He entered my house, smiling broadly. He immediately blessed it, saying “Peace to this house.”

Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, a Capuchin Franciscan friar and the Papal preacher to two Popes was in my house to have dinner with us, the Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team (ACPT). Amazing and totally unexpected!

Fr Cantalamessa looked very tired. He had spent the previous ten days preaching retreats to the many priests of the Philippines, Sabah and Singapore. Yet, when he was introduced to everyone, his eyes shone with the joy and peace of Christ. His manner and words were kind and friendly. After enjoying a dinner of local dishes, he answered the questions we posed to him. Despite being such a very learned man, he spoke simply and to the point. His answers were interwoven with sound and practical spiritual comments and advice.

When facing discouragement in ministry, he advised us to stay calm, to focus on doing our best always and leave it all to the Lord. When we mentioned that we are always challenged and moved by his talks in the CaFE DVDs, he humbly remarked that his words are mere words. It is the Holy Spirit that moves and changes us. He advised us to remain open to the Holy Spirit always. We felt so close to him that some of us sat on the floor, just to be near him and listen to his words. Later he autographed his books and DVDs. Fr Cantalamessa obligingly posed for photos with us; even asking me to email the photos to him. There were moments of jokes and laughter. He seemed to enjoy his time of fellowship with us. Before leaving, we prayed the “Our Father” together and he gave us a blessing.

Around 10.45pm, four of us were at the airport to send him off, back to Rome. His last words of prayer for me carried a very special blessing. Soon it was time for hugs and goodbyes. Etched in my memory is the picture of a very holy priest, dressed in a black suit, pulling along a black luggage bag. His snowy white beard and hair stood in marked contrast to all that blackness. During the few hours I had spent with him, he had naturally radiated the loving presence of Christ, through his own human presence. As I watched the retreating figure merge into the crowd of travelers, I felt sad. Will we ever meet Fr Cantalamessa again?………. Only the Spirit knows the answer.

Reflecting on Fr Cantalamessa’s visit with us, I praise and thank God for the blessed gift of his presence and the encouragement he gave us. His visit was a timely reminder to me, to frequently pray for the infilling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, so that I can grow more and more into the image and likeness of my dear heavenly Father.

-Article contributed by Gwen Pinto

-Photo by Ginnie Ang

“Do you think it sounds offensive?”

I held up a Hallmark card shaped like a pair of angel’s wings to my two partners. We were shopping for Christmas cards to send to our business associates. It was our fledgling company’s first Christmas – we’d started up only 3 months ago – and we were determined to create the right impression.

“It’s gorgeous, but it sounds too religious,” frowned D, also a Christian.

“Yes. I think we should keep it secular,” I agreed.

“Guys, but that’s what Christmas is about!” Our other partner, A, a non-Christian, stood there looking at the both of us as if we were quite, quite mad.

In the end, D and I allowed ourselves to be placated and we got the cards.

As Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus in a world where almost everyone embraces Christmas as a convenient occasion to enjoy good food, parties and presents to round off the year, it’s no news that Christmas has become secularised.

But the incident with the card made me realise something – how paranoid some of us Christians can be of inappropriately bringing up the religious in secular life. That D and I were so wary of being offensive by even mentioning the fact that Christmas is a Christian holiday was ludicrous, grave… and sad.

We all know that Jesus called us to evangelise, to spread the good news that He has come to save us and set us free. In the best of times, even mentioning Jesus to our non-Christian friends can seem scary, if not downright unthinkable. But at this time of the year when we celebrate Christ’s very birth, there really seems to be no better, or easier time to follow His instructions. At least, to those of us who are evangelising-phobic, Christmas seems to give us legitimate licence to speak about the true meaning of the holiday.

Of the dozens of Christmas cards we screened that day, the angel card was the only one that made direct mention of the God-man who started it all 2000 years ago.

So, this Advent, I pray for the courage and grace to speak of Jesus to those who don’t know him and I hope that maybe even one person receiving our angel card will be inspired to Google the ‘Christ’ who is at the centre of this holiday after reading its message:

His peace to you,

to those you love,

and to all whose hearts

still seek Him.

-reflection and photo contributed by Melissa de Silva

ACPT members- Melissa and Mary Chan, registering participants for CaFE’s ‘Exploring the Catholic Church‘ module at the Church of St Bernadette

Participants purchasing the CaFE booklets

Fr Eugene Chong addressing the participants…

Gwen Pinto, opening the session with a prayer

All eyes on the video…

Group discussion facilitated by Gillian

Participants of CaFE discussing their faith experiences

Gwen Pinto, the chairperson of the Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team (ACPT) gives some pointers on facilitation

Taking a break during the CaFE workshop given to the CaFE team of St Mary of the Angels

Facilitation practice in progress….

The ACPT and St Mary’s CaFE team working together to register of the participants for the CaFE module “Knowing God Better“.

Group discussion during CaFE’s ‘Knowing God Better‘ sessions at St Mary of the Angels

Date: 2 Dec- 3 Dec 2006

The Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team (ACPT) at Miri for a weekend of CaFE workshops on 2 and 3 Dec 2006, with Margaret Chieng , the contact person.

The leaders from Miri, Kuching, Brunei and Ipoh, discuss starting CaFE in their parishes

All smiles after the Sunday Mass!

The youth at the CaFE weekend

Group discussion after viewing a CaFE video

Merry Christmas in Miri 2006!