Restore My Church
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January 25, 2010 - 13:35
I am posting a 2nd draft (lol) of what I want to talk about because the fist time I post it, I just finished lunch and no blood in my brain to organise. Yes even I don't understand what I want to say when I read it. Anyhow, here goes.
In my humble opnion, I am seeing SMOTA heading for a more social community rather than a spiritual one. Yes there is an occasional retreat here and there but all by the good work of the youth/young adult office. I take the example of the current CNY celebration. As CNY approaches in 3 weeks, we can see CNY goodies being sold (slightly inflated price?), Chinese CNY songs being broadcast (for the love of all things, play instrumental CNY music would be less nerve racking. Even NTUC uses instrumental CNY music) and wine being sold under the label of "Restore my Church". On that last point, I feel that unless the proceeds go to repairing the Cathedral, it feels like some are using "Restore my church" as a gimmick rather than a battlecry to challenge all of us to live a more consecrated life in God.
In case someone is reading this (which I am beginning to doubt haha), I would like to claify that I am not against anyone in SMOTA. SMOTA provided me wonderful communities of Emmaus and Logos to be in. The youth and young adult scene are vibrant which is rare in most churches. But I can't help but feel more can be done. I would like to propose a monthly Holy Hour. An hour in front of the exposed Eurcharist, in prayer, reading/reflecting God's words, meditation using Taize and/or even just some silent time. I strongly feel that no matter how much work we do for God, it would never surpass spending time with God. I feel that prayer is the fundamental building block of a Christian life and that I feel is something SMOTA is not advocating/promoting to the congregation.
I am not arrowing anyone/group (Emmaus or othewise) to take charge of it. I would definitely like to volunteer to help out if this happens. Because I feel that this is the nudging of my heart that the Spirit is invoking in me now.
January 26, 2010 - 12:50
#2
Yes, there are people reading
Yes, there are people reading this post for sure =P. Holy Hour seems to be quite a good idea to start with..
January 27, 2010 - 13:14
#3
I spoke to Keenan on Saturday
I spoke to Keenan on Saturday and he said he needs help to even start on a quarterly basis. I understand that the parish is currently run by only 2 priests and getting a priest committed to this might be hard. However if we can get this started, more people might be warm to the idea and might want to help out.
January 27, 2010 - 21:01
#4
Thanks for sharing Ben. I'm
Thanks for sharing Ben. I'm willing to help too:)
January 28, 2010 - 00:48
#5
I am one of the reader here
Wow I like it. I am willing to participate :)
January 29, 2010 - 10:50
#6
Good News everyone!Charlene
Good News everyone!
Charlene has helped to get a priest to come once every 2 months. I think this will be a good place to start.
I am checking out some details with her on this. I will keep everyone posted and we can start planning or something =)
January 29, 2010 - 11:26
#7
I want to help too!
I want to help too!
But I dont know how..
February 24, 2010 - 16:08
#8
Hey guys, to update on the
Hey guys, to update on the current situation. Charlene has spoken to Fr JP about the idea of Holy Hour. Fr JP has suggested doing it in the adoration room. I understand from Charlene that this can reduce the need of having a priest to come as Jesus is already in exposition in the adoration room. However, at the event if there is overcrowding in the adoration room, Charlene would be ready to help us to move to the church hall for the next Holy Hour.
Charlene has also relayed that Fr JP is concerned on the continuity of the Holy Hour. As the parish priest, he is concerned if the organisers were to drop this idea in the short term, the parish would have to pick up the program since the parishoners would then be used to having a monthly Holy Hour. This would then cause additional burden to others. I have assured her that it is not I who is the most committed person in this program but Jesus. If Jesus wants, Jesus gets. Besides, I know there are a number of people who are ready to help as well.
The starting month of the Holy Hour has been discussed to be in April (tentatively third week) during Easter season. I am currently working on the program for this Holy Hour. I would need help on people singing simple hymns, some to help lead/read prayer and some to read short Bible passages. I would appreciate people with suggestion on the program. But most of all I will need your prayers on the Holy Hour. Let's pray that God would be able to use us and Holy Hour to bring more people closer to him. I thank you in advance for your help =)
February 24, 2010 - 22:38
#9
Let's start at the chapel
Let's start at the chapel then :) it seems the Lord always starts with something small hehe. For the program. I think something simple is enough. We should have some songs and scripture reading, but in between let silence to occupy the time. I know most people are afraid with silence and feel uncomfortable with it. But I feel it is the best way to listen and encounter the Lord. my proposal for the program would be simple, just an opening song, praying some psalms, scripture reading, silence (big silence), then we close we petitions, Our Father, closing prayer, and closing song :) Time would be exactly one hour. start on time, to respect those who come on time. and end on time, to respect those whose time are limited. This would allow people to spend enough timeto pray, but not taking too much time until it is quite late at night. I am educated by the Jesuits, they told me "if you eat well, sleep well, then you can pray well." hahaha
Hi Ben, we have proposed Holy Hour to the Youth and Young Adult Office last time, and I can understand their difficulties. I suggest we start by helping their Holy Hour event somewhere this year, if I recall correctly from Keenan. I am willing to help :)