ONE PAGE. Updates on Teachers in Sandals Fellowship 30 September 2013

TEACHING NIGHT: GOOD NEWS. GOOD TIME. GOOD COMPANY.

BRO ANTHONY’S REASONS Instead of using the Apostles’ Creed as the foundation of Basic Speech Project 2 “I Believe”, Bro Anthony took a different approach, succeeding in enlightening the audience on why he believes in God.

During Teaching Night on 26 September in Newman Hall, Auckland, Bro Anthony used the New Testament passage on Apostle Thomas who doubted the resurrection of Jesus until encountering Him personally. Bro Anthony said that the apostle asked questions, if only to confirm his faith. In like manner, the Virgin Mother of God, Mary, during the Annunciation asked the angel Gabriel questions on her being chosen to carry the Saviour in her womb. And to further pursue his line of thinking that believing is not about “blind faith”, Bro Anthony pointed to St Thomas Aquinas, O.P. (28 January 1225 – 7 March 1274), Dominican friar and priest and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian, as an example. The saint held that our faith in eternal salvation shows that we have theological truths that exceed human reason. Aquinas was most influential in the adoption of “Fides et Ratio” an encyclical promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 14 September 1998. The encyclical primarily treats the relationship between faith and reason. Bro Anthony, in his brief speech, shared the message that Catholics should ask questions, and “reflect and wonder with their hearts.”

Among those who actively participated in the program were: Bro Trevor (who had a string of funny anecdotes in Smilines); Bro Nathaniel (who responded to Brieflynes); and Bro Mel (who conducted the BQQ and recited an original poem, “Our Kiwi Boys” which he dedicated to the sailors of Team New Zealand in the 34th America’s Cup). Sis Isabella guided the participants through the proceedings as program minister. Both Sis Isabella and Bro Anthony are enthusiastic in delivering their next speech projects on October 10, as these will serve as their graduation speeches to becoming Certified Student Teachers (cst). Basic Speech Project 3 allows a speaker to choose any of the three topics: “I am Catholic”; “My Favorite Bible Quotation” or “My Favorite Saint”. New members and guests are welcome to Teaching Night.

Smilines\ Q & A

Q: Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? A: Noah - he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation. Q: Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible? A: Pharaoh's daughter - she went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet. Q: What kind of man was Boaz before he got married? A: Ruth-less. Q: Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? A: Samson - he brought the house down.