News & Events

Parenting Champions – by Dr Selvasingam Ratnasingam

A PUBLIC TALK ENTITLED ‘PARENTING CHAMPIONS’ BY DR.SELVASINGAM RATNASINGAM (a Child Psychiatrist with the Sarawak General Hospital) will be organised on Saturday, 14 October, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm at St Joseph Grand Hall, Level 3, ACCPC in conjunction with the graduation of a team of Para-Counsellors who have undergone training conducted by Fr Varghese Lopez, SJ since April 2016. Dr. Selvasingam will touch on topics like parenting challenges in the 21st Century, how to bring out the Best in your child and early intervention for children with special needs. You can register online at parentingchampions.eventbrite.com or call the St Joseph's Parish Office Tel: 082-423424 to leave your name & telephone contact. Love offering will be collected during the talk. A PUBLIC TALK ENTITLED ‘PARENTING CHAMPIONS’ BY DR.SELVASINGAM RATNASINGAM (a Child Psychiatrist with the Sarawak General Hospital) will be organised on Saturday, 14 October, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm at St Joseph Grand Hall, Level 3, ACCPC in conjunction with the graduation of a team of Para-Counsellors who have undergone ...
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On Mass attendance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

At the meeting of the Regional Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in Majodi, Plentong from the 11th to the 15th of July 2016, it was confirmed that: a) The Fourth Sunday of Advent is observed on 24th of December 2017 at the morning masses and the sunset masses (anticipated) on the 23rd of December; b) The Sunday evening Masses on the 24th December, 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. 4. Pastors, as far as their circumstances permit, are to provide masses for both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. However, they may make judgments in individual cases and grant dispensations to individuals or families for a just cause based on their local circumstances. In other words: Christmas Eve is on 24 December, which is also the Fourth Sunday of Advent. All Catholics are obliged to attend the Mass of the 4th Sunday of Advent (Sunset Mass on 23 December or Morning Mass on 24 December) AND the Christmas Mass (Christmas Eve on 24 December or Christmas Day on 25 December).At the meeting of the Regional Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in Majodi, Plentong from the 11th to the 15th of July 2016, it was confirmed that: a) The Fourth Sunday of Advent is observed on 24th of December 2017 at the morning masses and ...
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The passing of Fr Terry Burke, MHM

