JOURNEYING TOWARDS A HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

The Season of Advent will commence on 3 December 2023, which marks the beginning of the New Liturgical year 2023/2024. The new Church liturgical Calendar starts with Advent, followed by Christmas. Then comes Ordinary Time from the 1st to the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Week. After that, we have Lent and Easter, followed by the remaining weeks of Ordinary Time (7th to 34th Sunday in Ordinary Week), and finally, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The liturgical calendar will be enriched throughout the year with various memorials, feasts, and solemnities. Each liturgical season – week after week, Sunday after Sunday – invites us to reflect on how God is present in our daily lives.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated the year 2024 as the Year of Prayer in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year: “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Year of Prayer will begin this Advent with a special focus on the “Our Father” prayer. This presents an excellent opportunity for us to revisit the fundamentals of prayer, deepen our commitment to praying and loving God, and learn how to accompany others in their prayer life throughout the upcoming Year of Prayer.

In the upcoming liturgical year, the Church offers us an opportunity to strengthen our prayer life and deepen our relationship with Christ. We can achieve this by engaging in good spiritual exercises such as praying regularly, reading spiritual books, studying and reflecting on the Word of God, repenting, and practising acts of charity. Taking steps towards spiritual growth will elevate our faith and lead us to a healthier spiritual life, emotional well-being, intellectual growth, and physical health.

Our Church is dedicated to providing faith formation opportunities for people of all ages and stages of life, regardless of the language they speak or the ministry they belong to. We believe that learning and living our faith is a lifelong process that requires continuous growth and sharing with others within and outside our Christian communities. Our goal is to help everyone in our community deepen their faith, find inner peace, and live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Only a handful of parishioners, especially those who were engaged in various ministries, took an active part in the faith formation and training program aimed at improving their understanding of God. Their involvement demonstrates their dedication to enriching their spiritual lives and taking a meaningful step towards building a closer relationship with God, enabling them to live their faith in a more profound way.

Our Church programs, activities, and formations are designed to help us become effective Church leaders, cultivate Christian values, and share the richness of the Catholic faith and tradition. Above all, by participating, you can identify your gifts and charisms for personal and communal growth in our synodal church.

As Parishioners of St Thomas, the Apostle, embarking on a synodal journey towards Communion, Participation, and Mission is essential. Let us actively participate in the upcoming liturgical year by being involved in ongoing formations and activities to ensure that we are aware of our faith journey and are an integral part of the Church, the Body of Christ. Let us journey together to achieve our Parish Vision and Mission for the coming year.

ALWAYS BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE

Our Church of St. Thomas, the Apostle in Kuantan, is hosting a Family Day celebration cum 7th World Day of the Poor for the second time, in the East Coast on Sunday, 19 November 2023. This event is a way for us to show respect and welcome the most vulnerable families and friends from our vicinities. This year, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen a theme: “Do Not Turn Your Face Away From Anyone Who Is Poor” (Tobit 4:7). We hope to bring these individuals and families together for a joyful celebration, while also raising awareness about the daily struggles they face.

Observing the World Day of the Poor (WDP) with those less fortunate, can be a powerful way to demonstrate God’s mercy and support for them. Pope Francis encourages us to follow the example of Tobit, who showed kindness to those in need by performing acts of charity (cf. Tobit 4). Tobit's story teaches us to be compassionate towards those who are suffering by offering them assistance and companionship, and in doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of our Christian faith.

 

On the occasion of WDP, it is important to remember that helping those in need requires genuine efforts that can make a real difference in their lives. We should avoid any distractions or obstacles that may prevent us from extending a helping hand to those who require our assistance. Sometimes, even a small gesture, such as a smile or a helping hand, can have a significant impact on the lives of the less fortunate.

 

As human beings, it is important to have a humanitarian spirit and prioritise caring for the marginalised people in our community. Unfortunately, people living in poverty are often neglected or overlooked, making them invisible to us. We should devote our time and effort to helping those who have been affected physically, economically, and financially. It is essential that we look for the true face of Christ in the underprivileged and provide them with the attention and assistance they deserve. We should never forget or ignore them since they are always present in our lives.

 

The underprivileged can teach us many valuable lessons. They are present always and everywhere, providing us with the opportunity to share the gospel of joy with them. The Gospel instructs us to serve Jesus through the poor with love, respect, dignity, and justice. The impoverished are not strangers or outsiders to us. We must strive to make them a part of our lives. We should take every opportunity to alleviate their sufferings and difficulties and work towards restoring their lost dignity so that they can be included in our society.

