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Saturday 28 April 2018

I AM THE TRUE VINE

Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches,” (Jn 15: 5). Jesus is the True Vine. The word “true” means, “genuine and real.” The word “vine” literally means, “root,” or “trunk.” Since we are abiding in Him, we are invited to bear good fruit. 
Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine connected to a branch and we are connected to Him. He is talking about a permenant abiding, enduring and deeply rooted in Him. When we are connected in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Real Vine, we will bear much fruit, fruit that endures forever. He emphasises what it means to live a faithful and fruitful life.
The fruit we will bear begins inside of us and touches the lives of others especially the lives of our families and communities. We must develop in faith and become mature in faith before we can expect to receive in faith and bear fruit.
Our responsibility is to stay as close to Jesus as we can. When we are faithful, we will be fruitful and it is our responsibility to go forward in our Christian lives, growing in fruitfulness.

PRAYER AND FASTING FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION



Last Sunday, 22 April 2018, our Parish had invited Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan, a prominent Malaysian lawyer and human rights advocate for a Pre-General Election 14 dialogue session. I have read and heard about her and also seen her at the BERSIH Rally from a distance. This was the first time I had an opportunity to meet her in person. She looks very pleasant. I admire her courageous spirit, and being a renowned speaker, I was a nervous cat when she walked into my office, but she was polite in all respects.

Approximately 450 people attended the talk. She spoke generally on the preparation for the upcoming General Election, transparency in the election process and encouraged every registered voter to turn up for voting on Election Day. We need to be united as a nation to bring about change for the betterment of the people in our country. I was quite happy with our parishioners during the Question and Answer session, where they put forward relevant questions.

Dato Ambiga strongly emphasised that every single vote counts. In the last election an estimated 80% of the eligible voters turned up to vote. In this upcoming election everyone is hoping to reach 90% voter turnout on Election Day. All voters must not take care not to spoil their votes because every vote counts. If 90% of the voters turn up to vote on 9 May 2018, then there is a great possibility of forming a new and decent government. Make the right choice.

Our country is a democratic nation. Democracy is a system that gives its citizens the right to choose their leaders and equal opportunity to be a part of the decision-making process or the betterment and interest of the people without any discrimination. Democratic policy makes a successful, peaceful and just government. Unfortunately, our democracy has been corrupted and it needs healing. Our rakyat needs a policy that shows their power of freedom. Everyone wants the rakyat to win. We need leaders who can render service for our rakyat and country by genuinely upholding the Federal Constitution and bring a new spirit in the rakyat in every way possible.

The leaders in Prophet Micah’s day did not lead the people towards God, but away from Him. What does God require of our leaders? God wants our new leaders with integrity who realise that they have commitments and responsibilities to their fellow citizens as prophet Micah says, “Act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God,” (Micah 6:8). Jesus always did what was right. Our new leaders are called to be just and to do what is right from the heart.

The Catholic Bishops Conference invites us to observe a Day of Prayer and Fasting for General Election 14. In our parish we shall observe a 24-hour Day of Prayer starting from Friday, 4 May to Saturday, 5 May 2018. We invite all the 34 BECS and various ministries in our parish to take part in this 24-hour of Day of Prayer and Fasting to promote clean, free and neutral elections and for committed leaders in our nation. The schedules and programmes for the 24-hour Prayer session will be sent by end of April to the respective leaders via emails and whatssap. I need the cooperation from all of you to participate in the call to prayer.


Let’s pray for all candidates who will be standing for this coming election that they may have courage to walk in the path of peace in this time of discernment, election, and transition. May everyone continue to promote liberty and freedom, justice and peace for all.

Saturday 21 April 2018

CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME

On Sunday, 15 April 2018, our Catechism students showcased an exhibition and performance, in line with the theme “Care for the Common Home” (Laudato Si). The students, along with their parents and teachers, gathered at Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas at 10.30am, where products crafted with recycled material such as aluminum cans, old newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, plastic, plastic bottles, and aluminum foil, were displayed.

Some of the recycled exhibits were quite interesting and informative, and there were some eye-catching craft items too. There was a fancy dress display, using only recycled materials such as plastic, old CDs and paper which highlighted the importance of recycling, as well as to remind us not to deliberately litter or waste precious resources, and to reduce the use of plastic.

I was happy to see parents attend the exhibition and enjoy the children’s presentations. A video slide was shown to parents, informing them on how to protect, preserve and restore the Earth’s natural environment. The objective of this  awareness programme was to awaken the parents’ role in educating their children about the importance of conserving our environment. This event has sparked a conscious decision amongst our children and parents to make a serious effort and take steps towards being responsible and accountable for the protection of our planet.

