Posted date: August 17, 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 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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Posted date: September 7, 2017
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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Posted date: June 24, 2017
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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Posted date: April 15, 2017
With my successor found, the Most Reverend Simon Poh Hoon Seng, I am now able to retire with peace of mind and heart. I certainly feel a profound relief and joy deep within me. To me this sense of relief and joy are an affirmation that I have made the right decision to request the Holy Father’s approval for my resignation from the Archbishop’s Office ahead of the canonical age.
On hearing the official announcement of my “resignation”, many have asked “WHY?” I guess the term “resignation” which is the canonical term carries some negative connotations like ill health, inappropriate conduct, disillusionment. To clear the air, I now share my reason for my decision to request for early retirement.
The Holy Father’s acceptance of my request for stepping down prematurely from the Archbishop’s Office was announced on 4 March 2017, deliberately timed to coincide with my 70th birthday. My reason for this timing was that I thought the age of 70 would be readily accepted as grounds for early retirement.
Thinking back, I suppose I could say that at the rock bottom my reason for requesting for early retirement is my love for the Church, though this may not have been so explicit in my mind. I have been deeply inspired and encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI who resigned from the papacy a few years ago primarily because he had realised that in his condition then he would not able to lead the Church as effectively as the Church deserved.
Over the last few years, I have been increasingly feeling my age as it gradually manifested its symptoms – brevity of attention, frequent lapses of memory, quick mental exhaustion at meetings. In addition, I gradually felt worn out by challenges from within and from without myself personally as well as the Church. At times, I felt rather discouraged if not totally helpless. Administrative work also started to take its toll on me, so much so, that I began to feel it more as a burden than as a joyful ministry.
I felt that these gradually debilitating realities of mine must not be allowed to hamper the growth of the Archdiocese of Kuching. I saw the need for an Auxiliary Bishop – one who is obviously younger, but also more capable, more energetic, more resilient and even more charismatic than myself. I therefore took a considered decision to write to Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Holy See, to request for an Auxiliary. Bishop Simon was appointed and ordained in September 2015.
With him as my Auxiliary, I was able to share several administrative and pastoral responsibilities with Bishop Simon. In the process, I saw his aptitude and capability. I also looked at the other two Bishops (Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu and Bishop Richard Ng of Miri). Any one of these three Bishops could easily take over from me as the Archbishop of Kuching. Thus, in September last year, I confidently and courageously submitted another request to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples – this time for a successor. Acting on my request, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Joseph Marino, conducted an extensive consultation. The appointment of Bishop Simon as my successor resulted from this consultation.
Of course I am very glad that Bishop Simon has been appointed to succeed me. This is because he has been very actively involved in the pastoral care of the Archdiocese. As a result of this involvement of his, he truly knows the ins and outs of the Archdiocese. His appointment assures continuity as well as progress of the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Simon Poh has taken canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Kuching. To him I say, “Congratulations and thank you, Simon.” To all the Catholics of the Archdiocese, I say: “Archbishop Simon Poh is now your Archbishop. We thank God for him and I am sure you will give him full support and keep him in your prayers. May God make him the shepherd we need and deserve – a shepherd after Christ’s own heart.”
20 March 2017With my successor found, the Most Reverend Simon Poh Hoon Seng, I am now able to retire with peace of mind and heart. I certainly feel a profound relief and joy deep within me. To me this sense of relief and joy are an affirmation that I have made the ...
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Posted date: April 12, 2017
"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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Posted date: February 24, 2017
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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Posted date: February 18, 2017
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord, in the face of rapidly changing world that is deeply affected by rising secularism, individualism, religious fundamentalism, communalism and even materialism, the Catholic Archbishops and Bishops of Malaysia are deeply concerned and would like to call on our faithful to be aware of their adverse consequences on the lives of the people that are both explicit and implicit....
