I am starting a series of writings in response to my daughter's request to fill up her book My Dad, His Stories His words.
I grew up in a capital of the state of Johor, which is situated in the Southern tip of the Western Peninsula. We are just a few minutes away from Singapore. Our house that I was born in was in a village known as Kampung Baru and this a about 1 kilometer away from the General Hospital Johor Baru.
The house was bought by my grandfather Loh Peng Heng @ Loh Piang. It is a huge bungalow with wide space for us to run and play hide and seek. The house itself is probably built by a Malay family and it had a few levels. Mum and dad occupied the huge room upstairs while Grandpa stayed at the basement. Grandma had a room besides the kitchen where our altar stood. I remember Grandma, Aunty and Mum used to pray the Rosary at the altar. This house that we stayed is full of history and I can still recall several events that happened here in my early days.
As Grandpa had 6 sons and 5 daughters, we had a vey large family. When there is any celebrations at least 10 -15 tables are set for the delicious foods which at the times were mostly cooked by Grand Ma, Samku, Lek Ku and Mum. Yes they did cook up several storms and they were mostly Hakka delicacies like Char Yuk, Ham Choi Soup, Yong Tauhu, and Choi Keok.
One embarrassing episode I can still remember is when I came back from St Joseph School, rather hungry and eager to eat, when Mum asked me to address everybody ie like Kung Kung Seet Farn, Por Por Seet Farn and so on. As there were so many relatives, I got angry and more hungry and refuse to call any more and instead started crying. I must be at least 10 years old then.
The house is also surrounded with rambutan trees and even had a small farm where we reared ducks, chicken, pigeons and of course we had dogs. I remember we had Alsatians then later kept at least 2 to 3 dogs at one time, mostly Mongrel.I remember having to dig graves when they die at the valley ie beside the farm. Of course most of the digging was done by my dad and my siblings.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Tribute to the Padre Parish Priest extraordinary of SFX
Dear readers,
I have been asked to say a few words about our Padre, Reverend Father Simon Yong who had been with SFX for the past 10 years. I had been with him for the most of the past 10 years. I remember sitting with him at the Parish Pastoral Council in the early 2004 when he was assistant parish priest to Father Larry SJ. I was then a quiet member of the PPC and observe that Padre was quite fidgety, impatient and seem to want the meetings to finish early. Then in late 2005, I received a call one morning from Padre. He asked whether I was standing or sitting in my office. I said standing and he then ask me to sit down. He went on to tell me that he wanted me to take up the post of PPC Chairperson as my predecessor, Myra Thong had to step down urgently due to her parents illness and the need to care for them.
My initial reaction was " Cannot; why me, there sre so many more qualified than me" After some persuasion, I said I will be a temporary chairperson until he finds some one more capable and suitable for this job.Needless to say this temporary posting lasted more than 7 years. He was agreat leader who listened to us and then go on to make his decisions after consultation.
I lasted because Padre was a man of the people. He was always willing to help and I do remember visiting some of the patients with him when I requested him to do so. He made us the PPC members worked as a team when he got us together to embark on a trip to Pulau Ketam, just to spend time together sitting in a car, train and a boat to get to our destination for our lunch.
Subsequently he made us go as a team for our annual retreat in Maranatha. We really got to know ourselves better having both prayers, silent moments as well as social exchanges during the evenig dinner and supper. Why I can still hear the laughter that went out hearing each other tell our jokes, especailly when max Yong held the floor.
Somehow his magic and his leadership allowed us to work strongly together and the members especially the Heads of the 4 Parish Commissions worked very hard in their various areas, so much so that all I need was to ask and the job was done superbly.
Thank you to the other members who worked equally hard, be it for the Family Day, Annual Parish Assemblies or the various liturgical celebrations in SFX Church.
I digress, most of you know Padre as a hardworking priest with quite high standards in his homilies. I am quite used to see see the congregation nods their heads when he is speaking ie when I am not asleep. Most of the time I close my eyes to listen intently but sometimes it can turn into a deep meditation. Padre had been a very kind person to me, due to his confidence in me, I am now able to talk to you in front of so many pair of eyes. Yes he had helped me faced the audience, althoug I am basically a shy person. Padre is at most times very approachable and I have heard comments like I want him to do our wedding mass because I like him very much. He is thus a very likeable person.
We the pilgrims of 2006 and 2010 had the opportuinity to travel over Spain, Vatican, City, Lourdes in France and Eastern Europe. We saw for ourselves his caring attitude. He said Mass every day and in the coach he served us with tid bits, towels to wipe our faces etc. In short he showed his humilty and love towards us all. That Group had now become part of his extended family.
