Prayer (Jan to March 2014)

7 January, Tuesday

Activity: Gospel of John
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Msgr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium
Comments: He covered Chapter 1.

Information -> Formation -> Transformation.

14 January, Tuesday

Activity: Prayer For Living
Preacher: Sr Sandra Seow
Comments:

John Kavanaugh asked Mother Theresa to pray for him to have clarity. She replied. "I've never had clarity and certitude. I only have trust. I'll pray that you trust."

~ God's voice within by Mark E. Thinodeaux, SJ

14 January, Tuesday

Activity: Gospel of John
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Msgr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium
Comments: He covered Chapter 2, The Wedding of Cana. 

22 January, Wednesday

Activity: Talk
Organizer: Catholic Business Network
Preacher: Sr Sandra Seow
Location: Catholic Centre (55 Waterloo Street) 
Comments:

Excerpt from Catholic News article that covered the event:
“We assume that Jesus only cares about how many pages of the Bible we read, but not the type of TV programmes we watch or Internet sites we surf; we assume Jesus is interested in who we give our money to but not how we earn it,” said Sr Sandra.

“This split between the faith which many profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age,” she added.

“Faith and family life and relationships cannot be separated,” said Sr Sandra.




11 February, Tuesday

Activity: Gospel of John
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Msgr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium
Comments: He covered Chapters 7 and 8.

20 February, Thursday

Activity: Thursday School of the Word
Organizer: Verbum Dei Missionaries
Preacher: ~
Location: Verbum Dei House

Comments: Monika's farewell party!

27 February, Thursday

Activity: Thursday School of the Word
Organizer: Verbum Dei Missionaries
Preacher: ~
Location: Verbum Dei House

Comments: 

But what is my petty offering to Your sacrifice
I gave up my home but You left paradise
What You called me to offer has really set me free
Cause You left everything to be with me.



2 March, Sunday

Activity: Mass
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Preacher: Fr Jovita Ho
Location: Holy Cross Church
Comments: First time attending 11:15am mass as it would be more convenient to attend my niece's baptism after that. Children's choir and lectors, really cute and sweet. Saw Clayton and John's PD.

4 March, Tuesday

Activity: Bible Study
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Mgsr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium 
Teacher-Student Ratio: Lecture Style
Comments: 

6 March, Thursday

Activity: Thursday School of the Word
Organizer: Verbum Dei Missionaries
Preacher: Mark
Location: Verbum Dei House
Comments: 

Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version (NIV))

***

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

***

Mark's sharing

What prevents me from being closer to God?
Obsession with success, workaholism, pessimism, anger, negativity towards someone?
Who are these small masters that are ruling my life?
What motivates me each day?
What keeps me up at night?
What interests me?
What are my targets and goals?
What moves my heart?
What do I spend time and energies on?
Which wolve are we feeding? [crt the story about two wolves in each of us]
Do I feel beholden to anyone?
If we worry, it'll zap our energies and drain us
We worry whether God will help us
We're anxious about God's actions
It robs us of a heart of trust

What is God asking us to seek and obey?
We may not be able to accept the hard truths

Are we willing to pay the price for the discomfort and chance to see the fruit of faith?
We worry about so much but we should trust and obey.

***

Mark's questions for reflection:

Are we serving masters that we aren't aware of?
What are some of these small masters in my life?
How can i stop feeding them?
What can I concretely do to place my trust in God?
Are we serving masters that we aren't aware of?
What are some of these small masters in my life?
How can i stop feeding them?
What can I concretely do to place my trust in God?

***

My community prayer

Thank you Lord, for the timely reminder to put you at the centre of my Life. Thank you for reassuring me that I am indeed loved beyond measure, and that my worries and fears are futile in the light of our mercy and grace.

Help me Father, to be free from negativity and not allow the darkness to envelop me, but instead, to allow myself to be led by the holy spirit to a life of light and truth.

Lord, impatient as I am, help me to accept the crosses in my Life with grace, trusting that these trials will purify me. Inspire me to continually seek to glorify you in all that I do and to obey the Father's will.

