Mission of the Church is for All!!!

In the gospel of LK 10:1-12, 17-20, Jesus sends out the seventy in groups of two. He sends them out two by two because it provides companionship for their journey, and the ability to hold up each other when the going gets tough. The seventy disciples or missionaries are told that they may not be successful or well received in every town and not everyone will receive the message of Christ with open heart.

Every authentic Christian is called to participate in the spreading of the message of Christ through a total commitment in prayer and action. He calls us to commit ourselves completely to Him, and hold nothing back.

Mission is for all of us. You have been invited, you have been sent, you have been entrusted to carry out the mission of the Church. We shall continue to pray for the increase of consecrated vocations to the priesthood and religious life and the involvement of laity in the life of the Church.

AMORIS LAETITIA – ON LOVE IN THE FAMILY

Last weekend I was away from our Parish as I was focusing on the Catholic Marriage Preparation Course (CMPC) at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur. I was one of the main presenters for the 27 couples who were preparing themselves for marriage. The weekend’s course was basically to help couples reflect on the significance of marriage and family from the perspective of the Catholic Church’s teachings. It is a great preparatory course and very practical too, in order for couples to understand the ultimate meaning of marriage life and how to relate to one another in relation to the Church, culture, community, family as well as personal relationships.

During the weekend of CMPC, I really took time to complete my reading on the new document on Marriage, which is called in Latin, ‘AMORIS LAETITIA, (The Joy of Love)’. Pope Francis released this great teaching document of the Church on love in the family dated 19 March 2016. It is 214 pages long and I read it in between the sessions and during my break time over the weekend prayerfully and thoughtfully. While reading I sensed my exhilaration, excitement and enthusiasm was greatly heightened.

The ‘Joy of Love’ primarily focuses on pastoral care in line with the Year of Mercy, which covers a wide collection of topics connected with the family and marriage today. The Pope inscribed it with Scripture, the actual situation of families and how to keep firmly grounded in reality. This document is to help us grow towards realising the Church’s   teaching on Marriage in our own lives and to help integrate us into the life of the Church. For the priests, the Holy Father stresses the importance of tenderness, compassion, and encouragement when issues facing families, divorce, those civilly remarried, couples who are living together, same sex union and upbringing of children. The clergy are reminded to carefully and prayerfully discern and take care of them with affection and encourage them along the path to conversion and the Gospel without watering down the Church’s teaching on marriage.

Presently, people face painfulness of marriage because they fail to provide love, support and security in the family. Many partners have done much damage and failed to save their marriage and closed the door forever. For couples who are in crisis give your marriage a second chance and put the pieces back together again. Have faith and hope and pray that you will always stick together and I’m sure you can make your marriage better and stronger than it was before.

Married couples can’t be sure of your family life but you need to focus on yourself, and on each other in the family. The Church always invites the individuals to focus on spiritual and moral life.

My dear parishioners, I strongly recommend you to read this document at your own pace. You can purchase it from our parish office.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CATHOLICS LAST A LIFETIME

Last Sunday I had a formation for parents and godparents for this year’s confirmation students. There were about 48 of them who attended the session out of 60. Thank you to all of those who took the time and effort to attend this session. Some of these parents and godparents will be animating the Confirmation Mass on 2nd July.

During the session I highlighted to them not only their roles and responsibilities, but also the challenges the parents, godparents and parish itself could face after the children’s confirmation:

• ·      We, the catechism teachers and coordinators, are competent in preparing our teenagers for the Sacrament, but what happens the days after their Sacrament of Confirmation?
• ·      How is it that many of our teenagers are confirmed, but we don’t see most of them again in the life of the Church?
• ·      Why do so many of our Confirmation students drift away from the church after receiving the Sacrament?
• ·      Parents and godparents, are you willing to spend your time to help your children grow closer to Jesus?

Soon, our confirmation students will end their catechism classes. Parents and godparents, you will be their primary tutors for the rest of the years to come. You must make every effort to lead them to Jesus so that they may develop their friendship and discipleship with Jesus.

We all are required to renew our lives daily. Our Parish is always providing on-going spiritual formation and educational programmes for all levels. After receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are encouraged to get involved in the dynamic life in Jesus, His Church, and in personal outreach to others. We shall remember to pray for our confirmation students that they may live the Catholic faith when they meet this troubling and challenging world and mature in their service to God and each other.

We celebrated the Jubilee Year of Priests on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Father’s Day last weekend. It was wonderful to hear that many of you remembered to pray for me as your priest/spiritual father. I take great pride and rejoice with you for my accomplishments of two years in this parish. Despite having experienced many great as well as difficult moments along the way, I feel loved and proud to be part of your Parish and family. I pray that I will remain firm in the teachings of the Church, and through my homilies and talks, will follow what I preach through my actions in my everyday living.

My dear parishioners, you are always wonderful to me. We shall work together as a community and do remain united in prayers as we continue to serve our parish in this Year of Mercy. Let us continue to focus on “BECs – Witnessing Jesus through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy”. God bless you and your families.

APPRECIATING OUR FATHERS

On this third Sunday of June, we celebrate Father’s Day. We specially honour all our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers and our spiritual fathers as well. They have greatly influenced our family life and society. Father’s Day was inaugurated in the early 20th Century to complement Mother’s day.

Children, you would probably contemplate designing cards for your fathers or on the type of gifts to purchase such as electronic gadgets or a suitable place to go where the family may dine together. Just give a big hug to your fathers and tell them that you love them and if possible do spend time together during this weekend.

Do thank them graciously for the things they provided to you and for your family and the efforts they took in ensuring your education. Do thank them for the faithful instruction and advice given for your moral and faith life.

Fathers, don’t be too hard on your children. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful but instead instill in them the love for God and loving discipline. Do make this world a better place for your children throughout their growing years.

We are already in the second half of the year. Our children are back in school after their short-term break. This Sunday, Catechism classes will resume. We have about 15-17 Sunday classes for the rest of this year.

There will be about 34 candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on 2 July 2016 (Saturday)at our Church. Many parents and godparents are eagerly waiting to witness their children being conferred by Archbishop Julian Leow. I am sure that many of you have already invited or will be sending invitations to your relatives and close friends to attend the Confirmation Mass. You may have already been thinking about what presents to purchase and what kind of outfits to get for your children. Some would have already planned or made reservations for your family dinner or lunch. While it is all right to make such preparations, please don’t forget the spiritual preparations.

The Catechism teachers and coordinators have been tirelessly preparing your children spiritually these past years for their Sacrament of Confirmation. On 25th June, a week prior to the Sacrament of Confirmation, our candidates will be having the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As our young people and our own children are preparing for their Confirmation we pray that they will celebrate and live their lives as Catholics and embrace their Catholic identity.

May they come to understand what it means to live as a true and  faithful ambassador of Christ (2 Cor 5:20) and grateful sons and daughters who value the moral teachings of the Church and their faith.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 

Take up your Cross Daily and Follow Me!

"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me," (LK 9: 23).

We follow Jesus today because we know what He did for us on Mt Calvary. Jesus' calling to be His disciples was a lifetime calling to follow and to be more intimate friendships and fellowship with a deeper understanding. We follow Jesus today because we know what He did for us on Mt Calvary. If we want to be His followers, then we must make sacrifices. The sacrifice usually involves, the sacrifice of self or put aside our own desires and conveniences, our time, talents and treasures. We are invited to take deeper commitments every day to serve God, His Church and to serve others.

“My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.”