Advent, a call to WAIT...

We have come to the end of the liturgical year and tomorrow (in fact later in the evening) we begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent. My personal prayer theme for this year's Advent is 'Waiting'.

As early as in mid-November, there were already people getting excited that even in their facebook status tags were on the theme of Christmas. I even noticed one guy who even used a Christmas Carol on his status just after Deepavali (which was on Oct 27 this year). Many now have begun the countdown to Christmas. So what are they doing? They are all 'waiting' for Christmas!

The Catholic church is so beautiful and wise. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church did not just give us a day to celebrate Christ's birth into history instead has given us 4 weeks to prepare the great day i.e. Christmas.

The 4 weeks of Advent focuses on waiting for the Second Coming of the Lord in glory while remembering His first coming in history. In this way Advent is a preparation for Christmas. But the primary emphasis is on looking forward to the Lord's final coming at the end of time. This focus is geared to awaken the believer to a recognition of the Lord's daily advents into life now in what are often referred to as grace-filled moments.

At this time in my life, I too am waiting for God's answer and His divine intervention in the happenings of my life. "Lord, Your will be done. ...Amen".

Introduction to Lauds (Saturday - Wk 2 & 4).

'When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you have arranged, what is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?' (Ps. 8:4-5)

Many times in life we have been advised by many to take a break and enjoy moments in particular to enjoy what God has created for us. We are called to consider the works of God's hand.

We have taken His works for granted and fail to see the beauty. The beauty of ourselves, others, the beauty of nature and the world of cosmos.

I am amazed always, especially is it is a clear night, that whenever I look up at the sky and see the moon and the stars, I wonder how superb the 'un-moved mower' is; to place all of them in its place.

I think I can understand Abraham Lincoln of what he said to his friend one night when looking up the sky, "I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down the earth and be an atheist but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God."

So friends, 'In the stars is God's creative ability shown.
In the moon that brightens the night sky is His deliverance assured.
In thunder and lightning is His power displayed.
And in the silence of the night is His peace felt.' (source unknown)

Come let us praise God, our creator and the creator of all things!

Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (Nov 11)

Today the church commemorates the Memoria of St. Martin of Tours.

When Martin was forced by popular acclamation to become the Bishop, in spite of his reluctance, this is what he prayed; "Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse to do your work; may Your will be done."
Many times we too have prayed that God's will be done in our lives, have we actually meant what we have been praying? Have we allowed God to have His way in us?

Allowing God's will to be done in his life, Martin has set an example as the Good Shepherd. We pray that we too will allow God's will be done in our lives and by doing this we may imitate Christ the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for others and give Him all glory and praises.

An unhappy St. Martin is made Bishop of Tours, as depicted in a 13th-
century window in Tours Cathedral.

Animals - God's gift.

It's been 11days since i came back to Malaysia after spending 80days in Australia. I am happy to be back home but at the same time missing Australia and can't wait to go back to the land Down Under and be of service.

Since coming back home, I've started to do some catching up with the happenings of some friends and relatives and also to allow my tongue hang loose on our Asian delicacies! hehehe.

I am still praying that God's will be done in my life and hope the recent developments are all His will. I can still see His divine intervention and thank Him for that. I will always trust in Him for He is my God and Saviour.

As I mentioned earlier, I've been missing the place (i guess it's the 'promised land' for me), maybe because I am not doing anything here and the mind is just idle, unlike when i was there; where i was involved and could do something.

Ahhh before i forget, what made me to blog today was the idea of uploading all the animal pictures i took while in Australia. Just a few hours ago, i was in town and passed by a pet shop. The animals were all caged up and in bad and dirty condition. The one caught my eye was a parrot. It has nice colors but was so dirty. It was indeed a disheartening view after seeing various type of animals especially birds of all kinds roaming and flying freely. Below are some pictures of the various animals I encountered in Australia which I was able to take pictures of them.

When I went to Australia it was the end of winter and when I came back it was Mid spring. The flowers and nature view was so beautiful. Don't worry, I'm not going to upload the many pictures I took for the obvious reason but might use it so later reflections and cards. Enjoy the pictures of the animals below:-

A Kookaburra

Magpie

Echidna

Rainbow

I heard this song during mass with the children at Nowra and liked it very much especially the words. When i visited the classes, the year 1 students sang it for me.

Rainbow- by Andrew Chinn.

Chorus
Red and orange, yellow and green
Blue and indigo and violet and me
Side by side, together we grow
Underneath God's beautiful rainbow


Red is for your spirit of love
Seven gifts from God above
Orange for the warmth of your Sun
Shining down on everyone

Yellow is the colour of faith
The light of Christ in every day
Green is for the life you give
A call to grow, a way to live

Blue is for the sky and sea
Gifts from God, for you and me
Indigo is in between
A colour of God's gentle peace

Violet calls us all to forgive
Together we grow, together we live
Side by side and hand in hand
Together we grow, together we can.

St. Michael's School Visit - October, 22-23, 2008.

Once again an opportunity to visit an Australian Catholic School. This time it's St. Michael's School, Nowra, NSW. On this visit, I met students raging from 5 years old to 12 years (School grading - Kindergarten year to year 12). For the younger ones, we sang some action songs and with the older kids, we had Q&A session after my sharing on Malaysia, Seminary life, the Priesthood and the Catholic Faith.

Below are some photos of my visit:-

Trying out the Vegemite.

The Celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with Mass.

Inconjuction of the 150th Anniversary of the Lourdes apparition and the Feast of St. Luke a special Mass for the sick with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was held at Berry, NSW on October 21, 2008. Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Patrick Faherty (Parish Priest & Vicar General) and Con-celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ronan Kilgannon (Asst. Priest / Hermit - Kangaroo Valley).

Laying on of hands (James 5:14)

"...The grace of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick consists in welcoming Christ the healer into ourselves. However, Christ is not a healer in the manner of the world. In order to heal us, he does not remain outside the suffering that is experienced; he eases it by coming to dwell within the one stricken by illness, to bear it and live it with him. Christ's presence comes to break the isolation which pain induces. Man no longer bears his burden alone; as a suffering member of Christ, he is conformed to Christ in his self-offering to the Father, and he participates, in him, in the coming to birth of the new creation..." (from the Homily of Pope Benedict XVI at Lourdes on September 15, 2008.

Fr. Patrick praying over the oil



The Anointing (James 5:14)

+ Through this Holy Anointing,
may the Lord in His love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit..Amen.

+ May the Lord who frees you from sin,
save you and raise you up..Amen.



The Holy Eucharist
(James 5:15)