Author Archives: Ken Wong

KOTA KINABALU – The Couples for Christ – Handmaids of the Lord (CFC-HOLD)’s 8th echo conference focused on faith journey was held at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre on 23 Sept 2017.

An Echo Conference is a local duplication of the annual HOLD International Conference (ICON) held in April in Manila attended by some of the key members.  These members then return to their respective countries and organise similar conferences.

This year’s theme was My Heart in Your Hands (1 Cor 16:13-14).  The conference began with rosary recitation and Holy Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel presided by Father Paul Lo, CFC Spiritual Adviser.

In the conference, divided into five sessions comprising talks, testimonies and creative expressions, the 160-strong participants were brought to awareness the different stages in the faith journey.

In Session 1: Journey of Faith, Teresa Michael-Majanil presented the different stages in the journey of faith using Thomas Cole’s four paintings entitled The Voyage of Life.

In the second session, Crisis in Faith, Wendy Chin elaborated on the many challenges faced by the Church in Corinth and in society today such as division, lax morality, power struggle, desire for self-aggrandisement, secularism, moral relativism, materialism, and rationalisation as well the reality of the culture of death and killing.

The third session, Staying the Course, Ivy Henry Majanil touched on spiritual warfare and the tactics used by Satan: deception, division, diversion, and discouragement.  She said the CFC theme of standing firm in faith points out the ways to counter the devilish tactics through understanding well the catechism lived and learnt through the basic prayers, sacraments, church and family traditions.

In the fourth session, Warriors on Our Knees, Karen Sigawal spelt out the vocation of the laity to holiness lived out in daily life.  She pointed out that courage/endurance is needed to do God’s will and to receive what He has promised.  The obstacles to courage are excessive fear, sloth or laziness, fatigue and loneliness and their antidotes are magnanimity, patience, humility and determination.

In the fifth and final session, My Heart in Your Hands, Anne Labadin-Majanil showed the participants how love is the weapon in God’s plan of attack in spiritual warfare – love for God and for others in concrete actions – as depicted in Joshua 6.  It was Joshua’s love for God that won the battle of Jericho – a love that trusted, did not question but simply obeyed.  She led the participants to place their hearts in God’s loving hands – wounded hands that will hold their hearts close to His own heart, entailing a deep prayer life, total obedience to Him, union with Him in Holy Communion, and a life of service to Him and others.

The one-day conference ended with a praise fest.

The Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) target mature women, regardless of status, or situation, from ages forty-one (41) and above. The ministry has a three-fold mission: personal transformation, evangelisation to bring her family and others especially women to a renewed life in the Lord, and wholehearted service to bring glad tidings to the poor. It provides a strong teaching track, special teachings for women in different states of life, and a leadership programme to equip leaders to be more effective and better servants. The mission promotes the missionary spirit among leaders to realise its vision.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Congratulations to our newly ordained priest, Rev. Fr. Galvin Richard Ngumbang on your sacerdotal ordination earlier this morning. To God be the Glory!

PENANG: Beautiful voices rang out at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on July 30. Those who attended the concert by the Magnificat Choir from Medan, Indonesia, were given a rare treat of songs and dances for nearly two hours. This amazing choir of more than 80 members from Paroki Santo Antonius, Medan is under the directorship of Pastor Redemptus Simamora, OFM (Capuchin), assisted by Kristin Ratnasari.

Pastor Redemptus shared, “After studying sacred music, vocals, instruments, composing and arrangement in Rome for five years, I returned to Medan, formed a parish based choir and was with it for 20 years. Since I had the knowledge and experience, I thought I would put together Magnificat. It was challenging as I had to travel to the surrounding Catholic schools to recruit the singers and carry out auditioning. The choir members need to be disciplined as we have practices on Saturdays and Sundays from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. With generous donors, we have been able to perform not only within Medan, but have ventured out to Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Singapore and now Penang. Our dream is to be given the opportunity to sing in front of the Pope!”–By Stephanie Cheong

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PENANG: The Penang State Government, Stonyhurst College, and LAPIS announced on September 17 the development of Stonyhurst Penang International School in Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjong Tokong, Penang. It will attract both international and Malaysian students from the region to study in Malaysia, in line with the Penang State Government’s vision to develop Penang as an Education Hub.

The school, which will accommodate up to 1,200 local and international pupils aged 3 to 18, will be operated by Stonyhurst College upon completion in 2019. The school will offer both a British curriculum to prepare students for entry into the best UK and international universities and some Malaysian subjects for local students.

The Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Lim Guan Eng, witnessed the signing of the key agreements on this landmark collaboration involving the Penang State Government, LAPIS, and Stonyhurst.

Head Teacher of Stonyhurst, Mr John Browne commented, “Stonyhurst College was founded in 1593 and has a proud Jesuit heritage and culture. I am honoured and moved to be part of a new chapter in its history, by signing this agreement with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. The opening of Stonyhurst College in Malaysia is an historic milestone for the school and one which I sincerely hope will benefit both the community of the school and the wider community around it.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors of Stonyhurst College, Mr John Cowdall said, “As Chair of the Board of Governors, it gives me the most enormous pleasure to witness the signing of the agreement which will allow Stonyhurst College to have a presence in Malaysia. The Board of Governors has given this historic development a great deal of consideration and we are delighted to have reached this significant stage. We are all committed to seeing this extraordinary project come to fruition.”

Director of LAPIS, Mr Michael Sng added: “LAPIS is proud to build on its success with St Joseph’s Institution International School in Kuala Lumpur to form a partnership with Stonyhurst in Penang. This has tremendous potential as the Penang State Government continues to successfully attract high quality foreign investment.”

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PETALING JAYA: More than 100 Catechists and RE (Religious Education) Coordinators from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur gathered at the Assumption Church on September 9 to attend a Formation on “Classroom Management” organised by the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Catechetical Commission (KLACC) and presented by the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Fr Alvin Ho, SJ.

Fr Ho first asked all present what their understanding of the phrase “Classroom Management” was. Many responses were given, including disciplining the students, preparing clear lesson plans and positive two-way communication between teacher and student. Fr Ho then explained that Classroom Management is the process by which teachers and schools create and maintain appropriate behaviour of students in classroom settings. The purpose is to enhance prosocial behaviour and increase student academic engagement. However, he stressed that more intensive programmes may be needed by some students.

Fr Ho encouraged the Catechists to establish and sustain an orderly environment in the classroom. Some methods of doing this would be to treat all students equally and consistently and to use technology by creating interesting material (especially for the younger students). He also suggested that students not be given homework but that their class time should be utilised to the fullest.

In order to prevent future discipline problems and to deal with current ones, Catechists should set Class Rules at the beginning of the year and make sure that these rules are strictly adhered to by the students, the parents and the Catechists. A Catechist must “walk the talk” before expecting the same from their students.

Another tool that Catechists can use is “Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)”. Catechists should not use negative words such as “Do not do…” but, instead, use positive terms like “I would like you to do…”. Students should also play a role in developing what is expected of them so that they can be involved in the process and are invested in the classroom environment.

Fr Ho continued with recommendations for the Catechists to set and follow basic classroom management principles and also reminded the Catechists that their success is in their students’ “Spiritual Growth”.

The first thing that a Catechist should do is to introduce themselves to the class by writing their name on the board so that the students can clearly identify them. Students should learn from Level 1 onwards that everything they learn in class is focused on Jesus Christ as the Malaysian Catechetical Series (MCS) is very Christo-centric. The more the students learn about Jesus Christ, the more they will grow in their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Rules, procedures and routines should be developed from the beginning. Students should also be informed of tasks/activities ahead of time so that they can adequately prepare, participate and contribute effectively.

The Catechists’ job is also to train their students to be leaders, both for the Church and also the Civil Service. Catechists should plan class activities that encourage their students to develop leadership skills. Camps should also be organised for all levels so that potential leaders can be identified and nurtured. Every student has the potential to be a Priest, a Religious or a Church/Civil Service leader provided they receive the proper instructions from a young age.–By Genevieve Bois

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

JOHOR BAHRU: “The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you.” These words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, were used to begin the talks in the Diocese of Malacca Johore recently.

From September 6-10, 2017, the Malacca Johore School of Witness (MJSOW) accompanied a specially invited speaker on a diocese- wide formation tour. The invited speaker, Fr Terence Wee CSsR, who was a Melaka boy albeit having been based in Singapore in recent years for his religious and pastoral ministry, shared on the above topic. These talks were delivered in English and Mandarin in Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat and Melaka.

Having defined evangelisation as the sharing of the Good News, Fr Terence identified JOY as a crucial element in one’s witnessing of the Gospel. He explained that this joy is not an absence of challenges in life but, rather, one that could not be diminished by suffering.

