MY VOCATION STORY BY SR. WINNIE VUN

 

My Vocation Journey…

By Sr. Winnie Vun, fmm

To be a ‘missionary monk’ was my childhood dream. This idea came to me after my Buddhist father brought us to watch ‘The Life of the Little Monk’. Three things that caught my attention were ‘Meditating, Begging, and Helping.’ I was happy when my father assured me that one day I could be a monk.

My dream changed after I read the Book of Revelations chapter 20/21 on the ‘new heaven and a new earth’ and ‘Life after death’. Who will be my saviour then? Finally, after a few trials, I got baptised. As a newly baptised, I felt the need to be part of the church, so I joined the Prayer Meeting group at Jesus Caritas.  I remember the words that touched me were, ‘Come, I call you by your name’, the same words came to me during the youth camp organised by ASAYO, I became a bit uneasy because of these words that kept on following me. This became clearer when I saw the advertisement on vocations. Without wasting time; I thanked the Lord for calling me to be His instrument, so I began to fill the Franciscan priest form for my younger brother (without his knowledge!) and I changed his signature and the contact number, but the signature looked so miserable that I decided to write my name as small as I could so that the one who received it would not see it! After a few weeks, the reply came to me when one of the FMM sisters called me. After a long chat, I told her that I was not interested in religious life and actually the form I filled up was for my brother!

The Sister didn’t give up, she kept on calling me and I kept on trying to escape by making all kinds of excuses - till one day I told myself, “I will see her face to face”. So I went to see her, I was so happy to see with her a missionary sister from Vietnam. After that, I was the one who always called that Sister! After a few meetings with her and a week of retreat, I decided to resign from my job and stay in the convent for a month and following that, three months in my hometown. Finally, I made my decision: to say good bye to my boyfriend and I flew to Kuala Terengganu, for the first stage of my formation.

19^th March 2010, the Feast of St Joseph, I enter into pre-novitiate.  There were quite a few times that I wanted to go home but I still remained in the convent. 2011. It was time for novitiate, I felt reluctant to write an application letter, I went to the chapel, I told Jesus everything, that I couldn’t continue this way of life and by the time I finished my complaint and just before I made the sign of the cross, I began to cry…I felt Jesus embracing me and saying, “My child, I call you by your name…come…” The next day I wrote my application letter to the provincial to tell her that I was ready to proceed to the next stage of formation.

19^th Mac 2012, the Feast of St Joseph. Entry into Novitiate. This was the place where I found my home and God’s voice became clearer to me. I faced many challenges but I always went back to Jesus.

In 2018, as a young religious I was sent to Sri Lanka for more formation and I witnessed the bomb blast damage at a few churches and even the convent where I stayed was almost destroyed by the bomb but thank God the sisters were quick to take action. In the midst of chaos, I asked the local sisters to allow me to visit the victims and help at the relief centre. My request was granted. My Provincial in Malaysia asked me if I wanted to come back to Malaysia, my answer was ‘No’. As a missionary I felt ready to face the uncertainty of life because Jesus is with me.  

Today, 8^th Dec 2021. The Feast of Immaculate of Conception and the closing of the Year of St Joseph.  I make my perpetual profession. What are the double joy it was for me. First, to be finally professed and second to be sent Ghana/ Liberia as a missionary. As our foundress says, ‘We have only one homeland but the whole world is ours; so be fruitful wherever you are sent.’

I would like to thank all who have journeyed directly or indirectly with me and made my journey smooth, challenging and full of excitement.

 

By; Sr Winnie Vun,  FMM

     Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary Kota Bharu

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2021

Sr. Winnie Vun sharing her Vocation Story

71st ANNIVERSARY PARISH FEAST DAY CELEBRATION ON-LINE

 

Kota Bharu, Thursday 7^th October 2021

Since the Pandemic and the onset of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from March this year, all parish activities ceased and parishioners could not come together even for the weekly Friday masses. The parish was forced to celebrate our Parish Feast Day, in a unique way for the first time in her history, by holding Rosary, Novena and Mass on-line. Using the ‘Zoom’ platform, Fr. Francis Andrew with assistance from the Parish Pastoral Council led by Mr. Gerard Yeo, and technical help from FMM Sisters, Sr. Angeline Poh and Sr. Winnie Vun,  Agnes Lee and a number of volunteers, the celebration got underway for the last 5 days. 

