WE WAIT IN HOPE

Awaited Prime Minister (PM) Of Malaysia! 

It was a very happy moment indeed for all Malaysians when the appointment of our 10^th Prime Minister was announced.

 

After waiting for almost five days after the Elections, on 24 November 2022, His Majesty YDPA Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, officially announced the decision to appoint the 10th^. Prime Minister of Malaysia - Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. His Majesty entrusted him with the mandate to form a Unity Government (Kerajaan Perpaduan) – an inclusive government.

 

The word “perpaduan” isn’t a new term for us, as it has been frequently used in the Malaysian context for years (especially during our school days) and promoted by most of the political leaders in the past. However, over the years it seemed as though division and diversion in many areas, aspects and sectors in our nation was prevalent instead.

 

Once again, this term echoed when the YDPA decreed to form a “Kerajaan Perpaduan” which is a concept new in our history. A few coalition parties emerged during the GE15, each with their own manifestos. It is going to be a big challenge for our new PM to bring all the coalition parties together, to work collaboratively in order to form a brand-new unity government, and ensure unity in this multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious country.

 

Although previous governments and authorities have governed our nation carelessly, God has now blessed us with a new Prime Minister - a veteran in politics and a reformist - giving hope to our people and our nation. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was not only voted by the “rakyat” but also selected by the YDPA and all the Malay Rulers. They have confidence entrusting him to lead of our nation.

 

We hope that PM10 will carry out his manifesto with integrity, by bringing unity in diversity and embracing all our differences. With all his capabilities, hardships and experiences over these past years, we pray that he will bring stability amidst political turmoil and enhance the economical growth of our beloved nation. We pray that the Lord gives him the enthusiasm and strength to go on in his mission – to form a caring, clean and stable government for all Malaysians, and not just a select few. 

Awaiting A Lovely Advent Season!

 

Advent is a season of grace and a season of reconciliation. The word advent comes from the Latin root, “adventus”which means “coming” – the coming of Christ at Christmas and His Second Coming. A better word to express Advent is expectation and anticipation of the coming of Christ – the Emmanuel – God is with us, who has never left us abandoned, but lives among His people.

 

During this first Sunday of Advent, let us work towards preparing our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are all right, the shopping for gifts and family gatherings are great too! However, let’s keep in mind that this season is not merely a season for decorating, feasting, shopping, parties and holidays, but instead, is a season to pay attention to our relationship with God and with one another.

 

Whether we face loneliness, financial or job stress, grief, or illnesses, let us celebrate this Advent enthusiastically and prayerfully, so that God will give us the courage, faith, hope and love in all our commitments. 

 

Blessed Advent, everyone!

TOGETHERNESS IN SPITE OF DIFFERENCES

Our Family Day 2022 in conjunction with World Day of the Poor (WOP) was an exciting and memorable event for the Parish of St Thomas, Kuantan. It was held last Sunday, 13 November from 9:30 am onwards, at our church grounds. We began with a thanksgiving Mass, to remind us of the essence and importance of works of mercy towards the underprivileged and marginalised. Of course, the main intention of this event was fundraising towards flood relief during the monsoon season which is expected to occur soon and also to spend time with the underprivileged in our community.

We managed to bring people together from far distances - the Orang Asli from Kuala Rompin and Muadzam Shah, as well as the Indonesian plantation workers from Maran, by providing shuttle bus services to transport them. Whereas the local Kuantan dwellers were transported by our very own Parishioners, who have created a strong, healthy relationship with these families and have proven to have an enormous impact on their lives. As a Church, we hope to establish a positive relationship to provide assistance and service, whenever possible. Furthermore, the gathering is one of the best ways to remind us of the essence of family in our lives and to bring awareness of interacting with each other despite our differences.

This very special day was flavoured with a wide variety of food stalls, exciting games and other fun activities. Among the highlights of the day were the various performances such as line dance, traditional and cultural dances, singing, musical performances and lucky draws. Everyone participated in fun activities together and spent quality time with family and friends, new and old. It was a day of great celebration that not only got everyone exhausted, but thoroughly satisfied and happy too, and filled with the hope of having a similar get-together next year!

 

We are very grateful to God for providing us with wonderful weather that day! As we know, we are in the midst of pre-monsoon, but every one of us went down on our knees with hands stretched out towards heaven before God (cf. 1 Kings 8: 54) praying for pleasant weather and He certainly did not disappoint us! Everything went on smoothly, except for a slight drop of rain that for a moment threatened to dampen our celebrations for a while! For this, we praise and thank you, Lord.

 

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the organising committee for their hard work and excellent coordination of the event and for making our Family Day 2022 a successful and memorable one. Thank you also to all the Parishioners of St Thomas, friends and benefactors who generously helped us make this event a success. We really couldn’t have done this without all of you! 

