Category Archives: July 2018

By Molly Rajan
A Seven-Week Programme for senior citizens’ by Molly Rajan and her team was held in the parish of St Joseph from May 12 to June 30. Participants were shown the art of making the rest of their years the very best of their lives. The feedback was that the programme had made them realise that “Today is the Youngest they’ll Ever Be” and they need to use their “Present Youthfulness” optimally, so that they can “live a legacy and leave a legacy”!

The participants were guided, step-by-step, on ways to age gracefully by looking at life positively, handling the challenges of physical limitations as we age. The programme was conducted without stress or strain, in a fun way with funny, reflective video clips, physical exercises, lucky draw prizes and refreshments, as they journeyed through the Seven-Week Programme.

The participants were happy with the programme. The seniors realised that they could take steps to do much more despite their age and that they can “live a legacy and leave a legacy” that’s more rewarding, more satisfying, that could be seen and appreciated by their loved ones for generations to come. This led them to the idea of forming a senior citizen ministry. It would encourage seniors in the parish to spend time with a group of friends.

The theme song was taken from Diana Ross, Do you know where you’re going to… The topic of death was also discussed as it is part of life. The discussion on the topic evolved around an Australian Aboriginal Proverb: “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love….and then we return home.”

This programme would not have been possible without the support of Fr George Packiasamy, the parish priest.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The First AsIPA General Assembly
In the First Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) in Bandung in 1990, the bishops called for “alternative ways of being Church” in Asia. This vision of a participatory Church gathered at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre, Bangkok, Nov 5-15 for its first AsIPA General Assembly. Both Bishop Fritz Lobinger and Fr Oswald Hirmer, the originators of the LUMKO* South Africa pastoral training programmes, participated and have accompanied Asian Churches in the process of development of Small Christian Communities by helping them adapt Lumko material to the local situation.

The participants shared their experience that AsIPA is a simple but profound way of bringing Our Lord Jesus into the lives of ordinary people in a way that builds and strengthens community and also found it helps our people to reach out to others in our common Christian mission. In “Gospel Sharing” people experience real conversion, trust, and cooperation. They come forward to share their joys and sorrows, through which they are able to reach out to the wider community. Both cleric and lay felt that the AsIPA approach has helped them in their pastoral work to discover and to exercise their leadership more meaningfully and more consistently with greater participation of all the faithful in carrying on Christ’s mission together. The Assembly appealed to all sectors of the Church (laity, religious, priests, and bishops) to study the AsIPA method carefully and utilise its power to energise the parishes because they considered that AsIPA is not only a way to make the Church a Communion of Communities, but also it is a very useful instrument to propel the Church in this direction.

–Lumko is of Xhosa-African origin and means “Wisdom”.

Second AsIPA General Assembly

The Second AsIPA General Assembly was in Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Centre, Samphran in Thailand, October 12-21, 2000. This time the assembly had the theme, A New Way of Being Church in the New Millennium, which aimed to deepen the understanding of the AsIPA towards becoming a participatory Church — a Church that is a “Communion of Communities” (EA, 25).

The Assembly rightly pointed out that the restructuring of the parishes as “a community of small communities” is the renewal of the local Church. The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences declared that the AsIPA methodology has proved to be a very good help to the growth and development of BECs marked by authentic participation and coresponsibility. The AsIPA methodology facilitates the genuine participation of all in the process of renewal and, through the centrality of the Word of God, helps them to take an active part in the actual discovery of God’s message for them. The word of God and the celebration of Eucharist move BECs to express their faith in Jesus through service of human promotion which in turn builds and strengthens a life of communion.

The aspects of the Catholic faith (One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic) are present in BECs in a miniature form. The members experience the presence of the Risen Lord by their sharing and caring. Initiating and maintaining BECs is a normal and gradual process and requires greater attention and nourishment in its initial stages of growth. Many countries, dioceses and parishes are making committed efforts to become a new way of being Church through BECs and it is one of the best ways to become a participatory Church. The BECs provide the way to carry on the mission of Christ not only in the Church, but also in families, in society and in the world at large.

BECs explore the possibility of building human communities. In this way, they pave the way for the incarnation of the Church in the cultural milieu of the place. The AsIPA is an effective instrument for the emergence of a community of co-responsible brothers and sisters in the mission of Christ. AsIPA texts have created a deep sense of hope that the participants are empowered to respond to their own pastoral and social realities by developing new training programmes. In the process of sharing experiences of achievements and struggles, BECs have given a sense of solidarity and become a source of mutual encouragement.

