INSPIRING EQUALITY AND PEACE

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared that his intention for April 2024 is to focus on the Role of Women. He invites people across the world to pray that women’s dignity and immense value are recognised in every culture, and that discrimination against women comes to an end, in all parts of the world.

The role of women in today’s society is crucial. They have been found to possess superhero-like powers in everyday life. They contribute so much love, compassion, and care to those around them and significantly promote unity and prosperity within human society. Women are naturally creative and skilful, holding strong moral values while also being compassionate, pure-hearted, and possessing tremendous inner strength.

Women play a pivotal role in families and are adored by their children, whom they raise to become compassionate adults. We must never underestimate their ability, talent, and contribution, as they are capable of achieving anything men can, and sometimes even better! Gone are the days when women were confined to the home, performing household chores and taking care of children. Nowadays, women pursue careers and lifestyles that interest them, achieving success and recognition equal to their male counterparts.

Women are well-educated and contribute greatly in various professional fields, including science, medicine, engineering, anthropology, teaching and leadership roles. They are involved in social movements - advocating equality, justice, tolerance, and peace. Their contributions to society are inspiring and continue to evolve, pushing towards a more inclusive and brighter future in the 21st century.

We encounter many influential women in today’s society, including our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends and other relatives. They excel in all areas of life and words alone cannot describe the significant role they play in shaping our world. We must respect women and give them the freedom to be all that they can be. They are the pillars of strength that inspire future generations with innovative ideas to support families, organisations and societies.

Datin Paduka Sister Enda Ryan, FMM, an Irish Nun who joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1947, passed away on Sunday, 7 April 2024, at the age of 96. She arrived in Malaya in 1954 and set up the Ave Maria Welfare Clinic in Petaling Jaya. In 1955, she founded and became the headmistress of the Assunta Girls School. Sister Enda Ryan received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Taylor's University in 2022, in recognition of her contribution to education. 

She was a true champion of girls’ education, and her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched during her time as a teacher and mentor. On her funeral day, over 1,000 ex-Assunta students from various backgrounds, race and religion, as well as Religious and Priests, gathered to bid her a final farewell. She was a legend in her own right, and will be remembered for her positive impact on so many women’s lives.

MAKE OUR WAYS TOWARDS PENTECOST

Holy Week, the Paschal Triduum, and Easter Sunday were deeply meaningful celebrations that took place in our Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, this year. Surprisingly, many parishioners attended all the liturgical celebrations from Holy Week to Easter Sunday. Despite the hot and humid weather, with temperatures at 34 degrees Celsius and above, parishioners never failed to participate in the liturgical celebrations during this period. We are fortunate to have an air-conditioned church, which allows us to participate in a comfortable atmosphere.

The Easter season commenced on Easter Sunday, and we will continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus until Pentecost. With faith in the Risen Lord, we can maintain a sense of joy even when faced with sadness and tears in our lives. Joy is a deep gladness within us that cannot be taken away, even in the midst of sorrow, pain, failures, and tears. Renewing the baptismal promises is a way of demonstrating our commitment to Christ and His Church. Through our renewed baptismal promises, we have experienced a sense of newness with positive attitudes by appreciating and complementing one another.

We, priests, too, must renew our priestly vows yearly. On 19 March 2024, a week before Holy Week, the priests in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur gathered at the Church of the Christ the Light, Kuala Lumpur, for Chrism Mass. One part of the liturgical celebration was renewing our priestly promises, which helped us feel more affirmed in growing and refining our priesthood for the betterment of our ministry in various parishes. We commit ourselves to serving the spiritual needs of the people of God throughout our Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

On Easter Vigil, our Parish welcomed eight newly baptised individuals. Three were from the Chinese-speaking community, and five were from the East Malaysian community. Additionally, two candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and one of them was received into “full communion with the Catholic Church” during the Vigil celebration. On Wednesday, 3 April, 2024, the RCIA facilitators had fellowship with the candidates. We pray that they will deepen their spiritual lives, stand firm, and be courageous in their faith in Christ.

