Friday, November 4, 2016

Article: A Winding path to Maryknoll

P.S. I was baptized at the Chapel of Saint Joseph Catholic Senior High School (SMAK Kolese Santo Yusup) Malang in 1989. My home parish is St. Joseph Mojokerto.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Links of Final Vows Ceremony and Celebrations

Here are the links of :

1. the homily: http://anastasialindawatimm.blogspot.hk/2016/10/homily-final-vows-ceremony-2016.html

2. the song “My Soul Sings Praise to You, O Lord”: http://anastasialindawatimm.blogspot.hk/2016/10/song-my-soul-sings-praise-to-you-o-lord.html
3. the thank you note: http://anastasialindawatimm.blogspot.hk/2016/10/thank-you-note-final-vows-ceremony.html

4. the pictures:

a. Ceremony and Celebration on Oct 1, 2016: https://www.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EbuWrFm4ZM2c7&emid=shareprintviewer&linkid=link

b. Celebration on Oct 2, 2016: https://www.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EbuWrFm4ZM2dd&emid=shareprintviewer&linkid=link

5. the videos of the ceremony and celebration at St. Teresa’s Church:

a. https://youtu.be/sLQsU8Yp8QA

b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-l3u9Xr5s
c. https://youtu.be/GgDMhRKp37w

d. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyhNOpusb1I&feature=youtu.be

e. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viUKCl_UkaE&feature=share

f. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W80CW4vX8-Y&feature=share

g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=womWAeVRjyo&feature=share

6. the videos of the Mass and celebration at Christ the King Chapel:

a.https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184499185292332/?type=2&theater

b.https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184498795292371/?type=2&theater

c.https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184484431960474/?type=2&theater

d.https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184485731960344/?type=2&theater

e.https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184485725293678/?type=2&theater

f. https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184491165293134/?type=2&theater
g. https://www.facebook.com/faloynelfi/videos/vb.100012213124310/222194448197658/?type=2&theater

h. https://www.facebook.com/temanartho/videos/a.184484415293809.1073741830.100011967558375/184491171959800/?type=2&theater

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Homily: Final Vows Ceremony 2016

By Fr. Brian Barrons, MM

(Terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia tersedia di bagian bawah)

In the Gospel we heard, “Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.’”

As Jesus was saying this, he was full of JOY! We read He Rejoiced in the Holy Spirit!! Joy as we know is one of the first fruits of the Spirit.

Today we are gathered here to witness and to celebrate the final vows of a woman who I can best describe as a person of Joy. Jesus was filled with joy, Luke tells us. Luke also writes in Acts 13: 52 that the disciples too were filled with joy of the Holy Spirit. Sr. Anastasia since I first met her, a number of years ago has been, for me and for so many others, many of whom are here today, a person of joy. Real Joy!!

Mother Mary Joseph, the foundress of Maryknoll Sisters, would be proud of how this Good Sister has made God’s Love Visible. She has made God’s Love Visible here in Hong Kong….with prisoners, with migrants, with people attending seminars, with those who are suffering and those who are in need. She has made God’s Love Visible in the Mainland….in Shenzhen and in other places. She has made God’s Love Visible to all she has met.

So on the Feast of Saint Therese in the Church of Saint Therese, we are here today for the final vows and we too are full of joy. Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, is one of the most beloved saints. She believed that she did not have much to offer to God, except love.

She felt lowly and small and, in many ways, she was. She was truly a simple person. Sr. Anastasia, I hope you will continue to be joyful, simple and share your great love for God with others. Let St. Therese be one of your guides!

In the first reading today, the Book of Job, we know that we’re introduced to a number of individuals who think they know a lot more than they really do. Take Job’s friends, for example. They think they know everything. They certainly have God and his ways all figured out. They have no problem explaining everything to Job. Of course, they did not know what they were talking about. Job, on the other hand, knew what they were saying was wrong but he still wondered why God has allowed his misery. On more than one occasion, he challenges God to explain himself. In the end, Job admits that he has been dealing “with great things that I do not know, I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.” God’s ways are simply not our ways; God’s thinking is not our thinking. Job has come to the beginning of wisdom – when he realizes that his knowledge is as nothing before the Lord.