The assembly proclaimed that BECs are the seedbed of inculturation, rebirthing and recreating the local Church. Through Basic Ecclesial Communities, Jesus, the living Word is being reborn, reinterpreted, and incarnated. By sharing God’s Word, celebrating life’s joys and pains, reaching out and serving others, and getting involved in life issues in one’s particular context, BECs make Jesus alive and effective in our world. BECs are the leaven for social and spiritual transformation. As agents of change, networking and action, BECs in a parish setting become a potent force for spiritual and societal change to express solidarity with the poor, weak and suffering. BECs bring harmony, an Asian value, in the midst of diversity in the Asian Church which has many cultures, religions, races, economic and political backgrounds. A new way of being Church needs collaborative leadership, a new style of leadership. All pastoral leaders are called upon to actively involve and renew themselves through participation in the life of BECs and learn to effectively accompany this way of life.

In their recommendations, the Second AsIPA General Assembly encouraged the exchange of experiences and materials to carry on this faith journey, which is deeply rooted in the word of God and Eucharist in building and sustaining the Basic Ecclesial Communities, a new way of being Church. The Assembly encouraged all Christ’s faithful to exercise their baptismal calling by becoming co-responsible participants in the Church mission, joining and being active in Small Christian Communities. The assembly hoped that all Asian bishops would lead the Church in a participatory way by immersing themselves in the process of renewing the Church at the grassroots level and invited all to grow deeper in the awareness of a participatory and co-responsible Church as the way to live out Vatican II vision of the Church as the People of God.

As a practical recommendation the Assembly encouraged the use of different forms of communication to share the experiences of members of Basic Ecclesial Communities and to gather the AsIPA assembly once again in three years to exchange and deepen their vision of the new way of being Church

— Continued next week: The Third and Fourth AsIPA Assemblies

Source: Basic Ecclesial Communities and Parish Pastoral Care — An Empirical Study in Pastoral Theology by Fr Ramesh Lakshmanan

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The feast of St Peter & St Paul culminated on June 30 at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

Fr Frederick Joseph, the parish priest from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, preached on I Become All Things In Christ for Day Three of the Triduum. Fr William Michael was the concelebrant.

He expounded on the Gospel text (Mark 5:21-43): the story of Jairus and his daughter and the woman with the haemorrhage. Jesus asked who had touched him. Jesus doesn’t want to be just a miracle worker, nor just be a supplier of energy healing; he wants to meet and reach out to the person who is sufferiing. He is full of mercy and responds to faith.

Many people want the priest to touch them so that they can feel the personal touch of Jesus’ healing.

After Mass, both Fr Frederick and Fr William took turns to carry the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament in a candlelight procession along the roads in the vicinity of the parish. The faithful followed, reciting the Rosary. Benediction was conducted back in the church.

All were invited to a dinner fellowship in the grounds of the parish.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

BELURAN: A study day on understanding the Sandakan Diocesan Vision-Mission was organised by Our Lady of Fatima Parish on July 7, attended by about 77 participants.

The event was aimed at deepening the understanding of the Vision (A Christ-centred community serving one another with Christ’s Love) spelt out in the six elements of the Mission Statement.

Dalius Lobinjang, the head of Sandakan Diocesan Social Communications Commission, touched on “The Way Forward” while Pilis Malis, the chairman, Sandakan Parish Pastoral Council, gave the background of the Vision-Mission.

Fr David Garaman’s session was on “Leading Matrix.”

Inputs were followed by group sharing, Q&A, and working on the parish pastoral priorities in line with the Diocesan Vision and Mission.

The study day was facilitated by Fr Phillip Muji. The participants came from Beluran, Pelantong, Jaya Bakti, Ulu Dusun, Bukit Garam, Sukau, Kinabatangan and outstations under Beluran Parish.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Blessed Sacrament Parish marked its feast day with a Eucharistic procession on 3 June 2018, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Over 2000 faithful took part in the procession from the church to the multipurpose hall and back to the church. Archbishop Wong explained why there was a need for leading the procession.

He said: “To us as Catholics, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is a living testimony of our faith where we follow Jesus as his children.  We walk and follow him in displaying the practice of our faith in love, tolerance, humility, and devotion to the Sacrament.”

The occasion also marked the annual pastoral visit of the Archbishop John Wong to the parish who came a day earlier.

The prelate’s visit included a meeting with the Pastoral Council and coordinators of the various parish ministries, where the main discussion was centred on the necessity of a resident priest for the island parish.  The expressed need was made in tandem with the growth of the local Catholic population, as well as the need for an extension for the existing Church building.

The Sacrament of Confirmation was conferred upon 90 candidates, 23 from the English class and 67 from the BM class during the Mass, which was concelebrated with parish priest, Msgr Primus Jouil.

