Annual Parish Retreat -Day 2

Tonight's session is entitled "SEASONS OF FAITH" -Praying the Psalms.
Sr. Susan began with Psalm 121 Song of Ascents - explaining some of the terms used, Ascents - going up to the mountains/hills (the temple in Jerusalem on the hill). The word Help/Helper appears 6 times from verse 3-8. We then listened to the Psalm as a prayer as the video was shown.
We then proceeded to learn more about the 1st Movement - 'Orientation' - a contented sense of well being that makes one feel grateful to God. We then looked at Psalm 8 and 19 which were Psalms of Orientation- A 2nd Video slide presentation entitled "Creation Calls" was shown, followed by 10 minutes of meditation and writing our own Psalms of 'Faith' - I Believe.... and a Psalm/prayer of Thanksgiving.
In summary, some of the following points were observed:concerning the psalms of orientation (Ps 1, Ps 8, Ps 19 and Ps 121)

• They are created and communicated by a community of faithful people.
• Faith is important and satisfying
• These psalms give witness to God who is trustworthy and reliable
• Life is not troubled
• The psalms are expressions of creation faith , a well-ordered world, reliable, lifegiving - God has ordained it and holds it so.
• They are expressions of trust and gratitude to God for making it so.
• Creation is not a theory in the Bible - we can observe creation every moment in our lives
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  Day 2 Session on Praying the Psalms

  
  

  

  The First Movement - Orientation

  
  

  

  Writing our own psalms

  
  

  

  Fr. Robert closes the session with a final prayer and blessing

Annual Parish Retreat 2014- Day 1

This evening, the first day of the Parish Retreat started off with 17 participants from among the parishioners. The Retreat entitled: "Praying the Psalms" was conducted by Sr. Susan Thomas, fmm, assisted by Sr. Jackie Pan, fmm. Before the input by Sr. Susan, participants were asked how many retreats they have experienced, ranging from 5 and above to 3, 2 , 1 and none at all. She then explained the essence of a retreat and asked what our expectations were. In her introduction, she explained the term used for 'psalms' in Greek and Hebrew and the 5 books of the psalms. To start off the retreat,  a video slide entitled ;Praying the Psalms' through the seasons of my life' was shown. Participants were then asked to spend some time in reflection after Psalm 1 was read and analysed. Participants were encouraged to spend the day in meditation on the psalm in preparation for the next evening's retreat.

The Video slide show highlighting the Praying the Psalms

Participants attending the Parish Retreat

Assistant Sr, Jackie Pan 

Sr. Susan Thomas, facilitating  the Retreat

Introduction to Praying the Psalms

Participants in a jovial mood

What is your favourite psalm? How many psalms do you remember?

The three movements in our lives, in relation to praying the psalms.

Letter from the Bishop of Penang

Bishop's Office

Diocese of Penang

Pusat Keuskupan Katolik
290 Jalan Macalister,
10450 Pulau Pinang
Tel: +604-2292742
email: penangdiocese@gmail.com


To All Parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary

Greetings of Peace and Joy!

Congratulations for your efforts to work with KAWAN/ReHAK in promoting Breast Cancer Awareness, Free Screening and Support for Survivors!

As missionary disciples, participating in this event will surely make a difference in reaching out to others beyond the boundaries of the Church. I would like to encourage all of you to give your support to this joint project by participating in every way you can. This gesture will lead us further, which means, going out of ourselves in reaching out to the sick and needy of all races, backgrounds and faiths. In Malaysia, the dialogue of life with people of all faiths is at the very heart of evangelization.
Thus, I wish you all the best and be assured of my blessings for each of you and for all who will participate, support and benefit from this event. I wish you also a fruitful and joyful fun moment as you share and spend time with one another.

With blessings,


+Rt. Rev. Sebastian Francis
   Bishop of Penang

(*This letter was read to all parishioners during the Friday Mass on 26th September 2014 by Rev. Fr. Robert Daniel)

Parish Gotng-Royong 2014

This morning, after mass, about 15 groups of parishioners assigned to various tasks and areas set about to clean up the areas assigned. No area was left unturned - toilets, inside and outside the church, Fatima Hall, up the roof and the store rooms, Agape and Shalom rooms, dining area, Fatima Green corner, and so on. The teams set on their tasks and in no time, the whole church and rooms were sparkling clean. At the end of the gotong-royong, all participants were treated to a sumptious 'Wedding' Lunch sponsored by the newly weds- Mr. and Mrs. Reuben (nee Dr. Angeline). Congratulations and Thank you to the Reubens!
We also had the honor of welcoming a group of about 10 American army personnel who came for morning mass. They have been here almost 3 weeks for a joint exercise with our Malaysian Army.
Thank you to all parishioners and the youths from KCYS who worked so hard to keep the church clean! Special thanks to our coordinator, Josephine for drawing up the duty roster for the Gotong Royong.