He also identified LOVE as another element in evangelisation. Love, according to the speaker, is not a feeling but a choice. Part of the Christian challenge is to love others, despite how we may feel in our relationships with others.

The other important element in Christian witness is HOPE. Living in a context that capitalises negative news most of the time, Christians should be people who are able to see hope in seemingly bleak situations.

One other element not to missed in evangelisation is MERCY. This means acknowledging the godliness and beauty of people and inviting them to grow in this beauty, instead of condemning them. It means affirming the dignity of people whom we encounter.

Fr Terence thereafter moved on to share three crucial principles for creative evangelisation.

The first principle is SIMPLICITY. He explained that creative evangelisation does not mean attempting to use complex ways to evangelise, or using means that are beyond our reach. Rather, our focus should be on the most simple ways, through a simple offer of friendliness, the simple sharing of life experiences and, sometimes, by simply being present to someone who needs our company. In relation to this, simplicity also means being authentic and real in embracing our imperfections and limitations.

The second principle in creative evangelisation is CONNECTION with people. The core of the Christian faith, according to the speaker, is relationship. Relating with people means knowing ourselves well and presenting ourselves as we really are, without putting on a false front. Being sincerely interested in people — being present to them — is an important quality in our Christian witness.

The third principle in creative evangelisation is IMAGINATION. The participants were invited to imagine how the Good News could be shared differently. The speaker mentioned various platforms such as the creative arts, technology, and sports as effective means for this purpose. Creativity requires us to see new possibilities in our routineness and in how we share the Good News in our daily life.

Participants shared that they found the talks simple, practical and rather heartwarming. The sincerity and honesty of the speaker drew them into the message that was shared, hence they found themselves inspired to simplify, connect, and imagine!

The Malacca Johore School of Witness (MJSOW) aims to invite Christians into a deeper life of discipleship so that they emerge as effective witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To this end, it runs annual formation modules to inspire the lay faithful of the diocese to live a missionary way of life.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

ROMPIN, Pahang: Members of BEC St Jude, from the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, had their fourth visit to the Orang Asal (OA) of Kampung Patah Pisau recently. They were accompanied by Archbishop Julian Leow.

Archbishop Leow assisted the BEC members to unload and distribute food to the residents. He also spoke to as many OA as he could, from the toddlers to the elder folks, advising the adults on the importance of education, listening and also advising them.

Archbishop Leow also inspected the surroundings, noted the murky river water that is used for drinking and bathing, and gamely traipsed across the shaky makeshift bridge to speak and deliver goods to other OA.

In between follow-up visits to Kampung Patah Pisau, members of St Jude’s BEC donated in cash or kind, via the Assumption Church Migrant and Orang Asal Ministry coordinator John Chin, towards the village’s infrastructural development.

The population of the village has grown from 10 families in 2014 to 26 families. Two new tanks have been mounted to contain larger volumes of water. The recently constructed headman’s concrete house has been painted a Marian blue. There is also a new concrete community hall.

The outreach effort by St Jude’s BEC has raised the living standards of Kampung Patah Pisau. They initially did not even have drinking water. Now, they have water filters for better quality water.

It is hoped that the OA will eventually be self-sustaining with an area to plant cash crops and not be overly dependent on handouts by visiting groups.

As outreach groups work to uplift the lives of the OA, it is our aspiration that their children will have some form of education, and remain in mainstream or vocational schools until Form V so that they have some skills to earn a regular income.

We are also happy to note that non-Christians too are coming together to clothe and feed the OA. Our BEC of St Jude’s determination to improve the lives of the residents of Kampung Patah Pisau is yielding positive results on countering malnourishment and, at a slower pace, ignorance.

Praise must be extended to the commitment of OA Ministry volunteers John Chin, Kenny Lee, Matthew Loke, Shaun Miranda, Katherine Boon and others who make very regular trips into the interiors to aid as many OAs as possible. So far, they have covered 80 settlements and counting. But more help from the public or corporate sector as part of their CSR would be most helpful.

As these settlements were recently discovered by John Chin and other volunteers from Assumption Church, efforts are being made to source for donations to construct wells there.–By Ivy Tan

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

SANDAKAN: The English Sunday School organised a retreat for the students on 26-29 Aug 2017 at the Fr Mulders Catechetical Centre here.

The retreat combined fun, team building activities, teaching sessions, faith sharing, group discussion with prayer experiences, journaling, praise and worship. The retreat also helped the participants to enter into the timelessness of God and see Christ in their past, know Him in the present, and follow Him into eternity.

