Parish Ministry Day of Recollection

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.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jeremiah 1:5). Fr Andrew made reference to the theme of the Recollection Day as he led in the opening meditation. He then expounded on three words: Knew means relationship, Consecrate - to set apart for divine service, and Appointed - to be chosen. As ministry members, we were reminded that our call to service is special and we all play a part in building God’s Kingdom and in spreading His Word.

The day’s programme began with an opening awareness session. Each participant was given a jigsaw of “Footprints in the Sand”. The letter ‘I’ was missing from the word “Footprints”, to symbolise that as insignificant as it may seem, the puzzle is incomplete without each one of us - the “I”. We were then invited to move to one of five prayer stations, representing five common spiritualities: Divine Mercy, Eucharistic, Marian, Charismatic and, Spirituality of the Word (Bible). Each station provided the atmosphere to help us reflect on our call and journey in ministry work.

The second session focused on where we are now in our walk with God. It helped us recognise our own image of God and examine how we reflect this in our lives. It was a time of grace and self-examination to allow God’s Spirit to show us the areas in our lives that need healing and spiritual growth. Fr Andrew led in a prayer of integration and healing.

After lunch, Arthur Goh and Daphne Leong from the Singapore Pastoral Institute (SPI) led us in the use of the Lenten Reflection booklet. They suggested that we continue our faith journey during Lent by encouraging our respective ministries and rosary groups to meet weekly and use the booklet.

After some updates on upcoming programmes by the priests of our parish, Fr Andrew thanked everyone, especially the Lectors Ministry that assisted in the development and execution of the Recollection Day, and the newly formed youth discipleship community “Koinonia”.

The closing hymn, “The Summons”, was an appropriate anthem to go forth to continue serving the Lord. Come Holy Spirit!

Jarvis Tan

Parish Pastoral Executive