MANY EMPTY ROOMS AT COLLEGE GENERAL
Kuala Lumpur (Jan 1, 2012)- Fr Gerard Steve Theraviam disclosed that there are 72 rooms in the College General (Major Seminary for Peninsular Malaysia) in Penang but only eight are occupied. Fr Gerard who is the current rector of College General said this after celebrating the 10.30pm Vigil Mass on Dec 31, 2011 at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SHC).
The church was packed with more than 1,100 parishioners who came to give thanks to God Almighty for the blessing He showered upon them in the year 2011 and to pray to God for His continued grace and blessings in the new year. Jan 1, 2012 also marks the 45th World Day of Peace and the the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
Fr Gerard told the parishioners that there was not a single candidate from SHC parish in the seminary and he throw a challenge to them to ensure that they, as a big parish to send at least one or two candidates this year (2012) into the seminary. The diocesan priest asked the assembly to continue to pray for vocations into the priesthood and religious life; not looking at other families or pointing them but in their own families and themselves. He told parents to pray for their children discernment and to encourage and allow them to consider and chose these vocations. Fr Gerard said he was here to celebrate the Vigil Mass; as SHC parish priest, Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai was away celebrating another Vigil Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health in Kg Pandan. "Now you can import priests (like me) to come and celebrate Mass for you here; but once there is a sheer lack of priests, then there will be no replacement here", Fr Gerard told the parishioners. He added "Priests are not send down from heaven".
HUNDREDS TURNED UP TO CELEBRATE HOLY INNOCENTS FEAST
Kuala Lumpur:- Despite of being a weekday, more than 300 parishioners turned up with their children tucking along to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Dec 28 for the special evening Mass celebrated by parish priest, Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai marking the feast of the Holy Innocents.
The Gospel Reading taken from Matthew 2:13-18, speaks about the killing of the all male child below the aged of two in Bethlehem and in all that region by Herod's furious rage. That's how since the sixth century, on December 28, the Church has celebrated the memory of those children killed because of Herod's rage against Christ. Liturgical tradition refers to them as the "Holy Innocents" and regards them as martyrs. YOUTH FORMATION CUM OUTING IN PENANG
Georgetown: A Youth Formation cum Outing for youths aged between 18 to 35 years-old were held at Stella Maris Retreat Centre in Tanjung Tokong in Penang from October 28 to 30. The youths numbering approximately 76 comes from the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health in Kuala Lumpur. Majority of the youths are English speaking, though some consisted of Tamil and Mandarin speaking as well. Parish priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai accompanied his youths in this formation cum outing. They arrived in Penang in two chartered buses in the early hours on Oct 29. The youths were eager to tucked along as they wanted to develop their spirituality further in the Lord and to spend time mingling and to bond new friendship. An outing was also organized for the youths around Penang where they enjoyed the fun and sunshine during their two day stay in Penang. |
GREEN APPLES JOY FOR PRISONERS
Kuala Lumpur:- In conjunction with Christmas, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SHC) Prison Ministry raised 4,400 green apples which will benefit 4,400 prisoners in Kajang, Bentong and Kuantan prisons. Several SHC parishioners came forward to contribute the green apples.
According to Anne Elizabeth who is the Coordinator of SHC Prison Ministry, this being the fourth consecutive year that they have organized such event in collaboration with the respective Prison Ministries from St Joseph Sentul, Holy Family Kajang and St Thomas Kuantan parishes, is to bring some Christmas cheer to the prison inmates.
Anne said the green apples can last longer and each inmate will receive an apple, a piece of cake and biscuit in a little packet on Dec 18, 2011 that will be distributed to the 4,400 prisoners by members of the Prison Ministries, which are approved by the prison authorities.
Three days earlier, the members of SHC Prison Ministry were busy making arrangement for the green apples to be sent through the other parishes' Prison Ministries that will visit the inmates and celebrate Christmas with them in a little way possible. Senior Citizens’ Ministry Social Visit to Handicapped Centre in Ampang Jaya
Thirty-seven Sacred Heart Church parishioners visited the Selangor Handicapped and Mentally Retarded Children Centre, which is one of the six branches in Malaysia under the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children’s Association of Johor. The centre is managed by Mr. Chan, who is the supervisor and four staff and takes care of children and individuals who are unable to take care of themselves. When the Senior Citizens’ Ministry first contacted Mr. Chan, the center cared for 29 individuals. |
