PRAYERS MOVE OUR HANDS AND HEARTS

For the month of February, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, invites the whole Church to pray for children suffering from incurable diseases and for their families—that they may receive the medical care, love, and support they need, and that they may never lose strength or hope.

This heartfelt intention reminds us of the deep vulnerability of children battling serious illnesses, and the heavy emotional, physical, and spiritual burdens shouldered by their parents and caregivers. These families often face a long and challenging journey filled with uncertainty, fear, and exhaustion. As a Church, our calling goes beyond prayer—we are called to accompany them, offering support and compassion every step of the way.

Palliative care is one of the most important aspects of care. Even when a cure is not possible, care must never cease. Palliative care focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and providing emotional and spiritual support. For instance, a child receiving palliative care can feel safe and comfortable, while parents are supported by doctors, nurses, counsellors, and chaplains who listen to their worries and pray with them. Care is not only about medicine, but also about dignity, compassion, and love.

Another important aspect is the support and presence of family. Pope Francis often described the Church as a “field hospital” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 47). This means the Church must be close to those who are wounded—not distant or judgmental. Families with sick children should never feel alone. Our presence, compassion, and tangible assistance can express God’s mercy.

This prayer intention can be integrated into our daily routine in simple ways. First, through a spiritual offering: each morning, we can dedicate our daily work, joys, and sufferings to God for these children and families, saying: “Lord, I offer this day for children who are sick, and for their families. Give them strength and hope.”

Second, being present can speak volumes. A quick call, a heartfelt message, or bringing a meal to a family caring for a sick child are wonderful ways to show love and support.

Finally, we can brighten someone’s day by visiting and offering a listening ear. I know of a boy who has been suffering for over 12 years. He is often admitted to the hospital, and his parents regularly take him there for treatment. Although he has not seen much improvement, his spirit remains strong. He is very determined and maintains a positive outlook. He prays fervently and even goes to church in a wheelchair—as attending Mass adds richness and meaning to his life.

As we pray throughout this month, may our prayers move our hands and hearts, making us signs of God’s compassion for the smallest and most vulnerable among us. Lord Jesus, be close to every suffering child and every weary parent. Hold them in your gentle love, give them strength for each day, and keep their hearts filled with hope.

A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH JOURNEY 2026

Lord God, 

You have gathered us as the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle — 

a pilgrim people rooted in Your Word, 

nourished by the Eucharist, and united in love.

 

Renew our vision to become a welcoming, prayerful, 

and compassionate community, faithful in our witness 

and generous in service.

 

As we move forward, may we truly live what we celebrate, 

love everyone we meet, and courageously proclaim Jesus, 

Our Lord and Our God, in our homes, in our Parish, and in the world today.

 

Mother Mary, accompany us at every moment 

and obtain for us the blessing from Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Parish Prayer reflects our true identity and the person we are meant to become. It reminds us that our identity is established by God’s grace, not by our efforts. We acknowledge that our Parish exists because God Himself gathers us week after week. We are called, formed, and sustained by the Lord.

We see ourselves as a pilgrim people - a community on a journey - still growing, learning, and being shaped by God. We continue to grow in faith, trusting that God is leading us step by step. Our pilgrimage implies movement, hope, and perseverance - even when the journey becomes challenging.

To say that we are rooted in God’s Word affirms that Scripture is not just read or heard, but lived every day. His Word guides our decisions, shapes our values, challenges our views, and gives our lives direction. As a Parish, we listen attentively so that it shapes our conscience and lifestyle.

Christ Himself is the source of our strength, nourishing us through the Eucharist. The Eucharist heals, renews, and unites us as one Body. Without the Eucharist, our efforts become empty. With the Eucharist, our services become life-giving.

When we say we are united in love, we recognise that unity does not mean everyone is the same or thinks alike. It signifies a deliberate commitment to journey together with patience, humility, forgiveness, and care for one another. Our unity is sustained not by convenience, but by our love anchored in Christ.

