SAINTS ASSIST US ON OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

The Solemnity of All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1^st, every year, as the day for commemorating all the Saints. It is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Catholics are required to attend Mass.  On this solemnity, we honour, pray and celebrate all saints those persons whom are known and unknown, and they are multitude in numbers (cf. Rev 7:9), enjoying the beatific vision who “remain connected and part of the One Body of Christ” in Heaven.  All of them lived earthly lives like us and faithful to Christ's teaching and His Church. 

These Saints give us inspirations and encouragement for our preparation to share with them the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Eucharistic preface for All Saints Day, we can recall the imagery vision used from the Book of Revelation, “Today we keep the festival of Your holy city, the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother… gives us inspiration and strength as we hasten on our pilgrimage of faith eager to meet them.”

 

What must we do to join the company of the Saints in Heaven? The celebration of All Saints offers us a celebration of holiness - a universal call to attain holiness (Lumen Gentium, 40). This celebration invites us to grow in holiness in our lives taking the models of the life of Christ and follow in His footsteps.

 

Paul VI said, “holiness in the Church belongs to all parts of the world and to all periods of history and that all peoples and all faithful of every social rank are called to attain holiness.” Therefore, every individual should seek the intercession of the Heavenly Saints to assist us in our earthly journey, as we encounter challenges in life, that through the grace of God we may grow and glow in the Spirit of Christ.

 

ALL YOU HOLY MEN AND WOMEN, PRAY FOR US!

I WAS HIS ‘YOUNGEST’ SON

On the feast of Saints Simon and Jude (28^th Oct), we heard the sad news about the demise of Malaysia’s first Cardinal, His Eminence Anthony Soter Fernandez who passed away at 12.35pm. He was a strong man like Saint Simon Peter, who put his heart and soul to build and guide the Church in Peninsular Malaysia. It was mixed emotions for me. I wasn’t shocked to hear about his passing, but I felt happy for him that at least the Lord had prepared him gracefully to end this earthly journey after a prolonged physical pain and suffering these couple of months. As his life was deteriorating, he stayed cool, calm and cheerful.

I met Archbishop Soter, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur then, for the first time at his residence/office at Cardjin House, Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur in November 1992. Rev Fr Naden Anthony, the Vocation Director of KL Archdiocese then, and the late Rev Fr Leonard John, my Parish Priest, had made arrangements for me to meet him. I expressed my desire in wanting to be a priest. After an hour of conversation and sharing, he told me to take up an English course before entering the seminary. He also advised me to continue to pray and join the Parish Youth ministry. I just left silently, feeling a bit sad inside because at that time I thought he had already rejected me. I met him again in January 1995. This time he greeted me with a smile and gave me the acceptance letter to enter the seminary. Initially, I was reluctant to accept it but his words of affirmation and assurance had given me the confidence to join the seminary. 

After completing my formation in the seminary, during my first Clergy Recollection in January 2003, Archbishop Soter enquired of me, “Are you ready for your ordination to the priesthood?” I conveyed my hesitation and requested for a 6-month to one-year break before getting ordained. He held my hands in front of Rev Fr Gerard Theraviam, my Parish Priest then, and gave me the date of ordination (12 February 2003) and told me, “Go and prepare yourself for the ordination!” I was stunned and tongue-tied for a moment.

He again surprised me just a few minutes before my ordination Mass took place. While the other clergy were queuing up for the procession into the church, Archbishop Soter approached me, “Which Parish would you like to be posted to?” I was clueless. He just smiled at me without saying anything. My posting was only announced at the end of the ordination ceremony - that I would be posted as assistant to Rev Fr Eugene Benedict at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Kuantan and Terengganu). I only had the chance to serve as a priest under His Grace for just two months, before the announcement of his resignation as the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur in May 2003.

