Category Archives: Feb 2018

RANAU – Parish priest of St Peter Claver Ranau (SPCR) Church, Father Nicholas Stephen said people today are hungry for good news, which gives them hope for a better day ahead in the midst of uncertainties.

“Every day we wake up and see on our smartphones or tablets all kinds of bad news which make us question the hope for mankind and our own safety for tomorrow. We live in all kinds of fears,” he said.

“But today I urge people from all walks of life, regardless of their faith as well as ethnic background, to be joyful because the Christmas that we celebrate each year is the point where all hopes for tomorrow are renewed,” he continued.

Towards that end, Fr Nicholas said, people today should go to the Bethlehem of their souls, which has since been left dry and empty, and to rediscover the joy of life where the Saviour of mankind is born.

He was speaking to a crowd of about 3000 Catholic Christians at the Christmas Mass at St Peter Claver here on 25 Dec 2018.

He prayed that this year’s Christmas bring peace to all families, especially to all broken families, that their relationships would be restored once again, thus bringing peace to society, the state, the nation and the world as a whole.

Earlier that day, Fr Nicholas also launched the parish’s first published magazine entitled Effatha!, which was produced by St Peter Claver’s SOCCOM (Social Communications) Committee. The magazine featured all the activities that took place in SPCR in 2017.

The first edition of Effatha! also highlighted the journey made by the statue of Our Lady of Fatima throughout the seven zones under the Ranau parish, ending with the major street procession over the town of Ranau on Nov 25 last year.

On Dec 30, Fr Nicholas joined other community leaders for a Christmas and New Year celebration at district level.

At the event, Siringan Gubat, who co-hosted the event, and who is also Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology, said that such celebration is important, especially for people living in a multi-cultural setting like in Malaysia, especially in Sabah.

“This is why we never stop organising this event each year. Because an open house is like a tonic for the fostering of unity, especially considering that we in Ranau are living in a diversity of ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.

Dr Joachim Gunsalam who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing shared the sentiment and added that the event strengthened the brotherhood which has long been inherited by the people in Ranau.

“Good relationship among the people here has long existed and this acceptance between one another transcends the boundary of minds, interests and even political ideology,” he said.

Among the highlights of the celebration, which was held at the Dewan Masyarakat Ranau, were the singing of Christmas carols by choir groups from the different churches in Ranau, and distribution of Christmas goodies to children.   – Clarence Dol

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

RANAU – The newly established St Peter Claver Ranau (SPCR)’s Tadika Kasih Bonda continues to receive encouraging response from parents in the area when 20 four-year-olds were accepted to enroll in its new intake this year.

Headmistress Deyana Johnny said despite the inadequate facilities the kindergarten is experiencing since its inception in 2015, teaching staff at the school continue to hope for a better future for the school in the days ahead.

“Currently we are coping with problems like lack of staff and lack of classrooms. We are operating with 10 teachers, including myself, and only three classes. We are caring for 20 four-year-olds, 40 five-year-olds, and 45 six-year-olds.

“Imagine how the situation is when one of them needs to go to the washroom. We have to escort those children to the washroom in order to ensure their safety,” she said.

On the issue of classrooms, Deyana said the over-quota numbers of students gave them the thrust to improvise, which means getting some of the children at school to have outside-of-classroom activities.

Towards the end of 2017, SPCR received a donation of RM210 thousand from the Vatican Foundation to build a kindergarten (Tadika Kasih Bonda) which is currently located in the old church building (Fr Salm Hall).

SPCR parish priest, Father Nicholas Stephen said earlier that Tadika Kasih Bonda, which uses English as its medium, and now requiring a building to run its own programmes, receives a very encouraging response from Christian students in this area.

To accommodate the construction of the building, the church needs an allocation of RM750 thousand, and the Vatican Foundation has contributed RM210 thousand through the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, he added.

Therefore, he said, the contribution of all the people is needed to realise the completion of the building, thus helping the kindergarten to develop and enabling it to enroll more children in the future. – Clarence Dol

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Some 600 Filipino parishioners together with other communities gathered in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (KSFX) to celebrate the yearly event of the Feast of Infant Jesus, Feast of St. Nino De Cebu on 21 January, 2018. It marked the fourth year of celebration, themed “LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME.”

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. John Emerson Tepait from the diocese of Masbate City, Philippines, at 2.00 pm. The event began with the procession of the statue of the Sacred Senior Santo Nino (Holy Infant Jesus) from the entrance of Dataran Solidariti to the sanctuary.

