Second Advent with St. Luke

Where shall we begin our Advent journey? How can I celebrate this advent meaningfully? What can I do to make this advent different than the previous years’ advent? These could be some of the thoughts lingering in our minds or words spoken from the pulpit. As these thoughts linger on in our mind, the gospel of Luke gives us a clue on how to enter into the mood of Advent: “...the word of God came to John son of Zachariah, in the wilderness.” Perhaps, we could start our journey, in the ‘desert,” in solitude and in quietness. For the people of Israel, wilderness represents both the presence and the absence of God. It is a place where their faith is tested, and at the same time, they strongly felt the presence of God. The first journey through the wilderness began with Moses as he brought the people out of Egypt into the Promised Land. This exodus though the desert remains as the foundation of the experience and relationship of the people with their God. God was really journeying with them through the desert. Later, in the Christian tradition, wilderness has become a spiritual abode for all those who seek to intensify their relationship with God. Desert Fathers and Mothers– the Hermits, Ascetics and Monks, who lived mainly in the desert of Egypt, beginning around the third century CE - abandoned the cities of the pagan world to live in solitude. They ran to the desert or withdrew to the desert to spend in ardent preparation and to intensify their spiritual union with God. With the bare state of the desert and with practically no inhabitants, they were left alone, wandering in solitude and with thoughts lingering on God. In the desert, it is you and God and no one else.

Today, there is no need to look for a desert for solitude. The objective of withdrawing to the desert is to create solitude. However, we can create that solitude in where we live. When we create a quiet time and being alone wherever we live, we make that ‘desert’ come ‘real’. When we enter into that solitude, that quietness, we are present to ourselves and to God. So, during this advent, we go into this space of quietness to meet the child Jesus – a child born for us. Meeting him face to face in this very solitude situation will probably unearth the true meaning of Christmas. Let me share with you my experience of one particular Christmas break which I spent alone when I was in Rome. It was Christmas break and most of the students were away for some pastoral work at certain parishes in Italy. I did not go anywhere that year and stayed back in my room alone. In fact the whole college was empty except for a few elderly Italian priests.

On Christmas Eve, I decided to walk to St. Peter’s Square to look at the crib. It was cold and the walk took about 15 minutes. The whole street was quiet as most of the people were at home having their family meal on the Eve of Christmas as Christmas was a family affair in Europe. When I reached the square, I saw a huge magnificent crib that year. I stood before the crib, completely absorbed into it so much so I felt I was completely alone before God. That aloneness (not loneliness) was very strengthening and edifying. I felt something different – something that I could spell out clearly even today. Indeed it was a new experience, a faith-lifting experience that brought newness and meaning to my Christmas that year. It was a quiet but powerful moment. I still carry that experience until today. Sometimes I do long for that moment. I suppose something happens to us more profoundly not in a big way but in small and quiet way, hence leaving a profound impact in our lives. It is small things that sometimes count and not the big things. It is the small things that are left hidden in the inner most of our selves – heart, mind and soul. So, let us spend some quiet time everyday looking at small things as well as big things. Let them emerge, surface and lastly, let Christ rises with them, so that celebration of Christmas would become an inner proclamation of faith - a proclamation that is deeply rooted in our conviction that Christ is with us and he has saved us.

First Advent with St. Luke

Introducing Luke for Advent Season

This year we enter into the spirit of Christmas with St. Luke. Understanding the purpose and the intention of the author of the Gospel of Luke enable us to better grasp better the meaning and the saving intention of God through Jesus. The Gospel of Luke was written in Greek, whereby and Luke is the only Gentile Christian writer of the New Testament. The language of Luke reveals that he is an educated man and a physician (Col 4:14). Being a Greek and a doctor would explain his scientific (often makes reference to sickness and diseases) and orderly approach to the book. In his gospel written to the Gentile, Luke introduces Jesus to them. Among the various themes expounded through the Gospel, there is one most significant theme running through the Gospel, namely ‘Jesus, the Saviour of the World’. Luke is the only one among the other Gospel writers to have coined the word or title “Saviour” and attributed it directly to Jesus. The title “saviour” is derived from the Hebrew root, Yeshua, which corresponds to the Greek spelling Iesous, from which comes the English spelling Jesus. As a belief among the Hebrew people, the naming of the person signifies the destiny of the person. One is born into the world for a purpose and that very purpose is realized through that very name. The calling of the name constantly reminds one of his or her destiny or his or her role in the world. In the case of Jesus, the invocation of the name Jesus not only reminds us of His destiny but also brings about his saving grace to all of us.