The overall Theme was: ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God’.  Starting from Sunday, 3^rd October, the 5-day celebrations began at 8.00 pm with Recitation of the Rosary, followed by Novena Prayers and Litany of the Blessed Virgin and ended with Prayers to Our Lady of Fatima. Mass was then celebrated by Fr. Francis Andrew. The Gospel was proclaimed by invited guest preachers who also preached the Homily for the day.

On the first day, parishioners and participants were pleasantly surprised by none other than His Grace, Rt. Rev. Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur. Archbishop Julian preached on the theme, “Mary, Queen of Peace”

On the second day, the invited guest preacher was Fr. Dominic Santhiyagu from Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth who preached on the theme” ‘Mary, Refuge of sinners’.

The third day’s theme was ‘Mary, Comfort of the afflicted’. The homily was delivered by Fr. Edmund Woon from St. Joseph’s Church, Batu Gajah.

On the Fourth day, Fr. Moses Rayappan from the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Melaka gave the homily on ‘Mary, Mother of Hope’

The 5-days’ celebration culminated on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on 7^th October 2021 and the special invited speaker was none other than our own Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang Diocese.  In his introduction, Bishop Sebastian  said he was impressed with the Kelantanese custom of dressing up even at the Market (referring to Pasar Besar Siti Khatijah, Kota Bharu ) and He was fully dressed in his vestments with his Mitre during his homily on the theme:  ‘Mary, Mother Most Loveable’.

Throughout the 5-days’ celebration, more than 50 – 70  participants were  on-line (parishioners and others from Setiawan, KL, Melaka, and even Singapore, Sabah and Indonesia) to attend the rosary, novena and mass.

“It was a beautifully well-coordinated event, despite being the first time we are doing this on-line, with minimum technical know-how, we managed to bring together the people of the parish even though we could not physically be together” commented a participant.

By Joseph Wang

Beautifully decorated statue of Our Lady of Fatima

Fr. Francis Andrew saying mass for the 5-Days celebration

Archbishop Julian Liow speaking on First Day on' Mary, Queen of Peace'

Fr. Dominic Santiago speaking on 2nd Day's theme: "Mary, Refuge of Sinners"

Fr. Edmund Woon speaking on 3rd Day 'Mary, Comfort of the Afflicted'

Fr. Moses Rayappan giving his homily on 'Mary, Mother of Hope'

Bishop Sebastian Francis was with us on our actual Feastday, 7th October 2021

 Bishop Sebastian Francis said he was impressed with the Kelantanese custom of dressing up even at the market. (Above: a photo of the colorful Pasar Beasr Siti Katijah , Kota Bharu)

Bishop Sebastian Francis was with us on the actual Feast Day on 7th October 2021
with some of the participants on zoom

More participants who followed the celebrations online

Fr. Francis Andrew and all parishioners wishing Sr. Angeline Poh a Happy Birthday whose birthday falls on the 7th October!

70th ANNIVERSARY and PARISH FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS

 

Thursday, 8^th October 2020 7.00 pm

            The Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary Kota Bharu celebrated her 70^th Anniversary this evening beginning with Rosary and Novena at 7.00 pm. The Eucharist was celebrated by  Fr. Francis Andrew as our invited Main celebrant, Rt. Rev. Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur had to cancel his plans due to the CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Orders).The theme for tonight’s celebration was “Prayerful like Mary."

            Fr. Francis reminded us that Mary, who said Yes’ to her call by God to be the mother of Jesus, our Saviour was prayerful always. She asked the 3 children at Fatima to pray the rosary constantly.

            After the mass, all parishioners prayed the rosary led by Billy Teoh. Fr. Francis blessed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and  concluded with Benediction.  Speeches by the PPC Vice-chairman, Mr. Joseph Wang who spoke on behalf of PPC Chairman, Mr. Gerard Yeo and the parish priest, Fr. Francis Andrew.

            Our thanks to Fr. Francis for his faithfulness and conviction to hold this year’s 70^th Anniversary Celebrations despite the Pandemic.  And thank you to every member of the Parish Feast day committee who gave their best to make this year’s celebration a joyful and successful one.

