2008

14th to 15th June 2008

By Andre Theng

The retreat for the Secondary 2 Confirmation students of our parish was conducted by the Catechetical ministry from the 14th to 15 June 2008 at the St Teresa's Church retreat center.

The annual retreat which has been held annually since 2006, aims to give the confirmants an idea of what confirmation camp next year would be like, to allow them to experience God and also to get to know more of their fellow confirmants and youth from our parish, many of whom served in various roles throughout the camp. The theme of this year's camp was 'Little by Little, Everyday'.

The retreat began with some icebreaker games at our parish before leaving for St Teresa's Church. This was followed by skits prepared by the students based on several situations in a session entitled 'The Discovery'.

Later in the afternoon, there were some more outdoor games. In the evening, there was a session entitled 'Let Go, Let God', in which students were given a reflection on trusting and surrendering and were encouraged to let go of their worries and come back to God. In between, our resident praise and worship band, Eternal Dawn, led the group in vibrant praise and worship sessions.

The students then attended mass on Sunday morning and St Teresa's Church, and there were more sessions focused on teenage struggles and God's saving love conducted by Lester Wan, the youth coordinator and Adrian Tee.

Before the end of the camp, group photos were taken and students were given a chance to write a note on each other's booklets.

As at every camp organized by the catechetical ministry, the students also signed a banner with the camp's theme and is hung at the church. Leaving St Teresa's Church in the afternoon, it was clear that many of the students have tremendously enjoyed the camp and were already looking forward to next year's confirmation camp.

24th December 2008

By Andre Theng and Evelyn Tang; Photography by Henry Wong, Jhun Abello and Brian Theng

Before the midnight mass, the youth from the Catholic Youth Fellowship, Youth Council and Mustard Seed ministries put up a skit entitled 'The Real Meaning of Christmas' just before midnight mass.

The skit featured situations that many of us face; common occurrences of disobedient teenagers, workplace pressures experienced by adults and even job retrenchment.

The youth also presented taped individuals' perspectives of what Christmas means to them, which set a contemplative note for the message that followed.

It was about Hope - unequivocally stated in the midnight mass - that the birth of Jesus Christ is God's grace revealed and salvation possible for everyone.

And how do we react to this message of Hope - particularly in a time of global financial crisis?

Regardless, we should remember that God is with us whatever our circumstances and predicaments; appreciate His generosity by sharing it with others.

3rd - 6th September 2008

By Gabriel Sebastian

“Christian Hope – Eternal Life in Jesus, The Prince of Peace” was the theme of this year’s Feast of Our Lady of Velankanni. The celebrant for this year’s Feast was Father Alexander Rawi from the Holy Family Church, Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia.

The Feast was held from Wednesday 3 September 2008 to Saturday 6 September 2008. On each day, there was a Mass in the evening at 7.30pm. On Friday, 5 September 2008, the Mass was followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Healing. Devotees from all walks of life attended the Feast. The congregation consisted of our local Indian and Chinese parishioners from Toa Payoh and other parts of Singapore, foreign workers in Singapore and laity from other countries.

For the first time, this year’s homilies were delivered in Tamil and English. On the last day, Saturday, Father Alexander Rawi delivered a homily in Mandarin in addition to Tamil and English.

On Thursday, the celebrants included Father Cyril who is from India and Father Augustine Joseph from our local church, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. On Saturday, the celebrants were Father Alexander and Father Cyril.

I was touched by two aspects of Father Alexander’s homilies. Father Alexander highlighted the great conversion of St Augustine and how St Monica, Augustine’s mother, prayed constantly and prayed hard for the conversion of her son. Indeed St Monica had the immense hope that God will answer her prayers. Father Alexander’s homily on the two saints on Thursday was an illumination of the sub-theme for that day – “A Christian Pilgrim perseveres in Hope towards Eternal Life.

