A HEART FILLED WITH LOVE

The Health Ministry has reported over 20,000 active COVID-19 cases as of 11 December 2023. With the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases recently, it is important for the public to practice self-care measures, such as following personal hygiene, wearing a face mask in public areas, washing hands, and using sanitisers regularly. It is crucial for individuals to realise that it is time to act before the government implements guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Although COVID-19 cases are on the rise, this doesn’t mean that the Church will be limiting the seating capacity, implementing a requirement to wear masks, pre-registering, limiting the number of hymns, etc. However, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, we kindly ask that you wear a mask when attending Mass, even if masking is not mandatory. This will help prevent the spread of the virus, especially to those with a weakened immune system. If you have already contracted COVID-19, we advise you not to attend Masses. We must prioritise the safety of our senior citizens, who are more vulnerable to the virus. Together, we can keep our community safe and healthy.

The weather forecast for the East Coast indicates that it will rain continuously for the next few days. Most days this week, the sky was cloudy, and when it did rain, the heavy downpours reduced the heat and humidity, resulting in cooler nights. Although this respite from the heat is somewhat pleasant, there is also a concern that the heavy rains could lead to flooding in Kuantan and the rest of the East Coast.

Last year, we formed the Parish Flood Relief Task Force (PFRTF) to prepare for any possibility of floods in Kuantan and its surrounding areas. Should the forecast trigger flood incidents, the task force comes together and works as a team. The PFRTF is responsible for providing information on the current and predicted weather situations - continuously monitoring the weather conditions, and issuing warnings to the committee members through our WhatsApp group.

We have arrived at the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, to express the joy of anticipation for Christmas. While we may be busy with holiday preparations and celebrations, it’s important to bear in mind that COVID-19 infections continue to spread, and there is also a risk of flooding in the East Coast due to the monsoon rains. Therefore, let’s work together to keep our community safe and healthy by adhering to the protocols and taking all the necessary precautions to slow the spread of infections. It is important not only to offer prayers but also to reach out and assist flood victims in any way possible.

Since the beginning of the Advent season, we have been reminded to be watchful and remain constantly awake for the coming of Our Lord Jesus. It is a time to deepen our faith and live in His presence, regardless of what is happening around us. With a heart filled with love, we transform every moment into something precious and meaningful, as we wait in joyful anticipation.

DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE AND OBLIGATION

Our annual monsoon season usually starts around late October and goes on until early January. It tends to affect the East Coast states the most, and it has been raining on and off for the past few weeks here in Kuantan, Pahang. Currently, the weather in Pahang hasn’t been too hot or humid, and most days are sunny. At night, temperatures range between 24-25^oC and during the day it’s between 28-32^oC. Even though we have not had severe weather here in Pahang, the same cannot be said for our neighbours in Kelantan and Terengganu who have experienced flooding in early November. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the region till the end of December and into early January.

 

The last two long-weekends of December are usually busy and exciting! The liturgy of the year brings back-to-back celebrations starting with Final Advent, Christmas, Holy Family and New Year. This year, Advent ends earlier because we celebrate Christmas Eve Mass right after the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The same thing happened back in 2018.

 

As Catholics, we have two important days of obligation to fulfil during this year-end and Christmas festivities: the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas. It is important to note that attending one single Mass on Sunday morning will only fulfil one obligation. To fulfil both days, we must attend two separate Masses, one on Sunday (the Final Advent) and another on Monday (the Midnight Mass or the Christmas Day Mass). Some people may choose to attend a Sunset Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, followed by a morning Mass on Christmas Day, giving themselves a day’s break between the two celebrations. However, it is important not to miss out on both these days of obligation.

 

If you choose to attend the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, you will be treated to carols being sung by the choir, as well as a nativity play. This year, Christmas carols with the theme – The Gift of Christmas – will be sung in four different languages and will last for 45 minutes. The choir has been practising for the past two weekends. So, let’s not forget the significance of both days and ensure we attend Mass on both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and as well as the Christmas Mass.

 

On Sunday, 31 December 2023 (The Holy Family Day), the same thing happens. On New Year's Eve at midnight, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and the New Year. Please note that Sunday is a day of obligation. Celebrating the New Year on Monday is an excellent way to start 2024!

 

We should take some time out of our busy schedule to reflect on these matters, especially on days of obligation. Let us sincerely make an effort to prioritise our spiritual well-being and truly grasp the significance of these important religious events that revolve around the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us start the new year through the Holy Mother of God.

FUTURE GROWTH WITH VISION AND MISSION

Our Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) was held on Saturday, 25 November 2023. This was an important assembly, where we reviewed our one-year journey and plan before the end of the liturgical calendar 2022/2023. The assembly brought together members of our Parish community, including the PPC and PCC councils, BEC leaders, ministry heads and core team leaders. Approximately 50 people attended the three-hour fruitful assembly.

Over the past year, we have deepened our fraternal spirit and strengthened our Parish community through various formations, activities, and events. We embarked on a synodal journey with humility - listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and discerning every moment of our lives, so that we may live Christian values of love, courage, respect, endurance, compassion, charity, and peace. As St. Paul said, “Keep doing everything you learnt from me and were told by me and have heard or seen me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you,” (Phil 4:9). We worked together as a community and put together our thoughts, words and actions in order to build a faithful community.

 

At this PPA, we resolved to renew, review, restore and rebuild ourselves spiritually, especially in areas that we may have previously lacked. Our goal is to continue journeying together as true companions - through participation, communion and mission. We believe that we can strengthen our faith community by rooting ourselves in the Word of God, faith in the Catholic Church and increasing our values in family and community living. We are committed to being gifts that inspire the building of our Church together, spiritually. 

 

God is persistent and never gives up on us. He continuously draws us closer to Him, and all we need to do is respond in obedience, even if it is a delayed response. Seeking God’s direction and prayerfully doing what He is calling us to do is important, and we should strive to do it well. We understand that we cannot do everything on our own – that is why it is crucial to seek God’s will, to find direction and purpose in our lives.

 

As we begin the new liturgical year of 2023/24, may the Holy Spirit continue to guide us through our planning process, so that everything we do now and in the future, is a continued contribution of our gifts and talents to the greater glory of God and for the salvation of our souls. We look forward to the future growth of our Parish, with vision and mission.

 

Vision: Being A Community Rooted in the Word, Faith and Values.

 

Mission: As a spirit-filled community, we commit ourselves through proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating Jesus in the Word and Sacraments, and living the Christian values in prayers, services and outreach.

 

May our patron Saint Thomas the Apostle, intercede for us, and the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany us in living our lives obediently and faithfully.

JOURNEYING TOWARDS A HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

The Season of Advent will commence on 3 December 2023, which marks the beginning of the New Liturgical year 2023/2024. The new Church liturgical Calendar starts with Advent, followed by Christmas. Then comes Ordinary Time from the 1st to the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Week. After that, we have Lent and Easter, followed by the remaining weeks of Ordinary Time (7th to 34th Sunday in Ordinary Week), and finally, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The liturgical calendar will be enriched throughout the year with various memorials, feasts, and solemnities. Each liturgical season – week after week, Sunday after Sunday – invites us to reflect on how God is present in our daily lives.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated the year 2024 as the Year of Prayer in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year: “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Year of Prayer will begin this Advent with a special focus on the “Our Father” prayer. This presents an excellent opportunity for us to revisit the fundamentals of prayer, deepen our commitment to praying and loving God, and learn how to accompany others in their prayer life throughout the upcoming Year of Prayer.

In the upcoming liturgical year, the Church offers us an opportunity to strengthen our prayer life and deepen our relationship with Christ. We can achieve this by engaging in good spiritual exercises such as praying regularly, reading spiritual books, studying and reflecting on the Word of God, repenting, and practising acts of charity. Taking steps towards spiritual growth will elevate our faith and lead us to a healthier spiritual life, emotional well-being, intellectual growth, and physical health.

Our Church is dedicated to providing faith formation opportunities for people of all ages and stages of life, regardless of the language they speak or the ministry they belong to. We believe that learning and living our faith is a lifelong process that requires continuous growth and sharing with others within and outside our Christian communities. Our goal is to help everyone in our community deepen their faith, find inner peace, and live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Only a handful of parishioners, especially those who were engaged in various ministries, took an active part in the faith formation and training program aimed at improving their understanding of God. Their involvement demonstrates their dedication to enriching their spiritual lives and taking a meaningful step towards building a closer relationship with God, enabling them to live their faith in a more profound way.

Our Church programs, activities, and formations are designed to help us become effective Church leaders, cultivate Christian values, and share the richness of the Catholic faith and tradition. Above all, by participating, you can identify your gifts and charisms for personal and communal growth in our synodal church.

As Parishioners of St Thomas, the Apostle, embarking on a synodal journey towards Communion, Participation, and Mission is essential. Let us actively participate in the upcoming liturgical year by being involved in ongoing formations and activities to ensure that we are aware of our faith journey and are an integral part of the Church, the Body of Christ. Let us journey together to achieve our Parish Vision and Mission for the coming year.

ALWAYS BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE

Our Church of St. Thomas, the Apostle in Kuantan, is hosting a Family Day celebration cum 7th World Day of the Poor for the second time, in the East Coast on Sunday, 19 November 2023. This event is a way for us to show respect and welcome the most vulnerable families and friends from our vicinities. This year, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen a theme: “Do Not Turn Your Face Away From Anyone Who Is Poor” (Tobit 4:7). We hope to bring these individuals and families together for a joyful celebration, while also raising awareness about the daily struggles they face.

Observing the World Day of the Poor (WDP) with those less fortunate, can be a powerful way to demonstrate God’s mercy and support for them. Pope Francis encourages us to follow the example of Tobit, who showed kindness to those in need by performing acts of charity (cf. Tobit 4). Tobit's story teaches us to be compassionate towards those who are suffering by offering them assistance and companionship, and in doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of our Christian faith.

 

On the occasion of WDP, it is important to remember that helping those in need requires genuine efforts that can make a real difference in their lives. We should avoid any distractions or obstacles that may prevent us from extending a helping hand to those who require our assistance. Sometimes, even a small gesture, such as a smile or a helping hand, can have a significant impact on the lives of the less fortunate.

 

As human beings, it is important to have a humanitarian spirit and prioritise caring for the marginalised people in our community. Unfortunately, people living in poverty are often neglected or overlooked, making them invisible to us. We should devote our time and effort to helping those who have been affected physically, economically, and financially. It is essential that we look for the true face of Christ in the underprivileged and provide them with the attention and assistance they deserve. We should never forget or ignore them since they are always present in our lives.

 

The underprivileged can teach us many valuable lessons. They are present always and everywhere, providing us with the opportunity to share the gospel of joy with them. The Gospel instructs us to serve Jesus through the poor with love, respect, dignity, and justice. The impoverished are not strangers or outsiders to us. We must strive to make them a part of our lives. We should take every opportunity to alleviate their sufferings and difficulties and work towards restoring their lost dignity so that they can be included in our society.

Our commitment to assisting the underprivileged aims to unite people, accept them wholeheartedly, and provide them with the care they deserve. It is our responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of the underprivileged by paying attention to their needs and treating them as equals, just like our own brothers and sisters, (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, no. 199)