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.

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.

New Challenges...

What a month this had been and more seems to be coming up that will somehow speak of the changing landscape of all that is related to the archdiocese and in all aspect of our own lives - spiritual, material, physical

The seminarians just came back early this morning after visiting the KL archdiocese in attending to a sacerdotal (priestly) ordination of two of their alumni from our Singapore seminary. Deacons Gregory Chan and Peter Anthoney were ordained yesterday in the cathedral by Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, to the order of priests.

Today, the Singapore archdiocese will rejoice as we celebrate the ordination to the order of deacons for Joviat Ho, Benedict Chng, Alphonsus Raj and Edward Seah. The entire Seminary community will be heading to the Church of St Joseph - Bt Timah for the Mass ceremony this evening.

Not too far off from here is the next ordination, this time of the episcopal nature when Msgr William Goh is formally installed as Archbishop-Coadjutor, at the Singapore Expo in February 22.

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.