Hello there (:We hope you're having a great day!We are 1Cor12, a communion of communities based in the parish of St Francis Xavier.So... What is a community? You might askWe are a group comprising of young (and not so young) adults, unique in our mission because we are not bound by any common interest or hobby. Instead, the only factor that draws us and keeps us together is our shared encounter of Jesus and His saving Love. His Love is what continues to inspire us to give of ourselves to Him through one another. In this sense, a community is a group of disciples that are not bound by any specific ministry or aspect of service or spirituality, but by their continued desire to journey towards God, together.

Okay, so that's a community, now what is a communion of communities?1Cor12 is a collective of 9 different communities that are loosely grouped by age and phase of life. These 9 communities have come together and agreed on several "pillars" of community living. These pillars guide our way of life and are woven into every interaction and activity. The pillars are:1) Discipleship
2) Sacramental Life
3) Breaking of the Word
4) Prayer and worship
5) Community living
6) Mission and Evangelization

Okay, very cool. But why join a community when I already have friends and feel content in my own relationship with God?Great question! There’s wisdom in the adage, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." A community isn't just there for the dark moments when the flicker of faith burns low—it also supports you in your everyday journey. Walking alongside others can open your eyes to the beauty of God’s work in your daily life and deepen your love for Him and His people.After all, we can take inspiration from Jesus's disciples - living, working, and walking towards God together as the very first Christian community. [Acts 2:42-47]Does this pique your interest? Talk to us and find out more! You can either reach one of the Brandons via Telegram:
Brandon Ng @brandonndj, or
Brandon Foo @abandonfoo, or
drop us an email at [email protected]Also, be sure to check out first-hand stories of community living from our members, and reasons why they love their community in the "Testimonies" button!

The Meaning of Community to Us

"Joining Mustard Seed Community (MSC) after university was a turning point in my faith. The group’s unwavering focus on God and their deep love for Jesus drew me in. Serving together in ministry, particularly by organizing encounter retreats for young adults, deepened my connection with God and others. Being part of a community that shared such a strong love for Christ was a privilege, and it helped me grow spiritually through shared worship, fellowship, and service."- DARYL SONG, Mustard Seed Community (MSC)

"Community to me is about growing together, and really learning how to love, challenge and honour each other. These are the people that have supported me through different phases of my life, who have loved me despite my faults, who have lifted me up when I'm struggling, who have challenged me to be a better disciple even in my stubbornness. We've spent countless hours sharing our lives with each other, and it is through them that I see God, always faithful, always loving. And I am blessed to know that whatever comes my way, my community is there with me, being the face of God to me."- JONATHAN PHUA, Abiding in ChrisT (ACT)

"Community has shown me who Jesus is, and who Jesus continues to be. They showed me what it meant to desire Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him. They showed me that He was present in the Eucharist as we attended masses together. They prayed for me when I couldn’t, grieved with me when my father passed away, celebrated me when I got married and welcomed my wife with open arms. They taught me the humility of Christ in admitting to mistakes and learning to grow through them. We are not perfect, but I’m grateful that we may be perfected together in Christ who is our head."- JOEL LAU, Leaven of God (LoG)

"Being relatively new to community life, Cornerstone quickly became a beacon for Christ for me. Seeing members very actively living out the Word of God and striving to be good disciples has been truly edifying and a constant reminder to not rest, but instead actively pursue holiness. Today, I am blessed to have Cornerstone be a cornerstone in my life, and to have this safe space to grow and journey in faith with. During a recent loss in my family, Cornerstone was there throughout, grieving and praying with us - this will continue to be a pivotal moment in my faith journey, and I just thank God for this gift of community."- CHRIS SIOW, Cornerstone (CS)

"Being in Basic has allowed me to journey with and be journeyed with so many different people who I may not have met or been friends with outside of community. There have been many joys and sorrows shared, and I am constantly held by everyone's prayers and active love.I pray that BASIC may continue to grow in love for Jesus and every single individual is able to claim their belovedness so fully that the people around us will also be blessed by this simple truth!"- MARY ANN, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC)

"Community has been a very close part of my walk with God and a very tangible way in which His Spirit moves and Grace manifests in my life.Community has always been, to me, about being the face of Christ to others. What drew me to my community of In One Spirit was the openness and the friendly encounters I had with the community members even early on when I had just met them, as well as a heart of service in mentoring the younger youth of the parish in building community too.In being the face of Christ to me and to others, community also inspires me to do the same, and with the assurance that this journey we walk is one alongside fellow disciples who uplift and sustain each others’ faith!"- RAPHAEL THESEIRA, In One Spirit (IOS)

