YM Holy Hour

HELLO EE-HIM-EEK-ERS! =D

Please be reminded that there will be YM Holy Hour this Thursday,8pm-9pm at the Chapel!
Some of us will be meeting for 6.15pm mass first so feel free to come down earlier!

We strongly encourage you to come and spend an hour with the Lord.

See you there!(:


PS. Sessions restart this Saturday! Please remember to come on down! :D

Newsflash!

1) Lenten Pilgrimage with YM
14 of us will be attending this event on Thursday. (Sorry to those who wanted to join us but couldn't!) Please take a look at the reflection prior to the pilgrimage so that the significance of the journey will not be lost! An email with the details will be sent out.

Schedule
6.15pm - 7.15pm Mass
7.15pm - 8.15pm Adoration
8.15pm - 9pm Briefing for the walk
9pm Walk commences

Meet in the canteen at 6pm on Thursday, 20 March, if you're attending Maundy Thursday mass with YC. (Those of us walking the pilgrimage are to attend mass.) Everyone's welcome for the mass and adoration!


2) Rescheduling of Church History Sessions
Dates have been shifted to July/Aug due to a rearrangement of the Sec 3 catechism schedule. The sessions will be on the 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th of July, as well as the 2nd of August.

3) Sec 2 Camp Facilitators
Sec 2 Camp will be on the 6th to 8th of June. Year1s, this is your chance to facilitate! If you are unable to attend the camp, please inform Carolyn by Friday, 21 March, to take you off the list of facilitators. Year2s, you're welcome to help out in this as well. Likewise, you may contact Carolyn by Friday, 21 March, if you are keen to facilitate or do logistics.

NOTE NOTE NOTE! There's been a change!
The camp has been pushed back to 7 to 9 June instead of 6 to 8 June! Please reconfirm with Carolyn if you're still able to make it!

4) Seniors' Retreat
The Seniors' Retreat will be held from 18th to 20th April. Seniors, please confirm your attendance for this retreat by responding to the YC email.

5) No YC Session
There will be no YC session this coming Saturday in view of all the activities for Holy Week. But we can still attend Easter Vigil Mass together if you want! Meet in the canteen at 7.30pm on Saturday, 22 March. Our next YC session will be on 29 March.

See you and have a blessed week ahead, everyone! <3

Fr Luke's talk during the camp

( click here to read more )

Thank you for a wonderful weekend!

Thanks everybody for making it for the camp, especially the Y1s. It was great getting to know you all better and we hope you enjoyed camp!

Penitential service in IHM is on 12 Mar, Wednesday. Who is interested in going as a group, please take note that that we're meeting at the statue of Jesus before mass. :)

Also, upcoming events are A Walk with Jesus and the YM Canteen.
A Walk with Jesus is on Holy Thursday night and it will be an overnight semi-silent walk to the parishes in the Serangoon District. Consent forms will be issued for this, so if you wish to go please inform Carol.
YM Canteen is on 13 April, whoever wants to help out please also contact Carol. If you don't have her contact details, just email to our IHMYC email. *points to the right*

YC camp kit lists

Y1s
-bible
-writing materials
-white t-shirts and black shorts for wear (and only white)
-plate, mug, fork, spoon
-toiletries
-consent form (if you haven't returned it yet)
-camp fees of $30

Y2s
-bible
-writing materials
-black t-shirts (for wear on fri to saturday night), other t-shirts and shorts for wear (can have pattern on black)
-toiletries
-plate, mug, fork, spoon
-consent form (if you haven't returned it yet)
-camp fees of $30, or $4 per meal if you're not staying the whole way

Y2s, please be in the retreat house at 7.45pm on saturday for Father Luke's talk at 8-9pm

God bless and see you there! (:

Important Announcements!!

1. YM Monthly Youth Adoration


There will be Holy Hour this Thursday @8pm in the Adoration Room. All YCs please try to make it. Some of us will be going for 6.15pm Mass first followed by dinner.


2. Shine Jesus Shine Youth Rally


There will be a rally to encourage youth to foster greater cooperation between the youth groups of the various churches in Serangoon.
Date: 1st March 2008
Time: 7.30pm to 11pm
Venue: St Vincent De Paul Church
Transportation will be provided.


