Penitential Service at St. Gerard's Church

Let us come and experience the Father's loving embrace, knowing He is awaiting earnestly for our return to Him. Let us earnestly prepare ourselves and so experience the joy of being forgiven our sins through our Lord Jesus who has conquered death to give us eternal life."

The Penitential Service (Rite II Reconciliation) will be held tomorrow (April 1st, 2015) at 7:00 pm at St Gerard's Church. Mt. Victoria.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1Jn 1:9)

Worship Night - March 2015

SOM 2015 - Week 3: Sin and Salvation

“For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31: 34)

In the course of Week 3, Fritz Mascarenhas brought the participants to a realization of how sin impacts lives thus leading them to see the need for Our Saviour Jesus Christ. The theme of ' Surrender' was emphasised as a way of life in the Kingdom of God. We recognise the mercy of the heavenly Father to the extent we recognise sin in our lives. He has promised that our sins will be remembered no more and that we will be cleansed as white as snow. (Jeremiah 31: 34, Isaiah 1:18).

A beautiful celebration of the Cross was held on Friday evening, where each one who was present that night brought their sins and nailed it to the Cross, believing that they are forgiven and their sins wiped away. This celebration continued through the night with songs of praise and dance.

This freeing experience has prepared the participants for the upcoming week on “Holy Spirit”. We are delighted to have Maria Vadia, flying in from the United Stated for the next two weeks. Please continue your fervent prayers that the participants will experience the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the gift of love from God.

Testimonies of Participants on Week 3 – Sin and Salvation

All of us desire love but sometimes we seek for love from other people or other things apart from God, which leaves our hearts feeling dry. Last week, we reflected on how we have turned away from God and hurt the perfect friendship He had intended for us to have with Him. By the grace of God, I felt Him filling my dry and empty heart with His love during one of the prayer sessions. He constantly reminded me that even though I have strayed away from Him, the infinitely loving and forgiving Jesus is waiting for me to turn around and walk with Him on the path to eternal life. ~ Charlene Chua, Singapore

My sins are forgiven and forgotten. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. ~Jerome Barnabas, India

School of Mission 2015 Duc in Altum

SOM 2015 - Week 2: Father Heart of God

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15: 20)

The last week, Wimpie Santoso shared on the topic of the Father Heart of God. We found the participants coming to realize the beauty and gentleness of the heart of the Father, who awaits patiently for each of His sons and daughters to return to Him. With this realization, each of them opened themselves up and take the step to receive the embrace only a father could give. The week ended with Fritz Mascarenhas giving the participants some practical advice to remain soaked in the Father’s love.

As part of the community dynamics, the participants began with their in-house ministry and work duties. For some, it was a time to explore new talents, while for others, it was a time to bring their talents to a new level in serving others.

We also had a great afternoon sweating it out on the field playing Captain’s ball and the week ended with a relaxing evening watching “Finding Nemo”.

This week, we will have the gifted Fritz sharing with the participants on the topic of “Sin and Salvation”. Please continue to keep them in your prayers that they will recognize the gift of the Cross and embrace Jesus as a personal saviour.

School of Mission 2015 Duc in Altum

Testimonies from Week 2: Father Heart of God

This week, I experienced a deep sense of peace. God is an emotionally involved Father, compassionate and concerned about me - my feelings and my wellbeing. I am grateful to Wimpie for his in-depth teachings about the Father in the Gospel of Luke 15 and to Fritz for a Father's hug that made me experience what the Father in Heaven is like. ~ Sylvia Schraml Germany

This week, I experienced that the Father really rejoices in doing good for me, from the biggest burdens to the smallest ones. He truly listens to my prayers and answers them. He is merciful and compassionate, He knows what I need and He supplies. Truly, there is no place I’d rather be, than here in His love. ~ Mariana Wijayanti, Indonesia

Worship Night February 2015

“You created me inmost self, knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139: 13)

Worship night at St Gerard’s Church found true Worshippers who had gathered in one voice and one heart to proclaim God’s Love and Compassion. “There is no place I’d rather be, than in Your love” was sung over and over again by the worship leader of the night – Ryan Santoso. Together with his anointed team, he led the congregation to a place of a deep union with the Lord.

It was then followed by a talk delivered by our newly-ordained priest – Fr. Francis D’Souza, who shared on the topic “Designed by love to love”. He explained that God, in the beginning , blew His first breath to a man, giving man life and provided all that man would need in the Garden of Eden. He created man to love and be loved.

However, in our mistrust and pride, we fell short and broke this relationship. God is faithful and His love is unconditional. Today, He invites us to a fresh commitment for the old has passed and the new has come. Praise be to our God!

With the prayer teams made available, many were moved to seek God, seek for His grace, Strength and to be filled with love again once more, knowing that we are designed by love to love.

SOM 2015 - Week 1: Bonding Week

School of Mission 2015 has kicked off as we concluded an exciting first week of getting to know each other; bonding through various activities such as, ice-breakers, personal introductions, a jamming night and a day out at the Eastbourne beach. The participants were also introduced to their sharing partners and their respective cell groups, from whom they will have support and encouragement on their faith journey. They were also introduced to their respective in-house ministries.

At the end of the week, the participants underwent a Workshop, where each one offered a symbol of their aspirations of their time here at the School. One participant prayed that she would be formed as an effective fisher of men in leading people to Jesus, while another prayed the he would rise above the darkness through his encounter with Jesus, the Son and be the light to others.

We are now looking forward to this week's topic on “Father Heart of God.”

Please keep the participants in prayer as they seek to restore their relationship with God the Father, recognizing the Great Mercy and Compassion of the Father in Heaven.

Thank you for being part of this journey. May the Lord bless you most abundantly.

School of Mission 2015 Duc in Altum