ECHO

Working with Difficult Teens

2010-03-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

Many catechists are not trained to deal deeply or lengthily with emotional problems, but are often the first to be called on to give some initial and helpful response to the cries of pain from children and teens that they catechise.

A short workshop “Working with Difficult Teens” by Bro. Collin Wee will offer an approach to listening and ministering that is holistic, and integrates spiritual and moral constructs with the psychological. This course is not an in depth study in counselling, but a guide for those who find themselves caught up in the problems of someone else. The objective of this course is not to make a counsellor out of you but to equip you with some fundamental pastoral care skills.

Date: 17, 24 Apr and 8 May 2010
Venue: 2 Highland Road, CAEC, St Michael’s room
Time: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Fee: $80 for 3 sessions
To register, call 6858 3011 or email spi@catholic.org.sg

Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Archdiocesan Catechist Coordinator's Course

2010-01-24T02:59:00.000-08:00

This year, the Catechetical Office commemorated Catechetical Sunday by launching the Archdiocesan Catechist Coordinator’s Course on January 9, 2010. The brand new course - one year in the making, is the initiative of Fr. Erbin Fernandez, the Director of Catechesis. The objective of the course is to re-acquaint catechist co-coordinators with the fundamental norms that govern catechetical ministry within the Catholic tradition. Approximately sixty catechists/coordinators (representing sixteen parishes) have committed themselves to an ongoing journey of formation in the hope of renewing catechetical ministry in their respective parishes.

As the catechist gathered eagerly on Saturday morning for their first session in the conference room of the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, they were inspired by a simple para-liturgy that celebrated fifty years of catechetical development since the Second Vatican Council. The catechists were led to ponder the mystery of God’s faithful presence His Church. One catechist described the experience of the para-liturgy as engaging all his senses.

Over the next three months, course participants will be “soaked” into the living sources of the Church by familiarizing themselves with the use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism will be experienced not only as a reference book but as a guiding inspiration to how catechesis should be celebrated and lived with the young person. It is anticipated that catechists will become more familiar with the method of celebration that draws its vitality from the Church’s rich liturgical and scriptural roots. The hope is that both young person and catechist will experience catechesis as an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Fr. Erbin noted that this new course would require a huge paradigm shift for catechists in the way they understood their vocation as “stewards of the Mystery” and not merely “teachers of doctrine”. On-going tutorial sessions will be offered to help catechist craft their own reflection papers aimed at reshaping their vision of catechetical ministry in their respective parishes. Upon completion of the course, the Catechetical Office will issue certification to each catechist coordinator.

Those catechists in attendance described the opening session of the new course as interactive and stimulating. The Catechetical Office will be offering the course again in the second half of the year for those parishes who were not able to send their coordinators or for those parishes that want to send a few more from their catechetical team for training.

A New Liturgical Year

2009-12-15T05:09:00.000-08:00

As I entered church two Sundays ago, I was awakened by the new 2010 hymnal, the Year C Sunday missal and the lighting of the first Advent candle during Mass. These are realization of a new cycle, the liturgical year C has arrived!

In the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold. This is also the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany). They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal mystery. (CCC 1171)

I suddenly have the urgency to start planning and list down my resolutions for 2010. To help me get organized and started, I need physical or visible aids like dairy, calendar, planner, electronic organizer etc to help me remember the important dates or specific events throughout the year. A very useful item which came in handy to incorporate my spiritual activities into my daily life is the poster size Liturgical Calendar designed by our Catechetical Office.

As catechists, it is an ideal tool to plan our catechism lessons in line with the Church’s liturgy and pass on the faith to our young through the biblical stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as well as acquaint them to the biblical models like our blessed mother Mary and the saints.

For the faithful, it serves as a visual aid and reminder to meditate on the great events of the salvation history and re-live them in the “today” of the Church’s liturgy. As such, I strongly recommend that the Liturgical Calendar be an item that every family should possess.