Fr. John Emerson Tepait, in his homily, said that the yearly celebration of St. Nino always reminds us of who we were and what we were before. No matter what we have become or what have we accomplished, we are always reminded of our humble beginnings. As a child, we want no more than attention, love, care, simple things and everything for us becomes fulfilling and complete.

In the Gospel – Jesus shows how we should deal with our children. “LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME” is an invitation for us to be aware of our important role in their lives. Jesus raised the dignity of children by rebuking the disciples as they hindered the children to come closer to Him.

We need to let our children know always that we are proud of them, that we love them, that we value them more than anything, because if we don’t do it, they will grow up without proper mental and spiritual orientation. He added that children are created and born like angels. By a simple glance, all your worries, pains, burdens and problems can be taken right away. Such is the impact of a child.

If a child feels loved it will have great self-esteem. There is no need to go overboard but a kiss or a hug once a day will do you both a lot of good. It lessens the chances of your kids becoming aggressive, anti-social and having other behavioral problems. While adolescents might be embarrassed at the physical affection, there should always be words of support and empathy to take its place. Parents should spend quality time with their children. Discipline them with love and affection.

Nemo dat quod non abet, a Latin saying, which says, you cannot give what you do not have. You can only give that which you have. If we don’t give love, time, attention and proper care to our children, what can they have? What can they give in return?

Cherilyn Rondidas the Chairlady of the Filipino Pastoral Committee (FPC) Cathedral, St. Francis Xavier, and the Vice chairlady of Persatuan Kababayan Sabah (PKS), expressed her gratitude to the celebration and thanked Rev. Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong for his blessings to Rev. Fr. Rudolf and the community. She also expressed her gratitude to the organizing committee for their effort and commitment and to all generous sponsors for all their support to make the Feast day celebration a great success. She also said that the FPC has set up FILIPINO PASTORAL RELIEF FUND (FPRF) to help our Filipino members in time of death of their loved ones, critical sickness and other calamities. Each family member may contribute RM10 – 20 for FPRF.

Mdm. Cherilyn, a Malaysian born Filipino, added, “It took me time to figure out on the very first year, as I do not know how to get it started and how to conduct myself in this feast. Well, I believe that, when faith is working within you, everything impossible becomes possible.”

In her speech she wished that the community continue to grow in faith in Jesus. And if we really believe in God, and live according to that faith, then God will be pleased. And we are going to be blessed. Mdm. Cherilyn also thanked the Filipino Pastoral group from St. Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan Diocese for coming to support the Feast day in Keningau. Their presence made the occasion more meaningful.

After the Holy Mass, parishioners participated in the procession of the Infant Jesus, from the Church entrance to the Dataran Solidariti hall. A luncheon fellowship was held and was served with traditional local and Filipino delicacies by members of the Filipino community with PKS members and other Filipinos in the district as well as visitors from all walks of life joining in the celebration, thus making it merrier. Members of the Filipino community from St. Mary’s Sandakan, St. Theresa and Holy Cross, Tambunan, Holy Spirit Church Sook, St. Valentine, Beaufort, PKS were present at the event. Their presence made the occasion more meaningful.

Modern dance by Sandakan FPC Youth

Modern dance by Keningau FPC Youth

Article reproduced from Diocese of Keningau

Setakat ini, katekis pembimbing di seluruh Paroki Keningau sudah mencecah 236 orang, yang mana 54 orang menerima perlantikan baru dan yang selebihnya memperbaharui komiten pelayanan mereka di hadapan Bapa Uskup dan umat yang datang ke perayaan Ekaristi.

Menerusi homili beliau, “Kita mempunyai alasan yang kuat mengapa kita meletakkan harapan pada Yesus, mengapa pelayanan–pelayanan yang kita lakukan bukanlah sia-sia, kerana pertama ialah Yesus sendiri sudah buktikan bahawa Dia adalah utusan Bapa, Dia diutus oleh Allah Bapa sebagai ungkapan cinta kasih Allah kepada kita, seperti kita dapat baca dan renung dalam Yoh 3:16. Kita harus meletakkan pengharapan kepada Yesus kerana Dialah ungkapan penyertaan Allah kepada kita sebab itu namaNya Imanuel (Mat 1:23)”.

