Thursday, December 30, 2010

1/1/2011 - Announcements



NEW YEAR GREETINGS:
The Parish Councils and Fr.Raymond wish ALL Parishioners and friends " A Spirit-filled NEW YEAR 2011! ! May the newborn infant JESUS continue to fill our hearts with His Peace, Love, Joy & Hope! God Bless everyone!!" 

Daily masses:

5-7/1- Evening prayer at 6.15, Mass at 6.30 p.m.

Negeri District Family Life Ministry:  Formation for all interested on Sat 26-2-2011
(3-5pm) at S.Aloysius Hall, Mantin. Speakers: Andrew & Andrene (KL). To register, contact; Fr. Raymond or Mr.Anthony Chia.

Calendar:
KL Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly on 18-20 Jan' 2011.


Your talents are a gift from God. Share them.

Liturgical Ministry; those interested to join as Lectors, commentators, Altar servers, Wardens- pls register/ contact Fr.Raymond immediately.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Announcements: 18 Dec 2010



Christmas Greetings: The Parish Councils and Fr.Raymond wish ALL Parishioners and friends " A Very Blessed & Merry CHRISTMAS & A Spirit-filled NEW YEAR 2011! ! May the newborn infant JESUS continue to fill our hearts with His Peace, Love, Joy & Hope! God Bless everyone!!" 

Christmas Masses:
CHRISTMAS EVE -24-12-2010 (Fri) -
9pm - Christmas Play & Carolling;
10pm - Mass.

CHRISTMAS DAY -25-12-2010 (Sat) - 9am - Mass
Note: No Sunset Mass (6.00pm) on 25/12.

A Word of Thanks: To ALL who dedicated their services to our recent Carolling, Gotong-Royong and Parish Christmas Party. God Bless all of you!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

GREAT WORK CAROLLERS!




A Word of Thanks to the
Carollers who went round
bringing cheer.
May God Bless you and your family.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Announcements: Dec 2010



Advent: begins on Sunday 28/11.Let us prepare our hearts for Christ's birthday.

Penitential Service: Negeri District
14 Dec- Immaculate Conception, PD.-7.30pm
15 Dec - St.Aloysius, MANTIN - 7.30pm
16 Dec- St.John Vianney, TAMPIN - 7.30pm
17 Dec- ST. THERESA, NILAI, - 7PM (Friday).
22 Dec- Visitation, Seremban, - 7pm.

Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve 24-12-2010 (Fri) -
9pm - Christmas Play & Carolling;
10pm - Mass.


CHRISTMAS DAY -25-12-2010 (Sat) - 9am

New Year Masses:
New Year's Eve - 31 Dec'2010 -
Vietnamese Mass - 6pm
Mass 10pm. (Thanksgiving)

NEW YEAR's DAY - 1st January 2011 -
Mass at 9am. (Mary, Mother of God).

STC PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY
18/12/2010 (Sat) after sunset mass @ STC
All are invited: Parents, children, students, migrant workers.
Please register at Church entrance before 12/12/2010.
Registration Fee:
RM15.00 per family, RM5.00 per student/ single adult

Game categories:
Children ages 2-4, 5-8, 9-12, Teenagers/ Single Adults/ Family

Volunteers needed for the organising of the party. Please contact 017 3962977 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              017 3962977      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Mr Maurice).

Gotong -Royong will be held on 11/12 (Sat) @ 8.00am.

Donations in cash and kind are most welcome. All donations to be passed to Mrs Maria Pakianathan (012 2458157).

CAROLLING (9/10/11 Dec )
Please register at the Church Entrance
Practise on Saturdays and Sundays
after mass. (Attire during carolling, black pants/ skirt with white/ red tops + Santa/ Santarina hat:)

Meetings at STC:
- Liturgical Meeting: Compulsory for ALL Liturgical reps and team on Sun 28-12-2010, at 9.45am.

- PPC: on 1/12/2010 at 7.15pm

- PFC: on 2/12/2010 at 7.15pm

PARISH CENSUS will be taken in the church on 27-28/11/2010. Please bring a pen along and give your co-operation.


CHOIR PRACTICE will be held every Saturday after mass. For more information, please contact Mr Jude D Silva (013 3603274).

Your talents are a gift from God. Share them.
Volunteers: The Parish welcomes those willing to render their services to serve in the parish ministries (Liturgy, Tamil Apostolate, Choir, etc). Ministers of hospitality (men/women). Altar Servers:
Those interested pls contact Fr.Raymond.


Wanted: St. Theresa is in need of a Van for the parish. Anyone willing to donate/donations  are most welcome. Contact Fr. Raymond.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: NO SUNDAY CLASSES UNTIL THE NEW YEAR. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

First Holy Communion



Congratulations to All the 16 First Communicants. may they continue to live the Eucharstic Christ. God Bless them.

PIHD:
COFFEE MORNING-CUM-MINI JUMBLE SALE:
Sunday 21/11/2010 after mass. Please give your fullest support!

PARISH CENSUS will be taken in the church on 27-28/11/2010. Please bring a pen along and give your co-operation.

STC PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY
18/12/2010 (Sat) after sunset mass @ STC
All are invited: Parents, children, students, migrant workers.
Please register at Church entrance before 12/12/2010.
Registration Fee:
RM15.00 per family, RM5.00 per student/ single adult

Game categories:
Children ages 2-4, 5-8, 9-12, Teenagers/ Single Adults/ Family

Volunteers needed for the organising of the party. Please contact 017 3962977 (Mr Maurice).

Gotong -Royong will be held on 11/12 (Sat) @ 8.00am.

Donations in cash and kind are most welcome. All donations to be passed to Mrs Maria Pakianathan (012 2458157).

CAROLLING (9/10/11 Dec )
Please register at the Church Entrance
Practise on Saturdays and Sundays
after mass. (Attire during carolling, black pants/ skirt with white/ red tops + Santa/ Santarina hat:)

THE BIBLE IN 40 WEEKS
by Mr. Bruno Pereira (from API, KL):
Next session 23/11 - 7.30-9.30pm @ STC. ALL ARE WELCOME. Please bring along your bible and writing material.


Your talents are a gift from God. Share them.

Volunteers: The Parish welcomes those willing to render their services to serve in the parish ministries (Liturgy, Tamil Apostolate, Choir, etc). Ministers of hospitality (men/women). Altar Servers:
Those interested pls contact Fr.Raymond.

Wanted: St. Theresa is in need of a Van for the parish. Anyone willing to donate/donations  are most welcome. Contact Fr. Raymond.

