Quick Tips!

Hi all,

Just a quick summary and some quick tips. :) Doesn't everyone just love study guides with their salient points?

1. Silence is Golden. It's always just good to wait. How long? 1, 2, 3 minutes it doesn't matter. There'll always be at least 1 brave soul in the group who will start talking. :)

2. Don't lecture and don't impose yourself too much. E.g. You must <<>> I <<>> We always <<>>

3. Facilitatees have to talk more than facilitators. :)

4. Notes on Page 22 : IMPORTANT - Please read.

5. Be flexible. Sometimes you might have to go off tangent. E.g. get them to talk/bond. There are always things worth exploring. The main objective is for them to talk and share. Refer to point 3.

**6. Show that you are interested. Eye contact, lean forwards slightly, clarify points, affirm. Not everyone finds it easy to share their thoughs and feelings. Be supportive and listen.

okie dokie! enough talking!
have a great week in school.

Facilitation

Three different groups role-played three different scenarios which are possible problems youth catechists might face. The first was about gossip, second was about parent's objection to spending too much time in church and third was about being scolded by the teacher for not being able to control the noisy group.

Everyone had lots of fun acting out the scenes as well as watching it...some of which struck a cord with most of them in one way or another. After each skit, Roy, Jac, Aunty Angela and Jean talked about how each main character in the skit had responded to whatever happened and also how to face such situations when similiar stuff are encountered.

It's very important to make sure you act professional in dealing with problems as catechists or facils will be watched by others more closely, with them expecting you to be calm and mature in handling the situations well.

Later, everyone was split into their various groups for sharing, to discuss about their views on the skits. Also each group is to come up with a name. Then each group ended closed the sessions with a closing prayer. The IHMYC facils later met up for a debrief and to discuss a few other matters.

Servant Leadership 2

The Year 1s were split into various groups, and their facils will be keeping in close contact with them as they journey towards becoming a Catechist.

The session started off with a discussion on last week's lesson and also on the pie-chart, where one divides the time taken for various activities in a day...prayer time is important so it is suggested that one takes about 5 mins here and there to pray...like on the way home while on the bus...can spend a bit of time on reflection and prayer.

Aunty Angela gave the lesson.

To summarise it all, a servant leaders has to be HOLY.

The 4 important traits are:
H - Humility
O - Obedience to our Master(Christ) and his appointed Bishops/priests
L - Loving unconditionally(that means forgiving unconditionally too - aka mercy)
Y - Yearning for Christ(means praying daily and consulting him on all your problems. He will supply the answer when we are "open" to Him)

IHMYC - In Him lies My Yearning - Christ

Everyone was given 3 scenarios for role-play...each skit is to be about 3 mins long...Groups 1 & 2 do scenario 1, 3 & 4 to do scenario 2 and 5 & 6 to do scenario 3. Skits to be performed the following week.

Jac and Roy talked about the various methods of teaching and teaching styles(lecture, discussion, group discussion). Also talked about how to get the kids attention, as well as dealing with students talking and disrupting the class.

After that, the Year 1s chose which project(sec 1 games day, sec 2 camp, lenten project or con camp) they wanted to devote their time and effort to...

The session ended off with Eugene and Clement saying the closing prayer. After which those who were going for mass went off while the others stayed behind to help move chairs in the church hall.

Professionalism and Servant Leadership

Lesson two of YC training started at 4.30pm at Prayer Hall A/B.

Gene and Roy gave a lecture on Professional Conduct.

About how to keep secrets confidential, unless people's lives are put at risk. To be good role models as the parents will look at you to see if you are fit to teach their kids or not. Also to refrain from PDA(public display of affection) when with one's girlfriend/boyfriend. People will see and point fingers at such actions, and their trust towards IHMYC will slowly be diminished.

But most importantly, we're in this together, so whatever problems you may be facing, be it with school, family or relationship problems, the exco-members are there to listen to your problems and try to help you. We may not be perfect but we're all hear to share in your problems and (hopefully) help you solve them. Just like you don't want the kids to feel troubled or facing difficulties on their own, neither do we want the Youth Catechists to be suffering whatever it is alone. So whatever it is, you can just approach one of them to talk to. ^_^

Later Roy was caught by Fr Brian('Business call eh?')...was sent back to the retreat...but the lessons continued with Aunty Angela taking over, talking about "What Servant Leadership is".

Everyone was put into 3 groups, after which they introduced themselves and say their fears. Then each group had an A4 size paper to write down what they think servant leadership is.

Aunty Angela talked more about what servant leadership is all about, and how in the church context, a good leadership must have holiness as part of the qualities a leader has.

In short, the 4 principle points of student leadership are, Humility, Unconditional Love, Obedience and Striving to be Holy.

Later Erica gave out the surveys everyone did last week. Explained how the results of the DISC test was...what were the limits and strengths, ideal environment and emotion, of high D's, I's, S's and C's. Everyone was pretty excited with how accurate some of the stuff mentioned were.

Then Aunty Angela gave everyone homework to do.


Homework:
1) Think about how do I live my life? Am I in control or Christ my Master is in control?

2) How am I juggling my different roles? (i.e. school, family, friends, cca, hobbies, prayer, youth catechist activities, etc) Do a pie chart.

