TOGETHER, MISSIONARIES OF HOPE

This year, we observe the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which coincides with the Jubilee of Migrants and of the Missions. The late Pope Francis has chosen the theme: “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope” and called on us to reflect on the connection between migration, mission, and hope.

Our world today is marked by war, violence, climate disasters, and economic inequality. These realities force millions of people to leave their homes in search of peace and safety. Sadly, nations often prioritise their own interests, neglecting the broader responsibility we share for the well-being of the entire human family.

And yet, in the midst of suffering, migrants themselves become powerful witnesses of hope. Their courage, resilience, and faith in God shine through as they strive for a better future. Like the people of Israel in the desert, they continue their journey, trusting in God’s protection. Migrants remind us that the Church, too, is always a pilgrim people, journeying towards our final homeland in heaven.

Jesus Christ, who Himself experienced displacement when His family fled to Egypt, identifies with migrants and the poor. They are not strangers to be feared, but brothers and sisters to be welcomed. As the Letter to the Hebrews says: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

For the late Pope Francis, migrants were not only people in need, but also missionaries of hope. Through their witness, energy, and faith, they breathe new life into our communities. They can help renew the Church, reminding us of God’s promise of peace and dignity for all His children.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to see migrants and refugees not as burdens, but as blessings - signs of God’s presence among us. The Christian response is clear: to welcome, to accompany, and to walk with them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

With this in mind, we will gather as a Parish on Sunday, 16 November 2025, to celebrate the 10^th World Day of the Poor. On that day, we will invite migrants, primarily from Indonesia and Myanmar, the Orang Asli, and the poor from our neighbourhood to join us in a joyful time of thanksgiving. This gathering is not just about charity, but about coming together in communion – sharing our lives, food, and friendship with those who truly need our support.

We require financial support to help us reach out to the poor, and at the same time, we invite you to share your time, enjoy meals together, and pray with our brothers and sisters. By welcoming them, we are truly welcoming Christ into our midst. May this celebration remind us that in God’s family, no one is a stranger, and together we can truly become a community of hope.

TREASURE CREATION AS OUR HOME

Every year from 1 September to 4 October, the Universal Church observes the Season of Creation. It is a time for prayer, reflection and action to care for our common home, the Earth. The season ends on 4 October with the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the saint who loved God’s creation, and reminded us that all creatures are our brothers and sisters.

This year is particularly significant because the Church celebrates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures” and the receipt of his stigmata. In 2026, we will mark the 800th anniversary of his death. As Patron of Italy and a universal model of simplicity and peace, St. Francis continues to inspire us to love and protect God’s creation.

This weekend, we reflect on the theme: “Let Justice and Peace Flow.” The destruction of the environment is not only about polluted rivers or disappearing forests. At its core, it is also about broken relationships, selfishness, greed and injustice. When creation suffers, people suffer too - especially the poor and vulnerable. Without justice, there can be no peace. And without peace, creation cannot flourish.

During this Season of Creation, we are encouraged to pause and listen. The voice of creation is heard in the cry of the Earth, in the cry of the poor, and even in the silence of forests, rivers, and skies. Creation is God’s precious gift, yet it suffers from climate change, pollution and exploitation. We are called to be healers, protectors and co-workers with God in protecting and renewing the Earth.

Pope Francis, in Laudato Sí, reminds us that ecological conversion is not only about science, innovation or politics, but it also touches our faith deeply. It calls us to gratitude, simplicity and solidarity. To care for creation is to live out the Gospel, for Jesus came to bring life in abundance for all – not just for humans, but for every creature.

Here are some practical steps we can take in our daily lives:

a.     Pray for creation – Thank God for the beauty of nature, and ask for the grace to care for it.

b.     Reduce waste – Use less plastic - recycle and avoid unnecessary consumption.

c.     Save energy and water – Turn off lights, conserve water and opt for walking or cycling whenever possible.

d.     Plant and protect – Care for trees, plants or even small gardens, as signs of hope.

e.     Support the poor – Remember that environmental harm affects the poor first. Acts of charity and justice go hand in hand with care for the Earth.

As we journey through this Season of Creation, let us not only admire nature but also act with courage and hope. May the spirit of St Francis of Assisi inspire us to treasure creation as our home and to safeguard it for generations to come.

SHEPHERDING GOD’S PEOPLE WITH HOPE

From Sunday evening, 7 September 2025, to Friday afternoon, 12 September 2025, I joined 35 brother Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and the Diocese of Melaka-Johor for our annual spiritual retreat at Majodi Centre in Plentong, Johor. It was guided by Rev Dr Henry D’Souza, SVD from Mumbai, India. Our six days together was a time of silent reflection, prayer, renewal, and rediscovering our call to be Priests for a Synodal Church.

