By Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp | Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm Ps 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-5.9-14
Dear brothers and sisters,
We come together to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. The readings refer to his birth as the triumph of light over darkness. A light that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. That same darkness that has enveloped the world in various ways has submitted itself to the light that the birth of Jesus brings. He has come into the so that those who walk in darkness may be enlightened and those who are weak, sad, and without hope may be strong, happy, and hopeful instead. The readings show us that this little child, born by a poor couple in a manger, and not by a prince in a palace, is Immanuel – God with us. He is the light that illuminates every human being. He is the savior of the world. That is what we celebrate together, and we call it Christmas.
Christmas is that time of the year when families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate the birth of the child Jesus in a unique way, by being a blessing to each other. The coming of Christ brought the different cultures, people, and races in the world closer as a family and ushered in a new order of peace, love, mercy, and unity. For Christ, himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people (Eph. 2:14). Christmas challenges us to see Christ in others, especially in those for whom we may find it difficult to love and be kind. The magic of Christmas emerges perfectly in the fact that Christ is born in the most unexpected place and by the most unexpected parents: in Bethlehem and not in Jerusalem; in the period of the Roman empire and not at the highest point of Jewish power.
A very beautiful story describes the magic of Christ being born in our midst. It is a story that some of you know better than I do. The story goes like this: Once upon a time, there was a flourishing monastery that was in decline, with only six monks left in the monastery. Their love for God and their fellow monks was declining sharply. The Abbot was alarmed. So he went to a Rabbi, who told him that they had committed a terrible sin. “What have we done?” exclaimed the Abbot. “The Messiah has come, he is one of you and you have not duly recognized him,” the Rabbi replied. The Abbot asked the Rabbi which of them was Christ. The Rabbi said he did not know. The Abbot went with fear and called the other monks and asked which of them was Christ. They looked at each other in amazement. Who among them could be Christ? Certainly not Brother John, who never comes to prayer on time; certainly not Brother Peter, who is annoyingly careless with his meals; certainly not the Abbot, who is a difficult man. Perhaps Christ is among them in disguise.
So they started treating each other like Christ since they didn’t know which of them was Christ. They spoke kindly to each other. Rude and threatening words were never used again. They looked for ways to serve and forgive each other. Little things that used to irritate them were overlooked and they looked for the good in each other. Each did his work as a service to Christ who was among them and looked for ways to do good for the other. Each listened to the other with full attention and respect. Life began to flow back into the dying monastery. The monastery was suddenly full of life and love. Their prayer life became authentic, rich, and inspired. Noticing this love, the villagers gradually started coming to the monastery. They were happy to see the changes. They enjoyed these beautiful monks and were in turn influenced by them to go home and do the same. Soon the surrounding villagers came to listen and watch the services, and many joined their communities. The Messiah had indeed come.
Christmas begins from that moment when we allow Christ to be born in us, and learn to recognize and serve Him in others too because Christmas is about truly loving people and seeking out the best for them. It is about giving ourselves to others through our good thoughts and wishes to them, and through our encouraging words and actions. By serving others in whom we see Christ, we are actually serving Christ (cf. Matthew 25:40). So Christmas is not just about opening the gifts we receive, but more about opening our hearts to welcome God’s love and share this love with others. This love also reminds us to be thankful for our family, friends, colleagues, well-wishers, and others who inspire us in different ways. We should reserve a special place in our hearts for those who help us in different ways. People who support us in trying times and those who take care of our social, material, and even spiritual needs. Sometimes we do forget to be grateful for the self-giving of these people in the services they provide to us.
Christmas also demands us to acknowledge Jesus in those who are different, those homeless, and people on the fringes of society because when Jesus was about to be born, there was no place for Mary and Joseph in the inn. So, he had to be born in a manger among domestic animals. Those we treat as less than humans or as less than us might be the Marys and Josephs looking for a place for Jesus. Remember, God comes to us in the least expected manner and through the least expected persons. As humans, we tend to emphasize our differences over our similarities and our weaknesses over our strengths. But Christmas urges us to think and behave differently now that the Messiah is one of us.
As we enjoy the festive celebration of Christmas, let us endeavor to allow the light of Christ to shine in us and through us to others. Let us remember to impact the lives of the less privileged in a positive way by adding value to them. Let us commit to being very helpful to the poor and needy this Christmas, instead of feeling helpless and hopeless.
Wishing you a merry, peaceful, and blessed Christmas.