Prelatus itu juga berpesan agar meletakkan pengharapan pada Yesus didalam tugas pelayanan. Apa yang pasti setiap pelayanan yang dilakukan haruslah berasaskan cinta kasih dan pengharapan terhadap Yesus terutama bagi katekis pertama di dalam keluarga iaitu ibu bapa sendiri, kerana merekalah yang pertama harus memperkenalkan siapa itu Tuhan kepada anak-anak, bukan hanya bergantung kepada katekis pembimbing sahaja. Sesuai dengan tema Keuskupan Keningau selama 25 tahun ini, iaitu ‘Keluarga Berpusat Kepada Kristus, Berbudaya Menyembah Tuhan, Memantapkan Iman Dan Bertanggungjawab Sosial’. –Feabiah Sandar

Article reproduced from Diocese of Keningau

One of the significant developments in the Church after Vatican II is the emergence of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in various parts of the world including Malaysia. In his encyclical, Redemptoris Missio 51, John Paul II considered BECs as “signs of vitality in the Church … a cause of great hope for the Church and a solid starting point for a new society based on the civilisation of love.”

The promotion and formation of BECs is one of the means of renewing the Church which was the aim of Vatican II. The communitarian vision of the Church as Communion and as People of God — a priestly, prophetic kingly people — has made it possible for BECs to emerge. The 1976 Aggiornamento and the subsequent Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Conventions (PMPC), echoing the Vatican II vision of a renewed Church, recognised this when it declared:

“Our vision of the Church as communion, participation and mission, the Church as priestly, prophetic and kingly people, and as the Church of the Poor — a Church that is renewed — is today finding expression in one ecclesial movement. This is the movement to foster Basic Ecclesial Communities.”

The presence and vitality of BECs in the dioceses and parishes may be one of the indicators for evaluating how ecclesial renewal promoted by Vatican II and the 1976 Aggiornamento and PMPC being implemented.

For some dioceses the BECs, as envisioned by PMPC, is already a reality. For others it remains a dream. In the course of promoting and forming BECs, a lot of problems and concerns have emerged that need to be addressed.
Problems and Concerns

1. Sustainability
Many BECs that have been formed could not be sustained, especially when the parish priests who initiated them were transferred and those who took their place were not supportive. This was also the case, when external pastoral agents who helped form BECs were gone. Some BECs have run out of steam. The members were very enthusiastic at the start but they lose interest after a while.

2. Attendance and participation
There are BECs, where only a few actively participate in the ongoing activities (e.g. the montjyl BEC gatherings or the weekly Bible-sharing). Most of those who attend are women. The men and young people are seldom seen. Attendance and participation may increase during community Masses and during the Rosary months (May and October) as well as for the Christmas carolling.

3. Leadership
Some BECs have leaders who are incompetent and lacking in commitment. Others have leaders who are very authoritarian and dictatorial. Some are acting like little-priests, falling into a new form of clericalism of lay leaders. The leaders lack team-work. Many don’t go out of their way to reach out to the members and to encourage them. Others resort to policies and sanctions to assert their authority.

4. Relations with Lay Associations
In many cases the relationship between BECs and lay organisations tend to be problematic. Some members of lay associations regard BECs as just another organisation and because of this there is no need to participate in the BECs since they already belong to an organisation. Others claim that their organizations can be considered as BECs — so again there is no need to be members of the BECs in their neighbourhood or village. In some cases, members of BECs who become members of lay associations stop participating in their BECs. Consequently, a spirit of antagonism and competition prevails between BECs and lay associations.

5. Responding to Social Concerns and Issues
Many BECs remain inward-looking communities that lack social concern. Their activities revolve around Bible-sharing and liturgical celebrations. They do not respond to social problems and issues that they face – e.g. poverty, hunger, criminality, injustice, conflict, the destruction of the environment, etc. These BECs feel helpless in the midst of poverty and conflict. They are either incapable of addressing these concerns or they think that BECs should only focus on spiritual concerns.

6. Understanding the vision and nature of BECs
Many practitioners and members of BECs do not have an adequate understanding of the vision and nature of BECs. There are many who associate BECs exclusively with the small group or cell, composed of five to 15 families, who gather monthly to reflect on the Word of God. The BEC becomes just an activity (Bible-sharing) or that small exclusive group. But in the parishes, BECs are area-based — those who are staying within a certain vicinity form the BECs under the direction of the parish leaders. They are supposed to focus on community dynamics and ecclesiality.

