BRING OUR VISION AND MISSION TO LIFE

On the weekend of 19 January 2025, we held our Parish Pastoral Assembly. It was an opportunity to review our progress, acknowledge our challenges, and identify new ways to strengthen our efforts in building our thrust on Family, Church, Society and Ecology. As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope and beyond, we should focus on the graces bestowed on us - reconciliation, forgiveness, transformation and renewal.

When I first started my ministry here in Kuantan, many of you gently reminded me to slow down, by saying, “This is not Kuala Lumpur!” Over the past three remarkable years as your Parish Priest here at St. Thomas Church, I sincerely appreciate the collaborative spirit, and cherish our sense of community. It has truly been a joy to walk this journey of faith with you, and I thank each of you for being an integral part of it.

My heartfelt thanks go out to our amazing parish leaders - your dedication and perseverance during tough times truly mean the world to us all. Many of you have considered stepping down, but your choice to keep moving forward to serve our small community is inspiring. Your unwavering commitment and leadership truly make a difference, and your passion and dedication clearly reflect the Holy Spirit working in our community. 

I am truly touched to see so many of you get involved in our Parish events, spiritual programs and activities. Your involvement is a wonderful reminder of how we can celebrate our unique differences, while coming together in unity. Let’s keep spreading hope - encouraging each other to participate and embracing our shared mission! Thank you for all that you do to enrich our community.

This Jubilee Year is an extraordinary blessing for our Parish as we are now a Pilgrim Centre for the East Coast! What a wonderful privilege and responsibility this is for us. Let us open our hearts and extend a warm welcome to all the pilgrims who come to visit. May they find a home here, a place of spiritual renewal and grace, through the intercession of St. Thomas the Apostle. As we look ahead, let us unite in embracing our Parish Vision and Mission for 2025:

Parish Vision: To be a community that inspires faith throughout the Jubilee Year of Hope and beyond.

Parish Mission: We, the Parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle, are committed to welcoming everyone - actively sharing Gospel values and fostering hope through prayer, service and compassionate outreach.

Let’s bring our vision and mission to life in everything we do! With a spirit of collaboration, let’s spread faith and hope throughout our Parish. May God bless all - our Parishioners and Pilgrims - as we journey together during this Jubilee Year and beyond.