Church of The Holy Cross

The Advent season of 2009, like every other year, was a significant time for Catholics. However, it may have been so much more meaningful and memorable than usual for the elderly at the Apex Day Rehabilitation Centre and homes under the care of the parish's Pastoral Care ministry.

Members of the Holy Cross Youth Formation Programme were involved in several activities throughout Advent last year. Together with our brothers and sisters from the Confirmation class of 2009, we assisted in the parish’s annual Advent project – Project G.O.D (Gift of One Dollar). Project G.O.D challenges the parishioners, regardless of age, to help the less fortunate by their weekly contribution of One Dollar, to the designated home chosen by the PPC Exco for that year.

As Christmas drew closer, we also helped in the Christmas decoration of the Church.
A few of us also played the roles of Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and the wise men in “live” nativity scene in the church car park, While it was a unique spiritual experience for us, it was also a tie-in to a Parish Prayer and Formation talk by Fr Richards on “The Christ of Christmas”.

With the generous help of the Pastoral Care ministry, we caroled in a few homes for the elderly and sick, spreading the message of God's undying love for every person. Many of the residents seemed truly touched. We completed our Advent journey by bringing the same message to families in our parish that had signed up to have us carol in their homes.

The Advent season carries with it a message of hope, joy, peace and love. We hope that our actions during the season, so genuinely supported by the parish's ministries and congregation, bore witness to that message.

Contributed by James Lim