The opening words of the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah are very assuring for this season. As a prophet who lived in the midst of uncertainty of the 7^th century B.C.E, a torn-situation whereby his people were threatened by the rising power of the Assyria empire in the North and Egypt in the west and south, – it was indeed his call to speak of hope. A prophet does not lie or provide an easy answer. A prophet rises above all these situations and clings to the promise made by the Lord, “I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David....In those days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell in confidence. And this is the name the city will be called: The Lord-our-integrity.” The promise made by the Lord will not be forgotten and the role of the prophet is to unearth this promise. The prophet is the one who holds out a vision for us to cling, especially when we are in the midst of a difficult situation, thus finding it difficult to look beyond. The strength of Jeremiah's proclamation regarding the coming of the righteous branch lies in the fact that these words speak from the perspective of ultimate power, the power of God. It is exactly when the problems of our people are most murky and complex, when the future seems most bleak, that we turn to the word of the Lord for vision. Hold on to this image of that righteous branch and let the words of Jeremiah absorb into our hearts. Let the words of Luke, “Your liberation is near at hand,” constantly echo in our minds and hearts as we step into season of Advent.

 

 

 

   

KCYS Youth Camp 2012 Video

To see this video please click on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151100533891360

34th Sunday - Gospel Reflection

Regnat Dominus Noster! We enter the last liturgical year with the Gospel of John depicting the scene of the trial of Jesus before Pilate. In the time of Jesus, Roman Empire was considered a powerful empire the world had ever known and Pilate represented this great power. For Pilate, being king could only mean a powerful exertion of authority and establishing order. Any claim of kings or kingship, could only mean that he or she becomes a threat to the Roman authority and order. On the contrary, Jesus sees himself in line with the biblical description of a Shepherd King, the one who seeks the lost. Perhaps, it is here that John, the evangelist brings out a sharp distinction or rather making it very clear for his audience as to what kind of king Jesus is. The issue of Jesus' kingship is already raised in chapter 6. After he satisfies the bellies of the 5000, they try to seize him and force him to be king. It is in the midst of intense expectation of the people for a Ruler-Messiah to establish or restore Israel, together with the dilemma faced by Pilate as to who Jesus really is that John sets the scene to clarify the status of Jesus. Hence, Jesus is presented as not an earthly King, a presentation which did not match the needs, the expectation of anyone present there, neither the Jews nor Pilate.

How many times in our lives did we want God to fit into our moulds, our concepts, our needs, our expectations, or our ways? When things do not happen the way we expect, we reject them as ungodly or we lament or we even purge God from our lives? The classic temptation is: “To make God into our Image,” is one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. It requires a constant discernment and acute awareness. It is like walking on a tight rope. Instead of making God fit into our agenda, we should discern always on how we fit into God’s design.       

KCYS Youth Camp 2012

KCYS  G.I.F.T CAMP  from Friday 9th  - Sunday 11th November 2012

(G.I.F.T. means Growing in Faith Together)

33 Sunday - Gospel Reflection

Adventus! People get very excited or agitated when they speak or hear about doomsday preaching. In fact, this has become one of the popular topics for preaching today. Movie world presents us with various thoughts and description of the end of the world through earthquakes, cosmic downfall, giant meteorites and interplanetary warfare and other similar ones, that are frightening as they are and more so convincingly presented as if the end is actually near. What does this indicate about the direction and thoughts of the world? Are we at the crossroad? Are we craving for a new world order? Or are we are indeed obsessed with the collapse of the world for we are obsessed with the thoughts of a new world order? Could it be a sign of crisis of a civilization where all things falling apart giving ways to new world order?

