| Remember your Commitment to serve, Police reminded |
| CHERAS: A thanksgiving Mass in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the Police force in Malaysia was held at the Church of St Francis of Assisi. In his homily, Fr Valentine Gompok OEM Cap urged them to reflect on their role as police officers. "Do you see your duties as a police officer a calling from God to serve this beloved country and its people? Or did you join the force to be respected and feared by everyone, to receive special benefits etc? "As God-fearing police officers, there must be a conviction that you have chosen this profession to serve the public and public interest must surpass personal interest. "These past 200 years, the police force has done tremendous good, however there have been instances when the negative actions of some of the officers have cast a pall on the entire force. - Posted by Herald |
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| Parish Building Fund Campaign Launcheds |
| CHERAS: The Church of St Francis of Assisi Building Fund campaign was launched on Easter Sunday. The estimated RM6.5 million campaign was officially launched by Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, and Yang Berhormat Datuk Paul Foo. Earlier, Fr Joe Matthews OEM Cap, parish priest of the SFA spoke on the need for the expansion. He cited a growing community especially the welcome presence of the East Malaysians and Indonesians, the lack of facilities (classrooms, car-park etc) for the various groups as the main reasons for the expansion. John Yeo, the chairperson of the fundraising committee explained that "the theme and logo emphasised the plurality of our church community with one mind and one heart as people of God working together to achieve the reality of building the church." - Posted by Herald |
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| Fifty-five youths from SFA experience renewal of faith |
| CHERAS: "As Christ was anointed priest, prophet and king, so were you anointed as priest, prophet and king during your baptism. To deepen your discipleship, you must learn to embrace this, which is your Catholic identity." Those words were echoed in the hearts of the 55 young ones of the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA) who had attended the recently conducted YRE in the parish. Organised to co-relate with the theme of Deepening Discipleship, The Youth Renewal Experience (YRE), a sister programme of the Parish Renewal Experience (PRE) catered to teens aged 13-17 years. The experience was conducted from March 16 to 18. There were also youths from other parishes such as Madonna Heights participating. The night began with a praise and worship session led by the Youth Musicians' Network of SFA under the leadership of Ian John. They led the youths into worship with many empowering songs. - Posted by Herald |
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| Vietnamese Community Celebrates Vigil Mass |
| KUALA LUMPUR: Easter Vigil Mass was celebrated in the Vietnamese language on April 7 for some 300 Vietnamese migrants at the Community Service Centre (CSC) in Bukit Nanas, a walking distance from St John's Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by a visiting Vietnamese priest at 10 pin, simultaneously with the Easter Vigil Mass in English held at the Cathedral. Although there was no baptism for the Vietnamese community who gathered at the CSC, the celebration ended joyfully at approximately 1.30 pm, after which the migrants hold a grand fellowship meal together in Christian unity, at the same place. Meanwhile at the Cathedral, parish priest, Msgr James Gnanapiragasam, baptised 14 elect and confirmed another adult candidate. - Posted by Herald |
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| Divine Mercy youths stage three-day play |
| SHAH ALAM: The youths of the Church of the Divine Mercy produced an Easter play spanning three days - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. In spite of having the shortest time for the preparation of the play, the youths worked together wonderfully in depicting the journey of Our Lord Jesus Christ which took place 2000 years ago. A complete cast of more than forty committed youths was guided with much patience, experience and endurance by the Youth Advisor Rueben Nair who was responsible for making this play an awesome success. They made their sacrifices just to ensure that this play would be a real success. It was an amazing experience for the youths who received wonderful and superb comments, feedback and appreciation from the congregation during the Easter vigil. With the blessing of our Lord and Mother Mary this marvelous success of this Easter Play left a divine and remarkable memory for CDM. - Posted by Herald |
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| Formation for Tamil-speaking youths |
| PORT DICKSON: Following Jesus was the theme chosen by the Archdiocesan Tamil Youth Apostolate for the first spiritual formation organized by ASAYO. Eighty-six youths from the Archdiocese attended this two-day formation held on Mar 17 - 18. Focusing on deepening discipleship in their lives, the Jan-Mar sub-themes were combined as a topic for sharing. This helped the youths understand the true meaning of discipleship. In order to follow Jesus with an attitude of loving disciples, there must first be solidarity with the poor and needy. Madam Selvi shared on the topic of Following Jesus while Mr Xavier spoke on Loving Disciples and Being in Solidarity with the Poor. To sum it all up, Augustus Anand spoke on the cost and the challenges of following Jesus. The whole formation culminated with the Eucharistic Celebration which was celebrated by Fr George Harrison, the Asst Director of ASAYO. - Posted by Herald |
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| Farewell For Final year University Students. |
| TERENGGANU: On March 17, the Catholic Students' Society (CSS) of Kuala Texengganu organized a Farewell Party especially for final year students who were going to leave the university soon. All of the participants were students of University Malaysia Terengganu (CJMT). This event was held at Motel Desa and attended by 60 people. Some of the special guests at that night were Sr Regina Rocke, Sr Jackie Pan, Sr Bernadette Mui, Sr Regina Ho and also Mr Jefri and his wife. The party was such a hilarious, happening and successfully organized. Everyone that came for the party that night enjoyed themselves with the theme Young and Glamorous. Everyone shared their experiences and happiness together, blessed by the Lord forever, CSS Kuala Terengganu. - Posted by Herald |
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| Stand firm in our faith to change the world |
| CHERAS: World Youth Day 2007 was celebrated on Palm Sunday. In many parishes, the Masses were animated by the youth groups. At the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA), the 9.OOam Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap. with Fr Moses from Indonesia and Fr Ivan from Croatia concelebrating. Mass began with the congregation gathering at the 12th station (SFA has life-size states of the stations of the cross surrounding the church) with the gospel proclamation. This was followed by "the triumphal entry" into Jerusalem with palms held high. The procession was no doubt seen as means of taking the attending congregation back in time to be part of, and to experience one of the more significant dates in the Catholic Church's calendar. - Posted by Herald |
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| Being a disciple of Christ is no bed of roses |
| KUALA LUMPUR: About 40 persons from the KL Archdiocese charismatic prayer groups attended a four-day retreat at the Minor Seminary in Melaka recently. The group, together with retreat master, Fr Andrew Manikam OFM Cap, entered into a time of deepening of the discipleship call which was the core message of the retreat. Fr Andrew started off by sharing with the group some examples from the Bible where people responded to this vocation to discipleship in various situations. "Certainly being a disciple is no bed of roses and there is a cost to it. Sacrifice and letting go of areas that we find comfort in and that we hold on to are some of the challenges that we face. But despite this we are reminded that God assures his people that He is always there for us and through His grace we can serve Him as His disciples. - Posted by Herald |
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| Indonesians among the initiated |
| KLANG: Sabahans, Sarawakians and Indonesians were among eight of Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners initiated as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist at the Pallm Sunday Mass in Bahasa Malaysia. At the initiation, the soon-to-be ministers were called to the altar, where they were each blessed as they knelt down. They then proceeded to their assigned positions for the first , time to give the Holy Eucharist to the rest of the parishioners. After his closing prayer, parish priest, Fr John Gnanapiragasam, said in Bahasa Malaysia, "As usual, I'm tired, but today I'm so happy because the church pews are filled till the back." After he said this, many heads turned to the back and then broke into a loud, cheery applause at the sight of the packed church. - Posted by Herald |
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| Legion of Mary holds Acies |
| KUALA LUMPUR: The KL Regia Council of Legion of Mary organized its annual ACIES on March 18, which was held in St John's Cathedral. This year's ACIES was held at various parishes namely Holy Rosary Church, KL; Assumption Church and St [gnatius Church in Petaling Jaya; and Visitation Church, Seremban simultaneously. Despite decentralising this event, the crowd at St John's Cathedral was very encouraging, almost 500 Legionaries, auxiliaries and friends attended the event. Likewise hundreds of Legionaries, auxiliaries and friends from Curiae participated in the ACIES in their own parishes. Every year the legionaries renew their pledge to Our Lady at the ACIES. The vow "I am all Yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is Yours" is said aloud by each legionary and all present before the statue of Our Lady, where the altar is set up. - Posted by Herald |
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| Paralysis not stopping him from participating in the Mass |
| SEREMBAN: Alek, an Orang Ash from Kg Belihoi is paralysed from the waist down. He is unable to move much and is restricted to his home. However, this does not stop him from participating in the Eucharistic Celebrations at the chapel. The parishioners of Kg Belihoi have hooked up his television to a video recorder to ensure that Alek can participate in the celebration. Visitation church parish priest Fr Albet Arokiasamy shared that, during communion, he would go out to give Alek communion. "Alek's home is just outside the church so it is easy for me to give him communion." A couple of years ago, Alek had a fall from a 60-foot petai tree. He spent many years in the hospital recovering from the injuries sustained. - Posted by Herald |
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| Young Malaysian roundable discussion |
| KUALA LUMPUR: Participants at a discussion on national unity and development have told policymakers that the views, perspectives and opinions of the youths must be given serious consideration when formulating policies and practices in forging an identity for the nation. The youths are an essential segment of Malaysian society whose views must be included without restrictions, the young Malaysians said in the Consensus Document at the end of the discussion. The first Young Malaysians Roundtable Discussion on National Unity & Development in Malaysia - Challenges & Prospects for Nation-building was organized by the Centre of Public Policy Studies (CPPS) and the National Young Lawyers Committee (NYLC) in Kuala Lumpur on April 3. The CPPS is a department under the think-tank Asian Strategic Leadership Institute while the NYLC is part of the Bar Council of Malaysia. - Posted by Herald |
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| Graduates receive diplomas and certificates in Scripture studies. |
| KUALA LUMPUR: Fourteen parishioners of the Church of St Francis of Assisi received their Diplomas and Certificates in Scripture Studies of the Catholic Bible School of England in a simple ceremony held at the CBS Living Word centre, De La Salle Institute, Kuala Lumpur on March 25 2007. The Guest of Honour at the ceremony was Bro Thomas Lavin, Visitor of the La Salle Brothers. Also present at the ceremony was Bro David Hawke, Secretary of the La Salle Brothers for the Asia Pacific Region as well as a number of well-wishers and friends. An affiliated member of the Catholic Bible School, the CBS Living Word has been actively involved in the promotion of the study of Sacred Scripture through the distance-learning programme. - Posted by Herald |