[caption id="attachment_10858" align="alignleft" width="214"] Fr Terry Burke[/caption] Terence Laurence Burke was usually known as Terry. He was a Londoner, born in Barnes, South London on 24 March 1944 to Richard Burke and Mary (neé Hogben). He had one brother and one sister. He was educated at St Edward Secondary Modern School, Richmond from 1955 - 57 and Kingston Technical College from 1957 - 64, followed by a year at Campion House, Osterley. Terry studied Philosophy at Roosendaal from 1965 - 67, and Theology at Mill Hill College from 1967 - 71. He took his Perpetual Oath on 1 May 1970 and was ordained to the missionary priesthood on 12 June 1971 by Gerald Mahon who was the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. Terry had spent a short time as a student in Kuching and in 1971 after his ordination, he was appointed to serve there as a missionary priest. He was very pleased when, many years later after a lifetime of mission work in several countries he was re-appointed to Kuching in 2007. Academic work and studies came easily to Terry and this ability was recognised and followed up early in his career. After four years in Kuching he was appointed to Rome to study when he gained an STL Magna cum Laude in Moral Theology, after which he returned to Kuching in 1977 where he continued his pastoral ministry. In 1980, Peter Chung Hoan Ting, at that time the Bishop of Kuching, told Terry that he had seven young men who wanted to be priests. He had an old building and he had Terry and he wanted him to start a seminary. And so he did. However the main ingredient missing was teaching staff. So after the first year during which he had the help of another Mill Hill priest, Terry went home to try and find teachers. He spoke to the Irish Missionary Union and asked them for help in sourcing priests who could go to Kuching for a few months at a time. Due to a very cold winter night in Ireland a priest on sabbatical from New Orleans offered to go and so was born a connection which continued for many years. In 1984 Terry had to leave Kuching because of a Government law that said all expatriate missionaries had to leave after ten years. He was appointed to the British Region for APF work, but first he went to New Orleans for further study – a Master of Arts in Religious studies where he met the priests who had been supporting Kuching Seminary financially as well as with teaching staff. From 1986 to 1993 Terry worked in Formation within the Society in Roosendaal and Mill Hill College – Missionary Institute London. In 1995 Terry had a very brief appointment in India, then returned to the British Region where he spent the next ten years back in the academic world as a chaplain in Reading University. In 2007 Terry was given a joint appointment – dividing his time between the Seminary in Kuching and as chaplain to the expatriate community in Bali, Indonesia, as well as working in the prison there. He was very happy with the contrasting worlds for three years; then a new Bishop in Bali didn’t renew his appointment. Terry was disappointed for his own sake but more so for the people he served in Bali as there were few English speakers among the priests there. But it did mean that he was back in his beloved Kuching. During his time back in Kuching Terry served the Society in many ways – as Recruitment coordinator, Group Leader, Society Representative and in 2017 when he no longer had responsibility for the Society Members he was officially appointed to a position which he had already filled unofficially for many years – that of Society Bursar. Towards the end of 2015 Terry became seriously ill with cancer and during the next two years he exhibited the same courage he had shown at other times in his life when he struggled with personal difficulties. He travelled to Singapore when necessary for treatment and still carried on working. In June 2017 when the doctors told him they could do no more for him medically he returned to England where he was cared for lovingly by his sister, Margaret in Reading. Terry was admitted to the Duchess of Kent Hospice in nearby Tilehurst on 21 July. He died there peacefully yesterday, 31 August, at 3.00 pm. May Terry rest in peace. Obituary prepared by the Mill Hill Missionaries. Published with permission.[caption id="attachment_10858" align="alignleft" width="214"] Fr Terry Burke[/caption] Terence Laurence Burke was usually known as Terry. He was a Londoner, born in Barnes, South London on 24 March 1944 to Richard Burke and Mary (neé Hogben). He had one brother and one sister. He was educated at St Edward Secondary Modern School, ...
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Movement of Priests

Update on Appointment and Transfer of Priests 1. Fr Joseph Liew is now in Manila for a Licentiate in Canon Law. 2. Fr Peter Liston has left for Rome for a Licentiate on Family and Marriage. 3. Fr Martin Wong will be transferred to St Joseph's Cathedral as assistant priest by 26 September 2017. Update on Appointment and Transfer of Priests 1. Fr Joseph Liew is now in Manila for a Licentiate in Canon Law. 2. Fr Peter Liston has left for Rome for a Licentiate on Family and Marriage. 3. Fr Martin Wong will be transferred to St Joseph's Cathedral as assistant priest by 26 September ...
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Harmony Walk 2017 – Information and registration form

HARMONY WALK 2017, jointly organised by the Islamic Information Centre, the Association of Churches in Sarawak, the Bahai and the Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Associations, is an expression of Sarawakians’ desire for unity and to live in harmony with each other. It seeks to demonstrate that religions can and ought to unite rather than divide us. This 5 km walk around the heart of Kuching will take place at 6 am on Saturday, 23 September, starting from the Kompleks Islam Sarawak (Jalan P Ramlee). Do take part in this walk also as a way of promoting inter-religious relations so needed in our country. Registration can be done at the church (during weekends) or your respective parish offices. Registration form can also be downloaded HERE. PLEASE NOTE: All participants should be at least 13 years of age. Wear white t-shirts and carry the Sarawak and/or Malaysia flags (try to bring your own flags even if organisers will supply limited numbers). Wear good walking shoes, and ready umbrella or raincoat in case the forecast is for rain. Drinks will be provided by sponsors. Greet and be friendly to all participants of the walk who share our desire to build a better Sarawak and Malaysia. HARMONY WALK 2017, jointly organised by the Islamic Information Centre, the Association of Churches in Sarawak, the Bahai and the Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Associations, is an expression of Sarawakians’ desire for unity and to live in harmony with each other. It seeks to demonstrate that religions can and ought ...
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Message to Muslims for the end of Ramadan

