Growing in CaFE
On finishing NET17 at St Bernadette, I was invited to join the Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team (ACPT). We had to go for an interview and I was accepted into ACPT.
I am a cradle Catholic so my faith was very shallow. I wanted to grow in my faith so the CaFE talks have helped me to know and understand my Catholic faith better. I am now a disciple of Christ, a practising Catholic and not a Sunday Catholic or a Retired Catholic.
I was also afraid of meeting people and CaFE helped me to overcome my fears and be comfortable in group discussions. I find that I can discuss and not be tongue tied as I usually don’t know what so say especially in a group.
Now I am learning to be a facilitator and I find I am braver and I learn to pray a lot more now as I have to depend on God and the Holy Spirit to guide me and take away all my fears. In the group I also get to meet and know other people better, in a more personal way especially when they discuss and share about their struggles in life. We learn from each other.
Attending CaFE Sessions have also helped me to overcome my travelling sickness. I usually don’t take public transport as everything is walking distance from my home, i.e. my office, church, shopping centre etc. When I take public transport I get a headache and I don’t feel well, but now I have no problem. I can travel to any church in Singapore for CaFE sessions no matter how far.
My Vision for CaFE: I find the CaFE talks easy to understand and I hope more Churches will make use of this programme to reach out to the newly baptized so they can continue to grow in their Catholic faith and get to know Christ and his teaching better. Otherwise they will become lapsed Catholics after their Baptism. CaFE can also reach out in the Small Christian Communities as most of them are cradle Catholics, to take their religion as a baptized Catholics seriously, to deepen their faith and to grow in their relationship with God. CaFE also creates bonding among Catholics in their community especially when they meet and come together and share together.
- Magdeline Koh
I joined ACPT in September 2007, after completing a course in NET. You can say that CaFE is a dream-come-true for me. My previous experiences with small group discussions before joining ACPT were a bit of a struggle for me. As a participant I had often felt inadequate about my “sharings”. As a facilitator I had no knowledge about how to handle a discussion that has flown off the track. It was difficult and I had wished for a way about it. However, the training sessions that I received in CaFE ministry has totally changed my understanding about facilitating. I learned some simple basic rules to go about it, and they work! It is also very encouraging when participants share about being comfortable with the CaFE group discussions, whilst they had previously thought that the concept was not their “cup of tea”.
From the CaFE video talks, I have benefited much in terms of my spiritual growth. I’ve become more prayerful and I’ve learned to allow myself to be led by the Holy Spirit at all times, drawing positive results. Through CaFE I discovered my personal strength and weakness where I’m able to use my strength and build upon my weaknesses. CaFE is a great resource for spiritual growth and for bonding with our brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of their age and status.
Our team members are from various parishes – united as ONE – to serve the parishes of Singapore.
-Mary Yong
How has CaFE affected my spiritual life:- My spiritual life has definitely been enhanced by CaFE. I dare boast that I had a close walk with God but after CaFE this walk has become even closer. Today, God is not only a close friend but also a loving protector. He is the only One to guide and bring me to heaven – every Christian’s ultimate desire.
My vision for CaFE: That more and more parishes in Singapore will get to know and use CaFE to call Catholics back into the arms of our Lord Jesus.
-Patricia Ee
When I first heard about CaFE, I was very excited about the program and wanted to be part of C aFE as it is the answer for Catholics – to help us become more passionate about our faith! To live life to the full with Jesus and all people He brings into our lives.
Personally, CaFE has helped me deepen my faith and grow spiritually – the teachings have impressed and touched me to really know God Better and Even Better on a personal level. I have also learnt to treasure the Sacraments even more with the series on Exploring the Catholic Faith. And God really speaks to me, especially at moments of need in my life.
In my journey with Catholics through the C aFE modules both in Singapore and overseas, God’s tender love has been clearly evident and bountiful for me to see. During our trip to Miri, God worked powerfully and enabled the team to introduce CaFE to a big group of about 70 (from an initial group of less than 10) from many parts of Malaysia complete with blessings of top class venues and sumptuous meals from kind benefactors.
I am also deeply encouraged from witnessing God’s grace working in the participants’ lives and their spiritual growth through the CaFE program. The CaFE team has become a family for me and together we Love and Serve God and minister to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
My Vision for CaFE: My vision for CaFE is to be a part of every Church’s faith renewal program and for every Catholic to participate in CaFE to experience renewed passion for their faith and grow in relationship with God and God’s beloved people.
-Emily Lee
How has CaFE affected my spiritual life? After my NET15 commissioning, I don’t remember who invited me to join ACPT. But I believe the Lord wants me to know more about Him, and also to serve Him in this ministry. Before joining ACPT I was very quiet, nervous person who lacked confidence. Now I feel much better as I get support from the people around me, and they also help my spiritual growth. In this CaFE ministry my strength is doing the logistics. Although I am old, I am strong and very healthy. Sometimes I ask myself if without me being involved in the CaFE ministry I don’t know whether I can be strong and health today. My vision for CaFE: That more parishes are encouraged to run the CaFE, especially for the newly baptized Catholic to let them know more about Jesus and also to grow in faith so that one day they may be able to serve Him.
-Frederick Ang
CAFE and my spiritual life: I have become a more committed Christian ever since I joined ACPT. I learn much from the team and through listening to the faith journeys of the participants. Working together among the community of believers also helps me to be a better Christian.
My vision for CaFE: I hope every Catholic (and non-Christians too) with take full advantage of the CaFE resources to help them deepen their relationship with God.
-Gordon Kong
In 2003, ACPT ran our first CaFE module at the request of Fr Eugene Chong of St Bernadette Church and with the approval of Archbishop, Nicholas Chia. The resources were bought in U.K.
With a growing sense of excitement we viewed the video talks which are presented by bishops, scholars, theologians and trained laity. Here at last were the Catholic resources we were looking for!
The videos contain deep Catholic teachings put in a simple way that captivates and also challenges the viewer to look at faith as relationship with God that is lived out every day. The small group discussions that follow the talks are another plus factor.
Having run CaFE since 2003, I have seen many Catholics being renewed in their faith. CaFE has played an important part in my own ongoing conversion and renewal. With every module I come to a deeper understanding of who God is in my life and how he wants me to live my life.
My vision for CaFE: CaFE is a powerful tool of evangelization. My dream is that every parish in Singapore will run the CaFE programme and through it, bring about a great renewal of the Catholic Church of Singapore.
-Gwen Pinto
One of the ways that God has been shaping and drawing me closer to Him is through CaFE. It keeps me close to God through prayers and serving in the community. Watching the video presentations and discussions with the participants has also strengthened my faith and relationship with God. I’m encouraged whenever I see the participants recognize God working in their lives. Being a co-facilitator, I have become a better listener. It’s a joy being able to reach out to others through CaFE.
My vision for CaFE: CaFE is a great tool for evangelization and I believe that the talks will help many to rediscover God’s presence in their lives.
-Gwendolyn Ho
Growing up in a Catholic family in the Philippines, I vaguely remember Catechism classes held at an all-girl Catholic school which I attended from Grade School all the way up to University level. I certainly do not remember ever going for Sunday School Classes. You might say that my faith was caught rather than taught.
Attending these CaFE sessions have helped me “re-learn” and reinforce the basics of my Catholic faith which I took for granted. The talks are easy to understand yet give references to Bible Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
As a facilitator in these sessions, I have developed my spiritual gifts of wisdom, understanding and patience. At each module, dealing with the various participants has shown me the uniqueness of each person that I have encountered. And my own perceptions have been influenced by the fruitful discussions which follow each session.
My vision for CaFE: As a member of ACPT, I hope to be able to share CaFE with as many parishes that show an interest in us. I want them to be able to experience CaFE. It will then benefit and renew whoever attends these talks.
-Ginnie Ang
I was serving the Lord as a member of St Vincent de Paul for a number of years before introduced to the CaFE program. All these 6 years I was just ‘serving’ the poor but not growing spiritually.
While receiving formation at NET17, I was introduced to CaFE, as I followed the talks on DVD, I found it easy and simple to understand and slowly and steadily I got to know to God working in my life. Through the group discussion, I also learnt and shared how God has touched me and how the Lord is with me daily.
I was later called into ACPT and I can say my spiritual growth is going uphill and I am still growing and learning, hoping to get closer still to the Lord. I am glad I was introduced to CaFE otherwise I would be just another Sunday going Catholic.
I pray that more parishes will come to know of this program and introduce it to the parishioners, to bring them to a closer relationship with the Lord.
-Mary Chua
I have been involved in CaFE for about six years now. This is enough testimony to prove how effective this programme is. Each time I attend the video talks and listen to the faith experiences of the participants, my faith deepens knowing that our God is continually looking after me through good times and bad. I also came to the realisation that He is full of mercy and love which are essential in our everyday life. CaFE has also made me aware of the virtue in humility through Hospitality, serving others willingly.
My vision for CaFE: That CaFE will expand and be welcomed by parishes everywhere knowing that this will be an amazing programme for Catholics especially, who have doubts about the faith. I would like to see more young people as facilitators as I believe they will be able to reach out to the younger generation.
-Mary Cross
