Seeing the Face of God: Lessons from a Banana Peel

Our Mother of Perpetual Help - Tenderness of a mother & mercy of God

Mothers somehow always sense when something is wrong with their children because we were literally part our mother. That is why God also uses the image of a mother to describe His love for us. Today is the feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. In Mary’s heart, we experience the tenderness of a mother and the mercy of God. If we look at the icon, we see Mother Mary embracing the frightened child Jesus and remaining with Him. When her child is afraid, she never lets Him face the problem alone. Let us continue to bring all our problems to our heavenly mother who never grows weary of praying and interceding for us before her son. She will always guide us, protect us and lead us to her son Jesus. Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Fulgensius Avelinus Ora, C.Ss.R (27 June 2026)

More than a Petition, more than a Prayer

In this homily, Fr. Simon reminds us that Mother Mary's deepest desire is to lead us to her Son, Jesus. Prayer is not just about petitions. It's about worshipping God with trust and gratitude. Reflecting on the Eucharistic Adoration during Novena, Fr Simon encourages us to use those precious moments to simply gaze upon Jesus and say, “Lord, I believe in You. I trust in You.” Even amid pain and unanswered questions, worship opens our hearts to God’s presence and allows Him to embrace us. Drawing from his own vocation journey, Fr Simon shares how surrendering uncertainties to God revealed His guidance over time. God doesn't need lengthy prayers - just a sincere, trusting heart. As we bring our struggles before the Lord, may we also learn to worship Him in spirit and truth, confident that He is greater than every burden we carry. - Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Simon Tan, C.Ss.R. (20 June 2026)

The Power of Paradigm Shift through God's eyes - from "complaint" to compassion

Today we reflect on Romans12:2: ‘Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ Stephen Covey talks about a paradigm shift where we change our thinking and approach to life, a shift from self-focus to compassion for others. We see that in our lady, who had no answer for her important question ‘How can this be?’ , but responded in faith- ‘Let it be to me according to your word.’ A paradigm shift, from fear to faith, from self-focus to compassion, from control to surrender. Similarly, we should: 1.Change our thinking in daily life 2.Consider what it means to show compassion. Our minds are cluttered and focused on so many things in our lives that we fail to notice our struggling neighbour. We should be mindful that small acts of kindness make a person feel appreciated, seen and not sidelines. It is an opportunity for us to show Christ’s love and compassion to them. As Maya Angelou says: ‘People often forget what you say or what you do, nut they will remember how you made them feel.’ - Saturday Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (13 June 2026)

Seeing the Face of God: Lessons from a Banana Peel

Fr. Glenn reflected on Jesus' mission in Luke's Gospel: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to bring good news to the poor." He illustrated this with a moving story of a nine-year-old boy named Pedro, though hungry himself, catches a fallen banana, and gives it whole to an elderly church cleaner, eating only the peel. A watching nun was struck by what she called "the face of God." God's covenant, Fr. Glenn reminds us, has always leaned toward the less fortunate, the sick, and the forgotten. In a world driven by wealth and self-interest, he challenged us to ask, "What is it all for?" and for those who have "the have-nots that God may be on their side too?" Like Mary in the Magnificat, we are called to lift up the lowly and trust in her loving intercession. - Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Glenn de Cruz, C.Ss.R. (6 June 2026)

Behold your Mother

Love has many meanings and perspectives but Mother Mary‘s love is always unwavering. She cares for us, guides us and loves us. She is a mother who never abandons us even when we stray. What is so unique about Mother Mary’s love? Mother Mary has a very natural desire to help everyone. At the wedding at Cana, she noticed that they had ran out of wine and simply went to Jesus and said, “They have no wine.” Similarly, Mother Mary sees our needs and goes to Jesus and intercedes for us on our behalf. Mary is our advocate who intercedes for us. When we face difficulty and challenges, with trust and confidence we know that she is always with us. Mother Mary’s maternal love remains unshaken, always pointing us towards her son, Jesus. - Saturday Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (30 May 2026)