THE PATH OF HOLINESS IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY

During this season of Easter, we experience what it means when we say “Christ Is Risen” and to rejoice and be glad as “Easter People” and eventually, live as faithful disciples of Christ as we grow and glow in the life of the Church. It is a wonderful season of extending the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and also a time of praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in that of our families as well as in the lives of the community. On each day of Eastertide, we pray for ourselves and discern our spiritual gifts, as we serve in the various ministries of the Church.

We continue to keep ourselves and our families going and growing with the Risen Lord as we connect with Him, and we strive for all our spiritual practices to lead us to the path of holiness. It is a season that we live for the Risen Lord and we yearn to be with Him forever. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we form ourselves as His disciples. Let His light penetrate and illumine our hearts and our homes. 

 

When we began this year 2021, we were anticipating going back to our normal way of life. Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to face the same fate as the previous year. By the way, it has been just over two weeks since Easter Sunday celebrations, and since then, several Parishes in Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur have reported positive COVID-19 cases. After the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, there were a few cases of COVID-19 in our Parish community, which has required me to self-quarantine, having come into contact with a positive case. It was very unexpected and rather unpleasant news.

 

It is alarming to know of the possibility that we may be facing a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases in our nation, and we strongly encourage all our Parishioners to take extra steps to safeguard themselves and their families against this deadly virus - especially the new variants of the virus. The Church urges us all to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures at all times, and in every circumstance. Although we have been given some relaxation on the movement-controlled order, we are reminded to be vigilant, cautious and sensible. We still have a very long way to go from here in order to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe.

 

On 1 May 2021, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph, the Worker. We will begin our Novenas to Saint Joseph a week prior to that, and we invite Parishioners to join us in celebrating this special Year of Saint Joseph, the Year of Plenary Indulgence. The program for the week, as well as the link for live streaming can be obtained from our Parish website: https://www.stjosephsentul.org

 

May this Easter season and the Year of Saint Joseph, the Year of Plenary Indulgence be a blessing for you and your family.