SHAH ALAM: Viewers from various parishes were treated to a rousing musical presentation on the life of St Paul held in the Church of Divine Mercy (CDM) on June 27 and 28. The musical was produced by the Daughters of St Paul, the Association of Pauline Cooperators, collaborating with several churches, including CDM Shah Alam, St Thomas More Subang Jaya, Assumption PJ, St Francis Xavier PJ, St Ignatius Church PJ, Our Lady of Lourdes Klang, St Anne Klang, as well as St Mary’s Cathedral, KL.

The musical was a tribute to the Apostle Paul, one of the founders of the early church, and one of its most ardent missionaries, mystics and theologians in the history of the church. It was held as one of the concluding activities for the year of St Paul.

The musical, lasting approximately two hours, tells the story of Paul, beginning with his conversion from persecutor of the early church, to becoming an ardent disciple of Christ, and his apostleship amongst the Gentiles to his ultimate martyrdom at the hands of the Romans. It consists of 17 songs performed by the Catholic-Anglican choir, headed by musical director Raymund Pragasam and conductor Steven Austin Koh; and headlined by CDM’s Timothy Zarsadias acting as Paul. Both performances were especially lauded by those who attended.

Among those in attendance during the two-day performance were priests as well as members of various religious orders. Representatives of the Anglican and Lutheran faith communities were also present during the performance.

Sr Bibianah, Local Superior of the Daughters of St Paul, had hoped that this musical would raise more awareness of the message of St Paul amongst the faith community, and make it more accessible via the medium of music. She also stressed the ecumenical nature of the collaborative effort, “the ability of members of various churches to blend and form one strong and united choir group in this musical presentation is testimony that St Paul’s legacy is alive in our time. As St Paul said ‘Many though we are, we are but one body in Christ Jesus’.” Sr Bibianah and the Association of Pauline Cooperators also thanked the generous contributions of benefactors and sponsors in ensuring the success of the musical.

With the success of the musical, future performances may be planned to be held in other parishes, however details remain tentative. —By Nicholas Hoh