WE ARE CALLED TO GO OUT AND BE ‘MISSIONARIES’

We had a lot of activities over the 22nd and 23rd October weekend. The Catechetical team led by Michelle Wong and the Standard 3 teachers and few other teachers organised a two-day stay-in camp for the 1st Holy Communion students in the Formation Hall. About 20 students attended the camp from Saturday morning till Sunday afternoon. Some of their parents were also present and assisted in coordinating meals for the kids and also looked into other necessary errands. Sr. Mary David from the Canossian Order helped in facilitating the entire camp with the theme: “Jesus is My Friend.” I would like to thank you teachers and Sr. Mary for the valuable time spent and your spiritual sharing with our First Holy Communion students and parents as well. They have benefited very much from this camp experience.

On Sunday, the Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) invited 300 school students, both local as well as migrant children, and gathered them at the Church Hall. These school children were from the low-income families who came with their parents to do their measurements for school uniforms and shoes. It was well coordinated by (PIHDM) led by Edwin Alpouns and about 15 of his fellow members. These past two months, the (PIHDM) members with the help of some BEC leaders, have surveyed and screened the total number of students from the low-income families who will be eligible to receive two sets of school uniforms, shoes and bag for the year 2017. The distributions of school uniforms will take place on 18 December 2016 (Sunday). It is the day that we shall be celebrating the “Christmas Get Together 2016”.

On 23rd October, the Universal Church celebrated Mission Sunday with the theme: “Missionary Church, Witness of Mercy.” This Jubilee Year of Mercy marked the 90th anniversary of World Missionary Day, which was first approved by Pope Pius XI in 1926. I too was happy to hear the theme chosen by the Holy Father for Mission Sunday which is almost similar to our parish theme this year: “BEC, Witnessing Jesus Through Works of Mercy”.

Jesus has given us a mandate to evangelise the Good News to all nations (Mt 28:18-20). On World Mission Sunday 2016, all of us are invited to “go out” as missionary disciples, by “offering our talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.”

This whole year we have been organising many events, activities and formations on various topics such as spiritual development, family and community life, physical health and good works for all parishioners. I believe some of you have participated and were fully involved in these events, activities and formations, which have helped to motivate you in discerning God’s purpose, talents, gifts and insights in your lives (Eph 2: 8-10, Rom 12:4-8, Mt 25:14-30).

As we come to the end of the Year of Mercy, let’s continue to be missionary disciples by carrying out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy by bringing love to our homes, unity in our parish community and joy to the people that we meet daily.