TO SERVE THE LORD AND HIS PEOPLE

Fr. Mari Arokiam served in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur as a priest for 26 years. He was born on 9 October 1958 and was ordained as a priest on 8 September 1992, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His ordination theme: “My Soul Glorifies the Lord…” (LK 1:46). He was a charismatic preacher and a good singer. I came to know him when Fr. William and I were seminarians, doing our one-month pastoral work in St Joseph’s Church, Sentul. He always motivated, encouraged and supported the young seminarians as well as the youngsters, who were aspirants into priesthood.

He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 2017 and during his homily he said, “One day when I am dead and gone, I want to be remembered as a faithful priest who had compassion.” Indeed, he was a compassionate priest, especially towards the poor communities in the Felda Estates, when he was the Parish Priest of Church of John Marie Vianney in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. I still remember how we travelled to rubber and oil palm estates in Palong, Getcho, Bahau (bordering Pahang), Kuala Pilah, Gemas, Gemenceh and Tampin. He mainly ministered to the poor communities working in estates, Indonesian migrants and army personnel from East Malaysia, who lived in rural areas. He travelled without any qualm for 40-150kms almost three days a week. He had an intense passion to serve these small communities.

Fr Mari was a Senator of Negeri Sembilan District from 2006 to 2011. I remember an incident in 2007, when Fr. Mari and I traveled to Getcho Estate (about 120 kms from Tampin town) to hear the confessions of the 20 people who were staying in that particular estate. It was a 2-hour drive on a drizzly day. While driving, suddenly a cow crossed the small rural road we were on, and our vehicle bumped into it. Fr. Mari stopped the car at once to check on the animal, and luckily, it just ran away unharmed. His car however, was slightly dented - but we were grateful to God that neither cow, vehicle nor passengers, were hurt.

In these last five years, Fr. Mari has had some complications with his health, due to severe diabetes. He complained about pain, cramping and tiredness in his legs and feet, especially when walking and climbing stairs. There were several occasions when doctors had advised him to amputate his leg, due to the severity of his condition and the risk of onset arterial disease. However, with much determination and prayer, he managed to make it though, without requiring amputation. I admired him for this because, despite his medical complications, he didn't feel useless or irrelevant. He never failed to celebrate Mass at the Church of Assumption, Petaling Jaya (2016-2018) and in various other parishes, if there was a need.

Fr. Mari returned to the Lord on 15 September 2018, on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at approximately 7.30pm. Despite aches and pain - and like Our Lady of Sorrows, who pondered them in her heart - Fr Mari too pondered them deep in his heart. These last few years, he was a quieter man, and often deep in prayer. Whenever he texted me, he always ended with “MMLU” (Mother Mary Loves You). He was very devoted to Our Lady, and his prayers mattered in his pain. His love for Mother Mary had given him much strength and will power to bear it patiently, and to go on in his priestly ministry to serve the Lord and His people, till his last breath.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

TO BE GREAT DISCIPLES

“If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all,” (MK 9:35).

Our loving God gave all of us certain talents and gifts so that we may be able to enjoy life here on earth and that we may be able to use them to make a living and serving one another.

Jesus knew that the greatest service we can do for one another is to accept one another and to see another person as important and valuable. We tend to focus on our own needs, our own desires and our own goals. It is good for us to focus our attention on the needs of others. Whether we are young or old we should serve one another and the needy as well.

Jesus takes a little one and brings them close to his heart. He embraces them. He tells us that we are to do the same with all others - not just children - but all people. All we need to do is be open and receptive. We are to receive them in our hearts. We are to treat all people with the same respect and love that we do for our own family and for ourselves.

Do we want to ask Jesus to help us find ways we can be of service to others?

A TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and followe me.” (Mark 8:34).

Jesus Christ willingly gave up everything on the cross so that we could have forgiveness of sin and salvation. Those of us who want to be his followers must also be willing to take up our cross, give up everything and follow him.

Today’s Gospel is all about discipleship. Jesus has an interesting interaction with His disciples, especially Simon Peter. Following Jesus means to walk in His footsteps and where he leads us to go. We must desire to follow Jesus. It means a will to choose to obey him in every area.

Following Jesus affects our lifestyles and our day-to-day behavior. It requires faith, commitment and daily devotion to God’s will and purpose for our lives.


Are you following your own way or Jesus’ way? Let’s renew our commitments to really give God our soul and our life for Jesus and his Church.

BRIDGING BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS

Sometime in August 2018, a group of five from National Unity and National Integration department - Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur walked into my office. I was shocked at first and wondered what was the purpose of their visitation.  I welcomed them and we greeted each other.  The head of the group, En. Ramli bin Ngah explained the reason for the visit.  He and his department staff were then making plans to pay a visit to our Church and a few other religious places of worship in Sentul on 8 September 2018. 

