FAITH THROUGH WORDS AND DEEDS

September is the month that our Peninsular Malaysia clergy - Cardinal, bishops, priests and deacons – go on their annual spiritual retreat. The retreat will be held each week in several places for six days, starting Sunday evening till Saturday morning. There are three retreat-centre locations: Cameron Highlands (1st week and 4th week), Penang Island (2nd week) and Plentong, Johor (3rd week).

We, the clergy during this period will take time off from all our parish pastoral commitments in order to fully participate in the spiritual retreat. We listen to talks in the morning and afternoon, given by an invited speaker (usually a bishop or priest from overseas) before entering into silent prayer, reflection and mediation for our personal renewal. We hope and pray that God’s is fulfilled in every way for each of us, and that at the end of the retreat, our spirits will be restored and renewed.

Starting this weekend, there will be three long-weekends consecutively with four public holidays therein – Merdeka (31 August), Awal Muharram (1 September), the birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (8 August) and Malaysia Day (16 September). During these long weekends, you may take the opportunity to go on vacation or visit your hometown. By now you would have planned your trip, but I would like to remind you that wherever you go, do not forget to fulfil your Sunday obligation by attending Mass. Check the respective websites or the Catholic directory for the closest church and for the Mass timings.

 

In connection with these holidays, there will be no catechism classes for three Sundays (September 1, 8 and 16) and our children will miss out on at least 5-6 hours of catechism lessons. If possible, I would like to encourage parents to spend some time with your children, especially on these Sundays, to pray with them and teach them about our faith. Parents and godparents should also spend some time going through the catechism textbooks with their child.

As parents, one of the graces that the Sacrament of Marriage requires is educating your children about our faith in Christ and the Church. While parents are preparing their children to be baptised, the Church gives them the Infant Baptism Instruction to make parents and godparents aware of their roles and responsibilities. It states: “You have asked to have your child baptised. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” Then, the Church asks godparents if they too are “ready to help the parents in their duty as Christian parents?”

Parents and godparents must make a constant effort in bringing up their children in the faith of the Church, as children too play an active part in practicing their faith. The Church expects parents and godparents to be the best faith educators, bearing witness to the faith in whatever they do or say. Parents must remember that faith education is just as important as secular education.

Parents and godparents are the first teachers of faith education of their children. When they pass on their faith, it impacts the lives of their children, as they learn best through example and practice and the Church expects parents and godparents to be the best faith teachers through words and deeds. As faith educators, you must always endeavour to learn more about your faith and pass on what you have learnt or received to your children. Your knowledge, attitude, roles and responsibilities will help in your child’s faith development. Walk with your child, talk to your child and know and love them.

A PLACE AT THE BANQUET

Jesus was invited to a wedding party,(LK 14:1, 7-14). Those attending were the leading Pharisees.Jesus was the guest of honour and everyone wanted to be at the head table. 

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all want to have a place of honor. We want people to recognise us.

His advice to dinner guests is to “take the lowest place” at the table. If the host desired them to “move up to a higher position,” he would ask them himself. Then the guests would “enjoy the higher esteem” of their companions at table. If we are to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, we need to learn humility.

Among the 7 Deadly Sins, pride is first. Pride often becomes the source of all other evil. It is very closely related to selfishness. Humility is the opposite of pride or self-importance.

God’s call is to humble ourselves. To count others as better than ourselves so that we can show others the love, grace, courage and power of Jesus Christ.

Only a humble heart realises: “God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.”(Ps 68)

SOWING TANGIBLE SEEDS OF HOPE

Our Parish has always taken a special interest in caring for the poor. In the second half of 2019, two important Parish annual projects to reach out in solidarity to the poor and migrant families, are in the pipeline.

The first event is the School Uniforms Project. Since last weekend (17-18 August), we started collecting funds for this project after each Mass. The aim is to provide uniforms to school kids from underprivileged families, including migrant students who live around our parish vicinity. For the past six years we have successfully carried out this free school uniform project for both primary and secondary school students.

This year, our target is to provide school uniforms for approximately 400 underprivileged students. This will comprise of 2 sets of uniforms (shirts and pants/skirts), 2 sets of shoes and socks, and a bag inclusive of stationery for each child, worth between RM120-RM150 each. Our aim is to reach out to these poor children, so that they will be able to go to school properly attired, with confidence and self-respect, and be able to concentrate on their studies.

