A call to mission - Be the fishers of men.

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 5,1-11)

1 Now it happened that he was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God,

2 when he caught sight of two boats at the water's edge. The fishermen had got out of them and were washing their nets.

3 He got into one of the boats -- it was Simon's -- and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.'

5 Simon replied, 'Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.'

6 And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear,

7 so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled both boats to sinking point.

8 When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.'

9 For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made;

10 so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesussaid to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.'

11 Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.

The Church as “Missionary” 

Today, we discover the "missionary imprint" which is present in the Church 

since its early foundation: the very Roman Pontiff is a "Fisher of men". 

Simon was called one day, just like any other, while he was washing his nets. 

The Master saw at the water’s edge two boats and boarded one of the boats,

 the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. 

Then, He sat down and taught the people from the boat: 

thus, Peter’s boat became the chair of Jesus Christ.

When He was over, 

He asked Simon to put out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch. 

Jesus was a carpenter, not a fisherman. 
However, "Simon, the fisherman" trusted him. 

His response to the miraculous catch was shuddering. 

Jesus reacted by encouraging him to have confidence and open himself to a project 

that exceeded all expectations: "To fish for people”. 

Peter could not imagine that one day he would arrive in Rome to become there 

a true "Fisher of men" for God.

—O Lord, with Peter, we feel we are "sent" by God to carry your Gospel to all souls.

Change of Tamil Youth Coordinator

Dear Friends,

    We would like to thank Ms. Amy Sharon for her tireless effort in serving the tamil speaking youths in this diocese. She is leaving her post with a firm foundation laid for her incoming successor.

James Amalaraj, a vibrant and handsome guy is here to serve you.
Please look forward to meet this charming youth coordinator in our future formations and programmes.

Firmes en la fe - Firm in faith

"Blood of martyrs is the seed of church." - Church Father Tertullian.
Because of the love with Christ, they chose to die than defy Him.
A true living example of what St. Paul exhort in his epistle
"To Live Is Christ And To Die Is Gain " (Philippians 1:21)

When we are with Him, the world will go against us, because he does not belong to this world: "If you belong to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because of my choice of you has drawn you out of the world, that is why the world hates you." (John 15:19)

Who is more fearful?  The mortal world or the Creator?

Courage my friend! Jesus said:
" You will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free!" (Jn 8:32)

Have faith in Christ as He promise Simon Peter of his firm faith : "You are Peter and on this rock will I build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. " (Mt16:18-19)

Be His witness, Firm in faith and be His testimony!

WYD Mass

WYD Mass at Assumption formation Center, Penang.
We came together for our second spiritual formation.

The Magnificat

My soul glorifies the Lord, 

my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

He looks on His servant in her lowliness;

henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.

Holy his name!

His mercy is from age to age,

on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength

and scatters the proud-hearted.

He casts the mighty from their thrones

and raises the lowly

He fills the starving with good things,

sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, His servant,

remembering his mercy,

the mercy promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his sons forever.

TAIZE Prayer: A celebration of silence

A time to pause… a place to be… a moment with God. 

This was the theme of the first Taize Prayer that was organized by the Penang Diocesan Youth Network on Friday, July 22 from 7:30-8:30 in the evening.  It was an evening of meditative prayer through songs and short moments of silence.  The Media Room of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was converted into a place of prayer where a crucifix was placed at the altar adorned with lighted candles and yellow flowers. 

Young people and parishioners from the City Parish, Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of the Holy Spirit came together for an hour of prayer and a simple fellowship at the school canteen adjacent to the Media Room.  Ashley, from the City Parish, facilitated the prayer and gave a short introduction about the Taize community in France and the dynamics of the prayer.  His team of musicians led the congregation in the singing of Psalms while Cherine Benedict and Michael Peter Foo read the Gospel and the intercessory prayers, respectively.

The prayer ended with a blessing and words of gratitude from Rev. Fr. Dominic Santhiyagu, parish priest of the City parish and PDYN director. 

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The next Taize Prayer will be in October at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Come and pray with us!

Silence of Love

We take our parents for granted most of the time.

They might not be able to express their love to you the way you would recognised.

However, the underlying fact is that they are not 100% perfect,
but they vowed to sow their 100% love to you regardless of whatever circumstances might ensue them.

It is time to quite down and reflect what they had done throughout our earthly existence,
and be grateful to their selfless outpouring of love for us.