Notifications and Updates from Penang Diocese

Jan 10, 2025

Diocese of Penang
PKK/BDN/2023/08/165

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged... forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Lk 6: 36-38

1. Fr Edmund Woon is the Bishop’s Delegate for the Vocation of Hermits in the Diocese of Penang
Fr Edmund Woon has been appointed as Bishop’s Delegate for all matters pertaining to the Vocation of Hermits in the Diocese of Penang effective December 1, 2024. I wish him God’s blessings and thank him for his generous availability in ministering to the needs of this vocation in our diocese.

2. Fr Aloysius Tan is the Spiritual Director for Sahabat Orang Asli
Fr Aloysius Tan has been appointed Spiritual Advisor to the Perak Deanery Orang Asli Apostolate which is under the leadership of Bernard Lee, Chairman of Perak Deanery Orang Asli Apostolate. This appointment is effective from December 1, 2024 and in view of his appointment as parish priest of the Church of St Michael, Ipoh where this ministry originated and continues to flourish with the support of parishioners and neighbouring parishes. I wish him God’s blessings in carrying out this ministry, especially for the good of the Orang Asli community, for the greater glory of God.

3. Congratulations to our Orang Asli community of the Diocese of Penang
We congratulate Wasa a/p Bah Ngah, the first Orang Asli graduate, through the support of Sahabat Orang Asli, for having completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education with Open University Malaysia (OUM). Syabas and Berkat to Wasa and family and our gratitude to the Sahabat Orang Asli team (https://bit.ly/3PjpNm0).

4. Lunar New Year 2025: The Year of the Snake
Sharing the explanation for the Lunar New Year 2025 in Mandarin and English prepared by Fr Stephen Chin from the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak. Wishing all a blessed and HOPE filled Lunar New Year 2025 in the Lord! (https://bit.ly/40dHQAe)

5. Seminarians of the Diocese of Penang for 2025

i) Ashley Stephen Chau Theology Year 4, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Permatang Tinggi from January 10 to May 9

ii) Patrick Hilary Sandnasamy Theology Year 4, St Peter's College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kulim from January 16 Jan to May 15

iii) Ron Fernandez Sandanasamy Theology Year 3, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of the Holy Rosary, Kuala Lumpur from January 2 to May 2

iv) Melvin Dawson Michael Dass Theology Year 3, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of the Sacred Heart, Kampar from January 2 to May 2

v) Leon James Gautier Theology Year 2, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kangar from January 3 to February 3

vi) Mark Edward Calady Theology Year 2, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching Pastoral at Church of Christ the King, Sungai Petani from January 2 to February 2

vii) Dennis Raj Rasu Theology Year 1, St Peter’s College Major Seminary, Kuching viii) Vincent Yip Kar Chun Philosophy Year 1, College General Major Seminary, Penang Pastoral at Church of St Michael, Ipoh from January 3 to February 3

ix) Daniel Anthony Isak Philosophy Year 1, College General Major Seminary, Penang

Pastoral at Church of St Mary, Tapah from January 1 to February 1

6. Caritas Malaysia Announces New Board Members
Caritas Malaysia is pleased to announce its new Board Members, effective January 1, 2025, for a two-year term: Ms Anne Lasimbang, Dr Francis Loh, Fr Alvin Ng, Ms Joyce Wong, Mr Joachim Xavier and Ms Sarah Chou. This renewal of leadership marks a significant moment in our collective journey to advance the social mission of the Church in Malaysia, rooted in the values of love, compassion, and justice. My blessings to the new team and heartfelt thanks to the outgoing members for their service.

7. Penang Diocesan Lenten Campaign 2025 Formation
Caritas Penang Lenten team will be organising a briefing for the Love Squad / Parish Lenten Campaign Coordinators on the following dates and venue. (https://bit. ly/49ZqnyG)

8. Participation in the Jubilee of the World of Communication and Conference
I am pleased to share that Daniel Roy, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia- Singapore-Brunei and Head of Social Communication of the Diocese, will represent us at two significant events in the Vatican:

a) The Jubilee of the World of Communication (January 24 - 26, 2025), part of the larger Jubilee celebrations.

b) The International Conference of Presidents of Episcopal Communication Commissions and Directors of National Communication Offices (January 27-29, 2025).

On another note, Alvinus Bryan has been selected by the Dicastery for Communication to participate in initiatives for young professional communicators during this Jubilee. Let us pray for their fruitful participation.

9. Logo Design Contest for Asian Mission Congress 2025
I invite you to participate in the Asian Mission Congress 2025 Logo Design Contest. Submit your design by February 15. For more details, please refer to the poster. (https://bit.ly/4h0vLDR)

Cardinal Sebastian Francis