Category Archives: Jan 2018

KENINGAU – The Interior Diocese will celebrate its 25 years of existence as a diocese on 5 May 2018 at the Diocesan Solidarity Hall Keningau.

At the same time, Bishop Cornelius Piong will also mark 25 years of episcopal ministry.

The interior diocese – comprising Keningau, Tambunan, Toboh, Kuala Penyu Beaufort, Membakut, Tenom and Tulid Mission – was created on 2 Feb 1993 with Msgr Cornelius Piong as its first bishop.  He was ordained and installed as bishop on 6 May 1993.

At the time of its erection, the diocese had a Catholic population of 56,852 scattered in eight parishes and 155 outstations, served by seven priests, 137 catechists, and religious in eight convents.

Almost 25 years later,  the diocese has a Catholic population of 135,544 scattered in nine parishes, one mission and 402 outstations.  It is served by 18 clergy, one religious priest, 44 religious sisters, 24 religious brothers, six seminarians, 18 lay consecrated women, and 410 catechists (2016 statistics).

It has two retreat centres, two pilgrimage sites, a pastoral centre, a children’s home and three student hostels.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – Seminarian David Richard Gasikol has been accepted by Bishop Cornelius Piong to be ordained deacon on 25 Feb 2018 at the Katedral St Francis Xavier Keningau at 4:30 pm.

Born in Sook on 29 June 1985, David entered the aspirancy at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre Penampang in 2010.  After a year at the Initial Formation House in Kota Kinabalu in 2011, he went on for his philosophical and theological studies at St Peter’s College Kuching from 2012 – 2017.

He is currently assigned to serve in the cathedral.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – The Chinese community around the world is preparing to bid farewell to the Year of the Rooster and welcome the Year of the Dog, which begins on Feb 16.

The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar and features 12 Chinese zodiac signs. They are represented by animals that occur in the following sequence: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Combined with the Chinese five atomic elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth, they form 60 possible combinations so, in fact, 2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog.

Below is the message of Archbishop John Wong to the Chinese faithful in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese on the occasion:

As spring of the new year  is approaching, may the Lord bless  you with His peace and good health.

This year, we celebrate the Year of the Dog. As the dogs bark (汪汪, which is pronounced as  ‘wang wang’), they sound like the Chinese character “Prosperous” (旺, pronounced as wang). For the Chinese, this is one of the favourite characters. Hence,as we enter into this New Year of the Dog,  we may be blessed with an abundant harvest and thriving careers and businesses. However, circumstances may often turn out to be against our hopes and wishes. As such, we are to shift our wishes for “prosperity” (旺) into “hope” (望, also pronounced as wang), praying that in good times or  bad times, we will be filled with hope. It is hoped that in time  of crisis, it will be turned into an opportunity.

In fact, at every turn of a new year, let us not put our focus and hope solely in prosperity and wealth. Jesus has come into the world to bring us new perspectives, broaden our vision, and change our thoughts and values, especially in terms of our behaviour  and moral values. He has come to bring us life eternal. Although the world is well-advanced in information technology and the growing abundance in material goods, we are sad to witness the deterioration in morality, care and love, etc. The world is filled with fraud, theft, sexual harassment, violence and murder. Genuine friendships are rare for many of them are built upon personal interests and profits.

Brothers and sisters, we know that we cannot attain true peace and happiness from wealth and pleasures of the world, but from a purpose-filled life, as the saying goes: The foundation of happiness stems from reaching out to others. For this reason, true happiness comes from serving and giving, not wealth. On top of that, a fulfilling life is not measured by how much we own, but by how much we have given, like Jesus who has lived his whole life in loving and serving, the total gift of self.

At the end of the year, the Chinese of our nation will pick a significant Chinese character. which reflects the aspirations of the people to conclude the year. This year, the character chosen is “road (路).”  I am sure that as we face the economic downturn, some of us cannot make ends meet. For this, we want to find a way out, especially financially. On the other hand, many of us are at the crossroads feeling lost and worried about our lives, careers and businesses. We are striving to ensure that our lives do not come to a dead-end.

Jesus once said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14: 6).  Not only that He shows us the way that leads to eternal life, He also indicates the right path we should take in this earthly journey. His way is different from the ways of the world and our ways. His way is a practical, simple and straight-forward. It is also a road filled with love, peace, forgiveness, acceptance and humility, one that is filled with goodness for ourselves and others.

The worldly ways often lead us unscrupulously towards prosperity, fame and power. When we own it all, we lose ourselves and make many vicious decisions for own interests and profits, endangering the community and causing chaos to the world.