From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Saviour God, to give him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance, and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them. In the age of the Church, between the Passover of Christ already accomplished once for all, and its consummation in the kingdom of God, the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ. (CCC 1164)

The Liturgical Calendar is available at SPI or selected Catholic bookstores.

For enquiries, please visit or call:

Singapore Pastoral Institute, 2 Highland Road, #02-02

Tel: 6858-3011 Fax: 6858-2011 Email: spi@catholic.org.sg

A break from God's work

2009-11-25T22:31:00.000-08:00

As a catechist, I always look forward to this time of break every year. If you have noticed, our church suddenly becomes quieter because catechism classes had closed for the year and many of our young and their families have gone overseas.

I seem to have a lot of “free” time even though my daily work carries on as usual. Maybe this is because I do not have to worry about the lesson plans for catechism class and also I can wake up anytime I like on Sundays as long as I am in time for Mass. In a way, it is resting from God’s work but not resting from God.

God’s action is the model for human action. If God “rested and was refreshed” on the seventh day, man too ought to “rest” and should let others, especially the poor, “be refreshed”. The Sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite. It is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money. (CCC 2172)

If you have no plans to travel abroad for sight-seeing or shopping, a spiritual retreat is one way where you can experience holiness and be refreshed. A silent retreat allows us to slow down from all the hectic secular activities and engage God through prayers and silence. A very effective form of prayer that is practised in this kind of retreat is Meditation.

Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him. (CCC 2708)

Perhaps you would also like to take this time-off from God’s work to read “The Seven Daily Habits of Holy Apostolic People” by Fr John McCloskey which offers some ways to achieve holiness. The seven daily habits that Fr John McCloskey proposed are the morning offering, spiritual reading (New Testament and a spiritual book), the Holy Rosary, Holy Mass and Communion, at least fifteen minutes of mental prayer, the recitation of the Angelus at noon, and a brief examination of conscience at night. It is important to note that incorporating all the seven habits in our daily routine is a gradual process and attempting to adopt them in haste usually results in failure. As such, I encourage you to go online and spend some time to read the article before examining the seven habits. Click here to access the article.

Media Literacy for catechists/faith formators

2009-09-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

The influence of Media in our modern society cannot be ignored and if used correctly can act as an important vehicle in the communication of our faith.

The CCC states:
The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity:

The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and – within the limits set by justice and charity – complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of news the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld. (CCC 2494)

CANA has invited Sr Rose Pacatte, FSP, the director of the Pauline Centre for Media Studies in Culver City California to speak specially to catechists on two topics. Her primary work is media literacy education for parents and teachers within the context of culture, education and faith formation. Sr. Rose is an award-winning writer, contributor and columnist for several magazines, author of several books, member of jury on film festival, and frequent presenter at conferences related to media and media education. Her books include LIGHTS, CAMERA…FAITH! Media Mindfulness and Educating Teens about Faith and Media.

1. Media Spirituality for Catechists & Faith Formators
Saturday 10 October 2.00 – 3.45pm
Venue: CAEC Auditorium

2. How to be a Media Savvy Catechist & Faith Formators
in 10 easy steps
Saturday 10 October 4.15 – 6.00pm
Venue: CAEC Auditorium

Catechists are encouraged to attend these courses for a better understanding on the application of Media to catechesis and impart the proper usage of the same to our youth.

For more information, please refer to attached Registration Form or contact CANA:
Tel: 6336-4815/6336-4467
Fax: 6336-5379
Email: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg

HE WHO SINGS PRAYS TWICE

2009-08-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

The CCC states that

“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy.” (CCC 1156)

This combination of music (which speak to the heart) and words (which the intellect comprehends) is why St. Augustine said “He who sings prays twice.” Why does the Church insist that the eucharist is the highest form of Christian prayer? Because it is in the eucharist that words and music are given their ultimate expression though the liturgical gestures of the entire People of God.

