Call for renewed commitment in parish life

Sep 20, 2024

Susai Anthony Muthu
The Church of Our Lady of Fatima (OLF) Brickfields, held its Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) on Sunday, September 1, with Archbishop Julian Leow gracing the occasion with his presence. The event saw the participation of about 100 parishioners and was facilitated by the Archdiocesan BEC Animating Team led by Rita Krishnan, with assistance from Jacob Dass of the OLF Formation Ministry.

During the breakout sessions, parishioners engaged in discussions centred around the Archdiocese’s four key focus areas: Family, Church, Ecology, and Society. Archbishop Julian actively participated, joining one of the groups for the ‘Conversation in the Spirit’ exercise. This exercise, as Rita explained, aimed to invite the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment to better discern and reflect on the community’s needs

In his first PPA at OLF, Parish Administrator Fr Andrew Manickam, OFM, Cap, expressed gratitude for the active participation of attendees in shaping the parish’s future and community life. He assured the assembly that all proposals would be carefully considered as the parish moves forward.

Archbishop Julian addressed the gathering with thanks for their presence and highlighted the concern over retaining youth after Confirmation. He stressed the need for a shift in mindset to engage people in parish life from cradle to grave, noting that while older members are continually active, there is a pressing need to involve all age groups.

The archbishop emphasised that while children receive religious education, there is a lack of understanding of the Church’s mission based on faith. He underscored the importance of support groups in fostering meaningful relationships and asked, “Are we our brother or sister’s keeper?” He posed a thought-provoking challenge: “If your mission were to ensure that everyone in your parish reaches heaven before you are admitted, would your lifestyle change?”

Archbishop Julian urged everyone to rethink their approach, take responsibility for the salvation of others and themselves, and be vigilant in helping the least, the lost, and the little. He concluded by acknowledging the challenging yet rewarding activities undertaken in the four focus areas and called for continued collective effort as individuals, families, BECs, the parish, and the wider Church. He reassured the gathering that they are not alone, as they journey with Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and the saints.

The PPA concluded with the prelate’s blessing and a commitment to environmental stewardship. In line with the focus on Ecology, the Creation Justice Ministry, led by Fr Andrew, organised a ‘plastic-free’ and environmentally friendly round of refreshments