2011 CHRISTmas Experience.

This year's Christmas celebration for me has been somehow like a 'Biblical Christmas'. Allow me to explain further; The gospel readings taken for the midnight mass - Luke 2:1-14. From this reading we hear that the humble King's birth is proclaimed first to the lowly. The shepherds were generally poor and to some extent outcasts, considered by the 'respectable' to be ignorant, dirty and lawless. In another word, they can be called as 'Anawim' Yahweh - The 'poor' of Yahweh.

After my Christmas eve masses at Segamat and Cha'ah, together with Fr. Cyril and Bro. Joseph ofm cap, we traveled to the Orang Asli Kampung in the morning of Christmas Day. We had a Mass there for them and later joined them for lunch. They were prepared for the celebration, in fact I can say better then the city parishes. The singing was superb and though they had no Christmas tree or any of that sort of decorations at their 'Rumah Besar' (Place of Worship) they had decorated the place with their own cultural way with young coconut tree leaves and they even had a simple crib. They all came dressed in their best. I was told by the priest that some even wanted to do confession before mass just because they missed the penitential service 2 weeks ago. Now tell me, did they have a sense of Christmas? Was their celebration of Christmas with Christ. I'll give a big YES. They have put many of us 'materialistic' and 'respectable' people to shame. After the mass, we had the opportunity to be 'Santa Claus' or rather the real 'Saint Nicholas' by distributing some gifts to the children.

After that mass, we rushed back to Segamat to celebrate the Eucharist for the Migrants. And here again I witness tremendous preparation for the Eucharist Celebration such as the singing for mass. The church was packed for the 3.30pm mass and it was followed by an early dinner and fellowship.

In our society today, the two group above i.e. Orang Asli and the Migrants are considered the 'poor of Yahweh'. They are look down at and to some extent treated as outcasts. The scripture mentions that the Angel proclaimed to the shepherds 'good news of great joy', I hope through my presence and participation in their (Orang Asli & Migrants) celebrations I was able to proclaim the same 'Good News' and passed on the 'Joy', 'Peace' and 'Love' of Christmas.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen....Lk.2:20.

The Season of Advent.

In my previous post I promised to blog an explanation of the Season of Advent. The topic is easy for me but the task of summarizing and writing about it as a short article onto my blog was a difficult task. Every detail and information about this beautiful season of advent is important but I have to consider just giving the important points. Each time I was writing and typing on the keyboard, I have to keep telling myself; "Adrian, it's an article for your blog and not a half day session!!"..hehehe.

The word "Advent" comes from the Latin language (adventus) and means literally translated "arrival" or "coming into a place". The Christians use this term to signify the season of the year in which we are waiting for the coming of Christ: the time of recalling His first coming when he became man, and the time of looking forward to His second and final coming at the end of time.

Sadly many Catholic think that Advent is all about preparing (waiting) for Christmas i.e. the birth of Jesus Christ. They are not wrong and they are not fully right either. Advent is not just about 'waiting' for Christmas, it is also about the 'waiting' for Jesus' final coming. Advent has two parts; 1) From the 1st Sunday of Advent to December 16 inclusive and 2) December 17 to December 24.

If you follow the daily and Sunday readings during the 1st part of Advent, you will notice there are elements and expressions of the eschatological character of Advent: it makes us look forward to the coming of Christ at the end of time, thus for the reason that Advent is a preparation time for the final coming of the Lord. The final coming in glory is closely connected with the incarnation, in fact the second coming is the fulfillment of the first one. Advent then, should be a time of great expectation of the final coming of our Redeemer and therefore a time of great joy. Such a joyful looking forward to the day of the Lord is to a great extent missing in the life of Christians, and that is why it is important to make good use of the Advent season. The season of Advent calls for both: joy and penance, reverential fear and love and that is why there is a kind of penitential agenda for this period by which we prepare ourselves for the Christmas feast and also get ready for the final coming of the Lord.

The second part of Advent i.e. December 17 to 24 is focused as a preparation time for Christmas. During this period the weekday and Sunday readings helps us to look back at what happened during the 1st coming of Christ, His coming in humility in our human flesh. By recalling the events preceding the incarnation we should develop some special attitudes. We should come to a renewed and deep appreciation of this mystery of God becoming one of us in all things except sin. These few days before Christmas should bring us also to a better understanding of the history of salvation. Looking back how God prepared the way for his Messiah in the history of Israel we can only marvel at the wisdom and the wonderful plan.

In conclusion, the meaning of Advent: It is the time in which the Church meditates about the coming of the Lord. We recall His first coming and we yearn and look forward to His final coming.

Maranatha - Come, Lord.

Happy New Year!!!...Hmmmm in November 2011??

