Zone Masses Begins

DATE	ZONE	PRIESTS
03 Nov 2010	1	Fr GPS
05 Nov 2010	12	Fr GPS
10 Nov 2010	2 & 4	Fr GPS + Fr AK
11 Nov 2010	5 & 6	Fr GPS + Fr AK
12 Nov 2010	7	Fr AK
17 Nov 2010	9	Fr AK
18 Nov 2010	8	Fr GPS
19 Nov 2010	10	Fr AK
23 Nov 2010	11 & 13	Fr GPS + Fr AK
24 Nov 2010	15	Fr GPS + Fr AK
26 Nov 2010	3	Fr AK

This month of November Fr Andrew and Fr George have taken an initiative to enhance the building parish community by having Zone Masses in their parish. These Zone Masses are being held in the various zones for three reasons.

i) To thank the Zones, BEC members, various ministries and parishioners and families for faithfully journeying with the theme, “The Bible: A Guide for Our Steps, a Light of the world.” It has been a great effort and serious commitment in reading and praying the Bible with the “Lectio Divina” method throughout this year.

ii) To welcome and to introduce the next year step of the new Image of parish (NIP) on CHRIST’S TEACHING, OUR LIGHT”.

iii) To thank the people for being more committed and their continuous support on the Church restoration.

It started yesterday at Zone One (Comprising of 5 BECs) at the home of Francis and Elizabeth at 8 pm. The rosary began at 7.30 pm and followed by the Eucharistic celebration. After the homily Fr George anointed the elderly and the sick. After the mass there was fellowship prepared by the Zone and BECs members.

Charity Campaign St. Hilary BEC

St. Hilary BEC Charity Campaign

George Selvaraja Joseph

During the month of rosary our BEC St. Hilary (Taman Ampangan Seremban, Negeri Sembilan) planned a charity activity as we journeyed in the rosary prayer. Visiting orphanage home was the call that deepens our common interest. Even though there are few orphanage homes in Seremban town, we decided to go out skirt of the town area. It was “Vivekananda Home Rembau”, situated 27 km from Seremban town. On the 1st of May 2010, we visited the home collecting information on the needs and the situation so that we can make a fruitful visit.

The home “Vivekananda Home Rembau” situated 20 meters from Rembau town. The home was constructed based on village condition - half brickwork & timber wall with a zinc roof. It has 2 dormitories for boys and girls, narrowed office room, bath and a kitchen. The awning covered balcony is the place where the children gathered for food, rest, study and watch television. The home is registered with the district welfare department. The home is managed by Mr. Ramesh Patel with 6 care takers. Children’s ranging from age 2 to 18 years old with total of 52 children resides in the home

A brochure was prepared with the needs of the home and passed to BEC members, Visitation parish members, posting in Visitation face book and friends. Various BEC members donated basic necessities, clothes, school aids and cash. We received these love offerings as far as Kuala Lumpur. One of BEC member shared this with 2 of Muslim sisters during her morning exercise and to our surprise they donated cash for the home and praised the good work of our catholic church.

On 28th May 2010, with Visitation family BEC’s we journeyed to “Vivekananda Home Rembau”, 3 cars with a van carrying a month’s collection for the home need. We were welcomed by the care takers and the children’s. To break the boundaries of uncomfortable among us and the children, we started out with games and talent time. Our children and adults made the activity merrier by participating with the children. All of us enjoyed without barrier of the situation. Prizes were given out to the children’s. The children were served noodles and cakes for tea break. At end of the session we presented ration and cash for the home.

Even though our visit was a half a day event but it made us see life’s appreciation through this children’s. Our visits made us to walk more closely in the path of Jesus Christ in reaching out to those are in need. Our journey will continue in this mission of charity…...

Lectio Divina - 2/2

This is the second installment of the posting http://visitation-seremban.blogspot.com/2010/01/lectio-divina-12.html which introduces Lectio Divina for personal meditation. In this second installment, we hope to explain how Lectio Divina can be use in the context of a group/ BEC.

B. BEC/ GROUP PRAYER

In addition to the above guidelines regarding personal prayer, the following steps may be taken when Lectio Divina is done in a small group / BEC.

LECTIO:
Try one or more of the following ways of reading the passage. See what works best for your particular group.
1. Individual reading. To start with give everyone time to read through the passage silently.
2. Proclamation of the Word. One person reads (proclaims) the Word. This is the traditional manner of reading in the liturgical celebration.
3. Two readers. Two people read the text aloud alternately.
4. Each person reads a verse. This is a way of involving each participant, inviting each to read from his own Bible, so that the reading is attentive and dynamic.
5. With different characters. Approach the text somewhat like a drama, in which one person is the narrator/reader, another takes the part of Jesus, a third takes another character. This can be the most dynamic or engaging method and helps us to identify just what the different characters in the passage are saying.

