and serve Christ.
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My Faith Action Card (Oct to Nov 2021) “A POOR CHURCH FOR THE POOR” This truth is played out every time we celebrate Mass, for the Eucharist is a great teacher. No matter who we are or what we have accomplished, we all receive the same size host. There is no host for the rich and host for the poor. The stronger don’t receive fancier or larger hosts than the weaker. All partake of the one bread and the one cup regardless of our background or social status. For the past 60 years in OLPS, we have been trying to live out these realities in a practical way. In the early years, Fr Louis Amiotte, the founding parish priest setup the Chai Chee Marian Centre in order to encounter people and share Christ with them. He used to say: “Don’t wait for them to come to you. Go out and find them in their own unique stories.” We share with you briefly the stories of several groups in the parish who have made some impact on the lives of the poor in Bedok and across neighbouring countries. One of the most touching stories about St. Francis of Assisi is his encounter with a leper outside the city gates of Assisi. It began when he received the following message in prayer: “If you want to know my will, you must hate and despise all that your body has loved and desired to possess. en .... the things that made you formally shudder will bring you great sweetness.” Young Francis, who had dreamed about being a brave knight surrounded by elegant knights and ladies, realized that he could not tolerate people who were disfigured, diseased, or unattractive in any way. So the next time he came upon a leper, he got off his horse, walked over to the man, and hugged and kissed him. This one act had a major impact on Francis. It was a moment of conversion, a moment when he met Jesus in the person of an outcast leper. These kinds of conversions are what Pope Francis means when he says that he wants us to become “a poor Church for the poor.” Like St. Francis, we have opportunities to encounter people who are living on the margins of society. In our parish the NCCs are serving the poor living in one- room flats or simply running errands for those seniors living alone. If we keep our hearts open, we will hear the Holy Spirit urging us and prompting us to hear their cry. We hope that when these encounters come your way, you will welcome them and embrace them. Pope Francis had a conversion experience when he was Archbishop in Argentina. He came face-to-face with the poor. This encounter made Pope Francis a different man. He became ‘poor in spirit’. And that kind of poverty was liberating. It gave him the freedom to speak frankly. It released him from worry and anxiety that so often accompany us when we are unsettled. He was able to embrace anyone, poor or rich, and to become a witness to the freedom that Christ wants for all of us — the freedom to love the poor, and the people on the margins. This experience, laid the foundation for his call for a Church that is poor in spirit, a poor Church for the poor. The Gift of Encounter P ope Francis is driven in an old pre-owned car. He lives in a modest apartment. He celebrates Mass in everyday vestments. He goes out of his way to greet the poor, the sick, and the suffering. His simple life has made people all over the world to take notice. He has been a great blessing for the Church. But taking notice is not the same as taking action. We can imagine that if Pope Francis were to come to OLPS church to preach at Mass, he would not only have words of encouragement, but also words of challenge. He would ask us to try to live a little more simply. To spend a little less money on ourselves and to give generously to the poor who are struggling especially during this Covid pandemic. Pope Francis would also tell us to go out and meet the poor people, to touch them and to listen to their stories. Just like St. Francis, find the grace to love everyone equally. Let’s try to live out this vision and become a poor Church for the poor. Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ on a hill overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ. Pope Francis 6 7 8 1 Stories and experiences on mission have mushroomed in the parish of OLPS since her founding 60 years ago. It is time for these stories to be told and accurate information be given to those who wish to join and support these missions. Here are some of their brief stories: # 5 A Preferential Option for the Poor Write your prayers, reflections and faith stories below: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do it to me.” Mt 25:40 1. Show respect and express your appreciation to the low wage workers with kind words and/or deeds. 2. Migrant Outreach Project. Donate $10 to sponsor a toiletry set and a meal for one low wage migrant worker. You may sponsor more than one migrant worker. Collection boxes and displayed items for your viewing are at the Church Foyer from 16/17 Oct weekend. 3. Support OLPS 60th Anniversary fundraising items. All proceeds go to the OLPS Poor Fund. 4. Read and reflect on the following scripture texts: Lk 4:18 Mt 5:3-12 Jn 13:34-35 1 Jn 3:17 Mt 25:35-46 Gal 5:22 Pro 19:17, 22:9, 14:31 5. Incorporate in our life the Catholic Social Teaching to do common good and care for “the least of these” (Mt. 25:40). Read https://www.usccb.org/about/domestic- social-development/resources/upload/poverty-common- good-CST.pdf r r r r How to Participate 1. Read and reflect on the topic in this pamphlet. 2. Tick the box of your chosen faith action. Write your prayers, reflections and faith stories and submit them online at the OLPS “Growing with Mary Project” webpage (link). 3. You can view the submitted sharing on the Padlet (link). ef r
Transcript of and serve Christ.
