Catholic Prayer Society's 10th Anniversary Messages

Message from The Archbishop

I would like to congratulate the Catholic Prayer Society on its Tenth Anniversary Celebration.

The Catholic Prayer Society has come a long way over the past ten years in promoting prayer amonst the people at their places of work in the city. In the early 1990s when the Singapore economy was running strongly, many Catholics found their pace of work and meaning in life stretched beyond their own bearing. At about that time in 1995, some of you who work in the city district, came together to bring the Mass into the work week.

Christ Himself is the lover of us all, whether we are focused on work or simply forgetting that He is with us all the time. Making time for Jesus and re-directing our focus to God our Father has always been a real challenge in urban societies such as ours. The Mass, and therefore the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, during the work week is Jesus calling each of us back to his central Gospel message: Loving God and loving one another.

As a Lay Apostle organization, the Catholic Prayer Society is reaching out to a thousand or more Catholics and non-Catholics alike through organizing Masses in the city districts at lunch time, conducting seminars that help to bring the message of Christ further into the hearts of the people, and bringing together Bible classes in the city. It is an extension of the responsibilities of our priests in all these activities.

As a Small Christian Community, the CPS has reached out in a way specific to life in a city and the workplace. As a rehistered society, it has ensured continuity through respect of statutory guidelines and structures. As a community of Catholics, all who work in and with the CPS are motivated through the actions of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to compliment them on their efforts and assure them of my support and prayers for all their activities. It gives me great joy to be associated with the Catholic Prayer Society. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you and direct you in your future activities.

His Grace,
Msgr. Nicholas Chia,
D.D., STL
Titular Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Singapore

Message from The Spiritual Director

Greetings and may the peace of the Lord be with you.

Much water has flowed under the bridge since we started celebrating Masses in the business district. We started out as one group, called Catholics in the Market Place. As time passed, other groups were formed and some joined CPS.

Looking back, I see how we have moved from being gypsies to a stable society, from being focused on organizing Masses to providing formation for Catholics so that they may live their fairth in their working places. CPS would not have grown if not for the untiring assistance of so many who came forward to serve. Over the years we have grown because the Lord has blessed us with workers who were concerned with the vineyard.

When we look back, we see a steady solid growth in this society and as we look to the future, there is indeed much that will challenge us. As the Marina area is being developed into another part of the business district, there will be another area that we need to plunge in to assist Catholic to live their faith in the workplace.

I must say it has been wonderful working with the members of CPS. I have found it very rewarding to be a part of CPS as it has helped me in my priestly ministry.

Reverand Terence Pereira
CPS Spiritual Director