Farewell Mr. Francis Satim

It has been ages since I last wrote anything here. There are many reasons for my lack of enthusiasm but mainly I was down with pneumonia since August. I have sufficiently recovered though, and had been quite active with my usual chore since last week.
I would like to start this writing in remembrance of a good friend, Mr. Francis Satim, a volunteer at St Ann, who suddenly passed away yesterday afternoon (October 19, 2009). I really do not know what to say, so forgive me if I just ramble a bit. I received the news at 2.00PM from my relative, Ms Ani Solep who was equally shocked and she was trying to confirm the news with me. I immediately called the Office of St Ann, which confirmed the news.
Last week, on Tuesday, I invited him and Mr. Barnabas Willie for breakfast at Swee Sen, our favourite coffee shop at 10th Mile Bazaar. He was grateful and promised to treat me for the same on Thursday but I did not meet him then because of other commitment. However, I met him on Sunday at St Ann and he quickly pulled me into SACC Office telling me that the Office has just installed with an air conditioner. In the evening, we had our monthly SACC meeting at that Office and there was nothing to indicate that Mr. Francis was not well. The meeting adjourned at 9.30PM and his last words were “Good night Brother, and thank you for the dinner.” I bade him goodnight and that apparently was how it all end.
Looking back, I regret for not keeping the appointment on Thursday for that breakfast he wanted to treat me. It was not the food, but the company of one another that we cherished. How can I make up for that loss opportunity?

Perhaps a story that I picked up from mavarickysm.blogspot.com will answer that question. Please reflect on it.

STORY: A Passage in Life's Journey
I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening... 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought.For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver or someone who was impatient to end his shift?

Our lives revolve around great moments.But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

St Ann's feast day draws a record crowd

The feast of St Ann at mile 10, Kota Padawan, started this morning at 9.00 AM with a thanksgiving Mass, concelebrated by Archbishop John Ha, Friar Gerard Victor OFM, Friar Moses Yap OFM and Friar Joseph Lee OFM. I figured close to 3,500 faithful attended the Mass. The faithful came early and by 8.00 AM, more than half of the chairs were occupied. Together joining the celebration was a group of 34 faithful from Singapore.

At the near by St Lukas Centre, it was a hive of activities as the 86 stall operators were actively selling their products as early as 7.00 AM. As usual the members of the public from the city made an early call to patronise the stalls.

By 11.30 AM St. Lukas Centre was jammed with people as more people literally rushed there after the Mass. It was a sight to behold.

Below are some of the pictures I have taken. I will post more pictures as soon as I get them from Mr. Raymond Allas.

With children in tow, they came early

Prayer leaders renewing their vows

Let the show begin

This is the way to promote sale

St Martha Kampung Garung celebrates feast day

Last Sunday, July 19, 2009, St. Martha’s Chapel, Kampung Garung, Jalan Puncak Borneo, Padawan marked a milestone of sorts, its 38th anniversary. The faithful came in full force filling up the Chapel to the delight of the rector of St. Ann’s parish, Friar Gerard Victor, OFM.

The Catholic community of Kampung Garung had every reason to be proud for from a humble beginning of only five families in 1971, the community has grown to its present number of 65 families.

Friar Gerard Victor, OFM reminded the community to emulate Saint Martha who was always mindful of the need of the family. When Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed,” he was not scolding Martha. Mary’s attention to hear what Jesus said was an example that we should emulate in seeking after Jesus. Thus, the community must support one another in their work and prayers.

Later, after the Mass, Friar Gerard Victor, OFM joined the community with the cake cutting ceremony.

At the dialogue session, Friar Gerard thanked the community for their past support of St Ann’s parish activities such as parish sale and hoped that they would continue to support all the activities organized by the parish. After the session, the community and guests joined in a fellowship meal.

St Ann's Feast Day

The Parish of St. Ann, Kota Padawan will be celebrating its patron's feast day on July 26, 2009. This also marks the 41st anniversary of the parish.

In preparing for the feast day celebration, the faithful, for the first time pray the Novena to Saint Anne in the evening, beginning last Tuesday, July 14, at the Baruk.

The feastday will be celebrated with thanksgiving Mass at the Baruk at 9.00AM. We expect to see a capacity crowd of about 4,000 faithful.Due preparation to provide for the convenience of the parishioners had been put in place. This year more shelters, both temporary and permanent structures, had been erected.

Thereafter, the community will make their way to the nearby St Lukas Centre where they will join the merry-making at the the parish sale which promises to show case an array of goods from jungle produce to cooked and manufactured food and products. As usual local delicacies will draw great attention. So far a total of 79 stalls out of 80 had been booked.

Come join us at St. Ann's Parish next Sunday (July 26, 2009)

The following pictures were taken from 2008 feast day celebration
Choir group from PYM Semeba
Bidayuh lasses from Bumbok in traditional costumes

Mock Gift Coupon
Centre front-That's me
Custos Friar Michael D'Cruz, OFM
A section of the crowd at the parish sale
The crowd at St. Lukas as viewed from St. Ann

Putting my palm print on the banner. Friar Clifford Augustine, OFM and his favourite drink

A section of the crowd in front of Elizabeth Kiing's stall.

They know not what they do

I would like to believe that the two Muslim journalists were ignorant and did not realize the implication of their story in Al-Islam of May 2009. I may be wrong, naïve and forgiving but to think otherwise is not only judgmental but also making enemies unnecessarily. However, I fully agree with The Herald Malaysia and Mr. Martin Jalleh that as Catholics we must express our displeasure so that such “misadventure” would not recur. It is therefore reasonable for the Catholic Church demands an apology from the two journalists from Al Islam. If they admit that they have acted out of ignorance, then let gone be bygone. There is no need to dwell on this any further let alone demand to see them in court.
Unhappy though we are we must not over react on this incidence, albeit it not being the only one committed against the Church. Let show them our Christian way, be ready to forgive. Our Lord, Jesus Christ went through greater humiliation during the end of His earthly life. And in spite of it all, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”
Here below is the full response from The Herald Malaysia, reproduced, courtesy from Malaysia-Today.

The Herald Malaysia

CHRISTIANS have been formed in the way of God’s love as taught by Jesus Christ. There is a sense of wellbeing and mature disposition in most of the Christians who are always ready to forgive in the way of the Lord Jesus.
Jesus, in his life on earth as the revelation of God, showed the Father’s merciful love and forgave those who sinned against God and humanity. Even at the moment of his arrest by the civil and religious authorities in a lonely place where he was conversing with God the Father, Jesus corrected Peter for cutting off one of the soldier's ear. Jesus, who is merciful and loving, immediately touched and healed the soldier by attaching his chopped ear without any surgery, (see John 18:10 and Luke 22: 51)
Human history tells us that there will always be people who may be misguided by teachings that are not in accordance with the will of God. But God will always elect from among his people some prophets, who will proclaim the true teachings of God, which are experienced in our cultures as peace and love among the people.
But in Malaysia, we are developing a strange culture of “god competition”. It is like the way the children boast to one another of their father’s physical prowess or ability: “My father is great; my father can beat your father”. This is seen in the way government bodies and groups of persons violate the dignity of the human persons and defy the people’s particular laws and customs and subject them to unjust laws. Aren’t these reminiscent of our childish ways? Such attitudes or bully tactics are manifested when some of the nation’s laws are enforced inappropriately and according to the political expediency of ‘powers that be’ of the time. Such socio-political and culture behaviour goes against the common law as well as the United Nations Charter of Rights and our esteemed Federal Constitution.
Because of such blatant violations over the years, Christians are beginning to echo the words of Jesus Christ, when he said, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” (Jn 18:23).
And so some Christians have lodged police reports recently at the Police Stations around the country against the offensive behaviour of some Muslims who have hurt the Christians deeply. The story of this behaviour was highlighted by Al-Islam of May 2009, with the headlines; Mencari kesahihan remaja Melayu murtad, pages 28-30.
These Muslims consumed the “Holy Communion” and spat out the sacred host. They humiliated the Catholics by having it photographed and its image published in the monthly Al-Islam. This is a violation of Christians in Malaysia and challenges the nation's Federal Constitution. Is Malaysia a secure land where all religions can practice their religion in peace and tranquility? Will the police (PDRM) and AG’s chambers bring those Muslims to court? As guardians of just laws will they carry out their noble task and honour the Law of our nation Malaysia? This desecration speaks against the 1Malaysia project of the Prime Minister.
From the very beginning of the Church, the Fathers of the Church and approved theologians have addressed the Church’s serious concern that due respect be paid to the Most Blessed Sacrament, that souls not fall into the sin of sacrilege by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily.
Those Muslims who have desecrated the Sacred Host have just done that — received the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily.
This is a very serious offence to our Christian Faith, and we support the efforts of Sudhagaran Stanley and Joachim Francis Xavier for their courageous stand in highlighting this sacrilegious act of certain Muslims and we call on the Catholic Lawyers’ Society to follow this through by taking the appropriate action and ensuring that such events do not take place.
As the incident committed by those Muslims was a willful act of desecration of the Sacred Host, the Body of Christ, it is proper that we, the Catholics, make reparation for the offence committed against the Lord. It should not be seen as a single incident since there have been many such instances of this nature taking place in other churches and going unreported. Therefore, it is the duty of the parish priests of those churches where such sacrilegious acts have been committed to do the necessary acts of reparation and also forgive those Muslims and pray for them.
Let us receive the Lord worthily always.