8 March, Saturday

Activity: Couples Retreat, "journeying towards fullness of life"
Organizer: Verbum Dei Missionaries
Speakers: Sr MJ, 
Location: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary House
Comments: Happy that John decided to come along!

"Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion... They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘for ever’, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love." ~ Pope Francis during world youth day 2013

9 March, Sunday

Activity: Mass and Choir
Organizer: Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, St Joseph's Choir
Instructor: Father John Bosco
Location: Queen of Peace Church
Comments: First time having mass in the makeshift canteen. Joined the choir's spiritual session and Adeline's my assigned prayer buddy :). 



13 March, Thursday

Activity: Thursday School of the Word
Organizer: Verbum Dei Missionaries
Instructor: Sr Leticia 
Location: Verbum Dei House
Comments:

When you feel lost: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~ John 14:6 

When you feel only darkness: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12

When you feel empty: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ~ John 6:35

When you feel that life is too hard, God asks you what it is that you need and He will provide! 

14 March, Friday

Activity: Stations of the Cross
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Location: Holy Cross church

Comments: First stations attended this Lent and seated myself behind my sister's family. Felt like a Snday, felt the family warmth. What touched me was the first prayer regarding submission to superiors. 

This song was in my head in the morning, inspired by the Holy Spirit :). The prompting was similar to those I experienced during my solo silent retreat at the Good Shepherd Oasis the year before. 

I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

16 March, Sunday

Activity: Mass
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Location: Holy Cross church
Comments:

18 March, Tuesday

Activity: Bible Study
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Mgsr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium 
Teacher-Student Ratio: Lecture style
Comments: 

Faith has to be expressed; Love has to be shown. 

When we take ownership (of our faith); then we can build relationship (with God). 

~ Mgsr Ambrose Vaz

21 March, Friday

Activity: Stations of the Cross
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Location: Holy Cross church
Comments: Touched by the antiphons.

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.

O, how sad and sore distressed,
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs,
Of her dying, glorious Son.

 Is there one who would not weep,
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain,
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child, 
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother!  Font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt,
With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew,
Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the Cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
This I Ask of You to give.

23 March, Sunday

Activity: Mass
Instructor: Fr Peter Zhang
Location: Holy Cross church
Comments: Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus meeting us where we are at. Could recall Mgsr Ambrose Vaz's sharing regarding this reading, during bible study. 

25 March, Tuesday

Activity: Bible Study
Organizer: Church of the Holy Cross
Instructor: Mgsr Ambrose Vaz
Location: Holy Cross Auditorium 
Teacher-Student Ratio: Lecture style
Comments: Attended with Michaela. Said hello to Mgsr Vaz and told him about John's overseas plans. He finished up Chapter 18, 19 and a bit of 20. 

30 March, Sunday

Activity: Mass
Instructor: Fr Jovita Ho
Location: Holy Cross church
Comments: The Cross is a cross of suffering and shame. So yes Lord, grant me the sufficient graces to carry my Cross, and follow you. 

Growth

“What is that essential core of who I am that remains through all this upheaval?” This is an important question, because it is this remnant that will be the starter for the new stage of our growth. The thing about this remnant, this core of being, is that we often don’t discover it until the force of change has stripped away the outer layers of past certainties and securities. Just as the seeds of the eucalyptus trees in Australia can’t germinate until they are exposed to the intense heat of a forest fire, so, too, there may be deep parts of ourselves that are activated only when the shallower layers are stripped away.

And it isn’t just about survival; it is about growth and transformation. The new you that comes through the blast of change will not be just a shadow of your former self, but truly a new you, with deeper layers of your personal potential exposed and invited to grow and flourish. For example, through apparent disaster you may discover skills you never knew you had. You may discover qualities that had never previously been called upon, such as resilience, patience, ingenuity, empathy with others going through similar upheavals, and even a sense of humor to laugh through the tears and glimpse the rainbow through the rain.

~ Margaret Silf, The Other Side of Chaos: Breaking Through When Life Is Breaking Down, Loyola Press.

