REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED WITH LOVE AND PRAYER

As October ends and November begins, we notice changes around us. After more than two months of the haze crisis, we are once again enjoying clear blue skies and bright sunshine. Meanwhile, the monsoon season is fast approaching and will likely bring heavy rainfall to the East Coast. This gradual change in seasons invites us to pause and remember those who have gone before us, and renew our hope in God’s promise of eternal life.

As Catholics, we begin November by celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints on 1 November, followed by the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed on 2 November. All Saints Day reminds us of our call to holiness and the joy of heaven, while All Souls Day invites us to remember and pray for our departed loved ones, entrusting them to God's loving mercy.

At our Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, many Parishioners and friends have recorded the names of their departed loved ones in the Book of Remembrance, placed at the Breakfast Corner. Today, it contains approximately 6,000 names. Each name represents a life, a family, a story and a love that death cannot erase. They were our parents, grandparents, spouses, relatives and friends.

Our Catholic faith teaches us that death does not end our relationship with those who have died in Christ. We believe in the communion of saints and the resurrection of the dead. Our prayers can help those who die in God’s grace but still need purification before entering heaven. As Scripture reminds us, it is “a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead” (2 Maccabees 12:45). Our prayers express our enduring love for them and our trust in God’s saving grace and mercy.

Throughout November, we will place the Book of Remembrance on the altar during our weekday and weekend Masses. At weekend Masses, we will also sing the Requiem hymn as we unite in prayer for them. The greatest gift we can offer our departed loved ones is the Holy Mass, together with our personal prayers, sacrifices and acts of charity.

I encourage everyone to visit your loved ones’ graves or columbarium niches. Clean the area, place flowers, light candles and pray for them. If possible, bring your children along. Share stories about their grandparents and relatives, reminding them of the love, sacrifices and good examples they left behind. In this way, we teach the younger generation to honour the departed and cherish our Catholic faith.

As we pray for the departed souls throughout November, we are reminded that our earthly journey is temporary. Let us make the time God gives us to love generously, forgive sincerely, serve faithfully and grow in holiness. We do not know when the Lord will call us home, but we can prepare ourselves by living each day close to Him.

Let us entrust every departed soul to God’s infinite mercy, trusting in Christ’s promise: “I shall raise him on the last day” (John 6:40).

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. 

WALKING TOGETHER IN FAITH, PRAYER AND MISSION

As October, the month traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, draws to a close, we reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus through our Blessed Mother Mary. To conclude this special month, our Parish will hold a candlelight procession around the church compound on Friday, 30 October 2026, at 7.30 pm. This will be a beautiful opportunity for us to gather as one Parish community and offer our prayers, thanksgiving, and devotion to Our Lady. We warmly invite all Parishioners to join this meaningful celebration and entrust our families, our Parish, and our world to her loving maternal care.

In a week’s time, we will enter November, the month when the Church especially remembers and prays for our departed brothers and sisters. The Church invites us to unite in prayer for the faithful departed, that their souls may be purified and soon welcomed into the communion of saints in heaven. Throughout November, we will offer Requiem Masses and prayers for our departed loved ones, entrusting them to God's loving mercy and holding fast to our hope in the promise of eternal life.

Our Parish is especially blessed to have two precious first-class relics in our Adoration Room: those of our patron, St Thomas the Apostle, and St Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. St Thomas inspires us to profess our faith in Jesus with the words, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). St Faustina reminds us to place our complete trust in the merciful love of Jesus. As we seek the intercession of the saints, may their examples encourage us to deepen our prayer life, grow in holiness, and become living witnesses of Christ’s love and mercy in our families and communities.

This year, as our Parish celebrates the 120th anniversary of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle, let us renew our commitment to walk together in faith, united in prayer, and to go forth in love as one parish family, living our missionary calling under the theme, “One in Christ, United in Mission.”

May Mary, the Mother of God, teach us to pray with trust; may the saints inspire us to holiness; and may our prayers for our departed loved ones strengthen our hope in God's promises.

 

ONE IN CHRIST, UNITED IN MISSION

This year, the Church celebrates the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926. It reminds us that the Church is missionary by nature and that every baptised Christian has a role in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission” (In Illo uno unum). In his message, the Holy Father reminds us that our mission begins with our personal relationship with Jesus. As we remain united with Christ, we grow in love for one another and become stronger witnesses to the Gospel.

Throughout the years, our Holy Fathers have continually reminded us of our missionary responsibility. Pope Benedict XVI emphasised the importance of Christian charity and our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples. Pope Francis reminded us that every baptised person is called to be a missionary, bringing hope, reconciliation, and God's love to others.

Pope Leo XIV continues this call, reminding us to remain united in Christ and to work together in our mission. Our differences in culture, language, and gifts should not divide us. Instead, they should enrich the Church as we pursue one common purpose: making Jesus' love known to the world.

Mission is not only the responsibility of priests, religious, and those sent to distant lands. Every baptised person shares this responsibility according to his or her vocation and circumstances. Missionaries who leave their homes and families to serve others deserve our prayers, encouragement, and generous support.

We do not need to travel to distant countries to become missionaries. We can begin in our own homes, families, workplaces, and communities. We proclaim Christ when we forgive those who have hurt us, care for the poor, comfort the lonely, welcome strangers, and bring peace where there is division.

As we celebrate World Mission Sunday, let us remember that we are more than members of our parish or local Church. We belong to one universal Church, united in Jesus Christ and sent to share His love with everyone. Our Christian witness grows stronger when our lives reflect what we believe: that we are one Church, one mission, and one love.

Let us be united in Christ, generous in service, and joyful in our mission. May we never think that our contribution is too small or our effort insignificant. A kind word, a sincere prayer, an act of forgiveness, or a generous gift can become a powerful expression of God's love. As we live the Gospel, we are also called to pray for missionaries and support their work. 

Together, let us bring the light of Christ to those around us so that the world may believe in Him. May Mary, Queen of Missions, accompany us on this journey, and may the Lord bless all missionaries who courageously proclaim His Gospel throughout the world.

 

A PRECIOUS GIFT TO OUR PARISH ON ITS 120th ANNIVERSARY: FIRST-CLASS RELIC OF SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE

On 11 October 2026, the 9.00 am Mass at the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, was celebrated by Most Rev. Archbishop George Anthonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, India, and concelebrated by our Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Asirwalam.

During the Mass, Archbishop George personally handed over the first-class relic of St Thomas the Apostle to our Parish. After a special liturgy of veneration, we solemnly placed the relic in our Adoration Room, where it will remain permanently for veneration by our Parishioners and pilgrims.

After the Mass, the Parishioners gathered for a fellowship. It was a joyful occasion that gave everyone the opportunity to meet Archbishop George, express our gratitude, and share in the joy of receiving this precious relic.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop George Anthonysamy for personally bringing this precious relic from Mylapore, India, to our parish in Kuantan. We also sincerely thank Rev. Fr. Clarence Dass for his invaluable assistance in arranging this sacred gift from the Basilica of St Thomas the Apostle in Mylapore.

This first-class relic is a precious gift and a great blessing for our parish community. May this precious relic continue to deepen the faith of our parish community for generations to come.

Saint Thomas the Apostle, pray for us!

 

A JOURNEY OF GRACE: WALKING WITH MARY

From 28 September to 11 October 2026, 23 pilgrims embarked on a Marian pilgrimage through France, Spain and Portugal, organised by TOPAZ Travels. Our journey helped us deepen our faith, renew our relationship with God and grow closer to Jesus and Mother Mary through prayer, the Eucharist and the witness of the saints.

We visited Paris, Nevers, Lourdes, the shrines of St Ignatius of Loyola and St James the Apostle in Spain, Nazaré, Fatima and Lisbon. We extended our two-day journey to the magnificent Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and we truly give thanks for the spiritual blessings received along the way.

One profound experience was Lourdes, where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. At the Grotto of Massabielle, we prayed, celebrated the Eucharist and entrusted our intentions, families, Parish and loved ones to the Lord Jesus. Lourdes reminded us that Mary always leads us to her Son and invites us to trust in God’s mercy. We were reminded that suffering is part of life, but we never carry our crosses alone. Even when healing does not come as we hope, God’s grace gives us strength, and great renewed hope. We are challenged to show compassion to the sick, lonely and suffering.

Our pilgrimage continued to Fatima, where our visit coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (7 October). We recalled Mary’s apparitions to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in 1917, and her call to prayer, conversion and peace. Having prayed the Rosary daily throughout our journey, we were reminded of its power to bring us closer to Jesus. Through the Rosary, we reflect on Christ’s life with Mary and learn to follow Him in joy, sorrow and sacrifice. The Rosary is for everyone, young and old, and invites families to pray together. Mary’s message remains relevant today: turn towards God, pray faithfully and become instruments of peace.

Our visits to Nevers, Santiago de Compostela and places associated with St Ignatius of Loyola further strengthened our faith. St Bernadette teaches us humility, St James the Apostle inspires us to proclaim the Gospel courageously, and St Ignatius reminds us to seek God’s will. Their lives show us that holiness begins when we faithfully respond to God’s call in our everyday lives. 

In Nazaré and Lisbon, we also encountered Portugal’s rich Christian heritage. These experiences reminded us that genuine faith must be expressed through love, service and compassion, especially towards the poor, the sick and the vulnerable.

As our pilgrimage draws to a close in Barcelona, we thank God for the fellowship, prayers, Eucharistic celebrations and graces shared throughout this journey. We also thank TOPAZ Travels for facilitating our pilgrimage.

We will return home with more than beautiful memories. We carry a renewed commitment to prayer, deeper faith and greater love for one another. May Mary continue to guide our families and parish closer to Jesus, helping us become people of prayer, instruments of peace and witnesses of Christ’s love wherever we go.