Coincidentally this year 2 communities (religion) also known as 'The people of the Book' celebrates their New Year today. The Catholic Community starts their New Liturgical Year (Missal of the Year B & Weekdays of Year 2) with the season of Advent and the Muslim Community with Awal Muharram (1st Month of the Islamic Calender) which coincides with Maal Hijrah i.e. Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina.

Both these celebrations calls for renewal and change and brings out the sense of anticipation (waiting). I hope in the next few days, I'll blog to explain about the season of Advent.
For now, lets just look at Muharram and Hijra. Wikipedia explains that; Muharram is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian year for this reason the Islamic new year does not come on the same day of the Gregorian calendar every year.

Muharram is so called because it is unlawful to fight during this month, the word is derived from the word haram, meaning "forbidden". It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The Hijra (هِجْرَة) is the migration or journey of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Happy New Year my dear Catholic and Muslim friends. God bless you all.

A better understanding on the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

There have been some 'talk' on the Sacrament of the Sick lately at the small town I'm currently staying. Gathering from the discussions I hear, many people have actually misinterpreted and misunderstood this beautiful sacrament of spiritual and physical healing.

In the early middle ages this sacrament was administered to people who were not likely to recover from their sickness and eventually this became known as the sacrament for the dying which were likely called; last anointing or extreme unction (extrema unctio). Many people in this modern times still keep the above idea of extreme unction. I have seen this a couple of times when I follow priests when they go to administer the sacrament of anointing and the sick person or even the family members will decline to be anointed. Catholics still dreaded to ask for a priest to anoint themselves or their loved ones, since it was a sign that they had given up all hope of recovery and in the imminent danger of death.

So my dear friends if you are in the above group of people, this posts if especially for you. Now let us see one of the many text from scripture that explains this Sacrament of Anointing. James 5:14-15 - "Are any among you sick? They should call for the presbyters of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed any sins will be forgiven". The words that to be noted from the text is: Save, Raise them up, Forgiven. Now this three words clearly shows that it was not meant only for the dying but also 'spells out' HOPE for the sick.

Now how do we define who receives this sacrament for the 'sick'? I'm having a headache or a flu, so am I eligible to receive this sacrament? Definitely a sound mind and common sense can give an answer but nevertheless lets see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say on this; 'The Apostolic Constitution Sacram unctionem infirmorum, following upon the Second Vatican Council, established that henceforth, in the Roman Rite, the following be observed: The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill...'(CCC.1513).

'The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.' (CCC.1514).

'If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. (CCC.1515).

So who can administer this Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? It is ONLY the priests. Now in addition to the Anointing, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of 'passing over' to the Father. Now a deacon can administer the viaticum; a latin word which means 'provisions or food for the journey' and any commissioned Extra-Ordinary Ministers can distribute communion to the sick.

Please read the CCC.1499-1532 for more better understanding.

26th World Youth Day.

It's been 1month now since the closing Mass of the 26th World Youth Day at Madrid, Spain. This is my 3rd World Youth Day (WYD) after Manila in 1995 and Rome in the year of the Jubilee 2000.

All these 3 WYDs I attended has been recorded to be the 1st, 2nd and 3rd largest registered participants / pilgrims. WYD @ Manila has the current world record for the largest papal gathering with about 5,000,000 attended. WYD @ Rome in 2000 had about 2,000,000 pilgrims; whereas in WYD @ Madrid it nearly reached 2,000,000 participants.

I remembered being a timid person (sometimes I feel I am still one) but after my sacrament of confirmation in 1994, I felt and saw some changes in me. I am bolder now, I take chances and especially after the sacrament, I got involved in the parish youth ministry. This pave way for me to go for the WYD @ Manila. It was indeed a new experience; a gathering with a lot of young people. From here, I got more involved in church activities and even went further to the Archdiocese involvement. I even became the parish youth coordinator.

WYD @ Rome during the Jubilee Year 2000 was very special for me because it was a time when I was discerning my vocation. It was indeed a spiritual pilgrimage.

Compared to WYD @ Manila and Rome, the WYD @ Madrid was not an easy one for me. This was because I was responsible for the Malaysian contingent. It was like I was carrying a load on me and I really felt relieved when it was all over. Since being in charge, I did not have much time on my own to pray, reflect, etc but I did witness characters of certain Malaysian pilgrims and the best part is to see some youths from Malaysia taking on leadership roles. I must say I was proud to be leading this bunch of youths to the WYD. In particular I would like to mentioned that I underestimated 2 youths but they prove me wrong, they were just amazing. The best part for me during the WYD is the Marian Fest (the P&W, dancing, concert), listening to Archbishop Timothy Dolan from New York and especially the vigil with Pope Benedict XVI. A massive storm broke out during the vigil and all the pilgrims stood there still just wanting to listen to the beloved Papa. The Pope stopped his speech and waited with us for the storm to pass by. I know very well, that at that moment of the storm, the Pope was just thinking of all us pilgrims who were right in the middle of the storm and were getting wet. He was shielded by the cardinals and guards with umbrella but I'm sure he was 'feeling' for us and he prayed for us all. There were a reason for the storm; it was to settle the hazardous sand dust at the venue which was even worst. Actually it was kinda fun, its been so long since I 'played' in the rain..hehehe.

