The Parish Scene

Week Beginning 13th/14th March 2010
Fourth Sunday of Lent

SPACE FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
We continue to be delighted that parents attend mass together with their children, and appreciate that you are trying our best in bringing up your children in our faith. We also appreciate the understanding the whole parish community as we make the necessary space for each other.
Please Note the following gentle reminders:

►CHILDREN’S CHAPEL
Our children’s chapels are not called ‘crying rooms’ because they are not specially for crying. They are for children to learn to pray according to their own ability.

Due to the limited space, we ask that only children under the age of 2 be brought in by a maximum of 2 accompanying adults.
The children’s chapels are part of our sacred space; please show full respect for God and others by keeping distractions to a minimum.

►CHILDREN IN PEWS AND IN CORRIDORS
We expect that children above the age of 2 would have been trained to behave appropriately at mass.

Please teach your children not to eat, run, or play with toys in church before, during and after mass.

If your child is distressed or is crying in church, please step outside for a short while to calm your child down before returning to your seat.

We do hope you enjoy our bulletin insert entitled “”Avoiding mass Hysteria: Teaching Your Children to Behave in Church” by a young mother of 4 children, who shares her own challenges and ways of constructive coping.

SHARING IN RESTORATION: 40th ANNIVERSARY MAJOR EVENTS
Sat 20 March 2010 | 12noon-3pm

We continue to journey through our 40th year with a number of upcoming major events including a Parish Retreat, Scriture Seminar, Feastday Celebrations with Food & Fun Fair, Gala Dinner and Concert for Peace. These will be meaningful and exciting ways for us to grow together as a parish family, in response to God’s call tho “Restore My Church”.

We invite you to join us in an afternoon of food, information, prayer and reflection about your possible involvement in the following areas:
Events Management, Technical and Production, Publicity and Communications, Design, Sales and Marketing, Administration, Logistics, Human Resources, or in any other way, big or small!

Celebrate with us by helping our teams organise these events – being part of the process brings its own unique experiences and rewards. There is place for a variety of skills and talents, and many hands make light work!

Kindly leave you name and contact number at our parish office or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

PENITENTIAL SERVICES FOR LENT (WEST DISTRICT)
Mon 22 Mar - Church of St Francis of Assisi
Tue 23 Mar - Church of the Holy Cross
Wed 24 Mar - Blessed Sacrament Church
Thu 25 Mar - Church of St Ignatius
Fri 26 Mar - Church of St Mary of the Angels

Please note that all penitential services begin at 8pm.

INFANT BAPTISM
Sunday 11 April at 3pm

Preparation Course:
Thursday 8 April at 8pm in Main Church

Baptism Application Form available from Parish Office, church racks or website.
Submit completed form with a copy of child’s Birth Certificate to Parish Office 1 week before Baptism date.

The Catechetical Scene

REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN BAPTISM
Classes for children from Pri1 to 6 who wish to receive baptism in 2011 will start on 11 April 2010 at 9am and end at Easter 2011.
Registration closes on 21 March
For more details, contact Agatha Cheong at 65673867 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

REGISTRATION FOR ADULT CONFIRMATION
Registration for adult confirmation is ongoing and closes on 20 March.
Forms can be obtained at parish office or download from the website .A copy of the baptism certificate is to be enclosed with the registration form. Classes start on 29 April

LENTEN PROGRAMME – SECONDARY 2
Sat 27 Mar | 9am to 12noon | St Clare Hall
Attendance is compulsory. There will be NO class on 28 March

RCIC RETREAT
Sun 28 March | 10.30am to 5pm

Around St Mary's

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED!
We appeal to men and women of goodwill to volunteer in our carpark on Sunday mornings for one hour only to help co-ordinate traffic flow. Non-drivers are most welcome. Contact David Neo, 9632-9585 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ST MARY’S NEW FACEBOOK FANS PAGE
Join us on Facebook! Click on the link on this website.

POTTER & SCRIBE NEEDS YOU!
As we prepare to celebrate our parish’s 40th anniversary, we are looking for more writers, columnists, and especially editors and layout designers. Contact us if you are interested. Skills training can be worked out if necessary. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FAMILY LIFE - STATIONS OF THE CROSS
15 Stations of the Cross with Exposition & Benediction on Thursday, 25 Mar 4 pm to 5.30 pm at St Clare Hall. For more information pls call Rosemary @ 9699 3134

MAUNDY THURSDAY
Keep Watch with Our Lord and Blessed Mother on Maundy Thursday with Rosary Meditation reflecting on the Seven Dolors of Mary.

Date : 1st April 2010 (Thursday)
Time : 10pm to 11pm
Place : St Clare Centre, Rooms 6 & 7

Do come and join the legionaries @ smota for this special community gathering of meditation and prayer.

TUITION FOR MATHEMATICS
A final year student from Nanyang Technological University graduating in Environmental Engineering and with experience in giving private tuition for the last five years is offering to give free tuition for those preparing for their ‘O’ levels in 2010. It is meant for those who do not currently have tuition in this subject and who need extra coaching. For a start, these sessions will focus only in Additional Mathematics.

As an ex-student from National Junior College and St Joseph’s Institution, the spirit of service to the community with integrity and soul has led him to offer his time for this ministry.

Tuition Sessions will be on Fridays from 8 – 10 pm in Room 1 at St Clare Centre. Places are limited to 20 on a first come basis.

Those interested may leave their names and contact details at the front desk or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FIRST AID COURSE AT ST MARY’S
Ever wanted to learn first aid and be officially certified as a Qualified First Aider? Now you can, right here in SMOTA. The Franciscan Scouts in partnership with the Red Cross Society of Singapore will be organising the Standard First Aid Course. The dates are 10th, 11th and 17th April from 9am- 6 pm. Calling all those interested, please call our Special Projects Director Geovenn at 9710 6764 for more details. Limited spaces available! Cost per participant is $90.

Young Adults Office

THE EMMAUS
The Emmaus Young Adult Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group will be having its weekly sharing session on Saturdays at 7.45pm in Classroom 2. We'd love to see you there!
If you have any questions please contact William: 9295 3590 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
You can also visit our website: http://stmary.sg/emmaus

LOVEWORKS
Loveworks Mission Trip to Cambodia, 31 July – 10 August 2010
Information Session for all interested participants on Sunday, March 21, Classroom B2, from 12 noon - 1 pm. To find out more, visit www.stmary.sg/loveworks or contact Celeste 96413830 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CONVERSATIONS UNDER THE STARS
Me, An Activist? Living Out the Catholic Social Teachings

With Fr Rolf Hanesack, OP Sat, 20 Mar | 8pm | Piazza
St Mary’s is proud to have a Dominican priest from Canada to share with young adults on his experience in East Timor serving with Development and Peace, an internati onal development organisati on focused on peace-building, human rights, agrarian reform, educati on, community development and economic justi ce.

Registration: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.stmary.sg/smota2040_fb under Events