DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE AND OBLIGATION

Our annual monsoon season usually starts around late October and goes on until early January. It tends to affect the East Coast states the most, and it has been raining on and off for the past few weeks here in Kuantan, Pahang. Currently, the weather in Pahang hasn’t been too hot or humid, and most days are sunny. At night, temperatures range between 24-25^oC and during the day it’s between 28-32^oC. Even though we have not had severe weather here in Pahang, the same cannot be said for our neighbours in Kelantan and Terengganu who have experienced flooding in early November. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the region till the end of December and into early January.

 

The last two long-weekends of December are usually busy and exciting! The liturgy of the year brings back-to-back celebrations starting with Final Advent, Christmas, Holy Family and New Year. This year, Advent ends earlier because we celebrate Christmas Eve Mass right after the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The same thing happened back in 2018.

 

As Catholics, we have two important days of obligation to fulfil during this year-end and Christmas festivities: the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas. It is important to note that attending one single Mass on Sunday morning will only fulfil one obligation. To fulfil both days, we must attend two separate Masses, one on Sunday (the Final Advent) and another on Monday (the Midnight Mass or the Christmas Day Mass). Some people may choose to attend a Sunset Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, followed by a morning Mass on Christmas Day, giving themselves a day’s break between the two celebrations. However, it is important not to miss out on both these days of obligation.

 

If you choose to attend the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, you will be treated to carols being sung by the choir, as well as a nativity play. This year, Christmas carols with the theme – The Gift of Christmas – will be sung in four different languages and will last for 45 minutes. The choir has been practising for the past two weekends. So, let’s not forget the significance of both days and ensure we attend Mass on both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and as well as the Christmas Mass.

 

On Sunday, 31 December 2023 (The Holy Family Day), the same thing happens. On New Year's Eve at midnight, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and the New Year. Please note that Sunday is a day of obligation. Celebrating the New Year on Monday is an excellent way to start 2024!

 

We should take some time out of our busy schedule to reflect on these matters, especially on days of obligation. Let us sincerely make an effort to prioritise our spiritual well-being and truly grasp the significance of these important religious events that revolve around the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us start the new year through the Holy Mother of God.

FUTURE GROWTH WITH VISION AND MISSION

Our Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) was held on Saturday, 25 November 2023. This was an important assembly, where we reviewed our one-year journey and plan before the end of the liturgical calendar 2022/2023. The assembly brought together members of our Parish community, including the PPC and PCC councils, BEC leaders, ministry heads and core team leaders. Approximately 50 people attended the three-hour fruitful assembly.

Over the past year, we have deepened our fraternal spirit and strengthened our Parish community through various formations, activities, and events. We embarked on a synodal journey with humility - listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and discerning every moment of our lives, so that we may live Christian values of love, courage, respect, endurance, compassion, charity, and peace. As St. Paul said, “Keep doing everything you learnt from me and were told by me and have heard or seen me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you,” (Phil 4:9). We worked together as a community and put together our thoughts, words and actions in order to build a faithful community.

 

At this PPA, we resolved to renew, review, restore and rebuild ourselves spiritually, especially in areas that we may have previously lacked. Our goal is to continue journeying together as true companions - through participation, communion and mission. We believe that we can strengthen our faith community by rooting ourselves in the Word of God, faith in the Catholic Church and increasing our values in family and community living. We are committed to being gifts that inspire the building of our Church together, spiritually. 

 

God is persistent and never gives up on us. He continuously draws us closer to Him, and all we need to do is respond in obedience, even if it is a delayed response. Seeking God’s direction and prayerfully doing what He is calling us to do is important, and we should strive to do it well. We understand that we cannot do everything on our own – that is why it is crucial to seek God’s will, to find direction and purpose in our lives.

 

As we begin the new liturgical year of 2023/24, may the Holy Spirit continue to guide us through our planning process, so that everything we do now and in the future, is a continued contribution of our gifts and talents to the greater glory of God and for the salvation of our souls. We look forward to the future growth of our Parish, with vision and mission.

 

Vision: Being A Community Rooted in the Word, Faith and Values.

 

Mission: As a spirit-filled community, we commit ourselves through proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating Jesus in the Word and Sacraments, and living the Christian values in prayers, services and outreach.

 

May our patron Saint Thomas the Apostle, intercede for us, and the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany us in living our lives obediently and faithfully.

JOURNEYING TOWARDS A HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

The Season of Advent will commence on 3 December 2023, which marks the beginning of the New Liturgical year 2023/2024. The new Church liturgical Calendar starts with Advent, followed by Christmas. Then comes Ordinary Time from the 1st to the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Week. After that, we have Lent and Easter, followed by the remaining weeks of Ordinary Time (7th to 34th Sunday in Ordinary Week), and finally, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The liturgical calendar will be enriched throughout the year with various memorials, feasts, and solemnities. Each liturgical season – week after week, Sunday after Sunday – invites us to reflect on how God is present in our daily lives.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated the year 2024 as the Year of Prayer in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year: “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Year of Prayer will begin this Advent with a special focus on the “Our Father” prayer. This presents an excellent opportunity for us to revisit the fundamentals of prayer, deepen our commitment to praying and loving God, and learn how to accompany others in their prayer life throughout the upcoming Year of Prayer.

In the upcoming liturgical year, the Church offers us an opportunity to strengthen our prayer life and deepen our relationship with Christ. We can achieve this by engaging in good spiritual exercises such as praying regularly, reading spiritual books, studying and reflecting on the Word of God, repenting, and practising acts of charity. Taking steps towards spiritual growth will elevate our faith and lead us to a healthier spiritual life, emotional well-being, intellectual growth, and physical health.

Our Church is dedicated to providing faith formation opportunities for people of all ages and stages of life, regardless of the language they speak or the ministry they belong to. We believe that learning and living our faith is a lifelong process that requires continuous growth and sharing with others within and outside our Christian communities. Our goal is to help everyone in our community deepen their faith, find inner peace, and live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Only a handful of parishioners, especially those who were engaged in various ministries, took an active part in the faith formation and training program aimed at improving their understanding of God. Their involvement demonstrates their dedication to enriching their spiritual lives and taking a meaningful step towards building a closer relationship with God, enabling them to live their faith in a more profound way.

Our Church programs, activities, and formations are designed to help us become effective Church leaders, cultivate Christian values, and share the richness of the Catholic faith and tradition. Above all, by participating, you can identify your gifts and charisms for personal and communal growth in our synodal church.

As Parishioners of St Thomas, the Apostle, embarking on a synodal journey towards Communion, Participation, and Mission is essential. Let us actively participate in the upcoming liturgical year by being involved in ongoing formations and activities to ensure that we are aware of our faith journey and are an integral part of the Church, the Body of Christ. Let us journey together to achieve our Parish Vision and Mission for the coming year.

ALWAYS BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE

Our Church of St. Thomas, the Apostle in Kuantan, is hosting a Family Day celebration cum 7th World Day of the Poor for the second time, in the East Coast on Sunday, 19 November 2023. This event is a way for us to show respect and welcome the most vulnerable families and friends from our vicinities. This year, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen a theme: “Do Not Turn Your Face Away From Anyone Who Is Poor” (Tobit 4:7). We hope to bring these individuals and families together for a joyful celebration, while also raising awareness about the daily struggles they face.

Observing the World Day of the Poor (WDP) with those less fortunate, can be a powerful way to demonstrate God’s mercy and support for them. Pope Francis encourages us to follow the example of Tobit, who showed kindness to those in need by performing acts of charity (cf. Tobit 4). Tobit's story teaches us to be compassionate towards those who are suffering by offering them assistance and companionship, and in doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of our Christian faith.

