| Malaysia is not an Islamic State |
| KUALA LUMPUR: It was vintage lawyer Karpal Singh who, employing his courtroom skills, cornered Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad into agreeing that Malaysia is not an Islamic state. The MP for Bukit Gelugor on Nov 27 dodged and skirted all manner of obstacles placed in his way by BN backbenchers in order to pursue Radzi for his stand on Malaysia's status. The wheelchair bound DAP chairman was harangued and shouted at for delaying the passage of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2006 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2006. "This Member for Bukit Gelugor persists in questioning Malaysia's status as an Islamic state. What else is there to question when Malaysia is already an established Islamic state?" said Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai). He said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may have declared Malaysia an Islamic state but it cannot be so because the laws of the land are civil laws. He said therefore, Islam, as stated in the Constitution, is only the religion of the federation - the official religion of the country. - Posted by Herald |
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| BEC Bring Everyone Closer |
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CHERAS: The Parish Pastoral Assembly of tile Church of St Francis of Assisi, held on Nov 18, saw 134 participants attending. Fr.Valentine Gompok OEM Cap, began his opening, address with the following questions: Where are we now in terms of faith'? What are your tasks and challenges living as a Catholic'? As a BEC Community'? The questions posed, said Fr Val, should lead us to reflect on how we can grow in our personal faith, build close-knit communities and so become a Catholic parishioner of the parish. Fr Andrew Manickam OEM Cap, then took over the mike and very efficiently brought the crowd to an awareness of the importance of the Word of God within the BEC. The bishop stressed the fact that core learns needed to be trained to know what the BEC was and be given a `spirituality of communion'. They had to he given 'tons' of encouragement as well. - Posted by Herald |
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| Word of God must be the centre of our lives |
| KUALA LUMPUR: "Keep the Spirit of PMPC 111 alive! We must be of one mind and one heart in serving the Church and the Kingdom of God." These words of encouragement spoken by Fr Clarence Devadass, Parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima struck a deep chord within the 135 Parish and BEC leaders who attended the recent OLF Parish Assembly held on Nov 18. Fr Clarence said that, “Every parish assembly is a GREAT moment of grace; to look back, give thanks to God for our blessings. He invited the leaders to reflect on how well they have walked in the footsteps of Jesus, in living out the PMPT theme for 2007, Deepening our Discipleship. In his closing remarks, the Archbishop encouraged them to live out the spirituality of communion, to unite as one family of God to work for justice, peace, harmony and reconciliation with the poor and our brothers and sisters of' different faiths and cultures. - Posted by Herald |
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| The Journey to Receive the Bread of Life |
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GENTING HIGHLANDS: The Std three children and catechists from the Church of St Francis of' Assisi went for a two-clay camp in preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The camp held in Peace Haven was themed Celebration of Life with Sr. Gertrude Tan the main presenter. Fr Michael Raymond, OFM Cap, conducted a session on the Sacrament of Reconciliation followed by confession for the children. A week later, there was a briefing for parents A Call to Journey with Your Children which was facilitated by Sr. Gertrude. It was attended by parents of the Holy Communicants from the different language groups. On Nov 11, there were 32 children from the English-, Tamil- and the Bahasa-speaking groups, who received the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Valentine and concluded with a fellowship. - Posted by Herald |
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| KL Regia Legion of Mary's gathering |
| KUALA LUMPUR: The KL Regia Legion of Mary organised their yearly Annual Gathering Reunion (AGR) that was held in the hall of St Joseph's Church recently. This annual gathering basically brings the young and old members together. It was also open for auxiliary members as well as friends. The three-hour gathering began with Legion opening prayers and rosary recitation in various languages - English, Mandarin, Tamil, Tagalog and Bahasa Malaysia. Legionaries from different praesidia and curiae presented their range of performances for the day. It included choir groups accompanied with music and cultural dances. Many enjoyed the dances performed by the children of the legionaries. Fr Stanislaus Soosamariam, parish priest of St Joseph's Church delivered a short speech about the role of legionaries. The gathering ended with the Legion closing prayer and all participants adjourned for fellowship. - Posted by Herald |
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| Sixty-six receive the Eucharist for the first time |
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KLANG: A total of 66 children from the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes took part in a preparatory camp for those receiving communion for the first time. A team of eight teachers accompanied the children in four classes throughout the year. On the Feast of Christ the King, the children received their First Holy Communion. Together with their parents, they received the Eucharist from Fr John Gnanapiragasam. In his homily, Fr John encouraged the children to reflect on whether receiving the Lord is because they love Jesus or is it Jesus who loves them. It is not we who receive Jesus but Jesus receives us. Each child was then presented with a certificate, a rosary and a Good News Bible. And as Fr John put it to the parents at the end of the Mass, "We will do our best, the rest is up to you." Let us remember that as parents, we remain the first educators of our children. - Posted by Herald |
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| First Holy Communion at St John's Cathedral |
| KUALA LUMPUR: It was a memorable and beautiful Sunday morning for 32 children from the Cathedral of St John (SJC) when they received the Lord Jesus Christ for the very first time in Holy Communion on Nov 25. The sacrament of the Eucharist was administered to the communicants who were dressed in their best attire, by parish priest, Msgr James Gnanapiragasam the main celebrant at the 8.OOam Mass. As the celebration coincided with the feast of Christ The King, Msgr James spoke on how the feast day came about. He said when Communism was rising in Europe during the depression, in year 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King to emphasis the Kingship of Jesus as the sovereign Lord and to pledge our loyalty to the only One King - Jesus Christ. - Posted by Herald |
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