Most of these problems and concerns are interrelated. The problems of sustainability and poor participation in BECs may be the result of problematic leadership, the use of coercive policies and sanctions, problematic relationship with lay associations, failure to respond to social concerns and inadequate understanding of the vision and nature of BECs.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Komuniti Umat Bahasa Malaysia (KUBM) of St Ignatius Catholic Church made a visit to Orang Asli villages in Negeri Sembilan together with assistant Parish Priest Fr Lawrence Ng CDD, Bro Joseph Lim CDD and members from the Mandarin and English speaking groups.

Along the journey, they stopped at the Church of St Theresa, Nilai and were greeted by Parish Priest, Fr Eugene Benedict and some of the parishioners. After a short prayer in the church, they had fellowship, an ice-breaking session and lunch. The KUBM visitors were taught by the parishioners how to make the “Angel of Hope” dolls using socks, ribbons, cotton and buttons.

After a group photo, they continued their journey.

In Kg. Sebir, they were warmly welcomed by the village community. They visited many Orang Asli houses and learnt of their culture through fellowship and sharing of food. In return, the group taught the villagers how to make the “Angel of Hope” dolls as they had learned it in St Theresa, Nilai.

After bidding farewell, they headed to Kg Tekir. Upon arrival, they visited the oldest church in the village, Gereja Bonda Maria, which was built in the year 1901. After a short prayer in the church, they visited the homes in the village and later had fellowship and dinner. They also entertained the village community with Christmas songs and performed the Sumazau, the traditional dance of the Kadazan/ Dusun community.

They again taught the villagers how to make the “Angel of Hope” dolls.

At about 8.00pm everyone went back to their respective homes with joyful hearts. It was a great experience for all.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

1.0 Clergy On Leave
Rev Fr Raymond Pereira, Parish Priest of the Church of St Thomas More, Subang Jaya, will be on sabbatical leave from February 10, 2018.

In the interim, His Grace, Archbishop Julian Leow, has appointed Rev Fr William Michael as the Parish Administrator of the Church of St Thomas More with effect from February 10, 2018.

2.0 New Appointment
We would like to welcome Dr Steven Selvaraju to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Team. He will be engaged in the area of the animation and development of Catechetical Ministry in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

3.0 Chrism Masss 2018
The Chrism Mass, which the Archbishop celebrates with the members of his presbyterium, and at which the oils are blessed and where the priests renew their priestly promises, manifests the communion of the priests with their Bishop.

This year’s Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 7.00pm in the Church of St Ignatius, Petaling Jaya.

Fr Michael Chua Chancellor 
Archdiocesan Chancery
528, Jln Bkt Nanas, KL

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, commonly known as the ‘Red Mass,’ is a highly anticipated annual celebration for the Catholic Lawyers’ Society (CLS) to call upon divine assistance in the work of the entire Bench and Bar and to invoke the Holy Spirit to inspire judges in the conduct of their ecclesiastical affairs and administering justice. Red, the liturgical colour to represent the Holy Spirit, also symbolises a willingness to defend the truth with the ultimate sacrifice, blood.

Bishop Bernard Paul was the main celebrant, with Archbishop Julian Leow, Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, Fr Michael Chua, CLS advisor and fellow priests concelebrating.

Judges and lawyers, dressed in their court robes, were joined in the celebration by Yang Berhormat Teresa Kok, Member of Parliament, Michael Winzap, Ambassador of Switzerland and the lay faithful at the Good Shepherd Church, Setapak on January 20.

Bishop Bernard Paul reminded the faithful of their commitment and aspiration to be a change agent and to push forward for a better nation by restoring Malaysia and restoring life. Quoting St Catherine of Genoa, he reiterated that there cannot be change without reformation, transformation and conversion. Personal uprightness faces a constant battle against the streak of evil and public opinions. Appealing to original goodness rather than succumbing to circumstances and remaining uncorrupted is an uphill task.

An apt way of looking at this challenge is to assume one’s profession as one’s vocation. As members of the Bench and Bar and servants of the law, four stages of conversion are crucial in uplifting justice in the pursuit of peace:

1. Personal conversion – realising my higher calling as son or daughter of God

2. Communitarian conversion – recognising common brotherhood and sisterhood where race, religion and caste are no longer barriers

3. Ecclesial conversion – cognisant of the fact that we are all part of God’s family, the Body of Christ sharing in the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Jesus

4. Ecological conversion – consciously treating this world as our common home where actions or inactions on global issues have an impact on me Ms Rita Wong, president of CLS, thanked the bishops and priests for celebrating the Red Mass and called for more members of the legal fraternity to enrol in CLS and support its causes.

