Birthday Blessings for May

For the month of May, we celebrated the lives of our sisters, Andrina and Melissa.

Update from Woman’s Ministry

In the month of May, we commenced on our second module based on a book by Margaret Silf, Landmarks: An Ignatian Journey.  We look forward to go deeper in our self discovery and our walk with God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started the module by being inspired by the life of St Ignatius Loyola

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07639c.htm

and the rich works that he had left behind for us, e.g. spiritual exercises, rules of discernment and Ignatian Contemplation.

 

 

 

Opening the Door Module (Jan-Apr 2012)

On Friday, April 27, 2012, the Woman Ministry’s completed our first module based on the book by Joyce Rupp, Open the Door.  It was an exciting 3-4 months of journey of learning the different doors in our lives – those that were left locked or forgotten and new ones yet to be opened.  We received much insights each week.  At the end of this journey, we bade our farewell to Stella who has joined us for the first module and Anita who has decided to take a break from the Ministry.

“To be fearless isn’t really to overcome fear, it’s to come to know it’s nature. Just open the door more and more and at some point you’ll feel capable of inviting all sentient beings as your guests.” 

- Pema Chodron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A poem by Naomi Shahab Nyeis highlighted in Joyce Rupp’s book as follows:

The Arabs used to say,

When a stranger appears at your door,

feed him for three days

before asking who he is,

where he’s come from,

where he’s headed.

That way, he’ll have strength

enough to answer.

Or, by then you’ll be

such good friends

you don’t care.

Let’s go back to that.

Rice? Pine nuts?

Here, take the red brocade pillow.

My child will serve water

to your horse.

No, I was not busy when you came!

I was not preparing to be busy.

That’s the armor everyone put on

to pretend they had a purpose

in the world.

I refuse to be claimed.

Your plate is waiting.

We will snip fresh mint

into your tea.

“Red Brocade”

 

Easter Monday Outreach

On Easter Monday, a few of us together with our friends did an outreach in a girls’ school.  It was a simple outreach to share our love of Jesus to the girls.

We pray that God will move their hearts that Jesus will truly become their BFF (best friend forever).

Celebrating Easter and Isabel’s baptism

March’s Birthday

We celebrated the life of our dear sister, Dorothy this month.

School of Witness 2012

The 4th School of Witness, a 7 week program, jointly organized by Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre and ICPE was held from 4th January to 21st February 2012.  31 youths from the different parishes in Singapore and 2 from overseas attended this school, which helped the participants to discover their true identity in Christ and the Catholic Church. They also had a deep experience of community life. They were challenged throughout to put out into the deep, come out of their comfort zone to serve and be witnesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the school was the outreach called “Testify to Love” held on 18th February 2012. The sowers reached out to about 600 young people. The outreach was held at the Catholic Junior College auditorium. It was an evening of mimes followed by testimonies, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and culminating with the youth being asked to respond and approach prayer teams for prayer. The prayer teams were comprised of the present batch of sowers as well as previous batches who came to help out. The sacrament of reconciliation was also administered to those who felt the need to return to the Lord.

After experiencing 7 weeks of intensive community life, teachings, prayer sessions, and outreaches, the participants were commissioned by Archbishop Nicholas Chia on 21st February 2012. The parents of the participants as well as some of the previous participants of SOW were also present at the commissioning Mass. The Archbishop encouraged the participants to be witnesses to their friends, families, in their parishes and schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few testimonies from the participants:

“The time that I spent in SOW must have been the first time in my 23 years that I have consciously walked right next to Jesus every single day. Be it through the sessions, or the mimes or daily personal prayer or the times of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, I saw how God was present in each and every one of our lives.” (Wesley Lye, Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
“SOW has helped me to forgive, to have faith, to trust and hope in the Lord, to surrender and to pray – things I thought that I knew but never quite sustained to form a true friendship with God.” (Stefanie Conceicao, Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
“Through SOW, God has put me through some trials that taught me how to remain faithful to Him and remain in His love believing that He has a reason for everything and that He knows what is best for me. He is my identity and His will is all I need desire to live a fulfilling life.” (Claryn Kung, Church of the Assumption, Petaling Jaya)
“SOW is a life changing program with numerous God experiences. I learned to surrender my will to the Father and to cling to Jesus daily. I am a work in progress and submitting to Him is a daily process.” (Andrew Lin, Parish of the Holy Family)
“SOW has strengthened me to know that God is my Father and every father disciplines his child when needed. I also learned that we should always speak the truth in love even if it hurts others because a true friend speaks the truth to build up others. What matters most is what God thinks of me and not what others think of me. I have also learned to live in community accepting and learning from other brothers and sisters.” (Derek Ang, Parish of the Holy Spirit)
“SOW has taught me truths that I always knew but never understood. I learnt the importance of surrender.” (Joy Lee, Parish of St. Ignatius)
“Through SOW I learnt to put my 100% trust in God for His plans are definitely far greater than mine. I need to put aside my pride and remind myself not to be self sufficient. I am comforted to know that I am a beloved daughter of the Father. It is He who has blessed me with all my gifts and talents to serve.” (Cherisse Peterson, Parish of St. Francis Xavier)
“I have become more aware of myself and others through community living. SOW has helped me to grow in faith and love with God.” (Gabrielle D’Souza, Parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea)

2012 Woman Ministry’s Formation Commitment (part 2)

On 17th February, our ladies who were on our Come and See Experience, which was extended slightly, took their commitment.  There are five of them who will be joining us for this year – Anne, Celia, Faith, Karen and Serene.  Faith and Karen, who have already discerned, took their commitment together with the other ladies on 6th January.  We welcome all our sisters on this formation to grow together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We warmly welcome Melissa who was on our 2011 formation to join us again…

January Birthday

We had a double celebration on 6 Jan for all the ladies who committed to the formation for this year and Geraldine’s birthday.

2012 Woman Ministry’s Formation Commitment (part 1)

On Friday 6th January 2012, ICPE Woman to Woman Ministry commence our new year of formation with many ladies making their commitment to God and the community of sisters to this journey.  There are a few ladies who are on our Come and See Experience who has till mid February to decide if they would like to embark on this journey.  The first module based on a  book by Joyce Rupp, Open the Door started on 13th January.  It is a beautiful book on self discovery and there is much to look forward to.