During this WYD I had the opportunity to see the Pope just about 5 meters away. Here is the video clip I took of the Pope (for those reading this via facebook, you have to go to the original post to view the clip):-



It is indeed a privilege, an honor to represent the many Malaysian youths who were not able to go for such an event; to listen and pray with the Pope who is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. I prayed for you all, our Papa the Pope prayed for you.
I thank God for this opportunity, I thank the many who made it possible for me to be part of this event. God bless you all.

To view more of my photos of the WYD @ Madrid, please click here.

1st time cooking professionally...

Haha today I accomplish a challenge. For the first time I cook professionally. What I meant by professionally is that; I have cooked before, but it was more like frying eggs and making a very simple 'nasi goreng' but today I cooked a decent set meal. Hmmm it was yummy....hehehe

Cabbage
(with tomato & anchovies - 'ikan bilis')

Sardin curry
(with potato and tomato)

1st District Youth Visitations

I just concluded my 1st visitations to all the youth groups from the various languages from the parishes in my district. There are 7 main churches in this North Central Johor District. Since just recently (effective April 1st, 2011) being appointed as the Youth Minister for the District, the objective of this visit was more to establish connection with the youth groups and to get to know their leaders and parish priests. I must say, I am very pleased with this first visit and it has been beneficial for me hearing the needs and experiences from the youth leaders themselves. They even shared all their joys, enthusiasm, struggles, frustrations and disappointments which I have taken all into serious consideration. I am also happy to hear first hand from some parish priests of their views, aspirations and suggestions for their youth groups.

One of my actions after this visit is a North Central Johor District Youth Leaders Retreat which I am offering to all the youths especially from this district. It will be held from September 16-18, 2011 filled with spiritual input, personal and group reflections, workshop activities and a half day teambuilding session. A selected team of young people are working and praying for the success of this event; they are the Redemptorist Mission Team from Singapore, Tim Fernandez from Live & Inspire, and the Youths representing the Diocese Language Apostolates.

After this retreat, I hope to continue my visit to the parishes on regular basis, journeying with them. During the 1st visit, I was very surprised by the different youth leaders and groups of their capabilities and enthusiasm even with limited resources and coming from rural parishes. I am really looking forward to meeting all of them again.

As for my ministry, I pray the prayer of Solomon asking God to be his guide so as to guide His people. “O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, to minister to your young people in this Diocese of Malacca-Johore; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to lead this vast people of yours?” (1 King 3:6-9)

A Spirit-Filled Experience @ MJDST 2011 Youth Rally.

On Saturday night at the MJDST Youth Rally @ Kluang I witnessed and experienced the Lord working in ways that I never had expected. It was a Charismatic event and at night there was an inner healing and praying over session. Usually in such setting, there would be some sort of preparations such as talks or sessions leading up to the inner healing and some 'touching' or rather 'soul searching ' songs. But the sessions we had was totally different for it was a different approach and had no such preparations for the praying over.

Just as the worship group was leading in some set of songs, the priest (Fr. Deva) and I came into the room and as I went to the corner of the room, Fr. Deva starting instructing the participants to sit on the chair if they were not comfortable sitting on the floor. I was quit disturb about it because I felt that it was better if Father could do it just after the song. But I saw his wisdom when he said, "You can worship the Lord better when you are sitting comfortable if not you will be fidgeting" Then Father just took over and randomly ask the music group to sing the songs he suggested.

From then on, I saw the Holy Spirit moving and touching everyone. As I went forward to minister to the youths, I felt the Holy Spirit ministering to me too.
And what a joyful feeling, it was totally awesome! I saw many youths being touched by the Lord during the ministering and their testimony at the end of the programme was an evident of God's mighty works according to His time, place and will.

To have seen me is to have seen the Father (Jn 14:9).

As I was reflecting on today's gospel (5th Sunday of Easter, Year A - Jn.14:1-12) I was very much taken up by Philip's request i.e 'Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.' and the answer of Jesus; 'To have seen me is to have seen the Father.'

Here I would like to present to you a man, and just by looking at him you can see the Father. He is none other than our beloved Pope John Paul II. He was beatified on May 01, 2011.
In the same gospel text, Jesus goes on further to explain how the Father can be seen. He says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." Yes, the works of God!! That's a clear evidence to know that God is dwelling in us. In the life of the late John Paul II, we have seen beautiful manifestation of the works of God and how the works have bear fruits (results). Like JPII, all of us are called to be God's instrument. We are called to be His hands and feet so He can continue His works which he begun through His Son. For a matter of fact greater works can be done through us if only we believe in Jesus. For Jesus said at the end of the Gospel; "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father". Through Jesus' ascension into heaven, He has made it possible for each one of us by the grace of baptism to continue His work, in fact greater works for the good of all people.