My Faith Action Card (Oct to Nov 2021)
“A POOR CHURCH FOR THE POOR” This truth is played out every time we celebrate Mass, for the Eucharist is a great teacher. No matter who we are or what we have accomplished, we all receive the same size host. There is no host for the rich and host for the poor. The stronger don’t receive fancier or larger hosts than the weaker. All partake of the one bread and the one cup regardless of our background or social status. For the past 60 years in OLPS, we have been trying to live out these realities in a practical way. In the early years, Fr Louis Amiotte, the founding parish priest setup the Chai Chee Marian Centre in order to encounter people and share Christ with them. He used to say: “Don’t wait for them to come to you. Go out and find them in their own unique stories.” We share with you briefly the stories of several groups in the parish who have made some impact on the lives of the poor in Bedok and across neighbouring countries.
One of the most touching stories about St. Francis of Assisi is his encounter with a leper outside the city gates of Assisi. It began when he received the following message in prayer:
“If you want to know my will, you must hate and despise all that your body has loved and desired to possess. Then .... the things that made you formally shudder will bring you great sweetness.”
Young Francis, who had dreamed about being a brave knight surrounded by elegant knights and ladies, realized that he could not tolerate people who were disfigured, diseased, or unattractive in any way. So the next time he came upon a leper, he got off his horse, walked over to the man, and hugged and kissed him. This one act had a major impact on Francis. It was a moment of conversion, a moment when he met Jesus in the person of an outcast leper. These kinds of conversions are what Pope Francis means when he says that he wants us to become “a poor Church for the poor.” Like St. Francis, we have opportunities to encounter people who are living on the margins of society. In our parish the NCCs are serving the poor living in one-room flats or simply running errands for those seniors living alone. If we keep our hearts open, we will hear the Holy Spirit urging us and prompting us to hear their cry. We hope that when these encounters come your way, you will welcome them and embrace them. Pope Francis had a conversion experience when he was Archbishop in Argentina. He came face-to-face with the poor. This encounter made Pope Francis a different man. He became ‘poor in spirit’. And that kind of poverty was liberating. It gave him the freedom to speak frankly. It released him from worry and anxiety that so often accompany us when we are unsettled. He was able to embrace anyone, poor or rich, and to become a witness to the freedom that Christ wants for all of us — the freedom to love the poor, and the people on the margins. This experience, laid the foundation for his call for a Church that is poor in spirit, a poor Church for the poor.
The Gift of Encounter
Pope Francis is driven in an old pre-owned car. He lives in a modest apartment. He celebrates Mass in everyday
vestments. He goes out of his way to greet the poor, the sick, and the suffering. His simple life has made people all over the world to take notice. He has been a great blessing for the Church. But taking notice is not the same as taking action. We can imagine that if Pope Francis were to come to OLPS church to preach at Mass, he would not only have words of encouragement, but also words of challenge. He would ask us to try to live a little more simply. To spend a little less money on ourselves and to give generously to the poor who are struggling especially during this Covid pandemic. Pope Francis would also tell us to go out and meet the poor people, to touch them and to listen to their stories. Just like St. Francis, find the grace to love everyone equally. Let’s try to live out this vision and become a poor Church for the poor.
Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ on a hill overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski
In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face;
by loving and helpingthe poor, we love and serve Christ.
Pope Francis
6 7 8 1
Stories and experiences on mission have mushroomed in the parish of OLPS since her founding 60 years ago. It is time for these stories to be told and accurate information be given to those who wish to join and support these missions. Here are some of their brief stories:
#5 A Preferential Option for the Poor
Write your prayers, reflections and faith stories below:
“Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do it to me.” Mt 25:40
1. Show respect and express your appreciation to the low wage workers with kind words and/or deeds.
2. Migrant Outreach Project. Donate $10 to sponsor a toiletry set and a meal for one low wage migrant worker. You may sponsor more than one migrant worker. Collection boxes and displayed items for your viewing are at the Church Foyer from 16/17 Oct weekend.
3. Support OLPS 60th Anniversary fundraising items. All proceeds go to the OLPS Poor Fund.
4. Read and reflect on the following scripture texts: Lk 4:18 Mt 5:3-12 Jn 13:34-35 1 Jn 3:17 Mt 25:35-46 Gal 5:22 Pro 19:17, 22:9, 14:31
5. Incorporate in our life the Catholic Social Teaching to do common good and care for “the least of these” (Mt. 25:40). Read https://www.usccb.org/about/domestic-social-development/resources/upload/poverty-common-good-CST.pdf
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How to Participate1. Read and reflect on the topic in this pamphlet. 2. Tick the box of your chosen faith action. Write your prayers,
reflections and faith stories and submit them online at the OLPS “Growing with Mary Project” webpage (link).
3. You can view the submitted sharing on the Padlet (link).
ef
r
https://www.usccb.org/about/domestic-social-development/resources/upload/poverty-common-good-CST.pdf
https://www.usccb.org/about/domestic-social-development/resources/upload/poverty-common-good-CST.pdf
YouCan, TheOutreachProject@OLPSNourishing Body and Soul
The ransacked building was abandoned when the first
refugees came by boat from Flores. Their goal was to carve a better life for their children. To their utter disappointment, there were no homes, no jobs. Both parents and children picked recyclables on the streets.
