Air Tawar parish celebrates Feast of St Anne

AIR TAWAR, Perak: The Feast of St Anne is celebrated annually at the Chapel of St Anne in the outskirts of the Church of St Francis de Sales, Sitiawan. Pilgrims from far and near including a group from the Church of Sacred Heart, Peel Road, Kuala Lumpur, gathered to deepen and strengthen their faith as well as their love and affection to the grandparents of Jesus. St Joachim and St Anne are beautiful models for parents and grandparents who live and face the uncertainties of life with trust, faith, confidence, hope, prayer and surrender.

The theme chosen for the four days (Aug 1-4) focused on the family. The first day began with flag raising. The Novena in honour of Sts Joachim and Anne was followed by the multilingual Mass celebrated by Fr James Pitchay assisted by the parish priest, Fr Vincent Paul. On the third day, anointing of the sick was followed by a multilingual Mass. Each anointed person was gifted with a bottle of holy water.

On the feastday, Fr Francis Xavier, from Teluk Intan parish, was the main celebrant, with Fr Vincent Paul and Fr James concelebrating. After the Eucharistic celebration, a candle light procession was held, followed by Benediction.

The homily each day was meaningful and challenged family life with the following themes: Family strengthened by Faith in God, Family called to serve others, Family — cradle of vocations and Family gives birth to mission. Pilgrims present at the celebration were invited to imitate the first holy family of St Joachim, St Anne and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The parents of Mary nurtured her, brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God which led Mary to respond to God’s request in faith. Are we, as parents and grandparents, ready to follow in the footsteps of St Joachim and St Anne?

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online