All the ministries under the Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) will coordinate with the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) to set up booths before and after all weekend Masses. At least 4-6 committee members are needed to help out at these booths for every weekend Mass. We also encourage more parishioners to volunteer their time and also to donate generously, as this fund raising project will go on till the end of November 2019. The amount we need to collect is estimated at around RM40,000 to RM50,000.

The second event is the World Day of the Poor. In 2017, we celebrated the 1^stWorld Day of the Poorin a grand manner. We were happy and privileged to have been able to celebrate with all those living around our Parish vicinity. We held various activities such as a funfair with lots of games and entertainment, and a fellowship as well with the poor and migrant families. Last year, the celebrations continued albeit on a smaller scale, and this year, the members of the Fundraising Team are in the midst of preparing and planning to organise the 3^rdWorld Day of the Poor which will include a few activities, exhibitions and a luncheon.

This year, the 3^rdWorld Day of the Poorfalls on Sunday, 17 November 2019 (33^rdSunday of Ordinary Time) and the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen the theme “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever,” (Psalms 9:19).In his message, the Holy Father encourages Christian communities “to offer hope and consolation to the poor,” and “to help ensure that this World Day of the Poor will encourage more and more people to cooperate effectively so that no one feels deprived of closeness and solidarity.”

We invite parishioners to come forward in assisting the PIHDM and the Fundraising Team by supporting and promoting the two planned events. Let’s work hand in hand together as a parish, to make these events more significant, as we reach out to the unprivileged and less fortunate. We, as parishioners of St Joseph’s Church in Sentul will not “stop sowing tangible seeds of hope” and be “instruments and opportunities for peace, solidarity and the promotion of dignity for every human being.”

JESUS WANTS US TO BE SAVED

Lord, will there be only a few saved?” (Lk 13: 23). The only way to make sure that we are saved is by pressing through the narrow entrance to the kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus describes that no one gets to heaven by accident but only those who strives because the road to heaven is narrow. It is a need for everyone to repent and put their faith in Him.

There is only one door. It is a narrow door. The narrow door is Jesus who says “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through me,”(Jn 14: 6).

We are saved by the grace of God and not by our own works. However, Jesus said that we must strive to enter through the narrow door. God knows our works and our thoughts. God wants everyone to be saved…” (1 Tim 2:4), because of “His kindness towards us.”

Lord Jesus, heal our weaknesses and make us strong to enter the narrow gate.

http://www.stjosephsentul.org/sowing-tangible-seeds-of-hope/

JOY IN GOD’S PRESENCE THROUGH FORMATION

We will be back to work and school after a week long vacation due to the school term break, Hari Raya Haji holidays and also a break from catechism classes (11 and 18 August). Children will be back to school from Monday,  19 August 2019 despite the weather being not so conducive due to the haze and smog pollution throughout the Klang Valley. It has been hazy since the start of August, and is expected to be this way till September 2019.  It is advisable to cut down on our outdoor activities and to avoid open burning.

We celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, 15 August 2019, a day of obligation in our Catholic Calendar. Despite the school holidays, the crowd was overwhelming for the three Masses (6:45 am, 1:0 pm and 8:00 pm). It is a major feast in the life  of Mary, who was privileged to be “the highest fruit of the Redemption” and “the most perfect example of Christian Perseverance.” She is crowned the Queen of Heaven and Earth, a feast which we will celebrate on 22 August 2019. She is our Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our  sweetness and our hope!

On Saturday, 17 August 2019, a special formation was organised by the Eagle’s Wing Ministry (EWM). This ministry comprises of 30 differently-abled people. It was established in our Parish over 12 years ago. Dr. Sheela Jeremy, who was the main presenter at the formation, spoke about the  physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of being differently-abled. It was a half-day formation for the members of the EWM, to enhance their faith, spiritual life and to assist them to live a more integrated life – within the community and society at large.

Our Parish RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and PMEIA (Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs) are organising a special get-together session with the past years RCIA candidates to be held on Sunday, 18 August 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Church Hall. This will be our first ever celebration with all those who have attended the RCIA programme and received their Sacrament of Initiation over the past years. After their respective programmes, many of the RCIA sponsors, inquirers, candidates and team members have Parish activities. We want them to return to the Catholic faith they have professed. It is an opportunity for them to reconnect with our Parish community and to revive and relive their faith.

At the end of the month, our Catechetical Team and Parish Family Life Ministry will organise two important talks to raise awareness among parishioners and their families. First, is a Fire Safety & Emergency talk on Sunday, 25 August 2019 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. This free-of-charge awareness programme is open to all members of our Parish community, including children. The Fire Prevention Centre of Malaysia will be presenting the fire safety training, which includes how to prevent fires from happening. Everyone is invited to join this life-saving training programme which will be held in our Parish.

