Sunday, February 22, 2009

A hectic Sunday that was

Yesterday, Sindo Minda and I went to the Holy Trinity Church at Kenyalang Park to attend the 7.30AM Mass. It was not my usual parish and I made the rare appearance there because of two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to meet my close friend, Mr. Albert Kon, a member of the Choir group, to pass him a bundle of the Gift Coupons for sale. He was gracious to accept 100 pieces. For the uninitiated, the Gift Coupon is a fund-raising project for St Ann's Church Building Fund. Secondly, by attending the 7.30AM Mass I would have enough time for breakfast before attending the Catholic Welfare Services (CWS) meeting at 10.00AM. The meeting was brief and it took only about an hour and a half compared to the usual two hours. In the evening, at 7.00PM, I chaired the first meeting of St Ann's Feast Day Committee 2009 meeting at St Ann's Parish. But this would be another story.

I would like to share the two issues discussed at the CWS meeting- (1) The Lenten Appeal and (2) Friends of HOPE

The Lenten Appeal
The Lenten Appeal is the fund-raising project organised by the CWS during the season of Lent in aid of the poor. Catholics are familiar with this because all the parishes are involved in this noble exercise. In the Archdiocese of Kuching, His Grace Archbishop John Ha explicitly made the appeal to everyone to share their blessings with the poor and the needy in our midst.

When you attend mass/service in the weeks to come please spare a few minutes of your time to get the Lenten Appeal Envelope and give freely all you can. The Lord tells us, “Whatever you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40).

Donations made to CWS are tax exempted.

Friends of HOPE
If you have read Today’s Catholic February 2009 Issue, you would have noted that the Home of Peace (HOPE), a caring and safe home for the elderly poor, situated along Landeh Road, Kota Padawan, was ready for occupancy. While CWS is glad that HOPE is now ready for its first batch of residents, it is also concern about the stream of donations for the maintenance and upkeep. To ensure that money is the least of its concern, CWS Council members are working hard to approach benefactors to register as Friends of HOPE. Become one of the Friends of HOPE by pledging RM500.00 per year. Please make it an effort for at least one year.

CWS may be contacted by phone and Fax, 082-241407. The Office is at
The Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre,
1st Floor, Lot 2500, Block 10, Jalan Stampin, KCLD
93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
P.O.Box 483, 93710 Kuching

Saturday, February 21, 2009

I do my share

Welcome.

I do my share is an affirmative statement. I use my blog title as the title of my first posting, to remind one-self to contribute positively to society, the community where one lives. The Dayaks should not be having problem with this trait, albeit diminishing.

I do my share is to imply one is not a parasite; pays for his keep, so to speak. Jobs are aplenty if one is not choosy. And if that is no good, be your own boss. There is always a way. The Dayaks had always been self-sufficient, albeit poor.

I do my share is to imply self-improvement. Education opens the door, they said. The Dayaks know this but the target for one graduate per family as exhorted many years ago by one politician, a Bidayuh, remains unachieved.

I do my share is to imply taking a stand responsibly on issues affecting the well-being of the Dayaks, albeit our differences.

Yes, I do my share can take many paths but one has to remember one’s limitation-time, talent and treasure. These gifts, given by God are meant to be shared.

Warmest regards.