MY LORD, MY GOD AND MY HOPE

Over the past ten days, we have experienced a beautiful and faith-filled celebration of our Parish feast. Our Parishioners, as well as pilgrims from around the Klang Valley, came together with deep devotion to honour our beloved Patron - St Thomas, the Greatest Gift of Our Times. Each day’s celebration brought us closer to understanding how Thomas’ journey from doubt to faith, continues to inspire us today. Through daily reflection on the sub-themes of the day, and Eucharistic celebrations, we are reminded that when we encounter Christ, our hearts are touched and transformed, and we are filled with hope. Now, like St Thomas, we are called to believe in Christ and courageously go on mission.

One of the most moving moments of the novena was the Anointing of the Sick, where over 150 individuals came forward seeking healing. It was a powerful reminder that the wounds of Christ are our hope, strength and healing. The overall celebrations have revitalised our spirit and affirmed that St Thomas remains a guiding light in our times. As we look ahead, may we continue to turn to our patron saint to lead us deeper in faith and strengthen our hope.

Now, as we are already in the second half of 2025, we are encouraged to reflect on our spiritual journey once again. The midpoint of the year is not just a passing moment, but a spiritual opportunity for growth. In this Jubilee Year, we are called to let go of what holds us back, embrace healing and renewal, and step into new beginnings with faith and courage. It is a time of transformation, where the Holy Spirit continues to inspire us to witness fearlessly and share in the Lord’s goodness authentically.

This weekend, we gather with warm hearts to support and pray for our Confirmation camp participants. Approximately 18 participants - led by dedicated facilitators headed by Alvin Fernandez - will be guided in their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit inspire their hearts, helping them grow in faith, deepen their love for Christ, and live out their baptismal call with confidence, courage and joy.

On Saturday, 12 July 2025, we also warmly welcome 80 young people from the Archdiocese Single Adults and Youth Office (ASAYO) and 20 of our Parish youth, for the Jubilee of Youth celebration. May their experience help them to live their faith with purpose and passion. Furthermore, may our Parish youth find inspiration to discern their vocations and assume leadership roles within the Church of today.

Like St Thomas, the Apostle, may we move from uncertainty to one of confident witness, from searching, to proclaiming – “My Lord, My God and My Hope.” Let us walk forward together as pilgrims of faith and messengers of hope, trusting that God guides us at every step, especially as we focus on Formation in Discernment this month, in line with the Pope’s intention. May our eyes remain fixed on Christ, our hearts anchored in hope, and our lives committed to love.

WITH ST THOMAS: WE DISCERN, WE SEEK, WE BELIEVE

This month of July, the Pope’s intention for the Universal Church focuses on the theme of Formation in Discernment. His intention is that we may “learn again how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.” 

In a world filled with noise, choices, and nonstop activity, discernment can be a challenging task. Discernment enables us to pause and reflect on our choices and the direction of our lives. Discernment is not reserved for the priestly and religious life. To discern, to listen, to seek, and to choose not merely what is good, but what is God’s will. It is also for the major life choices. It is a daily practice: how we speak, how we love, how we forgive, how we prioritise our time, how we respond to suffering, and how we remain faithful in both happy moments and trials. 

Formation in discernment must be grounded in prayer, enriched by the Word of God, directed by spiritual guidance, and affirmed through community and mission. This call to discernment comes at a beautiful moment for our Parish community of St Thomas, Kuantan, as we approach the conclusion of the feast of our patron, St Thomas, the Apostle, on 6 July 2025. Our novena, which began on 27 June 2025 and will culminate on Sunday, 6 July 2025, has been a truly grace-filled moment. We thank God for the inspiring presence of a few Presiders who have presided over our Novena, Feast and Thanksgiving Masses. 

During the first three days of the novena to St. Thomas, celebrated by Rev Fr Peter Anthoney and Rev Fr Xavier Andrew, which continued over the subsequent two days. Rev Fr Clement Lim presided on the sixth day of the novena. The last four days, from 3 to 6 July, featured Rev Fr Joe Stephen, CSsR, celebrating our novena Masses, which included the Anointing of the Sick, followed by a candlelight procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament and a Thanksgiving Mass to St. Thomas as a concluding feast.

Their preachings, prayers, and examples have helped open our hearts to deeper faith formation in discernment as we journey through the second half of this Jubilee Year of Hope. St. Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas,” exemplifies sincere faith and courage. He teaches us that faith is not the absence of questions but the willingness to seek, touch, and meet the risen Christ. His journey from doubt to proclamation, from hesitation to mission, mirrors every believer’s search for the truth in Christ, Our Hope, who will never disappoint.

Our nine-day Novena Masses and a Thanksgiving Mass will guide us to discern rightly, live faithfully, and follow Christ wholeheartedly. Like St. Thomas, may we echo those powerful words: “My Lord and My God!” and thus choose the path of life.

A JUBILEE OF PRIESTLY LOVE

The Jubilee of Priests took place from Wednesday, 25 June to Friday, 27 June 2025. The Church gathered its parishioners in gratitude and intercession, dedicating time to pray for all priests as they reflected on and renewed their sacred calling, in preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctity of Priestly Life. It is a day that reminds our priests to return to the source of their vocation: the Heart of Christ, the Eternal High Priest.

We gratefully remember the many priests who have served our community since the founding of our Parish in 1906. Some walked with us for many years, others for only a short time, but each left a lasting legacy through their ministry, witness, and dedication. These Bishops, Priests, and Deacons stood at our Church altars, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They baptised us and our children, celebrated our weddings, comforted us in sickness, guided us gently in confession, and lovingly laid our loved ones to rest.

In our Parish of St. Thomas, Kuantan, we celebrated this Jubilee of Priests with three prayerful days, during which all Masses and devotions were specifically dedicated to the intentions of priests, both past and present. On Wednesday, the focus was on remembering all priests who served in our parish over the decades. We lifted them in prayer, recalling not only their names but also their presence as spiritual fathers who guided us in faith. 

On Thursday, our prayers turned to the living priests who have ministered among us more recently and continue to be present in our lives. These are not just ministers of the altar, but friends and companions who have walked with our families and supported our East Coast Catholic community with dedication and love.

Then, on Friday, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entered even more deeply as we began our Novena to St. Thomas, the Apostle, with a special Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Our intentions reached beyond our Parish to include the priests of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and throughout Malaysia. We prayed for strength and renewal for them, especially as they carry the weight of pastoral demands in our changing world. Though often weary, they remain steadfast in their willingness to serve the Lord and His Church.

As we celebrate our Jubilee, let’s take a moment to appreciate the wonderful priests who walk alongside us! These remarkable persons are familiar faces, friends, and servants of God who play a vital role in our lives. They are our companions, friends, and sources of encouragement. Let us express our heartfelt thanks to them! Together, let's strive to imitate the love and service they have shown us. Cheers to our Priests – thank you for all you do!

INSPIRING FAITH IN YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY

 This weekend, we express our gratitude to God as we reflect on two inspiring figures who are models of young people’s faith and discernment: Pope Leo XIV and Saint Philip Minh with his companions. Their lives and stories inspire our young people in their vocational discernment and the virtues they must cultivate.

On Thursday, 19 June 2025, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, celebrated 43 years since his ordination to the sacred priesthood. More than four decades ago, he dedicated his life to Christ and the Church. In 1982, he was ordained in Rome at the age of 27 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, marking the beginning of his priestly service.

Pope Leo celebrated his priestly anniversary with a private Mass, expressing gratitude despite the absence of a public celebration at the Vatican. This act reflects his deep commitment to his role as a priest and Bishop of Rome, and now as the Successor of Peter, guiding the Universal Church. His journey emphasises that the priesthood is a lifelong path of love, sacrifice, and grace, dedicated to serving God and His people. This anniversary invites us to reflect on the beauty of being a priest, a special calling to live closely with Christ and share His light with the world. In uncertain times, the enduring witness of our shepherd speaks louder than words through their perseverance, dedication and prayer.

