COMMITMENT TOWARDS FAITH EDUCATION

On Sunday, 24 April 2022, we began our Catechism classes in-person, particularly for the Standard 3 and Form 1 to Form 5 students. What a surprise! After a long period of online lessons, all these students came back in full-force and with a spirit of enthusiasm, for their face-to-face classes.

Students and parents were invited for a quick breakfast in the community hall after the morning Mass, and then we all moved over to the St Giles’ room for a special blessing with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. After that, the Catechetical team, led by Dorcas Lee, gave a short briefing on the roles of parents and students in faith education. Students then proceeded to their respective classes. 

We appreciate the commitment shown by our teachers and students in attending in-person classes. All online catechism classes will cease by end of May 2022 and we hope that every student will embrace being back in class face-to-face. A total of 111 students have registered, including 15 orang asli students who will be studying in their kampungs, coached by our Parish Orang Asli Ministry.

The Catechetical Team greatly appreciates the generosity of BEC members who willingly commit to providing breakfast for our students and teachers who attend Sunday Catechism classes in Church. We hope parents, guardians and parishioners – the primary educators – will continue to support and pray for our students to be faithful and attentive in their faith education.

The Holy Father’s Intention for the month of May 2022 invites the Church community to “pray for all young people to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life, the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.” 

During the pandemic, many of our young people have distanced themselves from church activities. We understand that many of them encounter tremendous challenges in their life, particularly in their relationships with their families and peer groups, lack of job opportunities, and most of all stumbling blocks in their spiritual life. These challenges have made it tough for them to grown personally and spiritually. The Church always welcomes you, and will help you find fulfilment, in order to live life to the fullest, (cf. Jn 10:10).

As of May 2022, the Health Minister has officially announced further relaxation of Covid-19 SOPs. However, we must remain cautious and always safeguard our health and well-being, especially when we are within the Church grounds. We continue to adhere strictly to the SOPs for our own good health and follow the guidelines given, until this virus is no longer a threat to us all.

May is the month of Mary. Remember to pray the Rosary for our Parish’s young people and catechism students, as we journey hand-in-hand with them while they find God in their lives. We also pray that they will imitate our Blessed Virgin Mary’s virtues to listen and discern God’s calling and His will through guidance of the Holy Spirit, as they dedicate themselves to the service of the Church.

HE LIVES AGAIN, ALLELUIA!

The celebration of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum this year proceeded smoothly, meaningfully and prayerfully in our Parish of St Thomas, Kuantan. It was truly an exciting celebration for all of us, as we were finally allowed to increase the seating capacity in Church. We had overwhelming crowds at every Mass and Service during the Triduum and in order to be able to accommodate everyone, we increased the seating capacity by putting up canopies at the open spaces within the Church compound. We strictly and diligently adhered to all safety measures throughout the celebrations. 

The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection to new life has turned out to be the greatest and most joyful celebration during this endemic. As for me, it was my second celebration of Holy Week and Easter Triduum with the St Thomas’ community. My first, was when I was posted as assistant Parish Priest, way back in 2003. I was then a newly ordained priest, and I felt nervous and anxious before and during the celebrations. With some experience under my belt, I am now more confident in celebrating the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Victorious King.

 

I was quite happy journeying with my Parishioners throughout this Lent season and preparing them spiritually. However, when Lent first started, I felt uneasy as my heart was not at peace. I couldn’t be physically present to kick-start the season on Ash Wednesday and on the 1st Sunday of Lent as I was in self-quarantine. I felt spiritually low but gradually I geared up and got into the momentum of the Lenten journey with the rest of my congregation.

 

After celebrating in a quieter manner the past two years, this year we had an opportunity to celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus by gathering together all our parishioners. The Parish Integral Human Development committee (PIHDM) took the initiative of inviting our indigenous people (orang asli) from Kuala Rompin for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. Approximately 40 orang asli and 30 migrants from Indonesia and Vietnam participated in our celebrations and we provided them with the necessary accommodation for the night in the Church compound. We also had our local varsity students and army personnel from East Malaysia attending and celebrating with us throughout the Holy Week and Triduum.

 

I personally felt great joy seeing new life emerge in our Parish community as many Parishioners have come back to Church in-person after a long absence during the pandemic. Let us move forward spreading peace, love and joy among all our Parishioners during this Easter season and beyond.

THE RISEN LORD IS SEEN THROUGH OUR FAITH

Easter! A season that all of us Catholics look forward to! We have worked hard and made every effort in improving ourselves spiritually, and now we should give ourselves a pat on the back for spending 40 days repenting and preparing for Easter, in a truthful and faithful way. 

However, some of us may have become a bit negligent in some areas of our lives and failed to root out sins. Although we should have been a little more self-disciplined to become more holistic, but unfortunately, some may have fallen short of our Lenten promises. Nonetheless, it is never too late to try and make it the bestseason, as we continue to strive to overcome of our sins, failures, worries and feelings of rejection, resentment, hurt, bitterness and anger.

We still have the opportunity to celebrate Jesus, who is now risen and alive today. Jesus is alive! He is risen as He had promised (Matt 28:6). He is with us despite whatever feelings and emotions we may encounter now. God has not abandoned us but instead, he has nurtured our spiritual life and strengthened us. This is true because Jesus Christ is risen in our midst and is one with us. He is not gone from our sight. He is seen through our faith. As we conclude this Lent and Holy Week, we realise that all our attempts, even our failed ones - to make the season fruitful, have somehow lifted our spiritual well-being to greater heights.

Easter has arrived - “Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!” It is the greatest fete for us all, especially after the low-key celebrations for the past two years due to the pandemic.

Our past weeks’ journey has brought spiritual renewal in us, as we raise our voices and sing, “This is the day the Lord has made, we rejoice and are glad,”(Psalms 118: 24). Easter is the most important season for us Christians. It is also known as a “Feast of Faith.” As St Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and our faith is in vain… and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Easter will last through to the celebration of the Ascension (26 May) and it will end with Pentecost Sunday (5 June). During the next seven weeks of Easter, the abiding and intimate presence of the Risen Lord will bring faith-filled joy into our community, surely! We pray for one another, especially for our young people – that they receive a message of hope in the resurrection of the Lord as they find a way to the Church once again and embrace the faith with love, joy and peace.

Let us bring the true spirit of Easter to those who are undergoing economic crisis, illnesses, loneliness, joblessness and emotional turmoil during this challenging endemic time. With you and for you I pray - that the Risen Lord blesses you and your family abundantly. I wish you a joy-filled Easter!

CALLED TO BE IN COMMUNION WITH CHRIST

On Tuesday, 5 April 2022, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur celebrated the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Kuala Lumpur. Almost 60 Diocesan and Religious priests, including several foreign priests participated in the Mass, which was celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow. An important ceremony which takes place during the celebration of the Chrism Mass is the renewal of priestly promises. Archbishop Julian conveyed his appreciation to all priests in the Archdiocese for their dedication to their respective parishes, ministries as well as their community.

Each year at the Chrism Mass, we priests renew our commitment and promises made at our ordination into priesthood. We express our total re-dedication to the ministry and our personal faith into the priesthood, as a sign of closeness to Christ and His Church. We give thanks for the gift of the priesthood, which we treasure - as St Paul reminds us, “you have in you a spiritual gift… do not neglect it” (1 Timothy 4:12).  We are reminded to be grateful for the Parishes in which we serve and to the Parishioners and community too. As priests, we are constantly called and challenged to be in communion with the Church, in order to carry out the mission of Christ.

DRAW NEAR TO GOD

For the past two years, Covid-19 has halted many programmes, activities and rites for RCIA candidates at both the Church and Archdiocese levels. During this time, most parishes tried their level best to facilitate the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) classes to help candidates prepare for the Sacrament of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion on Easter Vigil.

On Wednesday, 30 March 2022, our Parish’s RCIA coordinator invited our candidates to be physically present for a 3-hour spiritual recollection in the Church. They spent the first two hours talking about their spiritual journey, while reflecting and finding their way to God, as well as discovering the importance of prayer life as they walk towards Catholicism. At the end of the session, the candidates were given several questions for their own reflection, and homework about their journey - whether they feel ready to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

During the last one hour of their recollection, the candidates were taken into the church to spend a few minutes gazing in silence at the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament, which is Jesus “truly and really present in the Holy Eucharist” was exposed to them next to the baptismal font, which is where they will be baptised on Easter Vigil. The font at our Church is made of timber logs and has been a permanent fixture at the sanctuary since the 1970s. The candidates were then anointed with the Oil of Catechumens (also known as the Oil of Exorcism) which is traditionally applied before adult baptism takes place. The oil is believed to strengthen, help turn away from evil and to avoid temptation and sin.

When the spiritual recollection was over, the candidates were taken on a short tour inside the church while being briefed about the Stations of the Cross. They were also given a short lesson about our Parish and the religious items displayed in and around the church. Hopefully the tour has opened-up their eyes, hearts and minds as they gained insight into the rich history and significance of the Catholic Church and of our Parish.

The Rites of Election and Scrutinies have been held since the First Sunday of Lent, during the different Masses. The candidates were present at the different Masses to introduce them to the various language groups within our Parish. This way, all our Parishioners will get to know and welcome them into our community.