BECOMING AN APOSTOLIC COMMUNITY

Bishop Richard Ng - the Bishop of Miri in Sarawak, and president of the Regional Biblical Commission of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei - recently launched and dedicated the month of July each year as the Bible Month. This initiative is of great importance, as it promotes a culture of reading, studying and praying the Word of God within our Church community. He encourages every parish community to participate actively in this initiative and organise bible-based activities affirming the importance of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church. Together, we can make a significant impact!

 

He suggested some inspiring bible-based activities such as owning a Bible, sponsoring a Bible for poor students, participating in seminars and courses, joining a Bible sharing group, using a daily Bible reading guide to help read the Bible systematically, organising Bible dramas and quizzes, and engaging in storytelling and colouring activities for students and children. Just like the Sower in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-15), we should generously share the Word so that some of it may fall on fertile ground and produce a bountiful harvest.

Let’s commit to reading the Bible at a specific time every day. It is not about how much we read, but about setting aside time and making a conscious effort in reading the Bible daily. Even if we start with just five to ten minutes each day, it is a great beginning, and we can gradually increase this over time by disciplining ourselves. By doing this, we show our dedication and effort, and God will surely be pleased and bless our act of devotion. Remember, the deeper your understanding of Sacred Scripture, the greater your knowledge of Christ will be. May the Lord bless our July Bible Month initiative, and may it foster a deeper love for the Word of God in all of our hearts.

In the week ahead, from Monday, 1 July to Sunday, 7 July 2024, we will commemorate our Parish Feast Day with Novena Masses at our St. Thomas Church here in Kuantan. On Saturday, 6 July 2024 at 10.00 am, there will be a special anointing of the sick, and we extend an invitation to the elderly, sick and homebound to join us for this healing service and Mass. On the same evening, we will have the main celebration, which includes a candlelight procession with the Blessed Sacrament throughout the town. We will start the Novena and Mass fifteen minutes later than usual, so that the procession with the Blessed Sacrament takes place after 7.35 pm, because the authorities have requested that we begin after the Maghrib prayer time. We have agreed to comply with this request accordingly.

 

We are confident that our daily celebrations throughout this upcoming week will proceed according to plan. We wholeheartedly welcome everyone to join us in the celebration, and we are deeply grateful for your participation. As we come together, may we strengthen our love and desire to encounter the resurrected Christ, and become a strong apostolic community.