On Easter Vigil, the Paschal candle is an important symbol representing the light of Christ’s resurrection. It also symbolises Christ's purity and new life in Him, while the incense reminds us of the five wounds on Christ’s hands, feet, and side. This year, we used a Paschal candle made of beeswax for the first time. A beeswax candle is seen as a way to honour the work of the bees and their role in the ecosystem.

On Easter night, the Church sings the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet), in which the word “bees” appears twice – “... the work of bees... drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious.” We pray that this Easter season be fruitful, that we make our way towards Pentecost, and that we, as a Parish community, will reach spiritual heights. May the burning flame of the beeswax Paschal candle, a product of the mother bee, uplift our spirits to experience the kindness of God and taste the sweetness of His word and His commandments (cf. Psalms 19:11; 119:103).

POUR OUT A SPIRIT OF KINDNESS

“Rejoice and be glad. The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!” This good news is received early on Sunday morning, and the entire church resounds with this proclamation. This Sunday is not like any other; it is an extraordinary day when we celebrate the joy of our true faith that the Lord has truly risen. We become an Easter community, and “Alleluia” is our song!

 

We began our Lenten journey on 14 February 2024, with Ash Wednesday coinciding with Valentine’s Day. The Lenten and Holy Week observances will end with Easter on 31 March 2024, just a day before April Fool’s Day. 

 

Despite the heat wave, we have remained committed to our Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. These observances have helped us strengthen our faith, traditions and beliefs. Our steadfastness has renewed our faith and prepared us to come together as a parish family to celebrate Christ’s victory. 

 

We are grateful to our church for guiding us - through daily readings, prayers, formations, activities and various spiritual celebrations. We recognise that to grow closer to Jesus Christ, we must discipline ourselves in every aspect of our spiritual life. This meaningful Lenten season has had a positive impact on our faith and way of life. Let's not diminish the efforts we have made to strengthen our personal faith, and the faith of our community.

 

When it comes to Easter, what should we do? Throughout Lent, we have been dedicated and committed to our spiritual practices. However, our efforts should not end here. As we rejoice in the celebration of Easter, we must continue to strengthen our Christian faith by maintaining a spirit of kindness and prayer at all times, in every season. As the Prophet Zechariah said, “I will pour out a spirit of kindness and prayer over the House of David and the citizens of Jerusalem” (Zec 12:10). The Lord will always continue to pour out His good spirit upon us, allowing us to experience a community filled with the spirit. Therefore, we should continue striving for personal improvement and cultivating good dispositions in our lives.

 

As a priest, I always look forward to Lent and Easter, as they are my favourite celebrations of the year. Lent allows me to connect with my parishioners during the 40-day period of preparation. Through self-denial and self-discipline for Easter, we work together on rebuilding our personal spiritual commitment. The Easter season lasts for fifty days, allowing us to refresh our spiritual fruits and gifts, leading to the celebration of the Lord's Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

 

Numerous signs and symbols emerge, each with its own meaning, helping me understand the knowledge of salvation and Jesus' presence through them. Additionally, all the readings that occur during this time are fitting for spiritual preparation and the celebration of the Sacraments – allowing me to live in peace with all men and to be holy (Heb 12:14)

SEEK HIS GRACE

Holy Week is the most sacred week of the year and an important event in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is observed in the Catholic Church as a time to commemorate the Paschal Mystery - the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Out of all the 52 weeks in a year, Holy Week is considered the most significant for us. During this week-long period, we prepare our hearts for the upcoming Easter celebrations. Holy Week may not a busy time like some other festivities, however, it is a very sacred time. The Church encourages us to solemnly enter Holy Week, and take a simple retreat within ourselves to discover our faith, and the richness, fullness and significance of our Liturgy.

 

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, which is also known as Passion Sunday. We walk in Jesus’ footsteps on His final days on Earth during this time. During Holy Week, we are guided to enter into the solemn liturgy of the Church - the Easter Triduum - which is an essential part of our faith. As we enter Holy Week, let us take this time to reflect on the events of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which is documented in all four gospels. It is a time for spiritual recollection and contemplation of these profound events. 

