Like A Rose
Dan Lai
26
may_fifteen@mailcity.com
Engaged to the sweetest angel in the world
Loves to sing, watch movies and DVDs, swim, play balls, read self-improvement books and travel with my dear
The Sacrament of Matrimony
It's been a few months since I last attended RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). It is a 1 year journey for those who are called by God to go into baptism to be a Roman Catholic. I went through it last year and was baptised during Easter (April 2007). This year, I wanted to continue learning about the Catholic faith and at the same time, accompany the new batch in their jouney. However, I couldn't find the time till this evening.
During this session, we were discussing the Sacrament of Matrimony. In the Catholic doctrine, there are 7 sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Confirmation, Eucharist (most important), Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders. Basically, in the eyes of the church, divorce is not mentioned and recognised - Genesis: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one" - Hence, what God unites, cannot be separated. We view marriage as holy and when a couple divorce in legal sense, they are not considered as divorcees in the eyes of the church. However, their marriage then becomes invalid and is thus not sacramental (absence of the holiness of God).
3 criteria to be fulfilled to have a valid marriage:
1) Full consent and not compulsive. Marriage out of free will.
2) Couples must understand the properties of marriage - unity and indissolvibility.
3) Couples must be open to procreation.
Therefore, when you are divorced, your marriage though still exists becomes invalid. Yet, you can still celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion. The problem comes when you are remarrying. Since you are still considered married in the Catholic doctrine though divorced legally, remarrying constitutes to committing adultery - Mark 10:11-12. Moreover, a Catholic cannot have a church wedding with a divorcee even if the latter is a non-Catholic. However, a widower/widow can get married again (till death do us part). Yet, if with valid reasons for divorce of previous marriage, the couple can appeal to the Catholic Tribunal Council. Then, the council will examine case by case and also seeks approval from Rome. In many cases, the Vatican did approve remarrying.
About homosexuals, the Catholic Church's stand is very simple. We must not despise or discriminate them. Instead, we must continue our friendship and help them to understand that they are not unworthy of God's love. However, gay marriages are not allowed still since they already oppose the validity of marriage in terms of procreation.
Novena Church
It's been quite some time since I attended the last Novena session. Novena Church is quite a special church. It does not cater for Mass but only Novena sessions. From what I know, it used to be just like any other churches. However, whenever people sent in their petitions to our Mother Mary, many of them got answered in miraculous ways. Then, the priests started to convert the church and eventually only cater for Novena sessions.
A Novena session lasts about 30 minutes and it is dedicated to Mother Mary. The Catholics believe in God, the almighty, Jesus, the saviour and The Holy Spirit, the gift from God. We also pray to Mother Mary because with her intecession, our prayers will be answered. We also pray to all the saints who will help us to pray to God.
I always feel touched during every Novena session because of the presence of our Virgin Mary, the immaculate conception. The atmosphere of the session is filled with everyone's petitions, thanksgiving and prayers. That is the true power of faith.
World Mission Day
Today, we celebrate World Mission Day. The priest told us about the matyrhood of Saint Issac Jones this morning. He is the true missionary, the kind of person that the world now lacks. For his faith and his mission, he sacrificed his life but he converted many. I admit that I have not had that kind of evangelistic and missionary zeal yet. I tried in my daily life to introduce my faith to my friends, family members and colleagues. I know I can do more.
I think to be a better person, they are 3 very important qualities which are not hard to develop:
1) Self-awareness = The ability to know that something that needs to be done or something is wrong with my own character.
2) Self-reflection = The ability to understand my own mistakes and think of ways to improve myself. At the same time, I should reflect on the less obvious stuffs and decide if I can improve on them.
3) Willingness to change = The attitude must be right. I must put the improvement plan into action.
The Wedding Singer - Classic!
Have been wanting to rent this VCD but dear and I kept forgetting when we went to Videoezy. Finally got it today! It is a classic. I will always love this song in the movie:
"I will make you smile whenever you're sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
So it could be so nice growing old with you
I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold
Need you, feed you, even let you hold the remote control
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed when you have too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you
Launch of Climate Change Blog
Dear all,
I am pleased to present to you the first ever blog in Singapore that highlights climate change along with many other environmental issues:
http://blog.omy.sg/cco-blogger
Today marks the launch of this new initiative between Climate Change Organisation (CCO) and Singapore Press Holdings. The guest bloggers for this blog are Dr. Geh Min, nominated MP and President of Nature Society, Mr. Howard Shaw, Executive Director of Singapore Environment Council and our CCO mascot, Snowball the penguin.Please feel free to give your comments in the blog. We hope that through this blog, we can further increase the level of awareness and even obtain contructive suggestions on how Singaporeans can fight climate change.
Ode Ode To Dear (inspired by dear's blog)
Even after 7 years,I know i still love dear because:
1) She always support me in whatever I do.
2) She trusts me in everything especially in our money.
3) She always touch me with all her creatively made presents which she put in alot of effort to come out with.
4) She dreams about our life living together everyday.
5) She is proud of introducing me to her friends and colleagues.
6) She always says that I am not fat though I am obviously gaining weight.
7) We make plans and change plans together.
8) We eat alot together.
9) She will cater for my cravings even when hers is bigger.
10) She invested alot on me.
11) She makes her family treat me like family.
12) She always want to meet me everyday and was never sick of seeing me.
13) She is great listener.
14) I know I am on her top priority.
15) She gives in to me even though I am in the wrong.
16) She loves me for who I am.
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