I have been asked to say a few words about our Padre, Reverend Father Simon Yong who had been with SFX for the past 10 years. I had been with him for the most of the past 10 years. I remember sitting with him at the Parish Pastoral Council in the early 2004 when he was assistant parish priest to Father Larry SJ. I was then a quiet member of the PPC and observe that Padre was quite fidgety, impatient and seem to want the meetings to finish early. Then in late 2005, I received a call one morning from Padre. He asked whether I was standing or sitting in my office. I said standing and he then ask me to sit down. He went on to tell me that he wanted me to take up the post of PPC Chairperson as my predecessor, Myra Thong had to step down urgently due to her parents illness and the need to care for them.
My initial reaction was " Cannot; why me, there sre so many more qualified than me" After some persuasion, I said I will be a temporary chairperson until he finds some one more capable and suitable for this job.Needless to say this temporary posting lasted more than 7 years. He was agreat leader who listened to us and then go on to make his decisions after consultation.
I lasted because Padre was a man of the people. He was always willing to help and I do remember visiting some of the patients with him when I requested him to do so. He made us the PPC members worked as a team when he got us together to embark on a trip to Pulau Ketam, just to spend time together sitting in a car, train and a boat to get to our destination for our lunch.
Subsequently he made us go as a team for our annual retreat in Maranatha. We really got to know ourselves better having both prayers, silent moments as well as social exchanges during the evenig dinner and supper. Why I can still hear the laughter that went out hearing each other tell our jokes, especailly when max Yong held the floor.
Somehow his magic and his leadership allowed us to work strongly together and the members especially the Heads of the 4 Parish Commissions worked very hard in their various areas, so much so that all I need was to ask and the job was done superbly.
Thank you to the other members who worked equally hard, be it for the Family Day, Annual Parish Assemblies or the various liturgical celebrations in SFX Church.
I digress, most of you know Padre as a hardworking priest with quite high standards in his homilies. I am quite used to see see the congregation nods their heads when he is speaking ie when I am not asleep. Most of the time I close my eyes to listen intently but sometimes it can turn into a deep meditation. Padre had been a very kind person to me, due to his confidence in me, I am now able to talk to you in front of so many pair of eyes. Yes he had helped me faced the audience, althoug I am basically a shy person. Padre is at most times very approachable and I have heard comments like I want him to do our wedding mass because I like him very much. He is thus a very likeable person.
We the pilgrims of 2006 and 2010 had the opportuinity to travel over Spain, Vatican, City, Lourdes in France and Eastern Europe. We saw for ourselves his caring attitude. He said Mass every day and in the coach he served us with tid bits, towels to wipe our faces etc. In short he showed his humilty and love towards us all. That Group had now become part of his extended family.
Wow another 6 months had pass me by
Time had flown us by and really did not realise what had transpired so quickly in the last 6 months. Events that I can recall was the accident my dear wife met one Sunday morning in April 2012. One moment she was talking to me and at the next she was lying flat on the road, after being knocked down by a motorbike. The event which shocked me and many others saw us adjusting our lives as she was not too mobile and require first a wheelchair and then crutches and thankfull is able to walk without aid now. The event also brought friends of us to be together as they gather almost nightly at my home as they cooked various kinds of meals for us and slowly the sad event became a good excuse for fellowship and happy sharings.
Nightly close friends will either cook at our home or bring in the delicious dishes and we unashamely gobble the food and drinks. I use to tell them that Kar Im misfortune was a great fortune for our tummies.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Thank you speech on the 81st birthday of Mum, Madam Chai Ming Ching
Short address on Madam Chai Ming Ching 81st birthday 10th November 2012
Dear Datuk, Datin, Grand Uncles, Grand Aunties, Uncles Aunties, Reverend Father Simon Yong and Reverend Father Mark Tee, Friends Ladies and Gentlemen. ( Chin Chit tun Peng Yew)
On behalf of my Mum Madam Chai Ming Ching and our family, Henry and Aga,
Alex, Philo and Francis Beh, Kar Im and all her grandchildren, Brendan & Serene
Beatrice, Belinda, Aaron, Brenda, Gabriel and Ian, we wish to thank you most
heartily for your most valued presence and presents. Indeed it is a very happy
occasion for our Mum, grandmother as she moved on into the 81st year of her
life. We are most grateful to God Almighty for blessing her with such a long life.
My mum is a very popular and loving person, she had gone through great
sacrifices to raise us. Even when we were poor she took extra care that we
get our proper meals and were fully clothed. She is a very generous person and
I am quite sure that many of you have tasted her kind hospitality and
generosity of heart.
We as Children/ grandchildren are very grateful to Mum to be our loving
Mother/grandmother who loves us without question and always want to give
us the Best in life. All her grandchildren love her exceedingly. Mum is an expert
Mahjong player and at one time though she had very poor eyesight she could
use her fingers to read the mahjong tiles and come up winning the game. Her
gambling skills are notable and if I remembered correctly, her own mother ie
my beloved late grand mother, Chia Por loved to gamble with us during the
Chinese New Year. (it all in the genes) She has great luck and blessings and can
sometimes strike 2 to 3 numbers in a four digit draw. However she knows too
to play within her means and buy only RM 1 per number. Tonight I wish you
great gamblers out there the best of luck maybe in the coming Wednesday
draws.