CHOIR PRACTICE will be held every Saturday after mass. For more information, please contact Mr Jude D Silva (013 3603274).

General admin: PFC: Those requesting for cash from the Parish, pls submit the completed Reguest forms to the PFC Chairperson for consideration. Contact: Mrs. Maria Pakianathan (012 2458157).

Meeting at STC:
Liturgical Meeting: on Weds 24/11 at 7.15pm.

Evening prayers: Before weekday Masses, at 6.20pm.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Showtime!



St. Theresa Church (STC), Nilai
75th Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

We are looking forward to welcome all of you to the
75th Diamond Jubilee Dinner:-
30/10/2010 (Sat), Loon Sing Restaurant Nilai, 6.30pm - arrival of guests.
Show starts 7.00pm SHARP...


All Saints Day:
1st Nov 2010 (Mon): Day of Obligation.
Mass at 7.30pm.
 
All Souls Day:
2nd Nov 2010 (Tues): Masses at 6.45am and 7.30pm.
 
Blessing of Cemetery:
   * Nilai Memorial Park: 10 am
   * Cheras cemetery: 10.30am
   * Kajang: 4pm
   * Semenyih: 3pm
 
*Mass offerings for All Souls Day; can be offered at the Church entrance.

No Evening Mass on 3/11 and 4/11
Mass on Deepavali Day (5/11) is at 9.30am.



STC Parish Diary November 2010.

Wed 10/11/2010:
Negeri District Priests Meeting in Mantin.
Fri. 12/11 /2010:
Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Meeting at 7.30pm.
Tues 16 & Wed 17/11/2010:
KL Clergy Recollection
Fri. 19/11/2010:
Parish Co-ordinating Council(PCC) Meeting at 7.30pm.
Sun 21/11/2010:
First Holy Communion
25/11/2010:

Friday, October 22, 2010

Countdown to the 75th Diamond Jubilee Dinner - 30/10/2010



St. Theresa Church (STC), Nilai
75th Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Diamond Jubilee Dinner:-
30/10/2010 (Sat), Loon Sing Restaurant Nilai, 6.30pm. For tickets call Mr Edward Tan
(012-2021365). Hampers/gifts are most welcome for the dinner. Contact: Anthony Chia. All Dinner tickets money to be handed over to Mr. Chia. TQ.

ATTENTION ALL PERFORMERS!
REHEARSAL FOR DINNER PERFORMANCES:
24th OCTOBER 2010, 3pm at STC. No catechism on this day. However, all children must be at STC @3pm for rehearsal.

LAST CHANCE REHEARSAL:
30th OCTOBER 2010, 9am, at Loon Sing.
All performers to be there.
SHOW TIME!
All committee members and performers to be at Loon Sing by 5.30pm on 30th OCTOBER 2010.

NO MASS ON: Wed 27/10 and Sat 30/10

NO CATECHISM ON: 31/10
2011 STC SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION OPEN:

ALL parents (Language: Tamil, BM, English) are encouraged to register your children. Please obtain the registration form from the entrance of the Church. All forms to be submitted to Mdm Mary, Mdm Anna Chia or Ms Aileen by 31st Oct 2010. For more information, please call 012-6821351 (Aileen).


All Saints Day:
1st Nov 2010 (Mon): Day of Obligation.
Mass at 7.30pm.
 
All Souls Day:
2nd Nov 2010 (Tues): Masses at 6.30am and 7.30pm.
 
Blessing of Cemetery:
   * Nilai Memorial Park: 10 am
   * Cheras cemetery: 10.30am
   * Kajang: 4pm
   * Semenyih: 3pm
 
*Mass offerings for All Souls Day; can be offered at the Church entrance.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Feast of St Theresa, Nilai NS


Greetings: The Parishioners & Fr.Raymond wish all parishioners, pilgrims and friends " A very Blessed & Spirit-filled Feast Day! May St.Theresa pray & intercede for all of us! "

T H A N K Y O U
HEARTFELT THANKS to Archbishop Murphy Pakiam and all our Celebrants and preachers for their invaluable service during the Feast Day Masses. Thank you also to all who have helped in one way or other in our Feast Day Celebrations. God Bless you all!

We would like to wish
Archbishop Murphy Pakiam
"A Blessed & Happy 15th Episcopal Anniversary"

FEAST DAY PHOTOS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED TO STC NILAI NS FACEBOOK...
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001661677813#!/album.php?aid=3120&id=100001661677813

Monday, September 27, 2010

Programme: St Theresa Feast Day (1st Oct 2010)

FEAST DAY PROGRAMME
ALL ARE WELCOME!


Thursday: 30th September 2010
Theme: Mary- Model of Discipleship
Novena: 6.30pm
Mass : 7.15pm

Friday: 1st October 2010-Feast of St. Theresa
Theme: BEC and Mission
Novena: 6.30pm
Mass : 7.15pm

Saturday: 2nd October 2010
Theme: A Witnessing Church
Novena: 5.15pm
Mass : 6pm followed by procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Fellowship.

Sunday: 3rd October 2010
Theme: Continuing our Journey with Christ
Novena :8.15am
Mass :9.00 am

Friday, September 24, 2010

St Theresa Feast Day (1st Oct 2010)


Greetings: The Parishioners & Fr.Raymond wish all parishioners, pilgrims and friends " A very Blessed & Spirit-filled Feast Day! May St.Theresa pray & intercede for all of us! "

Gotong-royong: ALL are strongly encouraged to assist in Feast Day preparations:-
Gotong Royong: 29/9/2010@7.30pm. Also
to help with the cleaning up after each Jubilee Mass from 30/9-3/10.
THANK YOU.

Commissioning of All committee members of the PPC, PCC, PFC, BECCOT, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMOHC) on Sunday
26-9-2010. Let us pray for them.

Saturday, August 28, 2010


Merdeka Day Mass; 31-8-10, Mass: 9am.Let us come to give thanks for 53 years of God's blessing and pray for continued peace and justice in our beloved country, Malaysia! SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI MERDEKA!

PIHD: STC's 1st COFFEE MORNING:

Sunday 29-8-2010. Please give your support! For more info, please contact Mr. Maurice Sta Maria.


MEETINGS AT STC:

Youth meeting: Sunday 29/8/2010 after mass. All members are required to attend.


Liturgy meeting for Feast Day celebrations: Sunday 29/8/2010 after mass. All members are required to attend.


Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Meeting: Thursday, 2/9/2010 at 7.15pm.

Feast Day Committee Meeting: Friday, 3/9/2010 at 7.30pm.


