A JOURNEY THROUGH MARY TO JESUS

“Each bead is a step towards the Heart of Jesus through the heart of Mary,” St. Maximilian Kolbe.

October is a month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, one of the most beautiful and inspiring prayers in our Catholic tradition. The Rosary is not just a repetition of prayers – it is a spiritual journey through the life of Jesus and Mary, a heartfelt prayer that offers peace, strength, and hope in our lives.

 

The word “bead” actually comes from an Old English word "bede", meaning “prayer.” Each bead, therefore, becomes a sacred moment – an offering of love, gratitude, and trust to our Blessed Mother. Many of us have experienced miracles and graces received through this simple yet profound prayer, turning it into a truly heartfelt practice that connects us more closely to our faith.

 

St. Josemaria Escriva, a great lover of Mary, once wrote that the Rosary helps us engrave upon our hearts the life of Jesus – His hidden years, His preaching, His Passion, and His Resurrection. When we pray the Rosary, we should never separate ourselves from her. Instead, we stay close to her, speak with her, share our joys and struggles, and learn from her how to love Jesus more deeply. The Rosary is a journey of love through Mary to Jesus.

 

In every Catholic home, we place Mother Mary statues or images at our small altar or at a prominent sacred space within our home. It is a simple yet meaningful way to honour Mary by creating a humble Marian altar. This gentle reminder of her presence can inspire the whole family to pray and find peace. It helps us transform our home into a little “Nazareth,” where love, faith, and humility reside.

 

Praying the Rosary each day can really boost our faith, enrich our prayer life, and bring a sense of peace into our hearts. It also shapes our character by teaching us Mary’s virtues of love, patience, humility, and compassion. When we imitate her, we become more caring and forgiving towards others, find greater peace within ourselves, and remain hopeful even in challenging times. Most importantly, praying the Rosary helps us find a greater sense of purpose. It teaches us to see life through the eyes of faith and to trust that God’s plan is always rooted in love.

 

As we continue through October, let us unite our hearts with millions of Catholics around the world who pray the Rosary each day. Together, we honour Our Lady, deepen our love for her Son, and bring light into our home, our parish, and our world.

 

May Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, intercede for us and keep our families wrapped in her maternal love.

 

“The beginning of the way, at the end of which you will find yourself completely carried away by love for Jesus, is a trusting love for Mary.” – St. Josemaria Escriva

COLLEGE GENERAL 360: A LIVING LEGACY

From September 29 to October 1, 2025, the alumni of College General (CG360) gathered at Mariophile, Penang, to celebrate 360 years of history, faith, and priestly formation. The theme of this milestone event was “Remembering with Gratitude, Fidelity, and Hope.” Approximately 250 participants, including bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, former priests, and former seminarians from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Singapore, came together with their families to honour the rich legacy of one of the oldest seminaries in Asia.

The College General (CG) was established in Ayutthaya (Siam, 1665–1785), later relocating to Hon Dat, Vietnam (1765–1769), Pondicherry, India (1770-1782), and Malacca (1770), before settling permanently in Penang in 1802. The CG was founded by the Fathers of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP). Since 1970, they have entrusted it to the Local Ecclesial Authorities, who have become the custodians of this treasured institution. Today, generations of priests across Asia proudly trace their roots to this “College of Martyrs.”

The CG360 celebration commenced on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, a reminder of God’s protection and guidance through the centuries. Archbishop Julian Leow, in his homily, expressed gratitude for the many martyrs and missionaries whose courage and sacrifice inspired CG.

Day two focused on fidelity. Bishop Bernard Paul spoke of fidelity as a daily commitment rooted in perseverance, humility, and love. Rev Fr Vincent Senechal, MEP Superior, shared the MEP Society’s dedication to establishing seminaries and training missionary priests who embrace cultures, learn languages, and accompany the People of God. Cardinal William Goh of Singapore deepened this reflection, reminding us that fidelity is not just about what we do, but who we become in Christ – living celibacy, obedience, and joy as a true witness of the Gospel.

Day three focused on hope. Cardinal Sebastian Francis, in his homily, urged us to be visionaries and dreamers, carrying forward a mission of hope in the Malaysian Church. The Rector of CG, Rev. Fr. Innasi Muthu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MEP Fathers, the local bishops, and benefactors who have sustained CG through generations.

The presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski, along with Rev. Fr. Jean L’Hour, MEP (aged 92), Emeritus Bishop John Ha, and many others, enriched the gathering with wisdom, sharing, reflections, and inspiring testimonies. These days reminded us that College General remains vibrant, resilient, and missionary at heart, carrying forward an “unfinished work” of evangelisation with steadfast perseverance until the very end.

I fondly recall the last Alumni gathering in 1995, which coincided with Archbishop Murphy Pakiam’s Episcopal Ordination, when I was a first-year seminarian. That celebration was truly grand and unforgettable. Yet, this year’s gathering touched me more deeply. It was not about splendour, but about reconnecting with roots, cherishing memories, and experiencing the joy of belonging to a larger tradition. It warmed my heart to see how the friendships and lessons learned at College General continue to shape lives beyond the Priesthood.

College General is more than a building or history; it is a living witness to martyrs, missionaries, and priests who inspire us to continue the mission with gratitude for the past, fidelity in the present, and hope for the future. When we sang the theme song of our celebration of CG360: “We rise, we rise, to lift Your Name. We live, we live, to shout Your praise!” – may this spirit guide us into the next chapter of the journey of College General.

TOGETHER, MISSIONARIES OF HOPE

This year, we observe the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which coincides with the Jubilee of Migrants and of the Missions. The late Pope Francis has chosen the theme: “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope” and called on us to reflect on the connection between migration, mission, and hope.

Our world today is marked by war, violence, climate disasters, and economic inequality. These realities force millions of people to leave their homes in search of peace and safety. Sadly, nations often prioritise their own interests, neglecting the broader responsibility we share for the well-being of the entire human family.

And yet, in the midst of suffering, migrants themselves become powerful witnesses of hope. Their courage, resilience, and faith in God shine through as they strive for a better future. Like the people of Israel in the desert, they continue their journey, trusting in God’s protection. Migrants remind us that the Church, too, is always a pilgrim people, journeying towards our final homeland in heaven.

Jesus Christ, who Himself experienced displacement when His family fled to Egypt, identifies with migrants and the poor. They are not strangers to be feared, but brothers and sisters to be welcomed. As the Letter to the Hebrews says: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

For the late Pope Francis, migrants were not only people in need, but also missionaries of hope. Through their witness, energy, and faith, they breathe new life into our communities. They can help renew the Church, reminding us of God’s promise of peace and dignity for all His children.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to see migrants and refugees not as burdens, but as blessings - signs of God’s presence among us. The Christian response is clear: to welcome, to accompany, and to walk with them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

With this in mind, we will gather as a Parish on Sunday, 16 November 2025, to celebrate the 10^th World Day of the Poor. On that day, we will invite migrants, primarily from Indonesia and Myanmar, the Orang Asli, and the poor from our neighbourhood to join us in a joyful time of thanksgiving. This gathering is not just about charity, but about coming together in communion – sharing our lives, food, and friendship with those who truly need our support.

We require financial support to help us reach out to the poor, and at the same time, we invite you to share your time, enjoy meals together, and pray with our brothers and sisters. By welcoming them, we are truly welcoming Christ into our midst. May this celebration remind us that in God’s family, no one is a stranger, and together we can truly become a community of hope.

TREASURE CREATION AS OUR HOME

Every year from 1 September to 4 October, the Universal Church observes the Season of Creation. It is a time for prayer, reflection and action to care for our common home, the Earth. The season ends on 4 October with the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the saint who loved God’s creation, and reminded us that all creatures are our brothers and sisters.

This year is particularly significant because the Church celebrates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures” and the receipt of his stigmata. In 2026, we will mark the 800th anniversary of his death. As Patron of Italy and a universal model of simplicity and peace, St. Francis continues to inspire us to love and protect God’s creation.

This weekend, we reflect on the theme: “Let Justice and Peace Flow.” The destruction of the environment is not only about polluted rivers or disappearing forests. At its core, it is also about broken relationships, selfishness, greed and injustice. When creation suffers, people suffer too - especially the poor and vulnerable. Without justice, there can be no peace. And without peace, creation cannot flourish.