MEDITATIO:
1. In the group setting, it is important that everyone is given time to participate, to share what the Lord has been saying to them. While the Lord speaks through his Word, he also speaks to us through our brothers and sisters. So as we listen to others we need to open our hearts to hear the Lord’s voice speaking through them.
2. It is important that everyone in the group understands that this sharing is to build one another up and enrich our experience. It is not necessary that everyone agrees about what is shared. You need to be careful to avoid this time turning into a debate or argument. The Lord knows us each as individuals so will have different things to say to us personally at this specific point in our lives.
3. You can start with a simple question like “What catches your attention in this passage?” and use the printed questions. The aim is to help everyone feel comfortable to speak and share how the text has inspired them. Gently keep the group focused on the text and what God is saying.

ORATIO:
1. We suggest you give people time for personal silent prayer before God.
2. You can also give opportunity for people to pray out loud in their own words and use verses from the responsorial prayer. The aim should be to help each person make a personal response to the Lord during this time.

CONTEMPLATIO:
1. Contemplation by its very nature is an individual exercise and silence is necessary.
2. If you have room it may be helpful to suggest people move so they have their own ‘personal space’.

ACTIO:
1. Discuss the printed questions as a group. Brainstorm ideas and try to come to a consensus for a single action to be taken by the BEC/ small group.
2. See how certain action plans can be done personally.

Monthly ACTM Formation

You may have heard of the monthly ACTM Formations being announced at mass and in the parish bulletins but have remained clueless with regards to its meaning and purpose.

What does ACTM mean? Area Core Team Members!

The ensuing question follows: "Who are the Area Core Team Members?" The Area Core Team Members form the core leadership of every B.E.C (Basic Ecclesial Community). They are usually made up of the following persons, the Chief Coordinator, the Assistant Coordinator, the Messenger, the Youth Representative, the Liturgical Representative and the IHD Representative (apart from the main coordinator, the other roles may not be filled in some BECs). The ACT Members are of primary importance because they are responsible for animating the other members of the BEC and form the crucial link between the parish and the grass roots.

Every month, the parish offers a systematic formation for the ACTM, thus the ACTM formation, which usually falls on the last Wednesday of each month. The ACTM formations are conducted in 3 languages (the Orang Asli pastoral workers meet with the Orang Asli BECs separately at the different villages). The monthly ACTM formation is an opportunity to foster a “sense of Church” among the various BECs, cooperation and harmony among the 3 language groups, simulation and training for the conducting monthly reflections at area BEC level.

The formation sessions are conducted by the members of the Parish BEC Animating Team (BECAT). Apart from this role, the members of the BECAT's main responsibilities are to give clear understanding of the importance, identity and functioning of BECs at both ACTM formations and at periodic visits to BECs. They also collaborate with the Priests of the Pairsh in the formation, motivation and dissemination of orientation of Parish Pastoral Plan with regards to BECs.

For the past two years, the BECs of the Church of Visitation have been using the parish reflection papers which are targeted to help BEC members reflect on the themes and focus set by the Parish Pastoral Assembly based on the stages of the New Image of the Parish (NIP) 9 years parish renewal plan.

Pastoral Visit To Zone / BEC Leaders

Since last year, the priests of the parish together with the Parish BEC Animating Team (BECAT) members have been visiting the various zones in the parish. The reason for such a visit is certainly the sincere intention of the priests and the BECAT to listen to the problems and difficulties faced by our BEC and Zone leaders and to encourage them in their important ministry in helping build this parish into an authentic Communion of Communities. After a break of a few months due to Lent, and the months leading up to the Parish Feast and thereafter, the pastoral visits have been resumed.

Each visit begins with a time of prayer and reflection, leading the leadership of the zone to reflect on the nature of their pastoral ministry and commitment towards it. The BEC leaders, thereafter, will give their respective report of the state of affairs in each BEC. A dialogue with the priests and the BECAT team follows, as suggestions on how to face or resolve some of the problems highlighted are discussed and fine-tuned. At the end of the end of the visit, the priests and the BECAT Team members pray over the Zone and BEC leaders as a sign of recommissioning.

Let us join together to pray for our BEC and Zone leaders that will be men and women committed to their special vocation in this pastoral ministry of building small communities:

Heavenly Father,
We gather today in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ
and the by power of the Spirit
that we may commend these Zone and BEC leaders into your loving care.
May they be enthusiastic in their ministry and proclaim your presence through word and deed.
May the Word of God find a home in their hearts
May it connect with their lives and nourish and encourage them
May your Word give them meaning and direction
so that they may serve those placed under their pastoral care
and leadership with humility and commitment
We pray that empowered by the Spirit,
they may bring joy to people who are sad,
And hope to people who are desolate
and courage to people who are afraid.
We make this prayer in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.