‘Lord increase our faith’ - this was the disciples’ request to Jesus, despite living with him and witnessing all the miracles.
Have you asked Jesus to increase your faith?
We may pray intensely, do novena devotion, come to church, attend mass regularly and be involved in ministries but none of these guarantees genuine faith. This is because the way we live our lives is opposite to practice of our faith.
Pope John Paul II outlines 4 important aspects of faith:
1. Seeking- faith is a gift from God but we need to seek and let it grow and increase our understanding. We can do that by reading the bible, religious books and listening to homilies
2. Accepting the truth of the teaching- even if it is difficult
3. Consistency-how do we put into practice? We show our faith throughout daily interactions
4. Constancy-we live our faith for eternity, like Mother Mary, always saying yes to God
Let us learn from Mother Mary to stand strong in our faith in Jesus no matter how bad things are. If we put all things in God’s hands, we will see God’s hands in everything.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Sikstus Bapa Atawolo, C.Ss.R. (8 November 2025)
This weekend, the Church celebrates two deeply meaningful feasts - All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Though different in focus, both reveal one unified truth - our call to holiness and our unbreakable connection with all who have gone before us in faith.
Our Common Call - we are called to be saints in our daily lives, not perfect but faithful and persevering.
The Communion of Saints - we are connected in one big community with the saints and all souls in purgatory. This bond of love, forged in Christ, is stronger than death itself. While the saints intercede, for us, we in turn, pray for souls awaiting union with God. This serves as a reminder of the power of intercession.
Hope Anchored in God - death is not the end but a beginning. God's grace surpasses our imperfections, and hope keeps us moving forward. Through the weekly devotion letters, we are reminded to be a community of hope.
Fr Terence invites us to put our faith into action. Each action enables us to move closer towards sainthood and our heavenly destination.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Terence Wee, C.Ss.R. (1 November 2025)
Victor Franco who is a psychiatrist who witnessed tremendous suffering in Auschwitz who discovered that our greatest prison lies in our mind and so does our greatest liberation.
The way we perceive our hardships can either be hopefully or hopelessly.
Fr Eugene reflects that for those who have hope they can still feel joy and peace in the struggles as they feel God accompanying them, they are not abandoned. They believe in eternal life as God has promised.
In the acceptance and finding meaning amid the suffering, we detach from the unnecessary and direct us to put God back in the centre of our lives.
Everyone has struggles. No one here is immune to difficulties but everyone can find meaning through God especially in times of suffering
In Philippians 4:11-13, St Paul says “I have learnt to be content in whatever the circumstances. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
May this be our prayer and direction today.
Novena devotion by Fr Eugene Lee , C.Ss.R. (25 Oct 2025)
in today's homily, Fr. Antony Prabhu reflects on Pope Leo XIV's title for Mother Mary "Mary, the Synodal Woman, one who never walks alone but journeys with all people in faith." Drawing from Scripture and her quiet strength, from the Annunciation to the Wedding at Cana and Calvary, Mary shows herself to be a model of listening, bridge-building, and unity, guiding the Church to walk together as one.
Linking this to Singapore's own story of racial and religious harmony, Fr. Antony reminds us that true communication s built when we open doors with genuine welcome, build bridges through listening, and tear down walls through reconciliation. Like Mary, we are called to choose unity over division and walk together in faith towards Jesus, who unites all hearts.
- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Antony Prabhu, C.Ss.R. (18 October 2025)
Br. Celestine tells of St Gerard Majella who inspired his vocation. This year we commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of St Gerard Majella. Saint Gerard was a Redemptorist lay brother known as a miracle worker with deep relationship with the Lord and also a patron for expectant mothers and childless couples. There was a legend of a lady with a difficult pregnancy who, with the help of his handkerchief, eventually had a safe delivery of a baby boy.
This Thursday 16/10/25, we celebrate his special feast day, the 3rd centennial anniversary of St Gerard’s birth, do join us.
- Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (11 October 2025)
In this homily, Fr Vincent reflects on the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu and the remarkable resilience of the Filipino people. Despite devastation, loss of lives, and homes destroyed, their faith in God remains unshakable.
Fr Vincent reminds us that faith is not a feeling but a conviction: trusting in God even when we don't understand, surrendering control, and believing that with God nothing is impossible. He challenges us to reflect on our own journey - do we truly trust God, or do we rely only on ourselves? Like the mustard seed that can move mountains, our faith, however small, can make the impossible possible.
He concludes with a call to pray for the people of Cebu and for our own hearts, that we may grow in faith and trust in God.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Vincent Low, C.Ss.R. (4 October 2025)
In September, the church commemorates two important events - the Season of Creation and the World Day for Migrants and Refugees
The Redemptorist charism is to bring the good news to those who are most abandoned and these two groups are among the most abandoned in the world today.
