Ayer Tawar Chapel celebrates feastday

Aug 06, 2015

By DMC Durairaj
In the little town of Ayer Tawar stands a wooden Chapel of Sts Joachim and Anne. It was built in the year 1935 and became the outstation chapel of the Church of St Francis de Sales.

All the services were celebrated at the front entrance of the chapel. The church proper was turned into a temporary prayer room to enable pilgrims to spend time in prayer before, and after, the services.

The celebration began with the flag raising ceremony. This privilege was given to Fr Simon Anand from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Silibin, who had come to celebrate the Eucharist for the first three days. The main theme for the celebration was Open Your Hearts For Transformation and this was divided into four sub-themes: Transforming Self, Transforming Family, Transforming Society, Sts Joachim and Anne as Models of Transformation.

On the first day, Fr Simon based his sharing on the reading for the day, from the Song of Songs, and asked the congregation what was so unique about this song. Scripture tells us how God loves them, in an easily understandable way.

On the second day, he stressed on the word ‘Prudent.’ We must be able to teach our children and bring them up in the right way, to have love within the family. They must be raised to be virtuous and prudent.

On the third day, he mentioned that sometimes, people tell the truth but it is not heeded. If you really love God, you have to go to God for things to be done. After the homily, the sick were anointed.

The climax of the celebration was on July 25. A multilingual Mass was celebrated by the parish priest, Fr Vincent Paul.

Fr Vincent Paul used Sts Joachin and Anne as good role-models for parents and grandparents. Our devotion to them is an extension of our love for Our Blessed Mother, their child.

Before the final blessing, Fr Vincent Paul gave a special blessing to the elderly.

The celebration ended with a procession followed by Benediction.