The Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and Its Surroundings (FCC Gouda) had the privilege to celebrate the first Holy Communion of their children on the 25th October 2020 at the O.L.V. Hemelvaartkerk in Gouda. The build-up to this event had taken a year of preparation for the six candidates. The community was careful to ensure observance of the COVID-19 regulations thereby ensuring that only the allowed number of persons (30) who had to register beforehand, were in attendance.
In spite of the barely empty church, the event was a beautiful one for the children who earnestly looked forward to it and actively participated in the liturgy. The two girls were dressed in beautiful white dresses, while the four boys looked handsome in their white shirts and suits. During the Mass, three of the boys went to the lectern to read the First and the Second Readings, as well as the Prayer of the Faithful. One of the girls recited the Prayer of Pope Francis for the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the end of the Mass, she also thanked the community on behalf of the First Communicants.
The peak of the celebration was the reception of the Eucharist itself. Accompanied by their parents, the children, having practiced every step, came forward individually with lighted candles to receive the Body of Christ from the priest. It was a great moment for both the children and their obviously proud and joyful parents.
The FCCG presented the children with First Communion certificates signed by Pastoor Dick van Klaveren, a Holy Bible, and other gifts. They equally recognized the effort of the teachers and volunteers who in many ways ensured the success of the event. However, in keeping with the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCCG had to cancel all planned celebrations after the Mass.
This was the first time that children of the community received their First Holy Communion. The Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda looks forward to these children’s Confirmation in a few years.
Eerste Heilige Communie bij de FCC Gouda (Dutch Translation) Door Mary Lynn and Kim van Dijk
De Filippijnse Katholieke Gemeenschap Gouda (FCC Gouda) e.o. was bevoorrecht om de eerste communie van zes kinderen te vieren tijdens de mis van 25 oktober 2020 in de O.L.V. Hemelvaartkerk te Gouda. Een jaar voorbereiding leidde tot deze gebeurtenis. De gemeenschap is zorgvuldig omgegaan met de regels omtrent het coronavirus door alleen het maximale aantal van 30 mensen de mis te laten bijwonen, die zich hier vooraf voor moesten registreren.
Ondanks de bijna lege kerk was het een prachtige viering voor de kindere, die er met smart naar uit hadden gekeken en heel actief hadden meegedaan in de liturgie. De twee meisjes waren gekleed in hele mooie witte jurken, terwijl de vier jongens er heel knap uitzagen in hun witte pakjes. Tijdens de mis, kwamen drie van de jongens naar voren om zowel de eerste en tweede lezingen voor te lezen, als de voorbeden. Een van de meisjes las voor het gebed van paus Franciscus over de pandemie. Aan het eind van de mis, sprak zij ook dank uit namens de eerste communicanten voor de gemeenschap.
Het hoogtepunt van de mis was het ontvangen van de eerste communie. De kinderen, elke stap geoefend hebbende, kwamen één voor één naar voren, met hun ouders aan hun zijde, met een verlichte kaars, om Christus’ lichaam te ontvangen van pater Marcel Uzoigwe. Het was een vreugdevol moment voor de kinderen en hun trotse ouders.
Later presenteerde de FCC Gouda de kinderen met Eerste Communie certificaten ondertekend door Pastoor Dick van Klaveren, een Bijbel, en andere cadeautjes. Ook erkende zij het harde werk van de leraren die de kinderen hebben voorbereid voor hun eerste communie, en het harde werk van de vrijwilligers, die hebben bijgedragen aan het tot een succes maken van deze gebeurtenis. Helaas heeft de FCC Gouda na de viering haar geplande activiteiten moeten annuleren door de COVID-19 beperkingen.
Dit was de eerste keer dat de kinderen bij de Filippijnse Katholieke Gemeenschap Gouda zelf zijn voorbereid voor hun eerste communie. We kijken uit naar de eerste vormselviering over een paar jaar.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS by FCC-Gouda Board
We are one big family in the church, in our community. We celebrate and glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as one God. Our faith is a strong foundation which we will pass on to our children. We trust God that our Community will continue to support, nurture, and nourish our children in their spiritual growth and relationship with God.