"Community is a safe space for me to be myself and deepen my relationship with God along with friends who support me and keep me accountable 🙂 Community allows me to continue to learn more about my faith and have a active and reflective prayer life."- TASHA WAN, Evidence of God's Grace (EGG)

"Community is a space that teaches us how to be in communion with others. If heaven is a state of perfect communion with God and with one another, we need community to teach us how to arrive there. And community is not perfect, for we make mistakes all the time; we have conflicts, we can hurt each other with our words, actions, and inactions too. But it is also in community where we learn how to reconcile with others, we learn about humility and what it means to love others unconditionally. The greatest gift my community has given me is a glimpse of heaven, the chance to love selflessly and fully with the same love that God loves us, and the choice to do so over and over again."- ETHEL TSENG, Lighthouse

"Being in community has brought me a sense of unexplainable joy. This joy is not mere happiness but a beautiful gift from God that is rooted in love and hope. When I am surrounded by brothers and sisters of Christ, I am reminded that I can “come as I am”. Even amidst suffering, I know that I can still choose joy because I have my community to hold and love me. Christ is light in the darkness, and community imitates the same light by showing me a glimpse into the eternal joy that awaits us."- NATALIE CHOW, Fortify

"Hello! I’m Janice and I’ve been with Mustard Seed Community for more than 20 years. I am thankful to have a group of brothers and sisters in Christ who walk with me in my faith.As a cradle Catholic, it’s easy to take my faith for granted. But being in community brings people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives who can share their views on the faith and allow me to appreciate it more.It’s not always easy to be in community, especially as we have children and careers to tend to. But being with a group of followers allows me to remember that life is not all about chasing what the world wants, but about abiding in Him and doing His will. Seeing this displayed in the lives of my brothers and sisters in the community encourages me, especially when the demands in life weigh me down. Our faith can’t flourish on its own. Walking alongside other Christian brothers and sisters will help fan the flames of our faith and keep it alive."- JANICE LEE, Mustard Seed Community (MSC)

"Community has been and will continue to be my safe space. The bunch of pals that I can count on to listen to my joys and struggles, supporting me when the going gets tough, and never failing to draw me back to Jesus - pointing to the ultimate reason to why we do what we do."- BRANDON NG, Abiding in ChrisT (ACT)

"Community is my constant reminder of God’s presence, faithfulness and goodness in my life. The heart to my week when the entire week is bustling with work, family and other commitments. Mass and community time remind me of God’s never failing love and the importance to journey together. To see the good of the other and to see God in the other has been my grace in community all these years. The prayer is to journey together towards eternity and to see everyone there."- GREGORY DAVID, Leaven of God (LoG)

"Cornerstones has always been the lighthouse and family that brings me closer to Jesus. I feel I wouldn't be where I'm now without the trust in Jesus, Mary's intercession and community."- ALOYSIUS LIM, Cornerstone (CS)

"Being in Basic has been a blessing and a constant safe place for my family and me - with our weekly catch ups, sharings, makans and more.Moments of praying & serving together has re-centred my gaze back to Christ countless of times - especially amidst difficult one like my retrenchment and entering motherhood (seeing how basic love my daughter and hearing their encouragements means so so much to me).Their gentleness & kooky nature reminds me that I’m incredibly loved and life holds so much surprises and joy when you see things through heaven’s eyes 👀🔆"- CORINNE SIM, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC)

"Being in community sometimes shows me how much I fall short in being loving and kind. This pushes me to turn to God and rely on His grace to grow in love, understanding, and forgiveness towards others, as well as to receive healing for myself."- MELISSA TAN, In One Spirit (IOS)

"Community is a place of prayer and fellowship as we struggle on the journey towards Heaven together 🌟
A space to learn to love and love better! 🤲🏻"- ANDREA CHER, Evidence of God's Grace (EGG)

"Community helps me grow in my relationship with God by teaching me how to receive love with humility and extend love with grace; helping me to recognize my need for dependence on God’s grace, and at the same time challenging me to mirror God’s sacrificial love by showing up for community members even when it’s difficult. It became the place where I not only grow in my knowledge of faith but also learn to embody God’s love through tangible ways."- NICOLE LEE, Lighthouse

"Community has allowed me to witness God working in the lives of my friends which has inspired me in my own faith life and has granted me the opportunity to serve and support my friends in their own journey with Jesus. While there are points where we stumble and fall, sometimes even hurting each other, Christ prevails and heals us through each other helping us to grow as people and helping us to forge deep and fruitful friendships with each other. While everyone's walk with Christ is different, God doesn't want us to walk alone and we are called to show Christ's light and guidance to each other!!"And we each have different gifts, according to the grace that has been given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the reasonableness of faith" Romans 12:6"- FRANCIS WONG, Fortify

