Helping the Faithful to Have an Encounter with Jesus

Jared YapFeature

Helping the Faithful to
Have an Encounter with Jesus

Angelia Boey, an events executive with the Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE), shares how ONE helped her to develop a relationship with Jesus. Today, she continues to deepen her faith through her work, and now helps others deepen their faith as well.

I have been with ONE for over two years, and am responsible for the logistics of the various formation programmes and retreats we organise. Through these events, we hope that the faithful will develop a closer relationship with Jesus.

Most of my primary and secondary school years were spent in a convent school. However, my family was steeped in Taoism and Buddhism where the mere mention of Jesus was forbidden. I remember that my then 20-year old sister was struck for speaking about Jesus after returning from church one evening. It was not till I was married that I felt safe enough to embrace the faith, and converted to Catholicism.

Still, my relationship with God was almost non-existent. Going for Sunday Mass was my only encounter of Him. Spontaneous prayers were
few and said during times ofdire need. Though I did not know it then, God was calling for a response to grow closer to Him.

When I left my part-time job to work full-time for ONE, I had few expectations. Little did I know that it would turn out to be an amazing discovery of God’s love.

At our events, I recall Rev Fr Terence Pereira, the Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation, emphasising the importance of spending an hour each day with the Lord. Deep within, I felt a stirring – the seeds had been sown.

My first few attempts were rather disastrous though. My prayers did not last more than 10 minutes! My eyes frequently darted towards the clock as I struggled with boredom and discipline. Yet, I persevered.

Attending more talks at ONE introduced me to praying with the Scriptures. It opened me to a whole new world, allowing me to listen to the Lord and share an intimacy with Him. I am reminded of this verse: “But God not only heard me, He listened to my prayers. Blessed be God who neither ignored my prayer nor deprived me of His love” (Psalm 66:19-20).

Today, every prayer is such a beautiful encounter that I earnestly look forward to my prayer time with the Lord. Seeking the Lord has become, and will remain, my life’s vocation. I still need to further my knowledge of God
and His Church, but every day, by His grace, I am cheerfully learning.

To anyone considering working in the Church, I would say, “Go for it!” It places you in a community where you offer your knowledge and skills to the Lord, working, praying and growing together – you are never alone. It may not be heaven yet, but God is here.

 

 

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