I would also like to take a moment of time to remember Dad, Loh Khiong Choo
who had left us 15 years ago but is very fresh in our memories, I am sure he is
watching this happy occasion. Please continue to remember him in your
prayers.
Once again, thank you all for making time and efforts and
resources in sharing with us this happy occasion and hope you will enjoy
yourselves. God willing we will be meeting again for her 91st birthday.
Meanwhile do continue to keep in touch with her, especially the mahjong kakis
so that her mind remains mentally alert and her health remains good as she
does her morning walks with some of you. Thank you Ngim Koi, Sia Sieh Terima
Kasih, Nandri and Cheers to everyone . Yam Seng.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
2011 PA Address on 5th November 2011
My final address as PPC Chairperson on 5th November 2011. Wishing all the very best to my successor as well as the new Parish Priest, Father Albert Tan
Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop Murphy Pakiam
Reverend Fathers Simon Yong & Albert Tan
Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Welcome to the 31st SFX Parish Pastoral Assembly. We commemorate our 50th Golden Jubilee this year and I am sure that you had participated and enjoyed the many events both social and spiritual over the past 3 years. Those of us who manage to be at the pilgrimage in Malacca will attest to the beautiful experience we encountered at the Mass in St Francis Institution and at St Paul’s Hill... The liturgy team handled the pilgrim Mass well at St Paul’s Hill and our own Scholastica did an excellent chanting of the hymns.
Well we still have a few more beautiful events to commemorate the closing of our GJ Celebrations. We certainly hope that you will be able to join the SFX Family in our closing GJ dinner.
This is the seventh time I am addressing the assembly as PPC Chief and I am indeed grateful for all your continued support despite my inability to serve you better. I continue to appreciate your love, understanding and your keen response in carrying out the various programmes which had more than compensated for my poor leadership. You continue to excel in all the projects undertaken especially projects that are planned according to the pastoral priorities...
The 31st SFX Pastoral Assembly is significant as we will see a change in the leadership. Father Albert will be our new Parish Priest and Father Simon who had been with us for a decade will take his well earned sabbatical. I take this opportunity to thank Father Simon for having the confidence in me all these years that I had served as the PPC Chairperson. It was a priceless experience where I gained so many blessings from God, the most of which I treasure is the opportunity to get to know and work with you for the greater glory of God. Yes kudos to Father Simon and I pray and hope that you will continue to support and love this man who had served us selflessly in the past 10 years or more.
In 2011, Father Simon was able to visit all the BECs and we had a good reunion of sorts when we completed the BEC Home Masses in May and June 2011. The outcome of which can still be seen in my enlarged waist line. Thank you for all the wonderful fellowship and we pray that you continue the kind hospitality to our new leaders in 2012.
For 2012, we would like to remind the BECs to revitalise yourselves and if necessary work closely with the Parish Groups. We had intentionally reduced the amount of plan activities in 2012 so that more quality time can be spent on the 4 main projects that you will decide on later this afternoon. Most Reverend Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam continues to urge us to make BECs our priority and the APC had in fact given the BEC some pertinent questions for reflection. You have carried the exercise in your BECs and I do hope you will voice out your needs when you plan for your activities in 2012. Collaborate with the Parish Groups for social action or for learning more of the Bible are my suggestions to you.
We continue to thank you, SFX parishioners for being so generous in helping us in many ways to fund and almost complete church renovations. The splendidly beautiful Loyola Hall today is a result of your contribution and hopefully this is put to good use for the further glory of God.
As customary I would like to thank all the parish commission chiefs i.e. Janet Chin, Vince Gomez, Molly and Matthew and Raja Isaiah who had each contributed tremendously in their various spheres. Without them we would probably not have so many successful projects. The Worship Commission had successfully guided us in to the usage of the new translation of the Roman missal. They are also continuing to recruit, guide and lead the liturgical team to celebrate all the major liturgical events of SFX. For Vince, he had been working tirelessly in the early part of the year when he diligently executed the plan activities of the first quarter. Molly and Matthew had been most visible in the Family day and Senior Citizen’s night. In spite of her poorer health she and Matthew had carried out the projects, the fruits of which you had seen, tasted and enjoyed. They had not forgotten the young couples and had sessions to discuss family life after watching the show “Fireproof” Our heartfelt condolence to Matthew who had just lost his sister and he is still, mourning her death. Raja Isaiah continues to be steadfast in looking after the Sunday school and had brought in a few training sessions for the Sunday school facilitators. We continue to have over 500 students in Sunday school and again those who can, please volunteer to help in our children’s religious education. The Standard one' parents had just conducted a wonderful Annual Party when over 800 tickets were snap up and the kids and the parents too had a wonderful time with so many activities. Well done
Our website sfx.com.my continues to break one record after another with more hits especially for the homilies of Father Simon, Albert and Michael... Please continue to visit this website regularly and view the latest Information. Thank you Iggy
I would like also to thank Linda Archibald and Anne Yong for have done their pastoral duties so well in spite of the tough challenges. We may also wish Linda all the very best in her future endeavour.
