“You are my witnesses —oracle of the LORD—
my servant whom I have chosen. To know and believe in me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, and after me there shall be none.”
Isaiah 43:10
As a decade comes to a close and the new begins, what will be giving thanks to the Lord for? We have witnessed the year’s share of love, hope, joy and there were moments of adventure, uncertainty, sadness, and pain. Yet the Lord has never abandoned us, not has he forsook us to figure things out on our own devices.
It is evident that our parish is moving in a completely fresh new direction which could only be inspired by the Holy Spirit. When we look at the precious moments captured on camera throughout 2019. We can ponder, like Mother Mary in our hearts, how there’s a deepening sense and awareness of the movement of the Holy Spirit. For sure, what we experience in our parish today, is nothing like what was experienced in comparison to what the parish was a decade back, even 20 years back because the action for the revival and renewal of the parish has been set in motion by God our Father.
As a decade comes to a close and the new begins, what will be giving thanks to the Lord for? We have witnessed the year’s share of love, hope, joy and there were moments of adventure, uncertainty, sadness, and pain. Yet the Lord has never abandoned us, not has he forsook us to figure things out on our own devices.
It is evident that our parish is moving in a completely fresh new direction which could only be inspired by the Holy Spirit. When we look at the precious moments captured on camera throughout 2019. We can ponder, like Mother Mary in our hearts, how there’s a deepening sense and awareness of the movement of the Holy Spirit. For sure, what we experience in our parish today, is nothing like what was experienced in comparison to what the parish was a decade back, even 20 years back because the action for the revival and renewal of the parish has been set in motion by God our Father.
Bearing first-hand witness to the testimonies of many sisters and brothers who had shared their faith stories at the Pentecost Rally and Bible Symposium, many have said they have been feeling the outpouring of love in their hearts and moved by the Spirit, exclaimed audibly in their interviews!
“This year, the Lord has blessed our parish with a strong community spirit and unbreakable bonds between parishioners, for the shared goal of serving Him. Our growth as a parish has enabled more to experience the love of God and has inspired more to take their first steps into serving him.” Ethan Tan, aged 15, had also stepped up and has committed to serving the Lord in ministry.
At FPC, PPC, EXCO, Formation sessions and between ministries, we are no longer working in silos but care for and love one another – many have shared completely experiencing what Koinonia, or community means; what fellowship in the Lord is. Kelly Gabrielle Loh witnessed with gusto, “CSM has become a place that one calls home with parishioners who serves with passion in various ministries. The Youth and Young Adults have even stepped up to give faith formation talks during the Christmas Octave. Everyone has a part to play in making our parish filled with love and warmth”
For those of us who were not so comfortable with evangelizing about our faith, we now have the courage to share our own faith stories and recognize that our vocation in life is to spread the good news and bring Jesus Christ to others in our own style. It has taken me many, many years to recognize that. But Alleluia, it’s better late than never! As Pope VI says “the sole mission of the church’s existence is to evangelize”.
“A thousand years in your eyes are merely a day gone by, before a watch passes in the night, you wash them away; they sleep,
and in the morning they sprout again like an herb.”
-Psalm 90: 4-5
In 2020, I (Julianne Danielle Lim) further commit supporting the evangelical work of our Parish priests and in tandem with the archdiocese of Singapore and bring the church into the marketplace! This is only possible because of how we are able to feel the immense love that God our father has for us.
Some of the indicators when many of us are serious about our faith is when there’s an increase in attendance – one of the factors being that we make decisions choosing Evening Brew and faith talks over gathering with colleagues at the bars and choosing learning more about our faith, over Netflix.
In speaking with other Christians, I too am now more confident of the major aspects of Christians and Catholics. Being even more encouraged to start understanding the 8 highlighted papal documents. However, with the pastoral leadership of CSM, I must constantly remind myself that I must never take too much pride in how much (or little) I know.
It is echoed by many of our CSM family members that there is a recognition of a life in Jesus as encountered in 2019 that has never been immersed in before and the world cannot give. In 2020, let us open our hearts and minds even more, so that our lives can be transformed for the glory of our Lord. Praise be to our Lord, the most high, to 2020!
By Julianne Danielle Lim