THE PRIMA PROCESS

THE BIBLE SUNDAY was celebrated on 10 July 2015.

I would like to share with you “The PRIMA PROCESS” which I took it from the CATHOLIC YOUTH BIBLE 2004 (CYB). PRIMA is the Latin word for “FIRST.” Each letter of the word stands for a step in reading and studying the Bible individually or with a group.

P – PRAY: Begin with a prayer that your time with the Bible will draw you closer to God.

R – READ: Read attentively, trusting that God will give you what you need to learn or grow.

I – IMAGINE: Imagine what was going on when the passage was first written. What is its cultural and historical context? Try to put yourself into the story. What was the authour trying to get across?

M – MEDITATE: Meditate on what you have read. How does this fit in the context of the best of the Bible’s teaching, with the Church’s teaching? What do you think God is teaching you?

A – APPLY: Apply what you have read to your life. God may be calling you to address a particular issue or relationship. Or you may find words of comfort and support you need at this particular time. Carry God’s word into the rest of your day, the rest of your life?

Using PRIMA process assists you remember to keep God first in your life. It is God’s Word in the Bible can change your life!

The Good Samaritan

In the parable, we see the Priest and Levite were self-centered people. They put themselves first. The Samaritan, on the other hand, was an unselfish person. He put the other person first. The Samaritan was a carer. Carers are very special people. They are “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” Each of us has the capacity to care for everyone.

The Priest and the Levite ignored their opportunities but the Samaritan didn’t. The opportunity to care comes our way every day and in every other way. It is within our power to say a kind word, to offer a little sympathy, to give a little support and care. At the end of the parable, Jesus said to the lawyer, “Go and do the same yourself” (Lk 10: 37). Those words are spoken to us, too, go and do likewise.

Mission of the Church is for All!!!

In the gospel of LK 10:1-12, 17-20, Jesus sends out the seventy in groups of two. He sends them out two by two because it provides companionship for their journey, and the ability to hold up each other when the going gets tough. The seventy disciples or missionaries are told that they may not be successful or well received in every town and not everyone will receive the message of Christ with open heart.

Every authentic Christian is called to participate in the spreading of the message of Christ through a total commitment in prayer and action. He calls us to commit ourselves completely to Him, and hold nothing back.

Mission is for all of us. You have been invited, you have been sent, you have been entrusted to carry out the mission of the Church. We shall continue to pray for the increase of consecrated vocations to the priesthood and religious life and the involvement of laity in the life of the Church.

AMORIS LAETITIA – ON LOVE IN THE FAMILY

Last weekend I was away from our Parish as I was focusing on the Catholic Marriage Preparation Course (CMPC) at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur. I was one of the main presenters for the 27 couples who were preparing themselves for marriage. The weekend’s course was basically to help couples reflect on the significance of marriage and family from the perspective of the Catholic Church’s teachings. It is a great preparatory course and very practical too, in order for couples to understand the ultimate meaning of marriage life and how to relate to one another in relation to the Church, culture, community, family as well as personal relationships.

During the weekend of CMPC, I really took time to complete my reading on the new document on Marriage, which is called in Latin, ‘AMORIS LAETITIA, (The Joy of Love)’. Pope Francis released this great teaching document of the Church on love in the family dated 19 March 2016. It is 214 pages long and I read it in between the sessions and during my break time over the weekend prayerfully and thoughtfully. While reading I sensed my exhilaration, excitement and enthusiasm was greatly heightened.

The ‘Joy of Love’ primarily focuses on pastoral care in line with the Year of Mercy, which covers a wide collection of topics connected with the family and marriage today. The Pope inscribed it with Scripture, the actual situation of families and how to keep firmly grounded in reality. This document is to help us grow towards realising the Church’s   teaching on Marriage in our own lives and to help integrate us into the life of the Church. For the priests, the Holy Father stresses the importance of tenderness, compassion, and encouragement when issues facing families, divorce, those civilly remarried, couples who are living together, same sex union and upbringing of children. The clergy are reminded to carefully and prayerfully discern and take care of them with affection and encourage them along the path to conversion and the Gospel without watering down the Church’s teaching on marriage.

Presently, people face painfulness of marriage because they fail to provide love, support and security in the family. Many partners have done much damage and failed to save their marriage and closed the door forever. For couples who are in crisis give your marriage a second chance and put the pieces back together again. Have faith and hope and pray that you will always stick together and I’m sure you can make your marriage better and stronger than it was before.

Married couples can’t be sure of your family life but you need to focus on yourself, and on each other in the family. The Church always invites the individuals to focus on spiritual and moral life.

My dear parishioners, I strongly recommend you to read this document at your own pace. You can purchase it from our parish office.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CATHOLICS LAST A LIFETIME

Last Sunday I had a formation for parents and godparents for this year’s confirmation students. There were about 48 of them who attended the session out of 60. Thank you to all of those who took the time and effort to attend this session. Some of these parents and godparents will be animating the Confirmation Mass on 2nd July.

During the session I highlighted to them not only their roles and responsibilities, but also the challenges the parents, godparents and parish itself could face after the children’s confirmation:

• ·      We, the catechism teachers and coordinators, are competent in preparing our teenagers for the Sacrament, but what happens the days after their Sacrament of Confirmation?
• ·      How is it that many of our teenagers are confirmed, but we don’t see most of them again in the life of the Church?
• ·      Why do so many of our Confirmation students drift away from the church after receiving the Sacrament?
• ·      Parents and godparents, are you willing to spend your time to help your children grow closer to Jesus?

Soon, our confirmation students will end their catechism classes. Parents and godparents, you will be their primary tutors for the rest of the years to come. You must make every effort to lead them to Jesus so that they may develop their friendship and discipleship with Jesus.

We all are required to renew our lives daily. Our Parish is always providing on-going spiritual formation and educational programmes for all levels. After receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are encouraged to get involved in the dynamic life in Jesus, His Church, and in personal outreach to others. We shall remember to pray for our confirmation students that they may live the Catholic faith when they meet this troubling and challenging world and mature in their service to God and each other.

We celebrated the Jubilee Year of Priests on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Father’s Day last weekend. It was wonderful to hear that many of you remembered to pray for me as your priest/spiritual father. I take great pride and rejoice with you for my accomplishments of two years in this parish. Despite having experienced many great as well as difficult moments along the way, I feel loved and proud to be part of your Parish and family. I pray that I will remain firm in the teachings of the Church, and through my homilies and talks, will follow what I preach through my actions in my everyday living.

My dear parishioners, you are always wonderful to me. We shall work together as a community and do remain united in prayers as we continue to serve our parish in this Year of Mercy. Let us continue to focus on “BECs – Witnessing Jesus through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy”. God bless you and your families.