TRANSFORMATION TO EXPERIENCE NEW HOPE

Over the past three weeks or so, we have been complaining about the hot weather! We are puzzled as to why the weather can be extremely hot and humid and are looking forward to having some rain. The prolonged periods of hot and humid weather have caused heat waves throughout our country, leaving many of us lethargic. We need to drink sufficient fluids and remember to keep our pets and plants sufficiently hydrated as well. As we begin Holy Week in April, the weather is predicted to be sunny, hot and dry with minimal rainfall and temperatures could range between 32-34 degrees. 

Holy Week is the most sacred week of the year in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is a commemoration of the Paschal Mystery – the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We start Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday from 1 April 2023 (Sunset Mass) till 9 April 2023 (Easter Sunday). 

As we solemnly enter Holy Week, let us make it a spiritual recollection and contemplation of the events of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem - which appears in the four gospels - followed by Jesus’ carrying of the cross to Mt Calvary and His accomplishment of our salvation.

The Holy Week liturgy invites us to meditate on how Jesus was humiliated, insulted, spat upon, cruelly crucified, and died on the cross. We should not water down the celebrations of the Paschal Mystery as events, ideas or stories but instead, experience it as a process of dying and rising - death and new life. This process of dying and rising that we experience daily may be likened to leaves on the trees falling in autumn and eventually showing signs of new life in the spring. Similarly, our faith experience gives growth and vitality to our spiritual life.

During Holy Week, let us put aside our busy schedules and read and meditate on the Gospel of the Passion and Death of Jesus, especially the last two chapters from any of the four Gospels. This last week of Lent offers us an opportunity to bring our hearts and minds closer and in harmony with Christ. As we journey through this Holy Week, we pray courageously that the Lord Jesus brings us transformation - to experience new hope in each one of us.

All this while we took the opportunity to be free from the obligation to attend Mass in Church by following live-streamed Masses. It is time for all of us to come back to Church for the celebration of the Christian Mystery. So, beginning from this Palm Sunday Weekend, all Parishioners should attend Sunday Masses and other holy days of obligation in person. We have all read and understood the Chancery Notice of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur dated 21 March 2023 pertaining to the guidelines concerning attendance at Mass in Churches.

With that said, we request those feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms, to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures, protecting yourself and others in order to prevent the spread of this virus.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED HOLY WEEK!

THE SPIRIT OF SYNODALITY OF LENT

Our synodal journey of Lent began with two important events in our Parish - Spiritual and Outreach. An early Parish Penitential service, a Spiritual Lenten Retreat and a Day Camp for Catechism students, as well as other spiritual formations, were prepared to enrich the Lenten experience of all Parishioners and students. 

The outreach was coincidental, as it was in aid of the flood victims of Kg Orang Asli. The village was affected quite badly, with waters rising to the rooftops of many homes. Luckily, with the help of volunteer-Parishioners, we managed to collect and distribute all the necessary items - including some financial aid – within a short period of time. No doubt, we truly entered the season of Lent with the spirit of synodality – journeying together, guided by the Holy Spirit, to experience the grace for individual conversion and community renewal.

 

We have completed two-thirds of Lent and have only one week left before entering Holy Week. Thus far, Lent has been remarkable for us in many ways, particularly in our spiritual growth and faith. As Catholics, we somehow have a high regard for this holy season because it spiritually disciplines and trains our inner selves.

 

Any athlete will tell you that one needs endurance training to be fit, before competing in a race. Athletes make many sacrifices - cutting back leisure hours, changing eating habits and working hard day-in and day-out - to get themselves ready for a race. Hence we too, as spiritual athletes, need to make sacrifices to realise our goals and see gradual improvements in our behaviour and lifestyle. We must continue to put effort in refraining from habitual sins and keep observing the discipline of Lent to win the race against evil.

 

During this holy season, we have to continue maintaining our spiritual health by always seeking the Lord Jesus to “create for me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalms 51: 10) as we encounter challenges - internally and externally. It is important that we endure and persevere throughout life, as that will eventually lead us to victory.

 

For the past few weeks, many of us have attended formations, spiritual retreats, and other charity outreaches. We hope that at the end of this season of Lent, we become people of renewed faith in Christ. In the coming weeks, let us pray hard for ourselves - not to harden our hearts, but to continue listening to the Word of God, and be sensitive to the needs of others - which will add strides for conversion and set our paths to holiness.

 

Let us remember these words of St James, “Submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will run away from you. The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you. Clean your hands, and purify your hearts, you waverers. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4: 7-8, 10).

