HOMECOMING FOR A SON OF THIS PARISH

On Tuesday, 15 March, 2016, our KL Archdiocese celebrated the Chrism Mass at Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Puchong. About 50 priests gathered together around the altar to concelebrate the Holy Mass with Archbishop Julian Leow. It was the day when all our priests stood together and renewed our priestly commitments, the promises, which we had made at our ordination to serve the Lord and His Church. With this renewal of promises we felt that we have come a step closer to Christ in serving the Church and His people.

On this auspicious day, we the priests of the KL Archdiocese were filled with joy as we welcomed once again our fellow brother priest, Rev Fr James Gabriel, into our Presbyterium to serve the Lord and His Church. It was a most significant day for him. I believe that this year, the Chrism Mass was one of his favourite Eucharistic celebrations besides his ordination Mass because the whole congregation present there on that day gave him an overwhelming welcome after he had been away for several years. It was really a home coming for him. Fr James Gabriel (JG) has been a priest for the past 27 years and was ordained here in our parish of St. Joseph in 1989 by Archbishop Dominic Vendargon. On the following day after the Chrism Mass, Fr JG celebrated his first Mass with us on the second day of our monthly priests’ recollection.

 

He also celebrated the Eucharist with St Joseph’s parishioners on Saturday,19 March, 2016, the feast of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The parishioners welcomed the son of the parish whole-heartedly.

Jesus had not given up on Fr JG these past years and he remained very much rooted in Jesus Christ and in the Catholic Church. That is why Jesus has invited him back in action to serve and to walk with His people as a priest, spiritual leader, teacher, guide and minister of the sacraments. We shall continue to pray for his ministry and his faithfulness to the priesthood.

The Lent season has come to an end. We begin the Holy Week with the Palm Sunday celebration and it will end on Holy Saturday. The final three days of Holy Week are the part of the Paschal Triduum, i.e. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter vigil. During the Holy Week, I invite every one of you to read the narration on the Passion of Christ, the last days of Christ’s life, which you can find in the last two chapters in every gospel. Do reflect and pray on Jesus’ message. This is a lovely way to prepare for Easter, the greatest feast of the Church.

Blessings and wishes for the Holy Week!