Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Separated from Thee let me never be
From the malignant enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That with thy saints I may praise Thee
Forever and ever
Amen

How does this prayer speak to the modern mind? The Catechism reminds us that each time we utter a prayer, it is Jesus' teaching about our Father's providence. Each time we pray, it is for the 'here' and 'now', not yesterday nor tomorrow (CCC 2659). O What great comfort as this reminds us ultimately that during the hustle and bustle of our day's load, all in God's hands, whether we are aware of it or not.

Hope on the Living God

The Archdiocesan Youth Day (AYD), an event which the Youth Ministry (YMO) had organised for the past two years for all youth in the Archdiocese undergoing confirmation in the following year has been decentralized and organised by the youth committees in the various parishes of the five districts this year. With the direction and guidance from the YMO, this event will be the first for all the 5 districts namely the Serangoon District Youth Day, North District Youth Day, City District Youth Day, East District Youth Day and West District Youth Day.

Although decentralized, the 5 districts are very much united as they share a common theme and have the same objectives.

The programme this year is focused on the theme 1 Timothy 4:10 “We have set our hope on the Living God” which hopes to stir our youth to recognize the Holy Spirit as their divine helper and guide in their Christian living.

Objectives:
- To give confirmation youth a sense of the larger Church through participation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

- To provide opportunity for parish youth groups in the same district to work together and outreach to their confirmation classes.

- To allow more youth across the Archdiocese to network and work and serve together on one event.

It is important for us as catechist in our parishes to encourage our youth to attend this celebration as well as be there with them. It is through such encounters outside the classroom setting that we affirm and experience what the Church teaches about the Sacrament of Confirmation:

"For 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, (the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.' " (CCC 1285)

The programme will consist of a Parish Segment held at the respective parishes followed by a Rally Segment where all the youth of the various parishes in the same district will gather together at a venue. The details for the various districts are as follow:

Serangoon District Youth Day
Date: 22 August 2009, Sat
Time: Parish Segment (Afternoon), Rally Segment (Evening)
Venue: CHIJ Toa Payoh

West District Youth Day
Date: 29 Aug 2009, Sat
Time: Parish Segment (9.30 – 11.30am), Rally Segment (2.30 – 4.30pm)
Venue: Church of St. Ignatius

North District Youth Day
Date: 5 Sep 2009, Sat
Time: Parish Segment (Afternoon), Rally Segment (6.30-9.30pm)
Venue: Hersing Hub - 743 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh (S)319457

City District Youth Day
Date: 5 Sep 2009, Sat
Time: Full Day program
Venue: Church of St. Teresa

East District Youth Day
Date: 5 Sep 2009, Sat
Time: Parish Segment (Afternoon), Rally Segment (Evening)
Venue: CHIJ Katong Primary School

So, look out for more information on this event in your parish!

EF/lh