We come together today to celebrate the important Sacrament of the Eucharist. We join in the joy of our children in receiving the Body of Christ for the first time.
In celebrating this milestone in Christian faith of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and Its Surroundings (FCCG), we wish to acknowledge the efforts of the people who worked hard to make this event possible.
We thank, in a very special way, our First Holy Communion celebrants for taking this big step in their Christian Faith. This day is the beginning of more exciting events in your Christian lives. Congratulations on your First Holy Communion today!
We also thank the parents of the first communicants for their continued support, cooperation, encouragement and guidance during the entire process of the First Holy Communion preparation.
We say a big thank you to our Pastoral teachers, Elpi Gutierrez and Irene Hameete, who carried out the First Communion classes/seminars.
Thank you, Teun Blanken, for your assistance and help in arranging the venue for the First Communion classes.
To the FCC Gouda and Surroundings volunteers who in one way or the other, contributed to the success of this event, thank you very much, including Marlyn Rontal, Kathy Grimme and Suzanne Ventura for capturing the moments, Christy de Jong for providing the music, and Jenny Luna for ushering our guests and participants.
To all our sponsors and donors, thank you very much.
To our Priest Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp, we say thank you for all your hard work, guidance and ministry.
Finally, we wish to acknowledge and show our appreciation for the collaboration and support of the Parish Priest, Pastoor Dick van Klaveren, and the Parish staff members.
September 5, 2020 marked another successful occassion for members of our Catholic Community in Gouda! The community has successfully held its second Holy Retreat despite setbacks caused by COVID-19 restrictions. This time. Rev. Fr. John Onoja, C.S.S.p led and facilitated the said holy retreat, which was held at Aalberseplein, Gouda.
Songs of praises made the occasion solemn but lofty! As usual, the occassion began with a prayer, whereby attendees were given a time to reflect and write their prayer petitions on a piece of paper, which was later blessed. Afterwards, Father John gave a brief discussion on the meaning and significance of having a retreat.
In his talk, Father John explained that the word ‘retreat’ is commonly associated with the military. The General or Commander of the troop or battalion calls for a retreat because the enemy is gaining the advantage! And in many cases, the general has to withdraw his men from the battle field not only to save his remaining men from further injury or death but most importantly to have to rest, recuperate, and regain the strength needed to live and fight the next day. In a spiritual sense, having a retreat connotes setting aside one’s everyday routine to reconnect in a deeper level with God through prayers. It is the time to re-collect, re-member and re-examine one’s self in the light of the questions, “Who I am?”, “Where I am?“ and “What I am?”.
But how do we pray? Father John tackled the aspects of Praying. Silenceis a one aspect. With our culture being addicted to the noises and distractions of our televisions, internet, radios, friends , work and family, praying in silence seems unachievable. Praying in silence means to be quiet in mind and heart and being in a state of meditation . Only through praying in silence will we hear God speak. Only in nothingness can God fill you!
“ Come to me, all you are weary and burdened and I will give you rest . Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus calls for those who are weary and burdened. This means those who are physically or mentally exhausted from unmet dreams, financial burdens, sickness, guilt, regrets, trials and temptations to name a few. Some will seek a temporary solutions for the weariness by doing drugs , buying anti-depressant medicines, looking answers from fortune tellers, and many more unreliable ways of solving problems.
The Bible undoubtedly says follow Jesus. He is our perpetual and everlasting solution. He will want us to take his yoke for He will teach us and lift us up until we can find the inner rest we are seeking. But what is this “yoke” Jesus is telling us to carry with Him? Father John explained that back in days , farmers used a yoke, a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attched to the cart that they are to pull. It is to bind an older cow with a young cow or donkey . Because of the yoke the young cow with learn from the older cow on how to plough the fields. Just like Jesus ,our teacher and us , His students. He promised us that his yoke is light and easy to carry!
