Launching of Extraordinary Year of Mercy

On 13 March 2015, Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Jubilee, which has its focus the mercy of God. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy, beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 2015 and concluding on 20 November 2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Why the Year of Mercy?

An opportunity for the whole Church which is in need of mercy to be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God's mercy for mankind

"How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every an and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God!"  - Pope Francis

Official Logo and Motto:

The motto: 'Merciful like the Father (Luke 6:36) is an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn, but to forgive and to give love without measure (Lk 6: 37-38).

The logo is that of the Son taking upon his shoulders the lost soul, demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation, culminating in redemption.

The logo has been designed so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity. He does so with a love that had the power to change one's life.

If you notice, the eyes of the Good shepherd are merged with those of man.

Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam, with the eyes of Christ.

It is our hope that every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, and through him, the love of the Father.

(Excerpt taken from the brochure of the Holy Year of Mercy, Penang Diocese)

The official logo and motto on the front page of the brochure.

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, celebrating the Feast of Immaculate Conception, and launching the Year of Mercy.

Pilgrim Churches and the Holy Door of Mercy
In Penang Diocese, Bishop Sebastian Francis, D.D. has designated 3 Pilgrim Churches as centres of prayer, reflection and recommitment, where everyone will have to make a pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a goal to reach, and requires dedication and sacrifice.
The pilgrimage churches are: Chruch of the Sacred Heart, Kampar, Chruch of St. Anne, Butkit Mertajam, and the Chruch of Divine Mercy, Penang Island.
A special feature to be found in these churches will be the Holy Door of Mercy.
According to the Pope, by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door "we will find the strength to embrace God's Mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful, with others as the Father has been merciful with us."

INVITATION TO CHRISTIANS OF OTHER CHURCHES AND 

PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS.

 The Year of Mercy is also an invitation to Christians of other churches and people of other faiths, to be touched by the mercy of God and to become themselves, people of mercy  What is required is a humble and repentant heart. They too can visit the pilgrimage churches, and spend time in prayer or quiet contemplation.  For example, a simple prayer such as , "Lord be merciful to me, a sinner" or "Lord, help me to be merciful to others. could be said.

24 hours Prayer Vigil

During Lent 2016, 5 - 6 March 2016, all are invited to participate in this 24 hour prayer Vigil in all churches will be held.

Blessed Birthday Archbishop!

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam who has been with us as the priest in residence since March 2015, will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday 6th December. 

On this happy occasion, we the parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Kota Bharu, would like to express our sincere thanks and best wishes to His Grace for being with us for the last ten months, faithfully celebrating the eucharist with us everyday (except when he had to attend conferences and retreats).

After Thanksgiving today, the choir led the congregation in singing the 'Happy Birthday' song as the big birthday cake was brought in by the 2 altar boys. His Grace was also presented with a 'Birthday Ang Pow' by Rosalind Wong, a member of the PPC.  Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam thanked the parishioners and said he was very happy to have been able to serve the parish. 

May God's blessings be upon your Grace, on your birthday and all the days to come!

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam with  the birthday cake

His grace, cutting the Birthday cake.

His Grace, thanking the parish in his apeech

The beautifully decorated Birthday Cake.

Christmas Penitential 2015

This morning, the church was packed to the full with parishioners who came for the Christmas Penitential Service. The weekend mass of the 2nd Sunday of Advent, with the theme 'Peace' was concelebrated by 2 visiting priests Rev. Fr. Nelson Joseph, from Christ the King, Sungei Petani, Rev. Fr. Henry Rajoo, from St. Anne's Bukit Mertajam together with Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam. 
In his homily delivered in Mandarin, BM and English, Fr. Henry Rajoo focused on the Infinite Mercy of God who sent us his beloved son, Jesus Christ, that we might be redeemed.  He pointed out the many passages from the Bible highlighted by Pope Francis which showed the merciful action of Jesus towards sinners.
After mass, many parishioners lined up for individual confession and the sacrament of reconciliation.

