SHOW THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S LOVE

We began the month of February 2022 with Mass for three important festivities – the Chinese Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of Tiger on 1 February, as well as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which also marks the World Day of Consecrated Life (WDCL) on 2 February.

With strict SOPs in place to combat the risk of Covid19, the Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at 8:30am with approximately 250 parishioners present. We had a wonderful celebration, which brought Parishioners together in unity and prayer. After Mass, we gave out red angpow packets and oranges to everyone before gathering at St Thomas Square (car park area) to watch a lion dance and light some firecrackers. 

Days before the Thanksgiving Mass, the Parish youth started their preparation by decorating the Church and the premises with red cloth, lanterns, banners, red angpau packets and flowers as a sign of longevity, honour, wealth, luck and prosperity. The youth choir also rehearsed for a few hours and the lectors and commentators practised for the Mass. In the last two days before Chinese New Year, everyone was working around the clock to make sure everything went well on the day of celebration. Congratulations and thank you to everyone for the collaboration, dedication and hard work in making our celebration meaningful and enjoyable.

 

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrated the WDCL during morning Mass. Six Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) Sisters and two Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Conception (FSIC) came forward after the homily to renew their vows of evangelical counsel – poverty, obedience and chastity. They renewed their evangelical counsels while holding lit candles and after that, the candles were placed at the grotto. 

 

The vows they make are so important in order to stay committed and to live the charism of the particular order, society or congregation. These Sisters have been doing amazing ministerial work in the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia with the underprivileged, migrants and indigenous communities as well as parishioners. We have extended the celebration of WDCL to Friday, 4 February with Holy Hour and adoration, especially for all young people and single adults to discern God’s will and respond to His call. 

 

The Holy Father, Pope Francis’ intention for the month of February 2022 focuses on Religious Sisters and Consecrated Women. He invites us to pray for all religious sisters and consecrated women - thanking them for their mission and their courage, and praying that they find new responses to the challenges and crises of our times. The Pope encourages them “to show the beauty of God’s love and compassion” to the poor, with the marginalised, with all those who are enslaves by traffickers” and also “to continue in their vocation of service to the Church.”

 

During this month of February, let us pray especially for the young people in our community to discern God’s call, respond to the challenges of our times and continuously contribute to the mission of the Church.

GLOW AND GROW IN OUR CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE

Since I moved into this Parish, many Parishioners and friends have asked me if I have settled down. It can be a challenge, settling down and finding routine when adjusting to a new environment. It depends on the individual - how quickly one can find a way to settle in after moving to a new place.

In the midst of unpacking - taking things out of boxes, arranging them accordingly, cleaning and organising my parish house and office - I have taken some time off to visit a few of the elderly in their homes. It has been almost 17 years since I’ve seen many of them. Many have aged, and a number too have deteriorated health wise and are physically weak. They look so fragile, anxious and are unable to express themselves in words, and can only hold back their tears.

As a sign of hope, I administered the Sacraments of Reconciliation, the Holy Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick. I spent a little time chit-chatting with them and their families, hoping to provide some much-needed company. I have promised to visit them again and will be sure to assign extra Holy Communion Ministers to regularly bring Jesus to them through Holy Communion. I will continue to make my house visits in the weeks to come, as I am looking forward to meeting my Parishioners, but I will be sure to strictly adhere to the prevailing SOPs.

This weekend (29-30 January) we will be celebrating Catechetical Sunday with the theme: “A Path to Holiness,” (1 Cor 12: 2) as chosen by the Malaysian Catechetical Commission (MCC). We will invite parents and catechism teachers to renew their commitment to faith education during Sunday Masses in English (8:30am) and Mandarin (10:30am). 

All catechism teachers and parents will be renewing their commitment as catechists of transmitting their faith onto their children. As they renew their commitment, they need to understand their crucial role of sharing their faith in Christ and His Church. The teachers will be commissioned by the Church to take their responsibilities of sharing the faith with our younger generation with passion and dedication. However, parents and guardians are the primary catechist of their children, and they will be invited to proclaim their commitment of passing their faith and Gospel values on Catechetical Sunday too.

It has been a tough time for both teachers and students to fully participate in online classes, as it is not the most effective way of imparting faith education. However, due to strict SOPs, and taking into account health risks, classes this year will continue to be held online instead of in-person. 

We appreciate all our catechists for their dedication and in giving their time and talent generously. We give all our support, encouragement and most of all our prayers so that they may provide effective learning to our students, as they begin their faith education formation for the year 2022. Together, let us grow and glow in our Christian way of life.

COME AND PAY HIM HOMAGE

Every year, the Ecumenical Churches and Christian communities throughout the world celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year, the celebration began on 18 January 2022, and will conclude on the Feast of The Conversion of St Paul on 25 January 2022. The Church invites us all to pray during these eight days, in response to Jesus’ prayer, that “they may be one” (John 17: 21).

Christians from across the globe are diverse. Although we come from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions, we continue to strive for unity, solidarity and being in communion in the One Body of Christ and to keep our gaze fixed on Him – “Our Lord and Our God” (cf. John 20:28). Let us work together to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom 14:19) of our faith in Jesus Christ. We give our support to one another in order to promote Christian unity and pay Him homage. 

 

The theme for The Week of Prayer this year is “We saw the Star in the East and we have come to worship Him” (Mt 2: 27). Like the Magi who came to Bethlehem and paid homage to the Infant Jesus, we too are invited to come and worship Him during the Eucharistic celebration. Since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, many Catholics have not returned to Church to fulfill their Sunday and other days of obligation. It is time for us to make our journey back to Church and pay homage to Christ Jesus and rejoice in Him, as the Magi did in Bethlehem. Let us take every opportunity to pursue God’s will so that He may lead our Christian communities with righteousness and holiness.

