Our Easter Triduum celebrations this year were truly uplifting - filled with faith, unity, and mission - revealing how the Risen Lord continues to gather His people from every corner and lead them into new life.
We were blessed to have two priests serving the Easter Triduum in different communities simultaneously, drawing our parishioners into deeper prayer, reflection, and participation in the sacred mysteries. Rev. Fr. Christopher Wee, SJ, led the Triduum at St. Thomas, the Apostle, Kuantan, while Rev. Fr. Fransickus from Flores celebrated with our Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesian-speaking communities.
I had the privilege of celebrating the Triduum with the newly founded Orang Asli community at Kampung Kundang, about 12 kilometres from Muadzam Shah and approximately 200 kilometres from Kuantan. We have been journeying with this community since July 2025 - offering catechesis, sharing the faith, and patiently walking with them in their spiritual formation.
Despite many challenges, their openness, attentiveness and deep hunger for Jesus have touched us. Their genuine responses, often expressed in a heartfelt “Amen!” reveal a faith that is pure, humble, and firmly rooted in trust.
After nine months of preparation, this Easter marked a historic and grace-filled moment. For the first time, the Easter Triduum was celebrated with Orang Asli communities coming together - from two other Kampungs Asli, Batu 3 Kuala Rompin, and Bukit Serok (70 kms from Muadzam Shah town) - meeting at Kampung Kundang.
During the Easter Vigil, 81 adults received the Sacraments of Initiation, and on Easter Sunday, 41 children were baptised. In total, 122 members of the Orang Asli community professed their faith in Christ.
They came from different Protestant churches and animist cultural backgrounds, and have now joyfully embraced the Catholic faith. We warmly welcomed them into our parish family of St. Thomas, Kuantan.
This is truly a new dawn of faith among the Orang Asli. The Risen Lord continues to act in ways that surprise and inspire us, drawing people closer to Himself. In these humble beginnings, we clearly see that love has risen again - alive and active in the hearts of His people and His Church.
At St. Thomas Church, 13 people received the Sacraments of Initiation, and one was welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil celebrated by Fr. Christopher Wee.
As we reflect on these celebrations, we recognise that what has occurred is more than numbers - it is a life of grace, transformation, and hope. In the simplicity and sincerity of these communities, we have witnessed the quiet yet powerful presence of God at work.
God does not require perfection - He desires willing hearts. A sincere “yes” enables His grace to work within us and gives us strength to live as Resurrected People.
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