JOURNEYING TOWARDS OUR PARISH VISION

Our first Parish Recollection took place last Saturday, 21^st January with 36 participants from the various ministries and BECs. The session commenced at 9 am and ended at 12.15 pm with inputs, group discussions, individual sharing and silent prayer. 

For the benefit of those who did not attend, let me give a brief overview: I began the session by explaining how our Vision for 2017, "Towards Strengthening Our Faith Community" came about. The two-year mission which we started in 2015 focusing on the family and 2016 on BEC and Mercy have led us to set our plans and to strategise our vision for this year. The journey of this last two years has made our parish more vibrant and strong in faith.

I went on to elaborate briefly about our community prayer which we recite after the Prayer of the Faithful during our weekend Mass. When we recite this community prayer we are reminded of our four commitments in materialising the vision of our parish. During the session we only discussed the first commitment on "Deepening Our Prayer Life" and the importance of prayer. 

Alan Jong continued the session by developing on the parish vision by using various biblical texts mainly from the St Paul's letters. He invited the participants  to read the texts and to share at a personal level. After his input and individual sharing we had the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and invited everyone to reflect in silence for 30 minutes. I believe this recollection has helped our participants to reflect on the parish vision for the year 2017 and the individual commitment in enhancing his/her spiritual life.

We have formed a New Evangelisation Ministry under the Parish Coordinating Council (PCC) led by Alan Jong. He and his committee will be in-charge in coordinating various formations, activities and events in our parish.

Our parish monthly recollection has been introduced for the first time in our parish. As we have stated in our year planner there will be another 7 more recollections including a parish retreat which will be held in the coming months. I hope more leadership positions in the Church will be taken up and parishioners will participate in these recollections and retreat.

My dear parishioners, I would like to bring to your attention the first commitment on “Deepening Our Prayer Life.” Jesus was a Man of prayer and he had set as an example the important of prayer. Below here are few of the biblical texts show us the priority Jesus gave to prayer in His life ministry.

·       Jesus prayed during 40 days of fasting in the desert, (MT 4:1–11).

·       “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed,” (MK 1:35).

·       “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed,” (LK 5:16).

·       “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray,” (MK 6:46).

·       “Jesus prayed after the 72 disciples returned from ministering in surrounding towns,” (LK 10:21–22).

·       “Jesus prayed in Gethsemane before His death,” (LK 22:41-44).

As we journey together with this year’s vision I hope and pray that every member of our parish will be committed towards reaching those who need Christ, grow in faith and be more grounded spiritually.

UNITED THROUGH CULTURE AND RELIGION

The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony in which the farmers celebrate the event to thank God for providing a successful harvest. The Tamil population of the world celebrates the harvest festival to give their thanks to the farmers for the production of food.

I would like to congratulate the Tamil Speaking Community of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul, for the well-prepared Pongal (harvest festival) celebration last Sunday, 15^th January. Our theme for this year’s celebration was “… the first fruits of your harvest,” (Lev 23: 10). This year the Pongal celebration was celebrated differently than the usual. On Sunday morning at the 7am Mass the community offered a thanksgiving Mass by boiling a small pot of sweet pongal at the entrance of the Church. They offered it during the offertory together with other fruits, vegetables and sweet goodies.

In the evening the Tamil Speaking group organised Pongal Cultural Nite. Archbishop Julian Leow was our honourable guest and he was ushered from the parish house to the community hall with traditional music. He officiated the event by lighting up “kuthuvillavu” (oil lamp). There were many programmes prepared by the group. This included performances of old and new Tamil songs, Indian traditional and modern dances. One of our famous local artistes, Lokup Nathan, came to perform a few songs. About 500 people attended this cultural show and they were served with dinner and sweet rice. The Pongal cultural nite ended at 10.30 pm.

This cultural show is basically to appreciate and treasure the Indian cultures and customs. I must say a big “Syabas” to John Paul and his committee who have organised this pongal cultural nite successfully within a 2-week period. It was the first time our parish Tamil community has celebrated the cultural show. This event helped us, especially the Tamil community to realise the importance of promoting, respecting and valuing our cultures and traditions.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally held every year from January 18 – 25. It has a history of over 100 years. Christians around the world have taken the initiative to move towards the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper “that they all may be one,” (Jn 17:21). By coming together during this week, we join with Christians around the world to pray for Christian unity in prayer, worship, reflection, study and fellowship.

