CELEBRATE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Advent began on 29 November 2020 and we are finally in the Christmas season – a season that will last till 10 January 2021, when we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus. This Christmas is going to be one of mixed-feelings for many because we are still unable to participate in the Eucharistic celebration as Masses continue to be suspended due to the spike in numbers of COVID-19 cases, especially in the Klang Valley. The year 2020 will certainly go down in history as a Christmas without the Eucharistic celebration for those of us in the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese. Hopefully, with God’s mercy and compassion, we will be able to start afresh in 2021. 

For all of us, this Christmas will be different from all other years before, and for many of us, it will be the first time that we are physically absent from Church during Christmas Mass and will not be receiving the Eucharist. Yes! It is going to be an odd sensation for me too, as I celebrate Mass on my own at the main sanctuary of the Church without my congregation. I still remember the feeling I get every Christmas Eve Mass; I always feel overwhelmed, especially when the choir sings the classical melody - “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Unfortunately, the songs of the choir will not be echoing in our Church this year, and our Parishioners will not be able to admire the beautifully decorated Church premises.

 

However, despite the situation and circumstance, we still have to press on with our lives, and remember that the coming of our Saviour is the reason for this season. So, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Celebrate with immediate family at home, praying and thanking God for all His blessings, and remain safe while strictly adhering to the SOPs set by the government.

 

I would like to share some good news with my dearest Parishioners on this Christmas Day. After praying and reflecting recently, I wrote a letter to His Grace Archbishop Julian Leow on 11 December 2020, requesting him to declare the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, a Pilgrim Parish. His Grace was in favour of this and has designated our Parish as a Pilgrim Centre for the Year 2021, in conjunction with the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church by the Holy Father Pope Francis, who recently announced the Year of St Joseph and Plenary Indulgence from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.

 

So, my dear Parishioners, it is going to be another hectic and happening year for us! It will be an opportunity to revamp our Parish and take it to greater heights! Once we start reopening our church for Masses and various activities, I hope Parishioners will be energetic, spirited and motivated to get involved in various ministries, formations and activities. The two key words we need to bear in mind when we launch the Year of St Joseph are, - welcoming and hospitable – especially towards pilgrims. St Joseph has been our Parish Patron since 1908, so let’s continue to pray and imitate the virtues of St Joseph, and through his intercession, may he bring success to the work of our hands.

 

On that note, I would like to wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas. May your lives be filled with God’s good gifts, abundant joy and heaven’s peace. “...the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow dark as death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79).

A SEASON OF GIVING AND SHARING

A week prior to Christmas, every year, the Parish Integral of Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) of the Church of St Joseph in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, holds the annual School Uniform Campaign cum Christmas gathering for underprivileged local and migrant school children living within the vicinity of Sentul. It has always been the Church’s tradition to support these school children especially during this time of year, as Christmas is a season for giving and sharing.Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Conditional Movement Controlled Order (CMCO), we faced numerous challenges in trying to organise the campaign this year. However, we are thankful to Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara, the Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, for his support and generous contribution, which made it possible for us to proceed with this annual school uniform campaign.

Initially, the PIHDM decided to forego the School Uniform Campaign this year due to the pandemic, financial difficulties faced by many including our Parishioners, as well as the suspension of Mass celebrations and gatherings within the Church premises. Fortunately, Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara has impelled, encouraged and motivated us to commit ourselves to this outreach. We thank him for his support and kind generosity towards this worthy cause. As we began making preparations for this event, a few other well-wishers have come along to support our project this year.

Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara will be officiating the event, bringing Christmas cheer to the underprivileged school children, on Sunday, 20 December 2020 at Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas, Church of St. Joseph, Sentul at 11.00am. 

 

Due to the implementation of the CMCO, we have only invited 20 underprivileged school children to attend the event this year. The remaining 230 children will either be given vouchers and directed to the designated shop to redeem their uniforms, or will have their uniforms delivered to them, if they are unable to collect them personally. As per the usual practice, we distribute uniform sets worth RM150 for each student. This consists of two (2) sets of shirts, trousers or pinafores, a school bag, a pair of shoes and stationery.

 

In previous years, the PIHDM would usually organise a fund-raising project by reaching out to our Parishioners for contributions and support towards this meaningful event. Two months before Christmas, the PIHDM would begin their preparations and stage-by-stage fundraising exercise. We encourage Parishioners to “adopt a child” with a minimum RM100 donation, in order to support this event. Our target was to reach out to around 450 - 500 underprivileged children.

One month or so before the distribution of school uniforms, we would invite the children for a fitting session, to determine their uniform and shoe sizes. After purchasing the relevant sets, we would pack these accordingly, in preparation for collection day. The distribution of the Uniform sets is usually held a week before Christmas, and on that day, the children are treated to an afternoon of entertainment, carols, activities, games and fellowship to bring the joy of Christmas into their hearts.

