KUALA LUMPUR : Catholic Myanmarese from around the city converged at the old parish hall of the Cathedral of St John (SJC) on Oct 18 to participate in a Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Myanmar Catholic Community in Malaysia.

Fr Peter Paul, a Myanmarese who is based in Singapore celebrated the Mass in Myanmarese. Due to the large number present, the Mass was held in the small field beside the old parish hall where a stage was earlier set-up with several large tents in place. The backdrop of the stage included each a Malaysian and a Myanmar flag.

Prior to the Mass at 10.45am, Fr Peter administered the sacrament of Holy Matrimony to four couples and baptized four other children in the old parish hall. He also administered the Sacrament of Reconciliation to several Myanmarese present.

In his homily, Fr Peter touched on the gospel saying the Myanmar community shouldn’t joust or fight for positions but rather serve as servants of all. He said even if you do not get the first position, you must carry on to serve God and others as eternal reward awaits those who do God's work.

After Mass, the community had their lunch at the nearby Community Service Centre where Msgr James Gnanapiragasam, the parish priest of SJC was also present. The Myanamr Community also presented some cultural songs and dances. Many Myanmarese stayed back to watch and to mingle with their countrymen.

The Cathedral of St John was packed to the hilt for all three Sunday Masses. Msgr James in his homily on Mission Sunday spoke on the gospel (Mark 10:35-40) where both James and John, sons of Zebedee wanted to sit one at the right hand and the other at the left hand of Jesus when he came to glory. Jesus said “You don’t know what you are asking.” Msgr James said those who want to be first must be a slave to all and those wanting to be great must be a servant first. He added that this is what it means to suffer like Jesus. “By His cross, He wants us to imitate Him to be a servant of all. St Paul tells us to hate evil, do good and show honour, start a holy rivalry to compete in the mission to become saints. Run the race and be the best to win the crown of eternal salvation.”

Msgr James also spoke on Pope Benedict’s Mission Sunday message, saying the light of Christ must fill the church to illuminate the whole world. “It is essential work to proclaim the gospel to others despite all the persecution and hostility we may face. The whole of humanity must return to God, despite having lost the essence. We need to bring Christian values to them so that the Kingdom of God may become more radiant in the hearts of men,” Msgr James concluded. — By Bernard Anthony