tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post3139367048715272055..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: When the practice of our faith begins to wane – a parent’s dilemma. Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-57522246088610647742013-01-25T21:17:40.663+08:002013-01-25T21:17:40.663+08:00Reflecting on today’s Eucharistic celebration on t...Reflecting on today’s Eucharistic celebration on the Conversion of St Paul, I was again astonished and grateful at how God’s grace can change and transform a violent persecutor of the Way into a great and ardent defender and protector of the Faith. But like you said, ............‘’ It requires each soul to............................................. become an ardent lover of God and of man. The person of Jesus Christ has to become real for each individual ...........................’’ I am sure each of us have voiced St Paul’s question, “ Who are you, Lord?’’ - and though we may not have had as dramatic a conversion experience as St Paul, each of us would have been touched by God or been ‘’comforted and consoled’’ by God somewhere along Life’s journey. It is thus important and very necessary that our young be given the opportunity to have this encounter with the Lord. At the Youth/Confirmation camps in our Parish, I have been encouraged and delighted to see that much care and effort have been given to try and provide this in a Retreat setting. <br /><br />Such encounters leave lasting imprints and though time may tarnish the memory, these experiences which are uniquely special to each individual will not be forgotten – but will bear re-visiting time and again, not only in times of need and distress but also in our quietude, to give us the necessary ‘faith’ boost. As in the words of W. Wordsworth –<br />‘’And oft when on my couch I lie,<br />in vacant or in pensive mood, <br />they flash upon the inward eye , <br />which is the bliss of solitude, <br />then my heart with pleasure fills’’...........for I know that Jesus lives !<br /><br />God bless you, Fr<br />tessa<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-49023381436831399972013-01-25T03:52:31.556+08:002013-01-25T03:52:31.556+08:00Dear St Michael's Parishioner
Indeed, when I ...Dear St Michael's Parishioner<br /><br />Indeed, when I wrote the post this week, it was you and your situation that I had in mind. As you well know, it is not an uncommon experience, painful as it is. We would like everything in our lives to 'work out' in the best way possible, and this we hope includes everything that our spiritual lives encompasses. Oftentimes, this isn't the case, and our best intentions can turn out to be rather painful. You have provided part of the answer to your dilemma when you said "what my wife and I can do is pray". Prayer is not a last resort. Prayer is our strong belief that what is before our physical eyes is often not what we see, and that God has not let go of you or your son. I am placing you and your son at Our Lady's mantle. God bless you.<br /><br />Fr LukeFr Luke Fonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-53044536234249503022013-01-24T10:12:57.538+08:002013-01-24T10:12:57.538+08:00Dear Fr Luke,
Tks for the reflections and sharing ...Dear Fr Luke,<br />Tks for the reflections and sharing such real concerns. As a Catholic father, I try to on my part share my faith and experiences with my son especially after attending a conversion experience (CER) in CSC, Singapore. As I come to realise that I had not been a good father in the past and that my past way of bringing him up had hurt him, I try to be more comforting in my current approach. Things have in fact become even more problematic... and somehow like you mentioned in your reflection... "after Confirmation"...it has become even tougher. <br />In my case, he continues to attend Mass and all but has been cutting classes in school and coming up with all sorts of lies to cover himself and also acting so strangely and rude... as though he had become a different person altogether.<br />What my wife and I can do is pray but it does not seemd to be getting any better.... Tho' I know it is NOT the case, but it sure seems that Confirmation has indeed changed him, .. into a monster....(Incidentally, my son's name is also Luke, pse pray for him to see the light)<br /><br />GOD BLESS & may the LORD bless you and keep you always!!<br /><br />St Michael's Parishioner (Singapore)<br /> Saddened Fathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-76238621943900203912013-01-23T13:53:21.551+08:002013-01-23T13:53:21.551+08:00Yes, Fr. Luke; by far this is my greatest concern....Yes, Fr. Luke; by far this is my greatest concern. As a Catholic parent, no matter how much we endeavour to faithfully bring our children up in the faith, we have no guarantee on how things will turn out. The unbelieving world out there is rife with all sorts of ideologies/false beliefs which can seem so much more attractive than what our faith teaches. And it's all too easy to fall into the trap of “being all I can be” or “following my heart” as espoused by an Oprah-fied culture. All we can do, really, is to practise what we preach, and pray constantly for our children; that they might hold fast to the faith transmitted to them. <br />God bless.Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.com