By Mary Lynn van Dijk With input from Amor, Irene, and Jane
Last 27 November 2022, after our usual Fourth Sunday Mass, we gathered in the Sint Antoniuszaal to partake of warm drinks and snacks before the socio-cultural event started. Just like in previous years, Father Marcel gave a workshop. This year, the workshop would be on Effective Communication because the Board members decided that we all need to know how to effectively communicate, particularly to avoid having conflicts with each other.
Father Marcel welcomed us and he talked about the importance of being able to communicate clearly. From his PowerPoint presentation, the first question was:
Why get training in (effective) communication? Because it helps us to improve our communication with others, and helps mitigate conflicts more efficiently, or helps to avoid having conflicts in the first place.
According to Father Marcel, there are three major means of communication, and these are verbal, that is communication with words; non-verbal, communication without using words, and includes using signs, cues, codes, visual communication, etc.; and written communication.
To improve our communication with others, we need to listen. We also have to try to be clear and concise. Sometimes it helps to write things down, and to be descriptive, and not interpretative. But most of all, before speaking up, we must think. Two ways to transfer information is by the direct or indirect way.
Whichever means of communication we may want to use, there are three critical components, namely: (1) Sending the Message, (2) Receiving the Message, and (3) the Medium through which the message is sent or received.
Also, we should always keep in mind when we are communicating that: 10% of conflicts is due to difference in opinion, but 90% due to delivery and tone of voice.
To put all these into practice, Father Marcel asked some people to come and sit back to back. One person was to give instructions to the other person to draw something on a piece of paper, while the first person themselves drew the same thing. When Father Marcel asked couples to do the exercise, Rainer Horn drew almost exactly the same picture as his wife, Susan, drew. Same with Lovella and Lennart van der Weiden. Couples, it seems, tend to effectively communicate with each other.
Then Father Marcel asked a few women to come in front and form a line. The first in the line was given a message to pass on to the next person who would pass on the message to the next person and so on until the last person received the message. When the exercise was over, the last person in the line was asked what the message was that the first person in the line conveyed. Almost always the message becomes distorted, which made it all very funny, making everybody in the room laugh. Irene, Rena, Marissa, Sheryll, Neneng, Arlyn and Margie participated in this message relay exercise.
This exercise proved that there was something very important that we should remember, and that is, meaning could be lost in the process of passing on messages.
Furthermore, for communication to be effective, if the message is not clear, the receiving person should seek clarification and ask. To find out if the message has been received, and received well, the one communicating should ask for feedback.
It was a very informative, fun workshop. Thank you, Father Marcel!
To summarize:
Communication is vital for all forms of relationships.
The more effective the communication, the better the understanding of the message.
Effective communication reduces chances of conflicts in relationships.
Listening, clarification and feedback are vital elements of effective communication.
Here are some photographs taken during the workshop.
Father Marcel explaining what Effective Communication is, with his PowerPoint presentation behind himSome workshop attendees keenly listening to Father Marcel’s talkThe FCC Gouda and FCC Dordrecht ladies lining up for Father Marcel’s exercise in relaying a message
The Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and Surroundings held its annual Socio-Gathering Event last November 27, 2022 at the Antonius Zaal in Gouda. It was a night, themed as Gala Night, filled with sharing, fun, laughter, music and warmth. The event started with a free workshop on Communication by Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner brought and shared by the attendees of the event. All the while, lively music was provided by the DJs Norie and Nova from FCC-Dordrecht.
After dinner, the party program started by giving tokens of thanks to the FCC-Gouda volunteers. This year, acknowledgements were given to Gio Quebral for his service as a mass servant boy and Nelleke Oosterwijk for always helping in the collation of the euchalette.
Everyone had a treat of hearing the golden voices of Sheryll Brocklehurst and Glenda Huisveld from FCC-Dordrecht. They did a very impressive duet that the audience clamoured for a second song.
FCC-Gouda ladies, Lea, Elpi, Christy, Luz and Marivic, performed a dance number for everyone to enjoy.
Sister Gloria (Jamayca Tagalog and Sister Margareth (Marjorie May Torion), who are visiting Missionaries from Cebu, serenaded all with Christmas carols.
Another dance number was performed by the members of the FCC-Dordrecht.
In between numbers the DJ provided music so everyone can enjoy dancing on the floor.
One of the highlights of the night was the awarding of Mr & Ms Gala and The Best in Gala Gown. Mr and Ms Emeka and Enene Abadon was hailed as the Gala Couple of the night. They were given sash and gift prizes by Fr. Marcel.
