Diocese of Malacca Johore: MJD News Update #8

Sep 19, 2020

Hello, dear friends. On behalf of Bishop Bernard Paul, a blessed Malaysia Day to you all.

1.0 A Thought for the Week
Walking down the street, the prophet asked: “Aren’t we all children of the same Eternal Father?” The multitude agreed. And the prophet went on: “and if that is so, why do we betray our brother?” A boy who was watching asked his father: “what does betray mean?” “It means to trick your companion in order to gain a certain advantage.” “And why do we betray our companion?” insisted the boy. “Because in the past somebody began all that. Ever since then, nobody knows how to stop the wheel. We are always betraying or being betrayed.” “Then I won’t betray anyone,” said the boy. And so he didn’t. He grew up and suffered a lot during his life, but he kept his promise. His children suffered less and endured fewer hardships. His grandchildren did not suffer at all.

Leaders, politicians, government officials, trusted institutions, civil and religious have been a great letdown. They have institutionalised betrayal. This culture is the new normal. They think it is okay to rob, cheat and sell out the trusting and the ‘know-not’. They think they are untouchable because there is no rule of law. Do you think that the institutions we trusted, the greedy self-serving and the laws alone can make us a caring people?

Stop being self-serving. Betrayal stops. The next generation learns “persons are to be loved, not to be made use of.”

2.0 Announcements for the Week:

2.1 The Villa Paulos, the Home of Young Children in Johor Bahru, will be having their Annual General Meeting on Sept 19. There are 22 children, from pre-school age to SPM goers. Cash aids and sponsorships are welcome. Contact Msgr Michael or Villa Paulos for more  information. CIMB Acc. 8006194667. Facebook page: Villa Paulos.

2.2 There are other homes initiated and supervised by the office now known as, Caritas-MJD (formerly called Malacca Johore Diocese Office of Human Development or MJDOHD). Among them, we have Graceville, Fatima Home and next, on the planning board, is the Canossa Home at Segamat, which is for single mothers and the young.

2.3 The Creation Justice Commission will be launching the five-year “Protect Our Earth, Protect Our Children” Campaign on Oct 4 at St James Chapel, MAJODI Centre.

2.4 All collections on Oct 4 Weekend are for Peter’s Pence Rome. It is also the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

2.5 Bishop Bernard Paul is currently on leave from Sept 13 till Sept 27.

3.0 Questions & Queries?

What is MAJODI? MJD? MJD50?
MAJODI is the Headquarters of the Bishop, with Curia Office and the many pastoral offices. It includes the bishop’s residence, the retreat and formation centre and Graceville, the community of elders. It is the administrative hub of the diocese.

MJD refers to the Malacca Johore Diocese, a communion of 17 parishes administering 37 Churches, chapels and mass centres. It includes all religious congregations, mission schools and charitable homes and institutes.

MJD50 is the logo and call-sign for all Catholics and parishes of the diocese to prepare for the golden jubilee celebration in 2022.

God bless you all.

Msgr Peter Ng
September 18, 2020

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