Our Advent Preparation

Dear Young People,

Already we are in the fourth week of Advent, a time set aside to prepare to celebrate Christmas. One may wonder what kind of prearations are needed for Christmas. I'm sure since "Black Friday" many people have been shopping, buying new stuff as presents for family, friends and also for themselves. Many of us still have been moving stuff from the closet, basement or attic to make way for decorations. When ever I drive in our neighborhood I see beautiful decorations of light and other symbols pointing to Christmas. Christmas is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God born to save us. So what we are preparing ourselves and our homes for is to celebrate the birth day of Jesus Christ. His birth changed the world because he came to teach us love of God and love for one another. I think it is certainly an event we must celebrate with pop and pagentry. But, wait a minute, were are we in our lives to prepare for Christ. We have heard in church in the past weeks how John the Baptizer preached and invited his country men and woman to prepare them selves in readiness for Jesus Christ the one who comes to save the world. They responded with eagerness to the call. They repented and submitted themselves to baptism. They asked John the Baptizer what they should do as a way to prepare themselves to see the Savior. John told them in simple terms to share, to care and be kind with one another.

My young people we can also make a good preparation for Christmas; we can decorate and give gifts to other people. But more importantly, we can leave a space in our hearts for Jesus Christ. A space that he will fill with his love, humility, kindness, caring and happiness for us and the world. I invite you from now until Christmas day to care about other people. Be kind to others and try as much as possible to share your life with others. We can make a good preparation for Christmas. It is not to late, you have a week to go. Step up your preparations and be truly ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Take care and stay tuned for next week's posting. God Bless You.

AFTER THANKSGIVING......

Dear friends, I have been off the Internet for the past several weeks because I had a little problem with my computer. Today I'm happy to be back and linking up with you.
My dear young people how fast time flies! So soon the long awaited Thanksgiving celebration is over. I should like to think that many of you, if not all, really had a good time with your respective families. What a wonderful time to be with family and people who are very dear to us. Thanksgiving is always a special time to be with family, the first place we learn to love and live with others. It reminds us of our need to show gratitude to God for His love, care, protection and peace. We also show gratitude for the lives of each member of our families. We recognize that God has done so much for us as individuals, as families and as community. Let us count our blessings and see what the Lord has done for us and our families. God has blessed us in the past in so many ways and with so many gifts. We owe God some gratitude.
Even though things have not been too good for our nation and families because of the economic downturn confronting our nation and the whole world, we still have every reason to say "thank you God". In all the difficulties of the times we still have the precious gift of life. Let us continue to thank God for everything, and as we do so have the deep faith and trust that all will be well again.
This Sunday we begin the joyful season of Advent - our preparation in anticipation of the birthday of Christ at Christmastime. Event though it is seen by many as a time to do shopping for our Christmas presents, it is more of spiritual preparation since the event we look forward to carries a spiritual message for us. Over the weekend I hope to share a few thoughts with you on how we as young people can have a wonderful preparation for Christmas. Make a date with me then. As always take very good care of yourself and work hard. Keep in touch and God bless you week.
Father Andrew

CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS

Dear young people, this week I would want to share a thought with you about habits. We all have bad habits and there is always the possibility of falling back into those bad habits. It is something we all experience at least with respect to eating or the best use of time.
One lesson probably is that it is not enough to break a bad habit; we need also to replace it with some good habit. Otherwise, the vacuum, the void or the gap invites some new evil or the return of small old bad habits. An effective change of life or repentance includes turning to something better or making some good plans, or resolutions. Time spent on sleazy reading or TV viewing needs to be replaced with time spent on more positive interests and activities.
A habit of badmouthing others or being excessively critical or mean, needs to be replaced by a habit of looking for the positive and good in others and speaking of it. Each of us can think of what needs to replace the old bad and deficient in our life and what new habit or practice needs to be taken up.
None of this is a matter of technique, but needs to be rooted in prayer and reflection leading to self-knowledge. Our falling back into old bad habits teaches us that change is never simply a matter of strong determination on our part, but change is primarily a matter of being open to God's love, grace and action in us. I wish you all every best during this week. Keep well and let me hear from you. God bless you!