Like Job, Sr. Anastasia has learned much during her years of formation…the words of Job could be her own after hearing the call, responding to the call, living in community and experiencing the Lord at work in mission. She could echo the words of Job:

I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.

Sister Anastasia, the work that our Lord has begun in you, he will surely see through to the final day! If I could offer you one piece of advice, only one piece of advice, I will say this, as a sister, Pray, pray, and pray, never stop praying. And I hope and I pray…that in this great church full of people who hope and pray with me, that God will continue to bless with peace, happiness and fulfillment in all that you do. I pray that the Joy so many of us have witnessed in your ministry as a Sister will be experienced by many many many more people in the years to come. The Joy, you have, is contagious! That Joy is healing! That Joy is refreshing! That Joy makes God’s Love Visible.

===================================================

Dalam bacaan Injil kita mendengar, “Pada waktu itu juga bergembiralah Yesus dalam Roh Kudus dan berkata: ‘Aku bersyukur kepada-Mu, Bapa, Tuhan langit dan bumi, karena semuanya itu Engkau sembunyikan bagi orang bijak dan orang pandai, tetapi Engkau nyatakan kepada orang kecil. Ya Bapa, itulah yang berkenan kepada-Mu.’”

Ketika Yesus mengatakan ini, dia penuh dengan SUKACITA! Kita mendengar bahwa Dia Bergembira dalam Roh Kudus! Sukacita, sebagaimana yang kita tahu, adalah salah satu buah pertama Roh.

Hari ini kita berkumpul di sini untuk menyaksikan dan merayakan kaul kekal seorang wanita, yang bisa saya gambarkan sebagai seseorang yang dipenuhi dengan sukacita. Yesus dipenuhi dengan sukacita, sebagaimana dikatakan oleh Lukas. Lukas juga menulis dalam Kisah Para Rasul 13: 52 bahwa para murid juga dipenuhi dengan sukacita Roh Kudus. Sr. Anastasia, sejak pertama saya bertemu dengannya, beberapa tahun yang lalu, telah menjadi bagi saya dan bagi banyak orang lain, banyak diantara mereka ada di sini hari ini, seseorang yang dipenuhi dengan sukacita. Sukacita yang sesungguhnya!!

Mother Mary Joseph, Ibu Pendiri Maryknoll Sisters, akan bangga melihat bagaimana Suster yang baik ini telah membuat kasih Allah nyata ketika berada di Hong Kong…bagi para narapidana, bagi para migran, bagi mereka yang menghadiri seminar, bagi mereka yang menderita dan memerlukan bantuan. Dia telah membuat kasih Allah nyata ketika berada di Tiongkok…di Shenzhen dan tempat-tempat lain. Dia telah membuat kasih Allah nyata kepada siapa saja yang dia temui.

Jadi pada perayaan Santa Theresia di Gereja Santa Theresia, kita berada di sini hari ini untuk acara kaul kekal dan kita juga dipenuhi oleh sukacita. Santa Theresia Kanak-kanak Yesus, Perawan dan Doktor Gereja, adalah salah satu Santa yang sangat dicintai. Dia percaya bahwa dia tidak mempunyai banyak hal untuk dipersembahkan kepada Allah, kecuali kasih.

Dia merasa rendah dan kecil dan dalam banyak hal, dia begitu adanya. Dia sungguh orang yang sederhana. Sr. Anastasia, saya berharap kamu akan tetap bersukacita, sederhana dan membagikan kasihmu yang sangat besar kepada Allah, kepada sesama. Biarlah Santa Theresia menjadi salah satu pembimbingmu!

Dalam bacaan pertama hari ini, Kitab Nabi Ayub, kita tahu bahwa kita diperkenalkan dengan beberapa orang yang berpikir bahwa mereka tahu lebih banyak, padahal tidak demikian adanya. Sebagai contoh, teman-teman Ayub. Mereka berpikir mereka tahu segalanya. Mereka menduga Allah dan jalan-jalanNya dengan penuh keyakinan. Mereka tidak bermasalah ketika menerangkan segalanya kepada Ayub. Dengan pasti dapat dikatakan bahwa mereka tidak mengetahui apa yang mereka katakan. Ayub, sebaliknya tahu bahwa apa yang mereka katakan adalah salah tetapi dia masih tidak mengerti mengapa Allah membiarkan semua kesengsaraannya terjadi. Lebih dari satu kesempatan, dia menantang Allah untuk menjelaskan-Nya. Pada akhirnya Ayub mengakui bahwa dia telah berhubungan dengan, "hal-hal besar yang tidak aku ketahui, yang tidak aku mengerti; hal-hal yang terlalu ajaib bagiku, yang tidak aku ketahui.”