SERVANTS OF GRACE

The Church of the Holy Redeemer in Klang hosted this year’s Chrism Mass on Tuesday, 14 March 2023 at 7.00 pm. Earlier in the day, before the Chrism Mass, the priests gathered at the Church for the first part of our Monthly Priests' Recollection with reflection, Vespers (Evening Prayer), Holy Hour and individual Confession. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow and concelebrated with the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Malaysia, priests and religious.

The Chrism Mass is a very significant celebration in the life of each Archdiocese / Diocese throughout the world. Traditionally, the Chrism Mass takes place on Holy Thursday morning, to commemorate the institution of the ministerial priesthood. However, it was difficult, especially for priests to be present for the Chrism Mass in the morning and then make it back to their respective Parishes for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper that same evening. Therefore, Local Bishops choose a day as close to Holy Week as possible, so that every priest may be present in the celebration. This is a symbol of oneness and unity in the Church.

In the past, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur celebrated the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, in Kuala Lumpur. However, for the past few years, it has been celebrated throughout Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. This has provided an opportunity for other Parishes to host it, and at the same time, dignify and uplift them. Hopefully, it also opens the eyes of the young people of these Parishes to respond to the priesthood and religious life.

During the Chrism Mass, we the priests renewed our priestly commitments and promises that were taken during our ordination. We are entrusted to give our total dedication and be available in the mission work of evangelising and rekindling the faith of the people. God is always blessing our land with bountiful priestly vocations. Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his homily for the 2022 Chrism Mass said: “Being priests is a grace, a very great grace, yet it is not primarily a grace for us, but for our people.” It is a grace and gift of priesthood that provides us with the office to administer the Sacraments for the people of God.

In the Chrism Mass, too, the Bishop blesses three oils, which will be used in the Sacraments throughout the year to come: the oil of the infirmary (for the anointing of the sick), the oil of catechumens (for the Baptism) and the oil of Chrism (for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders). Oil is an integral part of our daily lives. It is used for cooking, fire, fuel, and other purposes. The Church uses these sacramental oils to offer sacrifices as religious practices, (cf. Ex 29:40), and to consecrate, sanctify, heal, beautify and strengthen individuals.

Let us continue to pray for our Church and Clergy, who are the ministers of the sacraments in our parishes, that they may be humble and generous servants of the Lord.

A MORE INTEGRATED AND HOLISTIC LIFE

Monsoon rains can be very destructive here in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Following last week’s incessant rain, Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Serok in Pahang (150kms from Kuantan city) was badly affected by floods. Residents living in the area have been moved to temporary relief centres as flood waters reached their rooftops. Our Parish PIHDM made a visit to the kampung on Tuesday, 7 March 2023, and we identified approximately 30 families - including 17 Catholic families from our Parish - who have been badly affected by this catastrophe.

We will be supplying them with mattresses, pillows, towels, blankets, stoves, rice cookers, kettles, kitchen utensils and other household items within the next few days, as we are still in the midst of purchasing and collating them. We will respond to their needs and give our assistance to these Orang Asli as soon as we can. Volunteer Parishioners have been sorting the necessary items and packing them at our Church breakfast corner. A big thank you to the Archdiocese Office for Human Development as well as the Parishioners of St Thomas, Kuantan for all their generous support, tireless assistance and continuous service.

We hosted a Lenten Spiritual Retreat last weekend! It was a successful and enjoyable programme for all the attendees. It was a remarkable spirit-filled event, with terrific participation and excellent organisation. The graces were abundant, and everyone had their own unique experiences. We thank and give praise to God for enriching us, and making a difference in our lives. Certainly, we have gained more insight into our faith and received healing from within. From now on, He will use us as His instruments to be more committed disciples - so let’s share His light with the world!

Faith to Greater Heights

In today’s Gospel, Peter says to Jesus, “it is wonderful for us to be here!” You may say the same thing Peter has said. But I would say it is not going to be wonderful for you to be here. We cannot be on the high mountain all the time. After all the spiritual experiences and insights we have gained during these past three days, it will be wonderful for you to arise and to be out there, shine forth His light, and share His light with the world around you and with those in need of Christ’s light. 

As we come to the end of our three days Retreat, on behalf of the Parish of St Thomas, Kuantan, I would like to thank you for your participation and your cooperation in making this spiritual retreat a successful and significant one. 

 

I would like to thank the committee members and sub committee for their hard work and dedication in ensuring the smooth flow of events during this spiritual retreat. 

We would also like to thank Fr Michael Payyapilly V.C. and Fr Joseph kallampally V.C. for sharing their spiritual insights, reflections, prayers, healing services and Masses. Fathers, you have brought our faith to greater heights. Thank you. 

 

Once again, we wish both of you a safe journey back. Be assured of our humble prayers for you and your preaching and healing ministry. Take care till we meet again. 

 

God bless you and all of you are present here.