Novena Preaching @ Novena Church

God loves us with Amor Pazzo- a crazy love for humanity, like how he looks for the single lost sheep or lost coin. Now we have to consider our active response to the love of God.

The church has 3 states, the church triumphant in heaven, the church suffering in purgatory and the church militant (the pilgrim church journeying on earth). A militant faith actively seeks God, stays faithful, refuses to be passive and resists our distractions, comforts and worldly attachments. We look to Mother Mary as a model of our active faith, as she answered her fiat and accompanied her son at the cross.

Do we take that step to respond to God’s love with militant faith?

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Fulgensius Avelinus Ora, C.Ss.R. (7 November 2026)

The homily by Fr. Antony Charles invites us to examine our attitude towards God: do we believe only when we see miracles, or do we trust him even when our prayers seem unanswered?

Through the story of a man who lost his job rather than compromise his integrity, Fr. Charles shows that faith endures through uncertainty. Like Mary, we are called to believe before seeing God's wonders. "Believe first, hoping for miracles second, not the other wat," he urges. Rather than seeking immediate answers, we should surrender ourselves to God's guidance.

Ultimately "what we really need...is not the miracles but the presence of the miracle worker," who remains with us throughout our struggles.

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Antony Charles, C.Ss.R. (31 October 2026)

God loved us first and invites everyone to the table of fellowship, everyone is invited, saints and sinners alike. Once they realised that Jesus loved them in spite of their sins and shortcomings, that love leads to transformation, metanoia.

It may take a long time to change but once we realize that Jesus loves us despite of our sins, change begins to take place, and this is our faith journey.

In this Sunday’s gospel, we read Jesus’ greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39, “You must love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: "You must love your neighbour as yourself.”

The two are actually one commandment - I cannot say I love God and hate my neighbour; it’s connected and it’s hard to follow. The biblical love is action and responsibility, whether I like that person or not I must try to forgive. Jesus did not have feelings for his executioners but yet He loved them and asked His Father to forgive them. That is love, biblical, sacrificial love.

We ask Mother Mary to pray and intercede for us as we keep walking on our faith journey.

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr Glenn de Cruz, C.Ss.R

(24 October 2026)

Drawing on Cinderella's transformation, Fr. Eugene reminds us that criticism, shame and sin do not erase our dignity as God's children. "We do not wait for ourselves to be perfect" before serving Him.

Mission begins now, through the gifts and talents we have received. The sick witness through perseverance, while carers reveal God's unconditional love. Rendering to God what belongs to Him means offering our lives in trust and service. "No label can contain us" when we trust God's love.

- Sunday Homily by Fr. Eugene Lee, C.Ss.R. (18 October 2026)

In this heartfelt homily, Br Celestine reflects on the life of St Gerard Majella, reminding us that holiness is found not only in extraordinary acts, but also in the simple moments of everyday life. Despite experiencing poverty, hardship and suffering, St Gerard remained steadfast in faith, generously sharing what little he had with others.

Amid life’s uncertainties, whether concerning work, health, family or personal struggles, Br Celestine invites us to bring our worries and pain honestly before God.

Trusting God does not mean our problems will disappear. Sometimes, God simply gives us strength for the next step, sends someone to accompany us, or grants us peace amid uncertainty.

“Do your best, and God will do the rest.”

May St Gerard inspire us to live generously, trust deeply and recognise God’s presence in every season of life.

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (17 October 2026)

Fr Joseph uses the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle where we struggle over a missing piece and work on it over a period of time.

Similarly in our spiritual life, as we grow older and mature, we move away from childhood spirituality into adult spirituality, and we ask ourselves what God is asking of us. E.g. how to better live out a Christian marriage or being more active in Church ministry.

Let us ask our blessed mother to intercede for us that our spirituality may not remain stagnant but instead deepen in intimacy through prayer and response to others.

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Joseph Stephen, C.Ss.R. (10 October 2026)

Fr. Eugene reminds us that waiting is not passive: it builds our faith. Like a butterfly strengthened through its struggle, we too can be transformed through life's difficulties.

When God is silent, we are not forgotten. A delay is not denial. Let us follow Mary's example of patient trust, even when we do not understand God's plans.

The late Fr. Simon Pereira, C.Ss.R., lived with purpose throughout his illness, continuing his ministry without blaming God. Even when sick or bedridden, we have a mission and that is to pray for others.

Let faith sustain our hope as we wait for God's time. We remain His beloved children always. As Saint Teresa of Avila reminds us, "Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices."

-Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Eugene Lee, C.Ss.R. (3 October 2026)

God’s love is plentiful and His love continues to sustain us especially in our most difficult moments of our lives. Our merciful God doesn’t leave us to walk alone. He gives us Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, who is deeply attentive to our needs.

When we look at the icon, we see Mary holding her son, Jesus’ hands tightly, who is frightened by what awaits Him. Similarly, she extends her loving embrace to us in our brokenness and weakness, bringing us to her son Jesus.

Let us have renewed hope, do not be afraid of tomorrow, we have a God who is greater than anything we may face together with Mother Mary, always faithfully praying for us

Amen

Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Fulgensius Avelinus Ora, C.Ss.R. (26 September 2026)

In this heartfelt homily, Fr. Simon reflects on the profound peace that comes from God, even amid suffering, uncertainty and life's greatest challenges.

Drawing from his encounters with Fr. Simon Pereira during his final weeks, he reminds us that true peace is not the absence of problems, worries or distractions. Rather, it is a gift that comes from opening our hearts and trusting in God.

Fr. Simon invites us to rediscover the power of Eucharistic Adoration. Peace is not measured by how many prayers we recite or how long we spend praying, but by the sincerity of our hearts and our willingness to encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. True peace begins when we empty our hearts, surrender our worries and allow God to fill us with His presence.

- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Simon Tan, C.Ss.R. (19 September 2026)

Fr Terence reflects on the recent Annual Procession and pays tribute to all the unsung heroes behind the scenes contributing to the success of this event. He also reminds us to be instruments of blessings for others.

-Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Terence Wee, C.Ss.R. (12 September 2026)