WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU

On Sunday, 26 July 2026, the universal Church observes the 6^th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which falls on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. This meaningful celebration, established to overcome loneliness among the elderly and to recognise their priceless role in families and in the life of the Church, carries the comforting theme: “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49: 15).

As a Parish family, we also remember with gratitude the many grandparents and elderly who have sown the seeds of faith in our lives. They taught us our first prayers, brought us to church, encouraged us during difficult times, and witnessed to God’s faithfulness through their own lives. Today, the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, continues to grow because of the sacrifices, prayers and quiet dedication of those who led the way. Their legacy lives on in every family and every ministry.

Sadly, the fast pace of modern life often leaves our elderly feeling isolated. Busy schedules, changing lifestyles and technology sometimes create distance between generations. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that older persons should never be forgotten or pushed aside. They are not a burden but instead, a blessing. Their wisdom, experience and steadfast faith are valuable gifts that enrich both our families and our Parish.

Our Parish Family Life Ministry, led by Sheila Fernandez, Anna Thong, and Mary Tan, warmly invites all Parishioners, especially our grandparents and the elderly, to join the celebration on Sunday, 26 July 2026, from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm in the St Giles Room. The event will feature fellowship, a family-friendly movie, and activities to strengthen the connections among grandparents, the elderly, children, and grandchildren. Additionally, during the weekend Masses, we will hold special prayers and distribute prayer cards as tokens of our love and gratitude. 

As the FIFA World Cup approaches its exciting conclusion, the final will be played between Spain and Argentina. Many football fans – myself included – have enjoyed weeks of thrilling matches. I followed the tournament almost every night, and I know that when the final whistle blows, many of us will surely miss this wonderful celebration of the beautiful game.

While we remember great goals, incredible saves, and champions, it is important to also honour the true heroes in our lives – our grandparents and the elderly. Like a football team, families are built on sacrifice, discipline, love, prayer, wisdom, and guidance. Their greatest victory is in the generations they nurture and inspire in faith; just as this year’s World Day theme states, “I will never forget you.”

On this upcoming World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, take a moment to visit, call, or spend time with our grandparents and the elderly. A listening ear, a warm hug, or just sharing a meal together can serve as a meaningful reminder that they are loved, valued, and always remembered.

VICTORY THAT TRULY LASTS

As the FIFA World Cup reaches its thrilling semi-final stage, millions around the world are eagerly watching their favourite teams, inspired by their discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and determination. Watching this excitement unfold, I cannot help but reflect on our own Parish community.

For nine grace-filled days, we gathered as one family to celebrate our Novena and Thanksgiving in honour of St. Thomas the Apostle. No medals or trophies were won, yet something far more precious was achieved: hearts were renewed, faith was strengthened, our young people received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, and our Parish family grew stronger in communion. That is the kind of victory that truly lasts.

With gratitude, we thank God for the successful Novena and Thanksgiving celebrations for St. Thomas the Apostle and our 120th Parish Anniversary. The nine days were deeply moving, with many Parishioners attending every Novena Mass. The final events - including the Eucharistic Procession, Thanksgiving Mass, and Confirmation – saw outstanding participation from Parishioners, families, and friends. This was a beautiful witness to our Parish’s vitality and unity in faith.

I was especially delighted to witness 30 of our young parishioners receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen them with His gifts so that they may become courageous disciples and joyful witnesses of Christ in today’s world. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin this new chapter in their faith journey.

I extend my sincere appreciation to our Parish Pastoral Councils, Finance Committee, Catechetical ministry, Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC), liturgical ministries, choir members, altar servers, readers, commentators, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Women’s Ministry, flower decorators, hospitality teams, traffic wardens, volunteers, benefactors, and every ministry that worked tirelessly before, during, and after the celebrations. Much of your service was carried out quietly behind the scenes, but God sees every sacrifice made with love. Thank you for your generous commitment, teamwork, and dedication, which ensured every celebration was prayerful, meaningful, and well organised.

To every Parishioner who attended, prayed, sang, served, and journeyed with us throughout these nine days - thank you. Your presence turned our celebrations into a beautiful witness of a vibrant Parish family. Together we demonstrated that the Church is not merely a building, but a community of believers walking together in faith.

As we give thanks for the blessings of the past 120 years, let us move forward together with renewed hope, trusting that the Lord who has faithfully guided our Parish will continue to lead us for generations to come. May we continue to build a Parish that prays together, serves with humility, welcomes with love, and witnesses to Christ with courage.

May St. Thomas continue to intercede for each of us, leading us from doubt to faith, from faith to hope, and from hope to lives of joyful missionary discipleship.

St. Thomas the Apostle, pray for us!

COUNTLESS MOMENTS OF GRACE

As we begin the month of July, the Holy Father invites the universal Church to pray for respect for human life. His intention is clear: “Let us pray for the protection and respect for human life at all stages, recognising it as a gift from God.”

In a world where life is often measured by usefulness, productivity, or convenience, we are challenged to see every human person through the eyes of God. From the unborn child to the elderly, from the healthy to the sick, from the successful to the forgotten—every life possesses unchanging dignity because it is created and loved by God. Respect for life is more than a moral principle; it is expressed in our words, our actions, our compassion, and our commitment to uphold the dignity of everyone we encounter.

This month is also a special time of grace for our Parish as we honour our patron, St. Thomas the Apostle. After nine prayerful days of the Novena, we now reach its joyful conclusion with the Feast of St. Thomas this weekend. We are deeply grateful to the priests who celebrated the Novena Masses and nourished us with God’s Words and Sacraments. Their presence and preaching have enriched our spiritual preparation for this great feast. Let us ask St. Thomas to strengthen our faith so that, like him, we may move from doubt to conviction and proclaim with confidence: “Jesus is my Lord and my God.” May our patron continue to intercede for every family in our Parish and lead us ever closer to Christ.

