A new chapter in life begins in June 2012.

After working as a Youth Minister for the Diocese of Melaka-Johor, Malaysia for a year, now a new chapter in my life has just begun. I am currently studying for a  Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at the Loyola School of Theology. I am aware that this journey is not going to be the same when I was in College General, Major Seminary, Malaysia and St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Singapore. With an open heart and the assurance of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness and His guidance, I believe this journey is going to be a very meaningful one for me.

Many spiritual writers has encouraged and always recommends that we offer our struggles and sacrifices for an intention just like Jesus offered his sacrifice for the salvation and love for us all. I too have decided to offer my sacrifices and struggles for some intentions while I'm here in Manila. May God in his mercy answer all our prayers.

 

I thank my Bishop, Rt. Rev. Paul Tan for his confidence and trust he has on me and this opportunity to study here in the Philippines.

Lord, You are the Potter and I am Your Clay, have Your way in me. Your will be done…Amen.

The song below by Miley Cyrus - "The Climb" explains how I felt and what i am feeling now.

R.I.P Donna Summer & A tribute to all working mothers....

Frankly I did not know who Donna Summer was until her news of her death. I've heard of her songs but didn't know who the singer was until i decided to check-out Donna Summer's songs. Her hit song; 'She works hard for the money' is my favorite.

I did some reading about this song. Let me share it with you:- "As visualized in the music video; the song told the story of a single mother working three jobs as a janitor, waitress and a seamstress. The protagonist goes to work at the crack of dawn, is sexually harassed by a customer and between shopping, cooking and cleaning for her unruly children, she reminisces about a lost dream of being a dancer.
Clearly frustrated, but not defeated, it’s easy to understand how women easily embraced the narrative and found joy in singing the lyrics. "She Works Hard for the Money" reflected the real-life struggle of single mothers and working women everywhere."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/17/donna-summer-was-trailblazer-from-disco-queen-to-karaoke-mainstay/#ixzz1vFQkM3F2


I want to dedicate the song above to all working mothers especially my mother who started working as a clerk at the age of 18 for 36years with the same company and both my sisters, one who is a single mother herself.

Why i do not like Manchester United...

I am a Chelsea FC fan and i'm ok with the other clubs at the Premier League except Manchester United. I just don't like Man U, because some of their players and most fans are very arrogant. They 'shout' a lot before games, during goals and especially after winning. ('shout' as in a lot of bragging esp in Facebook) But they are total silent when their team draws and especially loose. I mean what type of fan is that? They do not stand by their favorite club when they have lost!! Yes, Man U has many fans but now we know that these fans are there just for the name and glory.

MankayU fans should learn from other club fans. We at Chelsea, we stick with our club no matter we win or loose. It is sad indeed to read of a report in the papers today that more than 100k Man City's fans lined up the streets to watch their heroes pass by, in contrast, just SEVEN (7) fans turned up to see grim-faced Manchester United's stars arrive for their end-of-season bash. These fans who claim to be true red devil fans are a disgrace!! Sore losers indeed, only in glory they stay by their team. They should learn from us, Chelsea fans and other club fans on how to be with the team in good times and in bad. That is a TRUE fan.Anyway i salute the at least seven Man U fans who were there.

Hope through this trophy-less year, MankayU fans would be more humble and stop bullying and bragging.

Careful what you throw...

I am the type that when something is of no use or need to be replaced I will throw that thing. But my father is one person who tries if possible not to throw things.  He even at time gather things which many will consider rubbish and useless and see if they can be used again, recycle or try to be innovative by seeing how he can modify those things. Many times I will tell him off to throw all those rubbish.

A couple of days ago, my wallet had a tear and I changed it with a new wallet. I transferred all my cash, coins and cards into the new wallet and I threw the old wallet into the dustbin. This afternoon, I noticed that my identity and bank cards were all missing and realized that during the transfers to the new wallet, I have forgotten all about these cards. I immediately when to the dustbin to look for the old wallet and found that the bin has been emptied. I started praying.... I then asked my dad when did he clean the dustbin? He answered by asking what I was looking for? I answered my wallet!! He said he cleared the bin two days ago but kept the wallet in his room. He ask why I was looking for it since I have thrown it? I answered that my identity and bank cards are all still in it. He then told me that he is keeping the wallet in his room but he has not checked the content. I said another prayer with the hope that all my cards are still in it. When my father gave me the wallet, I opened it and I praised the Lord. My cards were still in it. My father then just said; "You are careless, next time check first before you throw.


