Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #188

Sep 06, 2024

Greetings dear friends of MJD
Malaysia celebrates her 67th Hari Kebangsaan. One Jalur Gemilang per home campaign began in July 2024. The ringgit hits a high. “Chinese companies and goods flooding the nation” fears among the local traders. Contending with a failing education system, with many excellent teachers leaving and many young people emigrating. The unwritten policies and the “little napoleons” are blamed. Melaka prepares for 200,000 international tourists. Its reported that officers from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), will be placed in every government department to ensure decisions align with Islamic principles. In the midst of these happenings, I find the song by Dr Sam Saya Anak Malaysia patriotic and arousing.

“Moving Forward Times”: The Regional Pastoral Assembly or popularly known as PMPC5 for the Peninsular ended on August 27. It came and it went. The “Conversations in the Spirit” created an air for sharing, searching, silence, sensing and discerning. A total of 61 groups with the three shepherds, endorsed four pastoral directions for the Semenanjung ie. Accompanying the Family, Merciful Church, Stewards of Ecology and Prophets in Society. The Peninsular Church readies herself for what is obvious to people: Equity, Inclusion, Education, Conversions and Passive Leadership. Together, Togetherness and To Gather is the underlying whisper of the Holy Spirit.

A Thought For The Week:
The Poison #Petrina had a strange hatred for her boss. Everyday, while at work, Petrina would spend her time devising a cunning plan to take revenge. Every night, upon returning home, she would make a poison for her boss. And every night, she drank that poison and expected to hurt her boss. Instead it was Petrina who fell violently ill with stomach cramps and sickness. But that did not stop her. She kept creating new poisons and kept the same routine. The poison she concocted was a mixture of anger, hatred and pent up rage.

A lesson from Petrina: Anger, pent-up rage and hatred cannot be felt by the other. The poison we feed on harms us, and not the one we are angry with. Stop! Breathe! Watch the hurt! Forgive! Rewrite the story! Be healed!

Announcements For The Week:

1. The nation celebrates her Hari Kebangsaan. The Prime Minister called for patriotism, love for the country and on working together to build the nation. Once our Merdeka was from colonial rule, may Today’s Merdeka is freedom from discrimination, differentiation and division.

2. The September month is dedicated as the Season of Creation, with the World Day of the Poor and the Migrant Sunday slotted in.

3. The first batch of Clergy will be away for the Annual Retreat at Cameron Highlands from September 1-7.

4. Coming next: The Novenas and the Feast of the Santa Cruz Chapel Malim, the Padre Pio Centre, Ulu Tiram and the Catholic Nurses’ National Conference in Melaka.

A long time ago, the great Chinese sage, Lao Tzu said this: Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” We can create heaven or hell, accomplish or destroy dreams; or remain where we are or BECOME MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE.

Hans Urs von Balthasar said: “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.”

See The Holy Spirit @ Work: The Holy Spirit is a great worker, not a ‘trade unionist.’ He is a great worker, and He works in us always. He does this work of explaining the mystery of Jesus, and of giving us this sense of Christ.” Pope Francis

Something To Tickle You: Instead of pursuing happiness, pursue God. And happiness will find you, deep in your soul.” Leila Grandemange Bishop Bernard Paul