Holy Hour: on Friday, 6.30pm Mass followed by Hour hour til 7.30 pm.All are encourage to spend one hour with the Lord Jesus.




Friday, August 27, 2010





The Church before and after extension works.

With the generosity of the Archdiocese and parishioners of STC and under the guidance of Fr. Raymond Pereira, the Church now sports new extensions to its right and left wing. The community in Nilai is expanding every week and this new development is a much welcomed one. The parish is home to students from all over the world and families.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Announcements: 21-27 Aug 2010


PIHD:
STC's 1st COFFEE MORNING:
Sunday 29-8-2010.
Please give your support!
For more info, please contact Mr. Maurice Sta Maria (017 3962977).

MEETINGS AT STC:
Feast Day Committee meeting: Friday, 27-8-2010 at 7.15pm.

PIHD meeting: Saturday 21/8/2010 after mass. All members are required to attend.

Youth meeting: Sunday 29/8/2010 after mass. All members are required to attend.

Liturgy meeting for Feast Day celebrations: Sunday 29/8/2010 after mass. All members are required to attend.

Merdeka Day Mass; 31-8-10, Mass: 9am.
Let us come to give thanks for 53 years of God's blessing and pray for continued peace and justice in our beloved country, Malaysia!

Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly:
Sat. 28-8-2010 @ APC, KL. 8am - 7pm.
* Note: NO evening Mass on Sat. 28-8-10.
Novena as usual.
Sunday 29-8-10 - Mass as usual, at 9am.


STC SPIRITUAL TALK:
Tamil:
22/8/2010(Sun) @ 10.15 a.m.
Speaker: Sam Bosco
Topic: Following Christ: BEC and Mission of the Laity.
Admission free! All are encouraged to attend!

Ministry of Hospitality; Those interested to be wardens (men/women) are most welcome to register after the Mass.



PARISH CENSUS:
New families and those NOT yet registered, please do so now at the Church entrance immediately after mass.

Monday, June 21, 2010

ALWAYS A REASON TO CELEBRATE

This time round.. the dad's get a pat on the back (you too Fr Raymond) and a towel for all their hard work.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Corpus Christi Celebration




There was a good turnout this weekend at the Corpus Christi Mass Celebration. Mass was followed by a procession around STC and the benediction was held behind the church with the congregation gathered in front of the community centre. The presence of his mother and other members of the family made it all the more special for Fr Raymond.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

BEC MASSES


BEC MASS SCHEDULE:

28/4/2010 (Wed) 8.00pm: DESA CEMPAKA
Home: Mr Maurice Sta Maria & family. PT 5359, Desa Cempaka 2. Tel: 017 396 2977

29/4/2010 (Thu) 8.00pm: DESA JASMIN
Home: Mr James Antony Ratnam & family. PT7831, Jalan BBN 5/2G, Desa Jasmin. Tel: 012 233 1087

5/5/2010 (Wed) 7.45pm Rosary followed by Mass: DESA RIA & NILAI IMPIAN
Home: Mr Anthony James & family. No 38, Jalan Lavendar 2, Nilai Impian. Tel: 012 371 0390

6/5/2010 (Thu) 7.45pm Rosary followed by Mass: DESA KASIA & DESA KOLEJ
Home: Mrs Sylvia Adrianne Samuel & family. No 68, Jalan Kasia 3/7, Desa Kasia. Tel: 012 658 5569

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Triduum celebrations








Fr Raymond and the STC Parish Committee wish all parishioners a blessed Easter. A word of thanks to all who donated in cash and kind for the Easter celebrations. Thank you also to all who helped with the triduum liturgical services.
Let us warmly welcome our 13 adults and 12 children who received the Sacrament of Initiation this Easter. May they continue to be witnesses for Christ God Bless You All.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Rite of Election

Last week in the Church of St. Theresa, 13 candidates for baptism and confirmation had their names enrolled in the Book of Elect during the first part of the Rite of Election, also called the Rite of Sending Off.

The second part of the Rite of Election was celebrated today in the Church of Holy Family, Kajang, which saw 629 catechumens being enrolled by the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, His Grace Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, as elect in preparation of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Apart from the catechumens (now called the Elect), their sponsors, godparents, RCIA teams members, parish priests and other parishioners were also present to lend them support.

The Parish of St. Theresa participated for the first time with a total of 13 candidates from the English and BM section.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Much to celebrate about




14 Feb: Thirteen members of the R.C.I.A signed the book of elect today. We welcome them into our community and journey with them to discover Christ's abundant love.

On another note, Fr Raymond handed out oranges and red packets to the parishioners at today's mass. Many thanks to those who had donated the oranges.

Fr Raymond and the parish committee wishes everyone a HAPPY and SAFE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Bulletin Announcements - February 7

Chinese New Year Celebration
MASS on 14/2/2010 (Sunday)
will be at 9am. There will be NO evening mass.

Please bring your orange donations to Church by 13/2/2010. The oranges will be given out during mass on 14/2/2010.


Change of Mass times - March 2010
Beginning the month of MARCH 2010 onwards, the following masses will be celebrated:

Novena will be held at 5pm on Saturdays, followed by Mass.
Weekday masses
(Tues,Wed, Thurs -6.15am)
Friday - 8pm


As of now, the Sunday evening mass will continue to be celebrated at 6.00 pm until June, where it will then be changed to 10.45 am.

ASH WEDNESDAY
17/2/2010
(Fast & Abstinence)
Mass - 7.30pm

WAY OF THE CROSS
19/2/2010-7.30pm, followed by Mass


R.C.I.A. Rite of Election
Please pray for the 13 candidates from our parish who will be receiving the rite of election on 21/2/2010 at the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang. They will be signing the book of elect on 14/2/2010 and welcomed into the parish community.


THANK YOU
Haiti Earthquake Victims Relief Fund collection - RM548.85


Sunday School - Opening
Classes begin on 7th Feb 2010, 4.45-5.45pm. Please contact Ms. Mary at 06-7997450 for further details.


REGISTRATION OF PARISHIONERS
If you reside or study in Nilai, please register your name and address at the entrance of the Church after mass. Do inform your friends as well.


Infant Baptism - Every 3rd Sunday of the Month

Contact Persons :- Mr. Maurice (Eng.) - 017-3962977
Mr. George Mool (BM) - 016-2871712
Ms. Mary (Tamil) - 06-7997450

RCIA:
Mr. Anthony Chia (Eng) - 016-3569168
Mr. George Mool (BM) - 016-2871712


College Students Representatives
If you're new in this Chapel and looking for a place to belong, we welcome you to join one of the Catholic Students Fellowships in the various colleges in and around Nilai, or join the Central CSS at this chapel.

