STANDING WITH THOSE WHO SUFFER

On 15 August 2026, a strong magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Flores, Indonesia, causing extensive destruction and leaving at least 116 people dead, 1,678 injured, and over 161,000 people displaced. More than 77,900 people were reported to be living in evacuation centres, while homes, schools, places of worship and other facilities were damaged. Many families are now facing the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.

Just two weeks later, on 26 August, another tragedy struck the Himalayan region. A glacial collapse triggered devastating flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal–Tibet border, sweeping through villages, roads and communities. At least 470 people have lost their lives, with hundreds still missing. Rescue and relief efforts are continuing under very difficult conditions.

These tragedies remind us that tragedy or suffering can come suddenly and without warning. Behind every number is a family, a child, an elderly person or someone who has lost a home, a loved one, or the stability of daily life.

As Christians, we cannot remain indifferent to the sufferings of others. Our faith calls us to see, empathise, and act. The spirit of humanitarianism is very much at the heart of the Gospel: to reach out to those in need, to share what we have and to assure people in moments of darkness that they are not forgotten nor are they alone.

In response, the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, is appealing to our Parishioners, as well as the wider community, to support our humanitarian relief efforts. Our immediate focus is to collect essential goods and prepare a container of supplies for families affected by the flash floods in Nepal and Tibet. Our goal right now is to extend our assistance to those affected.

You may contribute essentials such as rice, canned food, biscuits, instant noodles, cooking oil, milk, toiletries, sanitary products, diapers, towels, blankets, sleeping mats, buckets and other practical household necessities. Food items should preferably have a long expiry date, ideally at least 6–12 months. Please ensure all donated items are clean, safe, and in good condition. Thereafter, you may send these to the Church of St Thomas, Kuantan (8.00 am to 9.00 pm), by 6 September 2026.

Those who wish to make cash contributions can inquire at the Parish Office (09-5177106) or email: stthomas@archkl.org

 

This coming week, we will deliver financial aid through the Caritas of the Diocese of Flores, Indonesia, instead of shipping a container of goods due to logistical challenges. Let’s keep those affected families in our prayers and turn our prayers into concrete acts of love and compassion.

We may not be able to rebuild an entire village or replace everything that has been lost. But we can do something. Let us therefore put our faith into action. Together, let us show compassion and become channels of God’s love, mercy and hope.

Note: Photos sourced from the Internet

LIVING OUR CHRISTIAN CALL TO COMPASSION

We celebrated World Humanitarian Day on 19 August 2026, a special occasion that reminds us of those who risk their lives and safety to help others. It also invites us to reflect on our own calling as Christians: to love our neighbours and, like the Good Samaritan, to recognise those who are suffering and respond with kindness, compassion, and mercy.

Jesus calls us to be His hands and feet in a broken world. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us of the importance of solidarity, recognising that we are not isolated individuals but members of one human family, responsible for one another. Every person possesses God-given dignity, regardless of nationality, race, religion, social status, or circumstance. Therefore, we cannot simply turn away from suffering, whether it occurs in distant parts of the world or within our own neighbourhoods.

We can live out this humanitarian spirit in simple yet meaningful ways.

First, we are called to pray for humanitarian workers who serve in places affected by war, violence, disasters and poverty. Let us also pray for peace in war-torn regions and for families who have been displaced from their homes, sometimes losing their possessions, security and loved ones. When we pray for them, we bring their needs before God and remind ourselves that their suffering matters. Prayer also opens our hearts to become more compassionate and willing to help. It moves us beyond concern to action, reminding us that faith must always be expressed through love and service.

Second, we can serve through our parish outreach, especially through PIHDM and SSVDP. We can visit the elderly and homebound, accompany those who are lonely, care for the sick, or assist families facing difficulties. Sometimes, a listening ear, a warm meal, a visit, or a simple act of kindness can bring renewed hope to someone who feels overlooked or forgotten.

Third, we can support those already serving through these ministries. Our generous contributions help provide food, essential household items, emergency assistance, and other immediate necessities to individuals and families experiencing hardship. In this way, our charity becomes a tangible expression of Christ's love and compassion.

While ministering in Seremban, I encountered a Pakistani family consisting of a mother and her three children who were held up in a detention camp. Her husband received the news and travelled from Pakistan to Malaysia to seek help and secure their release. Eventually, he reached out to the Church for assistance. With the support of PIHDM, we contacted the Embassy to obtain the necessary documentation, a process that took almost a week. Once the necessary documents were obtained, we made arrangements for their return flight tickets so the family could return home safely.

This experience reminded me that even small acts of kindness, when offered with faith and love, can make a profound difference in people's lives. May we embrace a spirit of humanity, coming together in care and service, helping to build a world where every person can live with dignity, peace, and hope.

LOVE CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO CHANGE

This month of August, our Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, together with the Dioceses of Penang and Johor-Melaka, especially commemorate and pray for “Prospects” – prisoners and all involved in Prison Ministry. Over the last 40 years, this ministry has actively supported prospects, their families, former prospects, and individuals who are seeking a fresh start after incarceration. It is a ministry of compassion, hope, and accompaniment.

At its heart, Prison Ministry mainly focuses on sharing Christ with those who might feel forgotten, listening to individuals who need someone to hear their stories, providing hope to the discouraged, accompanying those facing struggles, and above all, loving them as brothers and sisters whom God has not abandoned.

Prison Ministry is not about expecting the prospects to change immediately. Change requires time. Sometimes, a volunteer may spend many years walking with individuals without seeing much progress in their prospects. A prospect may struggle with addiction, return to prison, or make the same mistakes again. This can be painful and discouraging. We may ask: “Why hasn’t he changed? Why has he returned to prison? Have all our efforts been wasted?”

Nevertheless, our ministry stresses that only God can change hearts. Our task is to remain present, faithful, and compassionate. A visit, a conversation, a prayer, or even just saying, “I have not forgotten you,” can sow a small seed of hope in their hearts. Though we may not see God’s work right away, He is quietly active in every heart. God’s mercy provides people with the opportunity to change, learn from errors, and start anew. Therefore, Prison Ministry focuses on consistent presence and enduring love rather than immediate outcomes.

This year’s theme, “Transforming Lives Through Love,” highlights how love can open the door to change. When individuals receive forgiveness, respect, acceptance, and sincere concern, they can start to believe again: “I am not forgotten. My life still has meaning. I can begin anew.” This is the hope that Prison Ministry seeks to bring.

Every August 14, we commemorate the feast of St Maximilian Kolbe (Patron Saint for Prisoners), who sacrificed his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz during World War II. When a prisoner was sentenced to death, Fr Maximilian Kolbe volunteered to take his place. He died in a starvation cell, giving his life in love. I have personally visited his cell in Auschwitz, Poland, three times, each time finding it profoundly moving. In a place marked by suffering and death, the witness of St Maximilian reminds us that love can conquer hatred, and hope can shine even in the darkest moments.

Prison Ministry invites all of us to look beyond the prison walls. This weekend, let us pray for prisoners, their families, those who have been released, prison chaplains, volunteers, and all who support this ministry. Let us also welcome those who are rebuilding their lives after coming out of prison and help them to find dignity, acceptance, and a new beginning.

LIVING THE HEART OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Every year on 4 August, the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Jean-Marie Vianney. His life reminds every priest that the heart of the priesthood lies not in success or recognition, but in faithful service to God and His people. Through his deep love for the Eucharist, countless hours hearing confessions, and his compassion for those entrusted to him, he has become a model of a true shepherd after the heart of Christ.

The life of a priest today is both joyful and challenging. Priests are called to celebrate the sacraments, preach the Gospel, accompany families, visit the sick, and bring hope to those in need. In our Malaysian Church, with its rich diversity of cultures and languages, this mission often requires sacrifice, perseverance and a generous heart. Every priest is called to remain faithful, trusting that God works through our weaknesses.

St. Jean-Marie Vianney has been one of my favourite saints since my seminary days in 1995. His life has always inspired me to be a humble priest, close to the people, available to those in need, and faithful in prayer. Whenever the demands of ministry become heavy, I often look to his example and draw strength from his quiet perseverance. He reminds me that a priest does not have to do extraordinary things but simply needs to love God wholeheartedly and serve His people faithfully.

Fr. Philip Asirwalam and I travelled from Kuantan to the Church of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, Tampin, to celebrate the feast with Parish Priest Fr. Albert Arockiasamy and 30 other priests. Nearly 500 of the faithful gathered together for the Holy Hour, Vespers, the Rosary and the Eucharistic Celebration. It was a beautiful witness of priestly fraternity and a moment to renew our commitment to serve with greater pastoral zeal.

Our Parish warmly welcomes Rev Fr Philip Asirwalam, Assistant Priest of St. Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan. He previously served at the Church of Divine Mercy in Shah Alam during his diaconate and the first two months of his priesthood. His appointment is a great blessing, especially as our Parish once again receives an assistant priest after almost 23 years.

His presence will enhance our pastoral ministry, especially as we serve communities far beyond Kuantan city. Our mission reaches chapels and Mass centres, including Orang Asli villages, Indonesian migrant workers in sawmills and oil palm plantations, and families from Sabah and Sarawak serving in the Armed Forces and the Police. Now, we will be able to reach more people with the Gospel and the Eucharist, especially those on the outskirts of our Parish.

As we thank God for the gift of our priests, let us continue to pray for them, walk with them, and support them in their mission. The work of evangelisation belongs to all of us. Together, let us bring His love to every family, every village, every workplace and every heart, so all may know the joy and hope in Jesus Christ.

OUR MISSION TO EVANGELISE

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for August 2026: “Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.”

Our East Coast cities – Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu – continue to grow and develop rapidly. The expansion of new housing areas, businesses, roads and tourist attractions has created many opportunities. Life has become faster and busier, with families balancing work life, school and many other commitments, while technology keeps us constantly connected. Yet, despite all this progress, many people quietly experience loneliness. Neighbours often live side by side without really knowing one another, and meaningful relationships are increasingly replaced by digital interactions.

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that this quiet loneliness is not only a social challenge but also a spiritual one. Many hearts long to be seen, welcomed and loved. As followers of Christ, we are called to respond with the warmth, compassion and hope of the Gospel.

The Church has always grown because Christians lived as one family. They welcomed strangers, cared for those in need, prayed together and shared their lives with one another. Their love became a living witness to Christ. That same mission continues today. Evangelisation is not only about preaching from the pulpit or hosting large events. It begins in our daily encounters – with a smile, a listening ear, a visit to someone who is alone, an invitation to the Eucharistic celebration, or a simple act of kindness. Often, the Gospel is first experienced through genuine friendship before it is proclaimed in words.

We see this mission bearing fruit in our own Parish. This year, 16 adults – 4 in the English-speaking group, 2 in the Mandarin-speaking group, and 10 in the Bahasa Malaysia-speaking group – have begun their journey in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Each of them has responded to God’s invitation to know Jesus more deeply. Their presence reminds us that someone prayed for them, someone welcomed them, and someone encouraged them to take that first step of faith. 

Soon, they will become members of our Parish family, and all of us share the responsibility of accompanying them with our prayers, friendship and encouragement. Let us help them discover that the Church is truly a place where they belong.

Here in the East Coast, where we live respectfully alongside people of many faiths, sharing the Gospel often calls for patience, wisdom and sensitivity. We proclaim Christ not only through our words but also through lives marked by integrity, kindness, hospitality and joyful faith. Every act of love, every gesture of compassion and every faithful Christian life quietly proclaims the Gospel.

As we begin the month of August, let us make the Holy Father’s intention our own. May our homes become welcoming places, our Parish a true community of faith and love, and each of us a joyful missionary disciple, bringing the hope and peace of Christ to everyone we meet.