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We are AMO
a fun-loving cheerful group of L9s
from the Church of Holy Spirit
a Catholic parish in Singapore
This blog journals our mission trip
to Bicol in the Philippines

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9:58 PM



In this entry, we are not going to talk about any storm as there are far more glorious news we’d like to share with you today.


Last night was one of those nights when the skies were crystal clear as far as the eyes can see. The moon rose above Mayon Volcano in a fresco so surreal that one could only look and stare in awe of God’s wonder. How great indeed is our God, and how wonderful is his creation.

But there was a tinge of sadness after the rosary session later on. Who wouldn’t be, when nine of our team were going home early the next morning. I could sense it in everyone. Our valued vanguards of the kitchen – Auntie Juliana and Uncle Richard, the dependable presence of Anne Tan, the cheerfulness and the smile of Samantha Pang, the inner strength of Nicholas Neo, the innocence of Frederick Tan, the intellect of Elizabeth Kow, the dependability of Sarah Mao, and the quiet simplicity of Cheng Yee Kei.

Our nine mission comrades left our hostel shortly before 6am aboard a 24-seater jeepney, accompanied by Pamela Tay and Prof Pavilando. Pamela later reported that their flight left Legazpi airport ontime and they should be well on their to Singapore by the time you read this blog.

As for those who remained behind to continue our work, we had breakfast shortly after the nine-man team departed, and proceeded to the Assumption parish. We reached the church just before 8am, just before the 8am Bicol mass started. We ran through the songs, and the liturgy, and met up with Sr Anna Lisa of St Benedict Academy who helped us in our set up. It was funny though that she repeated called Uncle Al as “Fr Al” consistently.

Sarah Tan was the commentator, and proudly announced the significance of Gaudete Sunday. We opened with Gather Us In, with Glen Koh and Daniel Seow assisting as altar servers in the Mass, and Samantha Chia and Jonathan Chng proclaiming the Word of God. They were all part of the entrance procession, with Fr Ben Abuelo presiding.

Brian Chin and Jamie Bong did a beautiful and inspiring interpretation of the Magnificat as the psalm, while Brian sang Alleluia.

The offertory procession included our own youths – Ivan Lam and Geraldine Mark – who offered a basketball and the Faith At Work booklet as a symbol of the vigour of our Holy Spirit Youth. We sang By the Waking of Our Hearts for the procession.

Sarah read the intercessions with a distinct Filipino accent. For the communion hymn, we sang Shepherd of My Heart, which is one of the most memorable songs of this journey for many reasons. And to round off the celebration, we finished off with “Go Out and Tell”.

Before the mass began we told Fr Ben that the congregation may not be able to sing the songs and mass parts we were singing. But he said we should not worry because participation at mass was in the heart and mind and the way people internalise the lyrics of whatever we were singing, not whether people can sing the songs or not.

Anyway, what Fr Ben said proved prophetic as Sr Ana Liza – the liturgy planner – came up to us and said the songs we prepared were very apt for the liturgy of the day and very inspiring.

After Mass, Fr Ben invited us to talk to their confirmation candidates who were due to be confirmed on Dec 22. So we sang a couple of songs for them, then Daniel Seow, Glen Koh, Sarah Tan and Timothy Low shared with them their confirmation journey. The candidates were listless and seemed uncomfortable. Then Uncle Al closed it by speaking to them in their own language, and led the singing of “Malo Malo” as well as the thanksgiving song “Give Thanks” which brought tears to the eyes of their candidates. Later on, Fr Ben told uncle Al that the parish might relook into its confirmation programme after seeing how we have done it at the Church of the Holy Spirit and after having seen our confirmands in action – fearless and spirit-filled witnesses to the Gospel.

It was back to the hostel by noon for lunch. After that we split into several groups. One group lead by Kelly motored to Dona Mercedes for their recce. Uncle Al went back to the convent to give a short liturgy music worshop for the liturgy planners there, while the rest either stayed back at the hostel or helped Amy and Sr Angeline do the marketing for breakfast.

The night ended early after carolling practice with supper prepared by Uncle David and Sr Angeline.

Our phase II has begun.

Please continue to pray for us – that our mission may affect the lives of the people here as much as it has already affected ours, and that we are delivered from any harm.

Meanwhile, Pamela reports about the departure of the nine:

Uh. Hello everyone!

Lucky for me, I was chosen to be the one to send them off. Although at first I was all 'How in the WORLD will I wake up?' when I was told that we were leaving at 5.15am, somehow, that was not a problem at all. Many of us were awake by then, and the day started with melodramatic goodbye scenes (for example, shouts of 'Don't leave me!' while doing theatrical reach out to each other poses).

I am guilty to admit that I was kinda hoping that their flight would be delayed for a few days. Oops?


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