Freedom of religion will not be compromised in Selangor and there is no place for extremism, said Sultan Sharafuddin ldris Shah after the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Alam Shah on 24 March.
Selangor is multi-racial and multi-religious and he wants religious freedom to be maintained.
"I would like to remind Muslims to respect other religions in the state." he added.
In his pledge during his coronation, he said that he would take care of all people in the State.
"The State administration is based on culture and customs and the sultanate is important as a sign of peace," he said.
"People of different races are under my rule and I will be an umbrella to protect and for them to take shelter."
The Sultan urged the people to respect the inherited customs and culture in the State as it would lead to mutual respect and create harmony and peace.

Thirty members of the Hospitality Ministry,Cathedral of St John (SJCHM) made a pilgrimage to the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) on Mac 9. The Welcoming Committee led by Stephen John and Paul first took them to visit the bookshop located at Wisma Divine Mercy to purchase religious articles and gave a brief history.
At 3.OOpm, they joined the Committee led by Walter Martine Martinez, said that as pilgrims, we who are overburden in our lives come to seek, the Lord who gives rest and strength. He presented them a large picture of the Divine Mercy and a prayer card.
Michael Nair,chairman, SJCHM said that this was the first pilgrimage organised and coincided with Lent to spend more time with the Lord in making spiritual preparations for Easter and its Secretary,Bernard Anthony said members were pleased to come together in solidarity for the pilgrimage to enhance relationships as Christ’s servants.

Church of St Joseph celebrated its first bilingual Parish Hymn Festival themed`Sing Your Praises to God' by many new talented youths witnessed by hall full of parishioners,Parish Priest,Fr Stanislaus Soosamariam and Resident Priest,Fr Peter Bretaudeau at community centre on March 16.
This event is the fourth instalment of series of six events, which signposted along the road towards the grand centennial celebration which culminates on St. Joseph’s Feast Day the Worker,patron saint of Sentul community for last 100 years on May 1, 2008.
Winner in English solo-category,Ezra John. Daniel Louis and his younger brother,runner-up winners. The winner in Tamil solo-category, Ezekiel Louis.The First winners in English Group category were all-girls. "The Unsung Messengers",Tamil group category won the first prize.
The children from English charismatic prayer group presented a liturgical dance,`Church on Fire.'
An LCD presentation, parish history Part Three period between 1938 to 1978, made to recollect and appreciate the rich history.
Organising Chairman, Soosay Mariadass, observed "Indeed surprised, youths has huge talents.” and Gregory William,English choirmaster revealed "Working with them for last 2½ months made me realize they’re special."

"On behalf of Our Lady of Lourdes and organising committee, take this opportunity to invite all Catholic Churches in Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur to be part in Goodwill Games 2008, held on Sat, April 5 2008, Panasonic (Matsushita) Sports Complex, Shah Alam," said Richard Scully, organising Chairman.
Thirteen parishes are participating in 11 events - Athletics, Badminton, Football (men and women), golf, Netball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Tug-o-war and Volleyball.
The aim of the Games is to foster togetherness and encourage widespread participation to inspire Catholics to build bridges and enhance the bond between us.
"We are hoping friends and family to be a part of making a success. Food and drinks will be on sale and also be stalls selling souvenirs," added Scully.
Fr John Gnanapiragasam reassured churches that this event aimed at fostering interaction and community spirit will involve participation from the young, old, local and migrant parishioners.

Thousands of people from round the country will be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday, on March 22, through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Called catechumens, they will be baptised, confirmed and receive Holy Communion on that day.
The numbers vary across dioceses and people joining are of every age and come from all walks of life. The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, for example, will baptize more than 580 people.
The Diocese of Penang, reports it will welcome 190 are catechumens; the Diocese of Melaka-Johor welcomes 208 catechumens.
Most of those coming into the church through the RCIA programme are adults.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an ancient rite that was reinstated after the Second Vatican Council and is the regular way for adults to come into the Church.

Wilfred Bumburing is another Catholic who was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tuaran.
The other Catholic MPs elected during the 12th General Election are Charles Santiago, for Klang; Theresa Kok for Seputeh; John Fernandez for Seremban; Enchin bin Majimbun @ Eric for Sepanggar; Tan Sri Bernard Dompok for Penampang; Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit for Mambong, Sarawak; Tan Sri Joseph Kurup for Pensiangan; Datuk Joseph Salang anak Gandun for Julau; Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan for Keningau; Ago Dagang @ Aaron for Kanowit; Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew for and Peter Chin Fah Kui for Miri.

The Mass of Chrism comes once a year. It is one of the most solemn and significant liturgies of the Church. During the Mass, the Bishop will bless the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism.
The first is used for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. These oils are to form an important part of the sacramental life of our communities during the year.
The holy oils are then solemnly received into the parishes during the Mass of the Lord's Supper or at another suitable time. The oils are placed in noble and dignified containers and stored near to the baptismal font in an ambry - a wall safe, often with a glazed door so that they are visible to the community.