            In conjunction with the celebrations, a special edition of the 70th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine entitled " Our 70 Years of Gratitude" has been published. The brainchild of Fr. Francis Andrew, it was the culmination of many months of hard work by the Editorial team headed by Joseph Wang. Containing a bit of everything on the parish, from its history to the present, it presents an almost complete record of the parish structures, organizations, events and activities carried out through the last 70 years, not forgetting the FMM sisters. Messages from Cardinal Soter Fernandez, Apostoplic Nuncio, Bishop Sebastian Francis, former parish priests, sharings by former FMM sisters, and former parishioners give readers a vivid impression of their personal experience of the parish.

            Former parishioners  may order a copy of the above magazine from the editor. (please pm/ whatsapp +60126567175)

The 70th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

The main banner showing the past and present history of the parish 

The altar was set up on special stage in Fatima Hall

Beautifully decorated Altar by the Flower Ladies 

Beautifully decorated statue of Our Lady of Fatima

Main poster of the celebration

Participants of the First Day Triduum mass at Fatima Hall.

Fr. Francis Andrew reading the Gospel

Beautiful willow tree with decorative lights

Trees in the Fatima field lighted up beautifully.

SPECIAL MASS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

 

Thursday, 8^th October 2020 11.00 am

This morning, a special mass was held for the senior citizens of the parish. About 20 senior parishioners were present to celebrate the eucharist which most of them were attending for the first time after almost 6 months of hibernation due to the Pandemic.

Fr. Francis celebrated the mass for them in conjunction with  World Senior Citizens’ Day. We remember and  wish to thank all our senior citizens who have given their time and talents to build up the younger generation and enrich the church. May they continue to be present and to be a source of wisdom for us,

Rosalind Wong commentator for the Senior Citizens' Mass

Sr. Enid Lopez, first Lector and Psalmist

Josephine Foong, 2nd Lector in BM

Fr. Francis, reading the Gospel

Fr. Francis blessing the food prepared for the senior citizens after mass.

THE SANCTUARY

(an FMM sister  takes a deeper look at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima as sanctuary)

Every parish has its own character and this is determined by its setting, its leaders and most important of all, its families, its people.

Our Lady of Fatima beautifully decorated for our 70th Anniversary in Fatima Hall

In the smaller parishes of the East Coast, fraternity has a better chance to flourish. Kota Bharu is no exception.

Coming into the compound from the crazy thundering traffic of Jalan Kuala Krai,  you find yourself driving into a sanctuary of green grass, feathery palms and fir trees. The scenario is restful and peaceful.

Move in further, and you will see weeping willow, marguerites, periwinkles and ixoras adding grace and humble colour to the spacious surroundings of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary. Alongside the Church is Fatima Hall,  forming one building in sisterly accompaniment.

Sanctuaries are usually hidden away and unnoticed. It can take some time to notice the dynamics before you discover the sanctuary of kindness and family spirit that is so quietly present in this parish. 

There is a nucleus of families that make up the core of this church. They are most likely the offspring of the collection of families that grouped around the first parish priests and the earliest fmms (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) in the 1960's.  I use the word nucleus because it is this group of families that keep in touch with the other catholic families on the outskirts of Kota Bharu such as in Tumpat or Pasir Mas, people you don't often see around because of distance and transport constraints but if one of them falls ill or dies, this core group will be present at the house, ready to comfort or serve. These links are very old and deep.

Visitors from the West Coast of Malaysia, and many young students mostly from Sabah and Sarawak from the many campuses around Kota Bharu are encouraged to discover in this church, friendship and a place to belong. The students had a definite role to play: they help to animate the weekend masses, Friday after Friday (before the Pandemic). They became an integral part of the Body. (of Christ)

" The Lord is present in His Sanctuary! Let us praise the Lord"

by Sr. Enid Lopez, fmm

The Beautiful Fatima Sanctuary 

                                         Newly landscapped garden at the entrance to Fatima Hall

Beautifully decorated altar by the Flower ladies for the Parish Feast day 2020 for the 70th Anniversary

The Willow tree lighted up at night