Bringing the message of hope

Aug 02, 2019

By Bernard Anthony
The triduum feastday celebration of the Chapel of St Anthony was held from July 5 to July 7. The chapel, located inside the Sime Darby Estate, only opens once a year during the annual feast of St Anthony of Padua.

On Sunday, July 7, an estimated 1,200 faithful from far and near converged for the 10.30am Mass, despite the rain.

Fr Xavier Andrew from the Church of the Visitation was the preacher and presider for this year, with Chapel Administrator Fr William Michael concelebrating. The theme was Bringing The Message of Hope.

Fr Xavier said we are called to be a people of hope. If we are without hope, we become hopeless, useless. Where there is hope, the possibilities are many. “How do you live your life every single day without hope? God is all powerful. You must change on the inside after every feastday. Take home a message of hope that rekindles and rejuvenates your life and faith. Have the desire to change and be hopeful.”

He cautioned that there are some people who are full of negativity and live in hopelessness. We must think positive. Make a difference by the way we live our life.

Giving examples of hope, Fr Xavier said the moment we wake, we have to thank the Lord, for God created us. He gives us energy and the encouragement to live in God and in His love. Hope is a special gift from God and He never disappoints us. We pray for the grace of God to bless us. He preached in English, Tamil and Bahasa Malaysia.

Fr William, who is also the parish priest of the Church of Sts Peter and Paul in Banting, thanked all for coming from near and far to celebrate the chapel’s feast. He also thanked all the parishioners and those in Banting for their involvement in the preparations for the feastday. He invited all for the sumptuous lunch, in the grounds of the chapel. The Chapel chairperson, Joseph Sinappan, then thanked the preacher and all for coming.

Many spent time visiting the grotto of St Anthony and praying in the modest chapel.