Please contact the following persons:

Colleges
MIAT and Central CSS (Chapel): Shaun Mirandah (017-7256657)
Inti: Clare (016-9373179)
Nilai: Kevin Mirandah (017-7774816)
KTT: Ricky (014-3727513)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - February 2

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus, and falls on or around 2 February. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, the Presentation is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante (lit., 'Meeting' in Greek). Other traditional names include Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord.

Traditionally, Candlemas had been the last feast day in the Christian year that was dated by reference to Christmas. Subsequent moveable feasts are calculated with reference to Easter.

Scripture
The event is described in the Gospel of Luke 2:22–40. According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12-15, etc.).

According to Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days. Also, she was to remain 33 days "in the blood of her purification." Luke tells us, quoting Exodus 13:2,12, that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also went to sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons, showing that Mary and Joseph were poor. Once in the temple, Jesus was purified by the prayer of Simeon, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave thanks to the Lord, singing a hymn now called the Nunc Dimittis:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

The "light" which Simeon sang of may have given rise to the custom of blessing and lighting of candles associated with this feast, thus the name "Candlemas" (Old English - Candle Mass).

History
The Feast of the Presentation is among the most ancient feasts of the Christian Church. There are sermons on the Feast by the bishops Methodius of Patara († 312), Cyril of Jerusalem († 360), Gregory the Theologian († 389), Amphilochius of Iconium († 394), Gregory of Nyssa († 400), and John Chrysostom († 407).

The earliest reference to specific liturgical rites surrounding the feast are by the nun Egeria, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land (381–384). She reported that 14 February (the Armenian Church and Eastern Orthodox still observe the feast on this day, 40 days after the Orthodox Christmas, January 6) was a day solemnly kept in Jerusalem with a procession to Constantine I's Basilica of the Resurrection, with a homily preached on Luke 2:22 (which makes the occasion perfectly clear), and a Divine Liturgy.

Originally, the feast was a minor celebration. But then in 542 the feast was established throughout the Eastern Empire by Justinian I. In 541 a terrible plague broke out in Constantinople, killing thousands. The Emperor, in consultation with the Patriarch of Constantinople, ordered a period of fasting and prayer throughout the entire Empire. And, on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, arranged great processions throughout the towns and villages and a solemn prayer service (Litia) to ask for deliverance from evils, and the plague ceased. In thanksgiving, the feast was elevated to a more solemn celebration.

In Rome, the feast appears in the Gelasian Sacramentary, a manuscript collection of the seventh and eighth centuries associated with Pope Gelasius I, but with many interpolations and some forgeries. There it carries for the first time the new title of the feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Late in time though it may be, Candlemas is still the most ancient of all the festivals in honor of the Virgin Mary. The date of the feast in Rome was moved forward to 2 February, since during the late fourth century the Roman feast of Christ's nativity been introduced as December 25.

The tenth century Benedictional of St. Æthelwold, bishop of Winchester, has a formula used for blessing the candles. Candlemas did become important enough to find its way into the secular calendar. It was the traditional day to remove the cattle from the hay meadows, and from the field that was to be ploughed and sown that spring. References to it are common in later medieval and early Modern literature.

Until 1969, the ancient feast of the presentation of Our Lord, which is of Oriental origin, was known in the West as the feast of the Purification of Our Lady. Since Vatican II, the feast is reckoned a feast of the Lord (as opposed to a feast of Mary), and officially designated "The presentation of the Lord."

Blessing of Candles
In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions it is the day on which believers bring beeswax candles to their local church to be blessed for use in the church or in the home.

According to post Vatican-II discipline, (if possible) the beeswax candles are to be blessed somewhere other than where the Mass is held. Often your local parish will hand out candles, or you may bring your own, to be blessed before the procession. These may be saved for later use in your home. After an antiphon, during which the candles held by the people are lighted, there is a procession into the church. During the procession to the church, the Nunc Dimittis is sung, with the antiphon "Lumen ad revelationem" (Luke 2:32). This procession into the church for Mass commemorates Christ's entrance into the temple.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Canon Law, the Parish and the Parish Priest

Can. 515 §1 A parish is a certain community of Christ's faithful stably established within a particular Church, whose pastoral care, under the authority of the diocesan Bishop, is entrusted to a parish priest as its proper pastor.


Can. 519 The parish priest is the proper pastor of the parish entrusted to him. He exercises the pastoral care of the community entrusted to him under the authority of the diocesan Bishop, whose ministry of Christ he is called to share, so that for this community he may carry out the offices of teaching, sanctifying and ruling with the cooperation of other priests or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of Christ's faithful, in accordance with the law.


Can. 528 §1 The parish priest has the obligation of ensuring that the word of God is proclaimed in its entirety to those living in the parish. He is therefore to see to it that the lay members of Christ's faithful are instructed in the truths of faith, especially by means of the homily on Sundays and holydays of obligation and by catechetical formation. He is to foster works which promote the spirit of the Gospel, including its relevance to social justice. He is to have a special care for the catholic education of children and young people. With the collaboration of the faithful, he is to make every effort to bring the gospel message to those also who have given up religious practice or who do not profess the true faith.

§2 The parish priest is to take care that the blessed Eucharist is the centre of the parish assembly of the faithful. He is to strive to ensure that the faithful are nourished by the devout celebration of the sacraments, and in particular that they frequently approach the sacraments of the blessed Eucharist and penance. He is to strive to lead them to prayer, including prayer in their families, and to take a live and active part in the sacred liturgy. Under the authority of the diocesan Bishop, the parish priest must direct this liturgy in his own parish, and he is bound to be on guard against abuses.


Can. 529 §1 So that he may fulfil his office of pastor diligently, the parish priest is to strive to know the faithful entrusted to his care. He is therefore to visit their families, sharing in their cares and anxieties and, in a special way, their sorrows, comforting them in the Lord. If in certain matters they are found wanting, he is prudently to correct them. He is to help the sick and especially the dying in great charity, solicitiously restoring them with the sacraments and commending their souls to God. He is to be especially diligent in seeking out the poor, the suffering, the lonely, those who are exiled from their homeland, and those burdened with special difficulties. He is to strive also to ensure that spouses and parents are sustained in the fulfilment of their proper duties, and to foster the growth of christian life in the family.

