THE INTERNATIONAL PASTORAL COMMUNITY of Batam holds 2013 pra-advent recollection at Bible Centre, Sukajadi, November 30, 2013. Entitled "Keep sending the messages of hope', the recollection is conducted by Fr. Aurelius Pati Soge, SVD, the chaplain of the IPC. Around 60 participants attend this spiritual exercise, the IPC leadership team, the group of lectors, commentators and psalmists, music ambassadors, altar servers, sacristans and other people.

In his presentation to lead this spiritual exercise, Fr. Pati Soge reminds participants of on going invitation to journey in faith. It is a continuation of the year of faith that has been officially closed on the solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, November 24, 2013. Yet this invitation remains intact and the journey will go on until the end of time. Therefore, every Christian should remain faithful to Jesus Christ. Here the faith has three characteristic dimensions, i.e. (1) Divine Gift, (2) Fullness of Life, and (3) Mission to Accomplish.

These three characteristic define our ongoing journey in faith. As the model, we look at the life of the three latest popes that have played crucial roles during the last three and a half decades. Blessed John Paul II had opened up the church to the nations and brought her to the spotlight of the secular world. He bridged many differences and succesfully established a church with spirit of openess. Meanwhile, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has different priority. He realises that secular values continue relentlessly invading and eradicating the spiritual and moral role of the church. Therefore he insists of being faithful the root of the church, that is Jesus Christ. To some extent, he has successfully maintained the church with the spirit of rootedness. And the current Pope Francis, based on his experience as an Argentinian prelate, insists the importance of the church that is associated with the poor. His approach to the modern issue sends the strong message to all nations. Here we see the church in modern world that keeps sending the messages of hope to everybody.

Based on this three leading examples, people are challenged to define what and how they are going to react. Firstly, we need to keep an open policy for the church in the modern world. Constant dialog with other social elements is essential and urgently needed. Secondly, we have to be rooted to the source of our faith, that is God, the Holy Trinity. The essence of faith should remain the same apart from its modern and contextualized method of catechesis. And thirdly, we should associate ourselves with the poor and marginalized that are excluded from the life of secular society. So, keeping in mind the spirit of rootedness and openess, our duty today is to keep sending the messages of hope to many people around the world.

Advent Wreath

The recollection is then concluded with the blessing of the Advent Wreath in a short and simple ceremony. The first candle is lighted to symbolize the beginning of Advent 2013, a period of reflection, renewal, repentance and forgiveness. Through constant spiritual renewal, we are also eventually sending the message of hope to many people around the world.

After the recollection and the blessing of the Advent wreath, all participants are invited and entertained by the servant head couple of IPC Batam, Indonesian counterpart, Mr. and Mrs. Hendra Sunarya, for an evening meal at Grand Duck restaurant, Kepri Mall, Batam. It is also the chance to bid farewell to Mr. Shaju Thattil Lonappan, the vice servant head couple of IPC Batam. (ap)