In what ways can we help preserve and protect our environment for the next generation, and reduce the destruction of eco-systems?

a   a)   We can avoid burning garbage. Instead, separate your trash and recycle items such as cans, cartons, paper and plastic bottles at designated recycling centers. Recycling items will help lessen global warming and reduce climate change.

b)   Do not litter rubbish everywhere and avoid throwing chemicals down the drain because this can cause air, water and land pollution. Dispose chemical waste responsibly.

c)    Reduce the amount of water, electricity and petrol we use. Turn off lights, televisions, air-conditioners and other appliances when not in use or when you leave the room.

d)   We should practice using our own reusable bags and containers when shopping for clothes, books or food. This will reduce the need plastic bags, which in turn, reduces waste and pollution. You also can save twenty-sen each time you shop!

e)    Print only when necessary in order to save paper and recycle the paper after using it.

f)     If possible, plant vegetables in your own backyard.

g)    Avoid driving your car if it is a short distance. or car pool when you come for Mass rather than driving separately.

Let’s play our part in conserving the environment in order to protect the future of our planet. Our efforts need not be on a grand scale - every little sacrifice, every little change in attitude - towards the betterment of our planet, helps. I believe that you can make this positive change in your daily lifestyle, to ultimately contribute towards the well-being of our home, Mother Earth.


“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (POPE FRANCIS’ Encyclical “Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Common home”).

JESUS IS OUR TENDER SHEPHERD

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep,” (John 10:14-15)

Throughout the Scriptures God’s people, are referred to as sheep. Sheep need a good and committed shepherd who will lead, guide, protect, provide and care for them in order to survive and thrive in life.
Sheep have a tendency to wander aimlessly, and once they are lost, that’s it. The Shepherd protects and saves them. Shepherding sheep is a difficult task. The shepherd’s job is to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off. Jesus, our Good Shepherd defends us from enemies and He saves us completely and preserves to the end.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He guarantees that we will live with Him forever!


The Church has also designated this Sunday as World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life. So we pray today in a special way that God will call many more young people to the great adventure of being shepherds for his flock.

Saturday 14 April 2018

YOUR VOTE. YOUR RIGHT. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

The General Election 14 (GE14) is not too far away. It will be held on Wednesday, 9 May 2018. As you know, our country is now facing its greatest political, economical and social crisis. The many issues troubling our nation includes the ever-rising cost of living, goods and service tax (GST) which was introduced in 2015, 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) which involves billions of Ringgit, the weakening currency and corruption in all sectors.

Many of us hope this GE14 will be the turning point of our nation. We have one last chance to really form a decent government. If you choose civic-minded leaders, surely our nation will progress for the better, and the time has come to vote for a brighter future. Every registered voter has the right and responsibility to choose their leader, to shape the future of our nation. We need to make our voices heard and take a stand for righteousness.

You may ask, does my vote make a difference? Surely it does! Every citizen has a moral duty to vote. Our vote will pave the path for the future of our children. As Christians, we have the sacred duty and responsibility to vote in our convictions and to vote for leaders who promote justice and peace, to lead our nation toward righteousness and for the common good. Every citizen should stand and follow the command to fulfil our civic duty, “Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God,” (Matt 22: 21).

Throughout the novena and feast of St Joseph the Worker starting Sunday, 22 April to Tuesday, 1 May 2018, we will pray for the upcoming GE14. We are commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). We will pray and offer Masses for our voters, for their discernment to choose a leader that will help build a better nation. We also pray for a fair and clean election process. We pray that the new leaders will be able to correct past mistakes, so that our nation will live peacefully and prosperously.
On the evening before election, Tuesday, 8 May 2018, we will have Mass at 7.30pm, followed by Holy Hour at 8.00pm. My dear parishioners, I invite you to come together for the evening prayer and Mass to pray for a smooth election without any uprisings, riots or cheating. Your vote is so precious and when you cast your ballot into the ballot box, please say a simple prayer and make sure your vote is counted.
Just for your info, I will leave to Penang to cast my vote. I have not changed my voting location for 20 years, as for some reason I prefer to vote there.

After casting our votes, let’s continue our good work by being productive, giving our service to people and nation. Keep praying, serving, witnessing, helping your neighbours and loving one another. Let’s make sure that we spend time between now and polling date, praying and promoting ways to make our society more harmonious and united. Pray for our beloved Malaysia.