A FEAST DAY TO REMEMBER

Our parish’s feast day of St. Joseph, the Worker went well and everyone was happy. We prepared for the feast day with novenas for nine days, which started on 22 April to 1 May 2018.

The first day was celebrated by Nuncio Archbishop Marino Joseph and concelebrated by both Fr. William Michael and I. His Excellency blessed the 110th anniversary (1908-2018) of our parish flag and officiated the celebration on 22 April 2018. Then, for the next three days, Fr. Robert Daniel from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin, Ipoh celebrated the novenas. Subsequent days were celebrated by Fr. Clarence Dass, Fr. Edwin Peter, Fr. Putti Martin, Fr. John Gnanapragasam, Fr. Sebastian OFM and Fr. Alan Pereira.

Despite the rainy days, there was an increase in the number of devotees each day. On the first day of Novena we were supposed to have a flag raising ceremony at the Church car park but due to a heavy downpour, we only had the flag raising after Mass. His Excellency Marino Joseph apologised for not being present at the flag raising ceremony, as he had to leave directly after Mass, to attend prior appointments. However, it was indeed a blessing to have him with us during the opening celebration of our Patron Saint.

On Tuesday, 1 May 2018, Fr. John Gnanapragasam celebrated Mass and Anointing of the Sick for the elderly and the infirmed, at 11.00am. Fr. Putti Martin and I concelebrated with him. Our closing feast day celebration was celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow in the evening on 1 May 2018. After the Eucharistic celebration, he led a procession with the Blessed Sacrament and concluded our Feast Day with the Benediction.

Approximately 1500 parishioners and pilgrims participated in our feast day celebrations. It was raining non-stop and I was worried and anxious that we would not make the procession with the Blessed Sacrament. However, the Lord blessed us with fine weather that night. Every one of us was able to walk prayerfully, in a beautiful candlelight procession.

On Monday, 30 April, there was a heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning. This then affected the electricity supply and the PA System in the Church. Thankfully, Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) technicians were able to successfully rectify the problem the very next day. Shaun Paiva and his team also managed to rectify the Church sound system problems just before we began the feast day celebration.

A series of hiccups and problems occurred throughout our celebrations. Frankly speaking, I was so anxious and agitated at times. However, the Lord challenged me to encounter them without being afraid, and to stand firm, move forward and put my trust in Him. He will guide us continually (Isaiah 58:11), and do not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6) because He is our strength and power (2 Samuel 22:33) and for He has promised to “repay two blessings for each of your troubles.” (Zechariah 9:12).

As your parish priest, I would like to take an opportunity to thank our Feast Day Committee 2018, under the leadership of Leonard Paiva. They worked hard around the clock, to make the 110th Anniversary celebrations a memorable one. Everything turned out well, and I could not have been more pleased.

Thumbs up to all of you my dear parishioners! Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

“You are my friends, if you do what I command you,” (John 15:14).

A friend is a person whom one knows well and is fond of; intimate associate; close acquaintance. Friends serve because they care. Friends of Jesus will go with Jesus and will give ones life for the poor, the outcast, the homeless and the lost. Friends, on the other hand, know that God always loves them, and in this love, they are free to serve one another joyfully.

How many of you get joy from being judged? How many of you get joy being condemned? Mother Theresa once said, “if you spend all your time judging people, there is no time left to love them.” Do concentrate on our walk with Jesus and don’t waste our time trying to figure out about others and just leave the judgment up to Him! Jesus knows all our failings and shortcomings and yet He loves us. Do we lose God’s love?

Jesus said, “This is my commandment: Love one another the way I love you.” What Jesus has for us is LOVE. We are His friends. He loves us.

I AM THE TRUE VINE

Jesus says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches,” (Jn 15: 5). Jesus is the True Vine. The word “true” means, “genuine and real.” The word “vine” literally means, “root,” or “trunk.” Since we are abiding in Him, we are invited to bear good fruit. 

Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine connected to a branch and we are connected to Him. He is talking about a permenant abiding, enduring and deeply rooted in Him. When we are connected in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Real Vine, we will bear much fruit, fruit that endures forever. He emphasises what it means to live a faithful and fruitful life.

The fruit we will bear begins inside of us and touches the lives of others especially the lives of our families and communities. We must develop in faith and become mature in faith before we can expect to receive in faith and bear fruit.

Our responsibility is to stay as close to Jesus as we can. When we are faithful, we will be fruitful and it is our responsibility to go forward in our Christian lives, growing in fruitfulness.

PRAYER AND FASTING FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION

Last Sunday, 22 April 2018, our Parish had invited Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan, a prominent Malaysian lawyer and human rights advocate for a Pre-General Election 14 dialogue session. I have read and heard about her and also seen her at the BERSIH Rally from a distance. This was the first time I had an opportunity to meet her in person. She looks very pleasant. I admire her courageous spirit, and being a renowned speaker, I was a nervous cat when she walked into my office, but she was polite in all respects.

