Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Understanding the Word of God Today

IFFAsia invites each one to attend a Theological Series entitled "Understanding the Word of God Today". This series, which is being conducted as part of IFFAsia's Laity in Mission Program, consists of four (4) sessions, discussing different topics which tackle the relevance of God's Word to one's faith life today. It will be conducted during four Saturdays, starting September 25, 2010.

Topics covered are:
Session 1 - The Meaning of Renewal in Vatican II (September 25, 2010). It discusses the basic thrusts of Aggiornamento and Ad Fontes, and the importance of revelation as God's Word in the document Dei Verbum.

Session 2 - Word of God as Unconditional Loving (October 16, 2010). It deals with the meaning and implications of God's Word for lay spirituality.

Session 3 - Word of God as God's Offer of Life and Love in History (November 13, 2010). It explores ordinary experiences in the world as the setting for salvation.

Session 4 - Faith as Obedience to the Word of God (December 11, 2010). It presents a contrast between rationalistic and personalistic interpretation of faith.

Resource speaker is Dr. Jose M. de Mesa, a noted Filipino Catholic lay theologian.

A minimal fee of P250 will be charged for each session, to cover cost of snacks and session materials.

Interested participants can contact the Administration Office of IFFAsia at telephone number (02)937-3681. For more details, please refer to the attached invitation.

IFFAsia 2010 Theological Series

Friday, September 3, 2010

IFFAsia First Youth Pastoral Team - Journey of China Summer Camp



Fondacio Asia was invited to conduct a Summer Camp in Northern China, which was organised for university students and high school graduates. More than 350 youth attended this 2-week camp. We were a team of 7 animators composed mostly of IFFAsia graduates from China and Malaysia sent on this mission trip. This is the first time for most of us to be there.

During the time in China, we shared food and experiences with the young, we helped them to discover themselves as the beloved children of God, to know the attitudes in building a community and how to face the challenges in daily life and in community. We journeyed together with faith, walked through the pilgrimage of Exodus Walk, searching and experiencing God's greatest Love from the ancient to the modern world.

Despite our differences and challenges, we experienced together the Spirit of Communion, witnessing the Love of God in our lives and also sharing our Hopes for the young people of China. May God bless this land and her people. Amen.

(Video presented by Mag Chin, IFFAsia Batch 2006-2007)


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Word of the Month (September 2010)

Wisdom 9: 13-18


"For who can learn the counsel of God?
Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,
and our designs are likely to fail;
for a perishable body weighs down the soul,
and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
We can hardly guess at what is on earth,
and what is at hand we find with labor;
but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
Who has learned your counsel,
unless you have given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,
and people were taught what pleases you,
and were saved by wisdom."