Cherish those moments

I was baptised at the Church of St Bernadette some 10 years ago. A decade on and having spent the last four years in the church community of Holy Spirit parish, I am beginning to view the ministries that I have joined and the people involved as gifts from God.

At work, my ministry is to serve the needy patients and the people who work with me daily. When challenged with a difficult situation, I often ask myself, “What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?”. I think the Sunday homilies influence me greatly in this area as not all the team members at my workplace are Catholic. As such, I cherish every moment as an opportunity to live my faith and bring joy to the people in the face of challenges.

In church, I belong to the Ministry of Lectors and St David’s Choir. Members of these groups have touched me in many ways. They are exemplary of a loving community. Recently, my son had dengue fever. There were many concerned “Holy Spiritites” who comforted my family and me through their smses, phone calls and visits. Some may consider these as little acts but it is usually the little things that speak volumes. I am also inspired by the commitment of the leaders of these Ministries. Giving my best at each reading and song at Mass; taking each song, each breath, as instruments to serve the Lord, are to me, precious moments to cherish.

In the extended church family, I serve as a member of the Scheut Missions Friends’ Committee (SMFC). There are seven members from different parishes, each with different talents. One is excited by selling; others excel in publicity, in arranging for food, in proof-reading and so on. We are blessed to have two committed priests to guide us with their spirituality and examples of love. Through them I have learnt that we do not have to wait to experience heaven in death as it can be realised on earth so long as each of us learns to bring joy to one another.

Life after baptism has truly been a blessing for me. On reflection, my spiritual life has gone through phases of learning, giving and loving. As a young baptised Catholic, I learn from role models and in this process I discover the joy of giving and receiving. Through learning and giving, I begin to uncover the truth about unconditional love. However, I know that the journey does not stop here. No one can claim that one has arrived. Selflessness is in itself elusive. The moment we think we have it, we lose it!

Isabel Yong