Meaningful Corpus Christi Celebration for Myanmar Community

On Sunday, 29th May 2016, we celebrated the feast of “Corpus Christi”, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, a most adorable Sacrament in our Catholic Church. Due to certain circumstances, we were unable to have any special celebration or procession to make it a more significant and memorable event.

The Myanmarese community in the Klang Valley had the privilege of having two visitors from their home country – Bishop Felix Lian Khea Thang from the Diocese of Kayal, Myanmar and Rev. Fr. John Zokhan Mztou Ng – who are here on a pastoral visit. This is Bishop Felix’s second pastoral visit to Kuala Lumpur. His first trip was a year ago. The visitors arrived on 26th May (Thursday) and stayed with me in my parish house till 3rd June (Friday). Everyday they made appointments to visit the BECs and families of the Myanmar community.

Normally, our Myanmar community celebrates Masses in our parish on the 2nd and 4th weekend of the month. This year the feast of Corpus Christi fell on the 5th Week of the month and it was not a weekend Mass for this community. When I heard that the Bishop and priest were arriving in our parish two days before, I contacted the Myanmar committee to discuss and plan a special Mass for their community with just two days notice. I was certainly very impressed with the Myanmar (ZOMI) community. By sending short messages and making phone calls within four days, an estimated 1000 Myanmarese turned up for the weekend Mass and it was more overwhelming than usual. With such short notice they made the necessary arrangements to be present and participate in the Mass.

Just before the Mass we exposed the Blessed Sacrament at the Altar at 11.00 am and they did the praise and worship for 30 minutes as a community. The Mass began at 11.30 am followed by a procession around the Church compound with the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. After that the community had fellowship with their Bishop.

Just an update on our form 5 catechism students who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation – They were away for a 3-day retreat at Church of St. Theresa, Nilai with their respective Catechism teachers. The retreat was conducted by Mr Marcus and his team from Church of the Holy Family Kajang. During the Pentecost Vigil, some of these students spent an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament reflecting on the Seven Gifts of Holy Spirit. In a month’s time they will be receiving the Sacrament in our Church from Archbishop Julian Leow.

We have concluded the Month of Rosary and Novena to St. Joseph the Worker with the feast of the Visitation (Mary visits Elizabeth) on 31st May. Mary is so filled with Holy Spirit that she bursts forth in a hymn of praise to God. Similarly, let’s us be more charitable and hospitable to our fellow brothers and sisters in our words and acts and give gratitude to God for the great things He has done for our families and community. It is fitting for us to continue reflecting on this Magnificat, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…” (Lk 1:46-55).

ARE YOU THINKING OF JOINING THE RCIA?

The Month of May, dedicated to Our Lady and St Joseph, ends with the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31 May 2015). I believe that the BECs have prepared some special event to mark the closing of this ‘prayer-filled’ month. This past one month, all of you as individuals, BECs and families have had a fruitful time in sharing your personal testimony of the power of the Rosary, praying and evangelising the good news to your neighbours. Throughout this month of May, the intercessions of Mother Mary and Saint Joseph have kept all of you united and in harmony in our BECs and families. I strongly encourage you to continue reciting the rosary and St Joseph’s prayer so as to continue bringing your family together. Don’t let your day pass without praying the rosary and novena because they are the weapons against evil.

My dear parishioners, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for the year 2016/2017 will be commenced in mid-June. At the previous RCIA programme (2015/2016), we had 12 candidates who successfully completed the course. I am expecting more candidates to register for this coming session. It is our individual duty to recommend or introduce those who are interested in the faith to our Catholic Church so that they can journey through our RCIA programme in order to discover the meaning of life as well as God in their life. The RCIA is a spiritual formation and a discernment process which will help these candidates to learn more about Catholicism for a year through a series of classes, discussions, prayers and ceremonies. RCIA sessions are held every Tuesday evening from 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm, mainly in English and Tamil at the formation rooms.

These are some questions that you can ask interested candidates and yourself:

•   Are you interested to know more about Christianity and Catholicism?

•   Are you interested to learn about God, Jesus Christ, and the Catholic faith, the Catholic Church?

•   Are you an adult baptised Catholic but who has not yet received the Sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation for whatever reasons?

•   Are you married to a Catholic, attend Mass and are now considering to take the next step to be a member of the Catholic Church and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church?

•   Have you been away or left the Catholic Church for any reason, but wish now to re-examine your thoughts about the Church’s teachings and traditions, practices or beliefs and to seek clarification?

