Introduction to Lauds: Week 3, Thursday

Defect by Comparison

Through the scripture reading today (1 Peter 4:10-11), we are reminded of our responsibilities of our gifts or graces God has entrusted to us. But many times we have given comments or excuses saying; “I am just this…or…just that.” The word ‘just’ implies a limitation or defect by comparison. We basically put ourselves down.

God has created each of us as a wonderful human being with something special we are meant to share with our world. With all that graces we are called to be of service to others. All gifts have value in the eyes of God only if they have developed and share with love.

We pray that we may recognize and accept the beauty of who we are in God’s eyes and all His gifts to us.

As good stewards of God’s gifts, we pray…

My 1st few days in the land 'Down Under'...oi oi oi!

It’s been 6days now since I stepped foot on the land 'Down Under' – Australia, and I’m really enjoying it.

Though it’s very cold here but I’m slowly adapting to it. Fr. Mark, whom I’m staying with has been so generous with everything including sharing his clothing to warm myself. He has been convincing me that it will get warmer soon. I’m at New South Wales and it’s not as bad as in Melbourne where it is very-very cold.

I was fortunate to attend ‘Priesthood Enquiry Weekend’ on my 1st day here. From Unanderra where I am staying, we drove about 30-45min to Gerringong. A beautiful place where you see the hills and sea meet.

During this gathering I met interesting people (1 bishop, 3 priests, 1 seminarian and 6 aspirants-incl. some ex-seminarians). Unfortunately the battery on my camera was weak and I could not take many more pictures of the gathering. The 1st night was more of introductions and getting to know one another. On the second day, we had good reflective personal sharing. Then we drove about 15min to the country side name Berry for Mass and adoration at the Church of St. Patrick.

Church of St. Patrick, Berry

Eucharistic Celebration at St. Patrick's.
(L-R: Fr. Patrick Vaughan, Fr. Richard Healey & Fr. Mark O'Keefe)

After lunch, we walked along the beach. Nice to see seagulls for a change instead of the ‘burung gagak’ (crow) which is a pest at our local beaches in Malaysia.

The Bishop of Wollongong, Rt. Rev Bishop Peter Ingham joined us for dinner and each of us had a chance of ‘chit-chat’ with him. From my 1st meeting with him, I find him to be a friendly, caring bishop who enjoys joking. He was kind enough to stay back for the last session which was a movie reflection that ended about 10pm. The following day we walked to the church for our Sunday Eucharist. The church is called Church of Mary, Star of the Sea. The gathering ended after lunch. It was indeed a fruitful event, especially for me. It gives me some idea on the priesthood and the vocations here.

Some of the priests and participants of Priesthood Enquiry Weekend.
(L-R: Fr. Mark O'Keefe, Ronald Colman, Stephen Varney, Nigel Porter, Ernest Egelonu, Peter Zielinski, Adrian Mathews & Fr. Richard Healey)

During that whole weekend, my thoughts and prayer was also for the participants and seminarians at Penang, College General who were having a similar weekend called Vocation Stay-in Experience. I was told about 37 aspirants participated. Congratulations CG! God bless you all for nurturing the seeds of vocations on these 37 young men.

The Sunday evening I attended mass at the parish I am staying. It’s the Immaculate Conception Parish which is also a Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady. (Will write about the parish and publish some pictures of it 1day). It was a cold evening and I was shivering during mass but the parishioners I met after mass was warm. I talked to a few and found them all very welcoming. The mass here is a little different as in Malaysia, but I was able to follow. This is why we say the Catholic Church all over the world is a clear example of the saying; ‘Unity in Diversity’. One of the things that I am very impressed is that, the way the people here wishes the sign of peace. The don’t just nod like how we do back home, but shake hands with warm smiles and if they know your name, they will address you by it. After mass, Fr. Mark and I had pizza for our dinner and we talked way pass 1am. I’m happy with the food here; I hope to reduce my tummy by the time I go back home! Hehehe.

On Monday just before lunch Fr. Mark and I visited the parish school – St. Pius X. In the evening we had mass and prior to that we had the Monday devotion to Our Lady.
My friends, you were all in my thoughts during the prayer. Do pray for me too.
On Tuesday morning, I followed Fr. Mark to the Figtree Nursing Home for Mass and Anointing. We had the opportunity to go for a movie too, Tuesday here, is like our Wednesday back home where we get discounts at the cinema. Including the 2 of us, the Cinema had only 6viewers. The movie ended about 6.30pm, it was already dark and the shops were all either closed or closing.

Today I had lunch at the parish school. It’s a practice here in this school to celebrate birthdays of staffs that has a '0' in their age (30,40,50,60) and other events such as anniversaries, giving birth, etc. The 1hour birthday lunch (during the students lunch break) was impressive. We had great food, creative decoration based on the theme of the 'likes' of the person celebrating the birthday (such as color, food, songs, etc). There were songs sung by some teachers and the acting principal was so sporting that he too sang a song and danced! Wah…so much for an hour birthday lunch at the schools!!


I am looking forward for the coming days and weeks of my stay here. For all those who misses me...I miss you too. Till then take care.

Memoria of St. Dominic, Priest (August 08)

We celebrate the Memorial of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), which is dedicated to the improvement of morals, the extirpation of heresy, and the strengthening of the faith.