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Posted date: January 12, 2017
Catechetical Sunday Message from Malaysia Catechetical Commission
Message in English
Christ came to bring joy to all humanity and this is one of the keynote messages of Christianity and the recurring motif of the Gospels. Joy, like love, is at the heart of what it means to be Christian, and it testifies to the conviction that human life has an ultimate meaning revealed to us by God and guaranteed by His unfailing love. Jesus wants us to experience His Joy and He reveals the path to the lasting joy that satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart. He instituted the Church to bring us to this plateau of delight. We need to take Him at His word when Jesus told His disciples, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11). The greatest honor we can give God is to be joyful because of the knowledge of His love.
Pope Paul VI wrote, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses”. Catechesis is no longer perceived as the simple teaching of faith formulae, but is focused at the maturing of faith as a support to witnessing to it in the world. My primary concern about catechesis today is that we need to emphasize the joy, enthusiasm and hopefulness that our faith produces, by witnessing and living this truth in our words, our actions, our decision, our relationship and our entire being.
G.K Chesterton, who states that joy, which was a small publicity of the pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian and that Christianity satisfies human’s ancestral instinct for being the right way up. G.K. Chesterton understanding would be seen as controversial and not all would agree with this claim of Christianity that affirms that joy is one of the “dominant thesis” of Christian faith.
A joy-filled Christian is one who, rather than endure life, has learned through faith, to treasure life and witnesses the kingdom of God. The Word of Jesus has produced its fruit. Those who believe in Him have the fullness of His joy (Jn 17:13). Joy is indeed a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and a characteristic mark of the Kingdom of God (Rom 14:17). The sacrament of Baptism fills the faithful with the joy of the Spirit (Acts 13:52), which makes the apostles sing praises even in their worst moments of persecution. Our Joy depends more on the Spirit’s Presence in us. Joy is simply the Presence of the Holy Spirit. When the spirit of gladness permeates a person’s entire being, they said to be joyful.
How do we catechize in a way that fosters learning of the heart? We are catechist in a community of various backgrounds, traditions and histories where there are expectations and pressures. We cannot be independent and cannot avoid the social structures beyond our Catholic religious structures. We will be constantly negotiating between those structures and our communities. The pastoral approach does not mean accommodation to current ways of thinking and behaving, but entails bringing the joy and the light of the truth to bear on contemporary situations in a manner that is convincing and sensitive to the questions of post-modern people. As the ministry of the Word, catechesis refers to a constellation of activities that promote, enhance and challenge believers toward more mature faith. “Christ our joy”, could take many forms like:-
1. The good example of living a gospel-inspired life
2. Works of charity and mercy
3. Morally appropriate language, action and attitudes.
4. Genuine Christian faith, hope and charity
5. A lifestyle characterized by prayers
6. Celebration of the Sacrament and other acts of worship
7. Genuine Christian humility
8. Participation in the Christian community’s ministry
9. Active participation in social justice events and causes.
Enjoy Catechesis, enjoy life and God bless.
Download the above message in pdf.
Message in BM
Tema: Kristus Sukacita Kita (Jn 15:11)
Kristus datang membawa sukacita kepada seluruh umat manusia, dan ini merupakan salah satu mesej utama agama Kristian dan tujuan Injil-injil yang selalu diulangi. Seperti kasih, sukacita adalah pusat kepada ertinya menjadi seorang Kristian, dan ia menjadi saksi kepada kepercayaan bahawa hidup manusia mempunyai makna muktamad yang ditunjukkan Tuhan kepada kita, dan dijamin oleh kasih-Nya yang tidak berkesudahan. Yesus mahu kita mengalami sukacita-Nya dan Dia menunjukkan jalan yang menuju kepada sukacita kekal yang memberi kepuasan kepada keperluan mendalam dalam hati manusia. Dia memulakan Gereja untuk membawa kita kepada puncak kegembiraan ini. Kita perlu menuntut sabda-Nya apabila Yesus memberitahu para rasul-Nya, “Semuanya itu Kukatakan kepadamu, supaya sukacita-Ku ada di dalam kamu dan sukacitamu menjadi penuh” (Yoh. 15:11). Kemuliaan paling besar yang kita dapat beri kepada Tuhan ialah bersukacita atas pengetahuan akan kasih-Nya.
