 Some of our FMM Sisters who have served Kota Bharu (Photo taken from Video presentation on 50th Anniversary of FMM Sisters in KB on 11 May 2012) Thursday, May 2 - Friday May 3, 2013 SESSION ON WOMEN'S SPRITUALITY conducted by Sr. Susan Thomas, FMM
Saturday, 6th April 2013
ECOLOGY SESSION BY SR. MOLLY FMM
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lively Entrance Dance by six East Malaysian Children |
 |
| Sr. Angeline Poh, first religious vocation from KB |
 |
| FMM Sisters Entrance Procession |
 |
| Some of the FMM sisters attending the Jubilee Mass |
 |
| FMM sisters raising their hands in prayer over the congregation |
 |
| Bishop receivingOffetory Gift from Sr. Angeline Poh |
 |
Bishop Antony Selvanayagam concelebrating with Bishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez and Fr. Robert Daniel     |
 |
| FMM sisters cutting the Anniversary cake during celebration dinner at Sakura Restaurant KB |
On
Friday, 11 May 2012, the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary celebrated
the Golden Jubilee of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary or better known as
the FMM sisters in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The joyful occasion was graced by the
presence of Bishop Antony Selvanayagam of Penang and Archbishop Emeritus Soter
Fernandez, who together with our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Robert Daniel
concelebrated the Jubilee Mass.
The
mass began with a lively Entrance dance by 6 Sarawakian children, splendidly dressed in traditional costumes
followed by 25 FMM sisters who had come to join in the celebrations. In his
homily, Bishop Selvanayagam spoke on the presence of the FMM in the
predominantly Muslim East Coast states and how they have touched the lives of
others in the last 50 years. During the Offertory, various gifts were offered –
the first being a globe which signifies
that the FMM is present all over the world. It was significant that Sr. Angeline
Poh was chosen to offer this gift, as she is the first religious vocation to
the FMM from Kota Bahru.
After
Thanksgiving, to commemorate the event, a slide-show presentation entitled ’50
Years of FMM Mission in Kota Bharu’ was shown, highlighting the history and the
contribution of the FMM to the local community in Kelantan. Happy memories of
past events, the Fatima Kindergarten and faces of FMM sisters who had served
here were rekindled.
In
her speech on behalf of the FMM, the Provincial of Singapore/Malaysia, Sr. Mary
Soh thanked the bishops for their presence, Rev. Fr. Robert and the whole
parish who have contributed to make the whole celebration a joyous occasion.
All the FMM sisters present then presented a special “Thank you” Song and
prayed a special blessing for all present.
The
Parish of Our Lady of Fatima would like to express their gratitude to all FMM
sisters, past and present who have made a difference in our personal lives and
the life of the parish.
In
the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, may the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
continue to make their presence felt and continue to touch the lives of all
they meet.
By Joseph Wang
 |
| FMM Sisters present at the Jubilee Mass |
 |
Some of the FMM sisters at the breakfast after Mass |
Group foto of the FMM Sisters who attended the Jubilee Celebration at Sakura Restaurant
========================================================================
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCAN
MISSIONARIES OF MARY IN KOTA BHARU
The Founding of the F.M.M. Mission
50
years ago, the first Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, FMM sisters arrived in
Kota Bharu, in response to a call from the late Bishop Francis Chan of Penang. In
August 1961, our FMM General Council accepted the proposition of a zealous
missionary, Rev. Fr. Tavennac, MEP for a new foundation in Kota Bharu. The new
community named “Our Lady of Fatima” was set in a midst of a population of 95%
Muslims of which not more than 500 were Catholics. The pioneers arrived from
Petaling Jaya and Singapore by air and by train to the enthusiastic welcome of
K.B. parishioners!
On
Tuesday, 1st May 1962, on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the
convent was blessed by Fr. Tavennac
after the 7.00 am mass and the foundation of the FMM community was officially
established.
FMM Convent, Parents
Voluntary Association, Kindergarten, Medical Clinic
Fr.
Tavennac had earlier started his own kindergarten with some lay teachers, hoping
for some sisters to join the force. Soon the Sisters took charge of the
Kindergarten of 96 pupils and 3 teachers. Under the care of the Sisters, it
reached an enrolment of 220 within a few years.
In 1966, the convent was built at
about the same time as the new Church. The priest's house which the sisters had
occupied became a Youth Centre and Hostel for working girls from outstation.
The original church, built in 1950 by Rev. Fr. Guitatt, a visiting priest from
Kuantan, became the priest's residence.
A group of
active mothers of the Kindergarten pupils started the Parents Voluntary Association (PVA)
with the encouragement of the Sisters in 1966. Their aim was to help the poor
and needy of Kota Bharu. They visited the hospital, distributed magazines and
taught handwork to the children. They also visited the Old Folks' Home and
Sabak fishing village to distribute old clothes and milk. Later, they organised
cooking demonstrations and sewing classes for under-priviledged girls and women
at a PVA Centre in a rented flat. The Sisters attended their monthly meetings
and assisted in their work. A Sister and a lady also reached out to kampung
women who could not come to the Centre. They were taught cooking and sewing, to
have a balanced diet, and to improve their income.
In
May 1968, a medical clinic was started in a small room in Melor (12 miles
fromKota Bharu). A trained nurse from Assunta Hospital, Mary Ann Fletcher was
recruited to serve at the Clinic. The Assunta Clinic continued its service
until 1971. Mary Ann has since joined
the FMM
Once again in March 1975, we see the sisters back in the site of the
former parish house. According to the thinking of the time (Post-Vatican II)
Sisters should reside in a less institutional building. On the advice of the
parish priest, a convent in the style of a kampung house made of wood was
erected. This is the building the sisters are occupying at present. It has
undergone several renovations since then.
FMM Hostel / Villa Francis
In 1970, a hostel for female teachers
was opened. In 1976, the original convent became a
hostel for boys. It housed about 20 boys from outstations like Tumpat, Pasir
Mas and Kuala Krai. Today it has been renovated and renamed ‘Villa Francis’ and provides
accommodation for working adults and doctors doing post-graduate studies in
USM.
 |
| FMM Sisters with Bishop Francis Chan |
FMM OUTREACH
The FMM Sisters continue to be fully
active in the life of the parish. They travel every week to serve the Sarawakian Catholics of Kem Desa
Pahlawan, in Bukit Cina, about 30 km away from Kota Bharu and Kem Batu Sebelas
in Tanah Merah by organizing catechism lessons for the children and adults
preparing for the sacraments.
FMM Sisters' Role in the Parish
The FMM Convent is the centre of communication for the parish
as most parishioners and tourists contact the Sisters for information and help
when the parish priest is away. The Sisters teach in the Kindergarten as well
as catechism/RCIA to children and adults in the 4 major languages. They accompany the parish priest to
outstation communities for the celebration of mass. The Sisters also visit
parishioners and families of Fatima Kindergarten pupils and to bring communion
to the sick. They support the BEC’s and coordinate the Campus Youth Ministry
(presently the Kelantan Catholic Youth Society, KCYS) and help to facilitate the celebration of
liturgy in the parish.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment