A RENEWED PASTORAL COMMITMENT

The Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur, from Monday, 12 January to Thursday, 15 January 2026. The theme was “To Become Shepherds After the Heart of Christ” (Jer 3:15). The gathering centred around listening and prayerful discernment on what it truly means to guide God’s people in a rapidly changing pastoral environment.

Drawing from the promise of Prophet Jeremiah, CAPA invited us to reflect on the heart of Christ – a heart that is compassionate, consistent, embracing, welcoming, and deeply attentive to the realities of people’s lives. Using a synodal approach through Conversation in the Spirit (group sharing), the Assembly focused on three key pastoral areas: Catechesis, Boundaries and Youth. The aim was to achieve clarity, foster communion, and renew pastoral commitments.

 

CATECHESIS affirms that the priest remains the primary educator and role model in the parish, working collaboratively with catechists. It goes beyond classroom teaching, is rooted in the Word of God, is expressed through witness, and is lived through pastoral experiences. Our task is to provide guidelines that lead students to Christ, and to form missionary disciples. This requires reviewing our methodology, syllabus, and formations for catechists, to keep catechesis meaningful, transformative, and life-giving.

 

The session on BOUNDARIES challenged us to view boundaries not as obstacles, but as bridges that support healthy, Christ-like pastoral ministry. Priests should be compassionate, available, and effective collaborators, as regular communication is essential. We were reminded that being “after the Heart of Christ” involves truth, justice, mercy, availability, responsibility, accompaniment and accountability.

 

YOUTH ministry became a major focus during the Assembly. Young people are not merely the future of the Church, but are in fact, the Church of today. The call is to accompany them with patient, non-judgmental listening - to empower them through shared responsibility, and to integrate them into the wider parish community and mission. Young people need to be revived, rejuvenated, and reimagined within the Church.

 

One of the most enriching parts of CAPA was the Conversation in the Spirit. Although some discussions echoed those of previous years, I felt this year’s process gave me deeper insights, broader perspectives, and more concrete pastoral responses. Attentive listening enabled the Holy Spirit to guide us beyond repetition, towards renewed understanding and shared commitment.

 

What impressed me during these four days of our CAPA journey was the reminder that a healthy ministry depends on clarity of roles, relationships, and responsibilities. I found the emphasis on youth uplifting - reinforcing the call to walk alongside them.

 

CAPA 2026 has truly refreshed my perspective - giving me a stronger pastoral focus, and a renewed sense of hope. Being shepherds after the Heart of Christ, leads us to carry our priestly ministry more consistently - to practise patience in our accompaniment, and to approach our mission with greater courage.

FAITH MUST BE LIVED DAILY

This weekend, the Church brings the Christmas season to a close with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. At the Baptism of Jesus, we witness the revelation of His identity as the Beloved Son. It also marks the beginning of His public mission, especially among the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed (cf. Luke 4:14–22). Christmas reminds us that God enters fully into our human life, sanctifying and calling us through baptism to live as His beloved children, bearing the light of Christ to the world.

Entering Ordinary Time and the Call to Unity – From 12 January to 17 February 2026 (six weeks), the Church enters the first period of Ordinary Time, a season that invites us to live our faith faithfully each day. In the next couple of weeks, two important events will guide our spiritual journey as a Parish community.

The first is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from 18 to 25 January 2026, with the theme: “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope” (Ephesians 4:4). This annual observance calls Christians to pray, reflect and engage in dialogue, echoing Jesus’ prayer for unity (cf. John 17:21–23). Saint Paul reminds us that unity is a shared calling to be lived with humility, gentleness, patience and love. 

The second is the Sunday of the Word of God, observed on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (24 and 25 January). The 2026 theme, “The word of Christ dwells among you” (Colossians 3:16), reminds us that Sacred Scripture is not merely read or heard, but lived. God’s Word shapes our faith, guides our choices, and sends us forth on mission.

