CHARITABLE WORKS OF MERCY

Every year between the months of October and February, monsoon rains affect Peninsular Malaysia, especially in the East Coast. During these months, the weather is usually quite bad, causing floods and rough seas. This year, thousands of people in many towns and villages in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Johor have been affected by these recent floods. 

With the collaboration of the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development, (AOHD), Archdiocesan Orang Asli Apostolate (AOAA) and Parish Integral of Human Development Ministries (PIDHM) of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul, plus a few Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, we have endeavoured to work together to assist these flood victims. St Joseph’s Church, Sentul will be the Operations Centre for collection and distribution of items to the flood victims. To begin with, we will concentrate in Pahang - in particular a few kampungs in Sg Lembing, Muadzam Shah, Rompin, Pekan and Mentakab. There are lot of orang asli residents in these areas.

 

Our Parish PIHDM and Parishioners will work together to collect and pack goods and other necessary items for the flood victims before transporting them to the respective areas. We will collect items such as dried packaged and canned foods, mineral water, washed and ironed clothes, masks and sanitisers, medical aid, plus other basic necessities as well as monetary donations. We also expect the PIHDMs from other parishes to collect the above goods and items and forward these to St Joseph’s Church as soon as possible.

 

Starting this weekend, we invite the Parishioners of St Joseph’s to gradually forward the above-mentioned items to the Church. We will use our Parish Hall (Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas) as the Operations Centre. Due to the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Klang Valley, we will have duty rosters in place to coordinate the collection and sorting of items.

 

As we celebrate the Year of St Joseph, it is good and timely that our Parish plays an active role in this outreach to help the flood victims. It is our responsibility as a community, to care for and provide basic necessities for individuals in need. We can alleviate the burden of our fellow Malaysians by reaching out to them through works of charity and mercy.

 

St. Joseph’s PIDHM, has been reaching out to the underprivileged in the vicinity of Sentul during this pandemic. We have been distributing groceries and provisions to them once a month. In addition to that, for the past three months we have been supplying packed lunches to 350-500 individuals. In the month of December 2020, we provided school uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery and some cash to 250 underprivileged school children. Without fail, the St Joseph’s Church PIHDM has reached out to the under privileged families, especially during the MCO and CMCO.

 

As Parishioners, let’s take the initiative to do our part in reaching out to those most in need. I am optimistic that many will contribute towards this charitable work, by donating the items needed to assist flood victims in the East Coast.

JESUS IS OUR RISING STAR

The Epiphany of the Lord (HOMILY)

Every time when I switch on my Waze or Google Map to get to a certain destination, sometimes, I would get interrupted, as the apps were trying to retrieve the latest data to provide me the route. Some little waiting is involved, the data collection and sometimes, the app provided confusing routes. The weak signals gave me dilemma and it would end up missing the turns or junctions, and driving on taking an alternative longer route.

We are so fascinated with the readings and reflections of the Christmas story that started in Bethlehem, when God revealed His Mystery of Salvation to mankind and yet to be fulfilled time to time. One of the Christmas mini-stories is what we celebrate today - The Epiphany of the Lord. It’s the story of the Magi visiting the newly born Baby Jesus in a manger.

These Magi travelled following the Star, guiding them into Bethlehem. These Wise Men came to pay homage and worship the Newly Born King of the Jews, by just following the Star. The Star made them rose their feet and embarked on their journey to meet the Newly born King. They had faith on the Star (like I have on Waze/Google Map). They followed the Star, night after night, to get to their destination and just imagine how patient they had to be. 

When they arrived at their destination, as I arrived at mine via Waze/Google Map, like I have arrived at mine via Waze/Google Map, that gave me the sense of achievement, and surely that would have given the three Wise Men that same sense of fulfilment. On top of that they brought with them, treasures of gold, myrrh and frankincense. How excited they would have been, to bring to the King, presents and I am sure all of you would be able to relate when you give your loved ones presents to open on Christmas day. Yes, it’s that same feeling of excitement and joy, these Magi had.

So, Arise and Shine!! On this Epiphany, we rise together to worship our Lord Jesus. Our true worship begins in our hearts, and that’s where He dwells. That’s His home. Jesus is the Rising Star who shows, guides and leads us in our life journey. Through Him, we will discover and rediscover our faith, life and ourselves.

 

Let’s make Jesus, the Rising Sun, the centre of our lives. Let’s begins this Year 2021, walk with humility, simplicity and obedience with GOD. Let’s get to know HIM more as well.  Let’s worship and glorify the Lord in our hearts because He is our true love and true light. Let’s now take our faith to another level, and let’s act on them – again with much humility, humility AND humility. Let that be our true worship and way of life, and let that be pleasing to GOD. May the Light of Truth be evangelised to our sisters and brothers out there. May the fire of the Holy Spirit be in you, go out and spread the good news of our King of Hope, Joy, Love and Peace.  Blessed Epiphany to all of us!

