Penang Cathedral holds mid-term review

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (CHS) observed a Study Day/Mid-Term Review on May 26. It was important to look at the pastoral activities that took place since January and whether they were carried out in line with the Parish Thrust and Theme.

In conjunction with the Study Day, the Penang Diocesan Animating Team explained the purpose of the Diocesan Synod before the PMPC IV held at Plentong in 2016. At the Parish Pastoral Assembly on December 3, 2017, Fr Fabian presented the theme, Unity in Diversity. The Thrust of the Parish was based on:

1) The teaching of the Apostles
2) Fellowship
3) Breaking of the Bread
4) Prayer

The Ministries, BECs and Teams were categorised under five cluster groups – Liturgy, Catechetical, Spiritual, Youth and Social. Each cluster group would undertake one element of the Parish Thrust for three months during the One Year Journey.

During the Mid-Term Review, the PAT Chairman, Iruthaya Das, reviewed the 24 activities held from January till May under the five cluster groups.

The PPC Chairman, Pedro Geronimo, rolled out the plans for the One Year Journey Towards the Golden Jubilee from June 2018 to June 2019. In order to help the parishioners during this tough journey, there will be Holy Hour on the first Friday of every month and a special Day of Prayer in August.

He added that CHS had more than 3,000 parishioners and 73 ministries, but many were hesitant to take up leadership roles in ministries, especially in BECs. Many parishioners were even reluctant to open their homes for BEC activities because they felt that they had to clean their homes. “However, we don’t have to worry about that, as the Spirit of God knows how to clean our homes. You will be blessed,” concluded Pedro.

There was a feedback session for the participants to share their views. They spoke on how to help migrant university students by providing them transport for weekend Masses. Others spoke on the need to get migrant Catholics to participate in the Offertory during weekend Masses.

Fr Joachim, the Parish Priest, then wrapped up the Mid-Term Review, saying that there were many people who needed the services of the parish. The leaders and parishioners had to bring all these people to encounter Christ. Therefore, everyone had to work like the early Christians to make a change in the life of others. “God is always with us to bless and help us in our journey,” he concluded.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online