Author Archives: Ken Wong

By Patrick Lan
BEC St Andrew under the jurisdiction of the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA) celebrated its feastday on November 30, 2017 in the home of one of its members with Mass.

It is the norm for the BECs in this parish to have the Eucharistic Celebration in the BEC to celebrate its feast day.

The BEC members were truly blessed with the presence of three priests, Fr Andrew Andrew Manickan OFM Cap, Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap and Fr Sebastian OFM Cap.

There were also two brothers, Bro Joseph and Bro Christie, present. The area Mass was well attended with 20 BEC families, BECCOT Chairperson Christine Danker, guests from Australia and faithful friends from BEC St John the Baptist.

As it was also his feastday, Fr Andrew was the main celebrant for the Mass.

In his sermon, Fr Sebastian shared that St Andrew was a fisherman, brother of Peter, a disciple of John the Baptist who later followed Christ. He posed a question to all of us asking if we were ready to follow Christ like St Andrew.

The feastday celebration ended with cake cutting by Fr Andrew followed by fellowship. We praise God for the active participation of our BEC members and the cohesive community.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): St Michael’s Church has welcomed Advent in a special way by coming up with a crib that’s in tune with the Penang diocese’s call to recycle, reduce and reuse.

Its crib and Christmas decorations this year are the work of BEC Chateau Gardens and Greentown, headed by its BEC coordinator, Agnes Wong.

With the theme Lights and Bright Christmas, some 20 volunteers of the BEC took part in decorating the church and created the crib starting from September. The Altar servers of SMC helped in putting up the decorations after the feast of Christ the King.

The crib itself is the focal point, using branches and twigs gathered from trees after they had been pruned, with palm leaves sheltering its roof.

There is a green forest of Christmas trees behind the manger and behind the main altar, giving the interior of the church a “green forest” look.

Lights have been put in between the palm leaves to light up the interior of the small crib.

The “carpenter” of the crib is Bernie Wong, who is from another BEC but has been making the St Michael’s cribs for several years now. Mary Jo Moh is the artist behind the work, with her clever decorator’s passion for Christmas and her love of handcrafted things.She was assisted by Dominic Chong.

Old pieces of planks obtained from a wooden house demolished at the car park area were salvaged and kept. These were then recycled and handpainted as large Christmas candles, and outdoor Christmas trees placed near the statue of St Michael. Huge poinsettias surrounded the Christmas candles placed in the church and outside. The poinsettias adorn the area above the Cry Room area and the choir loft.

In all, the BEC members made up 12 outdoor Christmas trees, painted them and decorated them with musical lyrics in English and Mandarin.

In the porch area, there is the Star of Bethlehem, surrounded by two angels.

Within the church, there are tapestries of the Nativity starting from the Annunciation and leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. These tapestries were meticulously handsewn by the same BEC several years ago, but have been re-used, because many of the parishioners admired them when they first came out.

All these things called for a great degree of emotional involvement as they put heart and soul into the process as well as a genuine sharing of self and time.

But perhaps the most wonderfully welcoming thing was the message in the sewn tapestries: that Christmas is all about the Hope, Peace and Love of Jesus Christ.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

By Paul Peter Fernandez
A cultural night held on Nov 18 showcased the many talents of the Catechism children of the Church of the Visitation.

With the theme Unity in Culture – One Lord for All and All for One Lord, the show brought together the children of four language groups from the primary to secondary schools and their teachers. By evening, the Visitation Community hall was filled to capacity by parents, catechists, relatives and parishioners.

Parish priest Fr George Harrison, in his opening speech, said the show exposed the wonderful and hidden talents of the children who were supported and encouraged by their parents, grandparents and catechists. He said the cultural show was a night to remember as part of the on-going celebration of the church’s 170 years anniversary celebration.

The show was emceed by Daryll Darshan and Audrey Sumitra Dass, both catechists themselves. Helping them was Wilson Yeo, Overseeing the running of the programme were Juliana Cantius, Anthony Param and Gerald Victor who provided the music. Also in attendance were Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Andrew Kooi and Jerome Selva Ratnam, the Chairperson of the 170 years anniversary celebration of the Church of the Visitation.