After Mass, the parishioners adjourned to the hall for a fellowship with ceremonial cutting of three cakes: one for the confirmands, one for the parish feast day and one was a surprise birthday cake to celebrate the archbishop’s birthday on June 6.

Archbishop Wong was happy with the feedback on the commitment and cooperation between the parish groups.

To the faith community, he shared the concern of a dwindling Catholic population, and encouraged bigger families.   He also called on the parish to look into the needs of the Catholic students from the island’s higher learning institution.

Msgr Jouil took the opportunity to remind the parishioners that they are the only Church/parish in the State with the name of Blessed Sacrament.  “We should give witness to our family members and others in our belief that the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is a living testimony of Jesus giving his life for our salvation.”

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

On 27 May 2018, Stella Maris parish here held a 4-in-1 joyous celebration.

The occasion was Trinity Sunday when the parish celebrated Unity Kaamatan, and doubled up with the parish priest Msgr Primus Jouil’s 38th sacredotal anniversary and 69th birthday.

The parish KKDs (Tatana, Lokawi, Putatan, Tanjung Aru and Faustina) joined hands to organise the celebration.

The event kicked off with Mass in Kadazan- Dusun, presided by Msgr Primus.

To add to the cultural flavour of the festivities, everyone turned up wearing their black traditional costume.

Traditional music was performed by the parishioners, complemented by cultural dances and songs.

Unity Kaamatan was officiated by Msgr Primus cutting the padi.  Local delicacies, which were cooked by the organisers, were served.

An anniversary cum birthday cake was cut by Msgr Primus to mark his double joy, and to give thanks to God.

He thanked the organisers for fostering a unity impact on the parish.  He also commended the parishioners for their continuous hunger for the spiritual.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

SERDANG, Selangor: Nearly 500 devotees of St Anthony thronged the chapel in Serdang for a morning service to mark the feastday celebration on July 8. It was a significant celebration for Serdang Catholics after the reopening of the Chapel a year ago.

The Chapel, which is under the supervision of Church of the Holy Family, Kajang, was renovated after a severe storm ripped through the area. A national school and a Tamil school were damaged. The three day celebrations were held from Friday to Sunday with themes on Vocation of the Family, the Experiences & Challenges of the Family and the Spirituality of Marriage & Family. Fr George Harrison hoisted St Anthony’s Flag and celebrated the Mass on Friday.

Fr Albert Arockiasamy celebrated Mass on Saturday and Sunday. He said that family relationship is important. Growing up together, we develop meaningful values, beliefs and morals. One of the great strengths of family is respect. It begins with husband and wife when they pledge their marriage vows on their wedding day. The spirituality of family is to build a home, where the presence of the three persons (trinity) is manifested. God the Father creates the Son, God nurtures and protects and Holy Spirit, God inspires love and action. Fr Albert concluded that in a family, these three persons are present in Father, Mother and Children. Two or three gathered in Christ’s name manifest the Holy Family.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Sandakan Diocesan Catholic Women’s Apostolate (CWA) marked their 10th anniversary with an elaborate two-day event themed “The Joy of Thanksgiving” at St Mary’s Cathedral parish here on 19-20 May 2018.

It commenced with a telematch on the cathedral grounds May 19 with the participation of 108 members from across the diocese. The event kicked off with an opening prayer by Sister Apollonia Gumpu.

Prior to the telematch, St Martin Telupid CWA and St Mark Sandakan CWA led in the warming-up with exercise and group dance.  The CWA of Holy Trinity Tawau coordinated the telematch.

Also present was Father Christopher Ireneus, CWA’s spiritual director. He was given the honour to pick the lucky member from among the participants to receive a special gift. The activity was coordinated by St Dominic Lahad Datu CWA.

The day’s programme culminated in an evening Eucharistic Celebration, presided by Father David Garaman, at the cathedral. After Mass, members adjourned to the parish hall for dinner and prize presentation to the telematch winners.

Sister Grace Deosing presented the prizes to the winners, with the Blue Team emerging as the overall champion.

Everyone regrouped on the evening of May 20 for the highlight of the 10th anniversary celebration,  a fundraising dinner in aid of the Diocesan Seminarian Fund held at the Hakka Hall.

At the dinner, Bishop Julius Gitom expressed his appreciation to CWA for taking up the challenge to build up the Seminarian Fund, and encouraged all to help the seminarians and religious as they are the future of the Church. He also exhorted the CWA to carry on their services to help the Church and all women of Sandakan Diocese.

Cecelia Polo D’ Souza, CWA chief coordinator, acknowledged the hard work of her CWA team for the success of the event.

She urged all members to continue their service to the Church with humility and full commitment, to work and journey together as a Christ-centered committee, hand in hand with all the CWA groups throughout the Diocese, as well as all other Church groups in their respective parishes.