Every Sunday as we enter into the Eucharistic celebration, we use all three dimension of our being – head, heart and hands - to give expression to Christ working in the Presider, His Word, The Assembly, the Eucharistic sacrifice, starting with the Processional song, the Kyrie (Lord have mercy), the Gloria, the Responsorial Psalm, the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia), the Preparation of the Gifts, the Holy, Holy…, the Memorial Acclamation (Christ has died,…) the Amen, the Our Father, Lamb of God, the Communion song and concluding with the Recessional song.

Can you remember all the different liturgical gestures that go with the music and the words of the eucharist? Can you see how it is important that the music be truly liturgical in that it incarnates what we profess and sing?

As catechists, it is our duty to help our youth to appreciate this musical tradition of the Church by introducing and encouraging the singing of authentic liturgical hymns during the weekend catechism classes.

A good example of how the mood and theme of the liturgical season can be beautifully captured is found in the lyrics of the song “As I Have Done For You” by Dan Schutte. This song is most appropriately sung during the “Washing of Feet” at the Holy Thursday Mass. It can also be extended to be used for our lesson on the “The Last Supper”.

Music during catechism classes not only reminds students of its importance during the liturgical celebration but it also offers them a direct encounter with the living Christ when done well. The CCC records the effect it had on the young St. Augustine when he was thirsting for the Truth beyond what his intellect had already perceived.

How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face - tears that did me good. (CCC 1158)

Let us strive to bring back into our catechism classes and our Catholic liturgy what the CCC calls the 'harmony of signs (song, music, words and actions)'. Indeed the CCC recommends that in order to do foster proper liturgical music

The texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine. Indeed they should be drawn chiefly from the Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources. (CCC 1158)

As Catechist this will require on our part a strong conviction and experience of the power of the Church’s liturgical life to bring us into an encounter with the living God!

EF/lh

Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola

2009-07-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

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

Should young children be at Mass? (Part 2)

2009-06-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

Last week, we touched on how bringing a child to the Mass can leave a deep and lasting impact. This week, we would like to focus on some of the rituals we can do before the Mass as parents and as teachers of the faith.

1. Breaking open the Word of God
While at home before coming to Church, go through the readings with your child. This prepares both you and your child to better understand what is being celebrated at that particular Mass and in the right frame of mind.

2. Arrive early
Again, early lessons leave lasting impressions. Not only being punctual but coming early will set in place the mindset one should take coming for Mass from a very young age. For one, you don't have to be rushing to Church, with all the other stresses like traffic and finding a parking lot. (We already have that during the course of the week.) The other would give you time to teach a child proper etiquette upon entering the Church. Switching off your mobile phones, making the sign of the Cross and genuflecting with reverence (without rushing), moving into the pews to pray, visiting the Shrine of Our Lady after Mass, etc will all cultivate in the long run, the right disposition of how one should be in a sacred place of worship. The Church is filled with signs and symbols. Coming early gives you the opportunity to points these out to your child.

3. The Aftermass
The Mass ends with "Go in the peace to love and serve the Lord!" The Mass continues in our everyday lives. By reinforcing these ideas with love at home by family prayer at the altar, prayer before meals, morning and night prayers does wonders especially when child reaches the age of reason.

Then finally, there is always this question, "How do I start?" or "I don't know how to..." .
As cliched as it might sound, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you guide your child. And He will. These things take many years to nurture, so don't be expecting miracles to happen overnight (though it is possible that that might happen). Keep sharing God's love with your child and may God give your strength as your persevere!

EF/ at

Should young children be at Mass? (Part 1)

2009-06-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

It is not always easy bringing young children to the Catholic Mass. I just want to affirm all of you for making the commitment and effort to do so. You can see God's blessing is abundant to those who do not stop their little children coming to Him!