Another aspect of Father Alexander’s homilies that I took home was his emphasis on Faith, Hope and Charity. He considers these three virtues to be very important in a Christian’s journey to Eternal Life. Father Alexander repeated these two aspects in his Friday homily.

Father Cyril in his Saturday homily said, amongst others, that happiness is found in oneself and no in the material goods of this world. Happiness must from the inside of ourselves. We need to be contented with what we have and not compare ourselves with our neighours. We should maintain a feeling of satisfaction and happiness in the “here and now” and not postpone our happiness to a later date.

Let us believe that Our Lady of Velankanni will always pray for us and give us her blessings in our journey as a Christian pilgrim on this earth and while we make our way to Eternal Life.

16th August 2008

By Alicia Tong

This year’s Lay Apostolate Dinner was held on Saturday, 16 August at the Fortunate Restaurant (Toa Payoh) with 80 tables filled to full capacity. The program began with opening prayers by Fr John Sim. While power point slides of the various Ministries were being presented, our own parish-based bands sang and played familiar melodious tunes. There were table games and lucky draws and even all the priests displayed their musical talents. Line dancers from the Line Dancing Club performed their dancing and encouraging others to join in – the dancing even continued after most of the diners had gone home.

A surprise move was by the youth by marching in from the back along the two aisles, clapping, singing, and dancing to the tune of popular oldies e.g. “Let’s Twist Again”, “La La Bamba”, “I love you baby”, “Can’t take my eyes off you”, accompanied instrumentally by their own youth band and singers.

It was a wonderful night filled with music, youth vibrancy and good fellowship among the Risen Christ Church

27th October 2008

By Evelyn Tang

The rain fell fast and hard. But they were undeterred. Accompanied by their caregiver, family or driven by an ambulance, about 286 of the sick attended mass that was specially organized for them on 27 October 2008.

The mass was celebrated by Fr Louis Loiseau, Spiritual Director of the Ministry to the Sick. The volunteers spend time with the sick, assisting those who are limited in their physical movements. They read the Word, and prayed with and for these parishioners.

Fr Loiseau called to mind to keep the hope in the Lord's promises of His compassion and mercy, as well as to live the Faith. And he was not only speaking to the sick, but to the entire congregation, to be a "good sign of the love of God" by showing love and care to everyone including the sick.

He also anointed the sick, together with Frs John Sim, Valerian Cheong, Brian D'Souza, Edward Lim and Peter Wee as the hymn "Healer of Our Every Will" was sung.

1 October 2008

By Regina Xie

400 Risen Christ parishioners gained an understanding of being a church and discussed crucial pastoral issues at the Parish Day of Recollection and Assembly on 1 October 2008.

Besides a report on what the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) had done, parishioners gained insight from the results of an archdiocese-wide census done earlier this year. Important conclusions included the following:

Risen Christ has the highest proportion of senior parishioners aged 70 and above amongst all parishes.

While the youth have the highest rate of participation in the parish, young adults aged 20-39 have the lowest.

The congregation consists of 64% Chinese, 13% Filippino, and 7% Indian parishioners. 80.3% of parishioners want to know each other better.

Young adults have the strongest desire to know Christ and His teachings better, amongst the other age groups in the parish.

The results prompted those present to suggest initiatives catered for young adults and the elderly, and also activities to help parishioners to get to know each other better. "The suggestions made at parish assembly get better every year," said PPC chairman David Kwek.

Father Peter Wee from Novena Church was invited to give spiritual input during recollection which preceded the discussion on pastoral issues. He mentioned that before parishioners can come together as a community, they need to pray and ponder on the Gospel.

Sister Betty Wee shared about how Christ accepts people for His work, but they are rejected by human judgement. In order to overcome such difficulties, prayers are important.

Parishioners also had opportunities for fellowship with one another over refreshments provided by the church.

A VISIT TO THE CHURCH OF RISEN CHRIST

Parishioners of Risen Christ played host to 120 visitors to the church on 23 February 2008, who were on an educational heritage tour organised by the Bishan East Inter-Religious and Racial Confidence Circle (IRCC). Risen Christ was one of four destinations in the outing that aimed to promote better understanding and harmony among Bishan East residents of the different religions, races and languages.

