St Anthony Church

 

Photo of St Anthony Church from far

I took the above picture and the pictures below yesterday.  I wanted to show the present now as compared to the St Anthony of several years back. The signage had been changed also but the words remains the same.  It read: Church of St Anthony: God Knows Your Past and He Offers You A Future

Closer view of St Anthony Church 

Closeup view of the signage of the church

I have stayed in Woodlands for close to 30years.  Over the years I had seen the changes to the church -- the priests, the premises and the eucharistic celebrations.  In the early years the priests were Father John Khoo and Father Eugene Chong.  Now Father Eugene is back.  After that it was Father Vincent Chee, Father Terence and Father Cyril.  Next, it was Father Andrew, Father Gerard, Father John Lau... and now Father Ignatius.  

I am very happy with the present church.  In the past, the speaker was not so good, I could not really hear the homily well from the back of the church.  Now the speaker is good, the priest speak audibly well, loud and clear.  I love to listen to their homily.  

This is the church where Richard had his baptism and confirmation.  Last time it was RCIA.  My 3 children had their baptism in this church also.  They attended catechism classes here, received their First Holy Communion but never finished confirmation. 

Come Back To Me

 

Photo taken on 18 March 2024

Photo taken on 28 May 2024

Everytime I cycled passed the church, I would look at it.  I had not been to the church for many years.  I had not stepped into the church after the renovation.  I think I miss the church.  On 18 March 2024, I saw the banner : Come Back To Me.  It is like God telling me to go back to him.  Then on 28 May I passed by again and I see the signboard "Come And Find Peace", it reminded me of last time I went to church with the family.  

January 2024, I had dry mouth.  I prayed to Mother Mary because at the workplace one day, the hymn of Lourdes prayer.  I was not aware of the title of the hymn but I went home to search for it and then I know about it.  

Photo of Mary taken at St Anthony Church: I stood there to pray for a suitable job and to heal my dry mouth

Now then I know this is Our Lady of Lourdes.  And I know that the hymn which originated from my heart is Our Lourdes Prayer.  Now my dry mouth had improved.  Last year, it was totally no saliva.  And when the 'music' came, in the evening, the saliva just come and it feel so good to have saliva.  

The Lourdes Prayer, the song that came to me in January 2024.  

Now I had already gone back to church...