Over the centuries, from time to time people from all over the world have predicted some kind of end world scenarios, sometimes with dates and time spelled out clearly. Yet, when the world arrives at that juncture, it simply passes through. The most obvious and strange thing is that when Jesus himself declared that no one knows the hours or the day, somehow someone down the street will conveniently predict the exact date of the coming of the Lord. How can this be! The language or the manner the end of the world is presented or spoken of today is rather gory and frightening, thus causing anxiety. It is a language of misery! It depicts that everything will be wiped away – no hope, no future and those who are ‘prepared physically to confront this situation will survive’. In contrast, the weak, the poor and the less fortunate will certainly perish. Quite inhumane! Isn’t it?      

Jesus, on the other hand, uses apocalyptic language rather than language of misery when he speaks of the futuristic event. This apocalyptic language is found in many books of the bible such as the book Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah, and of course not forgetting the book of Revelation. We need to discern carefully the difference nuances found in the biblical apocalyptic language (used by the prophets and later Jesus) from the doomsday language of misery which sprung from the modern interpretation and the implication of the biblical apocalyptic language. In the biblical world, apocalyptic language generally describes the fate of nations under the sovereign hand of God. Apocalyptic prophets like Isaiah, Daniel and others would use certain images describing passages describing hills melting, mountains being cast into the sea, the sun darkened and the moon turning to blood to show how the permanent things do not last and would come to end with the reign of God. This biblical language should not to be taken literally in its totality. It is a metaphorical and rhetoric speech meant to raise the awareness of the people of the precariousness of life as compare to the reign of God. It is awakening calling not to the end to come but focusing on the vision and the manifesting power of God. Inspired Apocalyptic language expresses the theme that God holds the future of humanity though how uncertain it may be sometimes. Hence, with our submission to this vision, certainty of God’s power and His reign, we remain victorious, we become wise and we are indeed strengthen, even in times of uncertainty. Therefore, in this sense, apocalyptic language is Israel’s theological sentiment of the reign of God actively penetrates and permeates our history.

Jesus, living in the midst of the great expectation of the coming of the Messiah, the one who would liberate Israel, used this apocalyptic-prophetic language as part of his expression of the reign of God. Jesus’ insertion of end time, the final point or commonly known as the Omega point, within the framework of God’s reign gives added eschatological tone to his apocalyptic-prophetic language. His language is prophetic for he speaks with authority from God. His language is apocalyptic because he reveals the hidden reign of God permeating history. His language is eschatological because for him the End does not end in itself but ends in God’s reign.

We are at the last liturgical Sunday – next week, it is celebration of the feast of Christ the King. Thus, the Church invites us to look at the passing world as it converges towards the final point, which is the reign of God. For all of us, whether it is in our lives or in our faith proclamation, we are called to speak the language of hope, the language of utter conviction in the reign and power of God, the language that liberates and sets us free from all anxiety and fear, the language that dispels the darkness and brings light and newness. These are the languages of Jesus – prophetic, apocalyptic and eschatological. We are called to be his voice, speaking his languages to the broken world, hence, bringing a difference.

FMM Golden Jubilee Celebrations in KB

Jubilee mass concelebrated by Bishop Antony Selvanayagam, Archbishop Emritus Soter  and Fr. Robert 

FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY CELEBRATE 50 YEARS IN KOTA BHARU

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

Lively Entrance Dance by six East Malaysia Children

 

               Entrance procession                              Sr. Angeline Poh first Religious Vocation from KB

Bishop Selva receiving Offertory Gift frim Sr. Angeline Poh

FMM sisters praying a special blessing over congregation

Sr. Mary Soh, FMM Provincial Singapore/Malaysia giving her speech

Some of the sisters attending the Jubilee Mass

FMM  sisters cutting Jubilee Cake at Sakura Restaurant.