 

A special thanks to all our invited guests - the Orang Asli, migrant and refugee communities, and those from within the Kuantan city area. Thank you for being with us on this special occasion. Your presence was highly appreciated and we hope that you enjoyed your time spent with the communities and Parishioners of St Thomas Church, Kuantan.

 

We had a fun-filled event and I am certainly looking forward to more events in our Parish in the future.

WITH LOVE, RESPONSIBILITY AND SOLIDARITY

“For Your Sakes, Christ Became Poor” (cf. 2 Cor 8: 9) is the theme chosen by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the 6th World Day of the Poor (WDP). The Holy Father encourages us to show “greater solidarity and responsibility for the poor in our society” by not forgetting them, and the hardships they face in their lives.

The Universal Church observes WDP each year on the 33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and this year it falls on 13 November. It is celebrated annually in honour of the poor, socially marginalised and underprivileged, as we carry out the mission of the Church with the spirit of solidarity, responsibility and mercy.

In His message, the Holy Father highlights that the war in Ukraine has added to the death and destruction of humanity. Furthermore, this senselessness of war has caused the deportation of thousands of vulnerable people - men and women, children and the elderly, to neighbouring countries. There are still a great number of people who remain in war zones, living in fear and uncertainty - lacking food, water and medical care. They are in need of relief and peace, and most of all our prayers for them.

During his visit to Jerusalem, St Paul met the Apostles Peter, James and John, and he urged them not to forget the poor. The community of Jerusalem was going through hardship because of a shortage of food at that time. The Apostles organised “a great collection to aid the poverty-stricken in Jerusalem” and encouraged the Christian community in Corinth to contribute every first day of the week to support and be generous towards the poor.

Since then, the Church does collections during Mass to provide for the needs of the poor. We, Christians give “with joy and a sense of responsibility, to ensure that none of our brothers and sisters will lack the necessities of life.” The Peninsula Malaysian churches have set the second collection on the first Sunday of every month for the poor, and this is used for the basic necessities of those in need.

I have observed the WDP celebrations since serving in my previous Parish of St Joseph, Kuala Lumpur, when the Holy Father promulgated it at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016. Underprivileged people from the community were invited to be part of our celebrations with food, games and entertainment. All proceeds from that event were then utilised to continue helping the poor.

This year, the celebration for WDP & Family Day continues at the Church of St Thomas here in Kuantan. Our main objective of this WDP event is to bring the poor, migrants and refugees as well as the Orang Asli within our community together. There will be many food stalls, games, funfair and entertainment, and all proceeds from the sale of coupons and donations will be channelled towards flood relief during the monsoon season, and for the basic necessities and education of the needy.

May our celebration of World Day of the Poor & Family Day 2022 be a grace-filled day with solidarity, love and care for those who need it the most.

LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED

The Catholic church observes All Souls’ Day on 2 November every year. It is a day to commemorate all the faithful departed. The Church prays for departed souls to be cleansed, so that they may be able to see God face-to-face in heaven. 

All Souls’ Day is a time for families to reflect on those loved ones who are no longer with us. We may face intense, difficult moments that trigger so much emotion, sadness, grief, emptiness, guilt, regret and anger at the death of our loved ones. As saying goes, “Take the bull by the horns,” we should take a deep breath amidst all our grieving, and pain, and face the situation with confidence in prayer. We remember that “indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.” (The Roman Missal)

 

During this month, we could perhaps do a few spiritual things as individuals or families, spiritually, as we relive fond memories and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.

i)               Light up candles and offers prayers for deceased loved ones at home.

ii)             Make a trip to the graves at least once during this month of November. Light candles. Place a bouquet of flowers and spend time praying a decade of the Rosary for them.

iii)           As a family sit together to go through photos or albums or journals (if you have one) and share stories of their fond memories.

 

Over the years Christians throughout history and across cultures try to reflect the notion of what death and the resurrection are really about. Death is reality and Christ’s resurrection has made death a source of hope. Death gives a greater gift of life in Christ. The departed souls are alive in God. Even though “the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them,” (Wisdom 3:1), the Church teaches us to pray for them. Our prayers and Mass offerings, followed by other works of charity will help to speed up their journey to be in union with God in heaven.

 

During the month of October, we encouraged Parishioners to list down the names of our departed loved ones - our grandparents, parents, relatives, friends, and colleagues in the “Book of Remembrance” which was placed at the breakfast corner of our Community Hall. Since All Souls’ Day, we have placed this Book at the main altar of our Church and offer them collectively in our daily and weekend Masses till the Advent season begins on 27 November 2022.

 

They request our prayers and Masses in order for them to obtain eternal peace and rest. “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” (CCC # 1030). We, Catholics believe in Purgatory, between heaven and earth where the sins of the departed souls are cleansed before entering the final and full vision of God. Purgatory is nothing other than the final purification of all the remaining attachments to sin in our lives.

 

Our prayers and Masses for the departed souls and all souls in purgatory will certainly need our prayers to obtain divine justice from God for them to have a full vision of His face. May the Souls of the Faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.