This focus harmonises with the Pope’s prayer intention for January 2026, which invites us to pray with the Word of God. As we listen to Scripture with open hearts, God’s Word nourishes our lives and offers hope to our families and communities. Rooted in the Word, we are formed into a more fraternal and missionary Church - attentive to God’s voice, and responsive to the needs of others.

Over the past two weeks, our Parish has lived the Word through concrete acts of charity. We provided school uniforms, bags, shoes, and school fees to approximately 80 students from three Kampung Asli communities and 10 students from poor families in Kuantan. These children can now begin the new school year on 12 January with dignity, joy and renewed hope.

This weekend, the Parish Flood Relief Team (PFRT) distributed groceries and essential household items, including mattresses, pillows and bedsheets, to 26 families affected by the recent floods. Through these efforts, we responded promptly, providing material assistance, comfort, solidarity and reassurance that they are not alone.

As we move from the joy of Christmas into Ordinary Time, these celebrations and initiatives remind us that faith must be lived daily – in prayer, unity and loving service. Nourished by God’s Word and strengthened by our hope, may we grow as one in Christ, sharing His compassion and light with everyone we meet.

BEGINNING 2026 SERVING WITH STEADFAST FAITH

A New Year - 2026 - has begun! Yet the warm joy of Christmas still lingers among us. We are still in Christmastide, celebrating the magnificent truth of Emmanuel – God-With-Us! As the calendar turns to a new year, the Church gently invites us not to rush ahead too quickly, but to pause, to give thanks, and to reflect on each moment of our lives, especially on how God has faithfully accompanied us throughout the year that has passed.

For our Parish, 2025 was truly a grace-filled and memorable year, especially as we journeyed through the Jubilee Year of Hope. Our Parish of St Thomas the Apostle here in Kuantan was honoured to be designated as one of the five Jubilee pilgrimage centres in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. This was not merely a title, but a sacred mission entrusted to us – a call to open our doors, our hearts, and our faith to go beyond.

Throughout the year, our Parish became a spiritual sanctuary for pilgrims from many parts of the country –  individuals, families, and parish groups – came seeking plenary indulgences, spiritual renewal, conversion, and hope in Christ. We welcomed pilgrims almost every week, and in October 2025, the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur made their pilgrimage to our Parish. These encounters enriched our Parish life and reminded us that we are part of a living, pilgrim Church, journeying together in faith and communion.

None of this would have been possible without the generous service of our Parish Jubilee Team and numerous volunteers. Their warmth, hospitality and commitment reflected the very heart of Christ. Through their effort, our Parish became a place of welcome for everyone. We also deepened our understanding of the Jubilee Year through a special Parish Recollection, which helped us appreciate its meaning as a time of grace, reconciliation and renewal.

This weekend, on 4 January 2026, we mark the end of the Jubilee Year. We may feel a little sad that it has come to an end, but with gratitude, we thank God for the many experiences and blessings received. However, the Jubilee does not simply close - its blessings and lessons remain with us. What we have learned, celebrated and lived, must now shape how we move forward as a parish.

Looking back, the year 2025 stands out as a meaningful and spiritually rich year for the Parish of St Thomas, and as we look ahead, we do so with confidence and hope. This new year is especially significant as we celebrate 120 years of the establishment of our Parish. Throughout these years, our church has grown, adapted and persevered under the loving guidance of the Lord Jesus.

Moving forward, let us continue our Parish plans and activities with renewed enthusiasm – praying gracefully, serving with steadfast faith, and walking together as a synodal Church. May the year ahead bring abundant grace and blessings to every family.

A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!

THE GREATEST GIFT – GOD WITH US

The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses this year were truly overwhelming in the most beautiful way. The large turnout uplifted our hearts, and our celebrations were made even richer by the presence of our brothers and sisters from the Indonesian, Orang Asli, Sabahan, and Sarawakian communities. On Christmas Day, a special Mass was celebrated for the Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia speaking communities, and the Parish Hall was filled with faith, joy, and gratitude.