<More photos on FMM Sisters Page>

32 Sunday - Gospel Reflection

Gospel :  Mark 12: 38-44

Poor Widow! This coming week’s gospel challenges us differently. Most of us think that it is a story of generosity – the act of giving without holding back. We have heard this sort of interpretation of the story over and over again from the pulpit. Sometimes, the generosity demonstrated by the widow in the gospel of Mark is blown out of proposition so much so that it sounds quite impossible for someone to act the way the widow acted in the gospel. In other words, the story of widow is too ideal to be true! Perhaps, the story of generosity or the act of giving is one side of the truth or lesson Jesus intends to communicate but this particular lesson does not entirely swallow up the other possible lesson/teaching intended.

Jesus in Mark 11:1-12 has made his entry into Jerusalem and from now on, from chapter 11 onwards, everything Jesus does will be centred on Jerusalem and its temple. Not only that, Jesus’ death eventually will be also directly connected with Jerusalem – its temple, city and the people there. This is the first observation we should make. The very fact that Jesus has entered Jerusalem – triumphant entry and dramatic as it was - the people themselves expected some sort of dramatic event about to unfold through him. There is a high intense expectation and excitement! Within this given context, Mark, the evangelist has portrayed Jesus sitting down opposite the treasury and watching the people putting money into the treasury. Interesting, instead of accomplishing something dramatic in Jerusalem, Mark in 11:38-40, has Jesus sitting and pointing out the hypocrisy of the scribes – “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!   They devour widows' houses and for a  pretence make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Note that one of the outrageous actions mentioned of the scribes is “they devour widows’ houses and for a pretence are making long prayers.” In other word, the scribes use long prayer to hide their act of injustice done to the widows. That is hypocrisy! Within this act of injustice committed towards the widows, that Jesus strikingly, sets his eyes on a widow who puts in two small coins. “Two small copper coins” were the smallest coinage of that time. It took 64 such coins to make a denarius, that is, a day's wage, which is enough to live for a day. The woman had only 1/32 of what it took to live for a day, yet she put it all in the temple treasury. One person devours as much as he wants and hides behind prayer and the other gives everything she owns. What a contrasting attitude!

Perhaps, we should ask some questions now! What is the implication of this text? What does it mean for us?
1. Have you ever thought why the widow was left with only 2 small coins? Jesus remarks, “this poor widow has put in more than all those putting into the treasury;  for all, out of their abundance, put in, but she, out of her want, all that she had put in - all her living.” Was this a lesson/story to demonstrate generosity or a depiction of the state of injustice and the state of poverty-stricken widows in Jerusalem to the point that this widow in Mark (representing the widows’ of Jerusalem) had put in everything she possessed, all that she had to live on. Now, she is left with nothing to live on for! The injustice and corruption in Jerusalem has reached its climax, its peak that it calls for action from God! The plea of the poor of YHWH! Mark as an apocalyptic theologian, having written his gospel about 70 CE, after the fall of the temple perhaps saw that with this destruction of Jerusalem, all these corrupt practices of the temple came to end and God in Jesus replaces with a new order – where special care for the widows are expressed in the writings of the New Testaments, see 1 Tim 5:3-10 (by St. Paul), James 1:27, Acts 6:1-15
2. On the other hand, is this a lesson whereby in spite of being the subject of abuse,  victim of the scribes, the poor victim, though left with only 2 small coins, is yet able to contribute to the Treasury? She spoke no words, no complains and no excuse was on her lips. She just threw in two small coins! Even, in this circumstance, she could give something. What a commendable act!

 Fr Robert Daniel Francis

In Memory of Fr. Ben

FR BEN NIEUKEY (1933 -2009)

          Fr. Dr. Benedict Nieukey, or Fr. Ben, (as he was lovingly known by all), was a gentle, peace loving man who lived his life on earth to the full.

