Singapore

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1 month since the beginning of my blog. May God always be with me and my hands!

16 January 2013, a month ago, I have decided to begin this blog, which begun officially on 17 January 2013, the next day.

A month has passed since then, and every time, I always feel the Lord’s guiding my hands to continue writing both on the Scripture, the daily reflections, and the other matters regarding the faith, more so now that a new Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore will be ordained soon within this week (on Friday, 22 February 2013), and that our beloved Pope Benedict XVI will step down at the end of this month, and his successor to be elected in a month’s time.

Pray for me, pray for the Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, Msgr. William Goh, pray for our Pope Benedict XVI, for his successor-to-be, and pray for the Universal Church and for the world. May God be with us all, always, and may His blessing be upon us. Amen.

 

Statistics of my blog (1 month)

Total Visitors : 1,192

Total Views : 1,801

 

View statistics by country (Total observed = 1,767)

1. United States of America = 717

2. Singapore = 405

3. United Kingdom = 115

4. Philippines = 107

5. Canada = 82

6. Malaysia = 47

7. Italy = 33

8. Australia = 28

9. France = 21

10. Ireland = 20

11. India = 17

12. Indonesia = 14

13. Poland = 10

14. Germany = 9

15. Switzerland = 7

16. Trinidad and Tobago = 7

17. Belgium = 6

18. Republic of Korea (South Korea) = 6

19. Mexico = 6

20. Brazil = 5

21. Hong Kong = 5

22. Nigeria = 5

23. Spain = 5

24. Czech Republic = 5

25. New Zealand = 5

26. Croatia = 5

27. Bolivia = 4

28. Chile = 4

29. Hungary = 4

30. Kenya = 4

31. Argentina = 3

32. Sri Lanka = 3

33. Brunei Darussalam = 3

34. Malta = 3

35. Thailand = 3

36. South Africa = 2

37. Sweden = 2

38. Zimbabwe = 2

39. Vietnam = 2

40. Greece = 2

41. Namibia = 2

42. Colombia = 2

43. Japan = 2

44. Austria = 2

45. Portugal = 2

46. Laos = 2

47. Venezuela = 2

48. Puerto Rico = 2

49. Turkey = 1

50. Honduras = 1

51. United Arab Emirates = 1

52. Russian Federation = 1

53. Lithuania = 1

54. Timor-Leste = 1

55. Qatar = 1

56. Ghana = 1

57. Bangladesh = 1

58. Romania = 1

59. Pakistan = 1

60. Luxembourg = 1

61. Uganda = 1

62. Slovakia = 1

63. Oman = 1

64. Denmark = 1

65. Macau = 1

66. Saudi Arabia = 1

+Ut Omnes Unum Sint, ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam+

(That they all may be One, for the greater glory of God)

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A great article from the weekly bulletin of Church of St. Francis Xavier, Archdiocese of Singapore on Chinese New Year and Its Significance to Chinese Christians

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8402:jesus-and-qyuq-abundance&catid=187:news-mosaic&Itemid=119

This article was excellently written, especially when trying to harmonise and find the common ground between the Chinese culture and the Christian faith, which although they have their fundamental differences, there are similarities that we should not ignore.

It is fitting indeed that Chinese New Year celebration this year falls on Sunday, 10 February 2013, which is also the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, whose readings have parallels with the core of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Please spend some time to read this article, and especially for Chinese Christians out there, to make the Chinese New Year celebrations we have, into a truly Christian celebration. Not just of partying and feasting, but also to show and spread love and joy, and sharing them with one another, giving thanks to Christ who made all things possible.

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Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, Msgr. William Goh’s coat of arms

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8343:coadjutor-archbishop-elects-coat-of-arms&catid=328:episcopal-ordination&Itemid=147

ArchWGCoatofarmsfinal

The coat of arms of an archbishop has four ranks of interlinked tassels, totalling 10 tassels on each sides of the central arms, surmounted by the traditional hat for the clergy, the galero, coloured green for bishops and archbishops.

Double-barred cross also topped the arms, symbolising the rank of Archbishop, who leads an Archdiocese, a larger and more important diocese.

The symbols of the arms include the lion of Singapore, star that represents the Virgin Mary, the boat that travels across oceans with a fleur-de-lys on the mast, that represents the journey of faith guided by Mary in the star to lead all to Jesus. The fleur-de-lys symbolises the connection Singapore Archdiocese had to the French missionaries, who founded the modern Catholic Church in Singapore in mid-1800s.

Sacred Heart represents love of God and mankind, as a basis of our Coadjutor Archbishop’s ministry, and seven hollow mascles at the centre of the arms representing St. William of York, the Coadjutor Archbishop’s patron.

The arms is supported by the Bible, which as the holy Word of God, becomes the basis and duty of the Coadjutor Archbishop’s ministry to teach and live the Word of God.

The motto is “Ut Vivant” or “That they may live”, symbolising the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, in honour of St. Laurent Imbert, who gave Cathedral of the Good Shepherd an inspiration for its name, by his ready embrace of martyrdom, to save the faithful under his care from death.

