15 March 2021
My dearly beloved parishioners of CDM, More than a year has gone by since the Covid-19 Pandemic changed our lives completely. As Church we have had to adapt to an online presence, learning to get used to worshipping in online Masses and prayers, connecting virtually in prayer and ministry meetings, catechism and RCIA and becoming more creative in the way we connect and reach out to each other and the world. This last weekend we have had a second chance to re-open our churches in limited numbers with the hope that the situation will increasingly improve, especially as the vaccines become more available.
Yet, despite the setbacks we encountered, God has never ever abandoned us. When a door closes on us, God opens a window! Through that window has come in HOPE. The Pandemic, while bringing along immense difficulties, has also been a teacher to us, spurring us to take stock, reflect and learn to do things differently! Yes, some of our parishioners have had Covid but thankfully, everyone I am aware of has overcome it, despite the fact that there are many out there in our society who have lost their lives. As we listen to each other’s stories, we hear of despair and hopelessness, but also of courage and endurance. We must never forget those who have been negatively affected, whether economically, psychologically or spiritually. People have lost jobs, felt alone and abandoned and disconnected from God and the community. Here, we are reminded of our MISSION as missionary disciples to be the hands and feet of Christ in reaching out with love! No-one must feel excluded – we are all God’s family.
Our Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM), in collaboration with the BECs and Ministries, has been out there at the forefront, working alongside many other people of goodwill to reach out to the Last, Lost, Least and Little. This important work continues and we ask that you continue to support the initiatives that are ongoing. Indeed, this is the thrust that the Archdiocese has asked us all to continue – to reach out to face the various needs, looking to serve rather than to be served as Christ showed us by washing the feet of the Twelve and offering himself on the Cross.
While many of our programmes will have to remain online, gradually we hope to be able to be able to meet physically. Nevertheless, things will never be exactly the same. Some of the online presence must continue as we have had an outreach to new people who otherwise have no contact with the Church – even people from overseas have come to know and love Jesus through CDM’s online outreach. People who never had the time for formation programmes, have discovered a hunger within and started being open to what is being offered, without having to travel or leave home! We must embrace the new technology while also helping the unconnected to be connected. The New Normal requires that we be bold and creative, and not to stick to thinking that the old ways were best. We need to swim with the tide of the Spirit; otherwise we will sink into being irrelevant. We need the fire of the Spirit to charge us with dynamism and an apostolic spirit. We need to ALL be on fire for the Lord and to allow our love and enthusiasm to overflow one to another!
Indeed, our Vision and Mission Statement (overleaf) that was finalised as we went into the initial lockdown needs to be a living and loving reality as we continue with changing circumstances. Our 2021 plans and initiatives will be in line and adapted to the proposals of the Pope Francis and the Universal Church (Year of St Joseph) as well as KL Archdiocese and the Malaysian Church and our own CDM initiatives, all at the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We will continue with our efforts to save our environment in line with Pope Francis’ document ‘Laudato Si’. The focus on our BECs as the basic building block of our parish continues – indeed during the lockdown, it is our BECs that have enabled us to reach out to our parishioners and also the poor in their vicinities.
All this is not just fuelled by prayers and good wishes only. We need your continued financial support. We have been using online payments, even TouchNGo to make it convenient, even when you are unable to be in church.
Our Peninsular Malaysia Church theme this year HOPE: BELIEVE, LIVE AND GIVE spurs us on to continue to Hope- after all in CDM we say: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! We are called to put our belief and faith into action by living it out and to give of our time, talent and treasure
Soon we will celebrate Easter and our Divine Mercy Feast Day…. In facing Suffering & Death, may we look beyond to the Risen Life of Jesus that calls us onward. May we continue to be able to proclaim with our lives: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! May we know daily the presence, protection and power of God.
In prayer, love and peace,
Fr Gerard Steve Theraviam,
Parish Priest, CDM
PMPT 2021 Theme and Monthly Themes
Hope, Believe, Live and Give
| Month | Event | Date | Monthly Theme | Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Sunday of the Word of God | 24 Jan | The Word Became Flesh | Jn. 1: 1-5 |
| February | World Harmony Week | 1-7 Feb | Solidarity in Diversity | Phil. 2: 1-4 |
| March | International Women’s Day | 8 March | Igniting Equality | Gal. 3:28 |
| April | Easter Season | 4 April- 23 May | Rise in Hope | 2 Cor. 4:13-15 |
| May | International Day of Families | 15 May | Togetherness in Good Times and Bad | Gal. 6:2-5 |
| June | Hari Gawai/Kaamatan | 30 May – 2 June | Bridging Cultural Boundaries | Eph. 4:2-6 |
| July | World Day againt Human Trafficking | 30 July | Open your Mouth, Defend the Oppressed | Pro. 31: 8-9 |
| August | Assumption of Mary | 15 Aug | Mary, Mother of Hope | Lk 1:37-38 |
| September | World Day for the Care of Creation | 1 Sept | All the Earth Proclaims the Lord | Rom. 8: 18-21 |
| October | Mission Sunday | 24 Oct | Put into the Deep | Lk 5:1-7 |
| November | World Day of the Poor | 14 Nov | The Poor: The Treasure of the Church | James 2:5-8 |
| December | Christmas Season | 25 Dec- 5 Jan | Do Not Be Afraid, I Bring You Good News | Lk 2:10 |