Although he could have been a great doctor, or a great pofessor or even a musician, (he was all these and more) he chose to become Christ’s humble apostle, following in his Master’s footsteps, finally becoming a priest after receiving his calling to the Holy Orders.

          He was highly educated, with a string of degrees, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Botany, a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He started his working life as a La Salle Brother, trained as a teacher in St. Joseph’s College in Penang. Later on he joined the Seminary and was ordained in  19 ...( Later he worked as a Lecturer at University Sains Malaysia in Penang and was appointed as the Chaplain for the USM students. During his tenure at the USM, he also practiced his clinical Psychology. )

          After he resigned his lectureship, he became a full-time diocesan priest. In this humble position, he served in many parishes in the Diocese of Penang: in the Church of St.Louis Taiping, Christ the King, Sungei Petani, and in March 1986, he was posted as Parish Priest to Our Lady of Fatima, Kota Bharu, and finally in 1991 he was posted as the Chaplain for the Sisters of the Poor in Penang He remained Chaplain to the Home until he called to the Lord on 24^th May 2009.

          It was during his 5 years(1986-1990)in Kota Bharu, that I got to know him and my memories of that time is still fresh in my mind.  Alex Poh was the PC chairman then and he roped me in to start the Parish Newsletter in August 1986. Fr. Ben would faithfully write the Monthly Message from the Parish Priest in which he would share his thoughts and he wrote always to motivate the parishioners.

          Fr. Ben was a truly humble priest – a man for all seasons. When he first came, the Church was undergoing renovations – a new ceiling, and a new backdrop – he jokingly told parishioners – before you couldn’t see Fr. Ben but now with the light backdrop, he has become visible!  In fact in the first edition of the newsletter, he wrote the first article on “My re- new” church – using the pseudonym of John.

          He was a great traveler and in his first few months, he set out to the ulus of Kelantan, places like Laklok and Gua Musang, to look for lost sheep. There were many Catholic Families in those remote rubber estates who have not seen a priest for quite a long while.

          Fr. Ben was instrumental in motivating the parish to grow both in its spiritual and human dimensions. In May 1988 and March 1989 he brought the ME (Marriage Encounter) to Kelantan to more than 40 couples, and initiated a renewal of their married lives. This was the beginning of friendship and fellowship among the families in the parish. He was available to all parishioners and he opened his doors to one and all. Every time a visitor dropped in, he would be most welcoming, with a cup of coffee or tea. During the rosary months of May and October, he never fail to turn up at the home of the host on his old motorcycle.

          Through the ME and his personal friendship with the families of parishioners, there were many baptisms of non-Catholic partners of mixed marriages – Dr. Robert Bates, Mr. Kenneth Sivasamboo, Mr. Richard Khor, Mr. Charles Sim, Patricia Poh, were all baptized by Fr. Ben.

          Going through the newsletters from August 1986 – Dec 1990, brought back many memories. Every month for the 39 issues of the Parish Newsletter, Fr. Ben would type on his faithful typewriter, a monthly message from Fr Ben – always positive, very encouraging and truly uplifting. His thoughts and observations were really touching and showed how much he cared for us.

          On the occasion of his 57^th birthday in June 1990, excerpts from the birthday message delivered by Mr. Vincent Na on behalf of parishioners:

          “We want you to know, Father that our love for you has become stronger. We ask you not to work too hard, but to take it easy. Otherwise the young and not-so-young parishioners of our community are going to have a tough time trying to keep up with you. Indeed, you have so often put us to shame with your strong appetite for hard work. And you always do it with a big and beautiful smile.”

          Yes, besides being a hard worker, he was a good listener, very practical and down to earth. He inherited a strong resilience from his late mother (who lived to the ripe old age of 91). During the last years of his life, when he was struck down with cancer of the liver, even when he was suffering and in great pain, he put on his usual smiling face. His mother had advised him “Whether you put on a smiley face or a sad face, the pain will still be there, so which would you rather choose?”

