Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Genesis II Choir is the youth and young adults choir that sings for the 6pm Sat Sunset Mass at the Church of the Holy Family, Katong, Singapore.

We have a current strength of about 35-40 singers and we are one of the 6 choirs (5 English, 1 Mandarin) in Holy Family.

Our Mission Statement

To be an avenue for youths and young adults to discover their talents to serve God and the parish through the Liturgy/Mass.

We warmly invite anyone who would like to join our musical family. Singers, musicians (organists, pianists, other instruments), conductors, animators etc. All are welcome and invited to join in making a joyful noise unto the Lord!

If you are keen to find out more or experience singing with us, join us for our practices before mass @ 4.30pm in the choir room and after mass @ 7.30pm. Alternatively, you may contact us via email at genesis2choir@gmail.com or meet us after mass at the choir pews. Feel free to explore our site, or visit http://www.veritas.org.sg/g2 for the old website.

God bless!

Genesis II Choir

Singing the Mass

What parts of the Mass should be sung?

What is the purpose of each part?

Who does what, and when?

(The Music Committee of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales)

 

 

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Conductors: Greg & Veron; Musicians: Paul & Greg)

The Lord who teaches us His ways

Like Jonah, Christ was sent to preach repentance. He calls us to change our ways. We are not to become engrossed in the world, but to believe the good news and live for the kingdom of God

Entrance antiphon: Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Truth and beauty surround him, he lives in holiness and glory.

Entrance: Sing a new song #575

Kyrie: Chant

Gloria: Mass from Age to Age (Chris de Silva)

 

1^st Reading – Jonah 3:1-5, 10 – The people of Nineveh renounce their evil behaviour

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 24 – Lord, make me know your ways

2^nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 – The world as we know it is passing away

Gospel Acclamation (Chant) – The kingdom of God is close at hand; believe the Good News

Gospel – Mark 1:14-20 – Repent, and believe the Good News

 

Offertory: Eye has not seen #492

Sanctus: Chant

Memorial Acclamation: Chant – We proclaim your death O Lord…

Great Amen

The Lord’s Prayer: Celtic Mass

Agnus Dei: Mass from Age to Age

Communion: Lord, you have come #522

Thanksgiving: You alone #677

Recessional: Change our hearts #672

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, and he called out to them: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

GII Big Group Meeting 2012

Thank you everyone (36 of us) for your active participation at last night’s Big Group Meeting – we still have another 10-15 Genesians (who couldnt make it) who will have another session within the next 2 weeks.

BGM follow-up is slated to be on 11 Feb 2011 Sat after mass, so let’s keep that Sat free. For this sessions, we will firm up:
1. Our Vision/Objectives for 2012
2. How we want to go about realising our vision
and there will be updates about our parish’s key events and upcoming GII events.

God bless!

Genesis II Choir Big Group Meeting 2012

We will have a Genesis II Big Group Meeting this year - 14 Jan 2012, Saturday with objectives of:

1. Renewal of the choir

2. Feedback and brainstorming, planning for the rest of 2011

3. Awareness and empowerment of the current and new members, to step up and serve God in big and small ways

For those of you who were at our 28th Anniversary Celebrations on 05 Nov 2011, we had a recap and review of the plans we had made in Feb 2011′s BGM.

It was a good chance to take stock, gather feedback from everyone, and spur each other to do better.

Since then, we have had an amazing journey of singing chant, learning new mass ordinaries (Chris’ Gloria), Advent reflections, Bible sharing, Christmas rosary, Caroling, Midnight Mass, and the odd santa hat.

In 2012, there will be many changes and many opportunities for all of us to step forward, take the plunge to serve God in a greater capacity.

To start the ball rolling, I would like to give thanks to God for the following Genesians who have stepped forward and offered to serve

- Anna, Anthony, Ryan, Shannon (new cantors for chant – under training for psalms)

- Wan Peng, Lisabeth, Nicholas (budding musicians)

- Veronica (conducting)

- Shannon (leading caroling)

and the many more who indicated an interest in helping organise events, to come together to plan our spiritual program for 2012, and a welfare/recruitment comm that is brimming with ideas

In 2011, many of us came to BGM not very sure of ourselves, not very sure of committing to a cause, some sitting back and expecting the leaders of the choir to serve everything in a platter.

This year, we sense a greater desire to get our hands dirty, dream dreams, reach out through our music/community, improve ourselves in all departments of music, faith and fellowship.

A true measure of growth in our community is when we begin to look past the superficial, and yearn for a deeper communion together, in prayer, in sharing our struggles/hopes/fears, being there for each other, and transmitting this love in every word we sing.

So I challenge each and everyone of us, young and old, lost and found, dreamer and cynic, diva and churchmouse, to give your best at our BGM.

Agenda for the Genesis II Big Group Meeting 2012

7.30pm – Opening Prayer

7.35pm – Mission Statement, Choir’s Role in Liturgical Life of Parish, Choir Structure

7.45pm – Forecast of Events for 2012

7.50pm -  Gospel Reflection

7.55pm – Small group sharing

9pm – Big Group sharing / collection of ideas

9.25pm – Closing Prayer

Vision:

An avenue for youths to discover and use their talents to serve God and the parish through the liturgy/mass.

To recap our Mission 2011:

1. Genesis II – a choir I belong

2. Baby steps – doing the little things well, and doing them for God – discipline, punctuality, commitment

3. Our contribution to the parish life

As per 2011, we really would like to see all Genesians participate in this BGM.

Bring your bibles too!

God bless!