(Text and Photos by Joseph Wang)

Fr. Nelson Joseph and Fr. Henry Rajoo with Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam concelebrating the mass.

The church was packed to capacity

Aaron, leading the church choir singing their hearts out.

Christmas Penitential Service in progress.

Feast of Christ the King 2015

This weekend, we come to the end of the Church Liturgical year as we celebrate the 34th Sunday- the Last Sunday of the Year which is The Feast of Christ the King. 
Fr. Victor Louis, from Butterworth was with us on Friday to celebrate the week-end mass. (Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam was away for a Bishop Conference in Bangkok) 
Fr. Victor gave a very spirited homily, sharing with us the parable of the King and the Maiden by 19th Century Danish Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. (The Parable is shared below:)

Fr. Victor Louis celebrating the Feast of Christ the King with us.

Fr. Victor raising the Book of Gospels, before the Gospel Reading

A large turn up of members of KCYS  for their first meeting under Campus Ministry coordinator, Dr. David Pereira.


MY SHARING

Today we celebrate the 34^th and Last Sunday of the Year which is the Feast of Christ the King. Blessings to each one of you on this Feast Day of Christ the King. 

       I would like to share a parable written by a Danish 19^th Century Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. (I heard this story last Friday from Fr. Victor Louis who came to celebrate mass for us)

       SOREN  has told a story about a king who fell in love with a peasant girl. The king knew that it was impossible for him to marry the girl, for kings only married royalty and never married peasants. 

       If he married the girl and stayed king, there would always be something missing in their relationship. The girl would always admire the king but she could never really love him. The gap between them would be too great. She would always be conscious of the fact that he was royalty and she was merely a lowly peasant. 

       So the king decided on another plan. He decided that he would resign his kingship and become a lowly peasant himself. Then he would offer his love to her as one lowly peasant to another. The king realized, of course, that if he did this, the situation could backfire. He could lose not only his kingship but the girl as well. She might reject him, especially if she thought him foolish for doing what he did. So, the king had a problem. What should he do? 

       The king finally decided that he loved the peasant girl so much that he would risk everything to make true love between them possible. Kierkegaard never told how the story ended, whether the girl accepted the king’s love or rejected it.

       The King in the parable is Jesus. The peasant girl represents each one of us. Let us reflect how we respond….This story has no ending. The ending is left to us. We must each write our own.

       This parable is such a beautiful reflection of how King Jesus has pursued your heart…has pursued mine.  Paul described it this way in his letter to the  Philippians 2:6-11)

[Jesus] who, being in very nature God,

Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing,

Taking the very nature of a servant,

Being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled himself

And became obedient to death –

Even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

And gave him the name that is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

In heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that

       Jesus Christ is Lord,

       To the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11)

       Why would God do such a thing? Because He loves you and longs to have an intimate, personal relationship with you. It was a high price to pay, but Jesus’s love for us has no price.

       Jesus Christ is given the title, King of the Universe. King of Kings. He will come again a second time at the end of the world to judge the living and the dead.

       We must try out best to remain faithful to Him. Today there are more Christian martyrs than before. Christians are being tested. Keep watch. Pray for the strength to withstand any persecutions that come your way. Be prepared. The Day of the Lord will come when we least expect it.

       St. Paul tells us to be joyful and to give thanks always for God loves us, inspite of what pains we have encountered along the way.

       Let’s learn to share the love of Jesus with others whenever the opportunity arises.

Let’s Pray

Jesus, thank You for taking on the nature of a servant and being willing to be made in human likeness. Although you are the King of Kings and Lord of lords, thank You for humbling Yourself and becoming obedient even to death on a cross. I humble myself before You. I confess anew that You are my King and my Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

                 by  Joseph Wang  Sunday 22 Nov 2015

Cordial Visit to the Menteri Besar's Office

This morning, at 9.00 am, Bishop Sebastian Francis led a delegation of 5 from our Lady of Fatima Church for a cordial visit to the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, YAB Ustaz Dato' Hj Ahmad bin Yaakob. Unfortunately he was on leave, and we met the Deputy Menteri Besar, YB Dato' Mohd Amar bin Nik Abdullah and one of the State Exco member, YB Dato' Dr. Mohamed Fadzli bin Dato' Hj Hassan. Other members of the delegation were Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, Sr. Jackie, fmm, Noel Clement and myself.

          They were quite surprised to learn that Fatima was the name of a place in Portugal, and not the daughter of Prophet Mohammad. The Deputy Menteri Besar had studied comparative religion as one of his courses in university, and were enlightened to learn more about the church and Christianity in general. Bishop Sebastian also brought up the matter of renovations to St. Joseph's Chapel, Kuala Krai being not approved by the Majlis Daerah Kuala Krai, and the Deputy Menteri Besar promised to look into the matter.It was a cordial visit to further strengthen the good relationship between the local church and the state government.

                                         (Text and Photos by Joseph Wang)

The Archbishop and Bishop outside the Menteri Besar's Office

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, Bishop Sebastian Fancis, Noel Clement and Sr. Jackie

Members of the delegation being introduced to Menteri Besar's Representative.

Dato' Dr. Mohamed Fadzli,  State Exco  member, welcoming the delegation

YB Dato' Dr. Mohamed Fadzli  chatting with the Bishop and Archbishop

Sr. Jackie accepting a souvenir from the Deputy Menteri Besar, YB Dato'  Mohd Amar bin Nik Abdullah

Noel receiving a souvenir from the Deputy Menteri Besar

Members of our delegation in a group foto with the Administrative staff of the Menteri Besar's Office

Blessing of newly completed Fatima Columbarium

This morning, immediately after the weekend mass, His Grace, Most Rt. Rev. Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, solemnly blessed the newly completed Fatima Columbarium. Though small and simple but unique in design, the Fatima Columbarium has a peaceful atmosphere. The columbarium can accommodate up to more than a hundred niches for our beloved departed ones.. Designed and constructed by Noel Clement, the project took about 2 years. It was first mooted by Fr. Robert Daniel, approved by Bishop Sebastian Francis and undertaken by a committee led by Mr. Alex Poh, the former PPC Chairman. Parishioners now have a choice for their departed loved ones, either the Panji Christian Cemetery or the Fatima Columbarium.


                                                         (Photos and Text by Joseph Wang)

                                  Blessing the door of the Fatima Columbarium before entering

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakian blessing the Columbarium

Archbishop Murphy Pakiam with Srs. Jackie and Sr. Mary Anne Fletcher

Parishioners witnessing the Blessing 

Praying the rosary together after the blessing of the Columbarium

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, praying a decade of the Rosary with paishioners

The plaster ceiling with the Cross design by Noel

Sr. Mary Anne Fletcher, fmm beside the first 20 stainless steel niches at the Columbarium

All Saints and All Souls Day 2015

Former parishioners, Flora and Lawrence Nice and Teresa Lo were here to celebrate All Saint's Day and All Souls Day with us in Kota Bharu. At both masses, Archibishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam reminded us  that we are in communion with all the Saints and Holy Souls in Purgatory. and not to forget to pray for All souls in Purgatory.

Earlier on All Souls Day, the two cemetaries at Panji and Jalan Hamzah were blessed by his Grace.

A number of  parishioners prayed together for their relatives and friends who were buried there.

(Photos by Joseph Wang)

The 7.00 pm All Saints Day mass was well attended.

Reunion of former parishioners, Lawrence Nice, Teresa Lo and Flora Nice

Archbishop Emeritus, Murphy Pakiam celebrating the All Saints Day masses.

All Souls Day at 8.00 pm

Earlier, at 6.00 pm, the graves were blessed by the Archbishop.

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, leading the prayers at Jalan Hamzah cemetary.

The cemetary has been kept clean, thanks to the Kota Bharu Cemetary Committee.