When the visitors arrived, they were warmly greeted by a Welcome Committee. They were then ushered to the main church where they experienced what it was like sitting in the pews of a church. Two representatives from Risen Christ Church explained the basic elements of the Catholic Church and the Catholic faith in English and Mandarin. The visitors, made up mostly of senior citizens and some families, listened attentively as they were brought to a deeper understanding of Catholicism.

“We learnt a lot from today’s event,” said Mr Cheong Chee Onn, head of the Bishan East IRCC. “We never knew we had such a large place of worship in this area. I hope more youngsters will learn more about Catholicism, and about the services in this parish, such as free legal counselling and care of the old folk. It’s the first time some of the participants are on such an outing.”

IRCCs comprise of leaders from religious and ethnic-based organizations, as well as community-based organizations located within each constituency. There are 84 IRCCs throughout Singapore, one in every constituency. Risen Christ’s Teresa Tan, who is the head of the parish’s Small Christian Communities, is part of the Bishan East IRCC comprising 22 members. It organizes such tours annually, but this is its first time to Risen Christ.

“I would like to give special thanks to Teresa for arranging access for us into the church, to allow us to know more about Catholicism,” said Mr Cheong. “We need more people to understand that Christians do no harm to other religions.”

Tour participants also visited Harmony Centre, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and Sri Mariamman Temple.

Sunday 23rd March 2008

Story by Evelyn Tang, Regina Xie, Photography by Aloysius Wong

The day started with Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrating mass at 11.30am. He reiterated that Man's sins were removed by Jesus' death and resurrection.

He said that because "Jesus was handed to death and then resurrected" that we can have a new divine life. And it is through faith and baptism that Christians live a new life that only God can give.

The congregation was reminded that just as He removed the stone from Jesus' tomb, God has the power to remove the stones that entomb us.

His Grace called the church to unburden themselves of the stone such as, selfishness, greed, gluttony and indifference that is preventing them from doing what pleases God.

After mass, about 670 guests gathered at the Jade Restaurant in Hotel Royal for a scrumptious parish feast day lunch, held annually on Easter Sunday.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia, members of the religious and representatives throughout the archdiocese joined parishioners as they were entertained by exciting lucky draws, fun games and performances by the Indian Catholic Youth (ICY) and Cantate Domino Choir and even guests selected to perform impromptu.

Those present went home with satisfied stomachs, pleasant memories and gifts generously sponsored by The Cocoa Trees. It was an Easter afternoon well spent!

Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Story by Evelyn Tang, Regina Xie. Photos by Andre Theng.

On 23 January 2008, ministers from the Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches gathered at Church of the Risen Christ (CRC) to celebrate the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" (see box for list of participating ministers and churches).

This event is part of a global ecumenical movement to encourage Christians to live out their God-given unity in Christ through prayer, and to promote greater dialogue among churches and Christian communities.

This year’s theme was "Pray Without Ceasing", which perhaps was appropriate.

As the movement celebrates its 100th anniversary, the theme highlights to Christians to never stop praying as prayer is an integral part of their lives as well as a way of seeking unity among Christian communities.

In his homily, Fr Louis Loiseau stressed the importance of praying consistently. A continual dialogue with God opens our hearts to God’s prompting to translate the Christian faith into actions of love.

Through love, Christians gradually become more open to more dialogue with one another toward greater unity that comes from God.

To live out this will of God takes a spirit of perseverance and willingness and a greater awareness about this ecumenical movement is a key contributing factor to building up this spirit.

"Christians in Singapore have been very quiet about ecumenism. There should be more activities, such as bible study and praying together," said Anthony Yeo from River Life, an evangelical independent church and member of the National Council of Churches.

Of the 2 nights dedicated to the event, the other was held at Barker Road Methodist Church on 21 January 2008.