More on the Rite of Election

Monday, February 26, 2007
If you are interested, can read more here
http://www.catholic.org.sg/cn/wordpress/?p=337&page=3

Still need to verify the source but from what i read, the rite of election means this:-

election refers to the idea of 'the chosen people'.

in Israel's early history, God chose a people and established a covenant with them.

today, we believe God continues to choose people, through the covenant of baptism. & the rite of election thus establishes the names of those who will enter the new covenant through the sacraments of initiation.

Labels: ,

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 10:41 PM, | 0 comments

Rite of Election

Had my rite of election last saturday .. once again, i experienced God's love for me.

Prior to the rite, i was hestitant - should i continue with the journey? should i tell my mom? what kind of trials would i face during this period - in short, lots of questions. i asked for strength and courage.

He showed me His plan for me.

Throughout the Mass, He spoke to me - He reminded me how I had came to know Him. How He has been guiding me - for the past 22 months. (actually, even before the Mass, Fides n I were sharing how we came to know Him).

He told me - Dear child, i will always walk in front of you. Do not worry, do not be afraid. I have called you in the dark and you have responded. I will not leave you alone. I will always be with you.

I felt His assurance. He asked me to go forth to proclaim His word.

Then my godma - i think she is really God sent - she asked me gently, have you told ur mama about your baptism? I told her no... but she said, you must let her know.

I thought about it. Yes. Part of my hestitaion to take a step forward is becasue i didn dare to tell her. After the Mass, I called her and told her about the stuff. She wasn't happy initially but she was OK later. For me, i just felt immense joy - like a load has been lifted off me. I can move on courageously forward.

Hmm, dear friends, just continue to keep me in your prayers and let's continue to share with one another. Let's move on together with our journey. Up and On!

Labels: ,

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 10:31 PM, | 0 comments

Argh! Am I slow or what?

First, my colleague showed me a picture of her "fairyboy". She is so in love with him that she downloaded his pictures as her HP wall paper and would gush at the photo whenever she got tired with work and need a break ... when she showed me the pic, i was like "eh, so ah girl ... i like manly man - e.g Jerry Yen"
Then my journey mate, Miss Fides, likes him too and was going gaga over the show and i was like "sure a not, this guy is so ah girl ... nice meh?"

To my horror, my best friend - she is also gaga over him.... argh - am i getting old? am i getting slow? well, maybe i am not so free like them to be sitting home watching TV... =P hahahaha

anyway, for those interested to check out this cute guy who has captured the attention of my three friends.... check out this link http://www.wretch.cc/blog/wuchun10cool

hmmm, maybe i should try to catch the show on you-tube too

Labels:

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 9:17 PM, | 1 comments

Prayer

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Dear Lord
Please watch over your flock as we are nearing Easter.
Please give us your graces to continue our journey with you.
Please help us - give us strength when we are weak, give us courage when we are afraid, give us direction when we feel lost. If you are for us, who can be against us?
Lord, help us to discern you better.
May our hearts be opened to your promptings and to listen and obey your instructions for us.
Lord, help us to walk by faith and not by sight. Forgive us for our unbelief at times. Help us to come to you when we are tired for you give us rest. Help us to learn to put more trust in you.
Thank you Lord.
I ask all these in the name of your most precious son.
Amen.

Labels: ,

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:44 PM, | 0 comments

My first reunion dinner as Mrs Kwee

Monday, February 19, 2007
I went through many emotions this week.

Moving house, planning for a steam boat cum bbq.

In a way, the idea of a steamboat cum bbq was meant for two families to share but somehow, one family decided not to come but we still decided to go ahead with the plan, in the hope of bringing the family members closer.

In the process, we complained, wondering why we just didn call the entire thing off, wondering that “wa, so this is married life…”

Despite complaining, we persevere on.

I was afraid that something might screwed up on the actual day - like what if there is rain? what if we did not prepare enough food? what if the food are not to my guests liking?

I lifted the entire event to my Lord.