Meanwhile, the excitement of the FIFA World Cup continues to capture the attention of millions across the globe. As the tournament enters the knockout stages, football once again reminds us that rankings and reputations do not always determine the outcome. Several underdog nations have surprised the world with courage, discipline and determination to advance in this ongoing tournament, while some traditional football giants have already been eliminated. Every match begins with equal hope, teamwork, perseverance, and the will to finish well; every team must prove itself on the field.

The same is true of our Christian journey. We are given many opportunities to do good, to forgive, to serve, and to grow in holiness. Yet these opportunities bear fruit only when we respond with faith and action. God grants us countless moments of grace—let us embrace them fully. Rather than settling for a “decent” Christian life, let us strive to live each day with love, faithfulness, and service.

As we celebrate our Parish Feast this weekend, may St. Thomas continue to intercede for us, so that together we may grow as a community that respects every human life and becomes faithful disciples who finish the race with Christ.

WELCOMING THE FIRST-CLASS RELIC OF ST. FAUSTINA TO OUR PARISH

A relic is a sacred object associated with a saint and is treasured by the Church as a tangible connection to those who lived heroic lives of holiness. A first-class relic is a physical part of the saint’s body, such as a bone fragment. Relics remind us that the saints were real people who faithfully followed Christ and now intercede for us before God. Through them, we are encouraged to grow in faith, holiness, and devotion.

After several months of communication and arrangements with the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Krakow, Poland, we are grateful and blessed to announce that our Parish has obtained a first-class relic of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (Reliquae ex Ossibus is a Latin phrase that translates to "relic or fragment from the bone). 

 

This precious gift comes at a time when devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet is steadily growing among our Parishioners, together with a deeper appreciation of the spirituality of St. Faustina. Therefore, the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan, is honoured to receive this special relic as a spiritual treasure for our community.

 

As Catholics, our primary devotion after the Holy Eucharist is always our love for Christ through prayer, especially the Holy Rosary. Alongside this devotion, the Church also encourages other devotions that draw us closer to God. The Divine Mercy Chaplet, entrusted by Jesus to St. Faustina, is one such devotion that reminds us of God’s infinite mercy and compassion.

 

We received the first-class relic from Sr. Norberta at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Kraków, Poland. Sr. Norberta, together with the Mother General, Miriam Janice, and the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, kindly assisted in making all the necessary arrangements. 

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938), a member of this congregation, was chosen by Jesus to proclaim His message of Divine Mercy to the world. Through her diary and witness of faith, millions have come to trust more deeply in the rich mercy of God.

To mark the arrival of the relic, we will have a special Divine Mercy Chaplet, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Eucharistic celebration. This celebration is our way of welcoming St. Faustina into our Parish family. Her presence among us through this relic will inspire us to grow in devotional prayer, practise works of mercy, and trust more completely in God’s unfailing grace.

We warmly invite all Parishioners to join us this Sunday (28 June) as we welcome the relic of St. Faustina and continue our Novena to St. Thomas the Apostle, our patron saint. May St. Faustina and St. Thomas intercede for us and lead us ever closer to Jesus Christ.

HYDRATION BREAK: FINDING REFRESHMENT IN CHRIST

The weather in Kuantan has been extremely hot and dry over the past few weeks. Day after day, many of us have endured scorching temperatures with very little rain. Whether at work, in school, at home, or attending church activities, the heat takes a toll on our bodies. Medical experts remind us constantly of the importance of staying hydrated, especially during periods of prolonged hot weather. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day helps our bodies function properly and prevents dehydration, fatigue, and heat-related illnesses.

Football fans around the world are enjoying the excitement of the FIFA World Cup. In earlier years, football matches were played continuously for 45 minutes in each half without interruption. However, with rising temperatures and greater awareness of players’ health and safety, FIFA introduced a mandatory three-minute hydration break during the tournament to allow players to replenish fluids and restore energy. It is a simple reminder that even world-class athletes need to pause, refresh themselves, and care for their physical well-being.

Perhaps there is a lesson for all of us here. If professional football players require hydration breaks during a match, how much more should we take care of ourselves in daily life? Let us remember to drink enough water, especially during this hot season. Let us also pay attention to the elderly, young children, and those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the heat. Sometimes, caring for others begins with small acts of concern and attentiveness.

As we reach mid-year, take a “hydration break” for spiritual reflection. The coming months will present both challenges and opportunities. Before moving forward, pause to evaluate: How has our faith been all this while?

Just as our bodies require water, our souls require spiritual nourishment. Prayer, the Eucharist, Scripture, and the Sacraments are the living waters that sustain our spiritual lives. When we neglect these essential sources of grace, we can easily become spiritually exhausted, discouraged, or distracted by the demands of daily life. The middle of the year offers us an opportunity to renew our commitment to God and to refresh our relationship with Him.

In the coming weeks, we will begin Novena Masses for the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle. As we prepare for the 120th Parish Anniversary, let us give thanks for the generations of faithful parishioners who have built and sustained this community of faith. Their sacrifices, prayers, and dedication have become a lasting legacy for us today. May we continue to build on that foundation and pass on the gift of faith to future generations.

Keep in mind the importance of staying hydrated both physically and spiritually. Let us pray that the Lord renews our hearts, strengthens our faith, and leads us with hope, joy, and gratitude.