A good number of families and individuals stayed overnight in our Parish premises, sleeping in our classrooms, dormitories, and hall. Although the space was somewhat crowded, everything was managed with patience, understanding, and a beautiful spirit of cooperation. Meals were provided for all, and for this, I express my sincere appreciation to PIHDM for their generous hospitality and support. Their dedication and service truly added warmth and meaning to our Christmas celebrations.

Since we are still in the midst of the monsoon season, weather forecasts predict heavy rainfall from late December to early January, mainly affecting the East Coast. We should stay alert and prepared, especially those living in flood-prone areas. Our Parish Flood Relief Team will remain ready to respond, offering help, compassion, and support if needed.

Christmas reminds us that God is the greatest giver. The Christmas season gently invites us to treasure the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ. His love gives meaning to our lives, and His friendship remains constant through every season. As the Gospel reminds us, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16). Jesus is God’s own life shared with us in love. He is not a distant ruler, but Emmanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23). He walks with us in joy and sorrow, in moments of light and in times of darkness. 

As we look ahead to the New Year, parents and children are invited to rediscover the joy of presence—time spent together, forgiveness shared, and love renewed. Children are precious gifts entrusted to families and to the wider community, to be nurtured with faith, care, and a deep sense of responsibility.

This year, the Feast of the Holy Innocents will not be celebrated separately, as it falls on the weekend dedicated to the Feast of the Holy Family. Nevertheless, a special blessing for children will take place during the Sunday Masses in the Parish of St Thomas, Kuantan. This blessing offers us a sacred moment to entrust our children to the loving care of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, praying that they may grow in age, wisdom, gratitude, respect, and love—especially towards their parents and elders.

As we come to the close of this year, may we do so with grateful hearts, and may we begin the New Year renewed in faith and hope. May 2026 be a year filled with God’s blessings, peace, good health, and renewed strength, as we continue to walk with Christ – the greatest Gift, who calls us friends – and share His light with all whom we meet.

FROM ADVENT HOPE TO CHRISTMAS LIGHT

The monsoon rains have severely affected our surrounding areas, particularly in Pekan, Maran, and Muadzam Shah. Heavy rainfall over the past week has raised water levels and caused road closures, making many areas inaccessible. As a result, I was unable to travel to celebrate Mass for the Orang Asli and Indonesian communities who live far from our Church of St Thomas, Kuantan. I sincerely hope that, in the coming week, conditions will improve and that I will be able to visit their settlements to celebrate Jesus with them. Let us continue to keep all those affected by the monsoon in our prayers. Several families are affected, and we shall reach out to them before and after the Christmas celebration by providing necessary household items and financial aid.

We are now entering the Fourth Week of Advent, with Christmas just five days away. Over the past three weeks, we have journeyed together in spirit, preparing our hearts and minds for the special season of Advent and Christmas. It has been a meaningful time of prayer, reflection, and quiet moments as we await the arrival of the newborn Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

Advent invites us to be vigilant and prayerful. Let us take time to pray earnestly and make space in our hearts so that the loving presence of Christ may become the true treasure of our lives. I am pleased to see many of you taking this call seriously – coming for individual confession, participating in spiritual recollection, and spending time in the adoration room before the Blessed Sacrament. These moments of grace help prepare you inwardly for the celebration of Christmas.

Many of you have also been faithfully following the daily readings, attending daily and weekend Masses, performing acts of charity, and reaching out with compassion. During this time, we have administered the Anointing of the Sick for our elderly and homebound Parishioners. Let us remember them in our prayers, especially those who are unable to attend Mass in church due to illness and those who do not have anyone to bring them to church. These sacramental encounters serve as a meaningful preparation for Christmas, reminding them that the Church has not forgotten them, especially the weak and vulnerable.

Since the first week of Advent, our church compound has been beautifully adorned with Christmas lights. At night, the church shines like a city of lights, a visible sign of hope in the darkness. These lights will continue to shine throughout Christmas and until the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope.

As Christmas draws near, may we “cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12). May the Lord fill our hearts with true joy and peace, strengthen our faith, and enable us to be bearers of His light and hope for one another.

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A PEACEFUL, JOYFUL AND SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTMAS!