The Ultimate Spiritual Resource

We all want to avoid suffering but we know that suffering is inevitable, for both believers and non-believers. The ageless question of "Why does a good God allow suffering?" has baffled many over the centuries but actually, the answer became crystal clear ever since the coming of Christ...

As a Leukemia survivor, Fr Luke Fong is no stranger to suffering and shares with us his personal experience as well as what the Church has taught us since the dawn of Christianity on how to "offer up" our suffering for the reparation of sins and conversion of souls - in fact, suffering is a spiritual resource that is greatly under-tapped by Christians:

"He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." Romans 5:3-4

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Diary of a little echo

Preparation for catechism session via Zoom This year, I completed my 8-year journey as a catechist and I must say it has been a most fulfilling adventure where I - learnt much about my beautiful Catholic faith from other catechists and through preparations of sessions; - enjoyed sharing my favourite faith stories to inspire our youths; Primary 6 Session on "History of the Jewish People" - worked hard with my team to plan interesting camps that not only bring our youths closer to Jesus but also strengthen their bonds with one another; Playing Jesus in a skit at a Confirmation Camp - felt encouraged when our youths managed to complete their journey and even returned to serve; - forged lifelong friendships with fellow catechists, coordinators and admin team through struggles with life's challenges while pressing on with our vocation; and - deepened my relationship with Jesus! If you're considering this special ministry and wondering if you have suf...

Designed for Love

An old friend once asked me a simple yet intriguing question, "Is being unhappy considered discontentment or a lack of gratitude?" The question seemed a bit awkward at first glance but in retrospect, I realised that the awkwardness matched the subject at hand perfectly: the uncanny elusiveness of human happiness . In an instant, I texted her this answer with incredibly little thought: "A pen is happy only when used as a pen to write. An eagle is happy only when soaring high. There's your answer." I guess the Holy Spirit must be guiding me... "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." ( John 15:12 ) "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." ( 1 Corinthians 13:2 ) "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." ( 1 John 4:12 ) "And ...

Stories on the Power of the Rosary

We all love a good story especially one with heroes fighting villains against impossible odds and then finally triumphing against them! And so, heeding the call of Fr Terence Kesavan to share stories of faith in accordance with the Storytelling theme of this year's World Communications Day ( #WCDweavingstories ) on 24 May 2020, I would like to share personal stories as well as my favourite stories on the power of the Rosary here. I first witnessed the power of the Rosary during my university days. There was once I was totally unprepared for an exam and tried desperately to find help the night before the exam. I was really very stressed because if I fail even one exam, I might lose my scholarship and even have to pay back a huge sum of money! My mom noticed my anxiety and did what she normally do when in trouble: she took out her Rosary and prayed throughout the night for me. Somehow, miraculously, help came to me that very night and I not only passed the exam, I sc...

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