1month parish exposure @ St. Michael, Nowra.

Today is the feast of St. Michael the Archangel and it's fitting to blog about this present parish I am staying since Friday (26/09/08) night. I'll be staying in this parish until my return to Malaysia on Oct 27. This Parish of St. Michael was ectablished in 1863. Click here for more info about the Church and the other churches under its care. The pictures below are only on St. Michael. So what i have been doing the last few days here....Hmmm let me see....makan, makan, makan (meaning:- food or eat in the National language of Malaysia).

The night that I came to the Parish, I had a big dinner at the Bishop's house together with the priests of the diocese to celebrate the Sacerdotal Jubilee of about 5 priests. The next day after the sunset mass, we had a 'formal' Parish Feastday Dinner at a club. And on Sunday, together with the Parish Priest, Fr. Patrick Faherty who is also the Vicar General (VG), I went for a Spring Garden Luncheon Party. Now I'm looking forward to a 80th Birthday party of a parishioner on Tuesday! hehehe. Hope my family can recognise me when I am back!

Enjoy the photos:-

Church of St. Michael, Nowra

Sanctuary of the Church of St. Michael

Altar

Stations of the Cross

Close-up of the 12th Station.

Baptismal Font

St. Michael the Archangel.

An Aboriginal painting of the cross on the confessional room door.

Presbytery (Parish House)

My room is the top 1st window from the left.

SOMETIMES...life is very difficult.

Listen, Lord, as I pray!
You are faithful and honest
and will answer my prayer.
I am your servant. Don't try me in your court,
because no one is innocent by your standards.

My enemies are chasing me,
crushing me in the ground.
I am in total darkness, like someone long dead.
I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over.

I remember to think about the many things
you did in years gone by.
Then I lift my hands in prayer,
because my soul is a desert,
thirsty for water from you.

Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer.
I feel hopeless.
Don't turn away and leave me here to die.
Each morning let me learn more about your love
because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.

Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord!
I come to you for safety.
You are my God. Show me what you want me to do,
and let your gentle Spirit lead me
in the right path.

Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life save.
Use your saving power
to protect me from trouble.
(Psalm 143:1-11)

Children's Liturgy @ Unanderra.

Children's Liturgy at Parish and Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Unanderra, NSW, Australia. A few volunters take turns to 'break the word' for children age 5-11. They put in alot of effort to make the children's liturgy fun and meaningful. Seen below is Sr. Joan Goodwin RSJ with her special friend, Casper who made a special appearance yesterday to share the Gospel.

Introduction to Vespers: Week IV, Friday.

In my reflection for lauds (click here for a read), I shared how God through His love has raised us with dignity as His children. All of us have experienced God's saving act someway or another. Through the psalm this evening, we are asked to acknowledge and proclaim the loving acts of God:-

Age to age shall proclaim Your works, shall declare Your mighty deeds -Ps.144 (145).

The Lord is loving in all His deeds...let me speak the praise of the Lord - Ps.144 (145) part II.

Great and wonderful are your deeds - Canticle (Rev.15:3).

As witnesses of God's love for us, we pray...

Introduction to Lauds: Week IV, Friday.

O see in guilt I was born, a sinner was I conceived (Ps.51 [51]:7).
I am sure many will agree that life is full of fun, it is so unique, important, and at the same time it is fragile too; and yes, through sin, we have fallen short (Rom.3:23 - all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God).
But God who is full of love and mercy, has raised us up again and given us the dignity through His Son, Jesus (Rom.3:24 - they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus). Click here for the full scripture text.

So we pray, that with conviction, we may echo with St. Paul; "My real life is the faith I have in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:19-20 - Scripture Reading for Lauds).

"Father, how wonderful Your care for us! How boundless Your merciful love. To ransom a slave you gave away Your Son. O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer". (Exsultet - Easter Proclamation) Click here for the scripture text on humanity's sin through Adam and grace and life through Christ.

"God so love the world that He gave us His Beloved Son" (Jn.3:16). As a people celebrating His love, we pray...
Here is a video clip on the Exsultet

Are you smarter than a 4th grader? (part 3)

Another school visit at a catholic school today. This time I visited the year 5 and 6 (11 & 12 year olds). The students were so energetic and eager to hear from a representative from the church. They also raised good questions to clarify about their faith. It a total different experience during my visit to the public school a few days ago. I wish our students back in Malaysia were given the same opportunities to hear from their respective religious leaders. The public schools here have about 30-60 mins in a week for religious lessons (its not enough, but we have to make use of whatever amount of time given). The Catholic school has more time given; so its a privilege then to be studying at this schools.

During my presentation to the Year 5 students from the School of St. Pius X, Unanderra, NSW, Australia.

Year 5 students from the School of St. Pius X, Unanderra, NSW, Australia.

Presentation to the Year 6 students from the School of St. Pius X, Unanderra, NSW, Australia.

The Year 6 students from the School of St. Pius X, Unanderra, NSW, Australia.

Introduction to Lauds: Week 3, Thursday.

One of the famous image for Christ is the image of the Good Shepherd. And in relation to others, many people think that this image of the 'shepherd' is also only for the bishops and priests. This notion is wrong, for everyone is called to be like the 'Good Shepherd'; for a shepherd cares and loves his/her sheep and each one of us are called to do the same for others.

In this morning's canticle (Is.40:10-17) we see the image of God as a Shepherd, who feeds his flock and gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom. Being a 'shepherd' is not being authoritative or over powering but a 'shepherd' who cares and loves. This is a beautiful image, so let us all strive to be shepherds who are courages, present, real, respectful and loving.