The first performance of the day was by 20 children from the Nursery and Kindergarten who were dressed in traditional costumes and greeted the audience in various languages.

The three-hour show saw a total of 23 performances. Among the performances were cultural folk, Portuguese and Bollywood dances, solo dance, singing by a children’s choir, a fashion show, a sketch and Wushu demonstration by two Form 3 girls. The singing of the 1985 song We are the World by the Standard 5 children got the audience singing along.

There was a short break for dinner cum fellowship.

The show then continued with performances by the secondary students. Some of the dances were choreographed by the students themselves.

In his closing speech, Fr George thanked all the parents, catechists and children for a wonderful show. After that, the catechists led by Anthony (Chief coordinator), performed a dance which got the audience cheering. The show ended at 11.00pm.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Archbishop Julian Leow was the main celebrant at the Mass for the Differently-Abled on Dec 3 at St Joseph’s Church. Fr Edwin Paul and parish priest, Fr George Packiasamy were the concelebrants.

In keeping with the theme The Unseen Brought to Light, the differently-abled took an active part in animating the Mass: an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) and the First Reader were wheelchair-bound, the Second Reader has autism and the commentator is visually-impaired. Other differently-abled persons from across the archdiocese (Catholic Ministry to the Deaf, Assisi Beloved Community, Faith & Light and Wheels) also took part as Hospitality Ministers and bearers of the Offertory gifts.

After Mass, there was fun at the Dewan Msgr Anthony Thomas, with various ministries performing. In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Eagle’s Wing Ministry at St Joseph’s Church, Archbishop Leow cut a cake and released helium-filled balloons as a sign of joy that differently-abled persons find in the love of Jesus, who enables them to fly beyond their perceived disabilities.

Parishioners and visitors were also able to purchase handcrafted items prepared by the differently-abled from the booths set up around the church grounds. A hearty lunch rounded off the day’s celebrations.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

1. At the meeting of the Regional Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in Majodi, Plentong from the 11-15  July 2016, it was confirmed that:

a)    The Fourth Sunday of Advent is observed on 24 December 2017 at the morning masses and the sunset masses (anticipated) on December 23;

b)    The Sunday evening Masses on  December  24 is to be treated as the Vigil or night masses for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord.

2. It is strongly encouraged that the faithful attend masses on both days (Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas) unless there is a just reason that impedes them from doing so.

3. In the case of the faithful being unable to attend both days due to a just reason, they are to observe some special way to pray or perform works of piety and charity.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TELIPOK – The first publication of the  Youth Ministry Team of Holy Family Parish here was launched by Father David Sham on 21 Oct 2017 at the parish hall.

Entitled Our Journey, it records the journey of the parish youth starting with the arrival of the Sabah Youth Day cross in 2015 until the end of Year of Mercy in Nov 2016.

Some 200 guests attended the simple launching ceremony including Father Mitchelly Kiun, assistant pastor, Father Paul Lo, former assistant pastor, and Franciscan Sister Terry Loukang, coordinator of the Archdiocesan Youth and Pastoral Team.

Fr Sham said this is one of the good ways for the youth to share their faith journey through pictures and stories documented in the book. He encouraged every family to purchase a copy as a way to share the good news with their family members and communities.

The book is now on sale at RM30 and there are still about 60 copies left (at the time of printing) since the launching. Those who are interested to get a copy may contact Leo Chong at 016-8231993. – Leo Chong

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Kota Kinabalu High School (KK High School) ogranised a faith-deepening seminar for the Catholic students on 27 Nov 2017 at the school hall.

Sixty students – mostly Form Five – attended the seminar.

The main speakers were Franciscan Sister Dora Obod and Ms Imelda from the Archdiocesan Youth Commission and Father Paul Lo of Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing.

The objective of the seminar was to help soon-to-be school leavers to deepen their faith so that they will still attend Mass when they leave home.

Sr Dora and Imelda handled the first session on the meaning of Mass.  The sister led the students to reflect on their blessings and their purpose in life while Imelda shared her experiences as a student.

In his session, Fr Lo explained the important areas of Catholic Apologetics. This was followed by a question and answer session.

