PENANG (Herald Malaysia): In keeping with the diocesan theme of the year Christ Centred Family, the City Parish organised the Family Day event at one of the four churches that comprise the Parish. All Masses in the other churches on that Sunday morning were cancelled to focus on the Eucharistic Celebration at St Francis Xavier Church.

A touch of the carnival filled the air as parishioners and their families came together for the Mass. The congregation filled the pews of the church enthusiastically looking forward to the Family Day. The main celebrant was Fr Arul, and Fr Dominic Santhiyagu (Parish Priest) and Fr Michael Thoo (Assistant Parish Priest) were the concelebrants. At the homily, Fr Arul emphasized that parents should realise that they are the primary catechists of their children. In other words, parents must learn to live their faith and by their witnessing, they will instil the seed of faith in their children.

Fr Arul reiterated that Christian life is not just about attending Mass on Sunday — in fact, he stated that many non-Christians often jest that you can tell who is a Catholic — kaki botol, kaki judi, kaki perempuan (drunkards, gamblers and womanisers). He then went on to tell the congregation that we should work towards changing this misconception that non-Christians have about us.

Fr Arul stated that God forgives us for our transgressions but we should learn that we cannot abuse the grace by doing what we want in our lives without thought of the consequences. We need to realise that God’s forgiveness comes to us in abundance through our own true repentance.

Therefore, as parents we need to inculcate our children with the lively sentiments of faith and a deeper understanding of that faith. Parents need to learn to build their families as Christ- Centred families, bringing their daily triumphs and tribulations to the altar of God as a family and to allow Christ to be their mediator in all joy and sorrow.

At the end of the Mass, Fr Dominic invited everyone to breakfast, family activities and later to lunch. Altogether it was a wholesome day for the family to spend together as a unit, celebrating life — life in faith. — By Debbie Mitchell