§2 The parish priest is to recognise and promote the specific role which the lay members of Christ's faithful have in the mission of the Church, fostering their associations which have religious purposes. He is to cooperate with his proper Bishop and with the presbyterium of the diocese. Moreover, he is to endeavour to ensure that the faithful are concerned for the community of the parish, that they feel themselves to be members both of the diocese and of the universal Church, and that they take part in and sustain works which promote this community.


Can. 530 The functions especially entrusted to the parish priest are as follows:

1° the administration of baptism;

2° the administration of the sacrament of confirmation to those in danger of death, in accordance with can. 883, n. 3;

3° the administration of Viaticum and of the anointing of the sick, without prejudice to can. 1003 §§2 and 3, and the imparting of the apostolic blessing;

4° the assistance at marriages and the nuptial blessing;

5° the conducting of funerals;

6° the blessing of the baptismal font at paschal time, the conduct of processions outside the church, and the giving of solemn blessings outside the church;

7° the more solemn celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays and holydays of obligation.

Thus begins a new chapter ...

SUNDAY (January 31) - At his last mass as administrator of the Chapel of St. Theresa, Nilai, Fr. Michael Chua thanked the parishioners and leaders for their support and cooperation as he handed over the baton to Fr. Raymond Pereira, the first resident Parish Priest of the Chapel of Nilai. The chapel community also celebrated the birthday of Fr. Michael and organised a small fellowship to welcome their new Parish Priest and also to celebrate the elevation of the chapel to the status of a parish.

At the present moment, Fr. Raymond Pereira will be residing in the Church of Visitation, Seremban, until appropriate accommodations and office facilities be made available to him in Nilai.

Fr. Michael Chua continues to blog under Church of Visitation's parish blog, "The Welcoming Parish" and his personal blog, "Your Grace is Sufficient".

Friday, January 29, 2010

Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly 2010


The Presbyterium of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur came together in Bayu Beach Hotel, Port Dickson, from the 26th to the 28th of January, for the Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA). In conjunction with the Year of the Priest and the PMPT theme which focused on the missionary aspect of discipleship, the theme chosen for this year's CAPA was "The Priest as Leader of the Missionary Community."

The theme was addressed from various angles: the priest's personal understanding of his own priesthood, people's perception and expectation of the priesthood, the leadership of priests in the light of Church documents and teachings, the fraternal community of the presbyterium, and finally the person of St. John Marie Vianney, seen as the model for priests. The process involved personal testimonies by priests from a cross section of the presbyterium, small group sharing, report on survey conducted by The Herald, theological reflections,movie review highlighting the spirituality of St. John Marie Vianney, and para-liturgical action of feet washing. The clergy generally felt that there was a need to find an integral balance between the relational and ministerial aspect of their priesthood, between pastoral and mission-oriented focus of their ministry, between the 'identity' (being) and 'ministry' (doing)that characterises their priesthood, between being leaders of faith communities and being part of a community of fellow priests.

More photos on Facebook.


Parish of St. Theresa, Nilai - 1st February


The Chapel of St. Theresa, Nilai, which is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee (75th Year Anniversary) this year will have double cause for celebration. The chapel will be elevated to the canonical status of a full parish with effect from February 1, 2010. With this elevation, the Parish of St. Theresa, will also witness the appointment of its first resident Parish Priest, Fr. Raymond Pereira, who had just recently returned from his post-graduate studies in the Philippines, where he obtained a licentiate-masters in spirituality, specialising in Mariology.

Fr. Raymond Pereira was formerly Parish Priest of Church of St. Aloysius, Mantin, Church of Holy Redeemer, Klang and Church of Divine Mercy, Shah Alam. Fr. Raymond will have the important task of building the new parish community of Nilai and catering to the pastoral needs of the ever-expanding Catholic population of Nilai and its surrounding suburbs.

Prophet of God's Truth

Fourth Ordinary Sunday Year C

Who is a prophet? Many people often think that a prophet is someone who foretells the future. Sometimes, the prophet does this but this isn’t the main task of the prophet. So who then is a prophet? A prophet is the messenger of God. He is the mouthpiece (spokesman) of God. He is a man who has been filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God through daily meditation and studying of the scriptures. It is through this studying of the scriptures that he comes to recognize the will of God for his time – what God is trying to say to his people in this time, under these circumstances and in this place. A prophet is not one who keeps silent. Once received, the message of God must be proclaimed. If not, God will raise other prophets to undertake the task.

The task of a prophet is not easy. Sometimes, the prophet is asked to give a message of hope and encouragement to God’s people. This is often welcomed. What is not easy to accept is the fact that the prophet is also given the task to challenge and condemn the people for their sinfulness. He is the conscience of the nation. It is here that the prophet faces opposition and rejection. Everyone likes to hear praises and words of encouragement. No one likes to hear criticism. But such criticism is necessary in order for us to grow. If we are not open to criticism, if we are not honest with ourselves, we would then be blind to the direction which God wants to lead us.

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks of the many prophets in Israel’s history who were rejected by their own people and yet sometimes welcomed by others who were not Jews. Jesus too is such a prophet. When he speaks words of encouragement, like what he did in last week’s gospel reading, he receives people’s admiration. But in today’s gospel, Jesus chooses to reprimand his listeners. The Word of God is a double-edged sword. It cuts both ways. We must be prepared to hear not only words of encouragement but also words that would challenge our present way of life. In doing so, Jesus too is rejected.

What of us? Are we people who only like to hear praises and good things said about us? Or are we also able to accept a challenge to our present way of life? At the time of your baptism, each one of you was anointed to be a priest, prophet and king just like Jesus. Are you able to live up to this mission which you received at the time of your baptism?

Taking the prophetic role is difficult. No one wants to be the bad guy. That is why it is much easier to talk about people behind their backs then to confront them. As a prophetic people, we too are called to confront and challenge each other. Confrontation does not mean that we have no love. On the contrary, love is the reason why we must confront and act the prophet. In the second reading, we have the beautiful passage about love. Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, never boastful or conceited, or rude or selfish. Yes, all this is true. But the list also states that love delights in the truth. A prophet is not someone who is harsh and heartless. Rather, he is a person so full of love for God and his people that he is prepared to risk being rejected by his own people in speaking the truth to them.

Today, we are challenged to become such prophets. Love must be our motivation. Without love, we cannot be true prophets – we are only complainers and critics. Let us pray for the strength and the courage to speak the truth, but always to do so with love.

Friday, January 22, 2010

This text is being fulfilled today ...

