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Monday, 4th September 2006
By Vincent Especkeman
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| The Group Photo. |
"There are too many followers, and not enough disciples," said Archbishop Nicholas Chia in his homily during the Commissioning Mass on 4 September, marking the successful conclusion of the Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar (LISS) held at the Parish of The Risen Christ.
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| Some of the Risen Christ Core Team members with the Archbishop. |
Archbishop was encouraging the participants to go forth and be the salt of the earth and light of the world for others who are searching for God.
Most of the 271 participants were from Risen Christ itself. But a sizeable number came from nearby parishes and from other districts.
Archbishop had the congregation giggling as he related the story of the man who got lost in the jungle for three days, and was overjoyed when he bumped into another man in the forest.
"I'm so glad to see you," said the first man.
"Why?" asked the second man, somewhat puzzled.
"I've been lost in the forest for three days."
“Oh, I've been lost in the forest for a week,” came the reply.
The central message of the homily was to depend only on the Holy Spirit to guide us in living out our Christian calling to love and serve others. Prayer must be balanced by good works. Archbishop gave the example of the Venetian boatman who needs two oars to steer his gondola on course.
The Life-in-the-Spirit Seminars are designed to sensitize Catholics to the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and help them develop a dynamic prayer life. It also animates them in their works of Christian charity.
The LISS puts participants through a series of talks and ministry sessions to prepare them for the high point of the Seminar, which is the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Participants experience the Holy Spirit in different ways. Many receive the gift of tongues and other gifts of the Holy Spirit during the Outpouring.
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| Giving Joyful Praise! |
A praying over session. |
The LISS Commissioning Mass. |
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| Anastasia Titin giving her testimony. |
Sharing the Light of Christ. |
Jessica, Dorothy and Mary leading the congregation in a negro spiritual. |
One of the participants, Anastasia Titin said: "This is my first experience of the Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar. When the facilitators started praying over me, I felt a warm sensation from my waist right up to my head. At first I thought the air-con in the church had broken down. But later I realised it was the Holy Spirit coming down on me."
A record 271 participants signed up for this year's Seminar at Risen Christ, compared with 236 in 05, and 127 the year before.
"Praise God, the Holy Spirit is moving strongly in our Archdiocese," said Eddie Danker, President of Risen Christ Charismatic Prayer Group.
The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds and enables us to see the daily events and situations that confront us through the eyes of God so we can find meaning in our lives. We thank God for the gift of His Holy Spirit!
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| Shanti and Helena animating. |
Jesus, Light of the World. |
The LISS 2006 Poster. |
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