Meanwhile, Ms Janice Janapon is the winner of the best Gala gown of the night, She too was awarded a sash and gift by FCC-Gouda Members.
Another highlight of the night was the awaited FCC-Gouda Tombola Draw. Here are the list of the happy winners.
1st Prize €50 Sheryll Brocklehurst
2nd Prize €30 Mercy Ordiz
3rd Prize €20 Janice Janapon
Consolation Prizes Winners
Lita Henke
Norma Reyes
Charoes Schuurhuis
Kristian Janapon
Lea Van Rhijn
Congratulations to all the Winners.
It was indeed one memorable night to remember. Everyone was a very happy in their singing and dancing mood even up to the cleaning of the Hall.
FCC-Gouda would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors and donors of the event.
FiHansieel Company
Elpi Asiatisch Kleding Reparatie
Mary Lynn Van Dijk
Mercy Ordiz Lea Van Rhijn
And to those who donated Anonymously
Thank you too to the members of the FCC-Dordrecht, for providing the music especially to Norie and Nova who were the DJs of the night. More Photos from the Socio-Gathering Event are attached below. Thank You and till next year.
MESSAGE FROM THE FCC-GOUDA BOARD
This year 2022 Socio Gathering with the theme “Gala” was again celebrated with a lot of surprising attendees of church members and families & visitors. The event was amazing and went very well . The moment to communicate to catch up between communities and friends ,love ones and friends after the pandemic.
It is also our special way to thank volunteers and Fr Marcel Uzoigwe for their hard work during the year. We also like to thank all the sponsors and donors, without them , we could not make it happen. Thank you for your help and generosity. We’re delighted to announce that our events raised Four hundred and forty two euro’s -netto. This amount will help us continue our work helping the needy.
We still in need of volunteers. Please get in touch with the board members and let our team help you find a tasks that would suit you – just email fcc.gouda@gmail.com. Any help is welcome and appreciated.
Homily of 1st Sunday of Advent Year 2022 by Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, C.S.Sp.
Readings: Jer.2: 1-5, Ps.122, Romans 13:11-14 & Matthew 24:37-44
A new circle of the Liturgical year begins today with the First Sunday of Advent. It is interesting that the church’s calendar year always begins with this season which in itself is a period of expectation. The word “advent”, as we know it, is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. In the Christian church calendar, it is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Advent season, therefore, traditionally precedes Christmas and offers us the opportunity to prepare for the celebration of the coming of Jesus, born in a manger many years ago. This first coming was preceded by so many prophecies about the day of the Lord. It would be a time of liberation for the Jews and all who were suffering and the enthronement of God’s righteousness over all the nations. Those promises kept the Jews longing for the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus came, he taught us about the kingdom of God and ended up giving his life for it on the cross of Calvary. His resurrection that followed began a new order. Upon his Ascension into heaven, Jesus promised that he will return. But this time, he will not be coming to teach us about the kingdom of God nor to give his life on the cross. Rather, it will be a period of judgment when the righteous will be rewarded and the sinner receives the just wage for their actions. The question of the second coming of Jesus occupied the early Christians so much that they thought that Jesus will be coming within their lifetime. Some people in Thessalonica, for instance, stopped working and waited for the coming of Jesus. Although Jesus comes to us every day in different ways through his word in the scripture, the sacrament, our relationship with people and so many other ways, the emphasis on his final coming in glory is what is meant with the term – the day of the Lord.
The day of the Lord is something uncertain. Isaiah writes about it as a day when all the nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord; a day when there will be no more wars; a day of everlasting peace (Isaiah 1:1-5). But while it will be a day of jubilation for the virtuous, it will also be a day when the vicious will tremble in fear. “Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it” (Isaiah 13:9-13; Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18).
What makes the day of the Lord more interesting is that no one knows when it will be, like a thief in the night. Jesus emphasized this point in the Gospel reading. It will be like in the days of Noah. People were busy going about their businesses, eating, drinking, marrying, and doing whatever they wanted until Noah got into the boat and the flood came upon them. The point here is that the building of the boat took a whole lot of time and processes. Stepping into the boat was only the end of this long process. The people had sufficient time to reflect on what Noah was doing and repent. But they made other choices, focused on other things, and perished with those material choices they made. In like manner, the whole time of our life is meant for us to reflect and make proper choices that will result in a salvific end when Christ returns. Jesus went on to describe his coming as a day of separation when two people will be together, one will be taken and the other left behind. However frightening it might be to think of the day of the Lord in terms of these analogies, Jesus offered his listeners a solution: be awake, be prepared because if the owner of the house knows when a thief will attack his house, he would not sleep but be awake.