Our commitment to assisting the underprivileged aims to unite people, accept them wholeheartedly, and provide them with the care they deserve. It is our responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of the underprivileged by paying attention to their needs and treating them as equals, just like our own brothers and sisters, (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, no. 199)

FINDING JOY IN SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS

On Sunday, 19 November 2019, the Church will celebrate the Seventh World Day of the Poor with the theme - “Do Not Turn Your Face Away From Anyone Who Is Poor” (Tobit 4:7). Celebrating the World Day of the Poor (WDP) with underprivileged people “is a fruitful sign of the Father’s mercy and support for the lives of our communities.” The Holy Father invites us to follow the example of Tobit with a simple act of charity to foster harmony and fraternity in our community, which will give us meaning to our Christian life. He reflects on the story of Tobit’s practical approach towards the poor by assisting and accompanying them from all afflictions.

Tobit, an old and blind father, embraces his son Tobias before he sets him out on a long journey. He leaves Tobias with his “spiritual testament”, advising him to revere the Lord, avoid sin and live righteously (cf. Tobit 4: 5). Tobit’s words encouraged his son not to turn his face away from anyone who is poor but perform good deeds, practice justice and righteousness and give alms (cf. 4:7). Despite losing everything, Tobit remained devoted to God and shared his meal with the poor, clothing to the needy and burying the dead. Tobit recognised his poverty during his time of trial, enabling him to empathise with others in need. While remaining faithful to God’s teachings, he advises his son Tobias never to turn away from anyone who is poor, as every person is our neighbour and through them, we can truly encounter the face of Jesus.

 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus’ birth. In her autobiography, “Story of a Soul,” she says that perfect charity means accepting others’ flaws, finding joy in small acts of kindness, and sharing love with everyone, not just those closest to us. Charity should be like a candle, not hidden but providing light to all.

As we celebrate this WDP, we should be reminded that everyone has the right to experience the light of charity. No one should be denied that light. May the selfless love of Saint Therese inspire us to keep our focus on the face of Jesus Christ and never turn away from those who are in need.

 

(Extract from the message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the Seventh World Day of the Poor)

Since the promulgation of the WDP by Pope Francis in 2017, I have celebrated it with the underprivileged, marginalised, migrants, and refugees in my previous parish in Sentul and now, for the past two years in Kuantan. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, I was still able to celebrate WDP. All profits generated from these events were utilised to fulfil the material and spiritual necessities of the impoverished.

 

This year’s event will be held at the Church of St Thomas, the Apostle, Kuantan, on Sunday, 19 November, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. It will be celebrated at Pahang/Terengganu District level, and all proceeds from the event will be utilised to provide aid during the monsoon floods that usually occur towards the end of the year, as well as for education for underprivileged children. We warmly welcome everyone to join us in our celebration.

CREATED BY GOD FOR ETERNAL LIFE

In the Catholic Church, the month of November is specially dedicated to praying for the dearly departed. The month commences by honouring All Saints on 1st November and All Souls on 2nd November. The Church holds a special remembrance Mass every year on All Souls Day to pray for those who have passed away in the last 12 months. During this time, family members come for Masses, pray for the souls of their loved ones and visit the cemetery or columbarium, with prayerful hearts.

Does the human lifespan have a limit? Do you want to live longer?

 

From the Book of Genesis (chapters 5-25), it is said that some Patriarch Fathers lived for up to 900 years. For instance, Methuselah is said to have lived till he was 969 years old (Gn 5: 27). Noah is believed to have lived for 950 years (Gn 9: 26), while Mahalalel died when he was 895 years old. This list goes down until Abraham, who lived to the age of 175 (Gn 25: 7) and Moses, who lived for 120 years (Deut 34: 7). Living up to 100 today is not unheard of, but it is still rare. The average lifespan is 70 years, and with good health and strength, it is possible to live up to 80 years (cf. Psalms 90:10).

 

A recent study shows that the human lifespan will increase to between 120 and 150 years in the coming decades. We must thank the latest technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which enables people to put on wearable devices that will track their health status. These devices will be connected to doctors and hospitals, who will be able to recommend necessary lifestyle changes at an early stage to improve health, resulting in a longer lifespan. 

 

Quality of life becomes increasingly important as we age. Our priority is not longevity but rather a focus on healthy living, including healthy spiritual life. No one lives on this earth permanently. Life begins with God, and it ends with Him. Life is a journey - a pilgrimage, that leads us to a final encounter with Him. He blesses us with countless gifts and calls us to live a life filled with love and faithfulness to His creative purpose for us.

 

On this All Souls’ Day, we should remind ourselves that our lives are short and, therefore, we should strive to purify our minds and hearts here on earth, before Purgatory. This purification may be tough and painful, yet it is necessary for our growth, and for being fully formed in God. It prepares us for a great destiny, created by God for eternal life - an intimate communion of life with Him, forever.

 

It is never easy to say goodbye to the people we hold near and dear. Although it can bring sadness, it is important to cherish their memories. Remember that departed souls depend on our prayers. So, we offer prayers fervently for them today and through the month of November for those who are now going through their final stages of purification in purgatory, before entering into the Communion of God, seeing Him face to face - Beatific Vision. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.