KCYS group from IPG (Teacher Education Institute clearing up the store behind the toilets

Ladies and students assigned to the main store-rrom

Jane Able and her group member taking care of the Shalom Room

Veteran Loh Wei Lek up on the roof

Choir members help to clean the inside of the church

Sr. Regina absorbed in her work 

2 Ladies rearranging the mass hymnals

Altar girls doing their share

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lai cleaning the Main church door 

Our Hero cleaing up the Fatima Shrine

His helper cleaning the Shrine

Mrs. Mary Martin and Mrs. Reuben cleaning up the Fatima Chapel

Dr. Hady and Dr. Irwan busily at work to clean up the Agape Room

Mr. Ong climbing high to clean the spot lights

Gerard Yeo cleaning the giant fans in Fatima Hall

Mr. Charlie Choo and KCYS student up on the roof .

The group of American Army personnel who joined us for mass and for the lunch

The man-in-charge of the parish surveying the scene from up above!

Dr. Hady was roped in to clean the ceiling fan in the chapel

Our guests and parishioners enjoying their wedding lunch

Some more food coming for those with good appetites after the hard work. You have earn it!

Helping themselves to the buffet lunch

KCYS members enjoying their lunch with a member of the US Army personnel.

Mr. and Mrs. Reuben distributing wedding tokens to parishioners. Congrats and thanks!

Some of the US Army personnel who joined us for lunch.

 Thank you to KCYS for a job well done!

Fatima Food and Fun Fair 2014

GIVE HOPE, GIVE LIFE!  PASARIA/ FOOD AND FUN FAIR

Coming in October! This Parish Event is organized by our parish in collaboration with REHAK/KAWAN .
KAWAN is the acronym for Kumpulan Sokongan KAnser WANita was formed in 1996 under the umbrella of  REHAK /Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan (formerly known as Kelantan Family Planning Association). KAWAN is a non-profit, self-help support group. Its members are breast cancer survivors, family members and friends of breast cancer patients, related professionals and volunteers who help provide pyschological and emotional support, information and education. In addition, KAWAN promotes cancer screening and assists women after surgery to regain self confidence with breast prostheses fittings and many more.

Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary Church in partnership with REHAK/KAWAN is organizing a Food and Funfair event to be held on 17th October 2014 from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm at Fatima Kindergarten School grounds. A Breast Clinic will be opened at the same time to promote breast cancer awareness, free screening and support for survivors. With the theme: "Give HOpe, Give Life" we aim to provide a platform for Kelantanese of all backgrounds, race and faiths to come together as one to help. All funds raised will be donated to KAWAN via ReHAK.

We have all been touched by cancer. Please consider this request seriously and let your neighbours, customers, and community know that we are joining in the fight against breast-cancer.  (Cash Donations or cheque to KAWAN via ReHAK) will be acknowledged with official receipts from ReHAK that bears income-tax exemption code ( for more than RM100)/

Come enjoy the variety of food, make new friends and meet old ones and be 1 Malaysians!
Thank you and best regards.

Yours Sincerely

Fr. Robert Daniel
Parish Priest,
Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary.
Kota Bharu.

This news report in one of our Chinese Newspaper shows our team together with members of ReHAK/KAWAN

The Coupons for the Pasaria  - Please get one for yourself or your family and help in the good cause.

Fatima Community Sports Day 2014

After mass today, around 60 participants and their supporters formed 11-12 teams with various names such as Big Boy, Team Badminton, Uncles and Aunties, On the Spot, PJ, UMK Jeli etc to participate in the highly competitive races such as 'Passing the hoop', coconut bowling, jumping sack race, rolling the bicycle wheel, Pulling the Pinang (Betel-nut) leaf race and the ( three-legged )Perfect Couple race.
The particpants sweated in the hot sun, enjoying every minute cheering their teams. Fr. Robert was the most active participant, taking part in every race. Young and old alike enjoyed themselves and all were treated to a delicious lunch of nasi kerabu.
We would like to say thank you to the organizing committee, led by Mr. Charlie Choo and his wife, Dorista.

To watch the video of the sack race, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2LBFvo6COo

The Fatima Sports Participants  forming their groups, waiting in the hall

Participants lining up on the field 

'Big Boy' group showing how to pass the hula hoop without breaking their joining hands.

Ready, Get-set, Go!

'On the Spot' group, right on the spot!

Team Badminton in action

Let the games begin!

The young ladies group try their hand at coconut bowling!

Aim, let go, and strike!

Young girls group trying their luck

Aunties group showing their skill

Auntie Lay See shows off her bowling skill

Getting ready for the sack race

The live-wire of the games - Uncle Philip Tiau, 

Not so easy to roll the wheel - takes speed and skill!

Young Christopher Lee pulling his bigger team-mate in the Betel leaf race

Ladies showing they too can pull!

Oh No! I am falling off!

It's good to have a mall size for this race!

The last race for the day - Who is the 'Perfect Couple (three legged ) race

Fr. Robert presenting the prize for the winner of the 'passing the hoop' race.

Hurray! Hurray! We have won!