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Tuesday, 17 January 2017

NEW YEAR … NEW BEGINNING IN FAITH

Our holiday mood is gone as we resume our daily routine in this new year. I hope you had a very beautiful time with your loved ones during this season of Christmas. What is Christmas without Jesus who has brought the “Joy to the World.” Jesus’ birthday is a source of the greatest joy and happiness in our lives.

Our celebration of Christmas has increased our faith and love in Jesus Christ who is the reason for the season, who was born in a manger, who became for us the Saviour of the World. He brought peace on earth, which began in Bethlehem, and we have not lost that reason. Soon we will be coming to an end of the Christmas season. I hope and pray that Jesus has become the very centre of our lives and families. I too pray that this New Year will be the best of years and you will be bestowed with many more blessings. This year we shall pray more fervently for the grace of God and strive for intimate friendship with our Lord Jesus and to follow His footsteps more closely.

This year we shall set our priorities in prayers, to make it a point to read the Word of God every day and participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist every weekend. Very often we fall into the trap of saying, “I have no time to pray, read and meditate upon the Word of God.” It is not a lack of time or that we are busy with our own agendas but it is a question of priorities. Let’s not get distracted with things of the world, which may push aside Jesus from our lives.

Every day we should find a time to enter into friendly conversation with Jesus through prayer and meditation. Every Weekend you must be present at the Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation. Our daily prayers, reading the Word of God and celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist can gradually transform our lives. Let us experience the best of this New Year by committing ourselves mind, heart, soul and spirit to know Jesus, love Jesus, bring others to Jesus and be transformed into Jesus.

The Catechism classes at St Joseph’s Church, Sentul for the year 2017 will start on Sunday, 8th January. The Catechetical Team would love to have our children registered for another exciting year of faith education. We request all parents to register their children for catechism classes for this year. Parents, you should take a great interest in encouraging your children to learn more about our Catholic faith and encourage them to grow in their relationship with God and the Church. You have the responsibilities in the faith development of your children, which includes attending Mass regularly, participating in parents meetings, community events and assisting your children with faith learning. Do bring your children regularly and punctually for Mass and catechism classes.

Just pray that all the catechism programmes in our parish will provide much enrichment and enhancement in the lives of teachers, parents, and children and with every parishioner who might be involved with the programmes. Let’s do our best to comply with our Church in fulfilling our obligation to raise our children in the practice of the Catholic faith. God bless you and your children.

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