YOUTH
COMMISSIONING MASS :: 8 FEBRUARY 2009 :: |
The first ever OLPS Youth Commissioning
Mass was held last Sunday, 8 February
2009 at the 12:15pm Mass, celebrated by Fr.
Greg. We were decked in white, and seated in
the front pews of the church. During the commissioning
prayer we were asked to step out around the
altar in view of the whole church. This was
done as we said prayers and Fr. gave his blessings
to the whole group.
It was a meaningful event, which brought about
greater awareness in our parish that " WE
ARE HERE" not elsewhere. We
are the youths of the parish! We also acknowledged
the hard work of our current youths in ministry
for all they've been doing so far over the last
year and for this year to come, through certificates
distributed to regular youth members in our
ministries.
The event proceeded with a lovely lunch at the
canteen and an educational talk on "Youth
Ministry" by Bro. Jovita Ho. We thank God
that everything went smoothly!
Click
here to view Youth Commissioning Mass Photos
>>
And MORE Good NEws!
Bro Surain is now Father Surain! He has been
ordained on 2nd February 2009, and we wish him
all the best in his new role, to touch more
youths like us!
Click
here to view Bro. Surain's commissioning in
KL >>
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A Valentine's Day Story for
you!
Our fellow bro in Christ, Neil Dominic Htut,
shares how he entered the Youth Mentors. This
was one of the compiled testimonies for the
recent Youth Commissioning Mass on 8 Feb:
NEIL: It happened on a fated Valentine's
Day, when someone invited me to join the "bible
sharing group" called Youth Mentors.
You see I had a recent breakup with my girlfriend
of that time and thought God hadn't been very
helpful. Those of you young people who have
gone through a break up will probably relate
to me; it's heck of a pain! In short I was
wallowing in self pity. Of course all the
loving couples floating around hardly made
me feel any better so I thought "Hey
maybe I'll just crash the bible sharing group
to distract myself". Thus I braved this
mysterious gathering of strange people talking
about holy stuff on Valentines Day.
As I walked into the room, I found myself
surrounded by strangers. I was quite intimidated
but assuredly cozy that everyone shared the
same faith as Catholics. We began reading
a Gospel passage and were asked its relevance
in our lives. I didn't understand half the
reading! But somehow a line struck me along
the lines of "God's grace was sufficient".
As the sharing began, I was amazed at how
generous everyone was with each other in sharing
their sacred and personal stories. Nobody
was trying to "wear a mask", but
truthfully gave their account of ups and downs
of life, and how God is working in each of
them. This was something very new to me. I
mean it's just so hard to trust people nowadays
much less share my personal life with them.
I always had the need to be somebody strong/significant
lest I get unaccepted, yet here they were
just simply being themselves. When it came
to my turn, I decided to take the plunge and
took the courage to share my pain/trouble
of my life. Nobody judged me, nor laughed,
nor even tried to play the know-it-all but
shared their own experiences and how they
pulled through. That was what I really needed;
affirmation, understanding and acceptance
of whom I was. Just hearing their stories
gave me hope and strength; knowing indeed
that "God's grace is enough for me".
We ended with a communal prayer and when someone
prayed for me, it gave me that extra push
to face the day.
Since then I've been with Youth Mentors. Guided
by this new bunch of friends, I suddenly began
to experience God's love through them (I'm
not afraid of confessions anymore!) and learnt
to build intimate relationships beyond the
"hi, bye, let's watch a movie together"
stuff I was so used to. I know I can always
count on them and I try my best to be a good
brother too. Sometimes things do get rough.
Like any other community we have our fair
share of disagreements and even quarrels.
But I continue to hold on to this precious
family God gave me, simply because I learnt
to love here (yes love even those who irritate
me…). Christ entered my life through
this community. Deo Gratias! (Thanks be to
God!)
Testimony
by Neil Dominic Htut, Youth Mentors, OLPS
Youth
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Download our special compilation:
"How
Ministry Changed My Life"
(PDF)
INSIDE...
- Hear testimonies from:
Wyman,
Shane,
Jon Desker,
Julie
& George!
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| WHAT'S
NEW? |
| "An
Encounter with God"
Presenting our FIRST Youth Prayer Meeting
of the year!
JOIN US on...
21 FEBRUARY 2009, 7:30pm - 8:45pm
WHERE? OLPS, Level 2 classroom (St.
Peter & Paul)
Our focus for the year in our 2009 youth prayer
meets will be on "Conversion" in
the light of St. Paul's life, as this is also
the year of ST. PAUL! So for this month of
February, we begin by learning more about
St. Paul himself, and his conversion in Acts
22:6-16.
This will be our very first youth prayer meeting
this year. Led by our faithful brothers, Neil
& David, do join us for a short time of
reflection, prayer and genuine time for christian
community and spiritual growth!
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And just a final note to you all... look out
for a new OLPS Youth Logo and
T-SHIRT, coming by next month!
God Bless,
OLiveNotes
"Spiritual Growth"
editor@olpsyouth.org
www.olpsyouth.org
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| Latest
Blog Post :: |
Hope
107 FM
I just discovered this radio channel recently.
Hope 107 FM. Go listen. When it's not
in Indonesian, it is broadcasting christian
music...
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| YOUTH
CALENDAR 2009 :: |
Curious
about what other things are happening
this year? View our year plan now! We
have SOOOo many things happening this
year! So all the more, come join and help
us... we need you!!!
Download the Youth
Ministry Events Calendar!
*This will be updated regularly
if new events come about! |
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| Cool
Articles to Read:
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How to survive Desolation: Insights from St. Ignatius
http://www.ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/314_ignatius_survive_desolation.html
Things I enjoy most about being a minister
http://www.ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/113_things_i_enjoy_most_about_being_a_minister.html
The Five Commandments for Sowers
http://www.ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/237_five_commandments_for_sowers.html
The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership
http://www.ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/310_gm_seven_deadly_sins_leadership.html
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