SMU CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
NOSTRUM FIDES
Fides Strikes a Record Deal!
by Marie Luo
I had my reservations about whether this Christ-
mas CD Recording would be a success. Having
been singing in a choir for 9 years now, there are
certain expectations I have set for choirs. Are peo-
ple going to understand what diaphragm, support
and placements mean? What if we flop? Would
there even be people signing on for this project
amidst all our other school commitments?
However, I soon realised that I had underestimated
the enthusiasm of the Fides community. I was
pleasantly surprised by the number of people who
had signed up to be part of this recording. Al-
though most people did not have any experience
singing in a choir, they stepped forward to contrib-
ute in any way they could and I felt this was Christ-
like.
Despite having to cope with presentations and
school work, this group of people made an effort to
turn up or stay back after prayer meet for practices.
It was very touching to know that there were peo-
ple who actually took the initiative to go back
home to listen and practise along with the midi file
that we had
given them.
It looks like
we definitely
learnt how to
make effec-
tive use of
our smugging
skills.
Those who were at Woodlands that night would
remember how we raced against time to finish the
recording. I felt really guilty having taken up so
much time to record the instrumental music, mak-
ing everyone else wait. In spite of that, no one had
uttered a word of complaint and delivered very
professionally when it was their turn to sing. To-
wards the end, we were all squeezing inside the
small control room, listening to our final piece,
laughing and cam-whoring. At that moment, I
wanted time to freeze, so that I could enjoy the
timelessness of pumping adrenaline having com-
pleted our first ever CD together, seeing all that
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 SMU CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
happy faces and flashing grins, and of course, feel-
ing the strong presence of God.
I was also moved by our dear year 4 seniors.
Though they were not singing, they attended our
practices and even went down to Woodlands just to
support us juniors and to give us their invaluable
advice. Not forgetting our organisers Charlene and
Samantha, garnering everyone with their optimism
and energetic personalities, giving us the hope and
confidence that the CD would be a success. It
struck me that perhaps this zeal, passion and posi-
TIME JUST FOR HIM BY ESTHER HENG
Among all the valuable insights and sharing by
Father Marin of Opus Dei, the greatest take-
home point for me on that day was the need for
personal prayer time. A relationship without
communication can be hardly called a relation-
ship, what more of our relationship with God?
This relationship should be of the highest im-
portance, simply because He is our creator, our
Father.
Father Marin discussed several dispositions we, as than you expect.
children of God should adopt towards prayer. Faith
is one cornerstone of our prayer life, of which
without it, prayer would be futile. It is only when
we have faith that we will be able to know what we
cannot see. He who seeks wi! find; knock and the door
wi! be open unto you.
The other component mentioned that is crucial to
a meaningful prayer life is constancy. Constancy is
the one component that I personally am struggling
with. For me, praying often ends up as something
that depends on my mood or sometimes, even con-
venience. There are times where it seems like there
is not even time to finish up our reports and pres-
tive attitude could be summed up aptly by these 3
words, “The Fides Spirit”.
As I write this, I am starting to get all warm and
fuzzy inside. Fides is a haven of great people and I
know that, but writing it down and seeing it in
black and white, just makes it more apparent, more
visible, that I am very fortunate to be here, pray-
ing, studying and singing alongside people I truly
call, friends.
entations, what more time for prayer? In reply to
that, Father Marin gave a good question for us to
ponder upon – Isn’t God more important than any-
thing else that we’re doing?
I have a Muslim friend whom I met in SMU and I
have observed her doing her disappearing act when
she goes for her prayers in the middle of the day.
By her actions, she has given me inspiration to
start a little something on my own.
As suggested by Fr. Marin, 15 minutes of personal
prayer time a day will be a good start. Every time
before you hit the books in this coming week, be-
gin with a prayer. Dedicate these 15 minutes to
God, clear your mind off your worries and anxieties
and know that this period of time is really just for
God. (Seriously, I think this is the only thing we as
His children can give Him – time.) I personally en-
joy spending quiet time in the Adoration chapel in
the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. The peace and
serenity I get from that short 15 minutes is so
amazing that I assure you that the time that you
give just to Him will in turn bring you much more
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 SMU CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

NOVEMBER 16, 2007

THOUGHTS ON THE FIDES DAY OF DISCERNMENT BY VINCENT ONG

How does one know that one is indeed called to

serve, and in which ministry? Perhaps the central
issue is whether there are real limitations that pre-
vent one from serving. Doubting one’s ability is not
a real limitation, rather, it is one conjured by the
mind. Father Vaz entreated us to reverse the simple
question of “why should I serve?” to “why should I
not?”; if there is no good reason to refrain from
serving in a particular ministry, then one should
jolly well be doing one’s utmost to contribute in
that ministry!

The idea of discernment is daunting to the average

The Day of Discernment changed my entire per-
spective on the meaning of discernment and being
called to do God’s work. The talk by Father Vaz on
volunteerism and discipleship struck a chord
within me; upon reflection, being a volunteer was
exactly the way I was serving God thus far! One of
the main takeaways from the talk was the realisa-
tion that as Catholics, we are not called to be vol-
unteers that take things into our hands, rather we
are called to be disciples who serve at the will of
the Lord.
Catholic like me. Doubts surface every time I dis-
cern the Father’s plan in service. “What if I’m just
not good enough?” or “what if I’m in this for the
wrong reasons?” After attending the Day of Dis-
cernment, it became clear to me that when God
calls, it does not matter how great you are, or how
small you are, as He will make you more than suffi-
cient for your task at hand. All that is required of
us is that we serve the Lord with glad and willing
hearts.
May the Lord God grant the community willing
hearts to serve Him as disciples in SMU.

THOUGHTS ON THE FIDES DAY OF DISCERNMENT BY DESIREE TAN

These questions ran through my mind when Julia,

the current president, asked if I wanted to attend
the ‘Day of Discernment’. Although I was born
Catholic, I never had the motivation, or rather, felt
the ‘calling’ to serve God in my parish. Neverthe-
less, I started attending Fides after coming to SMU
to help myself draw closer to God and to under-
stand the marvellous works He is doing for us, His
beloved children.

During the first half of the ‘Day of Discernment’,

the guest speaker, Father Ambrose Vaz gave out
two slips of paper filled with questions. It con-
tained reflection questions about the call to serve
God, the level of commitment I had to ministry
Should I serve in Fides? Am I ready? Without any
and the faith I had in Him. This question struck
prior experience in serving God, am I ready to
me
serve God through Fides?

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 SMU CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
‘Am I focused on Christ? … or am I distracted
“watching” others, comparing myself/my life with
theirs?’ Calendar
December 2007
I pondered about my hesitation to serve God. I
realised that I have developed an inferiority com- Christmas Caroling @ Homes
plex by constantly comparing myself with other
Catholics who are active in ministry. The fear of 6th - 9th December 2007
not being able to match their commitments and
Youth In The Spirit Seminar
actions haunted me. Hence, I never felt ready to
serve the community.
15th-16th December 2007
It never crossed my mind that all God wanted from Illuminate- Leaders for Christ Convention 2007
me was to serve him sincerely and faithfully.

Father Vaz also mentioned that Fides, being a small 2nd January 2008
community, with a high turnover rate, constantly Annual General Meeting
needs fresh faces to rise up to leadership positions.
If there are no doubts in its members to serve
11th January 2008
Christ, they ought to take the first step.
Opening & Commissioning Mass

It was then, I realised that I should not be compar-

ing myself with others, but rather, I should try to
serve God to the best of my abilities.

Therefore, I have decided to take the first step to

start moving closer to God by placing myself in a
position to serve the Lord.
Announcements
Although I was more certain I wanted to serve in
Fides after the sharing by Father Ambrose, I was
still clueless as to what I was able to do. Unbeliev-
able as it may sound; my prayers were answered
during the second half of the ‘Day of Discernment’.
The seniors gave out a ‘Catholic Spiritual Inven-
tory List’, which classified the different types of
charisms. For me, my outstanding type of charism
is the ‘organisation charisms’, which focussed on
meeting the structural needs or an organisation or
group.

I hope that I will be able to serve in Fides using the

gifts that God had upon bestowed me.

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