Seperti Ayub, Sr. Anastasia telah belajar banyak selama masa formasi…Kata-kata Ayub dapat menjadi kata-katanya setelah mendengar panggilan, menjawab panggilan, hidup dalam komunitas dan mengalami Tuhan dalam pelayanannya di tanah misi. Dia dapat menyetujui kata-kata Ayub: Aku tahu, bahwa Engkau sanggup melakukan segala sesuatu, dan tidak ada rencana-Mu yang gagal. Aku telah berhubungan dengan hal-hal besar yang tidak aku mengerti, hal-hal yang sangat ajaib bagiku dan yang tidak kuketahui.

Suster Anastasia, Tuhan akan melihat tugas, yang telah dimulai Tuhan dalam dirimu, sampai akhir jaman! Kalau saya dapat memberikan satu nasehat, hanya satu nasehat, saya akan mengatakan hal ini, sebagai seorang Suster, berdoa, berdoa, dan berdoalah, jangan pernah berhenti berdoa. Saya berharap dan berdoa…bahwa dalam gereja yang besar ini, penuh dengan orang-orang yang berharap dan berdoa bersama saya, agar Allah memberkatimu dengan damai, kebahagiaan dan kepenuhan dalam semua yang engkau lakukan. Saya berdoa agar sukacita, yang telah disaksikan oleh kebanyakan dari kita dalam pelayananmu sebagai seorang Suster, akan dialami oleh lebih banyak lagi orang di masa yang akan datang. Sukacita, yang kamu miliki, itu menular! Sukacita itu menyembuhkan! Sukacita itu menyegarkan! Sukacita itu membuat kasih Allah nyata.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Song: My Soul Sings Praise to You, O Lord (My Version of Magnificat)

I was inspired when Sr. Ann Hayden, MM said that she re-writes Canticle of Mary every year. Since then I also re-wrote Magnificat (Luk 1: 46-55) as a poem and edited it during my annual retreats till 2015.

Then I thought compose a song would be better so I asked Fr. Regie, SVD to compose the music. It was done in March 2016 and was sung for the first time in public by Indonesian Catholic Community in Hong Kong Choir during Final Vows ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf-l3u9Xr5s&t=1351s

Here is the lyric:

I give You thanks and praise, O Lord
all the day of my life
You love me with unconditional love,
bless me abundantly in my weaknesses

Reff:
My soul sings praise to You, O Lord
My spirit rejoices in your love
You are the source of all being
Holy is Your name

You listen to me in time of trials
You answer my prayers on high
You give me strength and grace to console my heart
Your healing touch comforts me

Back to reff

You protect me from the wrong doers
You hold me in my distress and my doubt
You teach me to let go and offer my life
You are my Creator and my God

Back to reff

Mr. Vincent added the Cantonese version later.

Last Aug 2020, Mr. Koko (http://www.distrowave.com/) offered to release first song to social media for free so I took this opportunity. He sent the instrument last Feb 16, 2021 and I use it as background of my videos on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poqeKQ4Y4ms&list=RDpoqeKQ4Y4ms&start_radio=1 and several videos). Here is the link on several digital platforms by Ms. Nanda Monica:

1. https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-soul-sings-praise-to-you-o-lord-single/1565381728

2. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=My+Soul+sings+praise+to+You&ref=nb_sb_noss

3. https://youtu.be/DzcyEF2-Jus (with compilation of the pictures of my ministry in China Region)

4. https://open.spotify.com/album/3mKl74kSWzGV9Q065W4qG8?highlight=spotify:track:1t75qEus7OXqm3V3uSD02I

5. https://www.shazam.com/track/568087091/my-soul-sings-praise-to-you-o-lord

6. Resso, Tik Tok, Tidal, itunes, etc.

You are welcome to download it for your cellphone ringtone.

Here is the video during Thanksgiving Mass in Hong Kong in May 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrJ0xzBsl0Y&list=RDHrJ0xzBsl0Y&start_radio=1

Hong Kong, Feb 28, 2021

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

Let’s control our shopping urges to support less waste living for a better world.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Thank you Note Final Vows Ceremony

(There are translation in Indonesia and simplified chinese in between the paragraph in English.)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, with gratitude, I express my sincere thanks to God, and to all who have walked with me, in my journey to be a Maryknoll Sister, especially for my Maryknoll Sisters China region and around the world, my family: my mother and two sisters from Indonesia are here with us today, benefactors and friends gathered here, those who are not able to come but pray and say Masses for me from afar.

主内亲爱的兄弟姐妹们, 我感恩和衷心感谢我们的主和跟我一起走过这条路的所有的人，在我成为玛利诺修女的过程中，特别感谢玛利诺修女中国团体和在其他地方，我的家人：从印尼赶来的妈妈和姐妹们，今天在这里的恩人和朋友们，还有那些不能参与的人却仍为我在他们那里祈祷和做弥撒。

Saudara-saudari terkasih dalam Kristus, dengan penuh rasa syukur, saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Allah, dan semua orang yang berjalan bersama saya dalam perjalanan saya untuk menjadi seorang suster Maryknoll, khususnya para suster Maryknoll regio China dan di tempat-tempat lain, keluarga saya: mama dan dua adik dari Indonesia bersama kita hari ini, para donor dan teman-teman, baik yang ada di sini, maupun yang tidak bisa datang tetapi mendoakan dan memimpin Misa untuk saya.

My heartfelt thanks to all who have worked hard to make this celebration beautiful and meaningful especially:

our celebrants John Cardinal Tong; Maryknoll Fr. Brian Barrons; Deacon Charles Chu; Fr. Reginaldus Amleni, SVD; all the concelebrants (Fr. Peter Barry, MM; Fr. Edward Philips, MM; Fr. Michael Sloboda, MM; Fr. Larry Radice, MM; Fr. Gabriel Altamirano, MG; Fr. Victor Meija, MCCJ; Fr. Paulus Waris, OCarm; Fr. Balubun Anthonius Reynolds, SVD; Fr. Nicolas de Francqueville, MEP; Fr. Isaac Noh, KMS; and Fr. Joseph Lu) ; seminarian Kornelius Bardata, SVD; Sr. Lunrita Simanullang, RGS and the Indonesians Catholic community team: all the altar servers, choir members and musicians, dancers, ushers, documentary team, readers, decoration team, make up team, set up and clean up team; Maryknoll Convent School Audio Visual Team; Holy Family Community Shenzhen: the readers, choir and offerings bearers; Fr. Peter Leung and Staffs of St. Teresa Church and also Mrs. Josephine Chan the florist.

我衷心感谢所有那些认真筹备这美好和高尚典礼的人，特别是汤枢机；王朋神父；朱念祖执事；安在德神父; 所有的神父们；Toto修士，骆心慧修女和印尼团体义工们：辅祭，圣咏团，舞蹈小组，礼仪组，摄影和拍照的人，读经员，装饰人员，准备和收拾人员；玛利诺学校摄影团体；深圳圣家堂逯军亮神父，圣咏团，读经和奉献员，以及圣德肋撒堂的梁达材神父和所有堂区的工作人员以及陈太太花艺师。

Rasa syukur dan terima kasih, juga saya ucapkan kepada semua pihak yang telah bekerja keras untuk membuat perayaan Ekaristi dan pembaharuan kaul ini indah dan penuh makna, khususnya John Cardinal Tong; Pastor Brian Barrons, MM; Diakon Charles Chu; Pastor Reginaldus Amleni, SVD; semua imam konselebran (Pastor Peter Barry, MM; Pastor Edward Philips, MM; Pastor Michael Sloboda, MM; Pastor Larry Radice, MM; Pastor Gabriel Altamirano, MG; Pastor Victor Meija, MCCJ; Pastor Paulus Waris, OCarm; Pastor Balubun Anthonius Reynolds, SVD; Pastor Nicolas de Francqueville, MEP; Pastor Isaac Noh, KMS; dan Pastor Joseph Lu); Frater Kornelius Bardata, SVD; Sr. Lunrita Simanullang, RGS dan panitia dari Komunitas Katolik Indonesia: para misdinar, anggota koor dan pemusik, para penari, para penerima tamu, tim dokumentasi, lektor, tim dekorasi, tata rias dan perlengkapan; Tim Audio Visual Maryknoll Convent School, anggota koor, lektor dan pembawa persembahan Gereja Keluarga Kudus Shenzhen; Pastor Peter Leung and Staff Gereja St. Teresa serta Mrs. Josephine Chan perangkai bunga.

