"Service"

I first heard this song on the first night of Simbang Gabi (novena evening masses) here in Geneva and I was moved. In this season of advent, we are called to rejoice, give joy to others and help those that need it. But it doesn't have to end with advent because Christmas is supposed to be everyday. I hope that the reason for the season will continue to shine brightly in our lives and that we will live a life of service to other men just as the Great Sacrifice did.

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D Bm Em A7
We are made for service to care for all men
D Bm Em A7
We are made for love both time and again
G A7 D Bm
A love that will live through sorrow and pain
Em A7 D A7
A love that will never die with strain.

God sent His son to show us the way
One who shares His love every minute of the day
One who gave His life that we might live
And His Spirit to help us through the years.

Life can be so lonely when nobody cares
Life can be so empty when nobody shares
But if man gives himself to help other men
The happiness of Christ will live within.

Prayers ...

These are some nice prayers taken from the Parish Mass Book:

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Prayer to Our Lord

Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you do.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.
Above all,
I give you my heart that you may love in me,
your Father, and all mankind.
I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,
so that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who live and work and pray in me.

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Prayer to God the Father

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.

Lessons learned on the Milan/Verona trip

1. Travel light - c/o Chas. She was forced to not take any more than she needed to and she travelled lightly and peacefully. I, on the other hand, had a few extras which I didn't use. :) And I had difficulty with my bag which almost begged to be carried by two people.

2. Travel with good company - c/o Chas, Anna, Ethel. Yes, travelling with people you don't like will just be a guaranteed flop. So, thank God, I had my children instead ... love you three! Mwah!

3. Travel with a light hand bag - c/o Ethel. A very practical advice! I have been lightening my bag eversince! Ethel suggested that I take out things that I didn't use throughout the day and so I did. According to her, very poetically said "Not only will you feel better, you will be lighter, not just in your life, but in everything". And she even added something like ... and you will become a better worker ... I forgot. Please excuse my age. ahahaha.

4. Travel with a smile - c/o Anna. Anna is trigger-happy with the camera and tends to take pictures at will. So, for those unguarded moments, always wear a smile, because as the saying goes "You never know who's falling in love with your smile!" :) And so that you don't come out with a frown on your undeveloped digital pics! :)