During this Season of Creation, we are encouraged to pause and listen. The voice of creation is heard in the cry of the Earth, in the cry of the poor, and even in the silence of forests, rivers, and skies. Creation is God’s precious gift, yet it suffers from climate change, pollution and exploitation. We are called to be healers, protectors and co-workers with God in protecting and renewing the Earth.

Pope Francis, in Laudato Sí, reminds us that ecological conversion is not only about science, innovation or politics, but it also touches our faith deeply. It calls us to gratitude, simplicity and solidarity. To care for creation is to live out the Gospel, for Jesus came to bring life in abundance for all – not just for humans, but for every creature.

Here are some practical steps we can take in our daily lives:

a.     Pray for creation – Thank God for the beauty of nature, and ask for the grace to care for it.

b.     Reduce waste – Use less plastic - recycle and avoid unnecessary consumption.

c.     Save energy and water – Turn off lights, conserve water and opt for walking or cycling whenever possible.

d.     Plant and protect – Care for trees, plants or even small gardens, as signs of hope.

e.     Support the poor – Remember that environmental harm affects the poor first. Acts of charity and justice go hand in hand with care for the Earth.

As we journey through this Season of Creation, let us not only admire nature but also act with courage and hope. May the spirit of St Francis of Assisi inspire us to treasure creation as our home and to safeguard it for generations to come.

SHEPHERDING GOD’S PEOPLE WITH HOPE

From Sunday evening, 7 September 2025, to Friday afternoon, 12 September 2025, I joined 35 brother Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and the Diocese of Melaka-Johor for our annual spiritual retreat at Majodi Centre in Plentong, Johor. It was guided by Rev Dr Henry D’Souza, SVD from Mumbai, India. Our six days together was a time of silent reflection, prayer, renewal, and rediscovering our call to be Priests for a Synodal Church.

A retreat is always a favourable time (2 Cor 6:2). It is when the Lord reshapes and moulds us, like clay in the potter’s hand (Jer 18:5-6). We are invited to surrender our Priestly lives entirely into His hands, with no resistance, trusting that God is doing something new in us (Is 43:19).

Fr Henry reminded us that a retreat is not just a break from our pastoral duties, but a grace-filled experience where Christ renews our hearts (Eph 3:16–19). To gain the most from this time, he encouraged us to adopt six dispositions: self-surrender, attentive listening, deep longing for God, seeking His will, hungering for His presence, and discovering His purpose for our lives and ministries.

One of the strongest invitations was to “put out into the deep” (Lk 5:4) – to leave behind shallow waters of comfort, routine and clericalism, and to venture courageously into deeper waters of faith, co-responsibility and listening. Just as Jesus met Peter in his exhaustion and disappointment, Christ meets us in our weaknesses and renews us for His mission.

We are also reminded that priestly identity is not found in titles, roles or positions, but in being beloved sons of God and living in Persona Christi. To be a priest is not a career, but a lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church. Our vocation calls us to walk with parishioners, to welcome them without judgment, to unite rather than divide, and to be shepherds who journey with the flock.

Fr Henry also identified the crises Priests face today: confusion of identity with roles, temptations of power, comfort or popularity, and the wounds to credibility and leadership. However, he reminded us of Jesus’ gaze upon Peter after his denial – a gaze of choice, forgiveness, and mission. Like Peter, every Priest is an imperfect human, yet we are loved, forgiven, and sent forth anew.

A Synodal Church is rooted in communion, participation and mission. As priests, we are called to promote communion, heal divisions and build trusting relationships. This involves cultivating a spirit of listening, humility and servant leadership. True leadership, as Jesus showed, is not about power, but service - not about distance, but closeness. A priest must “smell like the sheep” (Pope Francis), walking with his people and empowering them.

Finally, Fr Henry challenged us with inner transformation, by putting on the mind of Christ (Rom 12:2) – a mind of humility, self-emptying and openness to God’s Spirit. Only then can our priesthood radiate joy and hope to the people entrusted to us.

SEEDS OF PEACE AND HOPE

This year, the Season of Creation runs from 1 September to 4 October 2025 with the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope.” The season takes on special significance as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, gently reminding us that, like seeds buried in soil to grow into new life, we are also called in Christ to be seeds that help renew the earth and bring peace to the world.