Exercise (March 2014)

4 March, Tuesday

Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:12
Comments: Didn't break into a sweat but was challenged at the splits as I can't do them :|. Rashita taught us a new crow pose which worked the core. 




Source: Advanced crow pose

She said that we could practice that at home, with this push up exercise. Maybe I will :).


Source: Creepy crawly push-up position

Although come to think of it, I learnt this in Swiss Ball exercises class.



Source: Push-up with tuck crunch


Source: Boat Pose

7 March, Friday

Activity: Pilates Organizer: NUS University Health Centre
Instructor: Rachel
Location: NUS Sports and Recreation Centre Dance Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:11
Comments: Perspired! Very good workout for the abdominal muscles... 

11 March, Tuesday

Activity: Yoga Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:11
Comments: Changed our breathing to incorporate humming, and even closed our eyes and noses! Did our routine downward dogs, followed by spinal flows,




Source: Spinal Flow



Source: Squat Pose / Garland Pose

Did a wheel pose, against the mirror :). 


Source: Wheel Pose

Source: Revolved Chair Pose


13 March, Thursday

Activity: Abs, Butt and Thigh Organizer: NUS Aerobics Club
Instructor: ~
Location: NUS Sports and Recreation Centre Dance Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:30+
Comments: Very good workout, perspired A LOT! He incorporated static positions in addition to the usual aerobic and mat work. First time I attended the full class. Typically, I leave 10 mins earlier in order to dash off for my prayer group. This time around, I l had to stay till the end to collect mine and Daphne's free NUS Aerobics Club t-shirt. Still made it in time for prayer group =).  

14 March, Friday

Activity: Pilates Organizer: NUS University Health Centre
Instructor: Rachel
Location: NUS Sports and Recreation Centre Dance Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:11
Comments: First class without props, and I like the idea of going back to basics. The only glitch was that the workout was too easy for me, and I was kind of bummed that we weren't pushed beyond our, or at least, my limits. Maybe it's time to try CrossFit, something I've been hearing quite a bit of lately.

20 February, Tuesday

Activity: Yoga Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:14
Comments: Didn't break into a sweat but was challenged at the standing split and front split as I can't do them :|. 


Source: Standing Split

Here's a pose that I can do comfortably do though - the one-legged king pigeon pose two :P.



Source: One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II



21 February, Wednesday

Activity: Yoga Organizer: NUS Aerobics
Instructor: Agnes
Location: UTown Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:35
Comments: The best session to date, where we did a lot of challenging stretching in poses that I never thought I could do. I wish I could remember the names, but I don't. 

25 March, Tuesday

Activity: Yoga
Organizer: Diana
Instructor: Rashita
Location: CREATE Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:9
Comments: Was very chill, and as usual, didn't perspire one bit :\. Enjoyed the intense stretching though! What was interesting was that we did some hip and knee opener exercises against the mirror. I was happy that I was rather bendy, especially with this particular move, that stretched the hamstring. 

As part of our warm up sequence which involves: heart centre -> sun salutation -> plank -> upward dog -> downward dog routine -> spinal flows. 

And another hip opener:

Source: Crescent Lunge

We would pose with our legs apart, inching them apart with every second, and holding it there for a minute. Rashita advices us to practise at home for 5 minutes even. She mentioned that this kind of dynamic stretching was better than the static stretching. 

26 March, Wednesday

Activity: Yoga Organizer: NUS Aerobics
Instructor: Agnes
Location: UTown Aerobics Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:30
Comments: Did a lot of stretching which was good :). I really like trying new, stretching poses, just to see if I can do it, and I'm often surprised that I can actually do it! Which happens quite a lot these days :D.

Source: Intense Side Stretch Pose (Parsvottanasana)


Source: Half twist pose



Source: Head to knee pose (Janusirsasana )

28 March, Friday

Activity: Pilates
Organizer: NUS University Health Centre
Instructor: Rachel
Location: NUS Sports and Recreation Centre Dance Studio
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:10
Comments: She pushed us it was our last lesson. She taught us the posture for lifting "invisible" free weights. We were asked to do the yoga plow pose which I can't do :\. Enjoyed the more intense workout (perspired a bit), and the visible abs the next day!