 

We became close friends over the years and even much friendlier when I moved to the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. A few years back we both started to promote the “Sleeping Saint Joseph” statue and prayer cards and explained its spirituality which was introduced by Pope Francis. We were encouraging parishioners to pray to the Sleeping St Joseph for courage and protection. As the Holy Father said, “Saint Joseph is a man of silence and strength… and even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church.” Our beloved Cardinal Soter too had a great love for St Joseph. He, too was a man of silence and loved the Church very much till the end of his life. 

 

Everyone remembers him as a very humble and simple man – which he truly was. A few days after my ordination I met him in his office and he immediately knelt before me and asked me to bless him. I was shocked that he, an archbishop was humble enough to kneel before me. Then he kissed both my anointed palms and hugged me. I count myself blessed as I am the last “son” ordained by him before his retirement. He always acknowledged me saying, “You are my youngest son.” I am proud to be his youngest son. He was a wise father figure and loving man.

 

The late Cardinal Soter had a very special place in his heart for the sick and the elderly. When I was based in Kuantan/Terengganu during his visits there, he would ask me to take him to visit the sick and the elderly. In fact, two years ago (2018), he requested me to drive him to Klang to visit a few sick people including my late mum. I was really touched by his gesture towards the sick and the dying. He truly cared for and showed great concern for the sick people and the least.

 

October is the month of the Rosary and the late Cardinal Soter had a great affection for our Lady. Back in 1992, during my first meeting with him and when he ‘rejected’ my initial desire to be a priest, he had given me a Rosary made of wooden beads and strongly encouraged me to pray to Our Lady daily for a strong vocation. I still keep and pray with that Rosary beads which he gave me 28 years ago. He passed on in the month of the Rosary and will be buried on the last day of the month of the Rosary. I believe he will continue to pray for us and he will ask Mother Mary to pray for all of us and for the Church in Malaysia. Be assured of our prayers and my humble pray for you - “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”

 

Let us ceaselessly pray the Rosary daily taking the example of the Cardinal Soter a man of prayer. I would like to end here with a quote from St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): “In danger, in distress, in uncertainty, think of Mary, call upon her. She never leaves your lips; and she never departs from your heart; and so that you may obtain the help of her prayers, never forget the example of her life. If you follow her, you cannot falter; if you pray to her, you cannot despair; if you think of her, you cannot err. If she sustains you, you have nothing to fear; if she guides you, you will never grow weary; if she shows you favour, you will attain your goal.” (The Priest, August 2020, vol. 76. No.8, pp. 14-18).

TO LOVE GOD AND NEIGHBOURS

(30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 - Homily)

How much should I be eating in a day or how much weight should I lose in a week or month? How can I lose my body weight? One group of researchers said that we can lose weight through dieting whereas another group exclaimed that we can lose weight drastically by physical exercising. We cannot lose our body weight only through diet without exercises or vice versa. Both dieting and physical exercising are equally essential to balance our physical fitness. Therefore, we can say that the key to successful weight loss is developing healthy diet and exercise regularly. Now, what does this have anything to do with the readings today?  

 

Jesus makes reference to two greatest commandments that is not part of the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-7). In today’s Gospel, Jesus was questioned by the Pharisee, “which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” Jesus responded that the greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” (Deut. 6: 5) and the second is “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” (Lev. 19:18).

 

We cannot love God without loving or neighbour. 

We cannot love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all mind and neglect the second commandment, “love of neighbours.” Both are equally important in our Christian way of life. It is like the example I have provided in the beginning. Weight loss require both having good diet and regular exercise. It is same on these 2 commandments that we must be able to do even better.

When we love one another, we will not do any evil to fellow brothers and sisters. We must love our enemies and love those who hate us and persecute us. We must pray for those who mistreat us. We must also forgive (and forget) those who have hurt us and harmed us. Whoever does not love our brothers and sisters, does not love God. God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

 

As we keep dieting and exercising abreast in our lives when it comes to losing weight, we too keep these two greatest commandments close in our lives. We pray today that we will help one another and encourage one another to carry the sacred duty to love others and give honour and serve one another.

 

 “I love You, LORD, my strength.” (Ps 18)

 

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/totus-tuus-1/

TOTUS TUUS

Catholics are devoted to praying the Rosary and contemplating Jesus with Mother Mary, especially in May and October, since these two months are dedicated as the months of the Rosary. Our devotion to Mary invites us to consecrate ourselves to her, by saying wholeheartedly - “I am completely yours” (Totus tuus). October is also known as the missionary month, and we pray with Mother Mary, as we grow together in friendship with Christ Jesus and become missionary disciples, bringing Jesus into the lives of others.

The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur has suspended Masses in Churches in the Klang Valley and the State of Selangor until further notice due to the increase in numbers of COVID-19 cases here. This whole month, many of us have been praying the Rosary as individuals and families ceaselessly. Do you know that each week we pray 35 decades of the Rosary from 4 mysteries - The Glorious, Joyful, Sorrowful and Luminous Mysteries. Ever since the Coronavirus started to spread and surge in numbers in our land, each day I compose an intention pertaining to the COVID-19 infection for everyone – praying for security, protection, healing, and for those who died of COVID-19. I have been inviting people and parishioners to pray for this pandemic to end, since the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March 2020. I forward these intentions to those in my contact list, inviting them to offer these intentions when they pray the Rosary. We have seen an increase in COVID-19 positive cases in this current third wave of infections, following the Sabah Elections in September 2020. As such, I encourage everyone to continue praying the Rosary daily, until the end of this pandemic.

In the past years, we would place a “Book of Remembrance” at our Parish Office in October and invite Parishioners to write down the names of departed souls and loved ones in the book. Throughout the month of November, the Book of Remembrance would be placed at the sanctuary of the Church, and we would collectively offer our prayers for all the departed souls during Mass. Also, during this time, we would kneel down and meditatively listen to the “Requiems” during the weekend Masses. 

We should not forget our loved ones, our closest ones - parents, children, siblings, friends, etc. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, this year you will not have the opportunity to list down the names of your departed loved ones in the Book of Remembrance, and it will not be placed at the Sanctuary as done in the past. However, we will instead forward a prayer to everyone, so that you may pray for them. We invite you to continuously dedicate at least a decade of the Rosary to those who have gone before us, including all those who have died of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading worldwide for almost a year now, and many people are undergoing “emotional anxiety” such as stress, panic, fear and also anger caused by financial and social factors. We continue to seek the intercession of Our Lady, our spiritual Mother and Saint Joseph, Our Patron - so that all families will stay positive, remain calm and maintain a prayerful spirit at home as we combat COVID-19 together.

GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S

(29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 - HOMILY)

We hear in the Gospel (Matt 22: 15-21) today, “Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God.”  Both the Pharisees and the Herodians are trying to ask Jesus’ opinion, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus knew through and through what was in their minds.  Jesus asks for a coin and He questions the Pharisees and Herodians - “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” Once they identify the coin is belonging to Caesar, then, He answers their question saying, “Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.” 

A couple from a foreign land was enquiring with me to be married in St. Joseph Church. They just wanted to do a church wedding without getting married, civilly, for their own personal reasons. Today’s Gospel let me to reflect on their enquiry, on the questions of Pharisees and Herodians, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to the Caesar or not?” The couple’s enquiry was of in the same nature, “Is it permissible to marry in the Church without marrying in the civil registration office?” Then, I explained to the couple.

 

In Malaysia, the National Registration Department (Jababtan Pendaftaran Negara - JPN) had made it compulsory for all non-Muslims couples to be registered under the ACT 1976 (Act 164) in 1 March 1982. It is a requirement and mandate of the JPN. If any Catholic couple desires to get married in the Catholic Church, first and foremost they need to do their Registration of Marriage (ROM), before their Church wedding. If the couple only did the ROM, they are still not married, in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Therefore, after the civil marriage in JPN, the couple will still need to prepare themselves both physically and spiritually for their Church Marriage.

