Monday, April 30, 2007
You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.
What Age Do You Act?

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:38 AM, | 0 comments

Love - an emotion or a decision?

Sunday, April 29, 2007
Today’s homily by a visiting priest was good – Father Simon Tan … cracked jokes in teochew … quite funny and yet he brings the points acrossed.

Love – is it an emotion or decision?

I learnt during EE that love is a decision. Somehow, along the way, I had forgotten this. Thankfully, Father Simon reminded me again today that Love is a decision. Love does not die/will not die. Love is not based on emotions…

As Christians, we often hear the word “calling”. What is our calling? What is my calling? Before answering our call to marriage, to religious life, our calling as Christians is really to LOVE.

It is not an easy task but with Jesus as the focus, it is easier to love.

Yes, I was inspired during the Mass to go forth and love and an incident in the afternoon made me realized that I need to constantly make a decision to love, a decision to see beyond my own needs to serve others.

Lord, help me to love others just like how you have loved me…

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 10:40 PM, | 0 comments

Saturday, April 28, 2007
Praise the Lord. Our "renovation woe" is officially over... hee hee hee

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 9:24 PM, | 0 comments

The buildup to Easter – in a nutshell.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Holy Thursday – I learnt about being humble when I witness the washing of feet by my parish priest, priests and the fellow parishioners. I felt like Peter when my parish priest came and wash my feet. I thought to myself whose feet I want to wash but I was too shy or not humble enough to go forward and ask them “can I wash your feet”.

Also, “humility” has been the theme for me throughout this Lent. I attended a morning Mass at St Francis and the word just stuck in my head for the rest of the Lent period. It even became my logon password – so it served as a constant reminder to be humble.

Good Friday – a sad day for me. A day I felt as if a family member has died. We did not watch TV program, I did not even play on my piano. Instead I read about the passion in the 4 gospels and was wondering how the disciples/Mother Mary had felt during that time. It was a sad day indeed – a baby born in a manger but to die on a cross.

Holy Saturday – went to church in the afternoon to prepare for my baptism. We were really excited. Father mentioned that we should live a Divine Life and this is only possible through the Holy Spirit and also, we would have peace and joy in our new life.

We had some prepartory rites and the part that touched me most was when we had the pray over. Again, the song “be still” was played as we reflected. This song brought me back to the days at the Holy Spirit Retreat. I saw how Jesus was crucified and how I had indirectly caused him hurt by denying him. But two years on, this song just reminded how far I had grown with Him. He is my God and my Lord, ever steadfast and faithful to whomever who calls out to Him. When Father prayed over me, I could feel like it was Jesus who came to me, who told me that everything is in order and He knows what I need and He will provide. *Praise the Lord.* I was so full of joy!

Later in the evening, we had to wear our brown robe, hood and our chains. Wearing the robe makes me feel as if I am bound by the worldly bondages and I cannot see where I was going. Then we saw Father holding the candle and following the candle, it is like we are following the Light – the Light that would give us life.

Fast forward, going into the water – I felt peace. The water is nice and refreshing. As Father was baptizing me in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I felt my old self dying away each time I went into the water and out of it. I felt like a changed person after coming out of the water – I did not feel cold but I felt immense peace.

After we had changed, we were presented with the baptism candle and we had our anointing to seal the Holy Spirit. The oil smelt so beautiful and even some of the oil are trickling down my face; I was reluctant to wipe it away. Then we went round the church to light the candle of our parishioners – it’s a beautiful moment – as Christian, bearing the Light of Christ, it is our responsibility to help those who are walking in darkness and it serves as a reminder for me to be His Light.

The event continued and we had communion – my FIRST COMMUNION! It’s beautiful. My godma was taking care of me throughout the Mass – she is really one beautiful lady. =)
The entire Mass was so beautiful – the choir and the décor team had put in lots of effort for us and so has Father T.

Easter Sunday – we had our church visits – from Sacred Heart, to Christ the King, Church of Holy Spirit and Church of Risen Christ. There is a purpose in this visit – it serves as a reminder for us on the basic Christian belief. We ended the day with Vespers – it is an evening prayer to mark the end of the Triddiumm celebration.

I guess I was still feeling the joy and I sensed the Holy Spirit with me when I felt the fragrance of the oil in my room on Sunday night. *happy!

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 12:26 AM, | 0 comments

The Lord is risen and so have I!

Sunday, April 08, 2007



7th April 2007 is a special day.

It marks the day that I, Francesca, officially become a child of God.

Looking back, this journey has been wonderful. The calling was probably there when I was ten years old. I said yes, rather innocently after attending a Church camp. But back then, there was not much soil to speak of and His words just fell on to the stone ground and died.

Somehow, God remembers that I had said yes and He is faithful. He has kept watch over me all these years and He brought me back to Him about two years plus ago. That is when I really felt released of worldly bondages. I found the purpose of my existence in this world.

The journey was filled with joy, peace, hope and love. I have learnt many things – how to be a better person, how to love others, how much God loves me, how to trust Him in all things… there were sad times, fearful days but somehow, God walks with me and lifted me through all those dark moments. I have made many wonderful bros and sises in Christ.

I am thankful for this journey of faith. I am thankful for all that He has showered upon me and for choosing me to be a part of His family. Thankful that I have such a hardworking/prayerful priest who made the event a memorable one for us, who made sure that we are prepared for the journey ahead.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for calling me to be your daughter, thank you for sending your hardworking angels to help me be more aware of areas where I am weak. For constantly helping me to be the light of the world. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with a supportive family, and friends and for guiding me in everything that I do. Heavenly Father, I pray that you continue to watch over all the neophytes and help them to discern the gifts that you have planned for us. I make this prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Phew - if God is for you, who can be against you?

Thursday, April 05, 2007
This is the week leading up to Jesus’s big day and also an important day in my life – as usual, there are lots of stuff going on – be it @ work or outside work. (yea, blame it on my profession - why do I have to be an accountant and why does Good Friday and Easter have to fall on 1st week of April)

Neverthless, I am really thankful for the prayers that have been showered upon me so generously, and for God’s blessings.

Few weeks ago, I was wondering how I was going to pull through this week – with shortage of manpower in office, quarterly reporting, church’s organ training session and sedar meal and my own spiritual preparation. Somehow, some way, God knows the entire plan and I have never felt more peace this week – yes, work is still there but amazingly, He showed me a way and He carried me through it. I just need to pass through this day to go for my sedar meal.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain”

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 11:33 AM, | 0 comments

Francesca

Sunday, April 01, 2007
Hmm, some friends are confused with the pronounciation of my name. I was confused as well and hence I consulted the web and it threw up this result. The Italian way to pronounce =)

The girl's name Francesca \f-rances-ca, fr(a)-nce-sca\ is pronounced fran-CHESS-kah. It is of Italian origin. Variant of Frances.

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posted by Francesca Cecilia at 9:13 PM, | 0 comments