So now the questions we must asks ourselves; have we taken up the challenge to be God's instruments? Do we allow God to work in and through us? Do we manifest the presence of God's dwelling within us? Have we shown the face of God to other?

Here is a clip on John Paul II. Just look at his face and you can surely see the manifestation of God's face. JPII show us the Face of God, the Father.


I was indeed blessed to have participated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Services presided by this man of God; i.e Pope John Paul II. 1986 - JPII's visit to Singapore, 1995 WYD @ Manila, Philippines & Jubilee Year 2000, WYD @ Rome.

Moving on with God's unfailing promises.

Wahhh it's May 21st already and I actually forgot an event that for the last 2years I have kept in mind on a particular day during the beginning of May. An event that was so bitter in my life. The last 2 years on the anniversary I have written about it but this time I have forgotten about the whole issue. Even when my sister reminded me the other day about my blog not being updated, I didn't even think about it. Hmmmm what shall I say....Praise God?? Yes, Praise God indeed. I believe I have moved on. God's healing is taking place within me. I am also glad that what I have spoken out for and defended has taken place. "The word of the Lord is faithful and all His works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with His love"(Ps.32:4-5)....Amen.

I am just enjoying God's faithfulness now....Alleluia!!

What does the Melaka-Johor Diocesan Youth Ministry do?

Communicate the direction and strategies for all youth ministries in the diocese, guided by the diocese’s vision and structure. The youth leaders are being (re)-introduced to the Diocese’s Vision and Mission Statement. From there, we will seek to understand it, to agree on what is achievable for youth ministry and to translate that into step-by-step action plans.
Empower parish youth leaders through leadership training and formation. Applying the principle of subsidiarity, the diocesan youth ministry should not do what the parish youth ministry should and can do. The quarterly District Meeting of all youth leaders will not just be a time to report what has or will be done; the emphasis rather, would be to equip the leaders to help them start, run or improve their parish youth ministry.
Review the health of the parish youth ministries. No matter how fanciful the footballers dribble, if they don’t score, their team won’t win. In the Vision and Mission Statement, youth ministry has an objective yardstick to measure progress. As such, we have planned for our district and apostolate youth leaders to gather, reflect and evaluate our formation programmes, activities and events on a yearly basis.
Coordinate the relationships and programmes between parish youth ministries across language groups through District Level events.
Coordinate the relationships and programmes between districts across language groups through Diocesan Level events. Besides coordinating our yearly schedule, networking will encourage the mutual sharing of programmes that have proven effective eg CHOICE, Youth Encounter and Persons are Gifts.
Collaborate with other ministries in youth related programmes. It makes sense to cooperate with Catechism, Vocation Promotion Team etc so that rather than duplicating programmes and depleting resources, synergy can be created through teamwork.
Collaborate with other diocesan youth offices on the national and international level where it involves our diocese.

Youth Minister

Just realized that I have not kept my promise till now to share with you what my next chapter in life is all about. I am currently one of the three Youth Ministers for the Diocese of Malacca-Johor, West Malaysia. It's been 11 days now, and yes! I have been enjoying every bit of it though I had been doing a lot of traveling the past 10days. I enjoy traveling, so no complain!

When asked about my plans and hopes for the youths of the Diocese for an article in the local catholic weekly (Herald), this is what I said; "I am very grateful to Bishop Paul Tan and the Diocese for giving me an opportunity to serve the church as a Youth Minister. As for my plans and hopes for the youths, I just have to take cue from the Shepherd of the Diocese. During the Diocesan Synod last year, Bishop Paul Tan has call on everyone especially the leaders to concentrate on two areas i.e. more and effective formation of our people and quick and focused spotting out of people who are willing and can serve the church in building the Kingdom of God.

I feel so blessed and excited to serve in this ministry. I need all the prayers I can get to be able to serve God and His people especially His youths better. Do pray for me guys.

Note : The pictures above are some of the many youths from the Diocese of Malacca-Johor that I have had the pleasure to meet.

Bye Bye Unisys JB...

Yesterday saw my last working day at Unisys Johor Bahru Branch. My fingers would sure agree that it needed this break from all the 'key-ing-in' but I will definitly miss all my colleagues who befriended me immediately when I started working there on May 15, 2009. We bonded like a family. Unisys JB can proudly say that it lives the 1Malaysia spirit. Hmmm the many jalan-jalan cari makan, festive celebrations, open houses and most of all the working together are a prove.

I have gain many experiences from the two years working here and will take it all with me to the next chapter in my life. What's the next chapter all about you may ask....Look out for my future posts, its gonna be an exciting part of my life.