Author Archives: Ken Wong

The BEC makes known the Word of God. It creates a greater acceptance of the Word of God.

— In the small communities, there is growth in the experience of new interpersonal relationships in the faith and a deepening in knowledge of the Word of God.

— They celebrate the Word of God in daily life.

— They seek to be nourished by the Word of God.

— They provoke an evaluation of the lifestyle and a reflection on reality in the light of the Gospel.

— In the BEC, family catechism and education in the faith of adults take on a more adequate form, responding to the needs of the simple people.

— They express, appreciate and purify the popular religiosity.

— The ecclesial community is becoming responsible for the catechism at all levels’.

— The emphasis of the BEC is on… faith that is shared more spontaneously in small communities.

The person of the Lord Jesus, crucified and resurrected, occupies the centre of the life of the BEC. The Christology that is being lived among us comes from a new grasp and understanding of the life and mission of Jesus in the light of the social and cultural context of the BEC. .. the meaning and the immediate consequences of the following of Christ and the contradiction of the Cross is better situated and explored.

The life of Jesus is seen as an eloquent experience of fidelity to the Father and of commitment to humanity in a concrete, historical context. Jesus is the friend who invites us to follow him in a new experience of a new communion and community in a more prophetic lifestyle: committed to the service of others.

The education in the faith of the members of the BEC is from this Christological perspective, seeking to awaken strong interior motivation, (convictions, decisions) and not only exterior motivations (circumstantial). So that, even when problems and difficulties arise, the persons do not lose the sense and direction of their action and persevere until the end.

The BEC, therefore, is the means by which the faithful deepen and are educated in their faith so that it becomes evermore the inspiration of their life and attitudes. This education of the faith, can be and is, done in study groups or in bible groups. It is important to always bear in mind the two risks that can be present; on the one hand, the scriptures and doctrine remain merely objects to be taught and learned and not the source of life; on the other, being so immersed in activity that the basic doctrinal references are lost from sight.

There is always the need for theory in order to view reality. There is nothing more practical than a good theory. In order to integrate doctrine and life, the BEC ought to conduct special sessions for the depth of the faith, where the life of the Community is constantly seen as a permanent education in the faith.

At the same time, there should also be sessions where the reality is analysed and interpreted, where there is reflection with regard to commitment. From time to time, it is also necessary to provide for a systematic study of the different aspects that represent the globality of Christian life so that the members can have a good frame of reference for life and mission.

The study of the Gospel ought to be intensified in an existential way so that it is translated into vital modes of action and behaviour. One has to be faithful to the nature of the Word of God (word and action).

The Word of God possesses a truth that must be deeply learned. It is the encounter with God as a person, a living encounter where the listener feels that he has been touched and questioned by another living person — God.

Therefore, more than teaching a truth, it is to bring alive an encounter with God and each one of the members of the BEC. It is evident that this type of encounter will be easier if the animator himself has the personal experience of what he is saying. He has to be more of a witness than a teacher.

Growing in the faith is not the same as taking a course. It is more the sharing of experiences in order to grow together in the faith. This experience is nourished by the Word of God, which purifies, corrects it and helps it to progress.

The Word of God is Good News. Understanding it, the person discerns new reasons for living and for hoping, for being happy and for improving in life. The Word of God is not merely a series of demands, of moral rules and laws. If it were just this, then it would be an unbearable joke. It is much more the Good News that frees the person from all that oppresses and mutilates.

It ought to renew the person, giving him the assurance and security that he/she can overcome and be fulfilled in and through Jesus.

Source: Basic Ecclesial Community: Church from the Roots By Jose Marians and Team, (National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre, Bangalore, India)

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Church will always remain politically neutral, even if Christians are not, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said on Dec 25.

CFM vice-chairman Rev Eu Hong Seng said Churches in Malaysia hold the same position taken by Jesus Christ, which is to be a non-partisan religious leader.

“As the general elections are around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all on this Christmas Day that our Jesus is a non-partisan religious leader.

“Allow me to reiterate that the Church, rightly, is non partisan. But we are always pro-justice and pro-righteous. We have Christians on both sides of the political divide,” he said during his speech at the group’s Christmas hi-tea event.

The event was attended by politicians from both sides of the divide, including two Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and Datuk Paul Low, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP’s Teresa Kok, among others.