I know many others had also worked hard in 2011 to achieve your plans and
Strategies. I thank you all for your efforts although I can’t name you individually.
Please continue the good work and I am certain you will be rewarded as you are
helping in the Lord’s garden.
Moving on to the strategies of 2012:
The emphasis on BECs and the ongoing pastoral priorities are of utmost importance. So I urged you all when you plan for 2012 to take into account the areas of unity, formation, integral human development, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue, youth, family and social communications.
In this PA workshop, we will again be slotted by months under the 4 Commission Chiefs and the 12 facilitators. You will have a mixture of parish groups and BECs... As usual the four Chiefs will oversee and guide you along. More details will be given by Janet.
We congratulate and thank the Golden Jubilee Committee headed by Francis Lai who had successfully lead us in the many projects. We will end our celebration on 3rd December 2011 with a subscription dinner. Meanwhile please come forward to support the GJ coffee table book and please try to attend the Novena to St Francis Xavier followed by the closing of the GJ celebrations dinner at the Super Tanker Restaurant at the Club in Bandar Utama...
We pray that the close cooperation between BECs, Parish Group and the Parish Administration will continue as we welcome the new parish priest officially on December 3rd and installed as parish priest on January 8th. 2012
Please continue to pray for SFX and all our Priests and our dear shepherd Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop in continuing their pastoral care to the flock in SFX.
I end this address with a grateful heart for all those years of your support for the PPC and Father Simon. I apologise if I had inadvertently hurt anyone of you. Take care and God bless you all. Thank you all, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lawrence Loh
Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop Murphy Pakiam
Reverend Fathers Simon Yong & Albert Tan
Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Welcome to the 31st SFX Parish Pastoral Assembly. We commemorate our 50th Golden Jubilee this year and I am sure that you had participated and enjoyed the many events both social and spiritual over the past 3 years. Those of us who manage to be at the pilgrimage in Malacca will attest to the beautiful experience we encountered at the Mass in St Francis Institution and at St Paul’s Hill... The liturgy team handled the pilgrim Mass well at St Paul’s Hill and our own Scholastica did an excellent chanting of the hymns.
Well we still have a few more beautiful events to commemorate the closing of our GJ Celebrations. We certainly hope that you will be able to join the SFX Family in our closing GJ dinner.
This is the seventh time I am addressing the assembly as PPC Chief and I am indeed grateful for all your continued support despite my inability to serve you better. I continue to appreciate your love, understanding and your keen response in carrying out the various programmes which had more than compensated for my poor leadership. You continue to excel in all the projects undertaken especially projects that are planned according to the pastoral priorities...
The 31st SFX Pastoral Assembly is significant as we will see a change in the leadership. Father Albert will be our new Parish Priest and Father Simon who had been with us for a decade will take his well earned sabbatical. I take this opportunity to thank Father Simon for having the confidence in me all these years that I had served as the PPC Chairperson. It was a priceless experience where I gained so many blessings from God, the most of which I treasure is the opportunity to get to know and work with you for the greater glory of God. Yes kudos to Father Simon and I pray and hope that you will continue to support and love this man who had served us selflessly in the past 10 years or more.
In 2011, Father Simon was able to visit all the BECs and we had a good reunion of sorts when we completed the BEC Home Masses in May and June 2011. The outcome of which can still be seen in my enlarged waist line. Thank you for all the wonderful fellowship and we pray that you continue the kind hospitality to our new leaders in 2012.
For 2012, we would like to remind the BECs to revitalise yourselves and if necessary work closely with the Parish Groups. We had intentionally reduced the amount of plan activities in 2012 so that more quality time can be spent on the 4 main projects that you will decide on later this afternoon. Most Reverend Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam continues to urge us to make BECs our priority and the APC had in fact given the BEC some pertinent questions for reflection. You have carried the exercise in your BECs and I do hope you will voice out your needs when you plan for your activities in 2012. Collaborate with the Parish Groups for social action or for learning more of the Bible are my suggestions to you.
We continue to thank you, SFX parishioners for being so generous in helping us in many ways to fund and almost complete church renovations. The splendidly beautiful Loyola Hall today is a result of your contribution and hopefully this is put to good use for the further glory of God.