1. By bringing children to Mass, parents fulfill their duty to begin faith education in their children's earliest years. At your children's baptism, you made a vow before God that you will bring them up in the Catholic faith. It's better to start early. Not only will it be a lot tougher to teach an older child who has rarely been to Mass to behave, leaving kids at home sends the message that Mass is not for children. Regular attendance at Mass is a must to help them recognize the sacredness of the Eucharist and to value their faith.

2. Bringing children to Mass helps nurture their inner life. Early lessons make lasting impressions, child development experts tell us. Good parents recognize the importance of nurturing their children physically and emotionally during their formative years. But if we fail to nurture their spiritual self as well, then we are not attending to the whole child. While we can teach about the Faith within the walls of our domestic church, being in the presence of Christ and those who love Him is what really awakens the spiritual self.

3. Regularly attending Mass helps children find their true home. While my children are constantly with me at this age, I know I won't always be there to guide them. But God will never leave their side. Their real home is with God in His Church, but they will only learn to recognize it as home if I bring them to Mass from an early age. We cannot open the door to the Church at Baptism, only to slam it in their face until they're deemed mature enough to be a part of the Body of Christ.

Jesus invites all of us to His table – and He extended a special invitation to children, saying, "Let the little children come to me."

God bless you & your children!

Extracted & adapted from 'Why Young Children Belong at Mass' by Kate Wicker

Doubt

2009-06-08T02:58:00.000-07:00

What's in the DVD stores now that's worth a watch?

Image from: Internet Movie Poster Awards - Featuring one of the largest collections of movie poster images on the web.

Set at a Catholic school in the Bronx, it centers on a nun who grows suspicious when a priest begins taking too much interest in the life of a young black student. Is she being overly protective or not protective enough? And can she work within the system to discover the truth? Written by Sherman (courtesy of Broadway.com)

Click here for the trailer.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

2009-05-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

Susan Boyle has made headlines all over the world! The 48-year old Scottish from Blackburn turned heads just last month at a programme called Britain's Got Talent when she performed I Dream a Dream. Unassuming in character, Ms Boyle has definitely inspired and tugged the hearts of hundreds of millions around the world.

After recently performing Memory this past week, talent judge Simon Cowell apologised for laughing at her a month ago when she first set foot on stage. Instead of commenting negatively, she shrugged her shoulders and brushed the topic aside. This one simple act to date has been viewed by a hundred million people throughout the world. Maybe she's aware of the impact she's made, maybe she's not. But it's a reminder of how God can use us wherever we are, in any situation, to reflect His love and compassion! How have we been God's channel at the workbench? At home? In class? To our neighbours? To those whom we are not aware of, but are watching our every move?

During the outpouring of he Holy Spirit this weekend, let us allow ourselves to be truly renewed and also to be guided on how we use technology to spread the Good News!

Come Holy Spirit, Come!

Click here for the YouTube link.

by AT

Addressing Pastoral Needs of Catechists

2009-05-25T20:03:00.001-07:00

This workshop by Br Collin Wee is aimed at helping catechists who may face young people going through crisis; to understand and help. For more information about the workshop content, please click here.

Event Date: 30 May 09, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: 2 Highland Road
Organised By: Singapore Pastoral Institute
Booking Information: 68583011
Contact Email: spi@catholic.org.sg
Website: http://www.catholicspi.org

World Communications Sunday

2009-05-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

I affirm Pope Benedict’s call for young Catholics to use the internet media (like Facebook, Youtube, blogger, Twitter, etc) to share and promote our faith.

Anyone regardless of age will appreciate how technology can enhance our daily life and keep us connected with the fast moving world. Its speed and capacity of acquiring information and data is undeniable.

While we must be careful not to be enslaved by technology, we must also not avoid it because of fear of its harmful effects. Instead, we should guide our young brothers and sisters how to use this powerful instrument for the good of humanity. Just as how we communicate openly with others, so the same goes for sharing our faith in the online world for…

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly father… (Mt 10:33)."

by LH

Altar Enthronement (Part two)

2009-05-10T00:15:00.000-07:00

How to do the enthronement?