He cleared the path for me and miraciously, He sent His helpers to us and we managed to have a “proper” reunion dinner – steamboat cum bbq.

Thank you Father

Labels:

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:36 PM, | 0 comments

Am I ready?

Friday, February 16, 2007
Some people are just looking forward to their big day

Some people just did not feel right and had dropped off from their journey

For me, I have been thinking about it – am I really ready for it? There are times when I get angry and feel really like closing my eyes to the issues around me. There are times when close family members asked why am I being so nice to others, even though they are ‘undeserving’…

Well, I realised that to choose to walk on this path would mean that I am not in sync with the world coz the values that I have would be not of the world.

Am I up to the challenge?

No. I am not up to the challenge on my own effort. But God will give me His graces and carry me through as long as I allow Him to do it.

Soli Deo Gloria ….

Labels:

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 12:20 PM, | 0 comments

Things I learnt today ...

Sunday, February 04, 2007
Be quick to listen, slow to judge.

Be quick to love, slow to anger …

You cannot change a person for who he or she is, but to accept them for this is how they were created

God did not choose who to love as He loves every one of His creation and hence you should not choose who to love….

There are many things in life which may not have an answer to … but just keep on walking with God – He will guide you

It is easy not to love – but choosing not to love would mean that my life would be empty

It is not easy to be a Christian but life would be really terrible without God …

The journey may be hard, difficult, calling me to make scarifices at times – but God will be with me all the time

Walk on with Jesus, He’s a living faith

God is telling me so loudly, through so many people and so many things/events that He is walking with me all this time and I should cling on tightly to Him.

Thank you Lord for your blessings and graces. Help me to glorify Your name in whatever I do. Teach me to love as you have loved me. Teach me to love those who are difficult for me to love. Help me to be understanding and help me to love in Your way. Thank you Lord, Amen.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

These are what I had learnt from today’s sharing. I do not know if what I had share is applicable to the topic but somehow, I guess the Holy Spirit directed me to this thorn that has been bothering me for quite a while.

I pray that Lord will see me through this and may this trial make me a better person.
p.s i felt really light after the sharing. do keep me in your prayers that i be less self centred and more life-giving

Labels:

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:46 PM, | 0 comments

Rite of Sending

Rite of Sending

I know it will be held on the 3rd Feb 2007 but I did not spend much time thinking about it as I was too preoccupied with work.

Again, work took control of my life once again – causing me to loose focus again and relationship with Dearie was rather strained.

However, when I reached Church for my rite of sending, I felt joy. I did not feel tired. There is this strong feeling of joy, happiness everywhere, on everyone’s face.

While waiting for the Mass to start, we mingled around, chit-chatting with everyone and anyone that we know.

I saw my godma. I think my godma is a really beautiful person. Though we did not keep in constant contact with one another every other day, whenever we meet, she would have advice for me. This time round, she shared that a friend had committed suicide. She was sad and she told me – you need to find your own support amongst your group of friends, be it in church or at work. Do not keep your feelings bottled up. Let it go and get the support of your friends.

How true.

The way she said it was so serious that Dearie was wondering what she was telling me but did not dare come over coz he thought it was really something serious between the two of us.

We started with praise and worship. I felt God’s presence amongst us. I felt Him healing me, saying, it is all right my dear. Lean on me and I will lead you forward.

Then we have the rite of sending. This rite is part of the preparation for our baptism. It officially announced to the community that we want to be elected for baptism and our baptism names (symbolizing our new life) were announced to the community and our godparent would come forward to testify how we had converted.

Some of the testimonies given for my fellow sisters were really beautiful. I was touched that I cried. During this journey, we have really come a long way, overcome many obstacles and it is really beautiful to see God working His miracles in our everyday lives.

The Mass and this rite of sending has lifted our moods. I felt lighter and happier. The strain between me and dearie is no longer there as I had lifted it up to Him during the Mass.

Thank you Lord, for your healing touch.

Labels:

 
posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:25 PM, | 0 comments