Hahaha.. I think after this I'm not gonna say anything about this habit of my father and I know he is gonna brag about this incident even if I continue to tell him to stop those habit of collecting and keeping 'rubbish'...

Bersih 3.0

I am very proud and a happy citizen of Malaysia to have participated at the Bersih 3.0 yesterday. The 'Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections' or 'Bersih' (meaning clean in Bahasa Malaysia - M'sian's national language) is a coalition of non-governmental organizations which seeks to reform the current electoral system in Malaysia to ensure free, clean and fair elections. 

I believe I will not be around during the up-coming elections, but my participation at 'Bersih' is a voice that I would want the government to know of my unhappiness of their administration and the many injustices in Malaysia especially towards the minority races and religions. 

2012 Easter Triduum Experience in Australia.

I would really like to thank Fr. Mark O' Keefe for giving me this experience to celebrate the Holy Triduum at the Parish and Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Unanderra, NSW, Australia. Definitely I would not get this chance again in the near future, maybe after I retire..hehehe.

This experience has opened my eyes and help me appreciate the local church in Malaysia. I was really shocked to see the church half full on Holy Thursday, nearly full on Good Friday and quarter full on Easter Vigil. Thank God at least on Sunday morning the church was packed at the two services. In Malaysia, the churches are all packed during the Easter Triduum services and people even stay up to midnight for the adoration of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday. For pastoral reasons some churches even add extra masses to accommodate the many people wanting to participate at mass.

It is indeed sad to see those churches especially in the Europe where the churches are getting less crowded and some are even being close down. This is a good reminder and a wake up call for the churches in Asian especially for me as I look at the Malaysian church. We should not take granted of the crowds in our church. It is time that we should increase our parishioners faith life if we want our church to be continuously 'crowded' in the future. Parishioners active participation at our churches life is an importance now too.

 At this point here, I would like to thank all our parishioners who are serving voluntarily in our churches. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Me with Fr. Mark @ Burragorang Lookout.

2012 Retreat Experience @ Divine, Kerala.

Not many know that my personal theme in life since 1996 is taken from the Holy Scripture i.e. Jeremiah 18:6 ('As clay in the hands of the potter, so are you in My hands'). That is why even my email id is 'jer186'. Hope u had noticed that the theme of my blog page is based on the same theme.

In 1996 when I was at a crossroad in my life, the Lord spoke to me through this scripture text when I attended an event for youths organized by the Youth Office from KL Archdiocese . Since then I've allowed the Lord who is my 'Potter' to lead my life by molding and using me as His clay whenever and wherever He wishes. This scripture text is my daily prayer. I know at times I've been a stubborn clay but the faithful 'Potter' never gives up, He will began again and shape it as He thought fit.

Once again the Lord has assured me of His faithfulness and love through the same scripture text when I attended the retreat at the Divine Retreat Centre in Kerala, India. After surrendering everything especially all that I've gone through since the year 2008; during the Holy Mass and prayer service on Thursday, the Lord spoke within me telling me that He is the same 'Potter' that I've encountered in 1996. I received messages from the Lord on this sentiment of my theme from the talks, songs and prayer sessions on that particular day in Divine. It was as though that day was dedicated just for me! Later in the evening during the healing service by Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC, I felt free, light and so much of joy. A feeling which I have no words to describe. All that I have been carrying within me since 2008 has been removed by the Lord and now He carries it for me, I need not worry at all about those pain, problems and struggles I have faced since 2008. Praise the Lord!! Alleluia!!.

I now look forward to the plans that my 'Potter' has for me and my ministry. Yes Lord, as clay in the hands of the potter, so am I in Your hands. Mold me and use me. Lord have your way in me. Amen.

I thank all of you who prayed for me during my retreat and especially Mr. Joseph Roosevelt Pereira for making it possible for me to be able to attend the retreat. God bless you all.