PRAY FOR NATIONWIDE RECOVERY

The Malaysian government has not declared the Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory, neither for every citizen nor non-citizen in the country. Instead every individual has supposedly been given the freedom of choice - either to be vaccinated or otherwise.

According to September 2021 statistics, slightly over 65% of the adult population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in our country. In line with this, under the National Recovery Plan, the authorities have allowed the reopening of many sectors, with relaxation of restrictions in many areas throughout the country. However, even with the high number of fully vaccinated adults, we realise that the number of COVID-19 cases are high - hovering around 17,000 - 25,000 per day. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 has increased too - up 300 to 450 a day! It is time for all of us to be responsible, rational and ensure that we take necessary precautions in order to avoid contracting the Coronavirus.

 

In some Malaysian states like Labuan, Perlis, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Putra Jaya, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur, we see signs of progress in preventing COVID-19 infections. Even Selangor, which has been recording the highest number of daily cases, hovering around 5,000 to 7,000 cases per day, has seen a drop in numbers. One of the reasons for this is the fact that more people are vaccinated. Unfortunately, few other states such as Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Perak, Kedah and Johor are seeing a rise in the number of cases.

 

When the vaccination was introduced in Malaysia, many people were reluctant to receive it due to inadequate information and a surplus of unreliable comments and views. However, people have come to realise the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination to combat the raging pandemic. With more reputable and reliable testing and research, the vaccination has proven to help combat the effects of the virus.

 

The authorities have rightly encouraged every individual to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and have even imposed restrictions on those who have yet to be vaccinated. Without possession of a “fully vaccinated”certificate, these individuals are prohibited from entering certain public spaces such as malls, restaurants, office buildings, worship places, etc.

 

“Not fully vaccinated - no church involvement.” If priests and parishioners are not fully vaccinated then there will be issues in administrating or participating in the sacraments and liturgical celebrations. Indirectly, it has become a mandatory requirement in order to be permitted to part take in various activities and ceremonies like weddings, funerals and celebrations of Sacraments in the church.

 

As the vaccine rolls out nationwide, we hope and pray that the rakyat will be relieved from emotional stress and financial difficulties soonest, and that Malaysia may eventually experience economic recovery.

JOURNEYING TOGETHER AS A PILGRIM CHURCH AND MISSIONARY PEOPLE

Since 2013, under Pope Francis’ pontificate, there have been two synodal journeys - the first focused on Family (Amoris Leatitia - the Joy of Love in the Family, 2016) and the second focused on Youth (Christus Vivit - Christ is Alive, 2019).

This year, on 9-10 October 2021, Pope Francis will officially open his third synodal - a three-year synodal as preparation for the celebration of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023. The Synod of Bishops, headed by the Pope, invites the entire Church to focus on the theme - “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission."

A synodal means “journey together” which enacts and manifests the nature of the Church as a pilgrim Church and missionary people of God. In the Preparatory Document, the Holy Father desires us to reflect and discern, consult and discus on how the Holy Spirit has led the Church throughout history till today, in order to grow as a Synodal Church (walking or journeying together) on the three different levels:

i)            The Particular or Local Church (Arch/dioceses and Bishops’ Conferences) - from October 2021 to April 2022; 

ii)                 The five continents (The Reginal Areas) - from September 2022 to March 2023; and 

iii)            The Universal Church with the final Gathering of College of Bishops’ - on 23 October 2023.

We need to recognise and appreciate the Church – “as both gift and task” as we use the variety of charisms and gifts that God has bestowed upon us for the benefit of the Church community and the entire human family on this “journey together.” In the process of journeying together, we invite everyone to participate and contribute through listening, discerning and sharing our story of faith and experiences, and recognise how to avoid the abuse of power and authority - so called “clericalism”. In our preparation of journeying together as a Church, we will experience a “renewal” which was proposed by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) which will then lead us “to live communion, to achieve participation, to open Herself to mission.”

Archbishop Julian Leow will open phase one of the synodal in our Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 17 October 2021, with a live broad cast of the event via tv.archkl.org. At this first level, each parish is required to form a Parish Synod Team (PST) consisting of 5-6 members (all languages) to reflect, discuss and discern in line with the questions below:

i)               How is this “journey together” happening today in your parish / particular Church?

ii)              What steps does the Spirit invite us to take, in order to grow in our “journey together”?

In our spirituality of journeying together towards October 2023, the Church will continue to hold our roles and responsibilities within our Christian communities and engage in dialogue with non-Christians, as we grow in our relationship with the Church and the entire human family.

DEDICATED MISSIONARY WORK IN MALAYSIA

After completing his priestly formation and licentiate in Theology, and following his Priestly Ordination on 2 April 1956, Reverend Fr Pierre Bretaudeau MEP (Fr Peter) came to Malaysia in 1957 to serve permanently in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. He was the last and longest serving MEP (Missions Etrangeres De Paris or Paris Foreign Missions) Priest in Malaysia- and he served in this country for 57 years, before saying goodbye in 2014 to retire and settle in his home country, France. According to Monsignor James Gnanapiragasam, who was part of his send-off entourage in June 2014, Fr Peter wished to return to France to re-evangalise! He seemingly had lots of zeal and enthusiasm left in him, despite retirement.

To be honest, I didn’t really know Fr Peter well, and had only one opportunity to celebrate Mass with him. It was at an estate in Seremban on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Chapel of Medjore Estate in Rantau. I invited him to celebrate the chapel’s feast day Mass in Tamil, back in 2009 and he did so with much enthusiasm! The parishioners of the Chapel truly enjoyed having him there. As we were driving to Medjore Estate, we stopped along the way at several houses to greet parishioners. He also showed me other estates in that area, in which he served during his time at the Church of Visitation in Seremban (1967-1977). 

Upon hearing of his decision to return to France permanently, many parishioners in the Rantau and Siliau estates requested for him to stay with them instead of leaving. They wanted to care for him throughout his retirement years, as a sign of gratitude for his service and constant outpouring of compassion and love for their community. However, Fr Peter decided to return to his home country but he always had a special fondness for the Tamil-speaking estate and rural Catholic community.

 

I admire Fr Peter’s diligence and tenacity when it came to meeting families and members of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) of his Parish. He visited many homes and took many census of families and parishioners in whichever parish he was sent to. This left me awe struck as I hardly knew if any of our priests did this anymore.

 

While glancing through the Church of St Joseph’s 100th Anniversary Magazine (2008) the other day, I discovered two interesting things about Fr Peter. First, in 1965 on his first-ever trip back to France for a holiday break since coming to Malaysia, Fr Peter took a detour to Rome to participate in a conference at the request of His Lordship Bishop Dominic Vendargon. He also participated in another conference while he was back in France on holiday. Second, Fr Peter was conferred the highest Chevalier Award (a French title for a certain order of knighthood) from the French government, for his dedicated missionary work in Malaysia. This award was presented to him by the French Ambassador to Malaysia, on 14 July 2007.

 

Fr Peter served at the Church of St Joseph for many years altogether. He was the Assistant Parish Priest from 1960-1962 and again from 1967-1971. He was the Parish Priest from 1962-1963 and the Priest-in-Residence from 2007-2011. He was indeed a people’s priest and a priest who worked enthusiastically, with a missionary spirit.

 

Fr Peter - we truly appreciate your love, compassion and dedication throughout your service here in Malaysia, especially in our Parish. Your light and faith continue to shine in every person you have met, and your memory will continue to linger on. You have shown us the spirit of mission and you can be assured of our humble prayers for your beautiful and loving soul. May you rest in peace…till we meet you again in the Kingdom of Love.

SEEING OUR NATION AS ONE FAMILY

On Tuesday, 31 August 2021 we will celebrate Malaysia’s 64th Independence Day or Hari Merdeka. It is the commemoration of Independence of the Federation of Malaya from British Colonial rule in 1957. In a couple of weeks, on Thursday, 16 September 2021, to be specific, we will celebrate the 59th Malaysia Day, which is the commemoration of the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak as well as Singapore joining the Federation of Malaya, in 1963 (Singapore then proceeded to leave the Federation of Malaya in August 1965). These two celebrations are significant days for us Malaysians, who proudly display our national flag with the spirit of patriotism. 

The theme for Merdeka this year will once again be “Malaysia Prihatin” (Malaysia Cares) which is the same as last year’s. Once again, the National Day will be celebrated on a small scale at Dataran Pahlawan in Putrajaya, due to the ever increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country. Malaysia Day will also be celebrated on a small scale, at the International Convention Hall in Kota Kinablau, Sabah.

