Novena Preaching @ Novena Church

As we enter into Holy Week, let us reflect on the passion and suffering of Christ. Many of us are suffering, be it illness, cancer, depression, isolation, or caring for sick loved ones. We also recognise that God, who loves us, also suffered -Jesus suffered false accusation, pain, persecution, humiliation and torture. The passion of Christ invites us to be open to see that that suffering is part a...

In the process of upholding righteousness, there will be high chance we will face storms and some persecutions. Rightiousness disturbs. It exposes lies. It confronts injustice. And it refuses to bow to demands of society or the world. Often, this can only be done if we're strongly rooted and anchored in Christ. When suffering or persecution happens to us because of our faithness towards righte...

This week's reflection focuses on the seventh Beatitude: "Blessed are peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Fr. Gerard reminds us that true peace isn't won through conflict but through justice, respect, and dignity for all, especially the vulnerable. While we may not be global negotiators, we can be peacemakers in our daily lives – at home, work, and within our communities – by re...

We have been reflecting on the beatitudes or blessings of God. Today we reflect on the sixth Beatitude, to be pure in heart (meaning holiness), but is this possible in our modern times and circumstances? When our heart stays close to God, it remains pure but when it drifts away it becomes clouded and impure. The heart is the core of who we are. To see God means to have a deep relationship with Him...

In the Lenten Journey in the Beatitudes this week, we are called to reflect on the gift of mercy. Fr. Yosef emphasizes that mercy is not just about forgiveness but also about patience, compassion, and generosity. Jesus calls us to forgive continuously, and though it may be difficult, it is possible if we have love in our hearts. Mercy involves making space for others, showing empathy, and being un...

Let us reflect on today’s beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice (righteousness), for they will be filled. 1. What is ‘Hunger and thirst’? It is a deep desire and insatiable longing for something i.e. St Augustine- ‘Our hearts are restless until it rests in your Lord.’ Restless until we have that one thing- righteousness 2. Righteousness-It is the justice that comes from Go...

The Beatitudes is a call to think like Jesus. When we face injustice and violence, we want justice and vengeance. But we must seek out a different attitude and mentality and deny ourselves. It’s a call to adopt a heavenly perception of things, to have the mind and heart of Jesus. That way, the blessedness of belonging to the kingdom of God will grow in us. - Novena Devotion by Fr. Peter Wee, C.Ss....

Today we are invited to reflect on the second Beatitude. Many of us are afflicted and sorrowful, having tremendous difficulties and are in despair. Some of us are mourning the loss of our beloved. Mourning touches all levels of life. We seek Mother Mary’s protection for consolation and comfort for she is the mother of the afflicted, the refuge of sinners, hope of the hopeless. True comfort and con...

This homily marks the beginning of our Lenten journey, where we will reflect on the Beatitudes. We start with the first: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Fr. Vincent reminds us that being “poor in spirit” isn’t about financial poverty but about humility and dependence on God. If we are full of ourselves, there’s no room for God’s grace. True discipleship requi...

2025 is the Jubilee year of Hope. The Jubilee signifies a new beginning, a new chance and starting over. It is a genuine moment of a personal encounter with Lord Jesus Christ which is fruited in hope. Because our hope is grounded in Him. What is hope? According to Pope Francis - Hope does not disappoint and hope comes from the love of Jesus. Let us then be signs of hope in embracing life, for thos...

Like the perfect meal, we must find the right ingredients to make our families wonderful. Like a perfect dish, we have to find what's missing or lacking and take steps to make it tasty again. Love is the most essential ingredient to nurture family relationships -- it's the bond that holds families together. Have we become closer to our parents or siblings? Or are we not on talking terms? Like the...

Life is tough - an endless circle of working, studying, spending and earning. We have health and relationship problems, loneliness, aging and ultimately death. What ‘s the point really, to work so hard? How do I see God in all these things? Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Patience is the key in being able to see God in all things. We can count on God, who is in charge. The God who is...