As customary I would like to thank all the parish commission chiefs i.e. Janet Chin, Vince Gomez, Molly and Matthew and Raja Isaiah who had each contributed tremendously in their various spheres. Without them we would probably not have so many successful projects. The Worship Commission had successfully guided us in to the usage of the new translation of the Roman missal. They are also continuing to recruit, guide and lead the liturgical team to celebrate all the major liturgical events of SFX. For Vince, he had been working tirelessly in the early part of the year when he diligently executed the plan activities of the first quarter. Molly and Matthew had been most visible in the Family day and Senior Citizen’s night. In spite of her poorer health she and Matthew had carried out the projects, the fruits of which you had seen, tasted and enjoyed. They had not forgotten the young couples and had sessions to discuss family life after watching the show “Fireproof” Our heartfelt condolence to Matthew who had just lost his sister and he is still, mourning her death. Raja Isaiah continues to be steadfast in looking after the Sunday school and had brought in a few training sessions for the Sunday school facilitators. We continue to have over 500 students in Sunday school and again those who can, please volunteer to help in our children’s religious education. The Standard one' parents had just conducted a wonderful Annual Party when over 800 tickets were snap up and the kids and the parents too had a wonderful time with so many activities. Well done
Our website sfx.com.my continues to break one record after another with more hits especially for the homilies of Father Simon, Albert and Michael... Please continue to visit this website regularly and view the latest Information. Thank you Iggy
I would like also to thank Linda Archibald and Anne Yong for have done their pastoral duties so well in spite of the tough challenges. We may also wish Linda all the very best in her future endeavour.
I know many others had also worked hard in 2011 to achieve your plans and
Strategies. I thank you all for your efforts although I can’t name you individually.
Please continue the good work and I am certain you will be rewarded as you are
helping in the Lord’s garden.
Moving on to the strategies of 2012:
The emphasis on BECs and the ongoing pastoral priorities are of utmost importance. So I urged you all when you plan for 2012 to take into account the areas of unity, formation, integral human development, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue, youth, family and social communications.
In this PA workshop, we will again be slotted by months under the 4 Commission Chiefs and the 12 facilitators. You will have a mixture of parish groups and BECs... As usual the four Chiefs will oversee and guide you along. More details will be given by Janet.
We congratulate and thank the Golden Jubilee Committee headed by Francis Lai who had successfully lead us in the many projects. We will end our celebration on 3rd December 2011 with a subscription dinner. Meanwhile please come forward to support the GJ coffee table book and please try to attend the Novena to St Francis Xavier followed by the closing of the GJ celebrations dinner at the Super Tanker Restaurant at the Club in Bandar Utama...
We pray that the close cooperation between BECs, Parish Group and the Parish Administration will continue as we welcome the new parish priest officially on December 3rd and installed as parish priest on January 8th. 2012
Please continue to pray for SFX and all our Priests and our dear shepherd Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop in continuing their pastoral care to the flock in SFX.
I end this address with a grateful heart for all those years of your support for the PPC and Father Simon. I apologise if I had inadvertently hurt anyone of you. Take care and God bless you all. Thank you all, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lawrence Loh
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
2010 is gone What have I done
2010 was a great and fast moving year. It was a year of changes and I wish to record some of the highlighs that I remember.
i) I was in the 3rd month of work in January after retiring from CIMB. My job requires me to audit compliance of legal issues such as AMLA/CFT, Whistle blowing, Information security policy and OSHA compliance. Was involved in the audit of Kota Kinabalu branch and also Kuching branch later in the year. Also in 2010 we started the audit of the auto leasing company. My first exercise was to do a Key Controls assessment in an asset management company.
ii) In SFX we prepare for our celebration of the Golden Jubilee in December 2011. We had successful family days and also a relatively happy and succesful Parish Assembly. The PPC retreat however had more GJ members than the PPC itself. Nevertheless, Bro Gerard brought us through a wonderful spiritual journey balanced with a good fellowship. The SFX wbsite and the Church itself became transformed and hopefully more people will worship here.
iii) In Bible study we went through St Paul by Father Michael Chua, then St John by Mgr James. The class finally ended in December and we wil be due for a retreat in January 2011. My thoughts are that I need a more critical mind in reading the Bible and that more exercises are needed before I come to a better comprehension.
iv) In the family we are living quite happily although Gabriel went and joined the sister in Brisbane for his A levels. Aaron began working with the accounting firm and Ian will sit for his O levels in 2011. Visited Mum a few times and she continues to be in good health and with certain streak of luck too. Kar Im is generally ok except for her weakening knees which may require a procedure in 2011.
v) 2010 also saw us visiting Eastern Europe for a pilgrimage. The journey saw me putting on weight as I was given both spiritual and physical upliftment. Spiritual because the awe and wonder of the miracles that took place in the past and in the experience of the pilgrims. The Churches that we visit, the fervent believers in Medugourge, and the presence of our Lord in the daily Masses and prayers gave us the spiritual upliftment. The companions and friends that we made at the 1st pilgrimage made this pilgrimage a more enjoyable and friendlier environment. New friends were also made. The physical upliftment was caused by the pork knuckles and the beer of course.
