Dovetale Online Articles

There was a woman who routinely cut the ends of each turkey before placing it i n an oven. One day, her daughter asked her why she always did that and she responded that s h e d i d n ’ t r e a l l y know. Apparently it was something her mother had always done. Her daughter then asked her grandma why she always cut the ends off a turkey before placing it in the oven and her grandma answered that it was something she had always watched her own mother do.

Advent is traditionally a time of ‘waiting’ – waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ. The many symbols associated with Advent and Christmas are rich in meaning.

What started out as a meeting among some catechists to put together some information for parents, snowballed into a full-pledged project - complete with information booths, exhibition boards, slide shows, sale of brownies, and a spontaneous 10-member youth choir.

The Catechetical Fair, from 10 to 11 November 2007, took a detour from its original intention to provide information to parents. In the end, it achieved a lot more.

“Who do you say I am?”(Matt 16:15) was the theme of this youth conference. These words that Jesus posed to his disciples 2000 years ago now challenged me and each one of us. The two days gave me time to ponder the fruits of the conference. I realised that Jesus is and has been my hiding place, my comforter, my friend and my advisor for the past twenty years of my life.

Some time back in 2006, news went around that the Archbishop had decided to allow parishes to commission women as Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.

My brother was born on 6 November 1956 to our parents, Lewis and Rita Thexeira. My other brother, Michael and I followed, then came Robert, 16 years after David. Growing up in Jalan Kesoma was the best years for us.

David, our big brother was quite a prankster but he was always there for all of us - when we fell from the bike or when neighbours tried to pick a fight. His alma mater was St Gabriel’s School.

My first attempt at being ecumenical was disastrous. I was trying to impress a rabbi – the first ever I met. I told him how much I enjoyed the Seder meal and his response gave me the impression that I had no business celebrating a Jewish custom.

It has been three months since I arrived at the Church of the Holy Spirit. How time flies! It is easy to get to know the parishioners who are all so friendly and welcoming. Your “pillarless” church enables me to have a good view of the congregation during Mass although those on the upper level are a little far off.

When attending Mass or any liturgical celebration, it’s always good to get to know the members of our Catholic family who worship with us. There’s a sense of belonging in “putting a name to a face” and in sharing a bit of ourselves with one another. From time to time, the Editorial Team will give you an insight of one of our fellow parishioners.

The sun’s morning rays creeped over the arc of the foyer, where some participants gathered, engaged in light banter while helping themselves to the simple breakfast. Others chose instead to spend some quiet moments in church.

This was 26 January when more than 250 parishioners from about 30 parish ministries came together for a day of rejuvenation and prayer.