The second part of the prayer asks God to renew our vision. This is essential because Parish ministries can easily become routine or dependent on the same few people. We pray to remain a welcoming community, where everyone feels recognised and appreciated; a prayerful community; and a compassionate community attentive to the vulnerable, the poor, and the wounded. Our faith must be visible – expressed through witness and generous service.

Finally, the prayer sends us forth. What we celebrate and experience in the church must be carried into daily life – into our homes, workplaces, schools, and society at large. Every Mass ends with a mission –  to love those we meet, and to proclaim Jesus through our words and actions.

We entrust our Parish to Mother Mary, asking her to accompany us and to obtain for us the blessing of her Son, Jesus Christ. Like her, may we listen, trust and respond generously to God’s call.

A RENEWED PASTORAL COMMITMENT

The Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur, from Monday, 12 January to Thursday, 15 January 2026. The theme was “To Become Shepherds After the Heart of Christ” (Jer 3:15). The gathering centred around listening and prayerful discernment on what it truly means to guide God’s people in a rapidly changing pastoral environment.

Drawing from the promise of Prophet Jeremiah, CAPA invited us to reflect on the heart of Christ – a heart that is compassionate, consistent, embracing, welcoming, and deeply attentive to the realities of people’s lives. Using a synodal approach through Conversation in the Spirit (group sharing), the Assembly focused on three key pastoral areas: Catechesis, Boundaries and Youth. The aim was to achieve clarity, foster communion, and renew pastoral commitments.

 

CATECHESIS affirms that the priest remains the primary educator and role model in the parish, working collaboratively with catechists. It goes beyond classroom teaching, is rooted in the Word of God, is expressed through witness, and is lived through pastoral experiences. Our task is to provide guidelines that lead students to Christ, and to form missionary disciples. This requires reviewing our methodology, syllabus, and formations for catechists, to keep catechesis meaningful, transformative, and life-giving.

 

The session on BOUNDARIES challenged us to view boundaries not as obstacles, but as bridges that support healthy, Christ-like pastoral ministry. Priests should be compassionate, available, and effective collaborators, as regular communication is essential. We were reminded that being “after the Heart of Christ” involves truth, justice, mercy, availability, responsibility, accompaniment and accountability.

 

YOUTH ministry became a major focus during the Assembly. Young people are not merely the future of the Church, but are in fact, the Church of today. The call is to accompany them with patient, non-judgmental listening - to empower them through shared responsibility, and to integrate them into the wider parish community and mission. Young people need to be revived, rejuvenated, and reimagined within the Church.

 

One of the most enriching parts of CAPA was the Conversation in the Spirit. Although some discussions echoed those of previous years, I felt this year’s process gave me deeper insights, broader perspectives, and more concrete pastoral responses. Attentive listening enabled the Holy Spirit to guide us beyond repetition, towards renewed understanding and shared commitment.

 

What impressed me during these four days of our CAPA journey was the reminder that a healthy ministry depends on clarity of roles, relationships, and responsibilities. I found the emphasis on youth uplifting - reinforcing the call to walk alongside them.

 

CAPA 2026 has truly refreshed my perspective - giving me a stronger pastoral focus, and a renewed sense of hope. Being shepherds after the Heart of Christ, leads us to carry our priestly ministry more consistently - to practise patience in our accompaniment, and to approach our mission with greater courage.

FAITH MUST BE LIVED DAILY

This weekend, the Church brings the Christmas season to a close with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. At the Baptism of Jesus, we witness the revelation of His identity as the Beloved Son. It also marks the beginning of His public mission, especially among the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed (cf. Luke 4:14–22). Christmas reminds us that God enters fully into our human life, sanctifying and calling us through baptism to live as His beloved children, bearing the light of Christ to the world.

Entering Ordinary Time and the Call to Unity – From 12 January to 17 February 2026 (six weeks), the Church enters the first period of Ordinary Time, a season that invites us to live our faith faithfully each day. In the next couple of weeks, two important events will guide our spiritual journey as a Parish community.