"We are gathered here as a community to give thanks to God for our priests," said Archbishop Murphy Pakiam at the beginning of the Chrism Mass on March 11, at the Church of the Holy Family.
In his homily which focused on the life of Moses, Archbishop Pakiam drew parallels to today's world.
"My dear friends, Moses stands as one of the great anointed ones in our heritage for our priestly life and ministry. Especially in this archdiocese and Peninsular Malaysia, where we are invited to be ministers of a church with a vision, and mission and the objective of becoming a communion of communities of Disciples of Jesus.
"Moses, the Great man of the Old Covenant, the one seen in conversation with the fore-runner of the Christ, of the New Covenant, He is truly an inspiration for us in our priestly ministry today in that particular emphasis as leader of the community."

The parishioners of' the Church of St Francis of Assisi made time each day during the week leading up to Feb 24 to enter into the mystery of the Passion of Jesus through reflection on the final words of Jesus spoken during his passion on the Cross.
The seven last words of Jesus - the most powerful and beautiful words of life - formed the theme of the Lenten Retreat of the parish of SFA. The prelude to the entire retreat was the reading of 'The Prayer of Abandonment' by Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, assistant parish pastor.
Each session began with Praise and Worship, sweeping in a sense of joy and sacredness to the on going experiences of each evening and thereby helping the people flow into the spirit of Lent. Every talk was introduced with a video clip from the Passion of Jesus.

This is a brief update on the progress of the works carried out by the Catholic Church Putrajaya Building Fund Committee (CCPBF) pertaining to the Putrajaya Catholic Church Project (the Project).
Revised drawings to the Jabatan Ketua Pengarah Tanah Dan Galian (JKPTG) were submitted by the Architect on November 7, 2007 for signature after Perbadanan Putrajaya's written comments.
These drawings were meant for the formal Planning Approval submission to Perbadanan Putrajaya together with reasons for our appeal in response to their written comments. The Planning and Building plans for the Project are therefore still pending approval by the relevant authorities. The cost of construction for the Project and the duration for the same have not yet been finalized.
The CCPBF was set up on Sept 29. On November 17, 2005, the Catholic Church Putrajaya Building Project was launched by His Grace Archbishop Murphy Pakiam together with the Catholic Church.

Young people should be able to differentiate between the advantages and disadvantages of the media, and to be more alert to the influence of media.
This was what participant Juanita Peter learnt from the Media Camp, which was held for confirmands from the Church of Our Perpetual Help (OLPH), from 15-17 February.
"I'll be able to correct my friends who are negatively influenced by the and help them think positively by absorbing only the goodness of the media," added Juanitha, who is waiting the results of the SPM examination.
Another participant, Jonathan Lim, said that the camp helped him evaluate and judge the media. "Though the camp, I've learnt to purchase goods and services wisely only when I need them because as we all know, humans have unlimited wants," added Jon Form 6 student.
Based on the Public Announcement (PSA) module of the camp, Jonathan said that he hopes to produce similar PSAs. "In future, I will create inspiring messages to attract audiences in a positive way in moral values and spiritual well-being based on what I have learnt about the media," he said.

The outcome of the 12th General lection on 8 March, is certain to occupy a special niche in the history of elections in Malaysia.
The hitherto invulnerable ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN), was dealt a stunning blow when it lost its two-thirds' majority in the Federal Parliament and was ousted from power in the state legislatures of Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor.
Voters in the east coast state of Kelantan, in the hands of the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) since 1990 and expected to revert to BN rule because of Pas' precarious one seat pre-polls advantage, returned the incumbents by a much bigger majority.
The coalition has been ruling since the country's independence in 1957 and had only once lost its two-thirds' majority - in the elections of 1969. Racial riots after that historic watershed led to radical changes to the economy and politics of the country with the introduction of the New Economic Policy, favouring the Malay majority, and the formation of the muiti-party BN coalition, invincible since 1974.

The Stella Maris Monitors Board held their annual camp at Cameron Highlands from Feb 22 - 24. The students and three accompanying teachers spent the weekends learning leadership qualities and other activities centered a camp theme, Our Environment, Our Shared Responsibility which is also the school's theme for 2008.
The students participated in many indoor activities designed to enhance their leadership qualities. These enjoyable enlightening sessions were led by
Sr Gertrude Tan (IJS} assisted by Soosainathan. There were activities such as the ice-breaker games that encourage students to utilize their team skills and respect for one another. There was also a film forum to help the students under media literacy.
Another activity held in conjunction with the environment theme was jungle trekking. "All in all this camp has achieved the goals it set to achieve." Teacher Advisor of the Monitor's Board, Rani Param said of the camp. "We went there as a group and came back as family.