THE BEAUTY OF VOCATIONS

Pope Leo XIV, in his message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, invites us to rediscover vocations as an inward journey of encountering God’s free gift, which blossoms in the depths of our hearts. Rooted in the image of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, vocations are seen as beautiful paths in which life becomes meaningful and radiant when lived in close relationship with the Lord.

The Holy Father highlights that God’s beauty is discovered through prayer, silence, and reflection. Like St Augustine, who found God in the depths of his heart, therefore, each person is called to nurture an interior life in which God’s voice can be heard. Vocation is not imposed but is a free and loving invitation, calling each person to respond with joy and openness.

The Holy Father highlights that every vocation begins with the awareness that God knows and loves us personally, and invites us into a relationship through the Word, Sacraments, and acts of charity. This awareness leads to trust, especially when God’s plans are mysterious or challenging. The example of Saint Joseph serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God’s will.

The Pope also emphasises that vocations are ongoing processes of growth, not merely a one-off event. Vocations mature through daily fidelity, guidance, community support, and openness to the Holy Spirit. Just as branches are connected to the vine, our lives must remain rooted in Christ.

Finally, he urges young people to pause, listen, and trust in God, confident that every vocation is a gift that brings happiness and bears fruit for the Church and the world, under the loving guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For me, the priesthood has always been a beautiful gift to the Church, and it carries deep meaning for everyone who responds to His calling. In the light of the Holy Father’s message, I realise that my vocation is not something I possess, but it is a grace I must continually rediscover in the depths of my heart.

There have been moments in my priestly journey when the path seemed uncertain, when plans did not go as I had expected. Yet, in those moments, I have come to understand that the Holy Spirit is gently guiding, shaping, and leading me according to God’s plan, a plan far greater than my own understanding.

Vocation is not about being perfect, but about trust in the Lord. Just as Jesus, the Good Shepherd who goes before us, gently guides me each day, inviting me to renew my promises. Through my personal prayer, the Eucharistic celebration, and the people entrusted to my care, I can see how this calling continues to grow and deepens over time.

Indeed, the priesthood is truly beautiful – because it is a journey with Christ, a daily act of surrender, and a peaceful joy in serving His people with love.

 

RENEWED BY THE FIRE OF VOCATION

As we journey through the Easter season—a time of renewal, hope, and new life—the Church invites us this month to widen our hearts in prayer, especially for priests. For April 2026, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, calls the entire Church to pray in a special way for priests who are going through moments of crisis.

The Holy Father’s intention truly touches the reality of priestly life. Priests, though called and consecrated for service, remain human and vulnerable. They, too, experience fatigue, loneliness, emotional struggles, and, at times, discouragement in their vocation. The weight of ministry, the expectations placed upon them, and the pain of misunderstandings or scandals can leave them feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

The Holy Father reminds us that priests do not need perfection from us but rather our presence. They need communities that listen without judgment, offer support without demands, and walk with them in sincere friendship. Above all, they need our prayer and encouragement. We are invited to ask the Lord to “rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel” so that their hearts may be renewed by the fire of their vocation.

This is also a call for us, as a parish community, to rediscover our shared mission. The priest does not carry the mission of the Church alone. Through the grace of baptism, each of us shares in the responsibility of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. When we support our priests with understanding, encouragement, and collaboration, we strengthen the whole Body of Christ.

As we approach Vocation Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, this message takes on even greater significance. We are invited not only to pray for more vocations but also to foster a nurturing environment in which vocations can flourish. Young people are more likely to say “yes” to God’s call when they see priests who are joyful, supported, and faithful. Our witness today shapes the Church of tomorrow.

The Holy Father himself stands as a witness to courage and fidelity. In a world marked by conflict and division, he continues to proclaim the Gospel truth with clarity and humility. His voice remains prophetic, rooted in Christ’s call: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Despite criticism and global challenges, he remains steadfast in promoting peace, dialogue, and compassion for all who suffer due to war. Let us also keep him in our prayers, that he may be strengthened in his mission.

We make every effort to pray more deeply, care more intentionally, and love more generously for our Pope, bishops, and priests. Let us ensure they always feel supported and never alone. Let us walk with them, support them, and entrust them to the Lord. For when we care for them, we care for and nurture the very heart of our Church.

            

       

HIS GRACE WORKS WITHIN US

Our Easter Triduum celebrations this year were truly uplifting - filled with faith, unity, and mission - revealing how the Risen Lord continues to gather His people from every corner and lead them into new life.

We were blessed to have two priests serving the Easter Triduum in different communities simultaneously, drawing our parishioners into deeper prayer, reflection, and participation in the sacred mysteries. Rev. Fr. Christopher Wee, SJ, led the Triduum at St. Thomas, the Apostle, Kuantan, while Rev. Fr. Fransickus from Flores celebrated with our Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesian-speaking communities.

I had the privilege of celebrating the Triduum with the newly founded Orang Asli community at Kampung Kundang, about 12 kilometres from Muadzam Shah and approximately 200 kilometres from Kuantan. We have been journeying with this community since July 2025 - offering catechesis, sharing the faith, and patiently walking with them in their spiritual formation.

Despite many challenges, their openness, attentiveness and deep hunger for Jesus have touched us. Their genuine responses, often expressed in a heartfelt “Amen!” reveal a faith that is pure, humble, and firmly rooted in trust.

After nine months of preparation, this Easter marked a historic and grace-filled moment. For the first time, the Easter Triduum was celebrated with Orang Asli communities coming together - from two other Kampungs Asli, Batu 3 Kuala Rompin, and Bukit Serok (70 kms from Muadzam Shah town) - meeting at Kampung Kundang. 

During the Easter Vigil, 81 adults received the Sacraments of Initiation, and on Easter Sunday, 41 children were baptised. In total, 122 members of the Orang Asli community professed their faith in Christ. 

They came from different Protestant churches and animist cultural backgrounds, and have now joyfully embraced the Catholic faith. We warmly welcomed them into our parish family of St. Thomas, Kuantan.

This is truly a new dawn of faith among the Orang Asli. The Risen Lord continues to act in ways that surprise and inspire us, drawing people closer to Himself. In these humble beginnings, we clearly see that love has risen again - alive and active in the hearts of His people and His Church.

At St. Thomas Church, 13 people received the Sacraments of Initiation, and one was welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil celebrated by Fr. Christopher Wee.

As we reflect on these celebrations, we recognise that what has occurred is more than numbers - it is a life of grace, transformation, and hope. In the simplicity and sincerity of these communities, we have witnessed the quiet yet powerful presence of God at work.

God does not require perfection - He desires willing hearts. A sincere “yes” enables His grace to work within us and gives us strength to live as Resurrected People.

    

LOVE HAS RISEN AGAIN

The Easter Season has arrived—a season of light, hope, and new life. Today, we rejoice and celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death. Easter is not simply a day we observe; it is a living reality we are invited to enter. The Risen Lord approaches us, refreshes our spirits, and calls us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Over the past few weeks, we journeyed through Lent, Holy Week, and the Sacred Triduum. I was truly touched by the strong turnout at our weekend Masses. Your presence, faith, and effort to “Come back to the Lord with all your heart…” revealed a genuine longing for transformation. Many of you have turned your hearts back to God. Now, at Easter, we see the fruit: the love of Christ rising within your hearts. Truly, “love has risen again”—not only in the tomb, but within each one of us.

 

During the Lenten season, I also had the opportunity to visit interior areas to celebrate Mass and hear confessions among migrants and the Orang Asli communities. There were moments of tiredness along the way, but the Lord quietly provided the strength needed each time. In those moments, I experienced a deep joy—a reminder that Christ is present everywhere, especially among the poor, the forgotten, and those who long for His mercy. These encounters have been a blessing for them, and for me as well.

 

Recently, a simple line from the Letter to the Hebrews (12:6) stayed with me: “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” I came to realise this is not something harsh, but a gentle reminder that God continues to guide, shape, and form us in love—to live a life of love. In our journey of faith, He patiently leads us, helping us grow closer to Him each day.

 

As we celebrate Easter, we are invited to open our hearts to the Risen Lord, giving Him space to transform us. We continue seeking Him in prayer, trusting that He will come to meet us during this season, just as He promised His disciples. Having encountered Him, He sends us forth as messengers of Easter joy and hope.

 

Our mission is clear: to shine the light of Christ into the dark corners of our families, our communities, and our world. Having renewed our baptismal commitments, we pray that the Risen Lord not only encounters us but also dwells within us and works through us. In this way, His love becomes visible and tangible in our everyday lives.

 

As we begin this Easter Season, let us remain rooted in hope, alive in faith, and active in love. Let us walk forward with confidence, knowing that Christ is truly risen and present among us.

 

MAY THE RISEN CHRIST FILL YOUR HEARTS

WITH LASTING HOPE, PEACE, AND NEW LIFE.

ENTERING THE MYSTERY OF HOLY WEEK

We have now reached the most sacred time of the Church’s Liturgical year – Holy Week. After our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we now step into the profound mystery of our faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Holy Week calls us to immerse ourselves in Christ’s love – a love that endures suffering, gives selflessly, and rises with hope.

We begin Palm Sunday with joy, “Hosanna!” – welcoming Jesus as our King. Yet, within moments, the cry changes to “Crucify Him!” This sudden shift reflects the reality of the human heart, which can be faithful in times of blessing but weak in moments of trial. It calls us to deepen our commitment to walk with Christ beyond joyful moments to Calvary.

As we enter the Paschal Triduum, we are drawn into the very heart of Christ’s love.

On Holy Thursday, Jesus shows true greatness through self-giving service by washing the disciples’ feet, symbolising humility. On this same night, He gives us the Eucharist and the gift of the Priesthood. This reminds us that our faith is lived not only in devotion, but in thanksgiving through the Eucharist and in humble service to one another in our families, ministries, and daily lives.

Good Friday brings us face-to-face with the Cross. Jesus does not retaliate or defend Himself but fully submits to the Father’s will. During this Lent, especially through our Way of the Cross, we have reflected on carrying our own burdens with patience and trust. Good Friday now invites us to place our wounds, struggles, and sufferings at the foot of the Cross, uniting them with Christ who redeems and transforms them.

Holy Saturday is marked by silence – a silence filled with waiting, hope, and trust in God’s hidden work. Many among us experience this silence in very real ways: waiting for healing in illness, longing for reconciliation within families, seeking direction in times of uncertainty, or carrying quiet grief. In this sacred stillness, the Church assures us that God is at work even when nothing seems to be happening.

Then, at the Easter Vigil, light dispels darkness and love rises again. The Resurrection simply reminds us that Jesus is alive, that hope is real, and that God’s love is stronger than sin and death. 

Easter fills us with joy and hope. It reassures us that with Christ, we always have a fresh start. Whatever challenges or burdens we have carried, the Risen Lord offers us peace, forgiveness, and a bright new way ahead.

This Holy Week is an invitation for us to participate fully in the liturgies, not as spectators, but as true followers entering into the mystery of salvation. Let us return to the essentials of our faith: the Word, the Eucharist, and love in action.

Walk with Jesus through the Cross, and you will rise with Him in glory. 

WISHING YOU A BLESSED AND MEANINGFUL HOLY WEEK!