This picture, which was placed at the front of the altar, was taken candidly eleven years ago when I started to think about my vocation. I resigned from my job, and had the formation with Maryknoll Sisters starting 2007. Two years later, I made my first vows and then was assigned to China Region. I studied Putonghua and started to help at Holy Family Church Shenzhen and other places besides visiting inmates, helping a financial literacy program and several workshops in Hong Kong. During the eleven years of discernment, I experienced so many holy coincidences through so many people and events. I agree on what Mother Mary Joseph said, “There is nothing more astonishing than life, just as it is, nothing more miraculous than growth and change, just as revealed to us. And as happens so often when we stop to regard God’s work, there is nothing to do but wonder and thank God.”

这张照片是十一年前无意之中拍摄的，那时候我开始思考我的圣召。后来我辞去我的工作，在2007年正式加入玛利诺修会接受培训。两年后我发初愿，被派遣到中国。我学习普通话，开始在深圳圣家堂和其他地方服务，还有在香港探望囚犯，协助财政课和讨论班。在十一年来的识别力中，通过很多人和事我感受到了很多圣的机缘。我同意了我们的会祖所说的，“没有什么比生命更奇妙的，就像这样, 没有什么比成长和改变更加神奇地显示给我们。而且经常发生，当我们停下来默想天主的旨意，我们唯一可以做的，是对天主的惊奇和感恩。”

Foto ini, yang diletakkan di depan altar, diambil sebelas tahun lalu secara diam-diam ketika saya sedang merenungkan panggilan hidup saya. Saya kemudian mengundurkan diri dari pekerjaan dan masuk novisiat Maryknoll Sisters pada tahun 2007. Saya mengucapkan kaul pertama dua tahun kemudian ditempatkan di regio China. Saya belajar bahasa Putonghua lalu membantu di Gereja Keluarga Kudus Shenzhen dan beberapa tempat lain di samping kunjungan ke penjara, membantu kelas keuangan dan beberapa workshop di Hong Kong. Selama sebelas tahun ini, saya mengalami banyak kebetulan ilahi melalui banyak orang dan kejadian. Saya setuju dengan apa yang dikatakan Ibu Pendiri Maryknoll Sisters, “Tidak ada yang lebih menakjubkan daripada hidup, sebagaimana adanya, tidak ada yang lebih ajaib daripada bertumbuh dan berubah, sebagaimana yang dinyatakan kepada kita. Dan ketika kita berhenti untuk merenungkan karya Allah, seringkali tidak ada yang bisa dikerjakan kecuali mengagumi dan bersyukur kepada Allah.”

Please continue to pray for me and our congregation so we can participate better in the universal mission of Church.

请为我和我们的修会继续祈祷，使我们更好地为教会的普世福传使命服务。

Mohon dukungan doanya untuk saya dan kongregasi kami agar dapat berpartisipasi dalam misi universal Gereja dengan lebih baik.

All of you are invited for a simple reception. After the group pictures, please go to main door to follow the procession to the Gym led by the Indonesian dancers.

欢迎所有的来宾到堂区体育馆享用茶点。合影后请在大门口等候，印尼舞蹈团将带领我们到那里。

Semua yang hadir diundang dalam resepsi sederhana. Setelah foto bersama, silahkan menuju pintu utama untuk mengikuti prosesi, yang akan dipimpin oleh penari Indonesia, ke ruang resepsi

Lastly, May God continue to bless all of us in our missionary journey.

最后，求主继续保佑我们的传教使命。

Akhirnya, semoga Tuhan terus memberkati kita semua dalam perjalanan misionaris kita masing-masing.

Thank you very much. Terima kasih banyak. 多谢你们。

P.S.

Here are the links of the final vows ceremony and celebrations:
http://anastasialindawatimm.blogspot.hk/2016/10/links-of-final-vows-ceremony.html