INSPIRING FAITH IN YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY

 This weekend, we express our gratitude to God as we reflect on two inspiring figures who are models of young people’s faith and discernment: Pope Leo XIV and Saint Philip Minh with his companions. Their lives and stories inspire our young people in their vocational discernment and the virtues they must cultivate.

On Thursday, 19 June 2025, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, celebrated 43 years since his ordination to the sacred priesthood. More than four decades ago, he dedicated his life to Christ and the Church. In 1982, he was ordained in Rome at the age of 27 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, marking the beginning of his priestly service.

Pope Leo celebrated his priestly anniversary with a private Mass, expressing gratitude despite the absence of a public celebration at the Vatican. This act reflects his deep commitment to his role as a priest and Bishop of Rome, and now as the Successor of Peter, guiding the Universal Church. His journey emphasises that the priesthood is a lifelong path of love, sacrifice, and grace, dedicated to serving God and His people. This anniversary invites us to reflect on the beauty of being a priest, a special calling to live closely with Christ and share His light with the world. In uncertain times, the enduring witness of our shepherd speaks louder than words through their perseverance, dedication and prayer.

On 19 June, we also commemorated the Memorial of Saint Philip Minh and his four companions – Saint Peter Quy, Saint Paul Loc, Saint John Hoan, and Saint Peter Luu - who were students at the College General in Penang in the 1800s. They were profoundly shaped by the Gospel during their seminary years in our very own region. Upon returning to their homeland, Vietnam, they dedicated themselves to serving their people during a time of persecution. 

Their story exemplifies extraordinary courage and conviction. When commanded to renounce Christ, they chose to stay faithful, even at the cost of their lives. In 1853, they were martyred and to honour their sacrifice, Pope Saint John Paul II canonised them as saints in 1988, together with 116 other Vietnamese Martyrs. They are shining examples of fidelity and loyalty in the face of persecution. Like these holy martyrs, young people today face trials, doubts, and hardships as they stand for Jesus, remain steadfast, and always hope in Christ, who always rises again.

As we prepare for the Jubilee Year for Priests from Wednesday, 25 June to Friday, 27 June, 2025, let us reflect on the lives of Pope Leo XIV and Saint Philip Minh with his companions. Their commitment to priestly service and courageous martyrdom inspires young people as they discern their own vocations. In the face of challenges and uncertainties, may they be encouraged to listen to God’s call and respond with faith and generosity. Let us seek the intercession of Saint Philip Minh and his companions, nurturing the seeds of vocation and holiness in the hearts of the young people today.

RISING AS ONE CHURCH IN MALAYSIA

We are glad to have experienced a meaningful and purposeful Easter Season, a time for grace, reflection, and the renewal of our faith. As a Parish and as individuals, we have engaged in numerous spiritual activities, liturgies, and events during this sacred season. It has truly awakened our spirits, uniting us as one Body of Christ and strengthening our commitment to witness the message of the Risen Lord.

Over the past two weeks, starting on 1 June 2025, we have had a truly special moment in our Parish as we welcomed the Perjalanan Salib (Pilgrimage Cross). This Cross arrived from Terengganu and was placed with reverence at the main entrance of our Church. After the Mandarin Mass on Sunday at 11.30 am, the Mandarin-speaking Parishioners gathered in prayer around the Salib (Cross). Throughout the week, the Salib journeyed to two Kampung Asli and other outstation Mass centres, blessing the lives of these communities. It has been a heartwarming experience for all of us!

On the weekend of 7 and 8 June 2025, the Salib was placed in the sanctuary, becoming the spiritual centrepiece of our liturgies. After the Prayer of the Faithful at each Mass, we knelt and prayed together, lifting up all the nine dioceses (three in Peninsular Malaysia and the six dioceses in Sabah and Sarawak), as well as our communities and families, in heartfelt intercession. Following the weekend Masses, the Cross was transferred to the Adoration Room. There, Parishioners continued to reflect and pray quietly, both as groups and individuals, before the Salib.

A special prayer gathering for all teenagers and youths of our Parish was organised on Saturday, 14 June 2025, from 10 am to 12 noon, inviting them to encounter Christ in a profound way through this significant symbol of faith, the Perjalanan Salib. It has immersed them in deeper prayer and meditation, fostering within them the spirit of courageous witnesses of the Gospel in today’s world.

This Salib is more than a symbol; it forms part of a national devotional pilgrimage initiated by our nine Malaysian Bishops on 3 April 2025, during the Malaysia Catholic Youth Day in Kota Kinabalu. It serves as spiritual preparation for the Pan-Malaysia Pastoral Convention, scheduled for September 2026, reminding us all to rise as one Church in Malaysia – walking in one mission, living as one Body of Christ, and moving forward in one Spirit.

Our Parish is now preparing for the Novena, Feast Day, and Thanksgiving Mass of Saint Thomas, the Apostle, from Friday, 27 June to Sunday, 6 July 2025. This year’s theme is “Saint Thomas: The Greatest Gift of Our Times.” Last year, we requested permission for a Eucharistic procession through the town, but it was not approved. We have submitted the application again this year and hope the authorities will grant us permission.

You are warmly invited to bring your family and friends to celebrate our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas, the Apostle. As we move forward, may the Holy Spirit continue to stir our hearts, guiding us in faith and mission. May Saint Thomas intercede for us always.

Pentecost: A New Beginning in the Spirit

This weekend, we come together joyfully to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, a feast often referred to as the birthday of the Universal Church. Pentecost commemorates the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Church’s mission in the world. This significant feast occurs fifty days after the joyous celebration of Easter and following the glorious Ascension of the Lord, marking a moment in our Church’s calendar, the beginning of her mission, purpose and journey. 

Since the Ascension, the Church has been united in longing and prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit with hymns like “Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest” and the timeless chant “Veni Sancte Spiritus.” These beautiful melodies continue to echo in our hearts today, reminding us that we are never alone – the Spirit is with us, guiding, empowering, and sanctifying.

Throughout these seven weeks of Easter, we have journeyed together on a sacred path of faith. Each step has drawn us closer to a deeper understanding of our spiritual identity. As we opened our hearts to welcome the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we were invited to experience renewal, awakening, and transformation in various aspects of our lives.

Pentecost is not just a commemoration of a past event – it is a living moment of grace and an invitation to renewal. It calls us to strengthen our commitment as devoted disciples of Christ, boldly proclaiming the Good News with courage, joy, and love. It urges us to become living witnesses of the Spirit, bearing fruit in our words and actions as we await the Lord’s glorious return. Thus, Pentecost calls us to live in the fullness of the Spirit, embracing a life of purpose, empowerment, and new beginnings.

Now, as we arrive at the Solemnity of Pentecost, we are invited to pause and reflect:

·      In what ways has this Easter season deepened my personal faith and spiritual understanding?

·      How have the teachings and shared experiences enriched our parish community, fostering a stronger bond among us?

Let us celebrate Pentecost not as the end of the Easter season, but as a new beginning – a fresh outpouring of grace that renews our faith, bringing with it the gifts of reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewal of faith. As the Spirit descends, may we open our hearts to the transformative power it brings, fostering unity and rekindling our love in every aspect of our lives.

Together, we raise our voices in a collective prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.