Second, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur has agreed to hold an exhibition and talk on “Child Abuse Prevention” on Sunday, 8 September 2019 in our Parish. This talk will cover physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and how to prevent them. We invite parents and young people to join us, to shed some light and get an insight into this difficult and heart-breaking issue.

The Holy Father’s intention for the month of August is “Families – Schools of Human Growth.” I invite parishioners and families to fully engage in prayer and be aware of social issues which are on the rise within our families and in society. We are on a life-long learning journey and I urge all of you to find the time to participate in the various formations which would help you find God in your lives. It is the moments of joy found in God’s presence that make families strong in the midst of all challenges.

"NOT PEACE, BUT DIVISION!"

“Jesus said, “I came to cast fire upon the earth not peace, but division! …,”  (Luke 12:49-53).

Jesus brought the fire of division. There will be division between people. We should not be shocked by the division that comes within communities, churches and between Christians and non-Christians.

Where human beings are division is inevitable. We cannot always run and hide from it. When conflict comes around, and be prepared for it when it does. Conflict can be good for us. Like fire purifies metals, conflict can purify us.

The whole world will divide into two sites, for and against Christ. People want peace and harmony. We want peace and harmony for our families, for our communities and for our world.

We are looking for love, peace, grace and mercy. We need to live moral lives and help the poor. We need to both announce the good news and be the good news to those in need.

We need to follow the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. Let’s the Holy Spirit build a fire inside us and inspire us to work with Christ to let the fire burn brightly.

http://www.stjosephsentul.org/joy-in-gods-presence-through-formation-1/

GIVING HOPE WILLINGLY AND LOVINGLY

Life without hope is difficult. Troubles, suffering, physical health, illness and eventually death, comes like a thief to rob a person’s life. Jesus Christ is our hope and our joy. He brings forgiveness and hope for the future. He changes our lives and He will give us a new heart with renewed strength. He will give you the strength to live a dynamic life of faith. The Great God who lives amongst us will bring hope through the Word,  Sacraments and in all events.

When we look around us, there are many things that perhaps cause us to lose hope. But when we look at God and his promises, there is great hope for the future. As you keep your hopes high, St Paul says “do something each day that gets you closer to your goal of life.”(Ephesians 5:15-16). Make the best of the present time.

Hope changes our lives. The hope that we have through Christ transforms how we think and how we act. This living hope helps us to see the world with the eyes of Christ. As long as we have faith in Jesus Christ, we will always have hope. Other people see only a hopeless end, but we Christians rejoice in endless hope.

Our Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) will have a facelift. It is a ministry that identifies and locates the destitute and unfortunate within our community. Its brings hope and gives aid to the poor through its outreach - regardless of race, ethnic background, social status or faith. Under the umbrella of PIHDM, we have various ministries / desks - Migrant Ministry, Women’s Ministry, EduCare, Eagel’s Wings and Distribution of groceries to the poor. 

From August 2019 onwards, the office for distribution of groceries to the needy will officially be known as the Ministry of the Poor (MOP) under the Supervision of Aloysius, George D’Cruz, Teresa Shaun, Jacquline and Dorothy. They will look into the needs of the poor and prepare aid kits containing essential rations such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, sardines, noodles, biscuits, etc. and distributing them to the poor every month.

The MOP will continue their annual school uniform project and Christmas Campaign. This year, the fundraising for these two projects will commence  in August 2019. For the past 6 years, we have carried out these annual projects and campaigns successfully, and once again we have the opportunity to work together, bringing hope and joy to underprivileged children and their families at Christmas.

Annually, we target to distribute school uniforms to between 350-400 students, at an estimate cost of  RM100-RM120 per child. The uniform sets comprise 2 sets of uniforms, a bag, shoes and socks, stationaries, etc., for each child. The total cost for this project will amount to approximately RM35,000-RM45,000.

We also will provide groceries to poor families, as a part of our Christmas campaign. We need your support and encouragement to make these projects a success, and we hope parishioners will not hesitate to volunteer their time and resources in assisting us with this fundraising projects. Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members. (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, n. 186).

Jesus has special place in His heart for the poor, so much so that God Himself “became poor” and lived among us. He stood among the poor - comforting sorrows, healing their wounds and bringing the message of hope in their lives. It is a challenge for us today, as we seek to follow Jesus and to live as He lived, and not remain unmoved - but to reach out to them willingly and lovingly.