The theme of this week’s Novena, “A Wake-Up Call,” reflects on the world’s challenges today. Fr. Simon shared stories of how crises inspire reflection, renewed faith, and strength, such as a boy offering his piggy bank to rebuild his home after a fire and a twice-cancer-survivor mother finding hope in her faith. He highlighted the untouched image of the Blessed Mother amidst the fire, reminding us...

Recall your most significant day in your life. For us Christians, it is the day of our baptism, when we are consecrated and become children of God. Tomorrow, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus which marks the beginning of his public ministry, where he identifies himself with us who are sinners, giving us grace, strength and hope of new life in him. Let us reflect on our own baptism where w...

It's the new year, and Deacon Antony offered three ways we can celebrate the Jubilee Year together. The first is frequent participation in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharistic celebration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Second, practicing acts of mercy. He's not just talking about feeding the hungry with food, but also offering kind words and compassion to our family members, and making...

As we approach the New Year, Fr Vincent reminds us that reflection on our lives is essential for personal and spiritual growth. Families are struggling. We carry resentment and anger which not only harms ourselves but others, like the recent tragedy in China where a man's anger led to the death of 35 innocent people. Today is also the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The sufferings of innocent lives c...

As we journey through Advent, we reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, culminating in the adoration of Jesus in the manger on Christmas Day. Do we feel hope as we prepare for Christmas? The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31). The second week focuses on peace, reminding us of Jesus' words: "Peace I leave you; my peace...

Advent is a beautiful season, but it’s easy to feel spiritually unprepared amidst the holiday rush. This week’s theme, inspired by St Alphonsus’ hymn Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle, highlights God’s incredible love and humility as the Creator who became part of His creation through Jesus Christ. Reflecting on Genesis and the true meaning of Christmas, we’re reminded that Jesus came to show us how to live....

In today’s homily, Fr Simon Pereira reflects on the theme of humility, drawing inspiration from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians. He reminds us of Jesus’ ultimate humility: though He is God, He chose to become man, taking the form of a servant and humbling himself even to death on a cross. This humility led to His exaltation, demonstrating the profound relationship between humility and God’s gr...

In this heartfelt sharing, Fr Simon Tan reflected on his journey of discovering the power and presence of God through Scripture, personal prayer, and ministering to others. He recounted his own struggles with understanding the Bible as a young man and how a transformative moment in prayer led him to experience God's Word as active and alive. He calls on families, especially parents, to set an exam...

In this homily, Fr Antony Charles shares a story about a man stranded in the Atlantic Ocean and who was miraculously rescued by a helicopter from nowhere. Salvation, like the man's rescue, is a gift that we cannot earn through our own efforts but comes through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. While salvation is freely offered, we must respond to it by embracing the sacraments, living a life...

This week’s theme, “Longing for the Christ Child, the Centre of My Life,” invites us to reflect on the question: Is Jesus truly the centre of my life? While we may profess faith and know doctrine, how personally do we know Him? By recognizing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can experience His transformative love and centre our lives on Him. Responding to God’s call to love Him with all our heart,...

Today is the 292nd anniversary of the founding of the Redemptorist Congregation by St Alphonsus Liguori in 1732. Fr Glenn reflects on his vocation journey- did he have doubts? Second thoughts? Yes he did. The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. If one is certain of God’s love for them, why would they need faith? And in discerning one’s vocation, there is doubt. It is about taking the ri...

It's good for us to reflect on the darkness within ourselves and around us. As we prepare for Advent, we reflect on the theme, Birth, the Light of the World. We associate darkness to the moments God is absent in our lives, the moments we fall into sin, or when evil, selfishness, pride, cruelty and greed rule over us. With the birth of Christ, the light illuminates the darkness in our lives. He's t...

Today we begin the advent novena reflections. The theme for this special novena is Jesus Christ, A Christmas Gift, God’s Love for us. In this first week of the advent novena, Fr Yosef reflects on the Annunciation - Trust in God. We all know about the story of Mother Mary and angel Gabriel. God’s plan is often full of surprises and beyond our understanding. God’s ways are not meant to confuse us bu...