The retreat was a collaborative effort between the Sunday School (English) and Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and his team of experienced facilitators, Jen, Jerlyn and Bridget (Aunty B).

Some parents were concerned whether they have made the right decisions in sending their children to the retreat and missing their tuition, extra class in school, etc, but the joyful faces of their children at the end of the retreat said it all.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PETALING JAYA: “I send you forth to mission Christ in… Malaysia!” With these words of commission from her Provincial Superior Sr Susan Thomas, Sr Angeline Poh of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) finally knew where she has been Called by LOVE to Love. This was the theme of the Eucharistic Celebration on the occasion of the perpetual profession of Sr Angeline at St Ignatius Church (SIC) on September 17 at 6.00pm.

His Grace Archbishop Julian Leow was the main celebrant with SIC Parish Priest Fr Andrew Wong CDD, SIC Assistant Parish Priest Fr Lawrence Ng CDD, Fr Francis Ng CDD, Fr Alvin Ho SJ (Priest in Residence, Church of the Assumption, Petaling Jaya), Fr Paul Cheong OFM Cap, Fr Christopher Soosaipillai (Parish Priest, Church of the Good Shepherd, Setapak), Fr Norris Seenivasan SJ and Fr Mark Tee (Montfort Boys Town) as concelebrants.

SIC parishioners observed the proceedings attentively as it was a rare occasion — the last perpetual profession took place at SIC more than two decades ago. The Ceremony of Perpetual Profession involved Sr Poh making her vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, pronouncement of perpetual vows, receiving a candle and ring as a sign of consecration to Christ, solemn blessing by Archbishop Leow and affirmation of acceptance by FMM Sisters and the church.

Sr Poh then signed the documents of profession with the Archbishop and her Provincial Superior as witnesses. The final profession of a Franciscan Missionary of Mary is a very significant moment in the life of a sister as she is totally consecrated to God for the purpose of building up His Kingdom.

Towards the end of Mass, Sr Poh received a lighted candle symbolising the light of Christ and a missionary crucifix to remind her of her promise to follow Christ in his mission of salvation. She then gave a short account of her life journey and thanked the people who have helped her to this momentous milestone in her life.

A fellowship dinner was held at the Rooftop of the Costantini Community Centre after Mass to celebrate this joyous occasion. It was attended by priests, religious, parishioners, well-wishers and Sr Poh’s family members and friends.

SIC is proud to have hosted this event and wish Sr Poh every success in her endeavours ahead.–By Ken Cham

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PETALING JAYA: A ministry for the deaf has been established in the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese. With the support of Archbishop Julian Leow, a Catholic group of hearing sign language interpreters and the deaf have set up a channel to bring our deaf brothers and sisters back to Christ. This channel is called “Catholic Ministry for the Deaf” (CMDeaf).

The core objectives of CMDeaf are three-fold:

1. Demographics on the whereabouts of the Deaf Catholics in the KL archdiocese.

2. Reaching out to the Deaf by inviting them into the CMDeaf family.

3. Journeying with the Deaf for their faith growth.

To facilitate an effective channel of communication, the group has started a website, stagging. catholicministryfordeaf.my,for the deaf to read more about them. Once a deaf Catholic logs on, she/ he will need to fill up a survey form. CMDeaf will then extend an invitation for them to get to know other deaf Catholics who are already in their community.

Currently, there are activities that have been made available for the deaf to live their faith fully.

They are:

1. RCIA — The class is conducted in sign language by trained catechists.

2. Monthly Signed Mass — The entire Mass is celebrated in sign language.

3. Weekly Interpreted Mass.

4. Preparation for the Sacraments, like Marriage and Confession.

5. Monthly Faith Formation Programme

6. Social Gathering. In the website, there is also a two minute-video on some of our activities.

There is also a facebook page “SFX PJ reach deaf connection” to help the deaf understand the weekly gospel reading explained in Sign Language.

Brochures on the group and its objectives have been placed in the church racks. Do pick a copy and pass it to any deaf person that you know of.

The team is appealing for help in identifying our deaf brothers and sisters in any part of the KL Archdiocese.

The deaf may be in your BEC, your relative, a family member or a friend. All CMDeaf needs is for you to help to pass a brochure to the deaf persons that you know.

They sincerely hope that with this initiative and with your help, they can bring more deaf brothers and sisters back to the Catholic Church.–By Joseph Loh

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online