Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #221

May 09, 2025

Welcome dear friends,
Good to be back after a short break. I was away for the Feast of the Divine Mercy at the Church of the Divine Mercy, Sg Ara. Yet managed to witness the funeral of Pope Francis live.

A momentous time in history. A pope who finished strong and finished well. World leaders descended on Vatican City. Zelenskyy, Trump and Starmer met. Religious leaders with their followers dropped in to pay their respects to Pope Francis at cathedrals and diocesan centres.

The Malaysian government was represented by Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said and Datuk Ewon Benedick for the PM. The Pope has been buried at Basilica of St Mary Major.

Next will be the Conclave, with 135 cardinal electors. The Church awaits the successor to Pope Francis. We pray for continuity and building up the Synodal Church.

Silent Crises Can Fester. Singapore goes to the polls. Mixing politics with religion - tensions are surfacing. BN gained Air Kuning, by a lesser majority, said the loser. Malaysia seeks to maintain good ties with the US, breaking from the united ASEAN front.

Online heated debate on 14K straight As in SPM 2024. Netizens are wondering if this is a sign of skyrocketing academic excellence or lowering of grade bar. The Queen urged Malaysians not to take national harmony and unity for granted.

Doctors, the cornerstone of the nation’s health, are overburdened, undervalued and at risk of severe mental health struggles.

Prices of roti canai, nasi lemak and satay – some of Malaysia’s favourite foods – have almost doubled in price over the past 13 years, according to the Statistics Department. The fundamentals are often taken for granted.

A Thought for The Week: God Said No!
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things so that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said… Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Something’s Happening Near You:
1. The Annual Conference of Permanent Deacons was held from April 30 to May 2 at Majodi Centre, attended by the deacons and their spouses.

2. The MJD prepares for the Training of Trainers Programme on Synodality, the changes that are expected, the conversions needed, the spirituality required to sustain this new Pentecost. Ignorance is not bliss.

3. The PSO MJD will be conducting a Safeguarding of Minors Workshop on July 5 (9.00am - 1.00pm) at Majodi Centre for Tamil-speaking parents, youth leaders and catechists.

4. The Catholic Bishops of Malaysia made a nationwide appeal for Myanmar- Thailand earthquake humanitarian response - the second collection on Divine Mercy Sunday in all churches. Additional donations are welcome till May 1.

“QnQ! Q asks? The Apostle John was imprisoned. How do the interned cope?
Archbishop Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan had 10 Rules of Life, when he was confined in a Vietnamese Concentration Camp. He became so effective at evangelising his jailers that the prison had to change them regularly. Van Thuan said that he was happy there, as it was God’s turn to speak and for him to listen. He also devised the following 10 Rules of Life:

“I will live the present moment to the fullest.”

“I will discern between God and God’s works.”

“I will hold firmly to one secret: prayer.”

“I will see in the holy Eucharist my only power.”

“I will have only one wisdom: the science of the cross.”

“I will remain faithful to my mission in the Church and for the Church as a witness of Jesus Christ.”

“I will seek the peace the world cannot give.”

“I will carry out a revolution by renewal in the Holy Spirit.”

“I will speak one language and wear one uniform: charity.”

”I will have one very special love: the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

The cause for the beatification of Cardinal Van Thuan opened in 2007

The Holy Spirit @work: Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonise earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.” Athanasius of Alexandria

Something To Tickle You: It is this belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable. Maya Angelou

Bishop Bernard Paul