Peace Be With You

“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.’” (Revelation 21: 3-4)

The 8th of April 2018, Divine Mercy Sunday saw the apex of the celebrations of the Easter Octave in the Church of St. Michael. Beginning on Easter Sunday, the parish came together to understand the symbols of Easter (Day 1), to renew our lives (Day 2), to find renewed joy (Day 3), to be renewed in liberation (Day 4), to know deeply that we have been redeemed completely (Day 5), to share the joy of Salvation (Day 6), and to rejoice in the Lord in a renewed community (Day 7), and to be empowered with renewed vigour to proclaim the Good News (Day 8).

The parish was truly alive in Resurrection joy and were healed and ministered to by the powerful sharing, testimonials, praise, and prayer that permeated the games, the fellowship, and the festivities.

One of these testimonials came from Jennifer Noronha, who was a participant in the Repentance Experience, “It was pure grace right from signing up. I entered with no expectations at all. Minimal food, little sleep, little light, placed in awkward and uncomfortable positions, people stepping all over my good name. There was a deepening of my life in alignment to God who matters most in my life, with the test being to keep authentic conversations focussed on the Lord. In the worship hall, there was an instant when Mother Mary seemed to move before my very eyes, and I was left in awe and wonder as I contemplated her bruised face cradling the bruised face of Jesus.”

By Brian Bartholomew Tan

Easter Ball

Our penultimate celebration for Easter Octave week was a night to remember. On the seventh day on 7 April 2018, parishioners of all ages came together for an evening of fellowship, dancing, and games with a Retro theme. From carefree dancing and singing to ukulele performances by jolly Uncle Roland and his merry crew, CSM’s kampong spirit burned bright.

Behind it all, was our brothers and sisters in Christ from the Chinese ministry, who volunteered their time with willing hearts and happy smiles to organise the festivities. Ephrem Music Ministry also lent their voices and musical talents to get everyone grooving to the music. Spirits were high and everyone had a ball of a time!

By Charlene Sng

Marked with the Seal of the Lord

Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including Christians baptised in churches which are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church (C.C.C. 1271) In Baptism, a person is incorporated and configured into Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible mark and seal of the Lord (Dominicus character) that sets the Christian apart as belonging to the Lord. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents the bearing of the fruit of salvation (C.C.C. 1272-1274).

On the 8th of April 2018, the Church of St. Michael celebrated the Baptism of children: Marissa, Jasper Gerry, Lucas, Kayla Grace, Keira Faith, Keyan Jacob, Kara Olivia. Welcome to the family of God!

By Brian Bartholomew Tan

Did You Know?

#1: The word ‘Easter’ most probably has it’s root in the Norse term ‘Eostur’. This is the season of the rising sun associated with the time of new birth of spring. It augurs well with the Christian sentiments of new life of the Risen Christ, the eternal light of the world

By Father Terence

#2: Many people think that Christmas is the most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been considered the central Christian feast. As Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” Without Easter—without the Resurrection of Christ—there would be no Christian Faith. Christ’s Resurrection is the proof of His Divinity.

#3: Easter is not only the greatest Christian feast; Easter Sunday symbolizes the fulfilment of our faith as Christians. Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin; through His Resurrection, He brought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth. His own prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven,” begins to be fulfilled on Easter Sunday.

That is why new converts are traditionally brought into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil service, on Holy Saturday evening

#4: Just as Easter is the most important Christian holiday, so, too, the Easter season is the longest of the special liturgical seasons of the Church. It extends all the way to Pentecost Sunday, the 50th day after Easter, and encompasses such major feasts as Divine Mercy Sunday and Ascension.

In fact, Easter sends ripples out through the liturgical calendar even after the Easter season ends. Trinity Sunday and the feast of Corpus Christi, which both fall after Pentecost, are “moveable feasts,” which means that their date in any given year depends on the date of Easter

By Julianne Danielle Lim