 

PRESERVE THE HARMONY OF CREATION

January 1st marks World Day of Peace (WDP), a day which was established by Pope Paul VI in 1967. This year we celebrate the 54th World Day of Peace, and our Holy Father. Pope Francis, has chosen the theme - “A Culture Of Care As A Path To Peace” – by which the Holy Father stresses that peace is to be attained when every individual cultivates a “culture of care.” We have learned lessons from the “massive COVID-19 health crisis” which has affected many areas, including the domestic, financial and commercial sectors and has caused deep sorrow, hardship and suffering to humanity throughout the world. The Holy Father emphasises that everyone needs “to care for one another and for creation, in our efforts to build a more fraternal society.”

 

The Sacred Scripture presents to us, God, the Creator - the Source and Model of care for creatures - who invites us to be “genuine in caring for our lives and our relationship with nature” and “to preserve the harmony of his creation.” Jesus’ life and ministry reflects His Father’s love and care for humanity. We, as His followers and as a Church, should “go and do likewise” (cf. Lk 10:37), by carrying out our responsibilities of caring for one another and for creation through “the spiritual and corporal works of mercy” in order to build a fraternal society.

 

The Pope continues to emphasise on the commitment of “promoting the dignity of each human person, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, the pursuit of the common good and concern for the protection of creation.” He also stresses that we foster “relationships” and “live together in families, communities and societies” rather than to be individualistic, exclusive and exploitative. The Holy Father also points out from his Encyclical “Laudato Si” that we are to be “fully aware that all of creation is interconnected” and “to effectively care for the earth, our common home.” In addition to that, he also invites us to have an authentic “sense of deep communion with nature” and grow in “tenderness, compassion and concern” and “care through solidarity”as a sign of love for one another.

 

The Holy Father also urges government leaders, organisations, business people, scientists, communicators and educators to promote the three inseparable principles of Social Doctrine of the Church - “justice, peace and care for creation.” He hopes that everyone grows in a culture of care, and work towards social equalities and fundamental human rights, all of which need to be respected. Every human being needs a conversion of heart and a changed way of thinking “in order to work for true peace in solidarity and fraternity.” He also stresses that resources spent on weapons, be utilised instead, “for the safety of individuals, the promotion of peace and integral human development - the fight against poverty and the provision of health care.”

 

“Education is one of the pillars of a more just and fraternal society.” The Pope highlights that “promoting a culture of care calls for a process of education” on peace, which “begins in the family, where we learn how to live and relate to others in a spirit of mutual respect.” He also invites schools, universities, religious leaders as well as the media, to promote “values, based on the recognition of the dignity of each person, each linguistic, ethnic and religious community.”

 

“There can be no peace without a culture of care.” We seek the intercession of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope, to help us in our work towards love, peace and care for one another.

 

(AN EXTRACT OF THE MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS ON WORLD DAY OF PEACE 2020)

ENSURE THAT OUR FAMILIES ENJOY GOD’S FAVOUR

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family by inviting families to live as one holy family in both harmony and peace.  Our Church dedicates this feast at the end of the year for families to look at how we have journeyed and moved as a family in the last one year. The reason for this feast, is also to show the importance of family obligations, relationships and holiness as the basic unit of Christian life and living. 

One of the important Hindu philosophies taught that one is to love and honour their first four instructors in one’s life; which are - “மாதா (matha), பிதா (pitha), குரு (guru), தெய்வம் (thaivam).” In English the phrase translates mother, father, teacher and God. To honour to mother and father have come first in their teachings whereas in Christianity, only the Fourth Commandment speaks about honouring father and mother. In any case, I have always emphasised to our children in Catechism to strictly observe this Fourth Commandment in their lives.

 

The author of the book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) also reminds us that it is not only for children but the commandment is also applicable to us as adults, to honour our parents. Every one of us must be obedient, revere and give a-due respect to our parents and even the elderly folks.  The author also promises that “long life comes to anyone who honour” (Sir 3:6) father and mother. We need to show our tender, love and care for our parents and our children will definitely imitate the example as they grow up and mature up, with more love and care. If we do not treat our parents well, surely the same treatment shall be rendered by the young ones to us. 

When we are obligated in carrying out our duties and responsibilities, then graces will be given to us. Let us learn to be more compassionate, kind and patient towards our parents and which would strengthen our family relationships. As head of our families, we need to guide our children with the Word of God and carefully observe especially the Fourth Commandment as the book Proverb says, “Give a lad a training suitable to his character and, even when old, he will not go back on it,” (Pro 22: 6). When we, as parents, do not read the Word of God and observe God’s commandments, then how are we going to train and teach our children the Christian way of life.  It is the responsibility of parents to live out their faith with reverence and respect for God and train their children the way of God. In turn surely, they will grow gracefully in maturity, wisdom and age (cf. Lk 2:40). 

 

In the Gospel (Lk 2: 22-40), Jesus shows His obedience to His earthly parents - Mary and Joseph - which comes from His obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus grew up in a family and He would have faced all kinds of challenges in many ways like our own children go through in their lives at home, school, college and work place. We just hope that they do not get influenced by the secular world and walk into the wrong direction of their lives.  

 

To enjoy God’s favour and His blessing, we need to place Jesus as the head of our families so that we become more loving, intimate, forgiving and understanding in our relationships. Let us ensure that our families enjoy God’s favour and His blessing as we imitate the Holy Family of Nazareth and nurture within ourselves, the holiness in each one of us and of our families.

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).