For greater details, please visit the link to view the coat of arms and get a more detailed explanation on the coat of arms’ symbols. Please also pray for our soon-to-be ordained Coadjutor Archbishop!

(Addition : I believe that Coadjutor Archbishops are not given any titular see, which is the case for Auxiliary bishops, as Coadjutor Archbishops are immediately tied to the See which they will succeed, so in our case, Msgr. William Goh will be known as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, and not of any titular see.)

(Example of titular see : Castellum Medianum, which was held by Auxiliary Bishop of Sibu, Bishop Joseph Hii, before he was chosen as the new Bishop of Miri)

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Update on the Episcopal Ordination event of Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, Msgr. William Goh

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8332:episcopal-ordination-solemn-vespers-holy-hour-thanksgiving-mass-&catid=328:episcopal-ordination&Itemid=147

Solemn Vespers and Holy Hour to prepare for the Episcopal Ordination :

Sunday, 17 February 2013, Church of the Risen Christ, at 7.30 pm

Episcopal Ordination Mass of Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh :

Friday, 22 February 2013, EXPO Hall 9 and Max Pavillion, 7.30 pm

Episcopal Ordination Reception :

Saturday, 23 February 2013, Catholic Spirituality Centre, 2 pm – 5 pm

Thanksgiving Mass at Cathedral of the Good Shepherd :

Sunday, 24 February 2013, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, 10 am

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Two new seminarians at the Major Seminary of St. Francis Xavier, Archdiocese of Singapore, and Challenges to Vocations

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8309:new-journeys-in-the-new-year-for-two-young-men-&catid=326:january-27-2013-vol-63-no-02&Itemid=78

The Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Singapore has welcomed two new additions to their number, Gerard Robert (29) and Shawn Wong (22).

Pray for both of them that they will stay faithful in their calling, and will persevere through until their ordination and beyond. May God’s love always be upon them.

However, I cannot help but feel sad at how quite a few people reacted negatively to them offering themselves to God.

Quote CatholicNews :

“Reactions from people regarding their decision have been varied, both shared. Some were shocked at their decision, finding it illogical. Others were worried the two could have made a wrong decision, while others wondered if the young men would be able to live without worldly attractions.

Yet others were respectful while some kept silent, apparently unsure of how to respond.”

Why illogical? why worry? why wrong? and why wonder? 

That’s because they do not understand what being a priest is, who a priest is, and especially for among some Chinese, those who emphasize on establishing family (especially heavy for eldest sons) and carrying the family name, and I am sure that although we do pray often for vocations, there are many amongst us who think, yes I pray for new priests, but not my own son, ok? His future is in his career and his prosperity, not to become simple, poor priest.

This way of thinking in our modern world, especially imbued with materialism and worldly temptations is what exactly hinder vocations. Already there are so few who wants to even contemplate joining the sacred priesthood, and even amongst those who want, there are oppositions, not least from friends, and most importantly, from the parents and the family. Let us pray for both the two new seminarians, and for all those inspired by God’s calling, that they will persevere despite oppositions of those around them, and not to give up their calling to submit, since although we do obey our parents, but ultimately we have to obey and love God even more, for the sake of all mankind.

Let us not just be fishers of fish (read : money and material well-being), but if we are called, as St. Peter was, let us be the fishers of man!

+Ut Omnes Unum Sint, ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam+

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Episcopal Ordination Mass and Episcopal Ordination Reception of Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, Msgr. William Goh (22-23 February 2013)

Join the event at Facebook for Episcopal Ordination Mass, and for more details keep on watching for the news at these sites or the CatholicNews at http://www.catholicnews.sg/, or if I have any news I will also gladly share it.

Episcopal Ordination Mass :

https://www.facebook.com/events/137995619693728/

Episcopal Ordination Reception :

https://www.facebook.com/events/456802227719856/

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Details on the Episcopal Ordination of Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore on Friday, 22 February 2013 at Singapore Expo

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8295:announcement-episcopal-ordination-mass-and-reception&catid=3:newsflash

The Episcopal Mass and Reception in conjunction with the upcoming Ordination of our Coadjutor Archbishop, Rev Msgr William Goh will be held as follows:

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION MASS
Date : Friday 22 February 2013
Time : 7.30pm
Venue : Singapore Expo (The Max Pavilion and Exhibition Hall 9)
1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150

Presider : The Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli & assisted by our Archbishop Nicholas Chia and Archbishop Murphy Pakiam from Kuala Lumpur
Admission : Tickets will be allocated to Parishes by mid-Feb 2013
Dress Code : Smart casual 

GENERAL RECEPTION (HIGH TEA)
Date : Saturday 23 February 2013
Time : 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Venue : Catholic Spirituality Centre
1261 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534796

Admission : No tickets required. Open to ALL parishioners to meet the new Coadjutor Archbishop
Dress Code : Smart casual

The Organising Committee
Episcopal Ordination Mass & Reception
18 January 2013