Paus Paulus VI menulis, “Manusia moden lebih terbuka untuk mendengarkan kesaksian berbanding para pengajar, dan jika mereka mendengarkan para pengajar, ini disebabkan mereka memberi kesaksian.” Katekesis tidak lagi dilihat semata-mata mengajar formula iman, akan tetapi ia berfokus kepada iman yang sedang matang demi menyokong kesaksian iman di dalam dunia. Isu katekesis utama hari ini ialah kita perlu memberi penekanan kepada sukacita, semangat dan harapan, kesemuanya adalah buah hasil iman menerusi kesaksian dan menghidupi kebenaran ini di dalam kata-kata, perbuatan, keputusan, perhubungan dan seluruh peribadi kita.
Menurut G.K Chesterton, sukacita, publisiti kecil orang kafir, adalah rahsia besar umat Kristian, dan agama Kristian memuaskan naluri nenek moyang manusia untuk kebenaran. Pemahaman G.K. Chesterton boleh dilihat sebagai satu kontroversi dan tidak semua orang bersetuju akan kenyataan agama Kristian yang menegaskan sukacita adalah salah satu “tesis dominan” iman Kristiani.
Seorang umat Kristian yang dipenuhi oleh sukacita, berkat imannya akan menghargai kehidupan dan bersaksi kepada kerajaan Tuhan, berbanding dengan setakat bertahan dalam hidup. Sabda Yesus telah membuahkan hasil. Mereka yang percaya kepada-Nya memperoleh sukacita-Nya dalam segala kelimpahan (Yoh. 17:13). Sukacita adalah buah Roh (Gal. 5:22) dan menjadi tanda yang menyifatkan Kerajaan Tuhan (Roma 14:17). Sakramen Pembaptisan memenuhi kaum beriman dengan sukacita Roh (Kisah 13:52), yang membuat para rasul melagukan puji-pujian di saat mengalami penganiayaan. Sukacita kita lebih bergantung kepada Kehadiran Roh di dalam diri kita. Apabila roh sukacita meresapi seluruh peribadi seseorang, mereka dikatakan akan bersukacita.
Bagaimana kita menyampaikan katekesis dalam cara yang memupuk pembelajaran di hati? Kita adalah katekis di dalam sebuah komuniti dari pelbagai latar belakang, tradisi dan sejarah, yang mana terdapat banyak tuntutan dan tekanan. Kita tidak mampu berdikari dan tidak boleh mengelakkan struktur sosial di luar struktur agama Katolik kita. Kita akan senantiasa berunding antara struktur tersebut dan masyarakat kita. Pendekatan pastoral tidak bermaksud menerima cara fikiran dan kelakuan masa kini, akan tetapi memerlukan kita membawa sukacita dan terang akan kebenaran ke atas situasi masa kini dalam cara yang menyakinkan dan prihatin kepada persoalan manusia moden. Sebagai pelayan Sabda, katekesis merujuk kepada gabungan aktiviti yang memupuk, meningkatkan dan mencabar kaum beriman terhadap hidup yang matang. “Kristus sukacita kita”, boleh mengambil pelbagai bentuk:-
1. Memberi contoh yang baik dalam hidup berilhamkan-injil
2. Kerja-kerja kebajikan dan belas kasihan
3. Bahasa, kelakuan dan sikap yang bermoral
4. Iman, harapan dan kebajikan Kristiani yang sejati
5. Cara hidup bersifatkan doa
6. Perayaan Sakramen dan lain-lain acara penyembahan
7. Kerendahan Kristiani yang sejati
8. Penglibatan di dalam pelayanan komuniti Kristian
9. Penglibatan aktif di dalam acara-acara keadilan sosial
Nikmatilah Katekesis, nikmatilah kehidupan dan Tuhan memberkati anda semua.
Download the above message in pdf.
Download the same message in CHINESE here.
Prepared by Fr Mark MichaelCatechetical Sunday Message from Malaysia Catechetical Commission
Message in English
Christ came to bring joy to all humanity and this is one of the keynote messages of Christianity and the recurring motif of the Gospels. Joy, like love, is at the heart of what it means to be Christian, and it testifies ...
Read more