Their main objectives were to forge a friendly and harmonious relationship with residents of the neighbourhood, initiate religious exposure programme for their staff and dialogue among the main religions in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.  This exposure programme is part of their department’s preparation for Malaysia Day celebration on September 16, 2018. They were quite happy when I agreed with their intentions and at once we set the time and date. They, then sent an official letter from the department and made a phone call to reconfirm their visit.  Our Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs (PMEIA) took the responsibility to make the necessary arrangements under the leadership of Eleanor, the chairperson of PMEIA.

En. Sukri, the head of the JPNIN of Wilayah Persekutuan department and his assistant En. Ramli together with their convoy consisting of 50 persons (Malays, Indians and Chinese) came to St. Joseph’s Church on Saturday, 8 September 2018 at 11.30am.  Prior to this they had paid their visits to Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu temples in Sentul.  After welcoming them with some refreshment at our church hall we immediately adjourned for a dialogue and Q&A session. 

I briefed them about our Church establishments and their history and they asked a few questions pertaining to Christianity and our beliefs. Among the issues raised were: “why are there so many different denominations and sects of Christianity, who is Jesus Christ, why is there a Pope and what is the role of Vatican?” 

During this session they also questioned on the works of charity undertaken in our parish.  I explained the role of our Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) especially on our fortnightly outreach to the poor and the annual School Uniform campaign.  I emphasised that our outreach includes all races, the migrants and refugees. 

 After this dialogue session, they invited a few of our representatives to be present at Masjid Al-Hidayah Mosque, Sentul which is situated 500 meters away from St. Joseph’s church. The Ustaz, political leaders and priests from Hindu,  Taoist and Buddhist temples were also present  at the mosque. After the speeches by various guests, all were invited to fellowship and lunch.

 The PMEIA was formed a couple of months ago in our parish and this meeting with the JPNIN is their second project.  The JPNIN’s team’s focus is to build unity, friendship and harmony among residents of neighbourhoods within our nation. Next year our parish mission will be on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue as part of our mission towards New Evangelisation 2020.  I am glad that our PMEIA has started off on the right foot, having established the necessary connections and must now continue to build the unity bridge with people of other Faiths in our vicinity.

 

So far we have only 5 members in this ministry and I encourage more of our parishioners to participate. We welcome you parishioners to join in this ministry and to work together towards next year’s vision and mission of our parish.

“Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, so it is a duty for Christians as well as other religious communities.” (Pope Francis)

REKINDLING THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

These past two months, the Spiritual Retreat Working Committee 2018, has gone all-out to recruit parishioners and non-parishioners to register for the Spiritual Retreat. In total, they recruited 221 people (156 from our parish and 75 from other parishes). Despite a long weekend break, I am really happy to hear the total number of people who have signed up for this three-day Spiritual Retreat, which commenced on 31 August - 2 September 2018.

Oh yes, we all ought to take our hats off to the organising committee led by Alan Jong for their tireless effort and excellent commitment. I personally take pleasure in congratulating all the participants who have showed their interest in attending the retreat. Our Retreat Master, Rev Fr Roni George and his companion Bro Milen from Divine Retreat Center in Sydney, Australia were both pleased to guide us during this spiritual retreat, and they were happy with the well-planned coordination of the whole event.

I didn't sit through the entire retreat, but I was fascinated with the Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick, which were added into the programme. The Eucharistic Adoration was held for three days at the respective hour, and it helped participants to listen with their hearts, intercede for their many needs and for encourage transformation in their personal lives. The adoration was a time of grace, a time of repentance and a time of renewing their hearts.

On the second day, there was time set aside for individual confession. Six priests were available to hear confessions – Fr Roni George, Fr Eugene Benedict, Fr Mari Arokiam, Fr Michael Chua, Fr Dominic Tan and I. We managed to hear the confessions of all participants within 2 hours. Most of the penitents came with deep regrets at how they have failed to live their Christian lives and after confession they felt much relief and they have come to realise how much God loves them.

On the third day, Fr Roni administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for the participants as a closing of the retreat. It was a special moment to experience the elimination of anxiety, abolishing fear, inspiring confidence in the Lord Jesus and healing of physical body, mind, body and spirit. For me, these three spiritual activities were undoubtedly the most touching and inspiring.

Many participants have personally shared with me that the retreat has enriched their faith and rekindled their relationship with Christ. It has given our participants the discipline to create a time for prayer, every day in their lives and be focused on the presence of God. I hope all of them will enthusiastically carry out the mission of Christ in their particular circumstances, and remain faithful to Him.

Once again, a big thank you to all who attended and participated in our parish retreat. Thank you also to the team of helpers, including Altar Servers and Youth, who contributed to the success of the retreat.

We thank God for His guidance and blessings. May He continue to bless the participants, organising committee and in particular, the preachers of our retreat - Fr Roni and his companion, Bro Milen - abundantly!