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ViDa July 2012

Verbum Dei

Missionaries

Singapore

73 Taman Mas Merah

Singapore 128195

Tel: 62740251

Email:

verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg

Website:

www.verbumdeisingapore.org/

Editor Says

The Olympics- the event where many

around the world have been eagerly

waiting for! In every Olympics, there

is one dream that unites all athletes,

i.e. the hope to savour the sweet-

smell of victory, nothing more, nothing

less.

This year, London is the proud host of

this anticipated event. Many around

the world watched the opening

ceremony. Indeed, London captivated

and dazzled the world with its

theatrical performances. Yet, the

greatest pride of the English is not a

perfectly choreographed opening

ceremony or an event without any hip-

cups, but a man by the name of Eric

Liddell.

For those of you who have watched

the legendary movie, Chariots of Fire,

would remember the story of Eric

Liddell.

Liddell hailed from Scotland, Britain

and won the gold medal for 400 m

race in the 1924 Olympics held in

Paris. Interestingly, this event was not

his pet race. It was actually the 100m

race, but he withdrew from it when he

found out that the race would be held

on a Sunday.

You see, Liddell was a very devoted

Christian who attributed his running as

a gift from God. Thus, he willingly

sacrifice his pet race in order to keep

the Day of the Lord sacred. In the

movie, he once said, 'I believe God

made me for a purpose, but he also

made me fast! And when I run I feel his

pleasure.' Liddell ran for God, not for

gold medals or personal glory. In fact,

he lived his whole life for God.

This admirable athlete left for China as

a missionary. He was in fact born in

China as his parents were missionaries

there. Liddell spent his life spreading

the Good News to the Chinese people.

During World War II, when Japanese

invaded and captured China, Liddell

was arrested and placed in Weihsien

Internment Camp where he eventually

died on 21st February 1945, just days

before the end of the War. One

amazing information revealed by the

Chinese authorities in 2008 was that

Liddell refused an opportunity to leave

the camp because he gave up his place

to a pregnant woman instead.

As this Olympics goes on, let us

remember this athlete of deep faith.

For Liddell, there was something

greater than gold.

What about us? Do we strive for

victory, glory, success? Or is there

something greater than gold?

"The secret of my success

over the 400m is that I run

the first 200m as fast as I

can. Then, for the second

200m, with God's help I run

faster." ~Eric Liddell

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National University

of Singapore

Science and

Engineering Faculties

Retreat 2012

4th to 6th July

2012

I . M.

______

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SeSsion 1:

i bElonG 2 God

Using plasticine to

mould what it

means to belong to

God

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SeSSion 2:

i BEloNg 2 ThE ChURch

After an input, groups gathered to discuss

various personages who made a

difference to the Body of Christ.

SESSIon 3:

i BeLong 2

coMMuniTy

Words of advice to the new

Year 1 students present

Words of gratitude

to the seniors of

Science and

Engineering

Faculties

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Mothers' Retreat @ St Ignatius

Church

4th and 11th July 2012

A group of mothers from the parish of St Ignatius invited Maria Jose and

Sandra to give them a retreat over two Wednesday mornings.

The themes for the two Wednesday retreats were:

'The Power of the Word'

'Love is my vocation'

How do you spell Love to a child? T I M E

Don’t I know this? Yet, I’m sad to say that

my memory needs to be jogged time & time

again. Sr. MJ & Sr. Sandra, at a recent

retreat, also reminded me that Love is My

Vocation. With my words and actions, I

have the power to build a loving

kingdom where each member of my family

feels worthy, cherished and secure. Or do I

use phrases that belittle & choke & hurt?

Thank God all is not doom & gloom! God’s

Word always offers light & life, if I but

listen, ponder and act with an obedient

heart. If I remain in Him, then God’s plan

can come to fruition in me, for others. This

is my prayer.

A sharing by

Bernie Murugasu-Oei

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Food and Faith

'Is there more to life?'

29th July 2012 'Food and Faith' is a programme to create an opportunity for Catholics to actively go and invite their non-Catholics friends to explore about life and

the Catholic faith in the context of a meal.

26 young adults, made up of Catholics and non-Catholics, gathered for this first series of Food and Faith.

Registering the participants

Diana, Regina and Henry: Our chefs for the day

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Tea Part 1: Sweet treats

Gary welcoming and introducing the

documentary, 'The Human Experience''

Starting the afternoon

with a game by Jackie

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Adeline preaching on 'Is there more to life?',

and sharing her personal faith journey

Group sharing over tea

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Serene

Jackie

ReginA DiAna

GarY

AdelinE

MaRk

andreW Maria JoSe

SaNDra

Henry GrAce

Team for Food and Faith 1

"Is there more to life?"

Comments from some participants:

It was a non-forceful session. The topic

was very relevant for me. It was a very

good comfortable setting.

Audrey Liu, 20 years old, Catholic who brought her non-Catholic friend

The video was very thought- provoking.

It reminded me of the many things that

I took for granted. Adeline's sharing

touched me too. A relaxing atmosphere!

Clarabelle Lin, 26 years old, Catholic who accompanied a non-Catholic friend

It was not a stressful environment. I felt

like I was in a gathering with friends. I

could express my own views. The topic

was relevant for me. I am happy.

Emily Ng, 26 years old, non-Catholic

I came today to learn more about the Catholic

faith. I enjoyed listening to all the sharing and I

want to reflect further on what I heard. I guess

that this is the start of the journey for me.

Kelvin Chia, 28 years old, non-Catholic

After today's session, I want to

cherish life everyday and to tell

my family and friends that I love

them. Susy Tjiawi, 31 years old, non-Catholic