GOSPEL VALUES THROUGH ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS

On Saturday, 9 August 2025, our Parish hosted a special formation session on ecology and the environment. It was led by Rev Fr Andrew Manickam, the Ecclesiastical Assistant for Justice and Creation of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, along with his team. We truly appreciated their presence, and we are grateful for their guidance as we came together to reflect on our important role as stewards of God’s beautiful creation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’, by Pope Francis, which calls the entire Church and all people of goodwill to care for our common home. It is a timely reminder for us at the Church of St. Thomas, Kuantan, to examine the ecological challenges around us, and to take meaningful and practical action as a community of faith.

As a parish, we have already started taking small but meaningful steps. A few months ago, we introduced recycling bins within our church grounds. Through ongoing efforts, such as catechesis and friendly reminders in our bulletins, we have begun educating our Parishioners about waste reduction and responsible disposal – and this is only the beginning!

This weekend, as we commit to ecological initiatives through the Parish Pledge, we invite everyone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. Recycling or avoiding plastic bags is simply not enough. Instead, we are called to an ecological conversion – a change of heart that enables us to live in harmony with God’s creation. Let us be more responsible in our consumption habits, reduce waste, promote sustainable transport such as carpooling, and be mindful of our resource use.

We encourage everyone in our Parish community to think about ways as to how we can reduce single-use plastic, improve recycling for paper, glass, plastics and metals, and lessen energy and water waste at home as well as in our Parish buildings. These may seem like small steps, but when everyone does their part, it creates an effective ripple effect. 

Let this formation be more than just an event, let it be the beginning of a new Parish lifestyle. We are called to become a community that cares – one that teaches our children the value of creation, supports each other in green initiatives, and influences our wider society by living out Gospel values through ecological awareness.

Each of us can take a moment to reflect on the daily choices we make: what are the choices that I am making daily that either harm or help God’s creation? Think about small changes you might initiate at home, at the workplace, or at school that make a real difference. As a parish family, let’s find ways to support and encourage one another through this meaningful journey. Together, let us embrace this call as a joyful mission, filled with love for the earth, for generations to come.