VALUE WHO YOU ARE

Dear young people, I believe you are all in great shape and keeping busy with your studies as well as all the good things which bring you fulfilment. Most of all I do hope you are taking advantage of the many wonderful opportunities which come your way to be a better person in your studies and at home.
I would like to share a few thoughts with you about how special each one of us is; we have a special place in the eyes of God. Sometimes we undermine our worth and value because we dwell so much on our limitations and inadequacies. Yes, we make mistakes because we are human and not perfect. But we need also to recognize the good in us and the many abilities we have. We are capable of being better. Let us not dwell on our mistakes but rather look forward with confidence and trust in what we can achieve with our God-given abilities. Value yourself, take pride in who you are and always be mindful of the fact that there is something inherent in you given by God which is more powerful and capable than your mistakes, the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God strengthens you in your weakness and gives you strength and renews your capacity to be what God wants you be to, a better person. So my friends, let's value who we are and do not let your mistakes and limitations stop you from unleashing all the wonderful gifts and talents God has given you to live a purposeful life.
God loves and values you because you matter to Him in the scheme of everything in this world. Let's continue to renew ourselves by recognizing our worth, our value and the assurance that we are loved by God just as we are. Keep in touch and stay blessed. Have a wonderful week.

humility

Young people, we continue to renew our lives each day with the many wonderful opportunities that come our way. One such opportunity is the lesson of this Sunday's Gospel from Mark 9.30-37. It's about greatness, and I believe all of us have that secret ambition to be great some day. We are being challenged today to examine our own lives and ask ourselves, "who have been the important persons in our lives?" Just take a moment and bring to mind those that have been the most important persons in your life. They are our loving parents, family and teachers. Very much so!
But I think I cannot fail here to mention those who teach us how to love God, who transmit the Gospel values to you, who mentor you by their example of good Christian living, who nurture you in the life of our Church and the Sacraments. I'm talking about our wonderful Catechists! They teach us how to proclaim the Word of God with our simple lives: kind words, good actions, little help, kind correction and many more you can think of. They are, in a word, your servants, placing themselves before you on life's banquet table the necessary food for your soul.
The meaning of greatness then, truly is service. That is why Jesus places a little child, the most vulnerable and the most dependent of us all, before our eyes. The true test of your life and mine is how we deal with those who are weaker than we are, more dependent than we are, more vulnerable than we are. We can ignore them, or we can devote our lives to caring for them.
Dear young people, that is the choice Jesus gave his followers(disciples), and that is the choice Jesus puts in front of you and me today. Our greatness lies in placing ourselves at the service of others. So this week let's reflect on how best we can be of service at school and wherever we find ourselves. Let's renew our lives by our humble service to others. God loves you.! Stay in touch and hope to catch you again.

September 2009

We are back to school young people. I am sure you had a wonderful summer where ever you were. I also had a nice time in Rome as I mentioned earlier in my postings. To be back in school is a great feeling because once again we will have the chance to meet new friends, wonderful teachers and most of all continue shaping our future with what we study in class. So you see being in school is very crucial for the life that awaits us in the future. Education as we all know is that powerful key we need to unlock the good promise of our future. That is why we have to sieze this rare opportunity to do all we can to study very hard and prepare ourselves for what tomorrow awaits us. Think of the sacrafices Mom and Dad had to make to get your stuff ready for school. I am sure you all got what you wanted, the nice sneakers and all. It means a lot, they want you to be ready. They feel proud that you are back to school and they want you to study and study hard to fullfill their dreams for you and your future. Remember, our parents always share in our dreams and we make then proud when we stay on course to fullfill those dreams. So young people, lets work hard as school gets underway and lets stay focused. Let's try to be of help to all people. Let's show respect, humility and dedication in all we do. Stay in touch and remember life is a gift, let's renew it every day.

Surviving Rome July 2009

I am back on American soil after a month's stay in Rome, the "Eternal City". Guess What? It was a great opportunity to be in Rome to see what I have read, what I have studied and the stories that I have heard about this magnificant city. What a wonderful experience and unforgettable time I had. Rome is very hot at this time of the year but the magnificance of it's history brings a chillknowing where I walk, many have come before me. By the way did you know that Italians have a reputation for delicious cuisine that they are proud to maintain wherever they are; at home or abroad. Later as I recount my experience I will share with you in detail some of the wonderful sites and my feelings as I toured the city. There are many opportunities out there, look out for them and when you set eyes on them sieze them. As they say: "Opportunity comes but once". Young people enjoy the summer but take very good care of your selves and don't forget, you are our future. Let me hear from you.

Waiting

If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plan anything and never harvest anything.