 

This weekend, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Universal Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God. The first-ever celebration was held on 26 January 2020. The Holy Father’s intention of inaugurating this Sunday celebration was to encourage all Catholics throughout the dioceses in the world to “study, learn and love the Holy Scriptures.” It is very important for us to know our Sacred Scripture and the Word - for it to dwell richly in the soil of our hearts - so that we may believe what we read, teach what we believe and practice what we teach.

 

The Word of God is close to us, indeed, “the Word is very near to you: it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance,” (Dt 30:14). The Word of God is not beyond our reach nor distant from us. Therefore, we must discipline ourselves by reading and reflecting on the Word of God every day. When we choose to do so, the Word will take flesh in our hearts and will beautify our journey of faith and way of life.

 

We are still in the beginning of the year, and if we have not yet cultivated reading, studying and praying the Word of God daily, then we need to begin today! As we celebrate the Word of God Sunday, let us make a sincere commitment and discipline ourselves in welcoming the Word of God closer to our hearts, so that His word will illuminate the darkest areas of our lives. May His word dwell among us, always!

PERSEVERING IN MY PRIESTLY DUTY

We the priests, in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, commenced our assignments in our respective new parishes effective 10 January 2022. After receiving confirmation of our new postings, parishioners felt sad having to say goodbye to their outgoing priests. However, they were excited to welcome the incoming priests. For us priests, we are very enthusiastic in spirit - joyfully going forth to serve in our designated parishes.

I have been posted to this parish, the Church of St Thomas in Kuantan, Pahang. It is the second time that I’m serving in this parish. Prior to this, I served as the Assistant Parish Priest to Rev Fr Eugene Benedict back in February 2003 until June 2004. Following that, I was posted to the State of Terengganu for 3 years, as an administrator for all the Mission Centres. Now, I am back here once again, this time as your Parish Priest, taking over from my predecessor, Rev Fr Patrick Boudville.

 

For me, the East Coast is familiar ground with familiar faces, but I still have many things to learn, rediscover, explore and experience. I will miss the city lifestyle for sure, as well as the parishioners and friends whom I left behind. I will always cherish the support and love I received, but most of all, I am truly thankful to them for accepting me as I am. I will treasure the memories and experiences in my heart.

 

However, now that I have returned once again to the East Coast, I am eager and ready to serve my new parish community. I was touched by the kind gestures of several leaders who warmly welcomed me on my arrival. Although St Thomas Church is situated in Kuantan town, it serves a large and varied community including the orang asli, varsity students, the armed forces, East Malaysians, migrants (mainly Indonesians and Vietnamese) and the local Chinese and Indian communities. I am very excited to serve, and I look forward to meeting all of you during this weekend’s Masses.

 

Since I arrived in Kuantan, there’s been a welcoming and gentle East Coast breeze blowing in the salty air. I am hopeful that my ministry here will be an exciting and fulfilling one. I promise to persevere in my priestly duty and do God’s work faithfully. I certainly believe that God will bring everything to completion, as what St Paul says, “I am quite confident that the One who began a good work in you will go on completing it until the Day of Jesus Christ comes,” (Philippians 1: 6).

FULFILLING GOD’S WILL FAITHFULLY

 It is truly a blessing to have served in the Church of St Joseph, Sentul as your Parish Priest. I can hardly believe that time has passed by so quickly, in spite of the pandemic putting us on hold for many months. I am extremely grateful to every one of you and for the gifts of love and affection you have whole-heartedly shared in my ministry. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in living the faith with me, and for being instruments of joy and eagerness these past 7½ years. 

My greatest treasure is the willingness you had in sharing your lives with me, especially during the most important times of joy when celebrating the Sacraments - Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Through the Sacrament of Marriage, I have seen couples grow in love and commitment to one another and by administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Anointing for the sick and the dying, I am grateful to have helped you heal spiritually and physically. I have experienced the sadness of praying by the bedsides of loved ones and grief of laying them to rest.

 

Throughout my time here I have enjoyed working with the various ministries of this Parish. It is reassuring to see all of you evolve in the life of the Church, and participate in the mission of Christ. Together we have built our Parish with great enthusiasm and raised the spiritual level of our parishioners. I have watched the children and youth of this Parish respond in faith and kindness, and that fills me with great hope and encouragement for the future. St Joseph’s community always strives to be united under the loving care of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have learned so much from so many of you, but the most humbling lesson I have learned is that you love your Priest, no matter how imperfect I may be.

The last few weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster ride for me: fear, excitement, exhaustion, trepidation and the overwhelming feeling of love and affirmation. My journey with you has been marked by many ups and downs, failures and successes, but I believe I have fulfilled God’s will faithfully. As I pause and reflect on my ministry here at St Joseph’s Church, I can see how God has guided me along the way and helped me lead us all towards Christ. I pray that God will continue to shower his blessings and love on this Parish. Please know that my prayers are with each of you always.

 

I am sure that the incoming priest will be ready to lead this parish community with devotion and enthusiasm, and continue the outstanding work of becoming one body and one spirit in Christ. We ask for God’s blessings and guidance on all the priests in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur - as we look forward to ministering in our new parishes - that the Lord grants us the wisdom, grace and strength to continue His work of New Evangelisation.