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

School of Mission 2015: 'Duc in Altum'

Duc in Altum - “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5: 4)

Today, during the Holy Eucharist we, the ICPE Mission New Zealand together with our congregation at St. Gerard’s Church, witnessed 20 courageous young people who stood before the altar to surrender 5 months of their precious lives in response to the Lord's invitation to put out into the deep.' Duc in Altum' is the theme of the School of Mission 2015.

The School of Mission (SOM) 2015 has set sail and just as God made His everlasting covenant with Noah and the creatures after the flood, He continues to reveal His faithfulness to this group of young men and women. One of the participants shared that he experienced God’s immense rainbow covenant while another said he experienced God’s soaking Love during the Eucharistic Celebration and his heart melted in the warmth of God’s love.

The celebration was followed by fellowship in the dining room with a large array of delicious finger food. A private celebration with the community members and the participants was held in the evening after an anointed time of worship when we were encouraged to commit ourselves to follow Christ, keeping Him as our ultimate vision.

We pray that, like Noah too, as these participants enter the ark and set sail, they will cast their nets into the deep waters and seek the one most valuable treasure of all - Jesus Christ Himself!

Mario Cappello's Oceania Pastoral Visit

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22: 36-39)

It has been a great privilege for us at the ICPE Mission New Zealand to receive Mario Cappello, the founder of the ICPE Mission as he made a pastoral visit to different members of the GOGICC family in the region of Oceania (2-12 Feb 2015).

Throughout his time with us at St Gerard’s, he had the opportunity to meet covenanted members of the community, those participating in the year of Community Experience with the ICPE Mission, the brother priests & priestly candidates at the Manresa House and also the Companions of the ICPE Mission.

Not only has Mario's presence brought about a clearer vision but has intensified the passion of each of us in the community in building God's Kingdom. He exhorted us that we remember in all our daily undertakings the necessity to love God and to love others which would enable us to be effective missionary disciples.