serene environment and the setting here has been consoling enough to allow me to be able to look and be open to the other side of Singapore which ordinarily you don't get to encounter.

It is the rustic and laid-back feeling in a place that was once littered with pig, chicken and vegetable farms complete with jungle and other deep undergrowth that we call Ponggol. Today, that whole landscape has changed and offers a more modern perspective that still is a little understated in its transformation - parts of the undergrowth and some jungle remain.

I have had several opportunities to use and put to good action my iPhone camera and took quite a number of picture bites of the surrounding area which also just saw some 'upgrading' with the Punggol Waterway and the soon-to-be-open Punggol Promenade at Punggol End. The Waterway has been dubbed as the 'Venice of Punggol'.

This part of Singapore which I am now residing, is a far cry from the setting which I was accustomed to during my previous stints at the parishes when I had to face concrete buildings, roads, vehicles and, literally, thousands of people.

Now, I just take care of 17 and watch out for mosquitoes, monkeys and squirrels (some friends swore that these are 'ninja' squirrels - be warned!).

Related articles

• 'Venice of Punggol' opens (punggolend.wordpress.com)

Double Confirm??...

I just arrived after finished watching the inaugural new local gameshow 'We Are Singaporeans' and got to see how an NTU undergrad became the first Singaporean to win the jackpot of S$10,000 after answering correctly all the questions in the final round (actually there were only two rounds - qualifying and final).

The show format is like Hollywood Squares where the celebrities are housed in big square boxes asking questions at the contestants, only for this show the squares were decorated and constructed with known Singapore icons. Hossan Leong is the MC of the show and for its starting episode, it went of quite well.

The real reason why I am writing about it, is this: I wonder how it would be like if we have an equivalent for our Catholics?.... It could come with a snazzy title like, 'We Are Catholic Singaporeans'! Like it?

The questions may be the following:

a. If Catholics are in the cinema and are moving to take their seats in the row, this is one thing they shouldn't do. What is it? (careful, this is tricky!)

b. Most of the Catholic churches have their regular copies of the hymn book which may differ from parish to parish. There is one older hymn book which was common use till the late 80s. What is the name of this hymn book? (definitely not Count On Me Singapore!)

c. During Mass, what do you call Catholics who are not found present in the church till after the homily or sermon is over (and that they have NO reason for NOT being in church during this time)?

d. What do you call the vessel that carries the Blessed Sacrament during the exposition at Holy Hour? (hint: it is not monster)

e. Who is the Trinity? (hint: it is NOT MM Lee, PM Lee and SM Goh!)

f. Who are priests of your parish and can you name them? (shame on you if you don't know this!)

I am sure you can think up of more. But those above will suffice for now. You think you know the answers? Go ahead and give them in the comments. I promise I won't laugh if you get them wrong....

Confirm? Double confirm??

Related articles

• Formation of the Faith of our flock (frlukefong.blogspot.com)

Half Way There!

Image by jezobeljones via FlickrWe just went past Laetare Sunday (or Rose Sunday) and the Lenten journey is effectively half completed!

A few more weeks and we will have that grand celebration of Easter and the use of the Alleluia again after 40 days being in confinement. In fact, with the Easter season the Alleluia would be use with such frequency and gusto that after it is back to normal or Ordinary Times, you'd want to stay away from it again!

This Lent and the Holy Week celebrations, moving into Easter, I shall find myself out of a parish and would have to figure out where and which parish to place myself to join in those main masses and services accordingly. It would be interesting from this point of view as an 'outsider' to participate as a concelebrant. I don't have to worry myself unnecessarily with the preparations and the responsibilities in seeing to the proper and orderly unfolding of the event in the church premises.

Nonetheless, for what I am 'missing' in the parish environment, the seminary is more than capable to make up for the workload that I have to undertake since my posting here about 6 months ago. It is not that I have 'nothing' to do here. The environment here is different and the priorities are of another nature. So far, I am not complaining as most of what is needed to live and work and to fulfil my responsibilities here are available and functioning.