Christians and Muslims: Caring for our Common Home Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters, We wish to assure you of our prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it, and we extend to you our heartfelt best wishes for serenity, joy and abundant spiritual gifts. This year’s Message is especially timely and significant: fifty years ago, in 1967, only three years after the establishment of this Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) by Pope Paul VI on 19 May 1964, the first Message was sent for this occasion. In the years that have followed, two Messages have been particularly important: the Message of 1991, during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, entitled “The Path of Believers is the Way of Peace”, and the Message of 2013, in the first year of Pope Francis’ pontificate, entitled “Promoting Mutual Respect through Education”. Both Messages were signed by the Pontiffs. Among the many activities of the PCID for promoting dialogue with Muslims, the most important and longstanding is this yearly Message for Ramadan and for ‘Id al-Fitr addressed to Muslims throughout the world. To share this Message in the widest way possible, the PCID is assisted by local Catholic communities, as well as Papal Representatives present in almost every country. The experience of both our religious communities affirms the value of this Message for promoting cordial relations between Christian and Muslim neighbours and friends, by offering insights on current and pressing issues. For this year, the PCID offers a theme related to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home”, which was addressed not only to Catholics and Christians, but to the whole of humanity. Pope Francis draws attention to the harm our lifestyles and decisions are causing to the environment, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings. There are, for example, certain philosophical, religious, and cultural perspectives that present obstacles which threaten humanity’s relationship with nature. To take up this challenge involves all of us, regardless of whether or not we profess a religious belief. The Encyclical’s title itself is expressive: the world is a “common home”, a dwelling for all the members of the human family. Therefore, no one person, nation or people can impose exclusively their understanding of our planet. This is why Pope Francis appeals “for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet…, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affects us all” (n. 14). Pope Francis states that “the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion” (no. 217). What is needed is education, spiritual openness and a “global ecological conversion” to adequately address this challenge. As believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the way we relate to the world around us. Our vocation to be guardians of God’s handiwork is not optional, nor it is tangential to our religious commitment as Christians and Muslims: it is an essential part of it. May the religious insights and blessings that flow from fasting, prayer and good works sustain you, with God’s help, on the path of peace and goodness, to care for all the members of the human family and for the whole of creation. With these sentiments, we wish you once again serenity, joy and prosperity. From the Vatican, 19 May 2017 Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran President Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.l. SecretaryChristians and Muslims: Caring for our Common Home Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters, We wish to assure you of our prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it, and we extend to you our heartfelt best wishes for serenity, joy ...
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Review, Reassess and Renew – Survey Forms

"As the Archdiocese of Kuching embarks on the process we call '3R' -- Review, Reassess and Renew... we are seeking a vision of what we want our Church to be, and seek ways to live out this mission in our parishes." - Archbishop Simon Poh To every Catholic of the Archdiocese of Kuching, please help us in our review, reassessment and renewal of the ACTS of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Congress by completing a survey form (Form 1). Please only submit once only on or before 30 April 2017. 1) For Parishioners: - English -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/parishioners_e - Chinese -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/parishioners_c - BM -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/parishioners_bm 2) For Lay Organization/groups members & Commissions - English -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lay_org_e - Chinese -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lay_org_c - BM -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lay_org_bm"As the Archdiocese of Kuching embarks on the process we call '3R' -- Review, Reassess and Renew... we are seeking a vision of what we want our Church to be, and seek ways to live out this mission in our parishes." - Archbishop Simon Poh To every Catholic of the Archdiocese ...
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Voter Registration Service

VOTER REGISTRATION The 14th General Election is expected to happen soon. A duty and responsibility of every Malaysian who is eligible to vote, is to be informed of our political issues and to elect for the right government. To participate in GE14 you must be registered by end March. Voter registration will be available at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, 4 March, 7.30 - 8.30 pm, and on Sunday, 5 March, 9.00 - 10.30 am (after the Chinese Mass and before the 10 am English Mass). You will need to bring a photocopy of your IC (front and back). VOTER REGISTRATION The 14th General Election is expected to happen soon. A duty and responsibility of every Malaysian who is eligible to vote, is to be informed of our political issues and to elect for the right government. To participate in GE14 you must be registered by end March. Voter ...
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