JOURNEYING AS A PEOPLE OF GOD

After the Feast of St Joseph, the Worker in May 2021, we closed our Church to Public Masses for almost 5 months. However, the last Chancery Notice from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur dated 25 October 2021 was received with overwhelming joy, as it allows for an increase in capacity for the Eucharistic celebrations and for the resumption of other Sacraments in our Churches!

We are finally able to welcome all our parishioners once again for the Eucharistic celebration, as a People of God. We want our parishioners to return to Church and participate in the celebration of the Sacraments, especially encountering the real and true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It is part of our community of faith. 

 

We are in the midst of preparing for the Synodal Church 2021-2023 and some of our leaders have already attended briefing sessions with regards to this. Soon we will be disseminating a questionnaire in line with the Synodal Church, to every member of our Parish. When you receive the questionnaire, first and foremost we want you to go through it, to allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit, before responding.

 

Each member of our Parish is invited to give a reflection on how they have been using and sharing their gifts, while journeying together as a Church. Let’s look at the many opportunities and efforts which we have undertaken to strengthen our faith in order to build “One Body of Christ” while being in “Communion, Participation and Mission” and growing with a sense of belonging in the Church. We need your response, cooperation and support to work on the preparation for the Synodal Church 2021-2023 - journeying as People of God.

 

We have dedicated the Month of the Rosary to our dear Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the Rosary as individuals and families for various intentions. We urge you to continue your devotion in praying the Rosary during this Year of Plenary Indulgence, as we do penances for our own spiritual growth, for other greater intentions and not forgetting to pray for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also include our Pope’s intention for the month of November for the “people who suffer from various depression or burn-out, to find support and a light that opens them up to life and peace.” Praying the Rosary authentically will help us to imitate the footsteps of Mary and our roles in the service of families, communities and the Church.

We are stepping into the month of November, a month of remembering and dedicating our prayers to all the known and unknown Saints of the Church. We also pray for all the faithful departed souls of our loved ones and for the forgotten souls in purgatory at home or in the Church. (Do avoid large gatherings at the cemeteries due to the COVID-19 pandemic). 

 

Two weeks ago, we circulated a link to our parishioners for submission of names of their dearly departed. We received more than 6500 emails and we have collected more than 55,000 names. We have compiled these names into a booklet and will place this booklet at the altar, for offertory during all Masses throughout the month of November.

 

We are encouraged to pray always for the dead - not only during the wake or memorial service, but to remember them always in our prayers. Pope Francis says, “Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” The Church always offers them collectively, during every Eucharistic celebration throughout the world. The Holy Souls need our prayers, and in return, they will pray for us once their souls are purified from all sin and have attained eternal life in Communion with all saints in Heaven, (cf. CCC 1032).

 

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.