 

Jesus never compromises his integrity and makes a very clear distinction between civil authority and religious authority, and He invites us to fulfil our duties and commitments both to the government and God. Jesus avoids the trap by asserting God’s sovereignty, which must be acknowledged and repaid to God on what belongs to God, and at the same time to hold the human laws legitimately.

 

Society must be governed by the authority to direct their action towards a common good. Paying the government’s tax represents paying back what the government has done in the terms of service. The government and its leaders should rule and direct the society justly according to the law for the well-being of everyone.  Whereas the society has to be obedient and cooperate with the government’s law.

 

Likewise, the people of God should follow the way of God in accordance with the TRUTH from the Scripture. We need to live our lives according to God’s purpose set for us, and not of human’s. Therefore, what we have to repay to the government is to be obedient to the Laws and to pay God what we owe to God. Real living is to give God what belongs to God. We give ourselves to God every moment of our lives. We owe God our very lives. “Give the Lord glory and honour, He is the King and He governs His people in fairness,” (cf. Ps 95).

WHOM SHALL I SEND?

On Sunday, 18 October 2020, the Universal Church celebrates World Mission Sunday (WMS) with the theme – “Here am I, send me!” in response to God’s question - “Whom shall I send?” (Is 6:8). The same question is addressed to us in this time of global crisis, awaiting our generous and convincing response – “Here am I Lord, send me!” God continues to look for those whom He can “send forth into the world, to bear witness to His love, and desire for life and liberation from evil” (cf. Mt 9:35-38; Lk 10:1-12).

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holy Father Pope Francis’ message for WMS highlights that the pandemic has created a lot of suffering, new challenges and has also set a new norm in the way of life for humanity and the Church. In the midst of this difficult time, he wants every Catholic to carry out the mission of Jesus “to witness faith and the proclamation of the Gospel” as God continues to “manifest His love, and touch and transform hearts, societies and cultures in every place and time.” Once again, the Church invites us to be in solidarity with people who are living in conditions where poverty, violence and / or oppression prevail. We, as a Catholic community, are called to meet the spiritual and material needs of people throughout the world, as our mission and evangelisation.

“Jesus is the Father’s Missionary and His life and ministry reveals His total obedience to the Father’s will”(cf. Jn 4:34; 6:38; 8:12-30; Heb 10:5-10). The Holy Father reminds every Catholic about our personal vocation - our mission, our call and our willingness to go forth - which originated from God the Father, who sent His only Son to save humanity. We, as baptised Catholics should “continue the mission of Jesus” to go wherever we are sent, and manifest the love of God and “transform hearts, minds, bodies, societies and cultures in every place and time.”

Photo: 2018

Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or to any place? Before we are ready to respond “Here I am, Lord, send me,” we need to discern our relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and reflect on the response of Mother Mary, as she willingly surrendered herself completely to the service of God’s will – “Let it be done according to your will!”

The world is currently pressuring us “to observe social distancing and to stay at home” but the Church invites us “to rediscover that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God.” During this difficult time, we see a rise in world poverty - many have lost their jobs and income, many are starving and many are depressed. The Church’s mission is very challenging, as no matter what, we should “open to the needs of our brothers and sisters, for dignity and freedom, as well as our responsibility to care for all creation.”

On this celebration of World Mission Sunday, let us reaffirm and reunite ourselves in prayer, reflection and through our kind contributions. We strive to support the missionary work carried out under the Pontifical Mission Societies “to meet spiritual and material needs of peoples and churches throughout the world.” Let’s together, with the intention of the Holy Father, willingly respond God’s call – “Here am I Lord, send me!” (Is 6:8) as we participate in the mission of Jesus on this earth.

(An Extract of Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Sunday 2020)

THE CHOSEN ONE

(28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 - HOMILY)

Today’s Parable is about a royal wedding banquet (MT 22:1-14). Wedding is a happiest and joyous day in the lives of the newly wedding couples.