 

On the occasion of WDP, it is important to remember that helping those in need requires genuine efforts that can make a real difference in their lives. We should avoid any distractions or obstacles that may prevent us from extending a helping hand to those who require our assistance. Sometimes, even a small gesture, such as a smile or a helping hand, can have a significant impact on the lives of the less fortunate.

 

As human beings, it is important to have a humanitarian spirit and prioritise caring for the marginalised people in our community. Unfortunately, people living in poverty are often neglected or overlooked, making them invisible to us. We should devote our time and effort to helping those who have been affected physically, economically, and financially. It is essential that we look for the true face of Christ in the underprivileged and provide them with the attention and assistance they deserve. We should never forget or ignore them since they are always present in our lives.

 

The underprivileged can teach us many valuable lessons. They are present always and everywhere, providing us with the opportunity to share the gospel of joy with them. The Gospel instructs us to serve Jesus through the poor with love, respect, dignity, and justice. The impoverished are not strangers or outsiders to us. We must strive to make them a part of our lives. We should take every opportunity to alleviate their sufferings and difficulties and work towards restoring their lost dignity so that they can be included in our society.

Our commitment to assisting the underprivileged aims to unite people, accept them wholeheartedly, and provide them with the care they deserve. It is our responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of the underprivileged by paying attention to their needs and treating them as equals, just like our own brothers and sisters, (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, no. 199)

FINDING JOY IN SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS

On Sunday, 19 November 2019, the Church will celebrate the Seventh World Day of the Poor with the theme - “Do Not Turn Your Face Away From Anyone Who Is Poor” (Tobit 4:7). Celebrating the World Day of the Poor (WDP) with underprivileged people “is a fruitful sign of the Father’s mercy and support for the lives of our communities.” The Holy Father invites us to follow the example of Tobit with a simple act of charity to foster harmony and fraternity in our community, which will give us meaning to our Christian life. He reflects on the story of Tobit’s practical approach towards the poor by assisting and accompanying them from all afflictions.

Tobit, an old and blind father, embraces his son Tobias before he sets him out on a long journey. He leaves Tobias with his “spiritual testament”, advising him to revere the Lord, avoid sin and live righteously (cf. Tobit 4: 5). Tobit’s words encouraged his son not to turn his face away from anyone who is poor but perform good deeds, practice justice and righteousness and give alms (cf. 4:7). Despite losing everything, Tobit remained devoted to God and shared his meal with the poor, clothing to the needy and burying the dead. Tobit recognised his poverty during his time of trial, enabling him to empathise with others in need. While remaining faithful to God’s teachings, he advises his son Tobias never to turn away from anyone who is poor, as every person is our neighbour and through them, we can truly encounter the face of Jesus.

 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus’ birth. In her autobiography, “Story of a Soul,” she says that perfect charity means accepting others’ flaws, finding joy in small acts of kindness, and sharing love with everyone, not just those closest to us. Charity should be like a candle, not hidden but providing light to all.

As we celebrate this WDP, we should be reminded that everyone has the right to experience the light of charity. No one should be denied that light. May the selfless love of Saint Therese inspire us to keep our focus on the face of Jesus Christ and never turn away from those who are in need.

 

(Extract from the message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the Seventh World Day of the Poor)

Since the promulgation of the WDP by Pope Francis in 2017, I have celebrated it with the underprivileged, marginalised, migrants, and refugees in my previous parish in Sentul and now, for the past two years in Kuantan. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, I was still able to celebrate WDP. All profits generated from these events were utilised to fulfil the material and spiritual necessities of the impoverished.

 

This year’s event will be held at the Church of St Thomas, the Apostle, Kuantan, on Sunday, 19 November, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. It will be celebrated at Pahang/Terengganu District level, and all proceeds from the event will be utilised to provide aid during the monsoon floods that usually occur towards the end of the year, as well as for education for underprivileged children. We warmly welcome everyone to join us in our celebration.