A retreat is always a favourable time (2 Cor 6:2). It is when the Lord reshapes and moulds us, like clay in the potter’s hand (Jer 18:5-6). We are invited to surrender our Priestly lives entirely into His hands, with no resistance, trusting that God is doing something new in us (Is 43:19).

Fr Henry reminded us that a retreat is not just a break from our pastoral duties, but a grace-filled experience where Christ renews our hearts (Eph 3:16–19). To gain the most from this time, he encouraged us to adopt six dispositions: self-surrender, attentive listening, deep longing for God, seeking His will, hungering for His presence, and discovering His purpose for our lives and ministries.

One of the strongest invitations was to “put out into the deep” (Lk 5:4) – to leave behind shallow waters of comfort, routine and clericalism, and to venture courageously into deeper waters of faith, co-responsibility and listening. Just as Jesus met Peter in his exhaustion and disappointment, Christ meets us in our weaknesses and renews us for His mission.

We are also reminded that priestly identity is not found in titles, roles or positions, but in being beloved sons of God and living in Persona Christi. To be a priest is not a career, but a lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church. Our vocation calls us to walk with parishioners, to welcome them without judgment, to unite rather than divide, and to be shepherds who journey with the flock.

Fr Henry also identified the crises Priests face today: confusion of identity with roles, temptations of power, comfort or popularity, and the wounds to credibility and leadership. However, he reminded us of Jesus’ gaze upon Peter after his denial – a gaze of choice, forgiveness, and mission. Like Peter, every Priest is an imperfect human, yet we are loved, forgiven, and sent forth anew.

A Synodal Church is rooted in communion, participation and mission. As priests, we are called to promote communion, heal divisions and build trusting relationships. This involves cultivating a spirit of listening, humility and servant leadership. True leadership, as Jesus showed, is not about power, but service - not about distance, but closeness. A priest must “smell like the sheep” (Pope Francis), walking with his people and empowering them.

Finally, Fr Henry challenged us with inner transformation, by putting on the mind of Christ (Rom 12:2) – a mind of humility, self-emptying and openness to God’s Spirit. Only then can our priesthood radiate joy and hope to the people entrusted to us.

SEEDS OF PEACE AND HOPE

This year, the Season of Creation runs from 1 September to 4 October 2025 with the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope.” The season takes on special significance as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, gently reminding us that, like seeds buried in soil to grow into new life, we are also called in Christ to be seeds that help renew the earth and bring peace to the world.

Jesus describes Himself as the grain of wheat that must die to produce new life (Jn 12:24). From small, hidden beginnings, new life blooms. Flowers even sprout in the cracks of concrete roads, showing us that God’s creation has a remarkable way of surprising us with beauty and hope. The prophet Isaiah assures us that when God’s Spirit is poured out, barren deserts will transform into fruitful gardens, and justice will bring lasting peace and security (Is 32: 15–18).

Today, our common home suffers deeply. Pope Leo XIV warns of deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity, often driven by greed and injustice. The poor and the vulnerable, especially indigenous communities, are the ones who suffer most from these wounds. Too often, creation itself is treated as a simple commodity, fought over and exploited, instead of a gift entrusted to our care.

The Holy Father, in his message for the 10^th World Day of Prayer for the care of creation 2025, reminds us that caring for creation is not an optional part of Christian life but a core expression of our faith. God commanded humanity to “till and keep” the earth (Gen 2:15), which means to cultivate, protect, and preserve it. It involves justice, protecting the environment, and honouring the Creator. Harming creation affects the poor and dishonours God. Caring for it fosters peace and hope for future generations.

As a parish, let’s continue praying, reflecting, and taking action together during this beautiful Season of Creation. We include prayers for caring for the planet and for those most affected by environmental crises in our daily prayers. We can also offer the Rosary or pray during Mass with this intention. Let’s come together with open hearts and hope to make a positive difference.

During our recent Catechetical meeting, we agreed to continue with Our Parish’s ecological initiatives, including recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, tree planting, and maintaining the grounds. We aim to deepen the understanding of our catechism students of caring for creation by encouraging them to take small actions at home, in Sunday classes, or within the Church, such as reducing their use of single-use plastic, conserving water, and turning-off light switches and air conditioners when leaving the room.

Let us sow seeds through prayer, education, and action that will grow into peace for our world and hope for our children. May the Spirit of God help us to till and keep the garden of the world, so that creation may truly reflect the glory of Christ.