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Verbum Dei Missionaries Singapore

73 Taman Mas Merah Singapore 128195

Tel: 62740251 Email:

verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg Website:

www.verbumdeisingapore.org

Editor Says

"Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

Soon, at the stroke of mid-night, the soft

gentle melody of Auld Lang Syne would be

sung and many champagne bottles would

be popping with much gaiety. A time to

celebrate and anticipate the beginning of

something new.

Before we start celebrating the New Year,

however, let us stop, pause and reflect on

the year 2012 as we bid 'Adios' to it. I like

to quote some lines from a movie character

Claire Morgan, played by the very talented

actress, Hilary Swank.

In the movie, 'New Year Eve', Morgan said

something that is worthwhile for us to

consider," And as you all can see, the ball

has stopped half way to its perch. It's

suspended there to remind us before we

pop the champagne and celebrate the New

Year, to stop, and reflect on the year that

has gone by, to remember both our

triumphs and our missteps, our promises

made and broken, the times we opened

ourselves up to great adventures ... or

closed ourselves down for fear of getting

hurt, because that's what new year's all

about , getting another chance, a chance

to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give

more, to love more, and to stop worrying

about what if... and start embracing what will

be. When that ball drops at midnight, and it

will drop, let's remember to be nice to each

other, kind to each other, and not just

tonight but all year long."

Yes! New Year is worth celebrating because

we believe in giving life another chance.

Life is about learning, experiencing and

growing. Life is about forgiving more, doing

more, giving more, loving more. Life cannot

be stopped from blossoming because of our

overwhelming 'what ifs' and 'if only's'. It is

time to let go of them and walk into 2013

with the light of faith, not the shadows of

fears.

We are still in the season of Christmas. We

must remember that we enter into 2013 with

Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.

This is how I want to start this New Year. I

want to continue believing in giving life

another chance. I do not know what 2013

will bring, but I want to learn more,

experience more and grow more (not

growing physically, I hope!!!) And so, I look

back to 2012 with thanksgiving for the good

as well as for the not so good moments.

Each experience that I lived in 2012 has

made me learn valuable lessons on

relationships, humility, forgiveness, trust.

They made me to become the 'me' that I am

today. I am looking forward to 2013 with

Jesus who comes with me as I walk on

through life. Another great adventure!

Another great journey!

December 2012

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Travelling Light Series

Advent Evening Recollection @ Botanic Gardens

1st December

This evening recollection was organised by the Tuesday Disciples Group. The theme of this recollection was 'Hope, Faith, Joy and Love' in order to guide the

participants to prepare for the start of the Advent season.

Getting to know one another

Guidelines by Sr. Sandra on what Advent is all about

Hope Station: Monika

Walking to the next station

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Faith station: Yvonne

Joy station: Debbie

Love station: Desiree

Ended with supper @ Adam Rd Hawker Centre

And so, another fruitful session of

Travelling Light with moments of

guidelines, silent reflections, going

through various activities at each station

and sharing. Looking forward to the next

Travelling Light Series!

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Our Very First Mission Trip for Families!

5th Dec to 9th Dec

@ Tagaytay, Philippines

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Our very first Mission Trip organised for families with kids

from 5 to 15 years old. It was a super fun and fruitful one!

From harvesting tapioca and coffee beans to giving pasta for

snack to children in a slum area to throwing Christmas party

for the children .... and even faithfully had prayer time in the

mornings and sharing in the evenings.

Next year, another Family Mission Trip?

Time for morning prayer for

parents, teens and the little

ones.

Ending each day with group sharing

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Pulling hard for tapioca

Harvesting coffee beans

Riding in jeepneys

to visit families

Giving snacks to the kids in a slum area

Going to houses to pray rosary

with families

Wrapping gifts for Christmas

party, cooking pasta for

children in a slum area and

packing hampers to give to

mothers during Christmas

party

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Giving pasta, bread and packets of fruit juices to

kids as well as playing games with them

Christmas party!

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Annual Verbum Dei Family

Christmas Mass and Fiesta

29th December

Watching summary of Verbum Dei S'pore 2012

before mass started

Mass celebrated by Fr. Michael, Verbum

Dei Priest based in Cebu, Philippines

Sr. Maria Jose welcoming the people

Our Fabulous choir

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Desiree, our Verbum

Dei Disciple for 10

years, giving her sharing

on her faith journey in

2012

Mr Christmas Piggy

and Mr Gingerbread

man were our special

guest stars for our

piñata sessions!

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Verbum Dei Missionaries : Grace, Maria Jose, Sandra

and Monika

wish all ViDa readers a Blessed New Year 2013 filled with

God's peace and joy!