          I think his whole life was one of love and committed service in Christ, as evidenced by his favourite quote from Etienne De Grellet:

          “I shall pass this world but once, Any good therefore that I can do,

          Or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.

          Let me not defer or neglect it,

          For I shall not pass this way again.”

I would like to end with a message from Fr Ben which he wrote in the last issue of the Parish Newsletter in January 1991. This are his last words to us in Kota Bharu:

“ Dear Parishioners in Christ,

          May the love and peace of Christ always be in your midst.

As I prepare to take my home leave, I am so deeply grateful to God for the gift of each and everyone of you. You have been so generous and thoughtful in your service to God and to each other in the spirit of true Christian love and charity.

          I would like to thank each of you personally for all this, but I can only express it in this note. I thank you dear (FMM) Sisters for your dedicated service to the community. I thank you members of the ICT(PPC) for your willingness to come forward and serve your brothers and sisters in trying to create a loving and caring community. I thank you, dear ladies of different groups who so humbly perform your service to enhance fellowship in the community. I thank you, individual members who have volunteered from time to time to assume responsibilities for the different organizations and functions. I thank you each and every parishioner  your contributions and encouragement that makes our community what it is today.

          May God bless you all and reward you for your generosity. Continue in this same spirit to serve the community under the guidance of your new parish priest and give him the same support and encouragement and love you gave to me. It is God who calls each one of us to this mission in the Church of Kelantan.

          I have been close to you and your families in sharing your joys and sorrows, your happiness and anxieties and I would like to assure you of my continued prayers. My greatest joy and satisfaction will be to see the community grow daily in the “love of God and of your neighbour.” May God bless you always.

Your parish priest in Christ,

Fr. Ben

We will always remember you, Fr. Ben and cherish your memory in our hearts. For your simplicity and hospitality to all who came to you. Most of all, we thank you for showing us how to share and to care as a community.

May you receive your reward in heaven. Amen.

Eulogy delivered by

Joseph Wang,

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kota Bharu

Fr. Ben at outdoor mass with parishioners during our Annual Parish Picnic on Semerak beach

Farewell dinner for Fr. Ben organised by the Marriage Encounter family of Kota Bharu

2nd Marriage Encounter in Kelantan, 1989 introduced by Fr. Ben

Fr. Ben, a self-taught musician able to play many musical intruments, at a mass for the parish councils of KB and KK

Memories from the Past

PHOTOS FROM THE 1950'S -60'S

(from collection found in Father's House)

First Church (now Father's House) built by Fr. Guittat in 1950

The 'new' Church built by Fr. Tavennac  in 1965

Interior of the new church in 1960's till 1980's

Fr. Tavennac with the Church choir

Christmas Play during the 60's

( For more memorable photos, you are invited to look at  Photo Album)

If any reader has more old photos of the church or activities, please forward to the parish priest/ FMM sisters.

Tribute to Fr. Tavennac

The 'new' church being built by Fr. Tavennac from 1964-65

The 22^nd of July 2007 saw the passing of a man, small in stature, but a giant in the hearts of one particular family from the sleepy old hollow that was Kota Bharu in the 60’s.  A man who made a huge impact on the Bates family in our time of need, both in emotional as well as financial support.  A pillar of strength, who carried us through a time of great hardship and despair, Fr. Jean Tavennac.

            My name is Stanley Bates.  I was born in Kota  Bharu in 1961, the last born of a family of eight. 
My father, Bradley, had been afflicted with a debilitating illness for most of his adult life, which resulted in him being unable to provide for the family adequately, especially towards the later part of his short life.  The eldest was a boy of only 15 when he passed away.  But for the intervention of our personal guardian angel, only the Lord knows what would have become of us.