Life is like a journey, from birth to our passing from this world. We cannot predict the length of this journey, but we are sure that it will come to an end. In this journey, there are times of uncertainty,  anxiety and loss. We are bound to encounter many failures, difficulties, pains, trials, temptations and disappointments. Whatever it is, we are called to be courageous, striving continuously because Jesus is with us always. He will never abandon us. These trials and experiences will enrich our lives, leading us to a wonderful and fulfilling journey.

The most important thing in life is to choose the right path to tread on. Some paths allow us to turn back and start over again. Others do not, for example: drug trafficking, murder and committing serious crimes. Therefore, we should be very cautious in the decisions we make. What is most important is to call on God to guide our every step and decision so that our choices are made according to His Will.

On this occasion of the New Year, I would like to encourage you with these words from the Bible: Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD, your God,teaching you how to prevail,leading you on the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48: 17) and the famous Chinese saying: “When the door is closed, He opens the window.” As long as one is willing to work hard and bravely tread on one’s path, he/she will find a way out.  With this, let us be filled with hope and faith for this New Year, because we know that God is with us and He will surely bless us and lead us. – ucanews.com/various sources

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

 

KOTA KINABALU – Archbishop John Wong marked his 19th priestly anniversary with a quiet potluck dinner with his parish collaborators at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre here on 20 Jan 2018.

Recalling the event 19 years ago on Jan 21 in Sandakan, he said that he was given a basket of scrolls which he was told to open in times of trial and difficulty.  Having been a recipient of God’s grace and mercy, he said, he has never done so in the past 19 years!

He thanked the over 40 parish pastoral councillors (and spouses) of both Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) and Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) for their presence and asked for their prayers that he would be empowered to seek the will of God and do what is pleasing to the Lord (his resolution for the new year).  Not just him but also all the priests.

On hand to lend their support were Archbishop Emeritus John Lee and Father Max Hontor who said the prayer before meal.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

BUKIT PADANG – The Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) here inaugurated its monthly Holy Hour on 18 Jan 2018.

Mooted by Father Paul Lo at the last 2017 liturgical meeting of the sub-parish and approved by parish priest Archbishop John Wong, it was carried through at 8 pm on Thursday, Jan 18.

Over a hundred faithful gathered for the devotion which ended with Benediction by Fr Lo.

The Holy Hour is the practice of spending an hour in Eucharistic adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  A plenary indulgence is granted for this practice.

In many churches, it is done on Thursdays to commemorate the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper.

In CMI, it is on every third Thursday (subject to change) of the month from 8 pm – 9 pm.  All are welcome to join in the devotion.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KENINGAU : Pada 6 Januari 2018, seramai lebih kurang 400 orang melibatkan diri dalam Larian Amal “Silver Jubilee Run 2018” sejauh 12.19 km.  Objeltif utama larian ini diadakan adalah untuk mengumpulkan dana dan menyemaikan semangat sambutan Jubli Perak Keuskupan Keningau yang akan diadakan pada bulan 5 Mei 2018 di Dewan Solidariti Keuskupan Keningau.

 

Datuk Daniel Kinsik diberikan penghargaan merasmikan dan melepaskan para peserta larian selaku penderma larian amal itu.

Larian amal ini merupakan anjuran bersama Majlis Pastoral Paroki dan Komiti Sukan Solidariti Paroki Keningau. Larian ini terbahagi kepada empat kategori iaitu kategori veteran wanita dan lelaki, dan kategori terbuka wanita dan lelaki.

Kategori veteran wanita dijuarai oleh Pn.Kona Liau, manakala kategori veteran lelaki, En.Yusop Tungkop. Bagi kategori terbuka wanita dimenangi oleh Dr. Madeliene See dan terbuka lelaki oleh Muhd. Eussofrey Hanis.

YM Bapa Uskup Cornelius Piong sendiri telah menyampaikan hadiah kepada para pemenang.

Penyampaian hadiah beserta sijil kepada pemenang oleh Bapa Uskup

 

 

 

 

 

Article reproduced from Diocese of Keningau

KUALA LUMPUR: Fr Edward Xavier Soosay, who last served as an administrator at the Chapel of St Michael, Batu Arang, from 2000 until his retirement in 2013, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2018 at the St Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cheras. He was 82.

Fr Soosay was best known for establishing and administrating kindergartens wherever he was assigned and for his generosity.

He received his early education at St John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur. He then joined the Minor Seminary in 1957 and proceeded to the Major Seminary in 1960, where he completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology by 1965.

Fr Edward was the first priest to be ordained at Joseph’s Church, Sentul. The ceremony was celebrated by the then Archbishop Dominic Vendargon on the feast of the Epiphany, January 8, 1966.

After his ordination, he was posted to the Church of the Visitation.

