December 6, 2009

Hello everyone!

Sorry for not posting much online lately. But today was a very good day.

Announcement: *Doi Truong and Doi Pho meeting at Sigler 1:30 pm on Decemeber 13th*

Advent: Remember that lent is a time for us to Hibernate and Recharge our spirituality so that we can prepare our selves for the coming of Christ.

Christmas Love Letter

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season..

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

top worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8..

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Flu Shot Drive Reflection

So today was a very successful day. I am so proud that a lot of you took time out and helped with this awesome event.

Please answer the following questions:

1) What was your most memorable moment?

2) Why do you think it is important for us as young Catholics to help with a event such as this in our community?

Movie Field Trip?!

Check out the trailer:

Or visit their site: http://www.dustoflifemovie.com/

What do you say? Wanna go to the movies and watch a movie about us? and our neighborhood?

Think about it and comment your response.

Anh James

September 27, 2009

1) Announcements

* October 11, Hiep Si training day

2) Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs shall be the kingdom of Heaven.

A) Bible Search: In the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Each group must find one parable that explains the kingdom of heaven and come up with a summary of how one that is poor in spirit would relate to the story.

B) Meditation:

What is Being Poor in Spirit? - Let us first examine what it is not.

• Does it mean owning nothing? No, it is not necessary to be poor in goods to be poor in spirit. Poor in Spirit is an attitude of how we attach ourselves to property.

• Does it mean we do not need to take care of ourselves? No, with anything that we have we are called to be good stewards considering how it should be properly used to take care of and serve ourselves and others.

• Does it mean ignoring our particular talents? No, our talents are gifts from God, given to be used wisely. We are called to use of talents to take care of ourselves and to serve others.

• Does it mean that we need to degrade ourselves? No, we are to humbly acknowledge God as the source of all of our blessings and use them wisely. We are not to abuse ourselves or consider our blessings a curse, a sign of our sinfulness.

• Does it mean living without luxuries? No, we are encouraged to have luxuries in our life as long as we keep them in proper perspective and do not allow the desire to have more and more keep us from serving God's people.

• Does it mean having a poor spiritual life? No, we are called to deeply develop our spirituality as we become closer to God.

Now let us consider what Being Poor in Spirit truly means.

• Does it mean considering all property belonging to God? Yes, we are called to always keep ourselves in perspective of God, acknowledging and thanking Him as the source of all good things.

• Does it mean being good stewards of that with which we have been entrusted? Yes, we are called to take care of what we have been given, not only for our own benefit but for others as well.

• Does it mean having a spirit of thankfulness towards God? Yes, we are called to be thankful people.

• Does it mean being detached from those things we own? Yes, what we own should never control us nor consume us in the endless pursuit of possesions.

• Does it mean denying ourselves at times? Yes, we need to consider not ourselves but others in our decisions and at times sacrificing something we want to help another is the right decision.

• Does it mean respecting those who serve us? Yes, when people serve us, we should not consider them less than ourselves, putting them down in our thoughts, actions, or words.

• Does it mean respecting everyone around us, regardless of their circumstance in life? Yes, everyone is deserving of respect as human beings, regardless of whether they are earthly poor or rich, whether they have lots of power or none at all, or whether they have exceptional skills or not.

Poor in Spirit means acknowledging God's ownership of everything and that we are responsible to be good stewards of those things with which we have be blessed. Our attitude should be one of faithful servants and not one of pride, envy, lust, and gluttony. We are called to use what we have and are given to provide for ourself and serve God's people.

Life Application:

Isaiah 61:1 --The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anoited me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons to those who are bound.

**How can we help those that are poor in spirt? At home? With our friends? At tntt?

2) Debate: Is it important to go to church?

Group 1: Can't we just watch mass on tv?

Group 2: no you cant watch mass on tv?

Group 3: Trying to convince group 4 to go to mass.

Group 4: non-catholics not understanding why we need to go to mass.

3) Wrap up

September 20, 2009

*Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs, is the kingdom of heaven.

1) Announcements

Turn in permission slips for Hiep Si Workshop by next Sunday, September 27, 2009

2) Hieu Biet Phong Trao Scattergories

This is a review for Hieu Biet Phong Trao. The categories are Muc Dich, Ly Tuong, Nen Tang, Ton Chi and 10 Dieu Tam Niem.