            Fr. Tavennac was priest, provider, entertainer, excursion planner, driver, de facto father and confidant all rolled into one, for us as well as countless other families in our tiny little parish.  Although I was too little to remember his many good deeds and exploits, my siblings have many amusing and heart-lifting memories of him.  Nothing was more delightful than to see the little nose of his beat-up Volkswagen beetle bumping up and down the dirt track leading to our house.  There was always some little goodie tucked away somewhere in the bags of provisions that he would invariably bring along, courtesy of the American Food Aid programme, and whatever cash he could spare.  Sometimes there would be powdered milk, cheese, flour or those small multi-coloured wafers that we kids loved so much.  There was also an occasion when he brought a whole trunkful of ice cream cups left over from a party.  It goes without saying that they were a melted, gooey mess by the time we got our hand on it, but enjoy it we did, just the same!

            He was a lover of good food, and fond of the outdoors too.  Other than the many church excursions to the waterfall and the beach, he would sometimes pile us all into his little car for some little outing;  I’m told I fitted in the tiny compartment behind the rear passenger seats!  And if you remember how bad the roads were back in those days, and the reputation of French drivers, it must have made quite a memorable ride!

            In the days when the parish was in its infancy, he lived in a small house next to the chapel (now the Sisters’ home).  Never was his door closed, and you could drop by any time with any request and find a welcome ear.  He also doubled as Sunday school teacher, after catechism, he would pile all those who needed rides into his car to send us all home.  Such were the multiple roles of our favourite priest.

            Fr. Tavennac was transferred out of Kota Bharu in 1968.  We had not then the means to visit him for many years.  I next saw him in Cameron Highlands in the mid-80’s, where he lived and served the remaining years of his very fruitful life.  I met up with him several more times over the years, as have several other members of our family.  He would always proudly show us the medal presented to him by the President of France in recognition of his service to society.

He also had a profound and direct effect on my life, as I was supposed to have been given up for adoption.  Only his intervention and that of  my eldest sister, then only a little girl of 11,  prevented it from happening.

            The Bates family salutes you and says THANK YOU, FR, TAVENNAC.  Your kindness, love and support not only carried us through a difficult time in our lives, but your fine example has made a lasting impression on all of us, and shaped our Christian lives and values to last a lifetime.

Farewell, Adieu, Father.

Stanley Bates`

The church that Fr. Tavennac  built as it stands today

All Souls' Day

            On this day, on this occasion of remembering those who have passed from this life, 
my thoughts linger around the hard-reality of death. We often grieve with pain and sorrow of this physical separation from our loved ones. We do not know how to cope with this separation, this loss.  We hide ourselves, we withdraw, we are closed from within – we cry deep within. No amount of consolation could relieve us of this pain. So we decide not to have this pain. We have decided to run – as far as we can, so that death cannot catch us; we build a fortified castle underneath – deep in the ‘ocean’ - thinking that we are safe. On the contrary, death still pursues us. Perhaps, these are the thoughts of an archaic mind – a way of running away from death.

            With modern science, with medical research and development we push death further away on the pretext of eradicating it. We succumb to the idea of longevity devoid of death. We believe that death is far away, if not, it is not there at all and we have a lot of time to live or that we may live “forever and ever.” What a false impression! What an illusion! The graves of our beloved – entombed right there in front of our eyes - shatters this illusion and make us rethink our unacceptable, inescapable and the hard-reality of death.

             They – our loves ones – have gone and we are left here only with their memories. How fresh and real are those memories and how hard it is for us to forget! The only consolation we have is the strength of faith – faith in the risen Lord. Instead of thinking about WHAT happens after death or finding ways to run away from death, we should see – with faith – WHO awaits us beyond death?  It is Jesus our Risen Saviour! The thoughts of our loves ones in the bosom of God may give us some consolation and strength to live on. As He has embraced those who have passed from this side to the other, He assures us that with death, life is not ended but changed. There is no need to fear, to face this change! We just live simply – with faith in God - as we pass from this life to the other.   

Fr Robert Daniel Francis

KCYS (Youth)

KELANTAN CATHOLIC YOUTH SOCIETY