Practice of Faith

Despite the long sessions during the weekend, I was able to attend mass in the nearby parish early Sunday morning. We had the group socials Saturday evening that went on around an hour past midnight. I excused myself a few minutes before 12 mn as I was already tired. Besides, I was looking at the 6 am mass to be able to have enough time for breakfast afterwards and proceed to the session at 8 am.

It was probably a quarter past five Sunday morning when I went out. I had to walk some distance to get a ride. As I don't know the place, I prayed that my guardian angel watch over me. It turned out the nearest church was not really far.

I had emotional moments during the mass. It was a different feeling not singing in the choir and not accompanying in the electric organ. I also thought about the reality that I could be posted in a remote place where it is not possible to go to church as much as I used to now. Our seminar speaker, who was herself a returned volunteer also shared her and other volunteer's experiences of attending mass in the local language of their country of assignment, that the first time she heard a mass in English she wept.

Other experiences concerning the practice of faith were just not encouraging. In a foreign land, no family and friends and a totally strange language, how does one expect to cope?

The mass was impressive as the priest was full of spirit and the people actively participated. The prayers of the faithful included the church of America and the church of Africa in their intentions.

All the more it reminded me to pray for Christians around the world overcoming trials and persecution and who do not have the privilege to practice faith openly.

Volunteering

The new year is always a good time to broaden our horizons. Most people resolve to make it better than the past year. Last weekend I was out of town to attend a seminar/workshop in preparation for changes to come.

I have explored the world of volunteerism. Actually, it was not something new to me as I have been serving a church as a choir director for more than 20 years now. All for free. What makes it different now is I am volunteering outside of my country for two years, in the poorest of the world's poor.

I finally found the time or should I say maybe the guts to submit my application officially in September 2007. Part of the volunteering process was an Assessment Day to evaluate a person's suitability to live in another culture and the skills essential to fit in a totally different environment.

Having passed the Assessment Day, prospective volunteers then undergo further seminars and workshops to help them evaluate their commitment. It was such a fun experience being in a group of diverse ages and expertise.

The weekend allowed us to examine in a deeper sense our motivations, values and priorities in line with the reality of what we are about to get into. I admit I had my own fears of the uncertain. And that is why I am carefully discerning the path God has called me in.

In the following days, there will be more sessions of this kind. Some have realized early on that volunteering is not for them at this point. As for me, I am looking forward to the challenges and lessons I will learn from the experience. Maybe God is calling me to greater responsibilities.

Then as the song goes, I will go Lord if You lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.

Let us not forget

Every beginning of the year, our hopes get high that things will be better. We look forward to changes and also prepare ourselves for whatever challenges will come our way. Since my brother passed away at a young age, I tend to be sentimental every time the old year goes and a new one takes over. What makes me sad is the thought of people who will leave us. Either they are moving away or passing to the great beyond.

Life is uncertain and we never know when a relationship is to end, by choice or by circumstances. I am grateful for memories that remain. I keep them in my heart to remember once in a while. And until we see each other again, I will remember people who crossed my path in my prayers the entire year.

Patron Saint for 2008

In our group's Christmas party in December 2007, we decided to use Saints as our codenames for our exchange gifts. These Saints will also be our patrons for the entire 2008. We prayed that the Saints make the choice for us.

Saint Monica chose me. She will be my intercessor as I go through life this year. I have been asking her prayers for certain favors and have been getting to know her more. As I am not yet a mother, nor a widow, I wonder why she chose me. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have a greater awareness of her role in my spiritual journey.

Saint Monica, patron of mothers, widows, alcoholics and victims of abuse, pray for us.

Welcome 2008

We're halfway through January and I haven't posted anything new. I have been slacking once again. December has always been a busy month for everybody. However, anyone who serves in church in the music ministry certainly know the crazy days preparing for Christmas.

Last Sunday, the 13th of January, the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, marked the end of the Christmas season and at the same time the start of Ordinary time in the Catholic church calendar. It's time for a new line-up of songs for the ordinary time which will be up to the first week of February only as Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 6.

Incidentally, the music ministry will be very busy again in preparation for Lent and the Easter season.

An abundant year for all of us.