Being awake, prepared, or vigilant is something common in daily life. We are living in a period when so many things happen. The car of my confrere, Fr. John was broken into and nearly driven away before the security system in the car locked up everything. Police said the attempt was to steal it. If not for the security system in the car, it would have been stolen. We are in a season when it gets dark earlier and most houses are broken into, people are attacked and robbed. You only need to follow the “opsporing verzocht” program on television to see how people are robbed in this period of the year. That will tell you the importance of being vigilant, being security conscious, and being more careful.
There are three levels of vigilance that every child of God needs to keep according to their degrees of importance. First is the material vigilance which we have spoken about. The second is vigilance over our lives. God requires us to work and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Ecclesiastes 3:13 reads, “And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” We sometimes forget that whatever material property we have is meant to serve us by improving our lives and that of those around us, and not vice versa. Sometimes people lose their peace, health, or even their lives for material reasons. There are so many cars, houses, clothes, etc, but you are irreplaceable. If people take pains to watch over their houses, cars and positions, if people spend so much to insure their property, how much more should we watch over ourselves? Don’t be discouraged by the things that are passing away, and do not be carried away by success, this too shall pass. Be grateful for who you are and take care of yourself. The most important moment in life is now, don’t lose the joy of now by worrying and complaining about the past and the future, or about what you have or what you do not have. The best way to deal with the past and the future is to do our best today starting from now. Be calm but vigilant. Focus on the important things. The third and most important is eternal life. Jesus warns in Mark 8:36, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” The only thing that lasts forever is our life with God. That is what Jesus wants us to give the greatest attention to, to be vigilant about, and to get prepared for it. The question then is, how do we get prepared for the coming of the Lord?
Paul gives us a clue on how to get prepared for the coming of the Lord. “The night is gone, the day has come,” he wrote. “Let us leave the works of darkness and live like the children of light”. The symbols of light and darkness as opposites are used severally to distinguish right from wrong, virtue from vice, good from bad, and salvation from damnation. The works of darkness are sometimes referred to as the desires of the flesh that is in opposition to the demands of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-22). Whatever choices we make in this regard determine where we will end up. Choosing to live in the light of Christ’s teaching presupposes that we are getting prepared to welcome him with joy, just as choosing to live in the darkness of sin signals the opposite. “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Paul writes in Romans 6:23. In all instances, the Bible warns that those who fail to live in the light of Christ’s teaching will have to regret when he comes in power and glory, while those who obey his words will go out to meet the Lord rejoicing.
The coming of the Lord is, therefore, something to look forward to with joy for all who live in the light of Jesus’ teaching. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 8:1-2), “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Living in the light of Jesus’ teaching becomes the antidote for fear for the day of the Lord. That ensures that the coming of the Lord does not frighten us nor can it catch us unaware. Instead, it will be something that inspires us to be the face of Jesus to those around us who are oppressed, lonely, suffering, or seeking any form of liberation.
As we prepare for Christmas, let our neighbors see in us enough reason to believe in the Jesus we celebrate. That is the best way to prepare for the day of the Lord because it ensures that we are busy with the project for which Jesus came and gave his life. When he finds us doing this, he will confirm us as living in the light of his teaching and therefore prepared to welcome him.
Readings: Sir 35:12-14,16-19; Ps.32:2-3.17-19.23, 2Tim4:6-8,16-18 & Lk. 18:9-14
Dear friends in Christ,
For a bicycle to move properly, the wheel and the hub must work together. So also is it with prayer and humility. The gospel reading of last Sunday centered on prayer, with an emphasis on the need for faith and perseverance when one prays. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus moves further to focus on the centrality of humility for effective prayer.
Humility is said to be the mother of all virtues given the important role it plays in authenticating the rest of the virtues. Take for instance that someone who makes a gift to you goes about boasting that he or she is the one supporting you without which you cannot survive. In that situation, the gift loses the quality of a true charity. Remember that Jesus warns that when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). So it is also when someone claims to love you but constantly puts you down. The true meaning of love is then lost. That gives us a clue to how central humility is in our relationship with God and our fellow human beings.
