OLOG community focuses on unity and growth at pastoral assembly

Jan 26, 2025

Bridget Antoinette Pereira
The Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe took place on January 11. Although delayed due to last year’s successful fundraising efforts, the event was well-attended by BEC and parish coordinators, reflecting the community’s strong commitment to the parish’s growth and unity.

The assembly commenced with an opening prayer followed by a warm welcome address from parish priest, Fr Raymond Pereira, who greeted Archbishop Julian Leow, parishioners, and facilitator Rita Krishnan.

Fr Raymond praised and thanked God for the Pastoral Centre, which has supported various liturgical services, meetings, Catechism classes, festive celebrations, and formation sessions across language groups over the past two years, despite challenges and space constraints.

Those present were encouraged to reflect, listen, and discern the path for the parish’s growth in 2025, as the community looks forward to the completion of the renovated Church and new Community Centre. Gratitude was expressed to the Building Committee, fundraisers, donors, and supporters for their generous contributions. Fr Raymond concluded his address with a prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessings for a fruitful and successful PPA. The gathering then prayed the PPA Prayer, followed by the Jubilee Year of Hope prayer.

Next, PPC chairman, Edward Tan Jr, delivered an insightful presentation, recapping the previous year’s activities. He highlighted the Lenten Outreach programme, where BEC members collaborated to prepare meals for migrant workers and the underprivileged, showcasing the parish’s strong commitment to service and charity.

Rita Krishnan from the Archdiocesan BEC Animating Team led the breakout sessions, where small groups discussed four key topics: Family, Church, Ecology, and Society. The discussions resulted in several actionable takeaways, including:
Encouraging non-Catholic family members to join the RCIA programme.

Providing transportation for parishioners in need.

Organising community-building activities, such as karaoke sessions, within the BECs.

Promoting youth participation through targeted formation and education about parish ministries.

Establishing a Counselling Ministry to support parishioners emotionally and spiritually.

Advocating for environmental initiatives, including reviving the kebun project, rainwater harvesting, and monitoring the parish’s carbon footprint.

Offering practical household management assistance for the neglected and homebound.
These discussions underscored the importance of living out Catholic values as a witness to the broader community.

Archbishop Julian expressed his gratitude to Fr Raymond and the organising team, recognising the challenges posed by the ongoing church renovations, now 95 per cent complete. He commended the community for maintaining their activities at the pastoral centre despite the constraints.

The archbishop encouraged the parish to create a welcoming environment, particularly for those who had temporarily left during the renovations, and to anticipate their return when the church reopens. He reminded the community that BECs should not only gather for funerals or prayers for the deceased but also celebrate key milestones such as Confirmations, First Holy Communions, and wedding anniversaries within their small communities.

In his closing remarks, the prelate compared the parish community to a jigsaw puzzle, where each individual plays a crucial role in completing the whole picture. He urged everyone to actively contribute, emphasising that unity and participation are essential for the parish’s continued growth.

The PPA concluded with a closing prayer by Fr Raymond, who thanked all those present for their valuable contributions. It was a day of reflection, collaboration, and renewed commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and faith-filled parish community.