"Community has been and still remains a constant space in my life, reminding me to surrender more of my life to Jesus through my many seasons. They’ve been present through many of my milestones. A moment that I hold pretty close to my heart was after a break-up and I decided to “give up” on church and God for awhile. I remember a Sunday morning during this time that I skipped our usual weekly session and community showed up, outside of my house with fishball noodles, just to spend that Sunday morning with me. In retrospect, this was God’s way of reaching out to me, reminding me that I wasn’t alone even in a difficult moment. That even when I don’t want to come home, He sends people in my life to hold me and support me.Since this moment, they’ve seen me finish university, start work, get married and now, prepare to start a family. We’ve celebrated and shared in each other’s big and small moments in the past 15 years. God’s presence in their lives reminds me that He is active and moving even when I can’t see him in my own life, and for this reason, I am grateful that God has sent this group of friends to journey with me through life."- STEPHEN TAN, Abiding in ChrisT (ACT)

"Christian community is edifying and fruitful. I see many young men and women striving to be faithful and loving disciples despite the many roles, responsibilities and even crosses they carry. It is so easy to despair alone but with others, I am encouraged to lean on Jesus as my rock, hope and foundation."- JESSICA TAN, Cornerstone (CS)

"“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)Being in BASIC has been one of the biggest blessings of my faith life. Having companions to grow, serve, and journey with has and continues to bring me closer to heaven. Being part of BASIC has also taught me much about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to love regardless of our differences."- MARCELLA CHUA, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC)

"To me, community is more than just a group of friends who spend time together. More that that, we are pals in faith who love, care for, and challenge one another to grow in holiness. As a community that reflects Christ’s love, we learn not only to love but also to be loved, and hold each other accountable in our words and actions as we journey toward Him, in both the joys and struggles. Just like the friends who carried the paralytic man to Jesus, I am certain that EGG will continue to carry me in faith when I am unable to, lift me up in prayer and walk alongside each other towards Heaven."- RACHEL TAN, Evidence of God's Grace (EGG)

"How has community brought me closer to God?
Community has been an opportunity to grow deeper in my faith life. Through our weekly cell group gatherings — we reflect on the gospel it invites me to understand God’s word in the way that speaks out to me in whichever season of my life I am in. Being able to journey with brothers and sisters who all desire to deepen their relationship with God, creating that safe space for each other to be vulnerable in our sharings, understanding that we are human, we are not perfect beings. In times when I felt like God was far from me, my brothers and sisters are like vessels of Christ’s light as we pray for one another, a reminder that God works through each of us to share his love to others around us.Being part of community has encouraged me to build a firm foundation on my identity as a child of God. Through reading and reflecting on scripture, listening to podcasts and discovering more about the Catholic faith, I have learnt what it means to turn to God in prayer, to worship Christ in both the joyful and sorrowful moments, to know that God made me for a purpose and what a blessing it is to be his instrument of love to those who I meet."- ESTHER CHONG, Fortify

"Community living has been a process of building a family. We’ve weathered through trying times and we’ve celebrated each other’s moments. I’ve grown with and alongside my brothers and sisters. Through their own journeys they have inspired and kept me accountable towards living a Christian life.The best part of community is my friendships with my community members. And I think the fruit of that friendship is how we enter their children’s life and how they have also entered my daughter’s life.There was a very tender community moment we shared with a community member’s children while trying to convince them to go to bed. We were many adults squeezing into the bedroom of two young children saying goodnight prayers together. It is in these intimate and simple ways of community that they become my daughter’s extended family in Christ. And this extended family models different ways of living out a Christian life. And hopefully in doing so, we inspire and mould a new generation of disciples for Christ."- CLARICE YONG, Abiding in ChrisT (ACT)

"In the 20 years (has it been that long??!) that I’ve been with my community LOG, they’ve been the physical touch point and refuge for me mirroring my journey with God.I recall periods of spiritual darkness amidst personal struggles where people in community checking in on me and praying for me, these were tangible reminders that I was never abandoned nor alone in carrying my crosses when God felt distant to me. Them too being present and celebrating personal milestones (from graduation to getting my first job, to my wedding and birth of my children) have been constant even when I was sometimes absent in theirs, and it is truly a reflection of God’s faithfulness to me and a reminder for me to always give back to my community whenever I can."- ANNE TAN, Leaven of God (LoG)

"Community has been a constant for me more than half my life. It’s seen me through times abroad, starting work and new motherhood. Today, community continues to challenge me to seek the Lord and anchor myself on prayer rather than be distracted by the ways of the world. My kids too are welcomed and participate in our community life and sessions. Praise God!"- MICHELLE TAN, Cornerstone (CS)

"Being in BASIC has provided me a space to be myself, grow, be challenged, and be supported in my faith journey and in my journey as husband and father!"- GERARD TAN, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC)

"Community has been crucial in rebuilding my relationship with God. During our sessions, I learnt to be more involved in prayer and giving thanks. Furthermore, the support of the community members provided me with space to journey together. As a result, I became aware of my shortcomings and learning to accept them as opportunities for growth. Ultimately, the journey with community has made me want to open my mind and heart to grow closer to God."- JEREMY GOH, In One Spirit (IOS)

"Before I joined Fortify I was just your average Catholic fulfilling my Sunday obligations thinking of it as a routine and that was my Faith life. But after I joined Fortify I experienced a sense of warmth, familiarity, welcomeness and love from a group of people that I have never met before. When I felt that my Faith was weak my community actively journeyed with me and supported me, and this support made me realise that community is a very integral part of our lives. Within community I have learnt and experienced so many things with and about God and myself that I never ever thought I would have received. I know that I am truly loved and supported by these people whom I can truly call Family."- ELIJAH KEAGAN WONG, Fortify

"My Christian community has brought me closer to God by providing a space to connect with others in a similar life stage. Hearing their faith stories strengthens and encourages me to grow as a disciple of Christ. Through sharing my life with them, I have built authentic connections that enrich my journey.Most importantly, my community meets me where I am, giving me the time and space to grow in faith at my own pace. Through prayer sessions, community outreach, fellowship over meals, recreational games, and outings, I have experienced both spiritual growth and meaningful friendships."- DARREN CHEW, Leaven of God (LoG)

"I’ve been blessed to have a community to journey with for the past (almost) 20 years! Cornerstone has taught me what it means to be a disciple of Jesus - from the daily living and striving examples of my brothers and sisters in Christ. They’ve taught me authenticity, grace and humility and most importantly, walked with me through the mountains and valleys. I thank God for them :)"- GWENDOLINE LIM, Cornerstone (CS)

"Being in Basic was the start of our journey of trying to live out our faith in the little everyday thingsI dream/pray that BASIC may continue to share our laughter and tears until we’re nursing home / columbarium buddies! (is this not appropriate? hahaha)"- LOUISA TAN, Brothers and Sister in Christ (BASIC)

"Community feels like a sacrament - a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. Since my conversion to Catholicism, I’ve felt lost at times, like a baby learning to navigate a new world.In those moments, community has been a saving grace, reminding me we are not meant to walk alone. Together, we are committed to bringing one another closer to God. Through their presence, I encounter Christ not as a distant hope, but as a living reality.Wherever you are on your journey, I invite you to embrace the gift of community and walk in faith together."- JUN MEI, In One Spirit (IOS)

"Since I was 17, Fortify has been a source of strength and spiritual growth. In this journey, I have witnessed God’s love in the faces of my brothers and sisters who have walked alongside me, especially during times when I felt lost or broken. They have been the hands and feet of Christ, showing me that God’s love is not just something we receive but something we share. Their kindness, compassion, and constant encouragement is where I have felt his presence in a way that has deepened my faith and solidified my relationship with Him. In the lowest moments, it has been the community that has reminded me I am never alone. Whether through prayer or simply offering a listening ear without judgment, they have been a living testament to God’s unconditional love.As 1 John 4:19 says, 'We love because he first loved us.' Fortify has been a reflection of that love."- TRINITY DAVID, Fortify

Parishioners of all ages are welcome to this Lenten half-day of recollection! Come take some time this Lent to spend time with Jesus through prayerful and fun art, music, and movement workshops, ending with Adoration.Date: 5 April 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
(refreshments will be provided after)Dress comfortably (there will be lots of movement+Adoration)Rediscover the freedoms and joys of coming to Jesus just like a child, just as you are.Register at https://tinyurl.com/sfxbasicdor25If you have any questions please reach out to Mary Ann @maryannaugust or Matthew Lim @mattbryanlim

IOS would love to invite y’all to join us for our third upper room session! Come and step away from the noise of life and into a sacred space where you can encounter God’s peace and presence. Whether you're coming to pray, or to simply be: IOS hopes that the Upper Room Session will offer you a place of refuge to encounter the Lord and renew your spirit.Come and join us for a night of prayer and adoration on Friday 9th May, 8.45pm at Level 3 SFX Auditorium.Join us and find refuge in our Lord, register at https://tinyurl.com/sfxiosuprsIf you have any questions please reach out to @raphaeltheseira or @matthewkwan on Telegram