New Year Thoughts

We make resolutions after resolution every year but we seldom keep them. Sometimes, we get upset and frustrated with ourselves for failing to keep our promises. We are very eager to change and amend our ways or do something different but still we find it difficult to do so. I have done the same with my life and many a times, have failed like you. However, for the past several years I have stopped making resolutions. Instead of making these resolutions, which are often meant in trying to make changes in my life, my attitudes and my ways based on my past track record, I have decided to focus on shaping my future to create new attitudes and new lifestyle by which I desire to live by. I cannot change the past but I can shape the future. The future is within my time frame and I wish to mould my life towards this future. By focusing on my future, I need to visualize it and create a clear vision by which my life will be shaped. The clearer the vision of my life, my paradigm, the easier and stronger shape it will be formed. I am challenged to gear my whole energy to align my whole self, my strength, my thoughts and my feelings in unison with my whole person, becoming and taking shape as it should be in the future. Realizing this, I have decided not to make plans of what to do, but what I wish and desire to become. Here, I wish to share with you all some ways, which you and I can shape our lives.

 

1. Power of Blessing

Every year, we have the reading taken from the book of Numbers, of which speaks of the blessings from God. It is a blessing which comes from God and should be passed on from generation to generation. It should be transmitted down to our children and from them to their children and so forth. It is indeed an appropriate reading for all Christians as we head towards a new year, a new beginning. To bless and to be blessed is a right starting point as we step into the New Year. To feel the blessings of God and to impart the blessings to others is the hallmark of Christian community. To begin with, we should feel we are indeed blessed. Our whole life is blessed by God. We not only know this in mind, but we should feel from deep within and grow in deeper conviction of this feeling to the point that it should be oozing out literally. When we get out from our bed, the first thought that should emerge is the thought of blessing and the feeling of blessed. I feel I am blessed not because of my virtues but because God has made us as blessed. This is what it means by ‘having been created in God’s image and likeness’. In fact throughout our life, we should allow this thought and feeling of blessed to surface as frequent as possible so that the whole fragrance of blessedness will radiate. Naturally, this will lead us to share this power of blessing with others. We have received, lived and now we give to others.
 

2. Grace of Gratitude

Stop wallowing in self-pity! There is no end to this and we are wasting too much of our time on it. We do not know how fortunate we are until we see someone else’s misery. I am sure we have heard this quote, “I used to complain I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet.” I love that quote! It’s such a great reminder to re-focus our minds from complaining about what we don’t have to focusing on what we do have. Many people choose to focus on what they do not have, rather than focus on what they have and what they are capable of. Being grateful is a little thing we can do to drastically improve our moods, and our whole days. In fact, grace of gratitude is the ability to recognize and acknowledge in ourselves what was initially intended by God, that God in the very beginning created the whole creation and exclaimed as “Good” (cf. Gen 1). As we express and live in the grace of gratitude, we align ourselves with the original initial intention of God. Grace of gratitude should not be mere words. In fact, it should is an attitude that we have about ourselves, others and about creation. It is an act of withholding with sanctity the works of God. Wallowing in self-pity or self-condemnation is a denial of the very creation of God. Attitude of appreciation and love of oneself and others as God intended is a way to live the potential goodness within us.
 

3. Power of Positive thinking

Rain falls on a good person and bad person alike. Good fortune and misfortune happen to all persons. As it happens and as it comes, we have the power to confront the misfortune with our positive perception. There is a short story of two men in prison looking through the window. One prisoner looks at the sky full of stars and the moon radiating brilliantly. The other prisoner’s eyes fall on the ground full of mud. What you see or perceive generates what you feel. We can look at a half glass of wine and say, “Wow, I have half a glass of wine. I am going to enjoy it” or I can say, “Gosh, I have only half a glass of wine. What to do, hay..ya....” It all depends on us. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. It is that which is in you that you see. Events present as they are and it is we who interpret them as they befit us. The impacts they create are measured by how we perceive it. Enthusiasm and inspiration spring from positive living life and seeing the goodness in every single event should drive and energize us to live even more passionately in the world.
 

4. Capacity to Transform

Touch the face of God! There is no need to be like King Midas who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold literally. It is a myth about the tragedy of avarice and narrates what happens when true happiness is not recognized. Our Golden touch is not like King Midas’ touch. It does not spring from our ego or self-centred needs. It is a power which comes from God himself. When we align ourselves with the power of God, we become His co-creators. It is not so much of doing something, but it is about allowing the will of God to be accomplished in us. When I align myself with God, everything will be transformed through us. When we touch God, we become His children. As the Gospel of John would put it plainly, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name....” (cf. Jn 1:12). It is not believing in the mere words but believing the very truth to the point of becoming the transforming agent. It is the power of God which we have harness to change and transform every opportunity into golden opportunity. Set your mind as you open yourself to the forthcoming or unfolding opportunities in life, whether it is education, business or life changing experience. As they unfold, pray and meditate to connect with God so that we will be able to harvest the power to transform our lives.
 

