THE PARISH TODAY
We seek to continue our journey of faith as God’s people in this time, age and place aware that it is the Spirit of God who leads us ahead. We do this as members of the Church of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur here in Malaysia. We draw inspiration from the very heartbeat of the Archdiocesan thrust for this year 1996. It is rooted in the words of the prophet Jeremiah, of God’s own assurance of His love and care for us when he says: "I will Be Your God And You Shall Be My People." (Jer 7:23)
On the 10th of January this year we had our parish assembly where 115 members of the community spent half a day in prayer, reflection, dialogue and discussion. We sought to review our journey in the past year and to seek direction for the year ahead. A beautiful expression and experience of Church was reflected in the assembly catering to the three language groups. Questions and reflections raised were translated by volunteers to enable all to participate. There was also a good representation from all age and language groups.
In general the experiences at the assembly were a reflection of the faith experience of the People of the parish as a whole. The positive experiences was that there was greater participation in the Eucharistic celebration with bi and trilingual celebrations. Parishioners were taking greater responsibility for the community and there was a greater caring spirit. The youth of the parish were seen as being more responsible. The challenges which the assembly felt the parish was faced with was seen in the need for more formation for potential leaders. We needed to be more conscious of the less fortunate. Our parishioners needed help to participate in BEC’s, to listen and encourage each other.
At the end of the assembly we formulated and adopted the following as our parish mission - vision. It is that we would work: "TO BUILD OUR FAITH AS A COMMUNITY.",
THROUGH
BUILT ON THE ARCHDIOCESAN THRUST OF BUILDING BEC’S,
UPCOMING PARISH EVENT.
The parish feast will be celebrated from Thursday 18th July to Sun 28th July 1996. To live out the experiences and fruits of our parish assembly we desire to make HOSPITALITY the underlying motive in all our preparations. It is so that every pilgrim to the parish feast will experience God’s presence in some way. Through the different services and facilities made available may we as a parish learn what it truly means to serve and to listen with our hearts.
As a place of pilgrimage we hope that all the arrangements will help us be open to the Grace of God being poured out to us at every moment. This year the special features for our celebration are: An evening of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning from 6.30 pm - 9.00pm on 18th July 1996.
PERSONAL REFLECTION ON St. Anne by the Parish Priest.
Since the day (1st Dec 1995) I was sent to this parish by my Bishop Anthony Soter Fernandez, I have been amazed at the marvelous ways in which this parish lives out her faith. I would like to share with you some of the things in the parish that have struck me. I believe that this centre of pilgrimage has had a tremendous effect on the life of the community. I believe this to be so because the parishioners have year after year been involved in the preparations, some have lived since their childhood days here. They have seen the thousands of pilgrims who come here each year, presenting themselves before the Lord Jesus in his sanctuary. They have seen people with all sorts of needs and experiences coming before the shrine of St. Anne at the altar, and of the lives of individuals and has in some way moulded their faith. It is reflected in the simplicity and generosity of those whom I meet in the parish. I have heard priest who have served the parish in the past say the same.
The statue of St. Anne in the parish has also been an inspirat on to me. I am often reminded of the strong character of the person of St. Anne. Being the mother of Mary she is portrayed with Mary at her side. She has her left hand at the back of Mary’s neck almost guiding and coaxing her towards what she herself has experienced, God himself. St. Anne leads Mary to acknowledge and embrace God whom she points with her right hand. She points out with her fingers that God is one (her index finger) who is above. That they are Three persons in unity with her three fingers. St. Anne looks towards Mary and yet her glance goes beyond her daughter to all who stand behind her. She tells us of the same richness of God own life and encourages us to seek union with HIM.
Mary responds with her hands clasped at her heart in a gesture of praise. She seems to echo that one song of praise she knew so well. "My soul glorifies the Lord ....." She echoes, this in new ways from her heart making it a prayer of praise at every moment and experience of her day. There is another statue of St. Anne pointing out to the scriptures held in her hands with Mary by her side - looking and listening attentively.
Standing before the image of St. Anne only serves to remind us that all our life’s journey is directed to one goal only i.e. to be in union with God. Mary her daughter and our mother shows us the way to reach this union through the way of the heart. The very centre of this way of the heart is Jesus himself who comes to us in the Eucharist that we may enter into the heart of God.
May each and everyone of us on this pilgrimage of faith find this way in every Eucharistic celebration. My prayer is that we will all grow to love the Lord more and build the community after HIM who says "I Will Be Your God And You Shall Be My People" (Jer 7:23)
Fr. Eugene Benedict