A SEED OF HOPE IN GOD’S KINGDOM

As the Church of St. Thomas, the Apostle, Kuantan prepares to celebrate the 9^th World Day of the Poor (WDP) on Sunday, 16 November 2025 during the 10.30 am Mass, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the journey we have shared over the past four years (2022–2025). Each year, this celebration reminds us that faith finds its deepest meaning when it reaches out in love to those in need every day. 

In 2022 and 2023, our Parish joyfully celebrated the WDP on a grand scale, with carnivals of joy - filled with games, food and community spirit. Parishioners from every ministry, including the BECs, came together to serve with open hearts and willing hands. The laughter of children, the smiles of migrants, and the gratitude of families in need, reminded us that the hope we bring to others reflects the living heart of Christ’s Gospel.

In 2024, we continued our WDP celebration on a more personal and heartfelt manner, focusing on meaningful encounters and shared fellowship. This year too, we will, on 16 November, we will gather our brothers and sisters from the Orang Asli communities, migrants from Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam, and also our local families who face financial and social challenges, to share moments of friendship and encouragement that serve as a reminder that God’s love remains alive among His people. 

After the morning Mass, all Parishioners are invited to the breakfast corner for fellowship with our guests, as we share a simple meal, accompanied with a variety of entertainment. As we approach this special day, let us acknowledge the dedication and generosity of our organising committee and all Parishioners who are working tirelessly to ensure the success of this event. May our efforts remind us that every smile we bring, every hand we hold, and every meal we share is a seed of hope in God’s Kingdom.

As that day draws to a close, we will gather as one parish-family for our Thanksgiving Dinner Fellowship, a joyful expression of gratitude and solidarity as we near the end of the liturgical year. As we did last year, we have been fortunate once again this year, to be able to engage the services of a caterer from Sekinchan in Selangor, to prepare an eight-course Chinese dinner for us. We have successfully sold all 50 tables - thanks to the generous support of our Parishioners. Several tables have been lovingly sponsored for the elderly, university students, Sabahan and Sarawakian families, and our faithful altar servers - ensuring that everyone shares in the joy of the evening. This is not a fundraising event, but a Thanksgiving Celebration!

Together, let us continue to live out our calling – to love, to serve, and to lift one another, so that through us, the light of Christ’s hope may shine ever brighter in our community.