St. Dominic once taught; “A man who governs his passions is master of the world”. Feelings or passions are emotions or movements of the sensitive appetite (internal & external senses) that incline us to act or not to act in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or evil (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1763). The sensitive appetite leads us to desire pleasant things we do not have, e.g. the desire to eat when we are hungry, or to warm ourselves when we are cold. These desires are good in themselves, but often they exceed the limits of reason and drive us to greed, avarice and concupiscence. The effects of greed can be obesity, avarice arising from the passion of riches and power. And we can take an old incident in the United States i.e. the Clinton & Lewinsky’s scandal as an example for concupiscence. Clinton tried to take over the world but his passions took over him. I’m sure in our local political scene, this example can be relevant too (You know who I am referring to right? – we shall wait for the decisions of the courts).

So we pray that we may discern what is good and bad for us and pray for God’s strength to govern our passions. For Jesus too became human like each one of us.

“A man who governs his passions is master of the world”.

We need to 'PUSH' and 'Be PUSHed'

My childhood was full of enjoyable activities. Together with my cousin and neighbors who were around my age group, we will have all kinds of activities and games. Other than jumping into rivers, going fishing, going mini jungle expeditions, climbing trees, etc, we will also play all sorts of 'kampung' sports. We even had our very own 'Wembely stadium'. In this so called stadium, one can play various types of games and at times we end up breaking some windows of the houses nearby. But in this post, i will like to share about one unique game i used to play which now i see had progress. Its the 'pushing something with wheels game'.

When I was a small boy around the age of 3, my father made me a toy (a long stick with a wheel). I used to push it around the 'kampung'. When i was a little older, I used to love to push the wheelbarrow; and when there were any chores to do around the 'kampung' and it involved the wheelbarrow, I'll be so willing and excited to do it. Later my toy was my father's bicycle. Not able to cycle on it because of its size, I will push it around the 'kampung'. My parents, seeing that I love the bicycle, later bought me one and it was a mean to go for tuition classes.

I thought that was the end of my 'pushing something with wheels game'. But no! I had greater challenge. From just a toy to a little boys personal game, it became a favor for others! I am sure you too had the same experience having to push a motorcycle or a car to start. I have done that many times. But just a couple of days ago, I had a greater challenge! I was asked to push a bus! Serious Wei! A task to push the bus up a slope on a sharp bend is not easy and its not fun either, keeping in mind of the Malaysian 'kampung' heat. So together with the bus ticket conductor and some school boys we pushed the bus front, back, front, back many times to the laughter of the residents around, but the bus still could not be started. We were all giving up when the bus ticket conductor said "One final push". The word 'final' was indeed a motivation, and when we did it; the bus finally started!

Life's journey too can be the same. We need to 'push' and 'be pushed' especially when stopped along the journey, having not reach the destination. At times we can push it alone, and at times we need the help of others especially when the challenge is greater; we need to hear them saying 'OK, one final push'! And at times this phrase needs to be repeated.

This bus incident has a message for me. I was brought to mind of it while reflecting on the life of a very great man, a man whom i admire very much. He is St. John Mary Vianney, Patron for Parish Priest. He had to overcome tremendous difficulties to be finally ordained. All of us have a purpose in life, and at times we have to go through difficulties and challenges to accomplish our purpose.

St. John Mary Vianney...Pray for us.

Favorite Quote from Kung Fu Panda

Yesterday is History,
Tomorrow is a Mystery,
but Today is a GIFT; that is why it is called The Present.

---from the movie KUNG FU PANDA.

Tribute to CSI

I just love watching all the 3 CSI's. It's one of my favorite TV series. Even when i was in the seminary, i try not to miss the series. We will record the show because it is aired at a time after our recreation and we will play it the next day during recreation (8pm - 9pm). As a tribute to this great series, I've posted their respective theme songs. Its all from the same rock band - THE WHO. Now sit back, blast your speaker and enjoy.


1. CSI (Las Vegas)
song title - Who Are You

Song Lyrics

2. CSI NY
song title - Baba O'Riley

Song Lyrics

3. CSI Miami
song title - Won't Get Fooled Again

Song Lyrics

For the 'drummer boy' - Hey bro, the moJO, when i hear the drums, i think of you. When are you going to play for me?

I don't need to fight, to prove I'm right...

I had suspected that I have a secret admirer to my blog and only few days ago it was proven when I receive a malicious email from the secret admirer; the very person who was the 'source' and the 'result' of me writing an article on my blog. Click here for the article.

The long email (with 'cc' to many people) that I received from the admirer is a re-action on the article. Basically, what my admirer is saying in the email is that I have fabricated the facts, presented a partial truth of the whole saga and mislead you; my readers to take my side.

Not realizing, my admirer, seem to agree with me actually. This person says I have given a partial truth and now wants me to reveal the other partial of truth. Hehehe.
My response (not a 're-action' like the email) was to suggest that an Independent Inquiry Commission be establish to look into the matter. Let them give a report.

From the very beginning of this problem I have been walking not alone but with my Lord and had never gone asking people to take my side and I have never sent any email even with 'cc' to others seeking sympathy. This is because, I stand by the truth. I don't make up stories, I don't go hiding or go scheming with others. I don't have to do all that!

From that email I see accusations, conclusions and judgements made, so shall i fight back? Shall I 're-act'? The famous Rock band THE WHO has inspired me through their song Baba O'Riley (Theme song of CSI NY).

...I don't need to fight
To prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven...

Song Lyrics