 

The Holy Week liturgy invites us to meditate on the suffering endured by Jesus, including his humiliation, insults and cruel death on the cross. We must not reduce the Paschal Mystery celebrations to mere events, ideas, stories, or narrations. Instead, we should live it as a process of dying and rising - where we witness death giving way to new life. This process of dying and rising is something we experience every day, like the leaves falling from trees in autumn and then new life sprouting in spring. Our faith experience gives growth and vitality to our spiritual life. As we journey through Holy Week, may it bring new life, courage, and hope to each of us, our families and our community.

 

During Lent, many of us might have participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, we may still feel that we are not good enough, worthy enough, or holy enough. Holy Week is a blessed time for us to renew and revive our spiritual life. It is the perfect moment for us to repent for our sins and weaknesses. We should not let the distractions of the digital world and the busyness of life take away our time with the Lord. We must reflect on His last journey towards Mount Calvary and His last destination.

 

We must acknowledge our sinful and broken nature, confess our wrongdoings from our hearts, and seek a deep connection with God as a sign of our commitment to the Gospel. As Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:14); this is a time to start anew, leave behind but learn from our past mistakes, and seek His grace to follow His way faithfully. We should joyfully walk with the Lord through both the happy and difficult moments of our lives.

 

WISHING YOU A VERY BLESSED AND FAITHFUL HOLY WEEK!

EQUIP YOURSELVES TO CELEBRATE EASTER

A group of seven students, led by Professor Mohamad Hasmimie from Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, visited our Church a week before Ramadhan for an exposure-based study program. We briefed them about the history and establishment of St. Thomas Church Kuantan and discussed the Catholic Church’s understanding of fasting and community service programmes. 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, and this year, Ramadan began on 12 March. It is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered a time for fasting, worship, charity, good deeds, communal gatherings, and spiritual development in order to purify and cleanse oneself. Fasting during Ramadan is mandatory, and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. If observed diligently and steadfastly, it is considered a blessing. May Allah give all Muslims during this Ramadhan the strength and grace to observe fasting with full determination, and grow with Ramadan values such as forgiveness, kindness, compassion and generosity.

As we enter the Fifth Week of Lent, leading up to Holy Week, we are invited to reflect on how our Lenten penances and good works have helped us in our personal conversion and built upon our relationships with one another. For the past five weeks, we have been practising the three pillars of Lenten observance: prayer, penance, and almsgiving. These pillars help purify and strengthen our love for God and our neighbours. The season of Lent encourages us to live with simplicity and humility.

Do we love each other as deeply as we did at the beginning of our relationship? In our relationships, we all make mistakes and fail to reconcile, which is why we must be patient. Without patience, we may face friction and division in our relationships. Therefore, we should strive to be patient - constantly loving one another, and cultivate a forgiving attitude in the same way God forgives us. Remember, “All of us often make mistakes” (James 3: 2), so let’s be patient with each other and work together to build strong and loving relationships. Making simple and ordinary changes for the sake of our relationship can bring us closer together.

During Lent, remember to be charitable and merciful to those in need, especially the poor. Reach out and find a way to help them. We must persevere and remember the value of prayer in building ourselves up spiritually and mentally. Although failing to meet our Lenten aspirations may feel like a loss, we must not give up. We must remain determined to stay strong and focused, even when obstacles arise. By doing so, we can be confident that we will experience the transformation and renewal that we seek during this holy season. 

This weekend, we are reminded of the psalmist’s plea to God for a pure heart - “A pure heart create for me, Oh God!” (Ps 51: 12). This should be our ultimate goal during this holy season, so that we may be better equipped to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord at Easter.

KEEP PUSHING FORWARD AND NEVER GIVE UP

We are now in the fourth week of the Lent season (Laetare Sunday), and many of us are actively observing the three pillars of Lent: almsgiving (work of charity), fasting (self-denial), and prayer. However, some of us may have lost sight of the spirit of Lent. It is important to remember that Lent is a time of spiritual exercise and self-discipline. We should avoid becoming complacent, and resist slipping back into old habits and behaviours.

During this second half of Lent - which leads us closer to Pascha (Easter) - we focus on purifying our spiritual life. It is a time to engage in spiritual warfare against the forces of evil and “stand firm against the devil, and he will run away from you; come close to God, and He will come close to you,” (James 4: 7-8). As we experience Lent, we remain open to the voice of the Lord and avoid becoming hardened in our hearts, (cf. Ps 95: 8). God will guide us and reveal His presence to us in various ways.