He urged the students to truly understand the faith they are embracing and to live it out. In that way, only then can they answer any questions with a strong conviction and firm belief. – Grace Phan Yiing Ling

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The change of directors of both initiation formation houses was formally announced at the closing of the Academic Year of Aspirants and Initiation Year (IY) on 14 Dec 2017.

Archbishop John Wong announced this in his speech at the fellowship after the Mass at the IY Formation House here.

Father Mattheus Luta takes over from Father Rayner Bisius as IY Director while Father Joshua Liew replaces Father Wilfred Atin as Aspirants Director with effect from 1 January 2018.

In his speech, Abp Wong thanked those who had helped in one way or another in the formative journey of the aspirants and seminarians.

He exhorted the students to appreciate the formation they had received in the course of the year and hoped it will be useful as they go on their formative journey.

In his final address to the formands,  Fr Atin told them to entrust their lives to God as “they cannot do it alone.”

Fr Rayner gave a similar message and said he enjoyed his time with them.

Abp Wong presided at the Mass concelebrated with the incoming and outgoing directors, as well as with Father Paul Lo (lecturer), and Father Thomas Madanan (spiritual director).

Dinner followed at the square but due to the rainy weather, it was moved to the dining hall.

The event closed with the formands serenading the guests with Christmas carols after the presentation of tokens to the teachers, lecturers, and benefactors

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Sesi ini dimulakan dengan satu games sebagai pembuka acara. Kemudiannya diikuti dengan doa dan “Jelly Bean Party”. Tim telah dibahagikan kepada empat kumpulan dan masing – masing diberikan tempat untuk acara “Jelly Bean Party” ini. Dalam aktiviti ini, setiap seorang ahli diberikan peranan yang perlu dilaksanakan di sepanjang “party” tersebut.

Antara peranan – peranan yang diberikan adalah seorang yang pendiam dan tidak suka bergaul, seorang yang suka mengumpul warna gula-gula yang digemari, seorang yang cuba untuk mengumpulkan ahli-ahli untuk berdoa dan mencuci tangan sebelum makan dan seterusnya.

Pengerusi Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki Tawau, Roland Matthew, menyampaikan token penghargaan kepada Sr. Maria Dipal, rgs

Program bersama Sr. Maria Dipal,rgs diakhiri dengan sesi rekonsilasi – mencuci kaki atau tangan teman – teman seperjuangan dalam pelayanan terutama sekali pelayanan dalam penganjuran YLC yang ke 6. Meskipun masa sangat terhad, namun peserta – peserta program ini diharapkan dapat mendapat manfaat untuk menjadi seorang pemimpin belia menurut Yesus Kristus.

Article reproduced from Diocese of Sandakan

Sandakan: Instead of shopping each day in December, there’s a way to enjoy advent weeks while helping others. At that point, there are numerous charities in every parish with their own initiative to give a helping hand for those who are in need of love and joy in preparation for the coming Christmas. Last year, the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community had done their charity work with the same underprivileged families and this year, on 10^thDecember, once again they did the same act of kindness by inviting other church members to make their action advent by bringing the joy of Christmas to these families. It was a lovely, communal way for them to gather and donate to people in need.

“It also helps us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ by showing our charity to people in genuine need. Though this advent action is just a small act of kindness, it adds up a great difference for vulnerable people,” said SYCC elder Bro. Philip Mosinoh.

According to Bro. Michael Lai, it is in giving that the true meaning of Christmas becomes a reality. This advent is a time for JOY (Jesus – Others – You). It means Jesus first, others are second, and last is yourself!

As the members came bringing the goodies and some clothing donations to their homes,  the joy and happiness clearly shown in each one of the children’s faces. When they were asked why they are so happy, spontaneously and joyfully they said in Malay, “Sebab Hari Krismas” (Because it is Christmas).

Indeed, it made a huge difference to those receiving the gifts and clothes, but likewise also to those giving. Obviously, a mere spoonful of forethought on Jesus’ coming can turn this Advent into action. Hence, an absolutely “joyful hope” shared with others through a humble  preparation for the second coming of Christ

Distributing goodies to the children

Article reproduced from Diocese of Sandakan