Third Ordinary Sunday Year C

What does the Bible mean to you? Whenever you hear the readings during the Liturgy of the Word, what are your feelings? Do you feel encouraged by these readings or challenged by them? Do you really pay attention to the readings or are you just waiting to receive holy communion? If we have never really paid attention to the readings read during the Liturgy of the Word or taken the trouble to read and study the bible, we may, perhaps, have left out one of the most important aspects of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Word. The liturgy of the Word is no less important than the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Both are equally important. Jesus who is truly present in the blessed sacrament is also present in the word proclaimed during the first half of the mass.

In the Gospel, Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He attributes what he has read to himself. He is the Word of God. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Word of life. This is the purpose of the Word of God: “to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” If we have not really been paying attention to the readings every Sunday, we may perhaps have lost out on these promises. If we turn our ears away from hearing God’s word, we will only hear ‘bad news’ – the bad news which society and our experiences feed us with everyday of our lives. The good news of the Bible is this – that in spite of all the evil that we see, hear and experience in this world of ours, God’s salvation is far greater. The good news is that Jesus, the Word of God, has conquered evil and death. Yes, we continue to experience many problems and difficulties, but we believe that God has already won the victory through Jesus Christ. This is our good news. We are no longer poor because Jesus has promised us the treasures of heaven, treasures that will not eaten by moth or turn to dust – everlasting life.

Those who fail to listen to God’s word continue to be trapped and imprisoned by their fears and addictions. Jesus promised us that he has come to proclaim liberty to the captives. If we listen to him, we too can experience this liberation. The most important freedom is internal freedom – it is only eternal freedom that can promise lasting joy. Those of us who fail to listen to God’s word will continue to be blind. We will continue to be blind to our own mistakes and our sinfulness. We will continue doing things as if everything was alright. A blind man is in a worst position when he doesn’t realize that he is blind. If you feel that everything is going wrong in your life, if you feel that the burden of tragedies and problems after problems, Jesus has come to set you free. Jesus has come to set the downtrodden free and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

In Asian society, the teacher has a place of high standing in society. We are to treat our teachers with reverence as how we treat our parents. Likewise, within the Church, those members who have been given the position of teaching and instructing and of spreading God’s word are given the first place. This does not mean that they are to be treated as better than others in the community. The reason for giving them the first place is because of the Word of God which has been entrusted to them. The Word of God must have a central and prominent place within the community. Likewise, the Word of God must also be the basis of each of our lives. It is not enough to recite prayers and attend mass. These are good. But what is far better, is the need to study and read the Bible so that the Word of God can become our daily guide. When we constantly read the bible and listen attentively to the readings at every Mass, the Word of God will find fulfillment in our lives. Then, we can echo the words of Jesus as he says: “This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.”

Thursday, January 14, 2010

When the wine runs out ...

Second Ordinary Sunday Year C


St. Paul in today’s second reading tells us: “There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people; it is the same God who is working in all of them.” Do we agree with this statement? If we agree with this statement, can we see it happening in our own parish? Do we see a variety of gifts manifested in different ways in our parish? Do we see God’s spirit working in this parish through the many people who volunteer for ministry? Are you using your gift for the service of the community and the Church?

If God wishes his church and his community to grow stronger, he will certainly provide it with all the gifts necessary to do so. God will not fail his community. Nevertheless, we sometimes fail God and the community. This happens when we do not acknowledge our gifts and the gifts of others in the community. A community can only flourish if its members are able to recognize their own gifts and are able to affirm one another gifts. A community is in real danger of being destroyed if its members are only always expecting something from others and who are not prepared to give or share. A community is in real danger when its members are constantly criticizing and finding fault with one another. A community is in real danger when the gifts of its members are suppressed rather than identified and nurtured. A community is in real danger of being destroyed when the wine runs out.

Today’s gospel tells the story of the wedding at Cana. This joyous occasion nearly ended in tragedy because the most important element that was keeping the party going had finished – they ran out of wine. Sometimes, when we see the same people serving in the Church growing older and older with each passing year without any successor, we begin to think that the wine is also running out. No Wine, no new leaders, no new plans, no new members, no Holy Spirit! The END! Do you think that our parish, is heading in this direction? Do you think that our wine is running out and we are about to ‘close shop’?

Thousands of years ago, the people of Israel also thought that the destruction of their country meant the end of everything. They were called the “Forsaken” and “Abandoned” People. But Isaiah in the first reading gives an entirely different message. It is a message of hope. All is not lost because God will return to redeem them. They will be called by a new name, they will receive a new glory, they will be called “My Delight” and “The Wedded” for God has taken delight in them again. God has renewed his covenant with them – God has wedded them again. What brought about the change? They realized that glory and blessings came from God alone. No human power, riches or glory will last. Eventually all these things will run out. Only God’s blessings remain. Only God can ensure that the wine will never run out.

All is not lost! The wine need not run out. This community still has a chance to grow and become stronger. Firstly, we must recognize that we need conversion. We need God and Christ to become the center of our lives. We can no longer think that we can solve all our problems through human efforts. If we have the ability to solve problems, it is the ability which is given none other by God. If this community is to survive and grow, each of us must experience a conversion of heart. We need to be re-evangelised. If we have become complacent and satisfied with what we have, its time to wake up. It’s not enough to maintain the things that we have. The community and the church must grow; if not, it will die. Let us then pray that our community will be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit and that we will come to recognize our gifts and how we can use these gifts in the service of the Church.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Bishops' Conference: Remain Calm, Do not React and Pray

Malaysian Bishops Respond to Violence
Note Muslim Support; Say Root Is Politics, Not Religion


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, JAN. 12, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Malaysian bishops are urging reconciliation in the wake of attacks against nine Christian churches over the weekend, and affirming the incidents stain the reputation of the country's Muslim majority.

The prelates responded to attacks on three Catholic and six Protestant churches in a communiqué made public today by the Fides news agency. The prelates are beginning their plenary assembly of bishops from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The assembly, planned some time ago, had to change its agenda completely in the wake of the violence.

Known as moderate

The bishops' communiqué noted harmony between Islam and Christianity in Malaysia, and said the attacks stain the reputation of Malay Islam, "known for its moderation and its peaceful coexistence with other religions."

In fact, Fides reported, moderate Muslim groups have organized watches in churches to prevent a repeat of the violence.

The communiqué stated Christians "are committed to do everything possible to keep calm, not to respond to the provocations, and to pray so that the violence will not spread."

The attacks over the weekend come in the context of a Dec. 31 high court decision overturning a ban on Christian groups referring to God as Allah.

