God chose us to build his kingdom of love and mercy

Mar 03, 2016

By Monica William
In conjunction with the closing of The Year of Consecrated Life, the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) played host to the Archdiocesan Vocation Promotion Team (AVPT) Roadshow January 30-31, 2016.

Vocation leaflets and posters were placed strategically near the grotto of Our Lady, catching the attention of the crowd and educating the community on the call to vocations.

Thanks to the efforts of CDM, a session on vocations was held at Kolej Damansara Utama (KDU) campus lecture theatre with 220 people. This session was specifically held to reach out to the upper secondary students and their teachers.

It took place during the Catechism time of CDM, from 8.15am to 9.15am. The aim of this session was to create an awareness of vocations, and to plant the seed of calling into the young hearts. The beautiful sharing was on religious and priestly vocations. At the end of the session, the AVPT team left with the hope that the seed had been planted, and that the mercy and grace of God would touch those young hearts in His time.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai, Fr Simon Labrooy, the parish priest of CDM, with Bro Martinia, a seminarian doing his pastoral at CDM. Fr Joseph Heng, a visiting priest from the Melaka-Johor diocese, was present at the 11.30am Mass.

The Masses were also graced with a sharing session to highlight the wonders of God’s calling. The 6.00pm Mass on Saturday saw Sr Shanta of the Canossian Sisters sharing her journey, while the 9.45am and the 11.30am Masses on Sunday saw Sr Angeline Poh, FMM and Sr Grace Choing, RGS, giving their sharings.

A weekend so fruitful could not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of a good team. The AVPT team that came diligently, for both days, consisted of Sr Shanta of the Canossian Sisters, Sr Mary Heng, Sr Lucia Choo, Sr Katherine Masrrinhos, FMDM, Sr Angeline Poh, FMM, Sr Theresa Rgs, Sr Grace Choing RGS, Sr Patricia RGS, Sr Elizabeth Hui RGS, Aspirant Clarise, Bro Joachim Heng Marist and Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai. This indeed is a team blessed by God, with such grace and mercy amongst them.

Following the mission of the AVPT, the Mass on both days sent the message that God has chosen and sent us to build his kingdom of love and mercy. A powerful and uplifting message indeed. Parents were encouraged to cultivate vocations in their homes and surroundings. Young people were urged not to be afraid to respond to God’s call. The message that reverberated throughout the weekend was “It is not us who do things, but God himself who uses us to be his instruments,” resonating with the words of Isaiah, Do not be afraid, I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest.

The Masses ended with this message, “It is not we, the priests or religious, but it is God who, through us, has touched many, and enfolds us in his kingdom of mercy.”