Eu however stressed that while the Church remains neutral, Christians should still partake in the politics of the nation, including going out to vote.

“But that does not mean that individual Christians cannot be involved in politics and social activism of the day.

“So vote we must, and after we have voted, in God we trust,” he said.

Representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Kurup stressed that unity is key for Malaysians to progress and they should be tolerant towards other races and religions.

“We have to respect other groups that may have different values. We are at our strongest when we are united as one, even if there is a difference of religion,” he said.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KUALA LUMPUR: US Ambassador to Malaysia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, had the pleasure of attending the Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow at the Chapel of Kristus Aman in Taman Tun.

Ambassador Lakhdhir admires Malaysia’s proud tradition of religious diversity. One of the highlights of the Ambassador’s first year came in November when she first met the Archbishop during a US Embassy-sponsored Harmony Walk celebrating interfaith cooperation and understanding.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

A group of Indonesian migrant workers, dressed in their Sunday best, gathered in Faustina Hall of the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) after the morning Mass on Dec 10 for a meeting with Fr Yohannes Baptista, a priest from Flores, Indonesia.

They had made their way to Sungai Ara from various locations around the island, some travelling by bus while others came by taxi. There was even a group who had come from Teluk Bahang, leaving their quarters by 6.30am in order to arrive in time for the 9.00am Mass. It is a journey they undertake every Sunday, but this Sunday was different. Fr Yohannes had come especially to minister to them during this season of Advent. They had found out about this event through the parish announcements and from their Whatsapp chat groups.

While waiting for the arrival of Fr Yohannes, the CDM Migrant Ministry served up a light meal of fried rice, bee hoon and jelly. Everyone present was most appreciative. A number of local parishioners also dropped by for a chat to foster a spirit of fellowship with our migrant brothers and sisters.

It was a great opportunity to get to know them better and make them feel more at home in this church community. They talked about their jobs in construction, manufacturing, etc. Most of them have been working in Penang for three-five years and there was even one person who has been working here for as long as 17 years!

During his sharing session, Fr Yohannes emphasised the importance of face-to-face communication. He reminded his audience of Pope Francis’ exhortation to promote a culture of encounter (budaya perjumpaan).

He went on to explain that even though social media helps us to make connections, there could be no encounter if we do not make the effort to meet people, talk to them, listen to them and empathise with what they are telling us. For example, for the people of his village, he had brought the outside world to encounter them through a series of short films which he had made about their lives.

Fr Yohannes said that it was his hope that these faith-based films would be used to educate, catechise and promote the culture of encounter with those outside his village. (Fr Yohannes’ short films may be viewed online on YouTube channel Komsos Agung Ende. He may be contacted through his Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/yetra.kotten) At the end of the session, Fr Yohannes reminded the parishioners to pray and to put their faith in God. He also invited them to practise the Sacrament of Penance, which many accepted after the gathering.

Overall, the response to the event was most positive. Some said that they appreciated the effort that had gone into making the arrangements to bring such a well-known person of their nationality to CDM. One young lady who had been given a rosary by Fr Yohannes during the fellowship was quite visibly moved as she had never owned a rosary before then. Fr Yohannes himself said that he felt very blessed at being able to meet and minister to so many Indonesians working here.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Pope Francis had reminded us that “the poor are our passport to paradise.” Pope Francis declared 2018 as the year for us to “Be Disciples of Hope for the Poor.” In line with this calling, the Church of St Anthony celebrated Christmas Joy with the Poor, other Christians and Religious sisters within the space of one week.

Christmas Joy with the Poor was celebrated immediately after the 9.15am English Mass on Dec 17. Carols were sung followed by fellowship lunch and 25 hampers were given away to the poor.

On Dec 21, 420 people from 12 Christian churches in Hilir Perak took part in a Combined Churches Christmas celebration organised by the Lower Perak Pastors Fellowship in Han Cheng Restaurant, which was graced by Dato’ Seri Mah Siew Keong, MP of Teluk Intan, Gerakan President and Minister of Commodities and Plantations. St Anthony’s Church sang two carols in English and Tamil.