I had three weddings in the Church of St Joseph – one was on last Thursday (8/10) and the other two were on Saturday (10/10). Initially, I allowed the wedding couples to extend their wedding invitations up to 100 guests in respect to the size of the Church. The couples were quite happy with extension of the numbers. Then, the Chancery announcement which was released on 6 October 2020, particularly on the suspension Masses in Klang Valley Parishes for two weeks until further notice. In that note, we have read the guideline for celebration of Sacraments and events especially for a wedding ceremony which only allow up to 20 guests/attendance.

 

When I informed the couples, they were really disappointed. The couples said that they have already extended the invitation to their guests. They were finding so difficult to inform their guests within a couple of days before the wedding to comply requirement. Finally, with heavy hearts, they conformed and only kept their immediate guest list to the respective the immediate family members. Let’s call them “the chosen ones”.

 

This is like what the Gospel says today, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Chosen means called, elected or accepted. When we say “NO”, to an invitation, it would be an insult, shame and embarrassing. To some extent, it’s not generous of us to do so. God’s heart does not exclude anyone, it’s all inclusive, regardless. God’s grace is what saves us. God has chosen and elected all to be included in the Wedding Banquet. In the heart of God, everyone is invited and everyone is welcomed, only few will be responding to the wedding celebration.

 

Many are called but few are chosen! So what is our response to God’s invitation? God invites every one of us. We are preoccupied with many things in our lives. Often, we are distracted and disinterested with His invitation, especially in this digital world. When we do not pay attention and disregard God’s invitation, then we are no longer chosen to His banquet. If we take every opportunity to answer to His invitation in faith without looking at our worries and anxieties over what ever, then we find fulfilment of God’s plan in our lives.

When we see the scenario on the parable and on the story of three weddings which took place in our Parish during these couple of days. We must understand that the invitation is not determined by our goodness, but God’s abundant grace. God still invites us. God invites us to celebrate life on this earth with gratitude. After this earthly life He invites us to enter into Heaven for a celebration of an eternal banquet. In this shortness of earthly life, we must undergo the ongoing conversion and repentance as we look forward for the eternal banquet with the communion of all Saints.

 

Let’s not disregard and be sluggish in taking every opportunity to respond wholeheartedly and faithfully to His invitation. All we need to do is to accept God’s invitation and wear our wedding robes – cloth ourselves with Christ, and we will definitely get into His Kingdom.

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS, PRAY FOR US!

PERSEVERANCE IN SERVICE, CONSTANT IN PRAYER

The month of October is traditionally dedicated by Catholics as the month of the Rosary. Once again, we are invited to seek the intercession of Our Lady, as we face challenges together, especially with the rise in COVID-19 cases in our country.

On Tuesday, 6 October 2020, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, His Grace Most Reverend Julian Leow, suspended all Public Masses in Catholic Churches located within Kuala Lumpur and the State of Selangor, as a safety measure in order to prevent the risk of transmission of the virus. This temporary suspension will be reviewed before 20 October 2020, and as to whether it will be an extension of the suspension or a retraction, will all depend on the COVID-19 situation in our country, at that time.

 

As we see a record-high rise of new cases, we turn to Our Lady of the Rosary seeking her assistance and intercession to flatten the curve, and to fight against this virus. We desperately need her maternal care and strength. In troubled times like this, Mother Mary is our source of comfort and hope, in both good times and difficult times. She will assist our families and communities, especially during this current pandemic, as she offers hope and comfort to all who need her motherly care and protection.

Being a loving Mother, she responds to those who are sick and dying, bringing comfort and healing from her Son, Jesus Christ. She also offers us courage when we feel frightened during times of trial. When we continuously pray the Rosary, she reassures us that we are not alone and that we will never be alone in this fight against COVID-19. As our Spiritual Mother, she gives perseverance and determination, as she stands close to us, providing protection when we are at great risk.

 

When facing fear, anxiety and uncertainty, we should turn to Mother Mary with faith and hope. During these difficult times, we may sometimes lose patience, and panic easily, but Mother Mary inspires us to stay close to one another spiritually and emotionally, through prayer.

 

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (7 October 2020), at the end of his Wednesday audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that we should “rediscover the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary” in October. He invites us “to pray the Rosary, and to carry it in your hands or in your pockets” as we face the threat that is looming all over the world. 

 

It is a crucial month for us to say the Rosary with family, at least once before we end our day. Surely, Mother Mary will turn her merciful eyes towards us, amid this pandemic. Catholics should make a special request while praying the Rosary, for an end to this pandemic. Let’s be united in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, as we seek Mary’s intercession and assistance during this pandemic, and grow “stronger in faith, persevering in service and constant in prayer.”

HERE I AM, SEND ME!

In light of the new Covid19 clusters that have emerged throughout the country following the return of people to the Peninsular after the Sabah polls, our Parish has decided to put on hold all activities and programs scheduled for October 2020. The recent spike in the number of cases in Peninsular Malaysia is alarming, with the daily toll of new cases breaching the 3-digit mark.

 

Activities that will be put on hold include our Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) meeting, the resumption of in-person Catechism classes which was scheduled to start this weekend (4 October) as well as the ALPHA program. 

 

On 13 September, the Form 5 students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, participated in an online course on the Theology of the Body (TOB). They have also been actively participating in a Spiritual Recollection, theme: “A Call to Translate Faith into Action.” These recollections, conducted in-person by Ms Cheryle Lee over two Sundays thus far (20 and 27 September) have been beneficial to the students, as they journey towards receiving their Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 October 2020 at 2.00 pm. A third session scheduled to be held on 4 October 2020 has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 situation. The Parish has scheduled a Post-Confirmation session, with the theme, “Success and Significance of Life” to be held on the day when we present them with their certificates.

The month of October is also referred to as the month of Rosary and Mission. During this month, Catholics are invited to dedicate ourselves in praying the Rosary and to recommit ourselves on a mission of sharing the Good News of Christ Jesus with those around us. We invite BECs, families and individuals to pray the rosary together or individually. For your information, the weekday morning Mass participants recite the Rosary immediately after Mass at 7.10am, before leaving for home or office, and you are welcome to join this session. All parishioners are encouraged to keep the spirit of praying the Rosary throughout this month, especially for the COVID-19 pandemic to end. If everything goes well and as planned, we will have a Thanksgiving Mass on 31 October to honour of the Month of Rosary.

This year, World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on 18 October 2020. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen a theme in response to God’s question, “Whom Shall I Send” and expects us to respond with a generous and convincing heart: “Here am I, send me,” (Is 6: 8). Starting this month, we invite our children to participate in the works of mission – “Children Helping Children” by creating a special collection box at home. We encourage them to start saving their daily pocket money, to help poor children who are in need of help. The boxes may be returned to the Church during the Christmas season or on the Feast of the Solemnity of Epiphany 2021. Last year we collected approximately RM2500 from our children. We encourage all the children in our Parish to fully participate in this act of kindness and generosity.

 

Just to remind you once again, our Parish’s vision theme for the years 1998-2020 is Committing Ourselves into New Evangelisation, and the mission theme for this year is Embracing the 5Ls (Last, Lost, Least, Little and Lonely). Since the start of the MCO, we have not done much, however as missionary disciples of Christ, we must somehow strive to carry out our mission with zeal, in any little way possible.

 

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who was a missionary disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, will continue to pray for us as we fully commit ourselves in the work of mission in our home and work place. We also pray to St Theresa of Lisieux - who is a Patroness of all Missionaries and whose feast day we celebrated on 1 October 2020 – that she will intercede for our mission works throughout this month. Let us respond with a generous and convincing heart to the message of Christ in words and actions, “Here I am, Lord, send me!”