Archbishop Julian Leow took the opportunity to thank Bishop Bernard for his attendance and urged the faithful to continue to pray that people of all faiths will be able to work together and be a sign of peace and harmony as justice is sought and advocated.

This celebration most definitely offered lawyers, judges and members of parliament a chance to reflect on their past individual accomplishments and, as a community, to ask for strength and guidance for the future and call upon the grace of God to aid them as they begin this New Year. The celebration ended with a lunch fellowship.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Seminarians Bro Dominic Tan and Bro Simon Lau were ordained to the Diaconate Order by Archbishop Julian Leow at the Church of St Anthony on January 23, 2018.

More than 50 clergy, mainly from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, including Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez, Archbishop Leow and Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam were present, with Deacons Nicholas Hoh and Xavier Andrew and eight seminarians. .

The theme chosen for the Diaconate Ordination was Feed My Sheep (Mark 6:34).

“We are privileged this evening to come together to celebrate two new deacons into the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur,” said Archbishop Leow. “We give thanks to God and ask the Lord to bless us and the families of the deacons for having produced servants for the Church.”

The Rite of Ordination began after the Gospel proclamation. Fr Gerard Theraviam (former Rector of College General) presented the candidates to the Ordaining Prelate.

Archbishop Leow in his homily spoke about the duties and functions of the diaconate, which is one of the three ordained offices in the Catholic Church. “These two will help the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar, and of charity, showing themselves to be servants to all.” As ministers of the altar, they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute the Lord’s body and blood to the faithful. They will preside over public prayer, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring viaticum to the dying and conduct funeral rites. They will perform works of charity and, with the help of God, they are to go about all these duties in such a way that people will recognise them as disciples of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.

Archbishop Leow told Tan and Lau that, as deacons, they need to do the will of God and serve the people in love and joy.

“You will exercise your ministry committed to the celibate state; know that celibacy is both a sign of pastoral charity and inspiration to it, as well as a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world.

“You are to free yourselves more completely for the service of God and man, and minister more effectively in the work of spiritual rebirth. You must be firmly rooted and grounded in the faith.”

The prelate advised them to never allow themselves to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. “Now you must not only be hearers of this Gospel but also its ministers. Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. Express it by your actions, the Word of God, which your lips proclaim, so that the Christian people, brought to life by the Spirit, may be a pure offering, acceptable to God.

“Grow in your relationship with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Look and seek for the lost, those who have strayed from the Lord.

“Always remember to care for the wounded sheep in your charge. We imitate the Good Shepherd as we follow Him at the altar.”

After the homily, the ordination rite continued. Both Deacons were vested with the Stole and Dalmatic by the parish priests of their parishes, namely Fr Gregory Chan (Assumption, PJ) for Deacon Tan and Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai (Good Shepherd, Setapak) for Deacon Lau.

Archbishop Leow then prayed and handed the Book of the Gospels to both Deacons Dominic and Simon as they knelt before the prelate. This was followed by the Kiss of Peace. They then assisted in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After Mass, both Deacons expressed their gratitude to Archbishop Leow for ordaining them and to Fr James Gabriel, the parish priest of Church of St Anthony and the committee for all their efforts in organising this event.

They also thanked their Formators in their formation years at the seminary: Fr Gerard, Archbishop Leow (who was the former Dean of Studies), Cardinal Soter (formerly Spiritual Father in College-General), Fr Edwin Peter. Others involved include seminarians here and in Sabah and Sarawak and those who guided them in their pastoral work as well as their parish priests. They had a special word of thanks for Archbishop (now Emeritus) Pakiam for accepting both of them into the seminary.

Deacon Tan added that his parish community had influenced him, as did his three parish priests (some no longer with us) and his own family members, particularly his mother. “Without all of you, I would not be standing here today,” he said.

Deacon Lau, a convert, attributed his faith to the Catholic community in Setapak, where he met Jesus. He shared that he regularly attended the KLASE prayer meetings. He thanked his mother, saying it was not an easy decision for her to let her son enter the seminary, especially when his father passed away during his first year in seminary. He thanked all who had been supportive of him entering the seminary.

In closing, Deacon Lau said they wanted to promote vocations to the priesthood. “Many say it is an impossible vocation but we can testify that it is possible.” He invited young Catholics to attend the Feb 24 and 25 Diocesan Vocation Camp to be held in Good Shepherd Church, Setapak. “Young people, we hope to see you there,” he said.

Dinner fellowship was held in the parish grounds.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online