All those interested,please inform Cassie latest by Thursday. Also, call 9691 5722 to let Bernard know you are going.


3. Fr Gino's Meeting with IHMYC EXCO


This is COMPULSORY for all YC EXCO unless there is a valid reason.
Date: Tuesday, 26th Feb
Venue: Church Hall
Time: 8 to 10pm

Fr Luke's talk on Lent

Summary of Father's talk:
1st part: 4 major aspects of scripture linked to the Eucharist.

Vatican II - All grace and spiritual power flows from the Mass
Eucharist is the apex (everything else comes from it)
Don't ask Priest for blessing after the Mass as you already get it from the Mass
System at Eucharist - everything is nice and neat BUT it had a very messy past

4 major aspects of scripture:
1. Genesis 15:1-18 (Yahweh's Covenant)
Take aways:
- Evidence of spilt life and spilt blood
Life is about death
Something must die so that something beautiful can happen
- God walked through split animals for us
Even if we walk away from our covenant with God, God will not
- Don't be unevenly yolked
With reference to marriage (2 Corinthians 6:14)

2. Genesis 22 (Sacrificing Isaac)
Take aways:
- Genesis 22:8 - God will provide
- Genesis 22:13 - God provided the lamb
- Genesis 22:14 - Mountain was named "The Lord Provides"

3. Exodus 7 (Plagues God sent in Egypt)
Take away:
- Yahweh is stronger than any other God!
The different plagues represented other Gods and Pharaoh. By sending the plagues in Egypt, God showed that he was stronger than all the other Gods.

4. Exodus 12:1-14 (Slaughtering of an unblemished lamb)
Take aways:
- Share the lamb (community!)
- Sacrifice must be unblemished (or clean)

2nd part: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday

Jeremiah 31:31 - God will make a new covenant
Last supper - Jesus = new and everlasting covenant

Holy Thursday
Take aways:
- We should remain solemn till Holy Thursday
- We should be with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by spending 1 hour with Jesus in front of the Altar of repose
- Crucifixes and statues are covered
- No Tabernacle light

Good Friday
Take aways:
- Service not Mass
- Mass of Jesus the High Priest so Priests wear red
- Veneration of the wood
- Kiss the CROSS not Jesus' feet

Fast from Good Friday to Holy Saturday to make it more meaningful.

Holy Saturday
Take aways:
- Office readings on Holy Saturday morning (after which, Father said we should all help to clean up the Church!)
- Altar is bare
- Still no Tabernacle light
- 8pm - Easter Vigil Mass- Gloria (lights go on, bells will ring, flowers come back, statues and crucifix will be uncovered)
- Alleluia (not allowed to say this throughout lent)
- Elects and Godparents pass through pews led by Jesus to the waters of Baptism
- Consecration of new bread

Celebration of Mass in 3 days.

Lamb of God - Abraham's covenant
Isaac to be sacrificed - God provided the ram that became the lamb
"Through Him, with Him, in Him" - Highest point. Jesus on Calvary. (Jesus is not THE sacrifice; we must respond to God's love)

Luke 7:36 (The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair)
- She spared nothing to wash His feet, anointed Him before His death on Calvary.
Jesus spared nothing to show God's love for us on Calvary!

This talk on Lent has certainly helped us to deepen our knowledge of the Triduum and Lent. :) Hope these points help you to understand more too!

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Some events that are coming up:

- 28th Feb Holy Hour 8 - 9pm
- 2nd Mar Sec 1 Games Day
- 7 - 10 Mar YC Camp
- 13 Apr WYD Canteen
- 19 May WYD Piazza washing

Talk on Lent by Fr Luke

All YCs to take note:

There will be a meeting tomorrow in church.
Fr Luke will be giving a session on Lent.
All YCs are highly encouraged to come.

Details:
Venue- Main Church
Time- 8pm (it should not last beyond 2 hours)

If you are unable to make it please let either Roy, Jac, Rebecca, Carol or Cassie know asap.
Thanks!

Monthly Youth Ministry Adoration

Hi all YCs

Please take note of the following:

YM Adoration. Spend an hour with Jesus in the adoration room.

Attendance is highly, strongly and firmly encouraged.

Please come pray together as a ministry.

8pm to 9pm, Thursday, 31st Jan 2008, IHM Adoration Room.

