COMPASSION DURING ADVERSITY

The Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD), Archdiocesan Orang Asli Apostolate (AOAA) and Parish Integral Human Development Ministries (PIHDM) of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul as well as the PIDHM from various Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, would like to express our gratitude to all Parishioners and individuals for their solidarity with flood-affected families, particularly in the state of Pahang.

We have shown our care, support and concern for these flood victims by reaching out to them with much-needed aid. Despite the spike in numbers of COVID-19 infections in the Klang Valley, volunteers came from our neighbouring parishes (Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya) to join hands and hearts for the flood relief project organised by the AOHD AOAA. St Joseph’s Church was the Operations Centre for collection and distribution of items to the flood victims. Another group of Parishioners initiated an Operations Centre in Kuantan and the AOHD purchased the necessary supplies online, and delegated this group to distribute the items in the East Coast. The project has been very effective and efficient, as it reached out to many affected people and families, especially the Orang Asli community.

We started the project for the flood victims on 8 January 2021. The project was meant to last 10 days, but had to be cut short to only 5 days because of the announcement of the Movement Controlled Order (MCO) in certain states from 13-26 January 2021. Without much delay, our volunteers spent extra hours to sort out and transport the supplies to Pahang, before the MCO took effect. We packed the supplies (groceries, dried packaged and canned foods, toiletries, mineral water, washed and ironed clothes, cleaning supplies and other basic necessities) worth approximately RM120 into each plastic tub instead of boxes, so that the tubs could be reused to store water or dry food. We managed to send all the items by trucks to flood-victims in Mentakab and Kuala Rompin. We had a few reliable Orang Asli kampung leaders to assist us in distributing the goods in Kuala Rompin.

Within a short period of time, many kind-hearted people came forward to provide the necessary to help families that were affected by the floods. Our help towards these people in remote kampungs would have eased their burdens in some little way. Since the MCO started, we have stopped receiving goods for this flood relief project. However, we seem to still be receiving donations of supplies from parishioners within the Archdiocese. These items will be stored for now, but once the MCO is lifted, we will transport them to the respective affected areas.

Our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all volunteers, donors and PIHDMs from various parishes in the KL Archdiocese, as well as individuals for coming forward and reaching out to assist these flood victims. We appreciate your kindness, support, and generosity in supporting this worthy cause.

During this Year of St Joseph, we are so blessed and privileged to be the Operation Centre for the flood sites. On behalf of AOHD, AOAM and PIHDM of St Joseph’s Church, I would like to thank all of you for the marvellous outpouring of help, especially your willingness and compassion to reach out to those most in need, even in this time of pandemic. Everyone involved has played a crucial part. We also thank Archbishop Julian Leow for his assistance and moral support. We believe the prayer of St Joseph has brought success to the works of our hands at this much-needed time.

When we prepare infants for their Baptism, the Church invites parents and godparents to be present and participate in the Infant Baptism Instruction, first. In the instruction, the Church reminds parents and godparents of their responsibilities in awakening their children’s faith and educating, guiding and teaching them how to love our Christ and to believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (also known as the four marks of our Church). The Church expects them to journey with their children and godchildren till they reach their age of reasons.

I remembered, in one of the instances, these parents have shared with me how their child’s godparents have left their Catholic faith. They were asking permission to have new godparents of their children. Without going into the details of the outcome of that instance, let us reflect on how this came out.

Often parents choose godparents for their children among their closest friends, immediate relatives and so on without looking (to some extent, evaluate) at their faith and their lives.  Sometimes, it is because they promised their friends or families this special and permanent role, as a way to strengthen their current relationship/friendships, or to extent, it is to appreciate each other so much, that they are “bestowed” that role in their children’s lives.  Is this enough?  Should we not reflect further than these justification in godparent selection? Answer is, YES, we should. What is also mind shattering is that, in some other instances, parents presented their children for the Sacrament of Baptism, just for the sake of ritual that everyone does that as a Christian. Should we reflect on that?  YES, we should, as well.

 

The Church always reminds us of the role of the parents and godparents to give these beautiful kids, a Christian upbringing of faith until they become adult life. Frankly, even when we are already adults, we are still babies in the eyes of our parents. So, parenting, and godparenting, is a lifelong role and responsibility. We must always remember that. To help these parents and godparents, our Parish community must set good examples in passing on their faith and being witnesses of Christ in their own Christian living. This is to create that Christian environment (soil) for our children (plants) to grow up/older beautifully. As parents and godparents participate in the life of the Church, the faith of the little children too will grow in maturity.

 

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Firstly, this brings to an end the season of Christmas. Secondly, Jesus began His public life after being baptised at the Jordan River. Therefore, when a child receives the Sacrament of Baptism, he or she enters into the life of the Church and receives a call to a personal vocation. This Sacrament is the gateway for us to enter into the Church community and become members of the family of God - the Body of Christ. Therefore, we begin our faith journey and our relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

 

Today, the Church invites us to renew our own baptismal commitments by renouncing our sins and profess our faith in Jesus Christ and His Church so that we may be renewed as followers of Christ in holiness and in ministry.  We leave behind all the works of satan and all his empty promises and strive to live our personal vocation - to live a life of Holiness. Parents and godparents must play that very important role to live their faith in more responsible ways. Parents and godparents, must not forget their duties to pray for their children and godchildren every day. This is indeed a special way of how you protect them. So, remember to include them in your daily prayers.

 

When Jesus began His public ministry after His baptism, He started His mission here on earth faithfully, just to fulfil the Will of His and our beloved Father. He is showing us that we too can emulate the same, but carrying out our personal vocations and missions God has planned for each one of us. One thing in common, is that we need to bring the message of Christ to the whole world, to our neighbours, community, our family members, our friends, our work colleagues etc.  Be that instrument for God, and let God do the rest, through the Holy Spirit.

 

Therefore, we must follow the life of Jesus as we carry out His mission on earth because our Father will say to you what He said to Jesus Christ, “You are my beloved sons and daughters, in whom I am well pleased.”

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)