Saturday 25 April 2015

Good Shepherd Sunday 2015 & Insights from the Flood Relief Outreach.






Archbishop Emeritus delivering his homily on Good Shepherd Sunday


Yesterday, we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday also known as Vocation Sunday. Besides praying for more vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life, his Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, in his homily shared that Jesus, being the Good Shepherd, takes responsibility for all his sheep.
We should imitate our Good Shepherd by caring for other people in our family and society.
In another passage, Jesus said, "I have other sheep from other folds..."
All peoples, whether Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs or Muslims belong to God. To be a true disciple of Jesus, demands that we try to bring them to God in our hearts for His blessings; even those who run away from God.. They need us to point them to God and true happiness. "They are God's creation as God created human beings in His image".he concluded.


FATIMA FLOOD RELIEF OUTREACH







Insights from the Flood Relief Outreach

A Sharing by Joshua Ong


Mr. Joshua Ong sharing his insights


After Thanksgiving, the congregation was given the opportunity to view a Slide-show presentation on the work of the Flood Relief Team led by Sr. Susan Thomas. The 'movie' was produced by Sr. Jackie Pan. You can view the 'movie' entitled "Give Life, Give Hope' by clicking on the website.
link https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2N60Jj89EgWVklWbFNaSGJuaGs/edit?usp=drive_web (Then click one more time on the blue highlighted Go to Link which appears .)

In line with the theme today, we were happy to learn from the sharing of a member of our Flood Relief Team, his experience and insights into their Outreach work to all peoples, irrespective of race or religion. The following are some notes  on Joshua Ong's sharing:

Family in Kuala Krai living for 24 years without Electricity and water

" I never realize how lucky most of us are. I really couldn't imagine the situation in which some of the flood victims have manage to live their lives. Imagine a home with living area less than 20 square feet. This family in Kuala Krai  has been living for the last 24 years without electricity or running water. When I asked the man "What is your loss", he replied, "I lost nothing!. Indeed, there was nothing to be lost, the house had no cupboard or furniture. Their lives depended on the river - they bathe in the river, they drink water from the river, they do their laundry in the river.. They walked everyday from their house to the river - a distance about from the church to KB Mall. This is one example of the sad situation I experienced. These people were the ones really grateful for whatever little aid we gave them, A little help means so much to them and they received them with tears of joy. In the initial stage, they needed drinking water. And they even asked for empty cardboard boxes - valuable items to them - to keep their clothes and possessions - The flood had destroyed their cupboards!"

Blind Mother caring for 2 mentally ill children

'Another experience I had. There was this mother of 2 - a son aged 43 and a daughter. 44 years old. Both children were suffering from mental illness. The mother was blind. You can imagine how difficult life is for them, how she managed to take care of her 2 children. We have managed to arrange for some funds for her glaucoma operation."

Bringing Cheer to a little Boy

2 weeks ago,  a group of 25-30 church members including the youths, visited a 10-years old body, Lee Cheng Shoon. He had an accident in 2013, and was in a coma for 10 months, suffering from memory loss and paralysed. Our group was happy to be able to bring some cheer to celebrate his birthday. Last week, his father informed me that his memory was getting better - he still remembers us at his party.. Thanks to David (Pereira) who will be in contact with him when he makes his weekly physiotherapy sessions at USM."

(Refer to Post on Friday 10th April 2015)

More Participation for Future Outreach

I hope the brief sharing above will inspire more parishioners to come forward to participate in future church outreach projects in line with our theme for 2015, "Discipleship: Mission towards Transforming Humanity"
( May God continue to bless our future  endeavours - Editor)












Friday 17 April 2015

First Combined BECs' Meeting 2015


The First Combined Telipot and Jalan Kuala Krai BEC's Meeting of the year was held tonight from 8.00pm - 10.00 pm. The meeting started with an opening 'Easter Song' and opening prayer. Marianne Lim, the Jalan Kuala Krai BEC Coordinator then asked the 35 participants to watch a Video presentation of the work done so far by the Post-Flood Relief Committee led by Sr.Susan Thomas, fmm. Viewers saw the flood relief operations carried out in Kuala Krai, Gua Musang, Tanah Merah, Tumpat and Pasir Mas since the beginning of January 2015 until now.

A  sharing by Joshua Wong, who was actively involved in the relief work, made us realize the impact of our outreach work, which was carried out without regard to race or religion of the victims. Last Friday, instead of the usual distribution of aid, the group of about 20+ members, including many youths, brought birthday cheer to a 10 year-old boy who had been in coma for the last 10 months after an accident. His ability to remember past and even recent events had improved tremendously since the birthday party. His parents were very grateful. Indeed, most of the victims were really grateful for whatever aid the team distributed to them, (see earlier post on Friday 10th April - 'Bringing cheer to a little friend')

The participants were then divided into 5 smaller groups to share and discuss what they have seen or heard, and their various experiences, and  to propose what further outreach could be planned. One of the suggestions was to continue the outreach to individual cases which may need our help or to bring cheer to them.

Francis Lai congratulated the Relief team on the wonderful work being carried out so far, but requested that news of what they were doing be communicated to the community through the church bulletin, so that more interested people may be involved.

The BEC meeting adjourned after the fruitful discussion for a delicious pot-luck supper.

May God continue to bless our Outreach Team in their efforts to reach out to all peoples in line with our Mission towards transforming Humanity - which happens to be our Peninsular Malaysian Church Theme for 2015!

(Photos and Report by Joseph Wang)


Josephine Foong and Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam (Front Row)
Joshua Wong, Jenny Teo, Gerard and Rebecca Yeo, Mary Nathan and Sr. Carol (2nd Row)


Coordinator, Marianne Lim, giving her opening speech
Joshua Wong, sharing his experience as a member of the Post-flood Relief Committee
 Participants were divided into 5 discussion groups
Members of Group 1
Members of gorup 2
Group 4 members 
Group 3 members


Group 5 members

The participants watching the Video presentations

Francis Lai, giving his proposal

Participants listening to Francis

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, saying grace and blessing the food
Digging into the sumptious food
The youthful participants enjoying their supper.




Happy Vaisakhi to our Sikh Friends!


Around 15+ members from our church attended a special lunch in conjunction with Vaisakhi Celebrations at the Gurdawara Sahib Sikh Temple at Jalan Bayam from 12.30 - 1.30 pm. We wished our Sikh friends Happy Vaishaki! May God continue to bless this dyanamic and united group under the leadership of Mr. Gormok Singh.

Th entrance to the Gurdawara Sikh at Jalan Bayam

Celebrating a Happy Birthday!

Lunch time

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, Sr. Carol, Joseph Lim (from Chiengmai, Thailand), Jeswant Kau, Mrs. Gormok Sing.

Friends and former Classmates (Joseph Lim and Jeswant Kaur from Tumpat)

Dr. Choy and  Mary, Jovita and Noel enjoying their lunch

Gerard Yeo, Philip Tiau, Charlie Choo, Dorista 

Mr. and Mrs James Lee

Friday 10 April 2015

Bringing Cheer to a little Friend

A group of more than 20 adults and youths made a special visit to a little boy, Lee Cheng Shoon to bring him cheer on his birthday today. This little boy had an accident recently and is still undergoing rehabilitation at HUSM.
Led by Sr. Susan Thomas and members of the Post-flood Relief Committee and their families together with members of KCYS, the delegation brought much cheer to the family of Lee Cheng Shoon. With much fun and cheerful singing, the group brought smiles and laughter to their home, lifting their spirits.
As Tijan Ding (KCYS) commented in her facebook posting:
"Being rich isn't about what you have.. it's about what you give. The more you give, the more you will receive. God bless everyone! Thanks for the oppurtunity.. This boy will having his physioteraphy in HUSM twice a week, every monday and wednesday,10am-12pm.  Don't mind to say 'Hi' to him, in a way to make him feel welcome and to give him support !

(This activity coincides with our Mission towards transforming society - reaching out to society - which is our theme this year.)

(Photos courtesy of Jenny Teoh and Tijan Ding)

A joyful Choon Shoon with his family on his birthday
















The Youth forms an important part of the mission outreach to society

'Selfie' posted by KCYS member, Tijan



Saturday 4 April 2015

Good Friday, Holy Saturday -> Easter 2015


Easter Vigil . Holy Saturday 8.00 pm

Without Good Friday, there would be no Easter!

Jesus promises us:  He says "I am the Ressurection and The Life! Whoever believes in me, shall never die! And I will raise him up on the Last Day!" (John 11:25)


(Photos courtesy of Frederick Lim (Kuantan),  Josephine Foong, Jenny Teo and Joseph Wang)




The Easter Vigil began with the Service of the Light outside the church
The Paschal Candle
Marking the Paschal Candle
The Paschal Candle is lighted




The Altar Servers who carried out their duties faithfully throughout Holy Week

The Congregation on Holy Saturday waiting and watching in the stillness of the night.



Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, leading the procession into the churc

The congregation with their candles lighted from the Paschal Candle





The Celebrant with the communion ministers and altar servers and lectors


Service of the Light 

Our Cantor, Sr, Jackie sings beautifully the 'Exultet" or Easter Proclaimmation

The church is lighted up with hundreds of candles

The rite of Baptism being conferred on new members of the church.

Candidates for Confirmation line up in the front, awaiting His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam

"Be sealed with the Holy Spirit" 
The Youthful Choir singing joyfully the Easter Song
The Choir would not be complete without our veteran organist, Dr. David Pereira, and other musicians.

Blessing the congregation with newly blessed Holy Water

Beautiful floral decorations for Easter thanks to the Flower Ladies.








Friday, 3rd April, 4.30 pm

Good Friday
The Celebrant, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam  at the Good Friday Service, celebrating the Passion of the Lord

"Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world"  Our response: Come let us adore!

Adoration of the Holy Cross by the congregation