Jesus describes Himself as the grain of wheat that must die to produce new life (Jn 12:24). From small, hidden beginnings, new life blooms. Flowers even sprout in the cracks of concrete roads, showing us that God’s creation has a remarkable way of surprising us with beauty and hope. The prophet Isaiah assures us that when God’s Spirit is poured out, barren deserts will transform into fruitful gardens, and justice will bring lasting peace and security (Is 32: 15–18).

Today, our common home suffers deeply. Pope Leo XIV warns of deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity, often driven by greed and injustice. The poor and the vulnerable, especially indigenous communities, are the ones who suffer most from these wounds. Too often, creation itself is treated as a simple commodity, fought over and exploited, instead of a gift entrusted to our care.

The Holy Father, in his message for the 10^th World Day of Prayer for the care of creation 2025, reminds us that caring for creation is not an optional part of Christian life but a core expression of our faith. God commanded humanity to “till and keep” the earth (Gen 2:15), which means to cultivate, protect, and preserve it. It involves justice, protecting the environment, and honouring the Creator. Harming creation affects the poor and dishonours God. Caring for it fosters peace and hope for future generations.

As a parish, let’s continue praying, reflecting, and taking action together during this beautiful Season of Creation. We include prayers for caring for the planet and for those most affected by environmental crises in our daily prayers. We can also offer the Rosary or pray during Mass with this intention. Let’s come together with open hearts and hope to make a positive difference.

During our recent Catechetical meeting, we agreed to continue with Our Parish’s ecological initiatives, including recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, tree planting, and maintaining the grounds. We aim to deepen the understanding of our catechism students of caring for creation by encouraging them to take small actions at home, in Sunday classes, or within the Church, such as reducing their use of single-use plastic, conserving water, and turning-off light switches and air conditioners when leaving the room.

Let us sow seeds through prayer, education, and action that will grow into peace for our world and hope for our children. May the Spirit of God help us to till and keep the garden of the world, so that creation may truly reflect the glory of Christ.

LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ALL CREATION

Let’s take a moment to reflect on two significant calls: caring for creation, and our nation’s 68th Merdeka Day celebration!

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for September 2025 is deeply Franciscan: “Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our inter-dependence with all creatures who are loved by God, and worthy of love and respect.” This intention coincides with the Season of Creation, which the Church observes in September. It is a time to pray, reflect and act with creation, not just to preserve it for the future, but because creation itself is God’s gift and revelation of love.

Pope Francis reminded us that “the earth is sick, just like anyone who’s sick.” Creation groans under the weight of human negligence, climate change and environmental disasters. As the Holy Father pointed out, it is always the poor who suffer the most when families are forced from their homes by floods, droughts or other natural disasters. The Pope called us to a response that is not only ecological, but also social, economic and political. We are called to commit ourselves to fight against poverty, and to protect nature by changing our personal and community habits.

As a Parish community, we will take a tangible step forward on this journey. Starting 31 August 2025 - coinciding with Merdeka Day - our Parish will commit to a renewed ecological initiative. Together, we will cultivate habits and undertake projects that protect the environment - from reducing waste to planting trees, conserving energy to raising awareness on how our everyday choices impact the environment. Inspired by Saint Francis, we aim to make our Parish a testament that love for God must also include love and respect for all of God’s creatures.

This call for ecological conversion also resonates deeply with the meaning of Merdeka. Malaysia celebrates 68 years of independence this year. Independence is not just about raising our national flag, but about building a nation that upholds justice and dignity - caring for all its citizens. Sadly, we often see strong reactions - such as when the flag is raised upside down - while deeper crises such as rising living costs, environmental degradation and a loss of trust in leaders,  are left unaddressed.

True patriotism must go beyond the national flag. It is about ensuring that every citizen has food security, quality healthcare, fair opportunities, and the freedom to live with dignity. A mature and confident nation listens to the cries of its people, and the cries of creation. Malaysia should strive to be a nation that shows respect for both people and homeland (tanahair).

Let us therefore unite our love for God, creation and our beloved country. As we pledge ourselves to ecological care, may we also renew our commitment to building a nation rooted in justice, compassion and responsibility. In this way, we honour both the Creator and the cherished gift of independence as true Malaysians.

HAPPY MERDEKA, MALAYSIA!

LET’S KEEP THE SPIRIT OF UNITY ALIVE!