5. Power of Intention

I came across this caption said by the famous martial art expert, Bruce Lee, “As you think so shall you become.” Think about what you are thinking today. What do those thoughts say about you? About your life? Creating a life that we want to live requires us to put some focus in creating it. When we meditate and enter fully into spiritual depth of inner human life within us and align ourselves with the will of God, we eventually would be able to create the life we wish to have. However, this is not an easy process. Basically, there are 2 ways of getting there. First, it is a process of purification or cleansing. It is a process of purifying the mind of all negativities and then, putting on the mind of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 2:13-16). It is a process of dying and rising to new life in Christ. Getting rid of negativity is getting rid of all our negative understanding and negative concepts and paradigms which we have imprinted in our minds. On the other hand, we need to capture the right understanding of God, of ourselves and others. The longer we dwell within ourselves in our right understanding, right intention and keep meditating, and the more they seep deeply into our consciousness, the more fortified our intentions will be. Constantly connect with God as you become His image.
 

Fr Robert Daniel Francis

Interview with newly baptised Pauline Mah

A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH PAULINE MAH PUAY LIM

A happy Auntie Pauline

RCIA Class 2011-2012

Auntie Pauline being interviewed by Joseph Wang

Madam Mah, who prefers to be called 'Auntie Puay Lim', was baptized on Christmas Eve, 2012 at the Christmas Vigil mass after having gone through more than a year of preparation in RCIA. Below is an account of her Journey of Faith.

When and How did you become interested in the Catholic Faith?

Since I was a small girl when I saw my mother praying. My younger sister had earlier became a Catholic in Singapore and Fr. Surmon used to come to my house to give my mother catechism lessons.  I have 3 brothers and 7 sisters, except for one brother, all of whom have become Christians .

Later in 1956 -59, when I was sent for teacher training in Kirkby College in England, I joined a group of catholic trainee teachers who were invited by Fr. Ramsbottom every Saturday evening for prayers and sharing/talks and supper. It was a happy time for me. Around 1957, I was fortunate to visit Lourdes in France and the experience remains with me to this day. I felt peace and joy and was filled with wonder at the many people who came with crutches and in wheelchairs, but left Lourdes without them.

Although I was not yet a Catholic,  the  faith that God had given me earlier helped me in my married life.  I used to pray and I believed God answered my prayers.

What brought you to ask for baptism ?

Three events which happened and  I believed God answered my prayers convinced me of my faith in God and that led me to ask for baptism:

1)    For 30 years, my husband has been troubled by heart palpitations which could not be explained even by specialists. Then, 14 year ago, we met Dr. Mahendran Raj, who was lecturing in USM and he was instrumental in sending my husband for a checkup at  IJM (Heart Institute of Malaysia). The specialists there found the cause of the palpitations – a extra vein in the heart. He had an operation to remove the vein and since then he is no longer troubled by palpitations.

2)    The second incident  in which I prayed very hard and I believed God answered my prayers happened 2 years later. After bath one day, my husband had breathing difficulties and I drove him to Hospital USM. Again, it was Dr. Mahendran who took the trouble to stop his work and ordered a stress test for him. Again, he was sent to IJM where they found 3 arteries were blocked. Immediately he underwent  a heart bypass operation and thank God, he is OK 12 years later now.

3)  For the last 14 years, I suffered from back pain and it became excruciatingly painful until I couldn’t walk. I was scared to have the operation done as I had heard of the high risks and  stories of other unfortunate cases.  In 2009, I was recommended to ProfessorDr. Kwan at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre who convinced me to have the operation done.  I put my life in God’s hands and He did not fail me.  My spine operation was successful, thanks to God and I have been free of pain since then, and able to walk and drive.
  
Throughout these years, I believe that God was with me, and He answered my prayers.

Can you share with us your Faith experience after you decided to enroll in RCIA Class?

I am very happy to attend all the RCIA classes,  to listen and to share with the other students and to learn so many new thngs about God and the Catholic church. In fact, after every RCIA session, I call my daughter who is living in US to share what I have learnt.

How do you feel after being baptized?

Happy, that I am finally God’s child. 

We praised and thank God for Auntie Pauline who has gone through her Journey of Faith, and may God continue to bless her and her family as she begins her 'new life of faith' and continue to grow in her spiritual life.
Thanks to Sr. Regina and all the students of RCIA 2011-2012 without whom this continuing Journey in Faith would not have begun.
And thanks to Fr. Robert for his tremendous encouragement throughout this journey.

Joseph Wang.