3) Read on "Humility in the classroom". Page 12.

4) Prayer
=> Have I loved those you have sent into my life today unconditionally? Loving them just the way they are?
=> Where do you want me to serve you Lord?



After that, the closing prayer was said and those Year 1s interested in helping out in the sec 1 Games Day went to meet Andre.

Aunty Angela was really pleased with the enthusiasm the Year 1 s showed, despite some parts being rather dry. So give yourselves a pat on the back. *pat*

Next week is yet another fun-filled session, and we hope to see everyone present there for the Lesson 3!

Gangsta Hamsta

Roy is feeling random today, and told everyone of his vision...and in his vision, he saw a hamster...then many hamsters...these hamsters were pretty violent and deadly in packs...do watch out for them and when you do see them...you know what to do...Roy has already warned you...When you see them, just run...however, they are more prone to attack certain folks as compared to others, so beware...


And no, this is not Hamtaro, Hamtaro is peaceful and will give you hugs. This Gangsta Hamsta is dangerous and hugging it or petting it is life-threatening. So if you ever spot it, don't touch it...just run...

Image copyrighted Theo

1st Lesson of IHMYC training

Tangled Tango














Lets see... the wabbit comes out of the hole goes round the tree... arrrgghh!!














What a tangled web we weave...

The turnout for the 1st lesson was pretty good. Registration took longer than expected due to the fact that those who came were required to key in their particulars into the database and there was only one laptop available. Other than that, the rest of the session went pretty well. Good thing Andre had strings to entertain the Year 1s with.

Daniel took lots of photos of the Year 1s as they entered the room for registration, as well as other posed and candid shots. Jac also took a lot of photos with her brand new camera.

Father Brian sat through the the first part of the session. Was quite pleased to see how it has been carried out. Roy opened the session with a prayer and talked about what IHMYC is all about, stressing the importance of commiting oneself and taking it seriously. Next, the exco members went up to introduce themselves as well as explain to the Year 1s what they do.

Later, 2 identity questionnaires were given to the Year 1s to fill up, as well as the current youth catechists. When everyone had submitted in their questionnaires, there was only 10 mins left till 6pm, so Roy, Jac and Daniel shared a bit about their journey as a catechist/how they became catechists.

The session ended off with a clsoing prayer and those who were attending the 6.15pm mass went off, while a few others stayed back to feedback about the session. Then after that, some of the youth catechists went to have dinner together.

Things went pretty well today and the number of Year 1s who came was encouraging. Do hope that all of those who came would be able to commit and stay on in the IHMYC and graduate to become catechists, with sufficient knowledge and skills to teach others about Christ and be a soldier of God. So everyone, let's have fun again next week as we train to become better catechists.

A new year dawns

Well folks, a new year dawns for ee.him.eeek at Prayer Hall A/B at 4pm, Saturday, 6th Jan 2007.

Months of planning, prayer and preparation have gone into ee.him.eeek and we are really looking forward to meeting the new Year Ones! But we really need to stress that joining us is a big commitment. Big. Big like elephant big, many many big. Submarine big. Big like you wouldn't believe it! Big.

Seriously, it is a commitment so big that you'll be eating, sleeping, drinking, thinking, day-dreaming, fantasizing, working, feeling, doing, touching, smelling, tasting, talking, sweating, laughing, crying, and hearing CATECHISM and JESUS for the next 3 years and (hopefully) beyond. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, actually, it is quite cool! Look at us catechists, we're pretty normal...ahem... ok, but you get my drift... But I have to say that catechism is something that will change your life profoundly, it will challenge your physical and emotional stamina, skills, and your brain juice. Before you know it, you'll become one of us... mwahahahahah, resistance is futile!

Ahem, ok, I guess evil laughter isn't appropriate on a catholic blog. But if you think you have what it takes, come this saturday. Just remember (as I have emailed some of you) whatever choice you make, make sure you follow your heart and serve God where you think and feel you can learn how to serve or can offer a special or unique talent. If you want to explore, you are more than welcome to come and observe. BUT you might miss opportunities elsewhere. Our programme, and the programme hosted by post con will move ahead very quickly, so we need you to be firm in your decision.

All of the groups under the Youth Ministry serve God, we're all on the same team, playing for the same coach, against the same enemy, sin. PC, ZJ, RCIY and IHMYC (ee.him.eeek) are different; yet we all pull in the same direction, pray for the same things, we work and sweat together, play and laugh together. We're building the Kingdom of God and you know what? It is soo much fun! It is our sincerest hope to anchor you to the parish so that you can get the most positive experience possible; so that you can come journey with us to discover Jesus.

If you haven't signed up yet, please download the form and submit it to ihmyouthcat@gmail.com or bring a hard copy on Saturday. Oh and do let your friends who are interested know, yah? See you there!

Roy

Dee dee salutes us as we begin our journey. She loves my keyboard so much; I'm starting to get suspicious... maybe she has a cat blog... hmmm would that be "clog" then? Or a catalog? catlog? webclog?

Back to school!

Happy New Year and may 2007 be an exciting time for everyone! Lets pray for once another, that our first day back in school will be fruitful and will mark the start of a good academic year.

Anyone wants to offer Thanksgiving prayers here? Just click on the comment function below.