On 19 June, we also commemorated the Memorial of Saint Philip Minh and his four companions – Saint Peter Quy, Saint Paul Loc, Saint John Hoan, and Saint Peter Luu - who were students at the College General in Penang in the 1800s. They were profoundly shaped by the Gospel during their seminary years in our very own region. Upon returning to their homeland, Vietnam, they dedicated themselves to serving their people during a time of persecution. 

Their story exemplifies extraordinary courage and conviction. When commanded to renounce Christ, they chose to stay faithful, even at the cost of their lives. In 1853, they were martyred and to honour their sacrifice, Pope Saint John Paul II canonised them as saints in 1988, together with 116 other Vietnamese Martyrs. They are shining examples of fidelity and loyalty in the face of persecution. Like these holy martyrs, young people today face trials, doubts, and hardships as they stand for Jesus, remain steadfast, and always hope in Christ, who always rises again.

As we prepare for the Jubilee Year for Priests from Wednesday, 25 June to Friday, 27 June, 2025, let us reflect on the lives of Pope Leo XIV and Saint Philip Minh with his companions. Their commitment to priestly service and courageous martyrdom inspires young people as they discern their own vocations. In the face of challenges and uncertainties, may they be encouraged to listen to God’s call and respond with faith and generosity. Let us seek the intercession of Saint Philip Minh and his companions, nurturing the seeds of vocation and holiness in the hearts of the young people today.

RISING AS ONE CHURCH IN MALAYSIA

We are glad to have experienced a meaningful and purposeful Easter Season, a time for grace, reflection, and the renewal of our faith. As a Parish and as individuals, we have engaged in numerous spiritual activities, liturgies, and events during this sacred season. It has truly awakened our spirits, uniting us as one Body of Christ and strengthening our commitment to witness the message of the Risen Lord.

Over the past two weeks, starting on 1 June 2025, we have had a truly special moment in our Parish as we welcomed the Perjalanan Salib (Pilgrimage Cross). This Cross arrived from Terengganu and was placed with reverence at the main entrance of our Church. After the Mandarin Mass on Sunday at 11.30 am, the Mandarin-speaking Parishioners gathered in prayer around the Salib (Cross). Throughout the week, the Salib journeyed to two Kampung Asli and other outstation Mass centres, blessing the lives of these communities. It has been a heartwarming experience for all of us!

On the weekend of 7 and 8 June 2025, the Salib was placed in the sanctuary, becoming the spiritual centrepiece of our liturgies. After the Prayer of the Faithful at each Mass, we knelt and prayed together, lifting up all the nine dioceses (three in Peninsular Malaysia and the six dioceses in Sabah and Sarawak), as well as our communities and families, in heartfelt intercession. Following the weekend Masses, the Cross was transferred to the Adoration Room. There, Parishioners continued to reflect and pray quietly, both as groups and individuals, before the Salib.

A special prayer gathering for all teenagers and youths of our Parish was organised on Saturday, 14 June 2025, from 10 am to 12 noon, inviting them to encounter Christ in a profound way through this significant symbol of faith, the Perjalanan Salib. It has immersed them in deeper prayer and meditation, fostering within them the spirit of courageous witnesses of the Gospel in today’s world.

This Salib is more than a symbol; it forms part of a national devotional pilgrimage initiated by our nine Malaysian Bishops on 3 April 2025, during the Malaysia Catholic Youth Day in Kota Kinabalu. It serves as spiritual preparation for the Pan-Malaysia Pastoral Convention, scheduled for September 2026, reminding us all to rise as one Church in Malaysia – walking in one mission, living as one Body of Christ, and moving forward in one Spirit.

Our Parish is now preparing for the Novena, Feast Day, and Thanksgiving Mass of Saint Thomas, the Apostle, from Friday, 27 June to Sunday, 6 July 2025. This year’s theme is “Saint Thomas: The Greatest Gift of Our Times.” Last year, we requested permission for a Eucharistic procession through the town, but it was not approved. We have submitted the application again this year and hope the authorities will grant us permission.

You are warmly invited to bring your family and friends to celebrate our Patron Saint, Saint Thomas, the Apostle. As we move forward, may the Holy Spirit continue to stir our hearts, guiding us in faith and mission. May Saint Thomas intercede for us always.