In 1967, Fr Edward spent one year in India to improve his command of the Tamil language.

The late Fr Edward also served as a parish priest and administrator in the following parishes in the archdiocese:

— Church of St John Vianney, Tampin (1968) l Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang (1969 to 1979)

— Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mentakab (1980 to 1990)

— Church of St Joseph, Sentul and Church of the Risen Christ, Jalan lpoh (1991 to 2000) In Jan 2001, Fr Edward attended a six-month programme on Steward Leadership in the Church conducted by the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila.

Upon his return in June 2001, he took a six-month sabbatical at the Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Cameron Highlands.

— Chapel of St Michael, Batu Arang (2001 to 20I3)

After his retirement, he first took up residence in Mentakab until 2017 and, thereafter, at St Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly, Cheras.

He leaves behind three sisters, one of whom is a religious nun in India.

Mass was celebrated for the Repose of the Soul at the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, on Jan 11 and 12 at 8.00pm.

The funeral was held on Sat 13 January at 9.30am at the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, and thereafter for burial at Kajang Catholic cemetery. His Grace, Most Reverend Julian Leow, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and the clergy of the Archdiocese, extend their condolences to the family of the late Fr Edward Soosay in this time of loss and assures them of their fraternal prayers and support.

Helped the Tamil-speaking community
“Mother Teresa’s famous saying, ‘God called us not to be successful but to be faithful’, truly reflects Fr Soosay.

“In our seminary days, he was very good in singing and games, especially in football.

“When he was ordained, there was a need in the archdiocese for priests fluent in the vernacular language, hence he was assigned to predominantly Tamil-speaking parishes.

“He did a good job in helping and ministering to the Tamil-speaking community.

“He was also willing to serve in the rural areas which had a dire need for priests.

“He was a good friend and colleague in the priesthood.” — Msgr Daniel Lim

He was a simple man
“I have known Fr Soosay for more than 50 years and I was present at his ordination too.

“My first posting was to the Church of St Joseph and the Church of the Risen Christ. His parents, both homebound, were living in Ipoh Road and I was responsible for their communion.

His first posting was to the Church of the Visitation (which is in my home town), so we were in communication.

There are three things that I will remember him for:

1. His love for children and education. Wherever he was posted, he tried to promote kindergarten classes. In fact, when he was in Klang, his kindergarten was the best in town, so too when he was in Mentakab. He wanted to give especially, those in the rural areas, a headstart, which, I believe, he did.

2. He had a heart for the poor. So much so, that the then Archbishop Murphy Pakiam made him chaplain for the Society of St Vincent De Paul and later on he became the National Director too. He wanted the Vincentiens to have new ways of looking at assisting the poor. He insisted on a spirituality that motivates a personal relationship with Jesus. Hence he was doing things.. worked with the Vincentiens on a national level and with their ministry.

3. He followed in the footsteps of the older generation of priests who offered hospitality for priests. He welcomed priests and spent time with them. On his golden jubilee. I drove from Cameron to Mentakab and both of us celebrated Mass together and went out for lunch.

Later that evening, Bishops Sebastian Francis, Pakiam, Soter Fernandez and Antony Selvanayagan had dinner with him. He just wanted something simple to celebrate such a grand milestone in his life and that really touched me. — Dr Fr John Gnanapiragasam

Loving, compassionate and clear in his ways
“I remember Fr Edward as a loving and compassionate man who was very clear in his ways. ?

“There were many poor and desperate people who came to him, especially at night, seeking help. He would never turn them away and would give them his money. Many were never able to pay him back.

“When I was sent to assist him in the Church of St Joseph, he had to make adjustments from living alone to having a housemate. He grew to learn to share.

“He had a very sharing nature. He used to tell me, there is no reason for both of us to have a car as we both work and live in the same place. Rather, he suggested that it was better to buy a van for the parish, to which I agreed. He was very generous, allowing me to use his car, a Toyota Corolla. He was not possessive.

“However, he was very strict and wanted me to keep to office hours in my dealings with the parishioners.

“He was very friendly but forthright. No matter who you were, he would call a spade, a spade. “He had a very frugal manner and never threw anything out as he always found a use for everything.

“As I was his assistant, he cultivated a very open and friendly atmosphere which encouraged me to share all the goings-on in the parish. However, ultimately, he was the parish priest and I learnt to accept the decisions that he made. This has helped me greatly in my ministry as a parish priest myself.

“He also was very supportive of my growth in my ministry by going for further studies and refresher courses.

“He used to spend many hours preparing his homilies, either in English or Tamil.

“When he was invited to lead pilgrimages, he made an extensive study of the area that the pilgrims would be going via books and videos to ensure that it was a fruitful one for all.