The first is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from 18 to 25 January 2026, with the theme: “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope” (Ephesians 4:4). This annual observance calls Christians to pray, reflect and engage in dialogue, echoing Jesus’ prayer for unity (cf. John 17:21–23). Saint Paul reminds us that unity is a shared calling to be lived with humility, gentleness, patience and love. 

The second is the Sunday of the Word of God, observed on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (24 and 25 January). The 2026 theme, “The word of Christ dwells among you” (Colossians 3:16), reminds us that Sacred Scripture is not merely read or heard, but lived. God’s Word shapes our faith, guides our choices, and sends us forth on mission.

This focus harmonises with the Pope’s prayer intention for January 2026, which invites us to pray with the Word of God. As we listen to Scripture with open hearts, God’s Word nourishes our lives and offers hope to our families and communities. Rooted in the Word, we are formed into a more fraternal and missionary Church - attentive to God’s voice, and responsive to the needs of others.

Over the past two weeks, our Parish has lived the Word through concrete acts of charity. We provided school uniforms, bags, shoes, and school fees to approximately 80 students from three Kampung Asli communities and 10 students from poor families in Kuantan. These children can now begin the new school year on 12 January with dignity, joy and renewed hope.

This weekend, the Parish Flood Relief Team (PFRT) distributed groceries and essential household items, including mattresses, pillows and bedsheets, to 26 families affected by the recent floods. Through these efforts, we responded promptly, providing material assistance, comfort, solidarity and reassurance that they are not alone.

As we move from the joy of Christmas into Ordinary Time, these celebrations and initiatives remind us that faith must be lived daily – in prayer, unity and loving service. Nourished by God’s Word and strengthened by our hope, may we grow as one in Christ, sharing His compassion and light with everyone we meet.

BEGINNING 2026 SERVING WITH STEADFAST FAITH

A New Year - 2026 - has begun! Yet the warm joy of Christmas still lingers among us. We are still in Christmastide, celebrating the magnificent truth of Emmanuel – God-With-Us! As the calendar turns to a new year, the Church gently invites us not to rush ahead too quickly, but to pause, to give thanks, and to reflect on each moment of our lives, especially on how God has faithfully accompanied us throughout the year that has passed.

For our Parish, 2025 was truly a grace-filled and memorable year, especially as we journeyed through the Jubilee Year of Hope. Our Parish of St Thomas the Apostle here in Kuantan was honoured to be designated as one of the five Jubilee pilgrimage centres in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. This was not merely a title, but a sacred mission entrusted to us – a call to open our doors, our hearts, and our faith to go beyond.

Throughout the year, our Parish became a spiritual sanctuary for pilgrims from many parts of the country –  individuals, families, and parish groups – came seeking plenary indulgences, spiritual renewal, conversion, and hope in Christ. We welcomed pilgrims almost every week, and in October 2025, the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur made their pilgrimage to our Parish. These encounters enriched our Parish life and reminded us that we are part of a living, pilgrim Church, journeying together in faith and communion.

None of this would have been possible without the generous service of our Parish Jubilee Team and numerous volunteers. Their warmth, hospitality and commitment reflected the very heart of Christ. Through their effort, our Parish became a place of welcome for everyone. We also deepened our understanding of the Jubilee Year through a special Parish Recollection, which helped us appreciate its meaning as a time of grace, reconciliation and renewal.

This weekend, on 4 January 2026, we mark the end of the Jubilee Year. We may feel a little sad that it has come to an end, but with gratitude, we thank God for the many experiences and blessings received. However, the Jubilee does not simply close - its blessings and lessons remain with us. What we have learned, celebrated and lived, must now shape how we move forward as a parish.

Looking back, the year 2025 stands out as a meaningful and spiritually rich year for the Parish of St Thomas, and as we look ahead, we do so with confidence and hope. This new year is especially significant as we celebrate 120 years of the establishment of our Parish. Throughout these years, our church has grown, adapted and persevered under the loving guidance of the Lord Jesus.

Moving forward, let us continue our Parish plans and activities with renewed enthusiasm – praying gracefully, serving with steadfast faith, and walking together as a synodal Church. May the year ahead bring abundant grace and blessings to every family.

A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!