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| Fr Thomas Responsorial Psalms are now sung in Mandarin |
| KUALA LUMPUR: The parish of the Sacred Heart has recently added music to its responsorial psalm at the Mandarin Masses. In the past, the Responsorial Psalm was simply read out by the lector, but thanks to the efforts of parish priest, Fr Anthony Thomas, the congregation at the Mandarin Masses will now sing the responsorial psalms. Many are not aware that Fr Thomas, who was the chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Liturgy Commission in the nineties, had been using his talents to compose suitable music for the singing and chanting of Responsorial Psalms in English. In 1999, Fr Thomas produced Liturgical Year 1, 2, & 3 (Volume A, B & C). After a few years of inspiration and determination he completed and presented the Antiphons and the Responsorial Psalms in closed music scores - with the proper tempo they should be sung accordingly and verses presented in open scores as they are meant to be chanted `legato style.' - Posted by Herald |
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| Disappointed with the majority decision |
| KUALA LUMPUR: The Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia has also voiced their disappointment with the majority decision by the Court of Appeal in the matter of R. Subashini vs Saravanan. The statement released on March 27 and signed by President Most Rev Datuk Murphy Pakiam was read at all the March 31 to April 1 weekend Masses in Malaysia. The conference also urged everyone to voice their grievances against this injustice through the proper channels. In the beginning of the month of April, component groups of the MCCBCHST offered prayers for the restoration of freedom of religion in the country. For the Christians, the prayer campaign was from April 1 to April 8, which is also the period when Christians observe Holy Week. - Posted by Herald |
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| Statement by the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Malaysia |
Re: The Court of Appeal Decision in the matter of R Subashini - Saravanan
We are deeply disappointed and feel aggrieved by the recent Court of Appeal that the non-Muslim wife had to seek recourse through the Syariah Courts. This is a form of religious oppression and an affront Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the country, a person of one religion should not be made subject to laws of and governance by another religion. We urge all to voice their grievances against this injustice through proper channel; Let us do all that is possible and also pray that justice and freedom of religion be restored.
Most Reverend Datuk Murphy Pakiam President Conference of Catholic Bishops of Malaysia Dated this 27th March 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. - Posted by Herald |
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| Chapel organizes blood donation drive |
| AMPANG: A blood donation campaign was jointly organised by the Chapel of Mary, Mother of God and the Good Shepherd Sisters and their Lay Associates. The drive was held on March 25 at Maryvale Good Shepherd Kindergarten & Nursery in Madonna Heights. A large number of parishioners of the Chapel came for the campaign, some for support, while others brought along a few non-Catholics friends and neighbours to donate blood. A total of 40 donors signed up for the blood donation drive. - Posted by Herald |
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| Giving a part of self a humble sign of repentance during Lent |
| KUALA LUMPUR: A blood donation drive, organised by Sacred Heart Church, was held in conjunction with the Lenten season. About 39 parishioners came forward on March 25 to donate blood after the morning Masses. Pantai Medical Hospital in Cheras set up their medical and screening equipment in the Dewan Louis Guittat at the parish Community Centre to receive the donors. Clement Ambrose, the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairperson said that no blood donation drive was organised in the last three years due to the construction of the community centre. He also stated that the parish priest, Fr Anthony Thomas, was pleased with the parishioners in supporting this noble, yet humble way to donate `a part of themselves' for a good cause during this season of repentance and sacrifice. - Posted by Herald |
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| Refugees visit camp and cemeteries to pray for their dead |
| TERENGGANU: Former Vietnamese refugees of a refugee camp on Pulau Bidong paid a visit to the camp and cemeteries of fellow refugees on March 19. The 30 or so Catholic and Buddhist former refugees, now citizens of Australia, US and New Zealand, visited the island's refugee camp, where they were confined from 1975 to 1996, to pay their respects to fellow refugees who had died of hunger, thirst, exhaustion, drowning and other causes. They also visited the other cemeteries located in Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bahru, Dungun, Kemaman and Kuantan during their four-day stay. The visit is organised every two years. - Posted by Herald |
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| Keeping Vigil |
| Over 450 young adults from the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese got together on the 5th weekend of Lent to experience a truly spiritual and meaningful time of prayer, penance and praise. This was organised by the organizing committee of the Youth Vigil 2007 - comprising ASAYO pastoral workers and youths - with the help of the HFC Kajang Parishioners, the session continued with talks by several priests according to the various language-speaking Groups. The weekend which started around 5.OOpm with registration was filled with prayerful events and sessions of praise and worship to suit the young crowd. The Lenten Vigil kicked off with a praise and worship session led by the youths from St John's Cathedral. - Posted by Herald |
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