vi) 2010 started with a loss of a few key leaders of SFX. On January 1st, Father Simon led us to Taiping to attend a funeral of A. Matthews who helped us to get tax exemption for our wine and stained glasses. Then in Chinese New year we lost KC Wong who helped us in the electrical appliances, the multimedia and the sound system, then Alan Hoh, our St Peter of Sunday School left us suddenly to join the Lord. Personally my mother's eldest brother also died and this however brought a reunion of sorts as Mum and her siblings were in KL to attend the week long wake. In December 17, we lost our aunt, Vincent Loh's mum after suffering from kidney failure and other related illness for a year. Gerard Pereira a former PPC memeber and founder Chief of the Sports Ministry also suddenly left us in early December.
vii) We had also several good progress such as my learning how to blog, joining Facebook and also enhancing our friendships within the BEC, Pilgrims, PPC, GJ team and PCC members.
viii)New Year's eve saw a surprised group of people coming to our house after the 10.30pm Mass for a nightcap. The last guests finally left by 3am. Good start for 2011
i) I was in the 3rd month of work in January after retiring from CIMB. My job requires me to audit compliance of legal issues such as AMLA/CFT, Whistle blowing, Information security policy and OSHA compliance. Was involved in the audit of Kota Kinabalu branch and also Kuching branch later in the year. Also in 2010 we started the audit of the auto leasing company. My first exercise was to do a Key Controls assessment in an asset management company.
ii) In SFX we prepare for our celebration of the Golden Jubilee in December 2011. We had successful family days and also a relatively happy and succesful Parish Assembly. The PPC retreat however had more GJ members than the PPC itself. Nevertheless, Bro Gerard brought us through a wonderful spiritual journey balanced with a good fellowship. The SFX wbsite and the Church itself became transformed and hopefully more people will worship here.
iii) In Bible study we went through St Paul by Father Michael Chua, then St John by Mgr James. The class finally ended in December and we wil be due for a retreat in January 2011. My thoughts are that I need a more critical mind in reading the Bible and that more exercises are needed before I come to a better comprehension.
iv) In the family we are living quite happily although Gabriel went and joined the sister in Brisbane for his A levels. Aaron began working with the accounting firm and Ian will sit for his O levels in 2011. Visited Mum a few times and she continues to be in good health and with certain streak of luck too. Kar Im is generally ok except for her weakening knees which may require a procedure in 2011.
v) 2010 also saw us visiting Eastern Europe for a pilgrimage. The journey saw me putting on weight as I was given both spiritual and physical upliftment. Spiritual because the awe and wonder of the miracles that took place in the past and in the experience of the pilgrims. The Churches that we visit, the fervent believers in Medugourge, and the presence of our Lord in the daily Masses and prayers gave us the spiritual upliftment. The companions and friends that we made at the 1st pilgrimage made this pilgrimage a more enjoyable and friendlier environment. New friends were also made. The physical upliftment was caused by the pork knuckles and the beer of course.
vi) 2010 started with a loss of a few key leaders of SFX. On January 1st, Father Simon led us to Taiping to attend a funeral of A. Matthews who helped us to get tax exemption for our wine and stained glasses. Then in Chinese New year we lost KC Wong who helped us in the electrical appliances, the multimedia and the sound system, then Alan Hoh, our St Peter of Sunday School left us suddenly to join the Lord. Personally my mother's eldest brother also died and this however brought a reunion of sorts as Mum and her siblings were in KL to attend the week long wake. In December 17, we lost our aunt, Vincent Loh's mum after suffering from kidney failure and other related illness for a year. Gerard Pereira a former PPC memeber and founder Chief of the Sports Ministry also suddenly left us in early December.
vii) We had also several good progress such as my learning how to blog, joining Facebook and also enhancing our friendships within the BEC, Pilgrims, PPC, GJ team and PCC members.
viii)New Year's eve saw a surprised group of people coming to our house after the 10.30pm Mass for a nightcap. The last guests finally left by 3am. Good start for 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
PA Address 2010 on 13/11/2010
Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop Murphy Pakiam
Reverend Fathers Simon Yong & Albert Tan
Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are indeed blessed that we are here today once again to commemorate and participate in this auspicious 30th Parish Pastoral Assembly. Yes I think some of you have been here for the past 10 years or more and I would like to congratulate and thank you for being part of the history of SFX. To all of you on behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council I welcome you to the 30th Parish Pastoral Assembly. Indeed we are proud that you have sacrificed yourselves to make SFX what it is today. As usual we had a fruitful year in SFX. We continued our 1000 hour journey praying before the Blessed Sacrament for our priests and we successfully completed the prayers and we thank you all for praying so hard for our Shepherds in the Year of the Priest which ended in June 2010. We thanked Brother Eugene who headed the project before his transfer to Singapore. The Blessed Sacrament is still being adored and we hope that you encourage more to pray for our priests and other spiritual needs before our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the sixth time I am addressing the assembly as PPC Chief and I thank you for all your continued support despite my shortcomings in not being able to serve you well and being such an incompetent leader. I must say your love, understanding and your keen response in carrying out the various programmes had more than compensated for my poor leadership. You continue to excel in all the projects undertaken especially projects that are planned according to the pastoral priorities agreed by us during PMPC 3.
"2010 has been eventful as we continue celebrating our Golden Jubilee." The GJ Committee headed by Francis Lai planned several projects to renew our spiritual direction and celebrate this joyous occasion having existed 50 years as an active and vibrant church community serving our Lord; as we journey towards a “New Way of Being Church”
In 2010 we were not able to visit the BECs because of other more pressing schedules. However BECs are very important to the life of SFX. We had met almost monthly with the leaders and were together for a training called Collaborative Ministry conducted by Father Michael Chua. We know of your problems or challenges and we do wish that we can do more for you.
I would like to remind you that BECs are Christ centred communities. So whenever you come into unpleasant situations, do remember Christ our King is in our midst and ask him to help resolve our problems. We are also please with the encouragement of our Most Reverend Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam who urged us not be too worried about the numbers but continue to journey together to give Glory to God.
We thank you SFX parishioners for being so generous in helping us in many ways to fund and complete the church renovations. We hope that you will continue to pray and help see to the conclusion of our final phase of the renovation.
Under Worship Commission and liturgy chiefs Janet Chin & Rachel Santa Maria, we continue to improve our liturgical practices. New Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors and Commentators were given training and also other liturgical volunteers were briefed from time to time. We strive to achieve perfection and we continue to enrich ourselves so that we can serve the Lord better. I thank Janet who chaired this year’s family day event in July 2010 and we saw a lot of interaction between the BECs and Parish Groups.
We would like to draw your attention to our website sfx.com.my. Please visit this website regularly as you can now view our latest news, download our monthly reflection paper, and order our photos of the various SFX events through this website. Soon we can even book our rooms through the website. Don’t despair if you are not computer savvy, for it is in Iggy’s plan to visit the various BECs to provide on line tutorials.
IHD
Integral Human Development Commission saw a miracle worked for us to witness in the person of Vince Gomez, the IHD head. From January to March we saw him working tirelessly to implement the projects we had planned in the Parish Assembly of 2009. However Vince fell seriously ill in mid year and we really missed him as he was helping us in so many areas under IHD. Thankfully he came out of his illness and although we can see he is still weak, his enthusiasm in helping the deaf, wheelchair bound, migrants and other less fortunate persons really encourage us to plod on. Thanks Vince for showing us a fine example and thank you God, for giving us the gift of Vince.
The Filipino Community of Migrant Workers have been weaving palms l every Palm Sunday into crosses and selling it to the Parishioners. They donated the profit to the Church Renovation Fund.
FSC decorated the stage for Family Day and Senior Citizens Day. They also join a BEC in an outing.
REACH who comprises of the "Deaf" community celebrated the International Day for the Deaf in Sept. with the various BEC Social Concern Coordinators.
The highlight for WHEELS is their pilgrimage to Bukit Mertajam for St Anne's Feast. Five members were wheeling their way through the massive crowd in BM. It was indeed a great challenge.
IHD had ensured that at least once a year, SFX would have a Blood Donation Drive. They also help to organise Forums on the Constitution by the Bar Council." IHD had also encouraged the Parish Groups in the I H D Commission to work more closely with the BECs through the Social Concern Coordinators.
We continue to thank the parishioners for your continuous support for the projects of SVP including the SFX Rumah Pengajian Xavier. St Vincent De Paul also opened a service centre to help migrants in collaboration with the other PJ churches.
Sectoral
Molly and Matthew continued to work hard uniting the parish groups and the BECs under this Commission. They recently made 350 SFX Senior Citizens very happy when they brought them back to the 50s, 60s and 70s era with songs, dance performance, crowning of SFX Prom King and Queen and were waited on tirelessly by our youths who ensured that they were served their food and drinks promptly.
Family Life Ministry will present Together under One Roof (TUOR) on December 4th. This half day programme is catered for couples married 5 years and below.
BECs Chiefs are requested to persuade your family life coordinators to play a more active role in this commission. The Sectoral commission is an important group as the youth, family, sports and social communication falls under this commission.
Sports Ministry is now headed by Anthony Narayanan taking over from Gerard Pereira. The Ministry successfully conducted the Golf Tournament in August 2010 and is now planning for a Walkathon.