On Dec 23, there was the Christmas Joy with the IJ Sisters at the Sisters’ home. We began with Midday Prayer (Vespers), followed by exchange of Christmas gifts and ending with fellowship lunch. Parish Priest Fr Francis Xavier, Fr Peter Bataona and Fr Paschalis (both from Indonesia) were present.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

A heavy downpour in the evening did not dampen the spirit of some 1,000 residents of Kampung Cempaka and parishioners of St Ignatius Church (SIC) at the Solstice and Christmas Party on December 22.

Held at the Kampung Cempaka covered basketball court, this was the first-ever big-scale party organised by SIC in one of its closest neighbourhoods. The date was just days away from Christmas and also coincided with the Winter Solstice Festival celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians.

A group from SIC’s Bahasa Malaysia-speaking community kicked off the double celebration at 7.00pm with some popular Christmas hymns. Then followed various song and dance items performed by ministries and groups from SIC’s English and Mandarin- speaking communities, as well as other groups. Representatives from the Tamil-speaking community performed a play on the Christmas story.

Amongst the delicacies served were six roasted pigs and tang yuen (glutinous rice balls in sweet ginger syrup). Attendees had participated by rolling the dough into round shapes for volunteers to cook and serve.

A particularly meaningful activity took place when cotton wool was passed around for all present to make toys which will be given to poor children in countries overseas as Christmas gifts or sold to raise funds for them. Attendees were also given the opportunity to bring the toys home if they wanted to.

The event ended at 10.30pm with attendees bringing home door gifts and, hopefully, the joy and spirit of Christmas. Besides SIC Parish Priest Fr Andrew Wong CDD and Br Joseph Lim CDD, the VIPs in attendance included Yeo Bee Yin (Member of the Selangor State Assembly for Damansara Utama), Daniel Lee, Councillor, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Theresa Lim (Kampung Cempaka Village Head) and Pastor Gilbert Wee (Sidang Injil Borneo Kuala Lumpur).

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The senior citizens of Sacred Heart Church (SHC), the Evergreens, celebrated a Christmas with a Dinner on December 10, 2017.

KUALA LUMPUR: The senior citizens of Sacred Heart Church (SHC), the Evergreens, celebrated a Christmas with a Dinner on December 10, 2017.

The invited guests were Fr Edwin and Bro Joseph. The dinner began with a prayer song, followed by a speech by Fr Edwin. Entertainment was from our own Evergreen singers, (The Legend) belting out songs from Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, the Beatles and the Carpenters, making it extremely easy for all to sing along. Fr Edwin also contributed a number, singing Teresa Teng’s classic, The Moon Represents my Heart, which was applauded by all!

Besides the festive entertainment, there were also games, and a lucky draw event with many prizes. The best dressed female prize went to Datin Rani (she was elegantly dressed in Christmas colours — red, green and gold), and the best dressed male prize went to Jacob Chiam (he wore a reindeer headband).

As the band continued to play, the seniors took to the floor and boogied to songs like Proud Mary, The Young Ones, The Last Waltz and many more classics. This Christmas dinner gave the Evergreens an opportunity to have fun. The finale was the Conga line dance where everyone joined in, accompanied by the song Feliz Navidad. It was indeed a happy and memorable occasion.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Msgr Leonard Lexson celebrated the English Mass with 3,000 faithful on Dec 24.

In his homily, Msgr Leonard said that the peace that we have, the world cannot give, only God can give. He has given us His peace that has no end; but why are we not living in peace? No matter what happens in the world, we must recognize this peace like Mary and Joseph and the shepherds did. We are today called to recognise, once again, His everlasting peace.

A married couple carried the icon of the Infant Jesus, followed by Msgr Leonard and the altar servers who proceeded to the left wing where the Nativity scene had been setup by the Migrants Concern Ministry.

The couple placed the icon in the manger, followed by Msgr Leonard incensing and blessing the Nativity scene.

Many of the faithful venerated the icon of the Infant Jesus later.

On December 25, the two morning Masses saw a total of some 4,500 faithful participating.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

JOHOR BAHRU: Bishop Bernard Paul celebrated the Christmas vigil Mass for the Orang Asli at Kpg. Tanah Gembor, Bekor and a few Indonesians, who joined the villagers.

After the vigil Mass the orang asli had a fellowship with the villagers.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Close to 1,000 Myanmar Catholics celebrated Christmas at the special 1.15am Mass on Christmas Day at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online