Both Christians and Muslims pointed to political motivations behind the violence.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Driven by Love

Feast of Baptism of the Lord

What is the thing that you want most in life? Big car … good family … loving husband or a loving wife … filial children. Whatever it is you want most in life – that thing is the thing which you believe will bring the greatest happiness into your life. In other words, the thing which we want most in life is happiness. Pursuit of happiness is the driving force of life.

We work hard, we choose friends and the person we want to marry, we try to get good grades in school, good jobs – hoping that at the end of it all we will be happy. We try to please others hoping that they will come to accept us and love us. But let me tell you the truth – happiness is not something that we can achieve. Happiness is never the reward of doing something well. We can never buy happiness.

Rather, happiness is a gift from God. It is a gift freely given by God to those open to receive it. Happiness is knowing in the depths of one’s heart that one is truly loved by God. Happiness is knowing that we are loveable and that we are precious in the eyes of God. No matter how others may see us, no matter how others may judge us, nothing can change this single reality – we are loved by God.

This knowledge was the driving force behind Jesus. At his baptism, Jesus received this beautiful words from God the Father – “This is my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on him.” Knowing that he was loved by his Father in heaven, Jesus began his mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Although he faced many setbacks, although he was criticized and hated by many people, although he was rejected by his own relatives and neighbours, although he was betrayed by his own disciples, Jesus never waivered in his resolve. Only one thing mattered to him – knowing that he was loved by God and nothing … absolutely nothing can change that. On the cross, in the midst of his pain and loneliness, Jesus was sustained by the knowledge of God’s love for him and that God will never abandon him at this moment of his greatest need.

This is what God wants to tell each of you: “You are my Son. You are my daughter. You are precious. I love you very much!!!” We don’t have to prove ourselves to God. We don’t have to show him that we are good or that we are perfect. God loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses.

If we live each day with this knowledge of God’s love for us, we will not easily give up especially when we are faced with criticism from others. Whenever we celebrate the Mass, we are reminded again and again that we are loved by God. It was because of love, that God sent his only Son to die for us. Jesus, who gives his body and blood, is living proof of this. The mass is proof of God’s love. Because we are loved by God, let us now share this love with every other person.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Feast of Epiphany

Epiphany (from Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια "appearance", "manifestation") is a Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. It falls on January 6 or on a Sunday close to that date. January 6 in the Julian Calendar, which is followed by some Eastern Churches, corresponds at present to January 19 in the Gregorian Calendar, which is the official civil calendar in most countries. On this day, Western Christians commemorate principally the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the child Jesus, i.e., his manifestation to the Gentiles; Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. It is also called Theophany, especially by Eastern Christians.

History
The observance had its origins in the early Christian Church, and was a general celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. It included the commemoration of: his birth; the visit of the Magi ("Wise Men", as Magi were Persian priests) to Bethlehem; all of Jesus' childhood events, up to and including his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. It seems fairly clear that the Baptism was the primary event being commemorated.

Christians fixed the date of the feast on January 6 quite early in their history. Ancient liturgies noted Illuminatio, Manifestatio, Declaratio (Illumination, Manifestation, Declaration); cf. Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:22; and John 2:1–11; where the Baptism and the Marriage at Cana were dwelt upon. Western Christians have traditionally emphasized the "Revelation to the Gentiles" mentioned in Luke, where the term Gentile means all non-Jewish peoples. The Biblical Magi, who represented the non-Jewish peoples of the world, paid homage to the infant Jesus in stark contrast to Herod the Great (King of Judea), who sought to kill him.

The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in A.D. 361, by Ammianus Marcellinus. St. Epiphanius says that January 6 is hemera genethlion toutestin epiphanion (Christ's "Birthday; that is, His Epiphany"). He also asserts that the Miracle at Cana occurred on the same calendar day.

In 385, the pilgrim Egeria (also known as Silvia) described a celebration in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, which she called "Epiphany" (epiphania) that commemorated the Nativity of Christ. Even at this early date, there was an octave associated with the feast.

In a sermon delivered on December 25, 380, St. Gregory of Nazianzus referred to the day as ta theophania ("the Theophany", an alternative name for Epiphany), saying expressly that it is a day commemorating he hagia tou Christou gennesis ("the holy nativity of Christ") and told his listeners that they would soon be celebrating the baptism of Christ. Then, on January 6 and 7, he preached two more sermons, wherein he declared that the celebration of the birth of Christ and the visitation of the Magi had already taken place, and that they would now commemorate his Baptism. At this time, celebration of the two events was beginning to be observed on separate occasions, at least in Cappadocia.

Saint John Cassian says that even in his time (beginning of the 5th century), the Egyptian monasteries celebrated the Nativity and Baptism together on January 6. The Armenian Apostolic Church continues to celebrate January 6 as the only commemoration of the Nativity.

Epiphany in different Christian traditions


Epiphany is celebrated by both the Eastern and Western Churches, but a major difference between them is precisely which events the feast commemorates. For Western Christians, the feast primarily commemorates the coming of the Magi; Eastern churches celebrate the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan. In both traditions, the essence of the feast is the same: the manifestation of Christ to the world (whether as an infant or in the Jordan), and the Mystery of the Incarnation.

Western Christian Churches

Even before the year 354, the Western Church had separated the celebration of the Nativity of Christ as the feast of Christmas and set its date as December 25; it reserved January 6 as a commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, especially to the Magi, but also at his baptism and at the wedding feast of Cana.

In parts of the Eastern Church, January 6 continued for some time as a composite feast that included the Nativity of Jesus: though Constantinople adopted December 25 to commemorate Jesus' birth in the fourth century, in other parts the Nativity of Jesus continued to be celebrated on January 6, a date later devoted exclusively to commemorating his Baptism.[13]

The West historically observed a twelve-day festival, starting on December 25, and ending on January 5, known as Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas. Some Christian cultures, especially those of Latin America and some in Europe, extend the season to as many as forty days, ending on Candlemas (February 2).

On the Feast of the Epiphany, the priest, wearing white vestments, will bless the Epiphany water, frankincense, gold, and chalk. Chalk is used to write the initials of the three magi over the doors of churches and homes. The letters stand for the initials of the Magi (traditionally named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), and also the phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates as "may Christ bless the house".

According to ancient custom, the priest announced the date of Easter on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition dated from a time when calendars were not readily available, and the church needed to publicize the date of Easter, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on it. The proclamation may be sung or proclaimed at the ambo by a deacon, cantor, or reader either after the reading of the Gospel or after the postcommunion prayer.

