Eight years of fruitful ministry for The Seeds

Aug 09, 2024

IPOH: The Seeds, a young adults' ministry, celebrated their eighth anniversary on July 13 with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration at the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. The Mass, which also had a commissioning, was presided over by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, with Fr Patrick Massang, CSsR, concelebrating. This special occasion brought together family and friends of The Seeds to give thanks and celebrate God's faithfulness and blessings on the ministry over the years.

In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian emphasised that all vocations begin with the primacy of God, rather than our own desires to serve.

“It begins with an experience of the holiness of God, Who is both transcendent and immanent. This encounter helps us recognise our own unworthiness, yet it is not an excuse to retreat inward but a call to focus on His holiness, followed by a sense of mission.”

On this joyous occasion, the ministry also welcomed two new full-time Catholic lay missionaries, Jonathan Charanraj and Samuel Theivendran. They made a promise and commitment before God, the president of The Seeds, Paul Julianose, the cardinal, and all present, committing to serve as lay missionary evangelists, bringing the Gospel throughout the Diocese of Penang and beyond.

The Mass concluded with the promulgation of The Seeds’ statutes, which were signed by Paul Julianose, President of The Seeds, and Cardinal Sebastian as Bishop of Penang and Episcopal Advisor of The Seeds. This marked The Seeds Ministry as a Catholic Private Association of the Lay Faithful.

Following the Mass, close friends and family members of The Seeds enjoyed a time of fellowship.

The Seeds Ministry is a Catholic Young Adults ministry under the umbrella of CHARIS Malaysia, reaching out to young people across the Diocese of Penang and beyond. Our vision is to equip a communion of young adult leaders in Malaysia to be Spirit-filled missionary disciples. Our mission is to promote baptism in the Holy Spirit to young adults through relevant formation, provide an avenue for spiritual nourishment, and nurture spiritual maturity among committed members of The Seeds Ministry through community living.