After the first talk, Father John gave us a moment of silent and meditation. Then we sung beautiful songs of praise and worship. Right after we went to the Blessed Sacrament for silent adoration and an apportunity for confession.
The second talk was all about ,”Keeping the faith in times of a pandamic”. The corona virus temporarily halted our daily routines, our vacation plans, family or friends visit , church activities and so on. This pandemic is temporary but it may feel like a forever struggle to slowly find normalcy in our lives and in our society!!
Jesus did not abandon us during this times , He was always with us! This pandemic gave us the realisation of the things we took for granted before because suddenly our movements are restricted and we hate it. Now, we call Jesus more than before , we value church gatherings like this retreat , we feel more closer to one other and we lend our helping hands and ears to people around us! And the most important message amidst the chaos this virus engender is that Jesus wants us to keep the faith. Keep it burning for He alone is our light and hope!
To conclude, the retreat ended with a Holy Mass and with participants happy to go home with a clearer understanding of what a retreat means and what it does to our spiritual growth. Among the general feedback are as follows:
“I understand clearly the meaning of retreat. At first it’s like hard to explain pag me nagtanong. Now, i understand very well.”
“The retreat is very fulfillin. It’s a time well spent and happy I went. I love the atmosphere, love the preachings, and love the time spent on praying.”
The regular 4th Sunday mass celebrated by the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda & Surroundings is back! On July 26, 2020, the community happily celebrated the mass at OLV Hemelvaartkerk after months of COVID-19 lockdown. Every year, FCC-Gouda celebrates Family Fun Day, a social gathering of all members of the community and their families for merriment, fellowship, and communal dining. But due to COVID-19-related restrictions, this year’s Family Fun Day celebration is cut into an hour gathering with few games, just drinks, and the annual raffle draw fundraising event.
FCC-Gouda needed to raise funds and push through with the planned raffle draw despite the foreseen difficulty of selling tickets and possibility of a cancelled event. By God’s grace, the 4th Sunday mass at the church and the Family Fun Day gathering and fundraising went through successfully. Winners of the raffle draw are as follows:
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1st Prize (€75): Ticket # 101— Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe
2nd Prize (€50): Ticket # 384 — Eva Donaire Kroeze
Best Raffle Ticket Sellers: Marivic Adema & Susan Horn-Perez
YOU ARE ALL WINNERS! To all who supported us for this cause, from producing the raffle tickets to giving your donations for the prizes, selling the raffle tickets, buying the tickets with a cheerful heart, consolidating all sold tickets, drawing the winners, and making a financial report, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Together, we’ve raised a total of €465!
WORDS OF THANKS FROM THE FCC-GOUDA BOARD
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thank you so much for your continuous support to our once-a-year celebration of Family Fun Day of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and Surroundings. We are very happy to have you. Your donations have been able to help our activities & diaconal work. Your continuous support helps us build a strong foundation that fosters growth and enriches the worship life of the Christian community. You make the difference, especially in this time of crisis. Your help sustains our mission, and we are sincerely grateful for all your help and support.
Our special thanks to our volunteers and donors:
Marivic Adema
Myra Colis
Elpi de Clercq
Elpi Aziatisch Kleding Reparatie
Susan Horn-Perez
Mar Jane Streefland
Amor van Os
If you have any questions regarding our work and how the proceeds will be put to use, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Board of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda & Surroundings decided to cancel the mass this coming March 22. We continue to monitor the changing conditions related to COVID-19. Of any changes we will keep you informed and updated regarding our church services and activities.
We encourage members to pray and reflect this Lenten season, to continuously care and help one another, and to keep protecting yourself and others from any harm. We are all God’s sons and daughters. Rest assured that the love of Jesus is with us during this challenging and difficult times. Meanwhile, let Psalm 91 comfort and bring you peace amidst the ongoing pandemic we are in at the moment.
