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!