IPOH: The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) celebrated Pentecost as the parish spiritual event of the year. Focusing on Family Life, the nine days of novena preceding Pentecost Sunday was an invitation to all families in the parish to engage in prayer, spiritual healing, formation and transformation towards mission.

There were Masses, Praise & Worship, formative sharing on the Word of God (centred on family life) and family healing prayers at the parish at three locations for the different language groups: Tamil, English and the “language of the young” for youths. The main theme for the ten days was Holy Spirit Giver of Life. Masses were celebrated by parish priest Fr Francis Anthony (in English) and guest priest Fr VA Michael (in Tamil).

When there were no Masses, the parish teaching ministry members did the sharing on the different sub-themes centred on family life. All groups in the parish including grass root BEC members were invited and given roles to play in the whole programme. While many came for the Masses and novena prayers, special visits were made to those who were not able to come. On the ninth day a special prayer was organised for the sick and elderly.

Family members and BEC members made efforts to bring home bound parishioners to the church for a special prayer, blessing with the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. The youths had special topics relating to their needs. The prayers and sharing on sub- themes were done in an exciting yet thought-provoking manner by Martin Jalleh and the parish teaching ministry members.

Among the topics for reflection and formation were IT and youth, media influence and youth, family and youth and Theology of the Body (Sexuality). Lively music and Praise and Worship were organised by the One United band, a sub-group of the Parish Youth Ministry. The entire programme was organised as an opportunity for parishioners to reflect on areas of brokenness in their families and prayers for spiritual healing.

The Holy Spirit was invoked to Give Life in these broken areas. Reflections included healing in broken family interaction, upholding peace in families, families fostering relationships, broken marriages, how families are to play a role in BEC and be transformed towards mission. A family inner-healing session was conducted during vigil prayer on Saturday night at 10.00pm. This inner-healing session was conducted in two languages. On Pentecost Sunday, parish priest Fr Francis Anthony, celebrated two Masses. Both Masses saw good crowds despite the late night vigil prayer which ended minutes before midnight.

Bro Mathew Matius OFM Cap from Ulu Tiram conducted Praise & Worship and sharing on the Word of God in Bahasa Malaysia for the migrant community. Fr Francis Anthony’s message was that: “Pentecost is not the end, but the beginning of an avalanche.” He pointed out that the focus of Pentecost is not just on the gifts of the Holy Spirit but the Redemption brought by the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit helps us to live the redeemed life through the various gifts to the redeemed community. He urged families to receive the gifts and talents given by God to live the life of love for the good of all and be transformed into a participative and missionary church.” — By JR Victor