Gratitude & Thanksgiving

PERSONAL NOTES taken @ SSVP Annual Retreat (16 May 2026) Conduced by Rev Fr Richards Ambrose RETREAT THEME:  ARE YOU BOUND FOR HEAVEN? [This is not a verbatim transcript (& Fr did not have visuals/slides).  These are brief notes taken for reference.  The notes are not compiled in the exact sequence of Fr's delivery, but re-organised to a small extent, and put under headings for better clarity.   Any errors or omissions are my own.] PART A - THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND THE FULLNESS OF LIFE We are all called to be saints. What state do I need to be in to be in heaven? WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? To know Jesus and to follow Jesus God created us to  know him love him serve him We can enter the Kingdom of God because God has given us The Word of God His Holy Spirit . THE FULLNESS OF LIFE The fullness of life is to be found in union with Jesus Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The decision whether to believe this is the most import...

Capturing beautiful words of wisdom by David Morales, one of my favourite artist About drawing the ordinary

Collecting gems from the Daily Rosary Meditation by the School of Faith.- episode on 14 Jan 2026

I encountered this ancient prayer recently, and loving it: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits. First To expiate all the sins I have committed  this day and during all my life.  Glory Be... Second To purify the good I have done poorly  this day and during all my life.  Glory Be... Third To supply for the good  I ought to have done,  and that I have neglected  this day and all my life.  Glory Be... The “Prayer of Daily Neglects“ focuses on atoning for the small faults and negligences that occur in our daily lives.  It involves reflecting on moments when we have been inattentive to those around us, wasted time, or failed in small ways, and asking for God’s mercy.  The prayer helps us to become more conscious of minor sins and to make amends through contrition, resolution to improve, and grace sought from God.

I encountered a really beautiful thought today: What draws people is the  quiet strength and calm joy of someone who lives in God’s peace. A peaceful spirit  is the only way to be  a   consistent witness of the Gospel. It was said as part of the Daily Rosary Meditation hosted by Dr Mike Scherschligt, who was introducing St Seraphim of Sarov (1754), whom Dr Mike said, gave a single piece of advice: Every Christian in the state of grace carries the Trinity within.  Our task is to let others glimpse God through us.  That happens only when our hearts are calm,  trusting in Him, whatever comes.  When we are at peace,  people can see God in us.

  Notes taken from homily by Rev Fr Simon Tan, CSsR - at the Funeral Mass of 17 year old 

  In our Bible study group today, we had a robust discussion about "meekness of wisdom" in James 3:13.  Several related terms came up—meekness, humility, gentleness, and obedience.  While these words share some similarities, their differences weren’t immediately clear to us, and we found ourselves wrestling with the concepts. So, I took a little time to do some research and have compiled my findings here, organized in a way that makes sense to me.   [Do know that I claim no authorship of these insights - they come from various online resources that I have simply read, digested and compiled to the best of my abilities.  I would be grateful for any corrections or additional thoughts you may have.] ------------------------------------ FIRST, ARE THESE FOUR ALL CATHOLIC VIRTUES? "Humility", "Obedience", "Gentleness" and "Meekness" are all Catholic virtues ,  although they are NOT part of the three Theological virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity)...

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#4 of this series) is about emptying ourselves. ... ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ A cup that is always full does not have room to receive. THE CONSTANT CYCLE IN LIFE The spiritual path is a constant cycle.... - of emptying and filling - of dying and rising - of accepting and letting go The full cup is repeatedly emptied so that it can be filled again and again. THE EMPTYING This emptying happens in many ways: - Sometimes I choose to be emptied of my fullness when I get involved in a situation where someone's life asks for a lot of my time and energy . This emptying can be draining, but it might also be rewarding and satisfying because I have a sense of truly giving to another.   - Some times, life empt...

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#3 of this series) is about  clutter, the spiritual kind ... ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ PHYSICAL CLUTTER Most of  are constantly  trying to get rid of  physical clutter in our lives.   "I just get my heaping basket of correspondence emptied and it's full again.  I finally clear off the top of my desk and the next week it is messier than it was ever.  I dust the house and put things away only to have to re-do it again soon afterwards.  It seems like there is always a stack of something waiting to be sorted and discarded." INNER, SPIRITUAL CLUTTER But not so many of us are aware that we have  inner, spiritual clutter   too. Things like  anxiety,...

  Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#2 of this series) is about  the many facets of a cup applicable to our spiritual life. ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ #1      https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cup-of-our-spiritual-life-1.html #2     https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/contemplating-on-many-facets-of-cup-2.html #3      https://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-new-way-of-looking-at-clutter.html #4      htt ps://gratitude-thanksgiving.blogspot.com/2025/08/emptiness-is-gift.html

Noting down wisdom from a book I am slowly savouring - "The Cup of My Life" by Joyce Rupp.   This post (#1 of this series) is about The Cup of Our Spiritual Life. ---------------- (Below are thoughts taken from the book, some are exact words from the author, some are paraphrased by me....to serve as notes to be re-read and gems to be revisited.) ------------ The Cup of our spiritual life an ordinary cup a sacred vessel connecting me with life and with God We are the temple of the Holy One We are each a container  designed to hold the Divine Presence. God goes with us wherever we go. We carry God into every relationship and experience. God has made a home in our heart and in the heart of each one we meet. We are simply an empty cup until we are filled with the loving energy of God. We are beauty set to music. The cup of our spiritual life  must be cared for and replenished as  it pours its contents away  in loving service. #1      https://grat...