The Simpang Bedok NCC (SBNCC) visitors repaired the building, then got the children to attend school. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, schools stayed shut and students were forced to study remotely. The migrant families were too poor to purchase laptops. So SBNCC members collected used laptops and 3G+ handphones from OLPS parishioners. Alex Budiman, a core team
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Jesus desired the Apostles to make disciples of all people, then baptise and teach them to observe the
Commandments God has given us – the greatest of the commandment is love.
YouCan Project is to allow parishioners truly live our lives as disciples Jesus intended for us to be. The YouCan’s activities in Singapore and outside the country, center on our neighbours, mostly of the poor and the needy. From spending time with them, to improving their living conditions, education assistance and bringing medical help to those out of reach, we have been more touched by the Holy Spirit than the help we try to bring to our neighbours. We learn there is no task too big if we allow the Holy Spirit to take control. Come Mission with Us!
The YouCan Project, Edmund & Carol: 9673 2467 [email protected]
See our webpage: http://olps.sg/outreach
“WALK WITH US IN OUR SEARCH”SSVP@OLPSServing Friends-In-Need (FINS)
The Society of St Vincent De Paul (SSVP) at OLPS was established before the parish began in 1959.
Ever since, SSVP has been helping the poor and needy living in the Chai Chee and Bedok part of the East. The aid provides for financial, mental, emotional and social support to our Friends-In-Need (FINS). On the first Saturday, rations are parceled out and activities are organized, including a session - “Friends in Christ”- when a gospel passage is proclaimed and FINS and members share experiences on the passage. Cash aid and vouchers are given out and the morning ends with lunch together. Bus is provided by SSVP carrying the FINS back home. For home-bound FINS, SSVP members visit and bring their ration to their homes. Other events throughout the year are organized including home visits by RCIA and the children from CaTs.
Stewart Yap: 9667 0770 - [email protected] Teo: 9662 6152 - [email protected]
Fun-Lessons in Thailand
Serving in mission can change your life, as the teens of OLPS learnt on their first mission trip to Pattaya.
They stayed at the Father Ray Foundation and did their mission trips on the many projects at the Father Ray Foundation run by the Thai Redemptorist. At the Vocational School, the teens planned the activities for the students which included English conversation called Bingo. In the School of the Blind: the teens played music and did simple origami. Another area housed the Children’s Village where the youth took photos and played soccer with the older teens. There are more than 800 residents in the three facilities at the Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya. It was a humbling experience for many of the teens. Ministering to these young residents, the youth discovered the true meaning of being brothers and sisters in Christ. One of their biggest takeaways was noticing how happy and simple the children and teens were despite their disabilities and difficult circumstances. All of them had no parents and many abandoned babies found their way through divine providence to the Father Ray Foundation. It is the hope of the parish that more youth preparing for confirmation experience similar life-changing encounter with another culture.
Joy Gomes: 9151 3007 - [email protected]
Jesus taught that our life’s journey is rooted in the present, where we gradually discover what it means to
be created in God’s image and move towards returning “home” to our Creator and we travel this journey in one another’s company. Gloria and Renaldo, with their childhood friend, Bernard who is the leader of the group, shared this vision with the Bedok neighbourhood and personal friends. This led them to organize mission trips to Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. Bernard, an avid photographer has compiled thousands of photos on their mission. “We would gather volunteers from the Bedok
member said, “We were surprised that many parishioners came forward with used electronics, and some benefactors even donated new tablets.”
Alex explained, “As an NCC, we sensed a prompting by the Holy Spirit to go beyond ourselves and share our blessings with others.” SBNCC decided to provide financial support to start a home school and bursaries for the children. The project soon
blossomed. Eric Teo, the Batam project treasurer, recalled his meeting the children: “Though they have many challenges and very little else, they greeted us with much love and joy.”
Alex Budiman: 8163 7651 - [email protected] Wee: [email protected]
Friends Minister to Refugees2
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Teaching Friends to Fish5
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neighbourhood group and personal friends, and propose a country mission trip”. Those who
registered were assigned different tasks. The entire expenses are borne by the participants and well-wishers. “We made many friends in the process.” With the help of the group they formulated a mission statement: “Our task is to help marginalized communities become self-sufficient through self-help projects.” And Gloria added with pride, “We want to enable them to
fish rather than give them the fish.” Renaldo Requiza: 9747 0848
Gloria: 8427 2531 - [email protected] Bernard: 8264 4677
Help us discover our own riches; don’t judge us poor
because we lack what you have.Help us discover our chains; don’t judge us by the typeof shackles we wear.Be patient with us as a people; don’t judge us backward simplybecause we don’t follow your stride.Be patient with our pace; don’t judge us as lazy simply becausewe can’t follow your tempo. Be patient with our symbols; don’t judge us ignorant because we can’t read your signs.Be with us and proclaim the richness of your life which you can share with us.Be with us and be open to what we can give.Be with us as a companion who walks with us – neither behind nor in front – in our search for life and ultimately for God!
Fr. Henri Nouwen
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