Novena Preaching @ Novena Church

Many families in Singapore are not happy families, there are quarrels and fighting which though can be normal, but can sometimes be excessive, continuous and hence the family is not a peaceful sanctuary. This sad reality can be seen in the recent unfathomable cases of parents killing their own young children. Some people do not know how to love themselves and some are perpetually angry and scold o...

In today's reflection from Matthew 19:16, we revisit the story of the rich young man who walked away sad because he could not part with his wealth to follow Jesus. This challenge reminds us of the cost of true discipleship: detachment, compassion, and wholehearted following. We are also invited to reflect on the loneliness found in modern society - the song "The Most Peculiar Man" by...

We are not able to run away from death; it is a reality that will happen to all of us sooner or later. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is for healing and it is not the same as the commendation for the dying. The commendation prayer is a beautiful prayer with the litany of the saints employing all the saints to come and assist the dying person to really encounter God and go peacefully. I...

Fr. Antony Charles shares a moving image of a hesitant child at the seashore near the Velankanni Shrine (Tamil Nadu, India), finding courage only when her mother takes her hand. This reflects how we, too, find strength in the presence of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In moments of fear, loneliness, or struggle, Mary walks with us, just as she did with Elizabeth and the early disciples. At the cross,...

Let us reflect on Hope and Unity. In the current situation where we see division and fragmentation, wars, trade and tariff wars, or even conflict within ourselves, without the God factor in our lives, we can go into despair and despondency. Let us hold onto Hope as we acknowledge that we cannot control the situation, but with hope in God, things may be better- not just in the here-and-now, but in...

This Pentecost, we look at the message of St Paul, where he asked Timothy to fan into a flame of the gift God has given us. The spirit is like a flame that needs to be fanned by our good works. Once we begin to be judgmental, once we don't forgive, once we gossip to destroy the image and name of someone, once we claim to be self-righteous, the wind becomes weak. It becomes a light breeze. With...

Fr. Simon reflects on three struggles many of us face daily: frustration, anger, and the inability to listen. Drawing from real-life experiences and pastoral encounters, he invites us to confront the ego that says, “I am always right”—an attitude that blocks love, forgiveness, and true communication in our relationships. Fr. Simon reminds us that while we often pray for others to change, the deepe...

We all want to be popular, to be seen and to be liked. In this celebrity culture we live in, we desire applause and affirmation. But in the gospel today, John 15:18-19, Fr. Ino reflects on Jesus’ farewell discourse. In contrast to our current culture, Jesus spoke about not being popular, not being liked, not being affirmed but being hated, despised and disliked. Cardinal Tobin from the US as bulli...

The homily reflects on Jesus’ commandment to love one another. But love isn’t always easy. Relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can be difficult. We often blame others for our unhappiness, without realizing that we too play a part in the tension. We tend to view things only from our own perspective. Fr Vincent reminds us that whilst we are not called to like everyone, we are called t...

We honour our mothers this weekend remembering their acts of love and we also think of our heavenly mother, Mother Mary’s love for us. 1.Essence of a mother’s love-Love for children For mothers, her children are her blessings. E.g. in the petitions that we hear week after week-mothers are praying for their children and even family members. Why do mothers go that extra mile for their children? It i...

We sometimes can't help but come to church with a lot of doubt but leave with a lot of faith -- and the reverse for others. Doubting as a human experience was known in the lives of the apostles, with Thomas wanting proof from the resurrected Christ. If we trust in God, we wouldn't need proof. When we let God manage our lives, we can be sure it will be done according to the will of God. But...

Mary believed in her son’s resurrection and trusted in His words and promise that He is alive and will rise from the dead. At the annunciation, Mary became the link between Christ’s humanity and our own. At the resurrection, Mary completed this link by cooperating with Jesus to restore our relationship with God. Mary’s role in the resurrection is that of a silent witness and an intense participant...

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...