We have successfully carried out this campaign without fail for many years because of the support and contributions of the kind-hearted Parishioners of St Joseph’s Church. In addition to the annual School Uniform Campaign, the PIHDM reaches out to our adoptees (poor families) by providing a monthly provision of essential groceries. These past four years, we have also celebrated World Day of the Poor and Parish Family Day on the third Sunday of November with these families and all our Parishioners.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara, Datuk Seri Magiln Dennis D’Cruz (Chairman of Persatuan Pembangunan Progresif - PPP Malaysia), the PIHDM committee members, many individuals, sponsors and Parishioners who have worked tirelessly towards the success of this event. As we come to the close of the year 2020, despite the pandemic, we have truly had a fulfilling year working together with one spirit. The year comes to end with another memorable and significant event, as we share the joy of Christmas with those less fortunate than us. We have realised our Parish Mission for the year 2020, “To Embrace the 5Ls (Last, Lost, Least. Little and Lonely)” so let us look forward and walk towards the Year 2021, the Year of Saint Joseph, as announced by the Holy Father Pope Francis, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron Saint of the Universal Church.

JESUS IS OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT

We have finally come to the 4th week of Advent, the last week of our preparation for the Christmas celebration. It has so far an unpleasant Spirit of Advent and is a very difficult time of the year for me. I personally didn’t prepare much for this Christmas and hence I don’t have much to say this season, and my reason is primarily because of how COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down many of our spiritual exercises these past 10 months.

In the 1st week of Advent itself, we have started to set up Crib and light up the Church compound with Christmas light. The Christmas Crib was placed at the main gate next to the Shrine of St. Joseph, the Worker. It is meant to make things easier more convenient for people to pay homage at the Crib and leave the Church at once. We placed the figurine of Mother Mary and Joseph inside the Crib on the day of Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of Mary, a day that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, inaugurated the Year of St Joseph – just to mark that day as a special day for us, and also a special year for all of us. 

Fast forwarding, in 5 days’ time, we will be celebrating Christmas - celebration of the Word Made Flesh (Jn 1:14). In today’s Gospel (LK 1: 26-38), Mary has found favour with God. She has chosen to bear to God’s only begotten Son in her womb as she responded - “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Your word.”

 

When we look at the life of Mary, we can imagine how tough she would have gone through her life when the child was conceived and how God’s Son was brought into the world. She was willing to take risk in her life and her own reputation to carry out the plan God had. Still a human, she was afraid and wondered how this plan but God affirmed her, “Do not be afraid!” Her faith in God’s plan was strong and constant, that she gave all of herself to His will. She was indeed the favoured one.

 

God’s favour came to Mary, because of her simplicity and humility. Through her faith and her “Yes” - the Word became flesh. This is indeed a great example that we can take after, and we need to be like more and more like this wonderful woman. We need to imitate her faith in God, by saying “Yes” in doing God’s favour in all things. Mary chose to submit to His plan by letting go of her own life, and so should we. More of God, Less of me.  In choosing to do God’s favour, our prayers should be - “Here, I am Lord, I come to do your will.” Our willingness and submission to the will of God will open for us, the Grace of God. 

 

As we look closely at the Mother Mary and her response to God’s favour, our faith requires this ongoing submission to God’s plan and conversion of our hearts.  So from now, till Christmas day, let us take a closer look at the life of Mary and how she has responded to God’s invitation and wills, throughout her life as we know.

 

We need to really understand Christmas during this COVID-19 pandemic. It is not how we want to spend on Christmas but rather how are we going to spend Christmas with our families. The holiday season is here and it is very good idea if we stay in, and spend that quality time with our loved ones. With the spirit of humility, let us pray that God’s favour comes upon us as we say - “not my will but yours” and cooperate with His plan by saying “Yes” to Him.

BE JOYFUL AND REJOICE IN THE LORD

3^rd Sunday of Advent – Homily

A close friend of mine has shared with me that he had a recent encounter with one of his siblings after more than 35 years of no contact, over a personal misunderstanding. He spent more than an hour, having a heart to heart talk with his sibling. He added this meeting, this Advent felt very different.  It is very moving!  The season has led his heart to have more concern and care this sibling, like an inner ecstatic rejoicing, as a result of a repaired relationships. As they started to heal, and rebuild block by block, towards a healthier relationship between them, their healing hearts also start radiate and emit the Joy of Christ.

Our Third Sunday of Advent is also always known as “Gaudete Sunday” – to rejoice and be glad because the Lord is near. As we are fast approaching Christmas, it is also time for us to repair any of our broken relationships, roll back all our worries, frustrations and hurt feelings and let GOD be in control of them. Advent season is also that time that gives us an opportunity to undergo another positive transformation. It prepares our hearts to welcome the Lord, again, into our lives, and one of the best way of healing is really to repent for our wrong doings and ask for His intimate forgiveness. Just ask sincerely, “God, I am sorry … forgive me for …”

Truly, it’s a guarantee that this season of Advent, will be extra special, because we make every effort to correct ourselves, and reconcile with our unfinished or unsettled “businesses”. Jesus will be born in our humble abode of our hearts, and the we will definitely feel the fiery joy of Christmas, lighting our paths in our the gloom of our hearts.  

We have arrived the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and John the Baptist shows us the Light and the Light is getting brighter and brighter as we come closer to Christmas. Today’s Gospel (Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28) speaks about the work of John the Baptist calls us “to bear witness to the Light.” Before the arrival of Jesus, people were living in darkness and waiting for the Light. When the Light came into the world, it dispelled the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome the Light. The Light of Christ can never be extinguished from our lives, and with Hope, Love and Jesus, the Light of our lives penetrates sharply and overcomes our spiritual darkness, and shining our paths, so that we may walk in the Light of Truth. That way, we can always see where we are walking, and hopefully reduce our slips, trips and falls.    

One of our life purposes, is to search for happiness. From time to time, we lose this happiness in our lives because we left the main highway, and pursue worldly things. We easily pick up bad habits and be distracted from our main highway to the Heavens, and before we know it – we are back in the dark cold surrounding.  Guess what, that could be temporary – and we can discipline ourselves and get back to the main road, by dropping unhealthy attitudes and behaviour. Push away our pride, selfishness – instead make way for humility and charitable heart. That way, you reopen that door in your hearts and let the joy of Christ, radiate back into our lives. It is hard and not easy, but it’s definitely doable, letting go and let God! Jesus will bring with Him, gifts of inner peace and joy, and that state of feeling safe?  That’s Jesus, and no one can and will separate us.

Therefore, we should always be joyful and rejoice in the Lord, (1 Thess 5: 16-24), and pray unceasingly. Pray today that we may have the courage to straighten up those rough, rocky and rugged spots in our lives and make way for the Christmas Light to shine strong and bright in our lives. Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice!

RENEW OUR FIDELITY TO PRAYER

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 Dec 2020), the Holy Father, Pope Francis, released his Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde” (With a Father’s Heart) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church in 1870. This year, the Holy Father has declared “The Year of Saint Joseph” commencing from 8 December 2020 until 8 December 2021, as a year of Plenary Indulgence.

The Holy Father has always had a special admiration for St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. On 1 May 2013, under his Supreme Pontiff, he included the name of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Eucharistic Prayer II, III and IV. In 1962, Pope John XXIII had already included St Joseph’s name in the Eucharistic Prayer I. Pope Francis has popularised the devotion to the Sleeping St Joseph, and he has placed a statue of the same on his desk for decades.

 

The Holy Father issued a decree on granting special indulgences to those suffering from COVID-19, health care workers, family members and many others “with prayer and good works, to obtain, with the help of St Joseph,” during the year of St Joseph. Since our Parish is dedicated to St Joseph, I would like to invite our Parishioners to make plenary indulgences with a spirit of detachment from sin, as well as participation in all events, activities and formations in our Parish. St Joseph has always been our Patron and a prominent figure for us. He stands as a great model of humility, kindness and simple virtues of life to exemplify the Christian faith. We should do our best to observe plenary indulgences throughout the Year of St Joseph by doing an act of charity, for example, by following the spirit of the Good Samaritan through spiritual and corporal works of mercy within our community, as well as society at large. We should encourage one another to discover and rediscover the values of St Joseph – namely, as a “beloved, tender and obedient father, a dignified, respectful and joyful worker” in our lives.

 

After faithfully and successfully completing our three-year Parish Vision - “Committing Ourselves to New Evangelisation” (2018-2020), I was thinking about what, the next vision and mission for the year 2021 could possibly be? The announcement of the Holy Father about the Year of St Joseph and the Plenary Indulgence, has inspired me and given me hope and direction in my Parish ministry for the year 2020/2021.

 

During this year of plenary indulgence, we, as the Parish community of St Joseph, should strive to be more hospitable in welcoming pilgrims, including people of other faiths to our Parish. As we walk passionately with St Joseph throughout the year, surely, we will “rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew fidelity to prayer, to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.” 

 

The plenary indulgence is also granted to us when we commit ourselves to be more devoted to “love and prayer” just as it was in the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph). We read the Holy Scripture, recite the Holy Rosary and various devotional prayers daily to St Joseph - for protection from all dangers, in all our sufferings, illness, rejection and distress. In the midst of the on-going Covid-19 crisis, the plenary indulgence is also granted to the sick, elderly, migrants, refugees, the dying, the homeless, and health care workers, as we seek the intercession of St Joseph, offering them to Jesus Christ. To start with, I encourage all Parishioners to read and discuss the document “Patris Corde” with your family or BECs.

 

As Parishioners, let us commit ourselves to praying faithfully - seeking the intercession of St Joseph - that he may obtain God’s blessings upon us and our families, as we make our journey together during the Year of St Joseph.

 

Enclose here is another prayer to St Joseph, added by the Holy Father at the conclusion of his Apostolic Letter, encouraging us to pray together:

 

Hail, 

Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

 

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.