Christmas Sermon

THE GREAT GIFT OF GOD

During this season of Christmas, we often share gifts with one another. This spirit of “I buy for you and you buy for me,” overpowers the real and true Christmas season. Of course, we are indeed happy, joyful, and delighted when we give and receive gifts during this season of Christmas. And for some, the joy to give is more than the joy to receive as to give is an opportunity to show kindness and generosity. On the other hand, others would prefer to receive, and they would call it as an act of humility to receive graciously. However, in all these acts or actions of giving and receiving, there is one particular gift at Christmas, which we can only receive, and can never be able to return. No matter what, we cannot return it, nor should we try to return it as it is impossible to do so. And that gift is this baby, lying in the manger – a gift from God, a gift of God himself to us. You can only open your arms to receive graciously. You can only feel thankful and grateful in receiving him. You can do nothing else, but to only receive him. Thus, this makes us vulnerable. We will always feel we need to return what we have received. We become even more vulnerable when we know that God does not demand any form of compensation for what he has given. God just wants to make your life full with this Gift. When we are full and overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness, instead of turning to God, we should turn to one another and share this very blessing with one another. In sharing, we should be like lights, which can never be contained but always shinning ever brightly. It is when we receive God as our gift, and then only can we share him to others. In this way, we ourselves become gifts to one another. Thus, treating each other with reverence, sacredness, appreciation, kindness and much love.

Wishing all of you a Blessed Gifted Christmas
Fr. Robert Daniel

Fourth Advent with Luke

In today's gospel, we have the scene of the meeting of two great women of Israel, namely Mary and Elizabeth. The meeting of these two women is well depicted in many of the paintings in the Christian tradition. Most paintings described them in an intimate, joyful and ecstatic spiritual state. Hence, when Mary and Elizabeth got together, the vibes were all positive. This was not because both pregnant women were merely excited about the prospects of being mothers, but as both of them prophetically knew something about the significance of their forthcoming arrivals. Their first response which sprung up from this positive energetic encounter was this sheer joy. This experience of joy could even reach down to the womb of Elizabeth, thus, triggered the child to make a leap of joy. It was also a joy that caused Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Look! It is amazing that such a genuine encounter could open up human persons to experience tremendous joyfulness and newness of life. Indeed, this is a true human encounter, which in fact is possible for every one of us if we genuinely open up ourselves to each other. Thus, this would allow our joyous experience in and within us to penetrate through us to the very self, and eventually travels out to be shared with others. In this modern world, there is fair criticism around us, which states that our Christian churches seemed to be devoid of joy. It goes on to say that there is no radiance of contentment and inner joyfulness in our lives. In addition, no one wishes or dares to express their joy in a loud and exuberant way. Our church services have become too solemn to the point that it seems too genuine to be true. Thereby, sacredness has been identified with solemn, serious and rigid celebration, which in fact should be complemented with lots of joy. The Church should be a place for genuine human encounters, where we should feel full of grace and good about ourselves, and not be a place where we feel we are lesser and inadequate. The Church is a place where we feel we are complete with God. It is only when we feel we are indeed adequate, complete, positive, full of grace and joy, which God has made us to be, thus, any encounter will become a great genuine spiritual experience, just like Elizabeth and Mary’s experience. And through this encounter of Elizabeth and Mary’s, may we be challenged to rediscover joy in the celebration of Christmas.

Fr Robert Daniel Francis

Wishing All Readers a Merry Christmas

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL READERS FROM FATIMA CHURCH KB!

Beautifully decorated lighted Christmas Tree in Fatima Hall

'Christmas begins with Christ" Poster in front of Father's House

Click on the link below for video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btUG0PJK7Cs

Third Advent with St. Luke

When we begin our journey through Advent, we are faced with many strong spiritual images. The First Advent Sunday presented us with the Prophet Jeremiah, who echoed the promise of the Lord. It is the Lord who would bring forth “a virtuous branch” by which Salvation and Confidence of the people of Israel and Judah were assured. From this virtuous branch, we moved to the desert, where the Word of God came to John the Baptist. It is an indication that through solitude, that the voice of God becomes clear. Now, from solitude, we move to notion of repentance, the first calling made by John the Baptist.

For life to be interesting, alive and vibrant, there should be colours. Colours bring variants. Variants bring beauty. For beauty to happen, there should be creativity. When there is creativity, there is thinking. Thinking breathes reflection and this gives birth to changes and modification. That is the art of living. Hence, for us, some changes are needed for new elements to sip in, so that meaning could be drawn from Christmas.  It is though these changes that will create new rhythms, new chords, new songs, new lyrics and new words. John the Baptist becomes the forerunner of this very new song of salvation. The theme of his song is this ancient religious word “repentance.” Of course, his song sung in the wilderness, sounds fierce, alarming with no sense of rejoicing. However, as part of the preparation of accepting the coming of Christ, this song of repentance have to be part of our Christian living. And repentance, which is marked by justice, can be our Christian way to herald the Messiah into the world.

Penang Diocesan Youth Day 2 PDYD2

Our 8 Youth reps at the Penang Youth Day Camp November 15-18