•   Are you a baptised Christian of another denomination who wishes to know more about Catholicism?

•   Are you a baptised Catholic but desire to continue your personal faith journey and to develop a deeper spirituality?

•   Are you a baptised Christian of another denomination who wishes to know more about Catholicism?

•   Are you in search of a meaningful life?

•   Finally, are you searching for God?

We welcome you with open arms to the RCIA journey to ensure you have a very comforting and spiritual experience.

MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER

The high point of the Easter season is over. It concluded last Sunday with the Feast of the Pentecost. On 16th May, we returned to Sundays in Ordinary Time. There is one theme that marks the Ordinary Time of the liturgical year, it is the theme of growth in Christian living. The liturgical colour green symbolises life and growth, as we know from nature. Ordinary Time will take us to the end of the liturgical year (26 November 2016).

Growth is a practical and everyday concern. We, human beings are naturally spiritual and our unique awareness of spirituality marks humanity as distinct. Our Christianity as a whole is centered on a relationship with God. Christian life is not possible without a relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. As we return to Ordinary Time and to the daily challenges of living the Christian life, let us know that we are not alone in the struggle. God the Father is on our side, Jesus Christ the Son of God is on our side, the Holy Spirit the Power of God Most High is on our side. Now this is hope, this is hope that never disappoints us.

Our goal of life is to be at one with God. This is attained through Christ in whom we have access to the Father. Our hope is to share in God’s glory. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

If we want to grow spiritually we should make continuous progress in our prayer life and hope that this prayer journey becomes our way of life and way of peace. We are still struggling to begin our day with prayers. If we do not focus on prayer from the very start  of our day, we are likely to fall off track. The less we pray, the more we are in danger of sin. Prayer is the number one thing in our daily lives that deepens our relationship with God.

Prayer is the most important part of our day. The more we make daily prayer a habit, the more effective we will be. Our days need to be prayerful, so that we can make the plan of God a reality to guide our families and ourselves in the way of holiness and peace.

Often we find ourselves so busy that we forget to deepen our own spiritual life. Being busy can be an impediment in our journey to holiness. During the Ordinary Time, let us re-focus on prayer and the Sacraments; focus on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and our ministries so that we can grow in   holiness and peace.

LET US EXPERIENCE A ‘PERSONAL REBIRTH’ THIS PENTECOST

Pentecost celebration concludes the Easter season. It marks the birth of the Church on earth and affirms that “Jesus is the Lord and King of the Kingdoms of the earth” (Ps 67). The Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost that we might forever carry out firmly our Church mission in preaching, celebrating Jesus in the Sacraments and in all events of our lives.

Since Lent and immediately after Easter Sunday I noticed that many of you are seeking for a renewal in your faith and desiring to grow in the love of Christ and the Church. Some of you come a little early spending a few minutes in prayers on your own before the Eucharistic celebrations begin. I have also encountered a few lapsed Catholics who are now finding their way back into our church. That’s great!

Whatever problems or issues arise, Church has the answer for all your searching. The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of everyone. Just faithfully carry out your Christian commitments either at home or church or in your work place. Do participate and involve yourself in the various ministries and you will experience the enhancement in your faith life. No matter what, our Church will assist you in your faith and keep you on the right path to life of holiness.

Our Novenas and Feast Day to St Joseph has brought us to the height of our parish feast day and Easter celebrations. Personally, I felt that these celebrations have touched my faith even deeper and made me take a step closer to Jesus. As your priest I do take my priestly commitments seriously and work towards strengthening your faith despite issues that arise here and there in the various ministries. On your part I do see all of you giving the best of yourselves, time and efforts to make things successful in your ministries.

On 13 May 2016 (Friday) the Church celebrated the 99^th Year anniversary of our Lady of Fatima. The Angel of Peace appeared three times to the shepherd children, Lucia (10), Francisco (8) and Jacinta (6) in the beginning of 1916. These visitations prepared the way for the six apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima the following year in 1917. The Church will mark 100 years since the Fatima apparitions in the year 2017.

The central message of Fatima was urging the faithful disciples to prayer as the path of “salvation for souls” and “to stay on the narrow path to Heaven”. It also calls us to do penance and conversion and a daily turning away from sin. At all six appearances, the Virgin Mary only requested for us to pray the Rosary, every day, which can help, save our souls.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth,” (Acts 1: 8).

Wish all of you my dear parishioners “Happy Pentecost Day!”