Our Youths including some confirmands further surprised me greatly as they came forward during the weekend masses of 16/17 October 2010 when they help us conduct the Parish Census. It was such an enriching experience to see the young take responsibility and take ownership of the Church. We thank Linda and Anne Yong for their tireless efforts in giving our young people the pastoral care.
Evangelisation
In Evangelisation and Catechetical Commission, RCIA registered over 70 catechumens, confirmands and reception candidates... This year the Catechumen
were put in an exposure immersion experience early so that they learn what the Parish is doing and hopefully will ease them into the BECs and Parish Groups when they are baptised next Easter. We remember 3 silent heroes i.e. KC Wong, Joseph Moses Arul and Paul Lee who left us in January, August and October 2010 respectively. The 3 of them had been active in RCIA and had contributed their fair share of work to SFX. May their souls rest in peace.
Sunday School is a place for 556 of our young ones to learn more about Christ and the Catholic faith. Sunday School will switch completely to the Malaysian Catechetical Series in 2011. Registration for 2011 had proceeded smoothly and they are now in need of Catechists. Please volunteer yourselves or requests your members to volunteer as Catechists so that our young ones will continue to receive a solid faith education.
The Sunday School Parents organised the SS party on 31st October. A wonderful performance together with good music and food was provided to over 500 parishioners. We remember here another unsung hero who left us early this year i.e. Allan Ho who for many years was the St Peter of SFX Sunday School. He opened the doors of the classrooms and even stayed back to clean the toilets. May Allan’s soul rest in peace.
FIRM Foundation Ministry had another active year of providing wholesome adult education. They played a supportive role in the Novena of Grace in March 2010. Various new programmes were introduced such as Easter Triduum, a closer look into Christ’s Church, and the Footprints of God’s series. Hans and his team worked hard to set up this year’s Corpus Christi exhibition held on June 5th and 6th. More people attended this exhibition and the RCIA, Lifeline, Confirmation Group, MRM and the BECs worked together in this project. It was so successful that we exported this exhibition to Fatima Church in October 2010 and this attracted thousands of interested people. Congrats to Hans and Padre Simon who encouraged this contribution of ours to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Brickfields. On Nov 29, a talk by Father Michael Chua on the 4 shades of Advent will be held.
Confirmation Ministry involved over 200 students, of which 68 were confirmed in June 2010. The Level 2 candidates were involved in the Exposure Immersion programme where they served in Rumah Pengajian Xavier, REACH members, Soup kitchen of St John and helped in the Christmas eve supper.
Some candidates underwent training and formation as Lectors and started serving in the various liturgical services in Holy Week. They participated in the Walk with me Programme. About 35 of the newly confirmed helped out in the family day activities. 3 Catechists attended the Archdiocese Catechetical Conference on the CCC on 5th to 7th November.
Moving on to the strategies of 2011:
We had a mid term review of PMPC 3 in August 2010.and we had examine ourselves in fulfilling the objectives in PMPC 3. Although we had achieved some of the objectives there are areas that need improvement. In 2011 we urge you as BEC and PG members to study our pastoral priorities carefully and make plans to serve these areas. Your projects need not be big, do what you can within the organisation or resources that you have. The emphasis on BECs and the ongoing pastoral priorities are of utmost importance. So I urged you all when you plan for 2011 to take into account the areas of unity, formation, integral human development, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue, youth, family and social communications.
Last year, I outlined PMPC 3 strategies and what we did in 2008 to implement this strategy. 2011 will be the sixth year of the PMPC3 implementation. A SWOT analysis was conducted at the APA in August 2010. We will be sharing the results with you in 2011.
In this PA workshop, we will again be slotted by months under the 4 Commission Chiefs and the 12 facilitators. Your groups are urged to come up with only one solid implementable idea. Do not be overambitious, but plan for the targeted objective and carefully choose your leader to implement this project. As usual the four Chiefs will oversee and guide you along. More details will be given by Iggy.
We congratulate and thank the Golden Jubilee Committee headed by Francis Lai who had successfully lead us in the many projects. We will end our celebration on 3rd December 2011 with a subscription dinner. Meanwhile do pay attention to the news in the bulletin, the Pilgrim newsletter and websites on the planned activities for 2011.
You have been steadfast in supporting the Church and all its needs and projects. Thank you to each one of you. We hope and pray that the close cooperation between BECs, Parish Group and the Parish Administration will continue as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee.
Please pray for the Lord to give strength to all our Priests particularly Father Simon Yong and Father Albert Tan and our dear shepherd Most Reverend Tan Sri Datuk Archbishop in continuing their pastoral care to the flock in SFX.
I end this address with the prayer that all of us will continue to be enthusiastic in serving the Lord our God. We pray that we shall all grow in our faith hope and love as we commemorate our 50th year in SFX. I wish you a Happy and Blessed year ahead. Thank you and God bless you all
Lawrence Loh.
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