The 2017 theme for the Week of Prayer is, “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us,” (2 Cor 5: 14-20). This biblical text emphasises that reconciliation is a gift from God. We recognise the pain of the divisions, which afflict the Church and the love of Christ compels us to become ambassadors of Christ’s message of reconciliation.

We are thankful for this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for being together as Christians and for the different ways we experience the Lord’s presence. May this theme and the invitation of St Paul to be ministers of reconciliation bring healing for our churches’ division. Let’s continue to grow in unity and reconciliation and be instruments of peace in our country.

BLESSING AWAITS!

What is the Good News from the Beatitudes? The word “beatitude” is a declaration of blessedness or happiness. The Beatitudes show God’s blessings for us, both in this world and eternal as well.

The Lord wants us to make us more faithful, comfortable and successful. We are expected to go the hard way, enduring poverty, pain and persecution but in the end surely the blessing awaits and we shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Does it mean that you have to be poor? No!

It does mean that we recognise that we are spiritually poor before a holy and righteous God. That means we recognise how much we need God. So being poor in spirit is placing value on God not on earthly possessions.

We must recognise our poor spiritual state and the need for God’s rule in our lives. God has promised a special blessing to all who follow His Son – the blessing of eternal life with Him in heaven.

GROWING TOGETHER AS ONE FAITH COMMUNITY

Last Sunday (8^th January), the Catechetical team started the registration for the catechism classes for the year 2017. The catechism classes will resume this weekend, 15^th January in both Tamil and English at 8.45 am and 10.45 am respectively.

We expect parents to send their children to class early so that the kids will have time to get settled for their classes. I hope you will send your children with a warm smile and trace their foreheads with the Sign of the Cross. When you send your dear children to their respective classes do greet the other children and teachers with a warm smile, after all we are one parish community, one family.

Next week on 21^st January, we will be celebrating Catechetical Sunday with the theme, “Christ Our Joy,” (Jn 15:11). Our Catechism teachers will be animating the 9.00 am Mass. During the Mass we shall commission our catechism teachers as they come forward to renew their commitment once again as Faith Educators. May our teachers not just impart their knowledge of the faith but also make a real, lasting impact on the lives of our young children to grow in a holistic and spiritual manner.

In today’s society, parents have to face many challenges but you should show your children the importance of a God-centered life. As parents we ought to understand that faith and moral education are much more important than school subjects. You have the first responsibility for the faith and moral education of your children and you should be able to guide and correct them. It will be much benefitting for our children if we come together as a family to Church every Sunday. Sunday Mass communicates to us the heart of the Christian faith.

Over the past few days, we had a number of meetings and among them were the Parish Coordinating Council (PCC) the Basic Ecclesial Community Coordinating Team (BECCOT). The PCC met last Tuesday and the BECCOT met on last Wednesday. The PCC has set up two important ministries. The first is a Parish Feast Day Committee, which will be led by Jason Gomez. This committee will plan and strategise the nine-day novena and feast day preparation. The second is the Parish New Evangelisation Ministry, which will be led by Alan Jong. This committee will solely be in charge of the various formations and events that have been planned in the year planner for this year. Soon, we will be setting up a team for a Parish Outing and Retreat. We shall update you with more information when the time comes.

This year our parish will be focusing more on the spiritual growth and faith of our parishioners. In the first quarter of the year, the Parish Prayer Group and Parish Youth Ministry have planned two events – The Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) and Youth Rally. We encourage every member of our parish to participate in them. May all our spiritual formations and faith educations will help us to grow stronger in our faith and in our Christian life through prayers, scriptures, Eucharist and fellowship with one other in our parish community.

NEW YEAR … NEW BEGINNING IN FAITH

Our holiday mood is gone as we resume our daily routine in this new year. I hope you had a very beautiful time with your loved ones during this season of Christmas. What is Christmas without Jesus who has brought the “Joy to the World.” Jesus’ birthday is a source of the greatest joy and happiness in our lives.