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,000 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 50 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Mary, Mother of God

Mary, Mother of God

Mary, through whom the world would be blessed

We too bless God for Mary, who bore for us the Child she named Jesus, the Saviour

Entrance Antiphon: A light will shine on us this day, the Lord is born for us: he shall be called Wonderful God, Prince of peace, Father of the world to come; and his kingship will never end,

Entrance hymn: Joy to the world

1st Reading – Numbers 6:22-26 – They are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66 – O God be gracious and bless us

2nd Reading – Galatians 4:4-7 – God sent His Son, born of a woman

Gospel acclamation – At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 – They found Mary and Joseph and the babel when the eighth day came, they gave him the name Jesus

Offertory: Hail Mary, Gentle woman

Communion: The First Noel

Thanksgiving: Ave Maria

Recessional: Salve Regina

In the first reading, God teaches Moses how to pass blessings onto others. Today’s responsorial psalm includes a request for God to bless us. The second reading describes the greatest blessing we’ve received: our adoption by God the Father, who has made available to us every blessing under the heavens and in heaven.

The people who heard the testimony of the shepherds in the Gospel reading were amazed. How often are you amazed by the Lord? Awe comes from recognizing the presence of Jesus in everything we see, do, hear, etc. With Jesus, we’re even blessed in situations that feel like curses, because he is guiding us through it.

To experience this, we have to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times. Look past the problems: There is the victorious Jesus already working on your behalf! He was born for your sake and gave up his life for you; of course he is also doing everything else that will provide God’s goodness to you!

Look past your emotional reactions to hardships: There is the peace of Christ! It’s available when you decide to trust in the love and the wisdom of Christ.

Look past the person who is sinning against you: There is Jesus comforting you! He is trying to kiss your wounds and heal your heart. He speaks to you through scripture, through Holy Mass, through perhaps a counselor, and many other ways. This is available when you choose to forgive.

In every situation, keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can see his hand reaching toward you, offering to bless you.

We can learn from Mary how to look past the obvious and see God’s hidden blessings. When Mary looked at the shepherds, did she see scruffy, stinky, unkempt strangers barging in? Of course not. She saw numerous blessings.

Look at the scruffy people in your own life – through Mary’s eyes. How many blessings do you see?

Mary the Mother of God our Savior is also our Mother now, and she wants to be part of your life to show you the countless blessings that come from knowing her Son: blessings that await you as you follow Jesus, and blessings you already have because Jesus is at your side right now. Ask for Mary’s help in keeping your focus on Jesus throughout the new year.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
Count your blessings. Make a list of everything that’s good in your life, including past blessings that give you warm, happy memories. The Lord has done great things for you. How does this reassure you today? What will you do this year to become more aware of God’s blessings?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Name the blessings of the Christmas Season. In what ways has Mary revealed Jesus to you?

© 2011 by Terry A. Modica

What can we give to the King?

What can I give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can I give?
What gift can I bring?
What can I give to the King?
What can I give to the King? 

Give Him a heart that’s opened up wide
Give Him a life that’s got nothing to hide
Give Him a love that’s tender and true
And He’ll give it all back to you
Yes, He’ll give it all back to you

What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give?
What gift can we bring?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?

Give Him all glory, His people on earth
Give Him all praises, this day of His birth
Give Him all honor in all that we do
As He’s given His life to you
As He’s given His life to you

What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?

Christmas Midnight Mass 2011

24 Dec 2011 Saturday – Christmas Eve

9pm: Meet in choir room for Prayer, Preparation, Reflection

930pm: Warm-up

1035pm: proceed down to church to be seated

11pm: rest of combined choir is seated

11.30pm: we sing the Gloria refrain as an introduction, then carols begin

12mn: Mass starts

Confirmed GII singers:

Sopranos: Amanda, Annabel, Nicole, Jasmine, Lisabeth, Elizabeth Tee, Annabelle, Yuki, Clara, Wan Peng

Altos: Veronica, Joanna, Daphne, Adeline, Juliana, Sandrine, Eunice, Priscilla, Matthew Wong, Stacy, Chloe (melody)

Tenors: Shannon, Ryan, Melvin, Jonathan Chia, Bryan Chang, Paul, Shaun, Matthew Leong, Anthony, Adrian, Benjamin, Gregory

Basses: Darryl, Chris, Duane, Darren, Nicholas, Jonathan Lim, Gerald Nah, James, Bryan David, Gerald Yeo

Seating arrangements for the rows are as follows (from left to right):

Row 1: Basses x 4, Altos x 4, Sopranos x 4

Row 2: Basses x 4, Altos x 4, Sopranos x 4

Row 3: Tenors x 4, Altos x 4, Sopranos x 4

Row 4: Tenors x 4, Sopranos/Melody

Row 5: Tenors x 4, Sopranos/Melody

Upcoming GII events:

1. Holy Family Feastday 2011 - 30 Dec Friday 8pm mass, 7pm be seated – GII is part of combined choir

2. After feastday mass, we are going to sing 2 simple carols for at the reception

3. Mary, Mother of God – 31 Dec 2011 Saturday, our normal 6pm sat mass, practice in choir room 4pm (need to include caroling songs)

4. After Mary, Mother of God mass, we are going to carol at the church staircase for our congregation

5. New Year’s Eve countdown – 31 Dec 2011 Saturday, we are going to Novena church to count down in prayer at their special 1030pm mass -

Let’s make this a difference this year, transitioning to 2012 in prayer and thanksgiving, ask and bring your own family too!

Caroling for Cancer Patients

A big thank you to the many Genesians who made the time to carol for patients at SGH! =)