After the cake-cutting ceremony, the local seminarians were introduced and invited to share their faith journey.

The diners were entertained by CWA stage performances, showcasing the diverse ethnicity, cultures, and traditions.

It concluded with a few local dances by all CWA members, as well as few local hits, accompanied by an invited local artiste.”

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) Northern region celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its establishment in Malaysia on July 7 at the Church of Divine Mercy. Forty-five members of various meditation groups and friends from Penang and Kedah were present.

The formation, themed To be Imitators of Christ, was led by Fr Martin Arlando, the spiritual director of the Northern Region. Fr Martin asked for some feedback from the audience about how meditation touched their lives and how the weekly meetings progressed. Many reported that they experienced calmness, relief and control over anger and pain. Although some of the groups faced challenges with the attendance of members at the weekly Meditation meetings, Fr Martin encouraged them to continue with faith and perseverance.

Then Fr Martin read a passage from 1 Kings 18, 19:1-4. He explained that we need to be always steadfast in our devotion to God who would help us overcome all challenges. When the prophet Elijah was faced with so many obstacles and challenges, he persevered faithfully and God did the rest in His time.

Meditation will lead us to an encounter with Jesus which needs to be shared with others. The importance of sharing the meditator’s experience was emphasised so that we can draw others to God and His Church.

Meditation helps us to proclaim Jesus in our lives. We need to bring Him to others, especially those in need.

When they experience God, they can help others in their journey of transformation, but we need to be transformed first.

Meditators were cautioned about the danger of stagnation if meditation does not help us to transform, to be honest with God, to empty oneself of falsehood, to reach out to be His true and living witness by the way we live our lives.

Fr Martin shared his experience of how his daily meditation, daily confession and daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament were key to his development and growth in his faith journey. These key elements led him to encounter the presence of God. Finally, he decided to become a priest during a 30-day retreat at the Seven Fountains in Chiengmai some years back.

We are called to imitate Jesus and be our true selves. Taste and see that the Lord is good, and we will begin to cherish Jesus more and more.

The event was followed by the Eucharistic celebration and a fellowship meal. Finally, the members watched the touching and heartfelt movie: Paul, the Apostle of Christ.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

As a preparation for the observance of the Day of Prayer for Priestly Sanctification, KK clergy had a half-day study day on priestly holiness.

Thirty priests, one archbishop and two deacons gathered for the half-day study day at Vianney Home here on 7 June 2018.

Pope St John Paul II instituted the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests in 2002 on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus because the feast of the Sacred Heart celebrates God’s merciful love, and that becomes tangible for priests in the Eucharistic Mystery, which they celebrate daily, and in the sacramental pardon which they administer and receive.

This year Father Mattheus Luta facilitated the reflection based on the theme “The Personal Sanctification of the Priest,” drawing his sources from The Priesthood by Stockums W, Vatican II Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priest Presbyterorum Ordinis (7 Dec 1965) n.18, and Priestly Ministry and Priestly Holiness by Carter E, in his book Shepherds of Christ Issue 5 (1999) 1-8.

The objective of the Study Day is to create awareness on the personal sanctification of priest.

The facilitator challenged the participants to look into their own personal lives.  He referred to Bishop Wilhelm Stockums’ book, The Priesthood where he stated, “The priesthood is an objectively holy state, holy in its origin, holy in its nature and goal, holy in its functions.”

The author elaborated further that the priest’s person is sacramentally consecrated. It means that, the whole person of a priest is being consecrated. This would include the priest’s hands and feet, tongue and lips, eyes and sight, and the heart.

Fr Mattheus also suggested to the participants to look into means for helping priests in their progress in holiness by means of Presbyterorum Ordinis. The document presented some means for holiness such as the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confession, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Meditation, just to name a few.

He concluded his reflection with article from Fr Edward Carter SJ:  “To grow in holiness, to advance in the spiritual life, requires a growth in surrender to Christ. Growth in holiness means allowing Jesus to possess us more and more. The more He possesses us, the more He can use us as instruments in the work of the kingdom. The more the Saviour possesses us, the more fruitful our ministry.” (Priestly Ministry and Priestly Holiness).

Time was given for personal reflection before the concluding with a Holy Hour.

Before heading for lunch, Archbishop John Wong took time to recall with them the recent recollection for the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs) where he reflected with the EMCs their required state of holiness because they carry and distribute the Holy Communion, the Body of Christ.

“The sanctity of priestly life is therefore affecting the whole person of the priest, that is, his eyes, hands, and feet,” said Abp Wong.

He then invited the priests and deacons to join in the Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the cathedral at 7:30 pm.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online