Then taking the materials from these sections, cac em are to place the correct information under the correct category (in order, when necessary)

3) Who am I? --Sharing our life story

4) Game -- Fishing!

September 13, 2009

1) Announcements

LDNS Hiep Si one day training -- October 11, 2009

At Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Doan DMVN)

Deadline to register October 5th,2009

*In order to go, you must go to Thieu Nhi on a weekly basis. If you need to miss a day, please contact Tr. James ASAP.

2) Hieu Biet Phong Trao

- Handout was distributed to help take notes.

- Should Know: Muc Dich, Ly Tuong, Nen Tang, Ton Chi, and 10 Dieu Tam Niem

- Click here if you need a refresher.

3) Song - Run to Jesus

** lyrics to be posted soon

August 23, 2009

**Updated groups posted above.

Summary for the week:

1) Opening Prayer

2) Brainstorming Event - Looking back at the events that Doan has hosted over the years.

3) Anh Linh -- went over what to look at when coming up with an event.

-- allowed each group to come up with events or projects to do in the month of October.

Doi John –

September – appreciation dinner

October – Purple Orangatang – passing out candy during Halloween

November – Feed the Ngheo

December – fundraise for poor kids

Doi Mark-

Recreate or come up with a new way of doing Spiritual Bouquet

Doi Matthew –

Thanksgiving can food drive

Christmas – toys for tots

Christmas Caroling

HT and Cac Bac appreciation day

Doi Luke

undecided

4) Game (Anh Linh) -- Moral "treat others how you wanted to be treated"

**Remember to bring your bibles on a weekly basis.

August 16, 2009

Anh Linh's Summary -- Living the Eucharistic Day

I would like to summarize all things we agreed last weekend:

1. Everyone should set an alarm clock on your cell phone at noon
(12:00pm). It will remind us to receive a Spiritual Holy Communion at
noon by saying the following prayer:
2. Kinh Ruoc Le Thieng Lieng: Lay Chua Giesu Thanh The! Con yeu men
Chua. Xin Chua ngu vao tam hon con va o lai voi con luon mai
English: O Jesus, the Eucharist! I love you. Please come into my
soul and stay with me forever.
3. Everyone should bring notebook and pen this week.
4. List of team and members:

Group 1: Matthew

Nhi Nguyen

Daine Nguyen

Cuong Do

Dinh Vu

Bill Nguyen

Group 2 Mark:

Duyen Nguyen

Tyler Hoang

Hop Giang

Susan Nguyen

Hieu Tran

Team 3 John

Trang Vu

Eric Nguyen

Lawrence Nguyen

Peter Nguyen

Thai Hoang

Group 4 Luke:

Phuong Nguyen

Phat Luu

Samuel Nguyen

Anh Nguyen

Grace Huynh

August 9, 2009

Introduction

1) Starburst Game

a) Sitting in a Circle each person picks out 3 -5 starburst per person.

b) Introduce name and age

c) From there they must answer a question according to the color they chose.

i) Red = Most Embarrassing moment in or outside of TN

ii) Yellow= Favorite Huynh Truong

iii) Orange = Most memorable moment in TN

iv) Pink = Most attractive person in TN

Lessons

1) Tr. James -- The Hiep Si Triad

1) Broke up the big group into three small groups

2) assigned each group a roll (Doi Truong, Du Truong, and/or Huynh Truong)

3) Each group is to make a list of what each role does or is expected to do. (5-10 mins)

4) Afterwards, each group is to present their list to the group. Huynh Truong clarifies and ties it into the role of a Hiep Si.

2) Tr. Linh

1) Life story of a Huynh Truong with Cancer.

3) Game: Rendition of Captain's Ship.

A) Related to the bible story of when Jesus walked on Water.

B) Four parts:

1) When "Jesus appears" everyone runs to Jesus (either left or right of the game master)

2) When the "surf is up" everyone runs towards the boat (opposite of Jesus)

3) When the "boat is rockin' " people pair up, one of which makes an altar while the other one prays over them.

4) When "Jesus comes on board" people pair up and salute each other and say "What's up Jesus?!"

C) Play till there's only 2 people left or until kids are tired.

4) Review the entire day.