  I have the chance to study the Book of James with a group of amazing ladies, following the lectures of Jeff Cavins (by the Ascension Press). Of the many many nuggets of truth and wisdom the Book of James imparts, there is a section that talks about a faith filled approach towards the poor and the posture/attitude we ought to take in view "the problem" of the poor. . Below are some notes I have taken down from this study.   I hope you will be blessed just as I am blessed by the guidance. ------------ NOTES taken from Jeff Cavin's Study of James  (Parital notes from Lecture 3  - Wisdom and the Law of Love) -------------- WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POOR?   We should be  concerned with the poor simply because God is concerned with the poor. God expects us to be his arms and his mouth, and be his body to the world - to be merciful and walk in justice.   PARTIALITY AND SHOWING DISTINCTION To show partiality is to show a liking or preference...

Personal NOTES taken during mass Homily by Deacon Clement Chen, Church of the Holy Family 27 July 2025 Sunday

Recording beautiful words we prayed as Opening Prayer at a retreat this weekend.   May you be blessed just as I have been blessed by it. ——————— Lord God, I give you my praise and adoration. Help me to discipline myself so that I may devote time in prayer at the start of each day. May I seek your face this morning. Lord, give me a hunger to hear your voice, For instruction, counsel, wisdom and direction. Lord Jesus, give me a passion for prayer So that moments when I am on my knees And moments when I am reading your Word May be the highlight of my day. Lord, I do not know what this day will bring Please help me be ready for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me sit quietly. If I am to lie down, help me do it patiently. If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. May I faithfully follow the path  To which you have called me And one day, join the saints in praising you forever. Mother Mary, intercede for us And lead us e...

I read a paragraph purportedly written by Merryl Streep…. Copied it out in the post below.   For me, indeed -  having just turned 60 & having retired for just over a year - as Streep says, « a slower pace, but a steadier step. » It has been truly a gift - a beautiful letting go, learning to accept, to really see the world and the people around me, to cherish… ———————- Aging is not for the faint of heart. One day, you wake up and realize — youth has quietly slipped away. But it didn’t leave alone. It took with it your insecurities, your rush to please, your fear of not being enough. And in its place? It left you with something stronger: A slower pace, but a steadier step. The wisdom to say goodbye without fear. The grace to cherish those who choose to stay. The power to be you, unapologetically. Aging isn’t about losing — it’s about letting go. It’s about learning to accept, to release, and to truly see: That beauty was never just in the mirror… It lived in every story, sca...

The text below is taken from Facebook page "Interesting World". There was no author named but his/her  perspective resonates with me...

Transcript of talk by Fr Gerry Pierse, based on the teaching of Fr John Main

CS Lewis said, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us, we are wondering how painful the path to the best will turn out to be.” Notes taken from Advent sermon by Rev Fr Mike  as part of his  Face to Face - Advent with Fr Mike Schmitz  series, 2024 [DAY 4] https://link.ascension-app.com/xuJnSCtdZOb The heart of sin is to reject God.  God does not reject us. Sin means we reject God. God as the Good Shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, He seeks us out so as to lead us to the very best. Do I want to be led by the good shepherd Do I want the best? Do I trust the journey? The destination where God leads us will be beautiful and the best, but we are wondering about what we will need to go thru in order to reach our destination, to meet Him face to face.   We trust God wants the best for me, we are fearful how painful the path to the best will be, about how the path to the best looks like?  Psalm 23 -    I walk through the valley ...

Reflecting on Joshua 14:10 The Lord has kept me alive. How much love have I added? Do I view the positives or negatives in others? Am I congruent interiorly and exteriorly?

Life is not a series of calculus problems.   Life is about movement - moving through different terrains and circumstances. For parents, life is not about removing every obstacle and challenge for our children, but about equipping them with the skill and the mettle to face and overcome challenges on their own. Taken from an article in Life, Straits Times (circa October 2024)

Henri Nouwen’s beautiful reflection about life, love and death…. ‘It is possible to have intimate relationships with loved ones who have died. Death sometimes deepens the intimacy. . . .  [I believe] that after separation certain people continue to be very significant for us in our hearts and through our memories.  Remembering them is much more than just thinking of them, because we are making them part of our members, part of our whole being. Knowing this experience allows me to live from the deep belief that I have love to offer to people, not only here, but also beyond my short, little life.  I am a human being who was loved by God before I was born and whom God will love after I die.  This brief lifetime is my opportunity to receive love, deepen love, grow in love, and give love.  When I die love continues to be active, and from full communion with God I am present by love to those I leave behind.’ Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) Catholic priest, writer & theol...