5 children/teens will be chosen to hold an item each using both hands. They proclaim what each item represents as they placed them on the altar.
• The white cloth reminds us of our baptismal promises and of our vocation to holiness in daily life.

• This is the crucifix that reminds us that if we want to follow Jesus we must be willing to embrace our own cross in the power of the Holy Spirit.

• This is our blessed mother Mary who points us to her son Jesus. Mary has been given to us by Jesus as our Mother, to guide us in daily life.

• The Word of God contains the Good News that we listen to every weekend. By listening to the Word we experience Jesus as a living person who encourages and challenges us.

• This is the Light of Christ that overcomes the darkness of our sins and sets us free to become light for others too.

Alternative way of enthronement: The various religious articles are carried in procession and the altar is assembled article by article (without commentary) as a hymn is sung:

1. The Church’s One Foundation (or another appropriate hymn whose theme is the Church.)

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord
She is His new creation by water and the word
From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died

Elect from every nation
Yet one o’er all the earth
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth
One holy name she blesses
Partake one holy food
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endured

2. A taize chant which highlight the theme of `light’ or `journey’:

Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us!
Let not our doubt or our darkness speak to us.
Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us!
Let me heart always welcome Your love.

Bless the Lord my soul!
And Bless God’s Holy Name.
Bless the Lord my soul!
Who leads me into life!

So there you have it, the steps on how to enthrone the altar at the start of each class. This action takes many many years to be instilled in a child. So each time it is observed, celebrate it with care! God bless!

Altar Enthronement (Part one)

2009-05-08T01:52:00.001-07:00

Greetings! Our first Class Apps post will begin aptly with Altar Enthronement.

One way to start a catechism class is the “enthronement of the altar”. In church, the altar occupies the most prominent part of the sanctuary. Similarly, the altar (table) serves as the centre of our focus in our classroom. We begin class by remembering in a solemn way the different signs that make up our Catholic heritage especially focusing on the Word of God, Jesus who is the One that calls us together as a community.

A little about each item for enthronement:

1. Altar Cloth
In the fourth century, every Christian knew that during the celebration of the Mysteries the altar is covered with a cloth. It became a law in the seventh century. The custom of using three altar-cloths began in the ninth century, but at present it is of strict obligation for licit celebration of mass. The reason of this prescription of the Church is that if the Precious Blood should by accident be split it might be absorbed by the altar-cloths before it reached the altar-stone.

The altar-cloths symbolically have been given rich descriptions over the centuries. They signify:
• the members of Christ, that is, God’s faithful, by whom the Lord is encompassed;
• the linens in which the body of Christ was wrapped, when it was laid in the sepulcher;
• the purity and the devotion of the faithful: For the fine linen are justifications of saints (Revelation 19:8)

2. Crucifix
The crucifix is the principal ornament of the altar. It is placed on the altar to recall to the mind of the celebrant, and the people, that the Victim offered on the altar is the same as was offered on the Cross. For this reason the crucifix must be placed on the altar as often as Mass is celebrated. The rubrics of the Roman Missal prescribe that it be placed at the middle of the altar between the candlesticks, and that it be large enough to be conveniently seen by both the celebrant and the people.

3. Icon of Mother Mary
Early Christians adorned their catacombs, which are cradles of all Christian art with paintings of Christ, of the saints, of scenes from the Bible and allegorical groups. They accepted the art of their time and used it to express their religious ideas.

St Gregory the Great explained that Holy images are “books of the ignorant” for in a picture even the unlearned may see what example they should follow. Also expressed in the “Catechism of Christian Doctrine”, we should give to relics, crucifixes and holy pictures a relative honour, as they are memorials to Christ and the saints.

The earliest picture of Mother Mary is that found in the cemetery of Priscilla, it represents the Virgin as if about to nurse the Infant Jesus. In these pictures she is often portrayed with her arms half extended interceding for us. On the graves of the early Christians, the saints are figured as intercessors for their souls, and among these saints Mother Mary always held the place of honour.