PSALM 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Please be guided accordingly and stay informed by monitoring recent updates and developments via the website of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): Updates on novel corona virus (COVID-19).
This month’s theme during the 4th Sunday mass of FCC-Gouda is all about love, a four-letter word that also means four different kinds of love. Ancient philosophy categorizes these kinds of love into four: the romantic or intimate love (eros), the brotherly/sisterly or friendly love (philia), the unconditional or Godly love (agape), and the affectionate or familial love (storge). Interestingly, these classic four were revered to and celebrated by members of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda & Surroundings who came for today’s service despite the bad weather.
Couple’s Blessings
It was just a week past when many lovers and couples celebrated Valentine’s Day. The sweetness and warmth of this February 14 lingered on as Fr. Marcel called for all couples to come forward for prayers of blessings and years of happy and harmonious marriages with the Lord God as center of the couple’s relationships. The leaders of the church prepared roses for the women and nicely crafted jars (made by Jenny Luna) for the men.
Specially mentioned of all the couples were Henk and Marietta Boswinkel whose years of togetherness as husband and wife have just turned 32 this month of February! Seeing a couple reaching this far with their pledged love still shining bright from within has certainly brought inspiration not only to the couples present but to all who were there to witness the couple’s blessing ceremony (and picture taking).
Children’s Bible Corner
The theme of love continued from the service in the main hall to the children’s corner in the other room. When asked what love is, the children responded with words like “being nice to others”, “being friendly at school”, “giving a hug”, and “caring”. And they are absolutely right. They have just described philia, that friendly, brotherly or sisterly kind of love. Interestingly, when asked whom do they love, their answers covered all the four kinds of love as each one answered with the words “mother”, “father”, “oma and opa”, “girlfriend”, “my best friend”, and “God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit”. But when asked whether or not to also love that bully at school or that someone who is not treating someone nicely, the children unanimously shouted “NO”. And this is where John 13:34 was taught to the kids as Jesus told his disciples His new commandment, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you may love one another.” The children understood that loving one another also means loving even those who are not nice to us by simply praying for them to become better persons.
Preaching of God’s Word
If the children got the simplified version of speaking about God’s love, then the adults at the main hall received a more in-depth preaching about what love is. In Fr. Marcel’s homily, he spoke of the nature of our Loving Father, who spoke of us as His children. What then does it mean to be children of the Most High? God’s love is unconditional, and if we are God’s children, could we also love unconditionally like our Loving Father does? Are we indeed able to love our enemies or the mean people around us? Did you also know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? These questions were answered during the preaching of God’s Word and you can also find the full transcript of the homily by clicking here.
“Our homily today may sound idealistic, impossible and fantastic. But it is not. Take the example of a normal human behavior. When a person is interested in doing something or in achieving a goal, he/she can spend a lot of time and energy on it, without any external coercion or obligation. Think of football fans. They could stay in the cold winter rain to cheer their club during a football match. At such time, they would be so focused on the game that one may wonder if it is really cold outside. When we want to become like God our Father, our minds would be only focused on how to achieve our objective. In like manner, we abandon sin and do not remember to commit sin because all our energy is dedicated to becoming like God. Here is where we experience and feel the power of love. When we love, there is no obligation, we find an inner motivation to crave for what we love.” ~an excerpt from Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe’s homily
Family Fellowship
As usual, the church service is always followed by a family fellowship where all attendees of the day’s service could stay for a cup of coffee or tea coupled with some snacks (typically home-made Filipino snacks or dish) that were lovingly prepared and brought by some generous members of the church to share with the community. This tradition of sharing meals or simply spending extra hour to sit down and catch up with everyone has all the more enhanced this time of fellowship as children of God and, therefore, as one big family. Part of this fellowship time is also the communal celebration of the birthday celebrants of the month. For those celebrating their birthdays in February, those who were present to receive blessings and prayers were Elpi, Irene and Dirk!