Approximately 450 people attended the talk. She spoke generally on the preparation for the upcoming General Election, transparency in the election process and encouraged every registered voter to turn up for voting on Election Day. We need to be united as a nation to bring about change for the betterment of the people in our country. I was quite happy with our parishioners during the Question and Answer session, where they put forward relevant questions.

Dato Ambiga strongly emphasised that every single vote counts. In the last election an estimated 80% of the eligible voters turned up to vote. In this upcoming election everyone is hoping to reach 90% voter turnout on Election Day. All voters must not take care not to spoil their votes because every vote counts. If 90% of the voters turn up to vote on 9 May 2018, then there is a great possibility of forming a new and decent government. Make the right choice.

Our country is a democratic nation. Democracy is a system that gives its citizens the right to choose their leaders and equal opportunity to be a part of the decision-making process or the betterment and interest of the people without any discrimination. Democratic policy makes a successful, peaceful and just government. Unfortunately, our democracy has been corrupted and it needs healing. Our rakyat needs a policy that shows their power of freedom. Everyone wants the rakyat to win. We need leaders who can render service for our rakyat and country by genuinely upholding the Federal Constitution and bring a new spirit in the rakyat in every way possible.

The leaders in Prophet Micah’s day did not lead the people towards God, but away from Him. What does God require of our leaders? God wants our new leaders with integrity who realise that they have commitments and responsibilities to their fellow citizens as prophet Micah says, “Act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God,” (Micah 6:8). Jesus always did what was right. Our new leaders are called to be just and to do what is right from the heart.

The Catholic Bishops Conference invites us to observe a Day of Prayer and Fasting for General Election 14. In our parish we shall observe a 24-hour Day of Prayer starting from Friday, 4 May to Saturday, 5 May 2018. We invite all the 34 BECS and various ministries in our parish to take part in this 24-hour of Day of Prayer and Fasting to promote clean, free and neutral elections and for committed leaders in our nation. The schedules and programmes for the 24-hour Prayer session will be sent by end of April to the respective leaders via emails and whatssap. I need the cooperation from all of you to participate in the call to prayer.

Let’s pray for all candidates who will be standing for this coming election that they may have courage to walk in the path of peace in this time of discernment, election, and transition. May everyone continue to promote liberty and freedom, justice and peace for all.

CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME

On Sunday, 15 April 2018, our Catechism students showcased an exhibition and performance, in line with the theme “Care for the Common Home” (Laudato Si). The students, along with their parents and teachers, gathered at Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas at 10.30am, where products crafted with recycled material such as aluminum cans, old newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, plastic, plastic bottles, and aluminum foil, were displayed.

Some of the recycled exhibits were quite interesting and informative, and there were some eye-catching craft items too. There was a fancy dress display, using only recycled materials such as plastic, old CDs and paper which highlighted the importance of recycling, as well as to remind us not to deliberately litter or waste precious resources, and to reduce the use of plastic.

I was happy to see parents attend the exhibition and enjoy the children’s presentations. A video slide was shown to parents, informing them on how to protect, preserve and restore the Earth’s natural environment. The objective of this  awareness programme was to awaken the parents’ role in educating their children about the importance of conserving our environment. This event has sparked a conscious decision amongst our children and parents to make a serious effort and take steps towards being responsible and accountable for the protection of our planet.

In what ways can we help preserve and protect our environment for the next generation, and reduce the destruction of eco-systems?

a   a)   We can avoid burning garbage. Instead, separate your trash and recycle items such as cans, cartons, paper and plastic bottles at designated recycling centers. Recycling items will help lessen global warming and reduce climate change.

b)   Do not litter rubbish everywhere and avoid throwing chemicals down the drain because this can cause air, water and land pollution. Dispose chemical waste responsibly.

c)    Reduce the amount of water, electricity and petrol we use. Turn off lights, televisions, air-conditioners and other appliances when not in use or when you leave the room.

d)   We should practice using our own reusable bags and containers when shopping for clothes, books or food. This will reduce the need plastic bags, which in turn, reduces waste and pollution. You also can save twenty-sen each time you shop!

e)    Print only when necessary in order to save paper and recycle the paper after using it.

f)     If possible, plant vegetables in your own backyard.

g)    Avoid driving your car if it is a short distance. or car pool when you come for Mass rather than driving separately.

Let’s play our part in conserving the environment in order to protect the future of our planet. Our efforts need not be on a grand scale - every little sacrifice, every little change in attitude - towards the betterment of our planet, helps. I believe that you can make this positive change in your daily lifestyle, to ultimately contribute towards the well-being of our home, Mother Earth.

“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (POPE FRANCIS’ Encyclical “Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Common home”).