Mission is the basis of our Christian faith

Jun 20, 2014

By Bernard Anthony
“Our faith is not a feel-good experience; it is the Mission of the Lord. Pentecost is when we renew our Mission in the world and in the midst of our fears and struggles the Holy Spirit will give us His Gifts to be ‘disciples’ in the world”. Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam said this on June 8, Solemnity of Pentecost at the morning multilingual Mass at the Church of St Thomas (CST).

His Grace presided at the Mass that saw 25 youths receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was con-celebrated with CST parish priest, Fr Mitchel Anthony Joseph and Fr Phillips Muthu from Kuala Terengganu.

The Archbishop, in his homily, said that Mission is the basis of our Christian Faith, and therefore each of us, making reference to the Confirmands, must spend at least a minimum of an hour a week, bringing the care and love of Christ to the needy.

Noticing that there were many old folks’ homes in Pahang, particularly in Kuantan, the prelate said that children at times place their aged parent(s) in old folks’ homes, and many of them feel lonely and long to see their children and grandchildren. But more often than not, these longed-for visits do not happen and the old folks feel rejected and unloved. This, said Archbishop Emeritus Pakiam, is where Catholic youths can play an important part in bringing care and comfort to them.

At the end of the Mass, the prelate also commended Fr Mitchel and the parishioners for the many ministries, and outreach programmes in the parish.

After receiving the Sacrament, one Confirmand said, “The idea of Mission is always a challenge for the Youths, but with the Holy Spirit and some guidance we can.” Another said, “I have wondered about the experience of being confirmed, and now I know that it is not just a feeling but a real commitment to serve.”

This year’s 25 Confirmands consist of 15 from the Church of St Thomas in Kuantan, and 10 from the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mentakab.