Malacca Johore Diocese holds assembly to review pastoral plan

Some 114 members of the 18 diocesan ministries of the Malacca Johore Diocese assembled on Saturday, March 3 at the Chee Luan Khor Moral Uplifting centre in Kluang for a day of reflection.

The MJPT (Malacca Johore Pastoral Team) Assembly was the second held after the 2016 PMPC IV. It is among the many to be called by Bishop Bernard Paul as a way to reach the different levels of the people. This was also a follow up of the Post Synod #1 held in October 2017, the first year review after the 2016 PMPC IV, to assess the progress of the Diocesan Pastoral Thrust.

The day began at 9.00am with Lauds. A video of Bishop Bernard’s address at the Post Synod #1 was then screened, followed by a reflection based on the 3 “Burning” stories in the Bible: the Burning Bush (Moses), the Burning House (Esther) and the Burning Heart (Road to Emmaus).

Presented by a team from the Diocesan Animating Team (DAT), the reflection hopes to give members the experience of “Being Encountered”. This is the first phase of the Pastoral Thrust which emphasise the 4Es (Encounter, Enlighten, Empower and Evangelise) Spirituality to be carried throughout the whole year of 2018. This reflection will, in the 2nd half of the year, be developed into a multi lingual programme to be brought to the grassroots through a series of roadshows at parishes, BECs and groups via mobile teams.

The day continued in silent prayer with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Q&A session.

One of the queries that surfaced was how the Diocesan thrust on the 4E is assessed. Bishop’s response was to ask members to realise that the 4Es is a process with some responding quickly while others may be slow. As Catholic-Biblical people, this process is a journey and the greatest sign is when we become evangelisers. We see fruits in our Ministries, Parishes, Diocese when we are evangelising – Catholics to Catholics. The second level is when there are open Churches/Ministries and openness to other faiths/cultures. A Church that is being renewed is a living Church that attracts. Evangelising is an openness to reach out. We become the 4th E, after having been through the first 3Es.

Bishop Bernard reiterated the call and message of the Post Synod #1. He specifically asked members to firstly evaluate whether their ministry is a market place or a house of God and prayer, encouraging them to restore the ministries and go beyond to build missionary teams.

Bishop Bernard’s final word was that help is available – from the clergy, Diocesan Office and even himself. Ministries need only ask. He stressed that ministries must be outward looking and advance by taking small steps.

The day ended with Eucharistic celebration.

Amongst the feedback was that members welcome such reunion of all ministries to reflect and share, to prioritise mission and purpose. Some felt the day helped to re-emphasise and refresh what and why they are called to serve as well to preservere when trials come their way. Others hope to see more definitive and specific tactical plans that can be pushed/driven to all ministries to help grow in line with the mission.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online