The Youth Cats will be meeting up for evening mass at 6.15pm first, before going to dinner together and then back to church.

Thanks.

Note:
For YC session this Saturday, please remember to finish reading Book 1 of Autobiograpy of a Saint. If you have not started it would be best to start now.

Congratulations Bunnies!

For all the Bunnie who have received their O level results today: Congratulations!

Don't worry if you didn't do too well, just keep at it!

Please pray hard so that you'll make the right choice for your further studies. :)

We'll be praying for you.

Again, congrats!!

A big big welcome to all Y1s!

Games Day started at about 2pm and everyone present had a lot of fun! Many kudos to the organisers! Volleyball and captain's ball is fun :)

Everyone gathered in Prayer Hall A/B at 430 and mingled. Some arrived late as they were caught in the pouring rain. After a short game of Indian, Pirate, Ninja and Ah Beng, we all settled down for an introduction to YC for the new Y1s.

Roy talked for a bit, introducing the Y1s and Y2s to the topics that were to be covered through the course of the year. This included topics like Professionalism and Servant Leadership, Spirituality, PnW Workshop and Scripture Study. He also raised up several important events that YC will be taking part in for the first half of the year - Blood Drive Registration on 20th and 27th Jan, and A Cross with Jesus Pilgrimage for Holy Week 2008. All who wish to help out in the Blood Drive Registration please email the YC email by Tuesday.

After the admin matters were settled, we had a mini session led by Roy, on Embracing the Lord's call. The scripture reading from John 15: 14 - 16 was followed by several questions which required us to reflect on during the quiet time allocated. Quiet time was followed by a group discussion on the reading, and how God is our friend. Many people tossed out opinions and views and it was a fruitful discussion which ended at 6pm.

All Y1s, thank you for attending our first session! Sessions will start proper on 19th Jan, please bring along your Bible and stationery for next week. For all Y2s, please bring your Bible, stationery and prayer journal! Thank you and continue checking back here!

Hello, this is random and a little late, but I thought I'd just put it up! (:

IHMYC GAMES DAY!

Hey all!

The Youth Catechists will be having a Games Day this Saturday, 12th January from 1.30 to 4pm, right before our session at 4.30pm, to end by 6pm.
It will be held in the church hall, followed by Prayer Hall A/B.
There will be a break in between the games and our informative session to give you guys a break.

All newly confirmed or those who are interested, please come dressed in shorts and t-shirt(or in anything that's comfortable to wear while running around =D).

Please bring along a waterbottle and an extra set of clothes to change into!

P.S. YCs who are free, please try to come at 1pm to help with the prep.Thanks.

YM Leader's Retreat

To start off the YM retreat, we had a BBQ which began after evening mass, on the 28th Dec. People were eating and chatting away. It was a good opportunity to mingle with the other youth groups in church. Each group presented a short slide-show and after which, Clement lead us in an ending prayer.

We started clearing the place up and for those who were not staying on for the retreat, left for home. The rest of us headed down to the retreat house where we started cleaning up the place, and after a quick shower, we were briefed on the rules of the camp.

We were up by 8am the next morning and went down to the meals room to have our breakfast. By 9am, our retreat facilitators, Edwina, Petrine and Claire had arrived. We went in, in twos and started the walk of the Canticle of Creation in the conference room. There, we witnessed the the beginning of creation to life in the present- all written down in words, with soft music playing in the background. In pairs, we then reflected for a short while about our thoughts and feelings while walking through the Cosmic Path. Following which, one person from the pair will share what was discussed with the rest.

For the next activity, each of us were given a string, with both ends of the string coloured. The objective of the activity was to find the person who has the other same-coloured end of the string and connect it. We ended up in a circle and tasked to share something about ourselves to the people sitting directly beside us. I guess it goes to show that each of us are vital to the YM and that things would not come full circle if there was just one missing. After the short exchange, we were asked by Edwina to share about how we experienced the person whom we had a short exchange with. There were many positive replies about the different people.

After lunch, we each decorated a piece of paper of different sizes, and pieced all of them together. It was somewhat like a jigsaw and we later stood on the part of the paper which we had decorated our names, and each of us affirmed each other by saying thanks. Dinner came, and after which, we washed each other's feet as an act of reconciliation or as a re-affirmation of friendship.

At 8.30am on 30th Dec, we had morning prayer in the form of yoga. After the morning prayer then came our breakfast. For our morning session, we reflected on our feelings from the past, the older members reflected on the problems faced in starting a new youth group, to the newer members reflecting on their feelings when they joined YC. Then we thought about what the youth group would be like in 5 years time. Some of us wanted the future YC to go into teaching the primary level, others wanted more intake of YC members to lessen the workload, some wanted YC to be more technology-advanced and Roy and Jac wanted to start a franchise of 'bunny, rugrats, etc' goods. All of us had a goal to aim for and achieve.

At 2pm, Fr Luke came over to the conference room to give us a private mass. He reminded us to be more Christ-centered (and disclosed that he was not soccer-savvy). And of course, we had the clearing up to do. The clearing up was done rather quickly and after taking a few last minute photos, we broke camp at around 5pm.

All these activities goes to show the importance of each individual's importance to the YM and that all of us matter as we make up a segment that is eventually a part of another bigger segment, and we thank the Lord for this beautiful lesson.

Boofday! roster and level meetings

Hey, ycs please check your emails for the latest Boofday! roster as there have been some changes because of the level meetings. If you have any problems with the timings please call/sms (not email) Rebecca by friday (4th Jan).

If you haven't gotten any email from Rebecca on the Boofday!, please also contact her asap to check which slot you're in. She is sleepy, may have missed out some people XD


Last Minute Instructions:

1) Don't forget to wear your YC T Shirt
2) Please bring scissors :)

Hey guys! (: Here’s the schedule for the upcoming weekend..

On Saturday, we have the YC Tea Party and Boofday! All YCs are to be in church at 1pm, to prepare for the party. Please remember to wear the YC shirt! Tea Party will end at 6. Some YCs will then stay to man the Boof. More information on the shifts will be provided later on.

On Sunday, we have Catechists’ Commissioning! All YCs are to be seated in the front few pews in church for the 8.30am mass. The rows are probably going to be reserved. We'll meet at 8am at the bell tower (if it's raining, meet outside the church office) so we can enter the church together.

While people stay at the Boof (Boofday!) in shifts, there will be breakfast and fellowship in the Upper Room, kindly provided for by Aunty Angela. Level meetings in the level 2 classrooms will start at 10.30am, and end by 12pm. At 12 pm, there’s a session by Fr Luke on “Centering your life on Christ” in the Upper Room. Please try to attend.

Cheers to a fantastic year together. It's 2008! :D

YM Leaders' Retreat Info

For the camp please bring the usual clothes and toiletries essentials, bible, prayer journal, stationery and $20

See you there! (:

YM BBQ

Date: Friday, 28th December 2007 (Tomorrow!)
Venue: Outside Church Hall
Time: After Evening Mass
Bring: Yourselves and $6 (:

All youths are invited to attend.

Projects for 2008

Some projects you can look forward to helping out with in 2008:

- Sec 1 Games Day (March)
- YC Camp (March)
- Sec 2 Camp (March)
- Church History (April)
- Seniors’ Retreat (April)
- ConCamp
- Xmas 08
- Discipleship Programme (July to Confirmation)
- Rosary Project (13 October)
- Day of Recollection (November)
- Confirmation Mass (November)
- Sec 1 Orientation Camp (Nov/Dec)
- YC Planning Camp (December)
- YM Leaders’ Camp

Boofday! Boothday! and tea party

Our Parish's Youth Catechists will be hosting a tea party and information session on Saturday, 5th January 2008 from 4.30pm to 6pm at Prayer Hall A/B, Catechism Block. All newly confirmed Secondary 3 students are invited to join us in the fun and to find out more about our ministry.

IHMYC Boofday! Boothday! will be held on 5th and 6th January 2008. All interested to find out more about the Youth Catechists are welcome to visit our booth after Mass outside the church. Members will be available to answer your questions at the following Masses: Saturday, 615pm, Sunday, 830am, 11am and 615pm.

Our first session will be held on Saturday, 12th January 2008, from 4.30pm to 6pm, Prayer Hall A/B, Catechism Block. All youth aged between 15 to 35 interested to join us are strongly encouraged to come.

*The completely intentional spelling error in Boofday! has been officially corrected to Boothday! in support of the Speak Good English Movement.