Formation for Youth Leaders from Merlimau and Jasin, Malacca.

The long weekend of May 28-30, 2010 was busy but exciting and fun-filled for me.
I had the opportunity to conduct a Youth Leaders formation for some 41 youths from the parishes of Merlimau & Jasin. One of my struggle was the language. I had to use tamil which I am not fluent. But with God's grace I believe the participants got the message that I wanted to reach them. I used many activities in my sessions, so it made it easier for them to understand. Since it was a Leaders formation, I had a few team-building activities too. We were blessed to have an open air, by the beach, Trinity Sunday morning Mass.

Here are some of the pictures for your viewing pleasure:-

Beach side Mass on Trinity Sunday

Youths from Merlimau

Youths from Jasin

Eye of the Tiger

This post has been edited due to my decision to move on. Click here for a read.

It's now 1 year since I've started working in Johor Bahru (JB) and 2 years of unjust dismissal and treatment i received by a certain group. Sadly they still have not given answers to the many questions I have raised. Wonder when we'll see courageous leaders like Pope Benedict XVI who stands for truth and justice!!

This 1 year has been interesting. With God 's blessings I was able to do many things which I couldn't do in the last 7 1/2 years. One example is charity work; if I wanted to do any charity work for someone or some homes, I'll need to have many meetings to convince some people, I'll need to answer questions like; what is your motive? Why this people/homes and not the other? Where did you get the resources to do this? and etc. At times I had to work with some people and admins who had ulterior motive.
Now...no meetings, no questions, no lousy stumbling blocks. It's all between my heart, mind, soul and God.

So how did i celebrate my 1st year in JB? Thanksgiving mass, a good FA Cup final match, a movie, nasi goreng and a can of beer (ginger beer to be exact).

Join me in my celebration. Here is a song for you, 'Eye of the Tiger'.

Not another reality show??

Since I work from 1pm-10pm, my only 'TV time' is after midnight till about 4/5am.
I do not own a cable TV, so I only rely on the Singapore TV programme for my entertainment since they are much better than the Malaysian TV channels.

And here are some of the shows that I have been watching at these hours:-
- America's Next Top Model
- The Shot (Next great fashion Photographer)
- ET (Entertainment Tonight)
- Wheel of Fortune
- Desperate Housewife
- Project Runway
- Hell's Kitchen
- Rachel Ray Show
- Top Chef
And I wonder what else they are going to put on-air when the shows above end...sigh....


Hope the TV people do consider us the few Nocturnal Beings....hehehe

Discouraged?? Don't give up...because YOU ARE LOVED

What do you do when someone discourages you from pursuing your dreams or to be who you are?

I was watching a Hindi movie earlier and I become so angry when in a scene a friend was discouraging his friend.

I just hate all sorts of discouragement. So what do you do? Many will answer saying you have to prove to them. My answer is; you do not have to prove anything to that morons. Who are they? What credibility do they have?

Just by discouraging you they have actually gone so low. So what you can do? Help them. Buy them a kite and tell; 'Go fly a kite"!!!

Hey my friend, even if the world discourages you, do not be discouraged, do not fear because your creator made you for a purpose. You are loved by him so hold on to him and BE YOU.

Enjoy the clip below and be ENCOURAGED...

2010 Easter Triduum Experiences (Pictorial)

Because of my experiences and knowledge in Liturgy, I was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies (MC / Emcee) for the Easter Triduum celebrations at the churches in Jasin & Merlimau at Malacca.
As an MC i was involve from organizing, to meetings, to rehearsing, to practices, to instructing, to cleaning, to sweeping, to washing, to decorating and finally to celebrating the celebrations. It was indeed another experience to keep in mind and heart for further reflection. The parishioners were very co-operative and wanting to learn. They made the celebrations meaningful and spirit-filled.

Reposition of the Eucharist at the Grotto in Jasin

Assisting the priest during the Holy Thursday Mass - presentation of gifts. ( at Merlimau)

Reposition of the Eucharist at Merlimau

With the youths of Merlimau who were in-charge of the decorations

Alter Servers of Merlimau

Unveiling of the Cross at Merlimau

Easter Vigil Mass at Merlimau

Easter Vigil Mass at Jasin

With the Jasin youths who were in-charge of the decorations

With the Altar Servers of Jasin

With Fr. Cyril M

BLESSED EASTER EVERYONE!!

the CROSS and the PALM should be perpetual companions

I quote the phrase above from Fr. Edward Hays on this Palm Sunday and find it so true after reflecting on it with the celebration today. The palm branch is a symbol of triumph and of victory (Leviticus 23:40 & Revelation 7:9) and so with the cross of Calvary; the cross that Jesus died on.

It also makes much sense when we begin today's mass with the procession carrying palm branches into the church and later to hear the Gospel reading of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Christ entered in triumph into His own city, to complete His work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry which began His saving work and follow Him with a lively faith . United with Him in His suffering on the cross, may we share His resurrection and new life".....Introduction to the celebration of Palm Sunday.

A beautiful reflection for Palm Sunday:-

Last day of Christmas???

Many people including Christians / Catholics think that Christmas lasts for 12days or until the Feast of Epiphany (The visit by the 3 wise men). But for Catholics in their Liturgical calender, Christmas lasts from Christmas Day until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Christmas is the feast of the Incarnation, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, true God and true man; the feast where Christ comes to share our humanity, our history. And it is indeed so appropriate to end the Christmas celebrations with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the feast in which we are reminded that we share His divinity. For we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are sons and daughters of God (children of God). Christ is baptized and the whole world is made holy.

I hope you guys still have your Christmas tree, decorations and the crib on display, and if u planning to keep it away, it's cool to do it this Sunday. Maybe you can have a family thingy packing all this decorations into the boxes after the Sunday services.


Update on 06/01/14 - For a beautiful explanation on the 'last day of Christmas;, click here.