Nativity Catholicpreneurs – connecting Catholic entrepreneurs in the North

Jul 24, 2021

BUTTERWORTH: “It is in giving that we receive,” said the Committee Head, Vernon Fernandez, in his opening speech to the Catholic entrepreneurs gathered for the inaugural meeting of Nativity Catholicpreneurs. The July 15 Zoom meeting garnered a good response as 34 enthusiastic participants met online and made their business pitches.

The meeting was launched at the parish level with the support and blessing of parish priest Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, with the intention of creating a network to help boost the business of Catholic entrepreneurs in the parish and the northern region.

The meeting began with a prayer and sharing of the Word of God. This was followed by a 25-second business pitch and a three-minute business presentation by a member, a tip for the week and the closing prayer.

Fr Dom quoted William Wallace - “every man dies not, every man really lives”. Thus, to savour the goodness of life, one has to transform ordinary work life into an extraordinary calling. One can do that by including God in the workplace. He said that the book by Graham Power and Dion Foster, Transform Your Work Life suggests a community prayer at the workplace. In his experience, he has found that the weekly Angelus and sharing of the Word has contributed to a well-balanced workplace where everyone puts heart and soul into their work.

Fr Dom shared that for 18 years (from the age of 12 to 30), Jesus must have learned and assisted his father in carpentry and the normal routines of daily life. God put man in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Man has to work to produce (Gen 2: 15). He quoted Col 3: 23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” and Psalm 112: 5, “God will come to those who are just”. So, when we include God, everything changes, said Fr. Dom.

The 25-second business pitch was the highlight of the programme where entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to make their pitch and present their products. All were excited about this weekly meet and advertising their business. The participants were from varied businesses — law, the food industry, technology, education, special needs care, elderly care, home appliances, gift industry and many more.

A more detailed presentation for a business app on the mobile phone by Joseph Lim provided participants with knowledge about a tech savvy method to monitor and record business transactions. It is hoped that presentations like these will help attract more customers among the community and provide publicity by word of mouth.

Stephen Chin wrapped up the meeting by sharing a motivational video on helping one another.

Vernon thanked Fr Dom for his support in promoting the event and hoped for more participation in future meetings. Stephen Chin (PPC Chair) commented that the idea came after they attended the Catholic Business Community meeting held in KL. He added that although they had a Business Expo in the church two years ago, there has not been much follow up. This time they intend create a directory or an app to connect the Nativity Catholicpreneurs through the NBVMSCIC website. The Nativity Catholicpreneur also corresponds to the PMPC4 in 2016 where people with common interest come together to help and support each other.

It was a lively session — a community of one faith coming together to support and help each other to grow. The session ended with a prayer after which some stayed on for a chit-chat. — nbvmscic.org