The first is God’s creation which we have used, abused and destroyed, and migrants and refugees are one of the most vulnerable people in our country. Do we respect them both?
Our Christian faith does not see God’s creation or people as commodities to be used for our own needs, but our faith teaches us to value the dignity and goodness of each person and everything that God has created.
These events are a challenge to conversion. It is a call to change how we relate to creation and to our neighbour.
Let us be reminded that God has given us the responsibility to cherish, to protect and to nurture them. Amen
Novena Devotion by Fr Gerard Louis, C.Ss.R. (27 Sept 2025)
In this Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Leo XIV gives Mary a new title: the Jubilee Woman. From her "yes" at the Annunciation to her faith at Calvary, Mary embodies renewal and new beginnings. Fr. Antony Prabhu reminds us that Mary is showing us how we can live jubilee by listening more than speaking, welcoming more than judging, and starting again when life is broken. Each Novena Devotion becomes a "little jubilee," where God's mercy restores us. Through Mary's intercession, we discover that no failure is beyond God's grace, and every ending can become a new beginning.
- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Antony Prabhu, C.Ss.R. (20 September 2025)
We celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross tomorrow (14th September). At first, the cross looks like a sheer tragedy: Jesus nailed between thieves, mocked, abandoned, and dying in agony. His mother, Mother Mary, stood pale and shaken, just meters away from the cross. But there is something more - the Triumph of the Cross.
The cross is life: from death comes new life in Christ. The cross is love: Jesus gave His life out of love for us, and in every Eucharist, He gives us Himself again. The cross is joy: not joy in suffering, but joy in the gift that death has been defected, and in Him, we live forever.
Novena Devotion by Fr. Glenn De Cruz, C.Ss.R. (13 September 2024)
Fr Paul recalls a homeless lady who danced with joy and gave thanks to our heavenly Father when she was given a meal and tiramisu. How often do we do that when we receive blessings?
Similarly in this 75 years, our Novena Church has received plentiful blessings and we stand in solidarity with our mother to give thanks to our Lord as we reflect on the Magnificat and savour the words.
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.’
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Paul Vinh, C.Ss.R. (6 September 2025)
As we celebrate 75 years of Novena Church, Fr. Charles Antony, invites us to remember God's abundant blessings, rejoice in His faithfulness, and renew our commitment to His mission. Novena Church, through the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, has become a refuge for all - welcoming people of every race, religion, and background as beloved children of God.
Fr Charles reminds us that everything begins and ends with God. Creation is not a finished work but an ongoing mystery in which we are continually renewed and reborn into the life Jesus promises. Mary plays a central role in this plan as well: chosen to be the Mother of Jesus, she leads all of us to her Son. The greatest gifts humanity has received are Jesus in the Eucharist, and His mother, given to us at the Cross as our Mother and intercessor. He urges the faithful to continue to bring the Good News, strengthened by Mary's guidance and God's enduring love, as Novena Church journeys into the future.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Charles Antony, C.Ss.R. (30 August 2025)
Mary our Mother - She is the mother to all of Jesus’ disciples
The term Mother is in fact a symbol of unconditional love, intimacy, care, affection, and sacrificial love
Fr Gerard reflects on three ways that Mary shows us unconditional love, care and how she nurtures us.
With our reflection today of how Mary shows her motherly love for us, she is also showing us how to live our Christian mission by showing our love to others, to offer the example and witness of our lives, that all people may experience the redemption that Jesus brings and they might have eternal life with God forever. Amen
Novena devotion by Fr Gerard Louis, C.Ss.R. (23 Aug 2025)
In this homily, Fr Glenn de Cruz reflects on the theme “Pastoral heritage of the Redemptorist, mission of hope from Mary to Jesus.” Drawing from Mary’s own journey of rejection, exile, widowhood, and the suffering of her Son, he reminds us that she understands the struggles of the marginalized and broken. Entrusted to us by Jesus as our Mother, she continues to intercede and offer hope for all generations. Fr Glenn reminds us that we too are called to follow her example, becoming missionaries of hope by lightening the burdens of others and sharing God’s plentiful redemption. As Fr Glenn puts it, “If you want to lighten the weight of your cross, try help someone carry theirs.”
- Novena Devotion by FR. Glenn De Cruz, C.Ss.R. (16 August 2025)
Today’s theme is Remembering our blessing and God’s faithfulness:
What is the significance of celebrating Singapore’s 60th year of Independence as well as Novena Church’s 75th anniversary?
Those early days marked times of uncertainty and anxiety, and milestone anniversaries are days to remember and acknowledge that what we have received as a church and nation are blessings from God and how God has been faithful to us. When we remember that, we are able to share these blessings with others.
Secondly, we are called to remind society that the blessings that we have received are blessings to be shared, with our society and with the world that is vulnerable and the least. It is our mission to share God’s plentiful redemption with others- our mission as church and nation.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Gerard Louis, C.Ss.R. (9 August 2025)
In today’s reflection, we draw from Matthew 28:19–20, where Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This call to mission is brought to life in a true story shared by Br Celestine of an 18-year-old girl who, after suffering abuse and slavery, found hope at Novena Church through a stranger’s simple invitation to pray to Mother Mary. Though not yet Catholic, she encountered love, support, and healing within the church community.
This moving story highlights our theme: Novena Church, A Missionary Place. Inspired by St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorist, this Church has embodied a mission to bring God’s abundant love and mercy to the most abandoned — migrants, the homeless, youth, and families in need.
As we celebrate 75 years of missionary presence, we honor Mary, the perfect missionary, who leads us to Jesus and teaches us to serve others with compassion.
Let us be modern-day missionaries—not just by converting others, but by sharing our stories of God’s love, and by becoming instruments of hope and healing.
- Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (2 August 2025)
What is Hope?
A mental and emotional conviction? The mind and heart is one conviction that ultimate good will prevail over the many difficulties, problems or evil that surrounds life
It is not just being positive. Hope rooted in something more than just our human self is God. It is sacred.
Hope is founded in our relationship with God. Our Novena Church community can help each other sense the message of faith and hope that God wants to convey to us through Jesus with the help of our Mother Mary.
Together let’s stay with God constantly. Feet on the ground but always gazing.
Novena devotion by Fr. Peter Wee, C.Ss.R. ( 26 July 2025 )
This week’s theme is ‘gratitude’, why it matters and how we can live it out. Gratitude is a spiritual virtue present across all faiths and cultures, often expressed through offerings or acts of thanksgiving. For Catholics, the Eucharist is our greatest act of thanksgiving.
As Scripture reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Even in weakness and suffering, God remains present and active. A grateful heart helps us recognize His grace and draw strength from it.
Inspired by Mary’s Magnificat and the story of the one leper who returned to thank Jesus, Fr Eugene invites us to move beyond comparison and complaint, and to give thanks for the blessings already in our lives: our health, relationships, daily provisions, and the quiet presence of God.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Eugene Lee, C.Ss.R. (19 July 2025)
Many families in Singapore are not happy families, there are quarrels and fighting which though can be normal, but can sometimes be excessive, continuous and hence the family is not a peaceful sanctuary. This sad reality can be seen in the recent unfathomable cases of parents killing their own young children.
Some people do not know how to love themselves and some are perpetually angry and scold others. If so, we have to recognise that we are angry people and realise that it doesn’t give us permission to behave badly. We are not bad people, but we can make bad choices. We have to own what we have done, without blaming others all the time for our troubles. In fact, are we contributing to the trouble or to the peace?
Are we the trouble maker or the peacemaker?
Let us pray for courage and strength to follow Christ and to choose the way of God, to love our neighbours as ourselves.
- Novena Devotion by Fr. Vincent Low, C.Ss.R. (12 July 2025)
In today's reflection from Matthew 19:16, we revisit the story of the rich young man who walked away sad because he could not part with his wealth to follow Jesus. This challenge reminds us of the cost of true discipleship: detachment, compassion, and wholehearted following.
We are also invited to reflect on the loneliness found in modern society - the song "The Most Peculiar Man" by Simon and Garfunkel or the Straits Times forum on seniors dying alone - and how technology, while helpful, can lead to emotional disconnection.
So, how can we live differently? Br. Celestine invites us to reflect on these 2 points:
1. Share family meals - be fully present, no handphones or TV, just sacred time together
2. Pray together - even a simple prayer like Our Father or Hail Pary can strengthen bonds
Just like topping up an MRT card gets us closer to our destination, topping up our relationships with time, prayer, and love brings us closer to one another and to God.
- Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (5 July 2025)
We are not able to run away from death; it is a reality that will happen to all of us sooner or later.
The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is for healing and it is not the same as the commendation for the dying. The commendation prayer is a beautiful prayer with the litany of the saints employing all the saints to come and assist the dying person to really encounter God and go peacefully.
In our faith, a meaningful death, is recognizing that it is our earthly life is completed, and we are going back to The Father who has promised us eternal life.
So as a Christian, if we are journeying with a family or friend who is dying especially from terminal illnesses like cancer, we have the responsibility and faith to help a person to die peacefully when their time comes.
This is a very difficult and painful topic but let us all try to have the courage to support and pray with them to open all hearts to receive God’s peace.
Novena Devotion by Fr. Simon Tan, C.Ss.R. (28 June 2025)