Prior to the reform of 1955, when Pope Pius XII abolished all but three liturgical octaves, the Roman Catholic Church celebrated Epiphany as an eight-day feast beginning on January 6 and ending on January 13, known as the Octave of Epiphany. They celebrated the feast of the Holy Family on the Sunday within the octave, and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on the Sunday between January 2 and January 5 or, if there were no such Sunday, on January 2. They calculated Christmastide as the twelve days ending on January 5, followed by Epiphany time, consisting of the feast and its octave.

In the 1970 revision of the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 for countries where the feast is a Holy Day of Obligation. In other countries, it is celebrated on the Sunday after January 1. Christmastide ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is always on the Sunday after Epiphany (unless, where Epiphany is not a holy day of obligation, Epiphany is celebrated on January 7 or 8, in which case Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday).

The Roman Missal provides a formula with appropriate chant (in the tone of the Exsultet) for proclaiming on Epiphany, wherever it is customary to do so, the dates in the calendar for the celebration of Ash Wednesday, Easter Sunday, Ascension of Jesus Christ, Pentecost, the Body and Blood of Christ, and the First Sunday of Advent in the following Liturgical Year.

Eastern Christian Churches

Usually called the Feast of Theophany (Greek: Θεοφάνεια, "God shining forth" or "divine manifestation"), it is one of the Great Feasts of the liturgical year, being third in rank, behind only Pascha (Easter) and Pentecost in importance. Orthodox Christians that follow the Gregorian Calendar celebrate Epiphany on January 6, while those who follow the Julian Calendar celebrate it on January 19.

The earliest reference to the feast in the Eastern Church is a remark by St. Clement of Alexandria in Stromateis.

Today in Eastern Orthodox churches, the emphasis at this feast is on the shining forth and revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Second Person of the Trinity at the time of his baptism. It is also celebrated because, according to tradition, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist marked one of only two occasions when all three Persons of the Trinity manifested themselves simultaneously to humanity: God the Father by speaking through the clouds, God the Son being baptized in the river, and God the Holy Spirit in the shape of a dove descending from heaven (the other occasion was the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor). Thus the holy day is considered to be a Trinitarian feast.

The Orthodox consider Jesus' Baptism to be the first step towards the Crucifixion, and there are some parallels in the hymnography used on this day and the hymns chanted on Good Friday.

The liturgical Forefeast of Theophany begins on January 1, and concludes with the Paramony on January 5. The Eve of the Feast is called Paramony (Greek: παραμονή, Slavonic: navechérie). Paramony is observed as a strict fast day. On this day the Royal Hours are celebrated, thus tying together the feasts of Nativity and Good Friday. The Royal Hours are followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil which combines Vespers with the Divine Liturgy. During the Vespers, fifteen Old Testament lections which foreshadow the Baptism of Christ are read, and special antiphons are chanted.

The Orthodox Churches perform the Great Blessing of Waters on Theophany. The blessing is normally done twice: once on the Eve of the Feast—usually at a Baptismal font inside the church—and then again on the day of the feast, outdoors at a body of water. Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and people go in a Crucession (procession with the cross) to the nearest body of water, be it a beach, harbor, quay, river, lake, swimming pool, water depot, etc. (ideally, it should be a body of "living water"). At the end of the ceremony the priest will bless the waters. In the Greek practice, he does this by casting a cross into the water.

Theophany is a traditional day for performing Baptisms, and this is reflected in the Divine Liturgy by singing the baptismal hymn, "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia," in place of the Trisagion.

A Star is Born

Have you ever dreamt of being a movie star? Have you ever wished you could be a famous singer, or at least a famous karaoke singer? Even if you didn’t have these ambitions, there must be some time in your life when you wanted to be the center of attention. You wanted to be a star. For example, young children often cry or act naughty to get the attention of their parents. Adults are no different. We sulk and we throw tantrums in order to get attention. We feel jealous whenever other’s get the attention.

Today’s gospel is also about stars – many different stars but only one true Star. We have the bright star shining in the sky indicating to the wise men of the East the place where the Messiah was to be born. Was this the Star, the one true Star? No. This star only showed the way. Then we have the wise men. On the feast of the Epiphany, we usually place the statues of the three kings in the crib to indicate the visit of the wise men, who were not actually kings. Many people often think that these kings or wise men are the stars of today’s celebration. But they’re not the stars of the day. They were searching and making their way to the true star. Then there is King Herod. King Herod had great ambitions. He wanted to be the greatest king of his dynasty. He wanted to rival King David and Solomon. It is true that he controlled the largest territory in his dynastic line. But, he was still an insignificant vassal ruler in the massive Roman empire. King Herod wanted to be a star. He wanted to be THE Star but fell far short of it. When you are insecure and frightened of losing your position and power, you will make sure that there are no other rivals. This is the reason why Herod wanted to know the location of the Messiah so that he could get rid of his rival. Herod felt that there can only be one star and it had to be Herod himself.

King Herod was partly right. There has to be only one Star. One star which lights the way. One star that brightens the darkness. One star that points the way to salvation. One star where we can place all our hopes and aspirations. Jesus is that Star. Today’s feast is precisely about Jesus. It is not Herod, nor the wise men, nor even the star which should the way to find Jesus. Today’s feast about Jesus, the star which brightens the darkness of our lives and shows the way to salvation for all mankind. If Jesus is the Star of our lives, we cannot have other stars. Power, money, riches, feng shui, idols, charms – these can no longer be ‘stars’ in our lives. There is only one Star and he must be Jesus.

Three things are revealed about Jesus in today’s gospel. The three gifts are symbolic of this revelation. The gift of gold symbolizes the kingship of Christ. Jesus Christ is a king, but not like any other kings. His kingdom is not of this world. It is the kingdom of justice, peace and love. It is the kingdom which is established in the hearts of every man or woman who open themselves to God and allow God to be the Lord of their lives. It is the kingdom of humble service rather than of power. The second gift is the gift of frankincense. Incense is used in worship This gift symbolizes the divinity of Christ. Christ is no mere human person. He is God. He is God made man. He is God with us. Finally, we have the gift of myrrh which is used for burial. This last gift points to the passion of Christ. Christ must suffer and die in order for the world to be saved. This is his destiny. We as his followers must also be prepared to follow his way of living and even follow him on the way to the cross.

Today, we too pay homage to the greatest Star that was ever born. He is not any famous singer or actor. He isn’t a great king or a philosopher. He is so much more than all these things. He is Jesus. He is our Lord. He is our Saviour. He is our King.