“He served many years as the advisor to the Society of St Vincent De Paul and I think this helped nurture his passion for early childhood education. In the many places he served, he always tried to have a kindergarten in the parish area. He would say, ‘Why should we let our space go empty? Why not do something for the little children?’

“He used to collect old clothes and send them to the Vietnamese refugees who were living in Cheras at the Church of St Francis of Assisi.

“He had a great love for Mentakab. Even in Sentul, he used to send the money he made from selling old newspapers to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for their building fund.

“Even after his retirement, he went to stay there.” — Fr Edwin Peter Paul, who served with Fr Edward at the Church of St Joseph in the 1990s.

His contributions
Fr Edward Soosay built the Lourdes Community Hall in 1972 when he was the parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. He organised tailoring classes for girls in the Bukit Raja and Midlands estates.

He also bought the old colonial bungalow by the Langat River which was paid for by the Catholics of Banting. It became Gereja Katholik Fatima, Banting (pic) in 1972.

During his time at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mentakab, he extended the kindergarten by building a new block of four classrooms behind the existing block. The four classrooms in the old block were used as an extension to accommodate the many people during Christmas, Easter and feast day celebrations.

He improved the road and the church compound and built a volleyball court for the Catholic youth and neighbouring youth.

He spearheaded the building of the new Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help which was completed during the time of Fr Christopher W Soosaipillai.

When he was serving at the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, he worked with a committee and bought one floor in a building in Sri Gombak in 1996. It was to be a service centre catering to the needs of the nearby BECs for their meetings, gatherings etc. The plan was to eventually have a chapel there. However, this was not conducive as it was on the third floor. In 2012, it ceased to be a centre and it is now rented out.

A disciplined person
“He was a very good parish priest. He was very disciplined and wanted everything to be in order.

“He was a good educator and a fine gentleman. He ensured that the parish was healthy financially.

“Fr Edward saw the need to restructure the Tamil-speaking community under a single umbrella for better coordination, thus providing efficient service to the parish.” — Louis Kanoo, who served under Fr Soosay as the Catechetical Coordinator and later the Parish Council chairman at the Church of St Joseph, Sentul.

Sources: Church of Sts Peter & Paul (A journey of Faith) Know the Story (Gereja Katholik St Joseph) Blessing and opening of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Our Lady of Lourdes Klang (Diamond Jubilee)

 

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

IPOH: It was the last day of Christmas, Epiphany Sunday, and what better way to end this lovely season than by sharing a fellowship lunch with the Interfaith group.

The event at the hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OMPH) Church was organised by the Diocese of Penang in collaboration with the three parishes of Ipoh, namely, St Michael’s Church, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and OMPH Church.

The representatives from the various religious communities, Buddhists, Hindu, Catholic and Christian and Muslim NGOs were present.

They sang the Negara Ku before each group gave a short input on the topic What is Inter Religious Dialogue. Christmas carols were performed by the three parishes after each input and sung in four languages.

Fr Joseph Stephen said that we, as different religious groups, have come together with a single goal in mind, and that is to celebrate fellowship together.

“We hope that this spirit can continue in our workplaces and our schools. We should not be suspicious but respectful of each other and know that we all believe in God and God will bring us together.”

Lunch was a delicious vegetarian meal including a Christmas cake which was made without using eggs.

It was a beautiful ending to a wonderful Christmas season made more beautiful by sharing it with the other religious communities. —kintachronicles. blogspot

 

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

hancery Notice – Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur
January 10, 2018 chan/MC/01/2018

1.0 Diaconate Ordination
After having completed their ecclesiastical studies in the major Seminaries of College General, Penang and St Peter’s College, Kuching, and having submitted their application pursuant to canon 1036, the Archdiocesan seminarians, Bro Dominic Tan and Bro Simon Lau, have been accepted as candidates for the transitory diaconate by His Grace, the Most Rev Archbishop Julian Leow DD.

In the interim, Bro Dominic Tan has been assigned to the Church of`Jesus Caritas, Kepong, and Bro Simon Lau to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Jalan Peel, Kuala Lumpur.

Pursuant to canon 1039, both candidates will be making their retreat.

They will be ordained as transitory deacons on January 23, 2018 in the Church of St Anthony, Jalan Robertson, Kuala Lumpur.

Let us offer prayerful support to both candidates as they prepare themselves for ministry and service to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

2.0 Dispensation from Abstinence and Fasting
Pursuant to canon 1253. the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei at its meeting in January 2017, has determined and decreed that a dispensation from fast and abstinence from meats on Friday, the 16 of February 2018, is granted to all its subjects, in view of the festive season of Chinese New Year.

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

 

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online