Category Archives: May 2018

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA
(PPM-003-10-14011986)
Address : 26 Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone / Fax : + 60 3 7957 1457 Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

VOTE WISELY FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA
Once every five years Malaysians have the right to elect their government and leaders. The Church is non-partisan but for Christians who are citizens of Malaysia, voting responsibly in the upcoming 14th General Election in Malaysia is a moral duty.

Genesis 1:28 tells us that God appointed man, steward over His creation. He also gave Adam and Eve free-will — the freedom to choose. The Creation account teaches us to choose wisely for to each choice made, there are consequences — good or bad. As a community with the ability to discern, let us therefore choose wisely the leaders who will govern us. For when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice… (Proverbs 29:2). So that we may prosper and rejoice as a nation, let us approach the forthcoming 14th General Election in the right spirit.

a) Discernment
Enjoined by God to seek discernment that we may be wise and have understanding (Deuteronomy 32 : 28-29), let us ask God for an ever increasing ability to discern between right and wrong and the wisdom to choose rightly, the Members of Parliament and the State legislative assembly representatives for the next 5 years. To do so, we need to ask questions of the candidates, listen carefully to their policies and position on, among others, upholding the Rule of Law and the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and safeguarding the freedoms (including the freedom of religion) enshrined in it as well as their willingness to be held accountable and to serve for the common good, effectively, to promote the well-being of all, including the poor and marginalised. For all candidates, let us match their walk with their talk.

b) Solidarity
Being a multi-ethnic and multireligious society, we need more than ever to be a nation founded on the Golden Rule: in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12). If we are to stand in solidarity with each other, we must build bridges with all peoples irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status. If we are to be a nation rooted in the love of God and the love of our neighbour (Matthew 22:36- 40), our leaders need to promote actively harmony, peace, national unity and respect for all Malaysians.

c) Prayer
Paul exhorted the community at Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer being integral to Christians, let us earnestly ask the Holy Spirit to point the way to leaders of God’s choosing, those who will serve all peoples of Malaysia with integrity and courage. May we, too, be given courage — the courage to vote according to our conscience. All authority being delegated by God, let us entrust all who are elected to our Righteous Judge confident that they will be answerable to Him for their very decision and action. That Malaysia’s 14th General Election will be free and fair and we be blessed with a smooth and peaceful transition to the next government must be our ardent cry.

Standing as one, all churches encompassed within the Christian Federation of Malaysia fervently pray for a peaceful and fair 14th General Election. We call on all political parties and candidates to focus on the issues affecting our nation, to be civil when presenting their political agenda and to desist from all strategies which may generate division, acrimony and dissension among the peoples of our beloved country.

We commend to God Almighty the 14th General Election of Malaysia.

“In You, LORD my God,… I put my trust.” (Psalm 25:1-2a).

Signed

Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim
Chairman

Archbishop Dr Simon Poh Hoon Seng
Vice Chairman

Bishop Dr Ong Hwai Teik
Vice Chairman

Revd. Dr. Eu Hong Seng
Vice Chairman

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Church of the Visitation will mark its 170th anniversary on May 31, 2018. Proud parishioners have been looking forward enthusiastically for this celebration with many special events since May 2017.

Among the activities organised IN 2017 were Novena prayers before the weekend Masses, Anniversary Logo Competition (June), Dinner & Dance (Aug), Go MAD 2 (Sept), Marian month (Oct), Visitation Got Talent (Nov), Christmas Reach-Out (Dec).

In 2018, Retreats in four Languages were held. A Medical Camp for the Poor & Needy, “WOW” — Walk On Water which emphasises promoting “Culture of Encounter” that touches the life of the poor, the aged, the sick and the little (Apr).

In May, a Month-long Parish Mission by the Redemptorist priests and the Novena/Feastday celebrations (May).

There will also be the release of the 170th Cornerstones Coffee Table Magazine and a Historical CD in commemoration of the faithful journey and the growth of the Parish Community of The Visitation, Seremban.

The coffee table book is available for pre-sale now at RM40.00. Those interested, may contact 06-7624468 for the order form.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Malacca- Johore Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat (formerly known as Pastoral Institute) organised its first Leaders-Facilitators Training on the Appreciative Inquiry method of planning and valuation.

The sessions were facilitated by guest speakers from the Institute for Pastoral Development, Philippines. A husband and wife couple, Stephen A. Sandoval and Teresita Nen Sandoval, together with Monsignor Manuel G. Gabriel (Manny Gabriel), helped participants discover where God has brought the Diocese of Malacca- Johore in line with the spirit of the 2016 Diocesan Synod and PMPC IV and to draw up the dream for the Diocese for the future: design a plan supported by specific action steps and establish a process whereby the leaders of the parishes and diocese can monitor their own progress.

The speakers introduced the five-point cycle of Appreciative Inquiry namely: define – discover – dream – design – and destiny to achieve the purpose of the diocesan pastoral thrust (2016- 2020) based on the 4E’s (encountered, enlightened, empowered, evangelising) approach moving toward the vision of the future, “Towards Church as communion of families.” Based on the pastoral foci “Fire up the embers” (deepening faith), “Keep the fire burning” (building believing communities), and “light up lives” (awakening the missionary spirit), the participants mostly worked together according to parishes — except for campus ministry — for discussion and presentation.

We identified the positive core of the Diocese from summarising the participants’ sharings of strength, successful peak experiences, best practices and key learnings. Participants named their strengths: they are a community that is committed, encouraging in spite of being culturally and linguistically diverse. Their best practices are that they are a praying community, building bridges with different language groups and reaching out to the marginalised. The key learnings are that they have learned to adapt for change, unite and collaborate to move forward.

Msgr Manny Gabriel provided an orientation for the participants, focusing on the ecclesiology and missiology of the Church. He explained how Vatican II and the papal document Evangelii Nuntiandi and Ecclesia in Asia could help the diocese to enrich our understanding of the diocese’s pastoral thrust of 4E and building up the BECs.

The training in MAJODI Centre April 13–15, was for the leaders of parish pastoral councils, parish financial committees, basic ecclesial communities and ministries. About 100 participants, including parish priests, diocesan and parish pastoral workers joined this programme.

This is only the beginning and much remains to be done. It is hoped that the participants will introduce and implement this Appreciative Inquiry method to identify the strengths, the best practices and key learnings in order to plan, design, dream and achieve their goal throughout all the parishes and ministries of Malacca-Johore diocese.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PENANG : To ensure that the coming 14th General Election (GE14) is conducted free and fair, thousands of PACA volunteers are needed to observe and check any irregularities. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (CHS) organised a formation/training programme on Tuesday, April 17 from 8.00 – 10.00pm. This was a joint effort of Aliran and Bersih and coordinated by Dr Francis Loh, Henry Loh and Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon. It was open to all.

Earlier, Vicar General Msgr Henry Rajoo, on behalf of Bishop Sebastian Francis, had appealed to all parishioners to get involved in GE 14 to ensure a free and fair election.

CHS has also been organising daily Holy Hour prayer sessions for the nation.

Meanwhile, at the Church of the Divine Mercy, representatives of various political parties gave talks at St Faustina Hall on Apr 27.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: In the wake of the coming election, St Anne’s Church conducted a training for PACA volunteers (Polling Agent, Counting Agent) on Sunday, April 22 at 11.00am at the parish auditorium.

The training was conducted by Aliran members. Close to 100 people attended this training that covers on all Polling Agent. At the end of the training, all members were requested to register at the nearest party office with their training certificates. — By Marlina Sara Sylvester

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Deepening our understanding of our pastoral orientation
As a result of the month long study and reflection by the clergy in August 1976 (Aggiornamento), the Building of BECs was identified as the Core Need. The four related needs identified were Unity, Formation, Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue.

Ten years later, in 1986 during the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 1, another related need, the formation of the Youths was identified and added to the list.