Lent is a time when people often think of giving up something as a form of sacrifice. However, it is important to remember that it is not only about self-denial but also about giving up certain things to benefit others. For instance, we can save money from our meals or beverages and use it to support those in need. While it is beneficial to fast from negative habits such as gossiping, selfishness, anger, arguing, revenge, and using hurtful words, we should also strive to be kind, forgiving, compassionate, and patient towards others. By doing so, we can cultivate positive habits that can have a lasting impact on ourselves and those around us.

The excessive use of electronic devices has become a common issue in today’s world. On average, approximately 30% of adults are constantly online with their gadgets. Studies have also shown that spending 4.5 to 6 hours a day playing video games or watching immoral content on TikTok/YouTube/Facebook can increase the risk of depression, and contribute to other health issues.

Therefore, being more disciplined during Lent and reducing screen time is important. Instead of spending time on devices, it would be better to spend more time on spiritual pursuits such as meditation or daily prayers, and other beneficial activities like getting involved in charitable work. Remember, your time is your most valuable asset, and God would appreciate you using it wisely.

It is common practice during Lent, to give up unpleasant addictions or attitudes as a way of responding to Jesus’ invitation to deny ourselves and be one with His passion. However, it is imperative to continue being disciplined in our daily lives - both spiritually and physically - even after Lent is over. This will help us grow closer to Jesus Christ, become more worthy disciples, and prevent us from slipping back into our old ways of life. Let us strive to live a life of holiness, and remain committed to our spiritual and physical well-being.

EXPERIENCE GOD’S LOVING MERCY

The Psalms have always played a vital role in the prayer of the Church (Breviary) and the Lectionary (Readings for the celebration of Mass), inviting us to reflect daily. Last week, we explored the Psalms that occur in the Lectionary from Ash Wednesday, 1st and 2nd Sunday of Lent in Year B. This weekend, we will take a look at the Psalms that occur from the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Palm Sunday in Year B.

 

Psalm 19 is a wisdom hymn that is read on the Third Sunday of Lent. It enlightens us about the purity and holiness of the commandments of the Lord, which brings gladness to our hearts. His precepts will never lead us to impurity; instead, they bring happiness, confidence, knowledge, and light to our paths even when we live in darkness. During Lent, we are reminded to keep the Word of God and obey His commandments, which will bring us peace and great reward. As it says in the responsorial psalm, “You, Lord, have the message of eternal life,” (Psalm 19).

 

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, Psalm 137:1-6 is read. It is a communal lament hymn expressing the sorrows of the Jewish people exiled in Babylon during the 6th century. The Holy City of Jerusalem was destroyed, and the magnificent temple built by King Solomon was left in ruins. Many people lost their loved ones in battle, and homes and homelands were destroyed, making it the lowest point in Israel’s rich history. It is important to remember the good times, even when we feel sad. We should hold onto the many joys and wonderful experiences we have had in the past, as the Psalm says, “Sing to us one of the songs of Zion.” When we read Psalm 137, we are reminded of the song “By the Rivers of Babylon,” which was famously sung by Boney M.

 

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we will read Psalm 51, a penitential psalm that echoes, “O God, wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.” The psalmist implores God to wash away our guilt and cleanse us from our sins. Our sins weigh heavily on us and can crush us, but we can be lifted up through God’s mercy. When we ask for forgiveness and repentance from our sins, we shall be granted the joy of salvation through His goodness and grace.

 

On Palm Sunday, as we begin Holy Week, we hear Jesus’ cry from the Cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Ps 22). Jesus experienced a moment of terrible despair, as God placed the sins of the world on His Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered on the Cross for our salvation. During Holy Week, let us ponder on those whom we may have abandoned, rejected or despised, and consider how we can be reunited with them.

 

“If you kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand their ground?” (Ps 130: 3). Let’s walk humbly and meditatively, praying the seven Psalms during Lent because they make us appropriate for repentance of sinners, to experience God’s loving mercy and to draw us closer to Christ Jesus.