How can we take care of our soul and mood, so we can cope with this pandemic.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. Today's Gospel comes from John 1:35-42, where Jesus calls the first disciples. Originally, John and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist but they followed Jesus after the Baptist told them to. On approaching Jesus, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" Some approach Jesus out of habit, curiosity, or family tradition, but the proper reason is this: only He can give us true love and eternal life. St. Augustine lived a life of debauchery in his youth but later realized that our hearts are made for God, and unless they rest in Him, they cannot find rest. The disciples asked Jesus where He lived, only to be told to follow Him. Perhaps they had other plans that day but they decided to stay with Jesus until sunset. If we want to truly follow Jesus, we mustn't force Him into our schedules but must break them to give Him control over our time and lives. Before we follow Jesus, our lives are like sitting in the driver's seat but once we follow Him, we must switch places and let Him decide where to go. Although Andrew had yet to learn that Jesus was the Son of God, he still shared what had happened with his brother Peter. When we share the Gospel, we do not need a theology degree. Oftentimes, people are converted not by theological arguments, but by the good example and words of their friends and family. We ought to ask ourselves whether we are following Jesus for the right reasons and taking the time to grow closer to God in prayer every day.

How can we take care of our soul and mood, so we can cope with this pandemic.

Taizé is a form of prayer that includes short hymns, silence and reflection. It is also a religious community that had evolved from a place of refuge during World War II. Every year, thousands of young people descend upon this little town in southern France to pray and have retreat there, and Taizé prayer has become a popular form of prayer all over the world.

 
"UShine" Finding in God from hiking : God relates to you and me! What is God to you? How about we listen to our young hosts and some Catholic post-secondary students to see what do they think.
"Spiritual Talk" - The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - Fr. Anthony Ho
"Edwin's Blog" - January 9, 2021

God relates to you and me! What is God to you? How about we listen to our young hosts and some Catholic post-secondary students to see what do they think.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is commemorated as the first of the Luminous Mysteries added to the Rosary by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Jesus was baptized with sinners in the River Jordan, representing how He would take on the consequences of our sins. Just as Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ, the Feast of His Baptism which ends the Christmas season commemorates our spiritual birth. When Christ was baptized, three things happened, which give our own baptisms much spiritual significance. First, the sky was opened, which calls to mind Moses' parting of the Red Sea to enter the Promised Land--we likewise have a path to enter the Kingdom of God through baptism. Second, the Holy Spirit descended over the waters to above Christ's head in the form of a dove, which calls to mind the dove that Noah sent over the waters, representing new creation--we likewise become new Temples of the Holy Spirit in Baptism. Third, the Father called Jesus "my beloved Son". When we are baptized, the grace of God makes us His sons and daughters, and forgives all our sins. From this, we can see how important baptism is and even during this time of pandemic, we ought to continue baptizing with fewer people in attendance. As Christians, we should be zealous for evangelizing, so that others might experience the grace of baptism and join the big family that is the Church.

Saint Joseph's Oratory, Canada's largest church, is located in Montreal. The Oratory is also the largest shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world. Throughout his whole life, St. Brother Andre promoted devotion to St. Joseph. It was precisely through the intercession of St. Joseph that Brother Andre found strength in overcoming the trials of his life.

 
"Music of the Heart" A New Day - Jay Fung : In this episode, we will share a song sung by Jay Fung. Have you ever watched a sunrise? Sunrise is full of hope and energy. In this new year, let's keep hopeful and have faith, and create a better future.
"Spiritual Talk" - The Feast of Epiphany - Fr. Anthony Ho
"Ask Fr. Francis" - Why do we need to pray? And do praying really help us?
"Edwin's Blog" - January 2, 2021

A number of dioceses in Canada are carrying out a children formation program named "Catechesis of the Good Shepherd". It helps children to build a relationship with Jesus since they are young. By introducing them to the Bible and church liturgies, this helps them establish a good foundation for future faith formation. The program benefits not only the children, but also the teachers. The teachers are touched by the children's love for God, which often results in their own conversion and spiritual growth.

In this episode, we will share a song sung by Jay Fung. Have you ever watched a sunrise? Sunrise is full of hope and energy. In this new year, let's keep hopeful and have faith, and create a better future.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany to commemorate Jesus revealing Himself to three groups of people: firstly, to the Gentiles when He accepted the gifts of the Three Magi from the East; secondly, to the Jews when He was baptized by John the Baptist; and thirdly, to His Apostles when He turned water into wine in the wedding at Cana. The first reading from the Book of Isaiah speaks of the glory of God while the second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians teaches that the Gentiles have also been called. The gifts of the three Magi have significance: gold represents Christ's kingship, frankincense represents His divinity, while myrrh represents His humanity. We can also offer up our meritorious works as spiritual gold, our prayers as frankincense, and our mortifications as myrrh. The Church has a tradition of inviting the laity to offer up the bread and wine at the Offertory. The bread can represent all we have in our lives, while the wine can represent the needs of others. The perfect sacrifice of the Mass not only benefits Catholics, but also blesses the entire world, for the fruits of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross are distributed to all lands and times through the Mass. During this pandemic, the faithful will certainly receive the graces of the Mass if they sincerely thirst to receive the Eucharist and unite themselves spiritually to the Mass.

Sister Po Yee Yeung brings you back to Galilee, following the footsteps of Jesus. In this episode, she will share about how to read the Bible. If you want to contact Sr. Po Yee, you can email: radio@fll.cc

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family, honouring Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph. Pope Francis declared this year to be the Year of St. Joseph, the 150th anniversary of his declaration as the Patron of the Universal Church and also of Workers and the Protector of the Saviour in later years. Pope Francis reminds us that during the pandemic, frontline workers toil behind the scenes like Joseph to offer up their work and sacrifices for the needs of the world. He also suggests that those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic should ask St. Joseph for help in finding work. Joseph is a good example, for not only is he faithful in prayer and work, but also truly loves Jesus and Mary. He does not seek to control them but selflessly seeks their good. He is also deeply needed by our modern society as a model of chastity and fatherhood. In today's Gospel, Joseph and Mary dedicate Jesus in the Temple. This fourth Joyful Mystery shows that Joseph and Mary recognize the sovereignty of God over Jesus. Hence, we should not see other people as goods to be possessed, for all are children of God, entrusted to us in order to help them live good and holy lives. When children are baptized, they are consecrated to God, so they are merely entrusted to their parents, who must constantly discern the will of God for their children.

 
"Return to Galilee" How to read Bible - Sr. Po Yee Yeung - Sister Po Yee Yeung brings you back to Galilee, following the footsteps of Jesus. In this episode, she will share about how to read the Bible. If you want to contact Sr. Po Yee, you can email: radio@fll.cc
"Spiritual Talk" - The Feast of the Holy Family - Fr. Anthony Ho
"Edwin's Blog" - December 26, 2020

On Christmas cards, the scene of the birth of Jesus is depicted in a peaceful way. What does Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, look like today?

Two groups of teenagers and young adults went to volunteer in Ukraine and Tanzania respectively. What did they experience while volunteering abroad?

This coming Christmas will definitely be very unique because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of passively and negatively to face this adverse situation, can we use a positive and proactive way to love and care about our family and friends, especially those neighbours who most need our stretching hands.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Gospel reading comes from Luke 1:26-38. Before the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel appeared to announce the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah while he was conducting his priestly duties at the Temple. Meanwhile, Mary--humble and unknown--received the angel at the small village of Nazareth. Mary's circumstances may have been humbler but the foretold reality was far greater. God often chooses the humble to carry out His will in order to show that truly great deeds are only done through His grace. By responding to God's will with obedience, Mary saved us from the disobedience of Eve. A Church Father once taught that while death came through Eve, life came through Mary. God entered humanity through the free choice of Mary, showing how much He values our free choice. Meanwhile, Mary freely accepted the consequences of being the Mother of God, including suffering at the foot of the Cross with her Son. Mary's humility is the good foundation of the spiritual life and we can pray the Angelus and the Hail Mary to imitate her in listening to God's will.