What is most interesting about this part of the world is that I get to see for myself the changing landscape of the area where I am staying (Punggol) every time I make trip out from here. There is the ongoing works being done at Punggol End where a new waterfront park and pavilion will be situated. I have already been to the newly opened Punggol Promenade a few times and taken a few shots of the scenery by the Sengkang River.

It has been a quiet and peaceful Lent thus far, away from the crowd and the bustle that is of the parish. Mother Nature has been around more often as my neighbour with the other denizens of the forest nearby, which, by the way, is slowly dwindling away.

How is your Lent thus far?

note - Blogger has come out with a new scheme of viewing blogs in a more creative manner. Try looking at alongcorner through their new view at www.alongcorner.blogspot.com/view!

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My Home

Alvin from The Spark had a hand in editing the making of the Home music video which is a Total Defence campaign for the country this year. Alvin is a parishioner of Holy Family parish where I was some years back (2003 - 2007) before leaving for studies in Rome. He is a talented media and graphic designer currently studying to improve his arts and is also helping out in the liturgical art decor for Holy Family.

The main Home music video is below

Having watched this video on the television recently, which is now being shown during prime time over the past week, it is poignant, soulful and speaks to the heart in so many ways that if you transpose to any other place that you would call home, it would still ring true.

Here are what some artistes have said about making this music video on the subject of Home:
It is the home with a capital 'H'!... It is not just a resting place for the body, but (also) the resting place for the spirit and our emotions... (Kit Chan)

...a reminder that this is the place to be, this is your home, this is where your loved ones are and this is where you are love most. (Shabir)

...Home is where you know you must be, you must be there. Whether it is friends, family or loved ones, you just know you have to be there. (Stefanie Sun)

Now, does this say to us something about the true home we are all called to be?....

Related articles

• "Home, Keeping it Together" Total Defence 2011 - Click For Charity (method86.wordpress.com)

Into the Wild, Sort of...

Image via Wikipedia

In a place and space like Singapore, you wouldn't think that this concrete jungle can be kind enough to allow both nature and greenery to sit alongside together in a harmonious relationship with its hard and straight look of the cities.

Yet that seems to be the case and a good effort at that with the emergence of the renovated parks and recreation areas on this island. I made a 2+ hour walk with two other parishioner friends yesterday morning along the parks, flora and fauna of the Southern Ridges, beginning with the Hort Park through to Alexandra Road area,  past Henderson and ended up at Telok Blangah hills into Harbourfront.

It was a walk with nature and kept me in perspective with the fact that life is not all about people and things within the immediate surroundings of my own comfort zone, but also into the wild and green of nature and all things 'bright and wonderful'.

This has been a good Advent exercise to get in touch with the natural wonders around me and not to take anything for granted. Anybody who feels cramped and boxed-in with a dash of migraine can take up this walk of sorts to clear your cobwebs in your head and get some fresh air along the way too!

(more pics from my outing here)

Flurry of Events

Another eventful week past by and I am still reeling from the amount of work and activities that occured. :-)

I really could use an deep intake of air and breathe out, to consolidate all that has happened and what to make of them in the context of the ministry I am currently engaged in! There was this recent Racial Harmony event that involved our parish but came from the initiative of the Taoist temple nearby along Upper Serangoon Road. The news made a good page over at the Straits Time about three days ago. I was there on the grounds of the parish to take some shots and the pics can be viewed here.

Image by Synchroni via Flickr

Then there was a trip to the Marina Barrage which opened to me a whole new pespective of a Singapore which I had missed out on when I was away for studies. The place is, to my opinion, a breath of fresh air (and water) from the usual closed-up, crammed and concrete environment that is in most other parts of the island. Yes, there are some other places that offer open spaces and much more greenery and 'fresh air' to take in, but the Barrage is also an opportunity to look at the environment in a slightly different manner that is somewhat away from the straight and narrow. :-D My pics of the place are found here.

These kinds of places hold great hope for the imagination and awe of the glory of God that is found in creation and in other works cooperated with humans to promote the well-being and dignity of the person and for society at large.

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