In 1996, the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention II reiterated the need to be a communion of communities and added more concerns such as the Family and Social Communication.

1976 — Aggiornamento

CORE NEED — BCC 
As a result of the one-month long study and reflections, the Building of Basic Christian Communities was identified as the Core Need.

FOUR RELATED NEEDS
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment

IMPLEMENTATION
These options were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the New Image of the Parish (NIP) Programme initially initiated by the Better World Movement.

1986 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 1

CORE NEED — BEC
Continue to build Christ-centred Basic Ecclesial Communities.

SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth

IMPLEMENTATION
These options were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the Parish Renewal Experience (PRE).

1996 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2

CORE NEED/ FUNDAMENTAL OPTION — BEC
So many Catholics have found joy, fellowship and caring in such communities and the grace to reach out to our other less fortunate sisters and brothers in compassion. The People of God have truly been nurtured in their human and spiritual lives.

PRIORITY AREAS OF CONCERN
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth
6. Families
7. Social Communication

IMPLEMENTATION
These areas of concern were implemented at the diocesan and parish levels through the New Way Of Being Church.

2006 — Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 3

BASIC OPTION — BEC 
Our basic option as Church is to build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) that reflect our primary communion as People of God.

PASTORAL PRIORITIES
1. Unity
2. Formation
3. Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
4. Integral Human Deveopment
5. Youth
6. Families
7. Social Communication

IMPLEMENTATION
Consolidation of efforts in the implementation of the basic option and the pastoral priorities. Six strategies were proposed to accomplish this:
1. Renewing Faith, Re-evangelisation, Social Conscientisation
2. Systematic Review
3. Mechanism for Dialogue, Consultation and Feedbacks
4. Training and Formation
5. Pastoral Care of Priority Groups
6. Recommitment and Support of the Clergy

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KOTA KINABALU –  The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu said on 30 Apr 2018 that the action of a member of her clergy, Father Bruno Andau Yasun, to contest as a candidate for the Ranau parliamentary constituency in the general elections, is on his own volition and without the consent or sanction of the Church.

Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau, head of the archdiocese, said that in March last year, Fr Bruno expressed his wish to leave the priesthood. He was granted a one-year sabatical leave.

He said the leave was given with the hope that he would renew his priestly spirit and return to serve the church.

“When priests take their vows of office during their sacerdotal ordination, they state their resolve to faithfully and religiously exercise their ministry to preach the Gospel and to explain the Catholic faith to the flock under their care.

“They further consecrate their whole life permanently to God for the salvation of his people,” he added.

Archbishop Wong said it is clear now that Fr Bruno Andau Yasun has chosen a different path by entering into partisan politics and standing as a candidate in the election for public office.

“All I wish to say is that he is doing so on his own volition and not with the consent or blessing of our Church,” he said in a statement released by the Social Communications Commission of the archdiocese.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SANDAKAN – Members of the BEC of St Teresa of Calcutta Indah Jaya (STCIJ) and The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) reached out to 19 families living in the periphery to share with them the joy of Easter on 7 Apr 2018.

The mission team was led by Susanna Cordova and Phillip Mosinoh of SYCC and John Tan and Leonnie Degullacion of STCIJ BEC. Together with their members, they handed baskets to each family consisting of basic necessities, such as cooking oil, rice, salt, sugar, biscuits, noodles, etc.  The children were given Easter gifts.

Prior to the outreach mission, a discussion on preparatory work was held at the residence of Susanna Cordova on March 12. They found out this community of 19 families were evicted from their houses cum workplace because the owner had sold the land. They have moved to a further and more secluded new location.

These families rebuilt their houses, mostly a one-room space, cramped with 10-12  members per family. It was heart-breaking to learn of their miserable living conditions, thus the idea of visiting these families was mooted. In less than a month, both communities solicited enough provisions for the affected families

The outreach mission project was quite challenging, walking through difficult terrain. The project has cemented strong ties between members of the BEC of St Teresa of Calcutta Indah Jaya and The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC).

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu