BUKIT MERTAJAM (Herald Malaysia): For the first time ever, the Penang Office of Human Development (POHD), set up a booth during the recent Feast of St Anne at the Church of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. POHD ministries consist of the Diocesan Migrant Ministry, The Lighthouse, A Place of Hope and Bright Sparks, Children’s Holistic Education Centre.

The Penang Diocesan Youth Network (PDYN) and the Campus Ministry Office (CMO) also collaborate with POHD in this ‘Project St Anne — Evangelisation’. It was the parish priest of the Church of St Anne, Fr Henry Rajoo, who had decided that for this year, the feast should concentrate on evangelization, thus he gave the opportunity to POHD to promote their ministries.

Beside the POHD booth, there were other booths too that promote evangelization like the Family Life Ministry and the Evangelisation Team. Six weeks before the Feast of St Anne, POHD had already been working hard in preparation for the exhibition and evangelization during the Feast of St Anne.

The theme set for the project was A Call From Jesus — Where Are You? Banners, streamers, brochures and flyers were prepared and meetings were held to plan for activities that will attract the crowd. POHD started setting up their booth on July 29 and were there until July 31. On July 29, youth volunteers from PDYN office staged a short skit entitled The unmasking of the reality of Malaysia, while the volunteers from CMO performed a short flash mob, holding placards with bible verses and sayings from the Catholic Social Teachings.

A small section was set up to collect signatures for the repeal of the ISA and EO. At the end of three days, a total of over 900 signatures had been collected. There was a ‘Children’s Corner’ set up by Bright Sparks, where children got to do some colouring. A huge banner depicting the theme with a moving picture of the crucified Jesus and the Bible verse from Matthew 25:40 was hung high up the booth.

The pilgrims who passed by were drawn by this banner, with the words A call from Jesus — where are you? in bright red letters beckoning them to visit the booth. At the booth, they were greeted with smiling and excited staff, with brochures ready to explain to them about the social works the Diocese of Penang had been doing. Eye-catching streamers from the various ministries also captured the attention of the pilgrims. There were also pictorial exhibitions of the various POHD ministries and the Home for the Aged in Simee, Ipoh.

The Home for the Aged in Simee, Ipoh and St Joseph’s Home in Penang also participated in the project on July 30, since the homes are run by the Diocese of Penang. Seven staff from the Home for the Aged in Simee in their bright green T-shirts, were at the booth to explain to pilgrims about the Home. Ten children from St Joseph’s Home, ranging from age 9 to 17, were on hand to present some songs complete with tambourines, maracas and bongo drums. Three volunteer youth from PDYN were around on 29 and 30 July to perform some dances.

Their energetic, lively dances became a big draw to the booth, especially on 30 July night, when many pilgrims stopped to watch and take photos. After the dancers managed to draw lots of pilgrims, Sudhagaran Stanley, from POHD, took the opportunity to announce to them about POHD and the Catholic Social Teachings. He quoted Matthew 25: 42-43: “For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.

Well, Jesus is calling you today, will you answer him? Come in and have a look at the various ministries of the Diocese, to see how you can serve Jesus. We also have a signature petition to abolish ISA/EO. Come and sign the petition, as this is a calling from the Catholic Social Teachings, that you have to stand up against what is unjust.”

Stanley, who is also the project manager had this to say after the event: “I thank Fr Henry Rajoo for giving us this opportunity to be able to inform people about the social teachings of the Church. We are here to tell the pilgrims that Jesus had reached out to the unjust, likewise, we must do that too. All of us can do our part in answering Jesus’ call to serve him in various ministries.”

“During the event, there were many parishioners who asked why we should bring in politics (on the petition). For me, the questioning and criticism are good signs. It will provide an avenue for dialogue to create greater awareness on the social teachings of the Church.” he continued. “Christians should remember that it is our duty to voice out against any injustices, which is the call of Jesus Christ — ‘That justice, kindness and love are carried out at all times.’ Finally, I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who helped in making this project a major success.” — By Lucia Lai