4. Word of God
The Word contains the saving message of Jesus Christ who has come to save us from our sins. The Old and the New Testament periods correspond with two successive and unequal periods of time in the history of mankind. They form the two parts of one story whose centre is the person and mission of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament recalls the story of creation and the fall and how God through the prophets tried to establish a covenant with man repeatedly. However it would only be in the New Testament that an everlasting covenant would be established between God and man through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which we make present everyday in the celebration of the Eucharist.

In referring to this inspired Word as a book it is known as the Bible. The name is derived from the Greek expression biblia (the books), which came into use in the early centuries of Christianity to designate the whole sacred volume. The bible has had the widest and deepest influence upon the minds and hearts of men due to the fact that it is indeed "inspired of God" and, as such, especially "profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice" (2 Timothy 3:16)

5. Candle
The use of a multitude of candles and lamps was undoubtedly a prominent feature of the celebration of the Easter vigil dating, from Apostolic times. St Jerome declared that the use of lighted candles during the Gospel reading, was not to put darkness to flight, but as a sign of joy. The lighted candles were also closely associated with the baptismal ceremony which took place on Easter Eve and which no doubt occasioned the description of that sacrament as `illumination’. This biblical notion of light is further celebrated in the Easter proclamation, the Exultet, on Holy Saturday night - Christ is the light that overcomes the darkness of our sin. In Church tradition the wax is a symbol of the flesh of Jesus Christ born of a virgin mother. From this has sprung the further conception that the wick symbolizes more particularly the soul of Jesus Christ and the flame the Divinity which absorbs and dominates both. Thus the great paschal candle represents Christ, "the true light", and the smaller candles are typical of each individual Christian who strives to reproduce Christ in his life.

(We continue with part two - the "how to" next week. Stay tuned...)

Powerful Weakness

2009-04-26T02:26:00.000-07:00

The Diocesan Vocation Retreat 2009 - `Powerful Weakness' is taking place from the 15-17th of May. We at the Catechetical Office highlight it in our blog because one of the most visible signs of an effective catechesis is vocations! As we renew our craft as catechist we fervently pray that our renewal will lead to a flourishing of priestly vocations in the Archdiocese of Singapore! We encourage all our young adult male catechist to take a look and see if you are called!

(Click on image for a larger view.)

Service of the Light

2009-04-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

In the Catholic Church, the season of Lent ends and leads all believers to the joyous season of Easter! The Easter Vigil begins with a Service of the Light which many Catholics do not get to experience due to time and space constraints. Only the celebrant and those preparing for Baptism witness this rite outside of the church while the rest wait inside the church. This short clip allows you to experience the five segments of the Service of Light held at the Church of the Holy Family in Singapore on Easter Vigil 2009. Alleluia Christ is Risen!

NB: Video clip is used with permission.

New Life

2009-04-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

Alleluia Christ is Risen!

Welcome to a whole new catechetical experience at the Singapore Pastoral Institute (SPI). This blog is for anyone teaching the Catholic faith or for anyone interested in catechesis. Fr Erbin, Christi Disher, Alvin Tan and myself, Linda Heng, invite you to discover for yourself what ECHO has in store for you. Feel free to bookmark this page, follow this blog or make comments about the posts as we journey together the pilgrimage of faith sharing.

Each time we upload a post, a code will appear to give you a gist of what that post is about. There are three broad general categories for us to get familiar with.

CHURCH covers all posts pertaining to articles & stories and the church, seasons, sacraments, etc.

CLASS APPLICATIONS focuses on classroom techniques, lesson ideas & activities, and sharing of experiences dealing with children, teens, parents and fellow catechists.

Finally, NEW IN TOWN updates us on events, seminars, and catechetical related programmes happening around the island.

Till the next post... Blessed Easter!