 

Both celebrations will see the newly appointed Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yakoob in attendance. I was captivated with his opening address on Sunday, 22 August 2021 after he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 9th Prime Minister. He addressed the people as a “Malaysian Family” and I pray that these words are not just a concept or slogan for him, but that he truly sees and believes that our nation is in fact one family - united in our diversity and in our multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society. I also hope that all politicians set aside their differences and selfishness in order to work together to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, and to heal the nation’s economy during this most challenging time.

 

We are now at the start of the third quarter of 2021 and every year in September, the Clergy (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) of Peninsular Malaysia takes time off from all Parish Pastoral commitments to attend a week-long spiritual retreat. However, due to the pandemic restrictions, our annual retreat this year will be conducted online, by Retreat Master - Rev Fr Francis Gonsalves SJ, from Pune, India. The retreat will be held in two sessions - the first session will be from 6-10 September and the second session will be from 20-24 September 2021. During this time, we will listen to talks given by the Retreat Master and dedicate time for silent prayer, personal reflection and meditation. Our annual retreat is not only a time for us to experience personal and spiritual renewal, but also renewal of our ministry.

 

The Holy Father Pope Francis’ prayer intention for September will be “An Environmental Sustainable Lifestyle.”The Holy Father invites us to foster greater awareness of relationship between God, our Creator and humanity. During this month, we pray that “we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.”

A CHANGE TO SOMETHING GREATER

When I joined the seminary in February 1995, one of my favorite lecturers was the late Reverend Father Moses Lui Fook Soon, who passed away on 18 August 2021. He taught Salvation History during my Initiation Year and the class comprised of five students in total. I remember clearly one occasion when Fr Moses Lui walked into class, and without saying much, he gave us a written examination. No one was prepared, and although we objected to this, he was very insistent. A week after the exams, we obtained our results… as expected, all of us failed! 

Soon after, each one of us was called in for an oral examination and again we all failed! We accused him of intentionally failing all of us (twice!), but he just smiled instead and said that we deserved to obtain a passing mark in the Salvation History paper. We soon found out from some seniors that he enjoyed giving his students a tough time. It was his way of disciplining us and forming us to be intellectuals. Once in a while I would meet with Fr Moses Lui for “internal forums” – to seek guidance, advise and encouragement in my vocational discernment and faith journey.

The following year Fr Moses Lui returned to serve in his diocese and was appointed Vicar General of the Melaka-Johor Diocese. I hadn’t seen him for eight years, until he surprised me with his presence at my Priestly Ordination in February 2003. From then on, we continued to build our friendship. He visited me at all the Parishes I served - in Kuantan, Terengganu, Seremban and in Sentul. We have celebrated Masses together and he has presented talks and shared the Word of God and Church documents with my Parishioners, which was his cup-of-tea.

 

I remember the day the two of us had a discussion on the Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light. Saint John Paul II published an Apostolic Letter entitled, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary) on 16 October 2002 which announced the addition of the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary. Fr Moses Lui explained to me that each decade in the Luminous Mystery speaks about a change - a change to something greater:

 

i.           The Baptism of the Lord - the water of baptism changes from our old self to a rebirth of a new self, new life (2 Cor 5:17)

ii.          The Wedding at Cana - the first miracle of Jesus changes water into wine, (Jn 2:1-11).

iii.         Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God - Jesus invites us to change our hearts and repent and believe in the Gospel, (MK 1:14)

iv.         The Transfiguration of the Lord - the change of Jesus’ appearance reminds us that we too need to be changed and transformed by Christ, (MK 9:2-3)

v.          The Eucharist - the bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Christ, (MT 26:26-28, MK 14:22-24, LK 22:19-20).

I learned from Fr Moses Lui the insights of the Luminous Mystery - that change is difficult and changes in life can be a real challenge for every one of us. Fr Moses Lui holds a special place in my heart - for his friendship, spiritual direction, motivation, advise, care and concern during my first year at the seminary, and also as a priest. He was instrumental in my priestly journey and I would not have progressed as much as I have now, without his guidance. I have lost a wonderful and dear friend, whom I will miss dearly. The Church too has lost a faithful and selfless shepherd.

Reverend Fr Moses Lui - may the angels lead you into paradise, may the martyrs welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem!