Good Shepherd Sunday- Prayer for Vocations

Today we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday Mass in Holy Family.

After servers meeting, a few others and I went to play pool at Katong Shopping Centre, even though I was not 16. :D

Basil and I took one table. He won 3 out of 4. I won the 1st, he won the remaining 3.

Because, at the second game, when I was about to hit the last ball(the black '8' ball) into a hole I specified(play call pocket) it did not go in, but went into ANOTHER hole...which resulted in an instant victory for the opponent...

zzz


During Mass...

On the outside, though the servers were very organized and all, this whole Mass was totally play-by-ear with no training and absolutely no pre-planning of assignment of duties, everything was done ON THE SPOT LITERALLY. His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia took us by surprise when he decided to pop into the vestry before mass with all the seminarians and servers inside, say hi and then slowly assemble his gold Crozier(His Staff)

All went well..thankfully..

Had a great dinner sponsered by His Grace...

Some servers went to the wake of Marcus and Gerald Chia's grandmother's wake.

I offer my condolences...



On another issue. In the homily given by His Grace, I just saw how little men entering the diocese every year.

Outside the main entrance of the church, I saw, various statements displayed on a poster that was from this book on how certain men became priests

According to the poster, our very own Father Aloysius was inspired by the Star Wars series and came to Singapore(he's from Malaysia f.y.i) and joined the diocese... ROCK ON!

Father Valerian Chong gave up his lavish life as a hotelier(dun really know what it is, but sounds freaking luxurious as it comes from the word hotel) and a BIG FAT PAYCHECK to join the diocese(something along the lines of the poster)

But one priest that really touched me, was the fact that he even gave up music. His 1st love, to join the priesthood.

If it was me, It would be a very big conflict of interest...

To quote the words from another poster: "If you will not spare your son for priesthood, then get down on your knees and start praying that others will"

I would hence say a prayer I learnt by heart from my daily Morning Prayers in school.

O Jesus our Good Shepherd, bless all our parishes with numerous religous Brothers and Sisters, examplary Christian families and lay missionaries who will live the Gospel with joy according to the needs of the entire world which You love and wish to save.

If you are calling any of us present here to serve You as a priest or Brother, make Your will clear to us and give us the courage to respond to Your call.

For Your greater glory and the good of Your people, hear and grant our prayer, Amen.

God Bless!