Our celebration of Christmas has increased our faith and love in Jesus Christ who is the reason for the season, who was born in a manger, who became for us the Saviour of the World. He brought peace on earth, which began in Bethlehem, and we have not lost that reason. Soon we will be coming to an end of the Christmas season. I hope and pray that Jesus has become the very centre of our lives and families. I too pray that this New Year will be the best of years and you will be bestowed with many more blessings. This year we shall pray more fervently for the grace of God and strive for intimate friendship with our Lord Jesus and to follow His footsteps more closely.

This year we shall set our priorities in prayers, to make it a point to read the Word of God every day and participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist every weekend. Very often we fall into the trap of saying, “I have no time to pray, read and meditate upon the Word of God.” It is not a lack of time or that we are busy with our own agendas but it is a question of priorities. Let’s not get distracted with things of the world, which may push aside Jesus from our lives.

Every day we should find a time to enter into friendly conversation with Jesus through prayer and meditation. Every Weekend you must be present at the Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation. Our daily prayers, reading the Word of God and celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist can gradually transform our lives. Let us experience the best of this New Year by committing ourselves mind, heart, soul and spirit to know Jesus, love Jesus, bring others to Jesus and be transformed into Jesus.

The Catechism classes at St Joseph’s Church, Sentul for the year 2017 will start on Sunday, 8th January. The Catechetical Team would love to have our children registered for another exciting year of faith education. We request all parents to register their children for catechism classes for this year. Parents, you should take a great interest in encouraging your children to learn more about our Catholic faith and encourage them to grow in their relationship with God and the Church. You have the responsibilities in the faith development of your children, which includes attending Mass regularly, participating in parents meetings, community events and assisting your children with faith learning. Do bring your children regularly and punctually for Mass and catechism classes.

Just pray that all the catechism programmes in our parish will provide much enrichment and enhancement in the lives of teachers, parents, and children and with every parishioner who might be involved with the programmes. Let’s do our best to comply with our Church in fulfilling our obligation to raise our children in the practice of the Catholic faith. God bless you and your children.

NEW YEAR, NEW SPIRITUAL ASPIRATIONS

We have just celebrated Christmas wherein we are reminded again that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,” (Jn 3:16).

“Joy to the World,” is a popular Christmas Carol. Joy is sung in our hearts on Christmas Day. Christmas celebrations bring great joy and happiness to us. I was really impressed with the Caroling led by our Tamil and English choirs. They sang very well and all enjoyed listening to them sing. They sang very well during both the Christmas Eve and Day Masses and choice of songs were very good. Many thanks for your efforts and congratulations on your fabulous singing. It was truly wonderful and we all enjoyed it.

Today is the 1st Sunday of a New Year. This week our children will be returning to their schools and our young people will be heading off to colleges. Most of us will be going back to work after a long holiday break. How can we prepare for the New Year? What do you anticipate for this year? Are you full of enthusiasm, looking forward eagerly to what each day will bring? I am sure we are looking forward to the New Year and hoping that this year will be better than last. It is good to start over afresh.

This New Year onwards we shall be journeying with a theme, “TOWARDS STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH COMMUNITY”. This year will be another best of years for each and every one of us in St Joseph’s community.  As we enter into the threshold of the New Year we shall start reciting our community prayer during the weekend Masses and mediate and reflect upon this. May this prayer help us to build our relationship with one another and a willingness to move in the direction God is calling us.

Let us love Jesus and His Church and follow Jesus, bring others to Jesus and be transformed into Jesus. Let’s make 2017 the best year ever at the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, KL.

PRAYER TOWARDS STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH COMMUNITY 2017

God the Father, strengthen our faith community,

enlighten our understanding,

strengthen our will, purify our hearts and make us holy.

Give us only Your Love and Your Grace

to rise above our human weaknesses

and to grow stronger as a Christian community.

We are blessed here at the Church of St Joseph

with many opportunities to serve and grow in our faith journey.

We ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us,

to submit our lives to Your will and

realise our vision as we commit ourselves to celebrate Jesus Christ by:

·      Deepening our prayer life

·      Being deeply rooted in the Word of God

·      Experiencing the Sacraments as a touch of God

·      Committing ourselves to New Evangelisation.

Loving Saint Joseph, our Patron, watch over us, protect us. Blessed Virgin, assist us to live your obedience, your faith, your hope and your love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever. Amen.

May God bless you and your family and bless your New Year of 2017!