In the Parable that Jesus used to bring out his teaching in the gospel, he talked about a Pharisee and a Publican who went into the Temple to pray, just as we all gather in the Church today to worship and pray. The Pharisee in his pride and self-assuming started to appraise his good deeds, making a presentation of how often he fasts, pays his tithes, and gives to the poor. He went on to exonerate himself from all wrongdoings, claiming that he is not like the rest of other men who are sinners and evildoers. He even pointed at the Publican (the Tax-collector) at the other end, saying that he is not like him – a sinner. It seems he was trying to impress God and probably making a case for a reward for his presumed virtues and good deeds. The Publican, on the other hand, was fully conscious of his shortcomings and, in his humility and self-emptying, recognized his sinfulness and beats his chest in sorrow saying, ‘have mercy on me a sinner.’ Jesus ended by saying that the Publican went home justified while the Pharisee was not, because whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Let’s get closer to the identities of the subject that featured in this parable as narrated by Jesus. Both the pharisee and the publican were of Jewish origin and financially well off. So, it has nothing to do with material wealth or nationality. While the Pharisee enjoyed societal respect and honor as a religious role model of the time, the publican was detested for collaborating with the Roman occupiers. What gave the Pharisees the upper hand was their nationalistic and religious commitments against the Publicans who were seen as traitors and betrayers of their own people. This brief comparison helps us to place this parable in its context, and also to understand the meaning and context of the lowly as used in the first reading, “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds. It does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds”
In this parable, Jesus shifts emphasis on the impact of paychecks or socioeconomic status in the definition of the poor and lowly. To make this point clearer, the second reading shows St. Paul imprisoned, awaiting execution, abandoned, and his life being poured out like a libation. Everything had been taken away from him, his family, friends, wealth, adequate food, and so on and so forth. Yet he was spiritually peaceful and able to write, “The time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. And from now on the crown of righteousness awaits me”. St. Paul was writing from a place of supreme material and emotional poverty. However, because of his faith, he could feel like the wealthiest man in the world. He displayed complete abandonment and trust in the grace of almighty God. Humility, therefore, has to do with the acceptance of truth concerning oneself and recognizing one’s capacities and weaknesses. Humility is not about humiliating oneself but rather about taking one’s rightful place and being grateful for who one has become through the grace of God. It is a way of saying, ‘I acknowledge who I’m before God. I depend on him and it’s only with his grace that I can do anything worthy of praise.’ This is what Paul means when he wrote: “What do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (I Co 4:7).
What separates the Pharisees and the Publican was the ability to look inward, recognize the truth about oneself in relation to God, and refuse to judge others using one’s strength against their weaknesses. The only strength the Pharisee could use against the Publican is his religious social standing, which in itself turns out to be hypocrisy. It is a known human tendency to constantly compare with others and try to portray oneself as better than one’s neighbors, friends, and colleagues. That is the root of gossip, backbiting, jealousy, and lack of contentment. This parable also deals with the question of pre-judging others. It warns against the quick judgments on which we often base our concepts on others. The word “prejudice,” comes from “pre-judging”. It is a prejudice to judge people or their actions without knowing who they are, what they think, or why they do what they do. We pre-judge people all the time. A new person who looks different comes into our neighborhood, into our office, into our school, or even in our church, and we quickly map everything about the person based on past experiences or what we know of similar persons in the past.
Judging and despising one’s neighbor closes the door to God’s heart. Expressing contempt and scorn for others is beyond mean and proud. It stems from the assumption that one would be qualified to sit in the seat of judgement and publicly shame those who do not conform to one’s own standards. Certainly, God does not listen to someone who boasts of his or her goodness as if he or she achieved it without God’s grace, and even worse if that person condemns others on that premise. What is important is that we recognize God’s goodness to us, humbly seek His mercy and show mercy to others as well.
The Gospel has a number of practical lessons for us. People who puff themselves up and try to put others down are obviously not the most loved of people. Rather, it is those that care for others, help them become better, build self-confidence, recognize their worth and talents, and are able to make something for themselves in life that is loved and appreciated. In the same manner, Jesus makes it clear to us that relating with God our Father requires us to recognize our place with him, and approach Him with humility because “whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. It is only in humility that our prayer can be heard, just as the wheel of a bicycle can only move if the hub is working properly. Prayer, therefore, becomes a conversation between two persons who are conscious of their positions and needs; a kind of relationship between parents and their children. Fear, pretense, puffed-up ego, and belittling others give way to love, respect, obedience, and worship. That is the position from which we can ask and enjoy God’s forgiveness in prayer.
Let us, therefore, cultivate the virtue of humility in our approach to God and in our relationship with our fellow human beings. Amen.
