October 01 , 2009
IPOH: The simplicity of St Pio of Pietrelcina in his life, and his strict discipline and faithfulness where prayer and spiritual growth were concerned is something to be emulated. These two characteristics of Padre Pio, known as the priest with the stigmata during his lifetime, draw thousands to celebrate his feastday every year on Sept 23.

10 December 2006 issue of The Herald

Christmas musical to encourage sharing

IPOH: “The Little Drummer Boy”, a musical being staged for the first time at St Michael’s Church (SMC) Ipoh, is the parish’s effort towards evangelising, and spreading the Christmas joyful spirit through love and service amongst Christians and non-Christians.

12 Nov. 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: Many of the 53 young children who received their first Holy Communion at St Michael's Church, cited a great love for Mother Mary and Jesus. They described Mother Mary as a person who always leads people to God through the Church.

They also saw Jesus as someone Holy and Good, who always had a heart for the poor and who was able to lift them out of their difficult situations in life. Jesus inspired them to do better in their lives.

Taken from The Herald of 5 Nov. 2006 issue.

PENANG: God's love is reflected in the poor and in those who serve the poor. This was the general consensus of the 16 Ipoh parishioners who visited the Lighthouse Feeding Centre for the homeless in Penang on October 16, 2006.

Taken from The Herald of 15 Oct. 2006 issue.

IPOH: Peace was the big question in everyone's heart as the celebration of the feastday of the Holy Archangels -  Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, got underway at the parish of St Michael (SMC).

With so many acts of war and much hostility in the world today, the feastday celebrations focused on asking St Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of SMC, for his protection and peace for the coming year.

With so many acts of war and much hostility in the world today, the feastday celebrations focused on asking St Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of SMC, for his protection and peace for the coming year.

8 October 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH:They have a lively attitude, alert and active minds, share regular fellowship and  communicate with other senior citizen groups.

Meet the St Michael's Church Evergreens, a group of active senior citizens who reach out to others in the spirit of Christian love. For this purpose, SMC Evergreens has dedicated a special place and clubhouse for all senior citizens in Ipoh to gather and get involved in community activities. Their clubhouse is conveniently located next to St Michael's Church, at the premises of Regina Flora.

8 October 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: Padre Pio's feast day was celebrated at the parish of St Michael on Sept 23, to honour the saint who with his Franciscan humility, showed people the source of Christian living: the miracle of belonging to Jesus Christ and His Church.

St Pio of Pietrelcina is well-known as the Franciscan Friar who carried the stigmata of Christ, (the five wounds of Christ) on Sept 20, 1918, after saying Mass. He carried these wounds until his death on Sept 23, 1968.

1 October 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: Bishop Antony Selvanayagam praised the BECs work at St Michae'’s Church Ipoh, for having raised some RM20,000 for the Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) Building fund for a parish centre.

OLOL has been trying to raise funds to build a parish centre to house catechism classes for their Sunday School classrooms for children.

1 October issue of The Herald

IPOH: Forty-two youths at St Michael's Church received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sept 16, drawing them more deeply into the life of  the Catholic Church.

24 September 2006 issue of the Herald

IPOH: St Michael's Church (SMC) BEC Family Day was really a "communion of communities" as families joined in unity to contribute towards the growth of its sister parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, for its proposed pastoral centre.

The funds raised from the event are to be donated towards the building fund of OLOL’s pastoral centre, which will, among others, provide adequate space for children to have Catechism classes.

3 Sept. 2006 issue of the Herald

IPOH: It may be that some of us haven’t looked at the Bible very much before, or perhaps found it “heavy” reading.

At the St Michael’s Church Religious Articles service centre, located at the back of the church next to the parish office, one may find useful help through the monthly publication of Shalom which teaches the individual how to pray using the daily reflections based on the Scripture readings of the day. It’s also a very useful way to encourage the youths to pray daily. They find it a more interesting way to pray as it relates to everyday life situations.

20 August 2006 issue of The Herald

Canteen Day at St Michael, Ipoh

IPOH:  The Canteen Day charity food sale at St Michael's Church (SMC) was another one of those super “Sunday Brunches” which encourages everyone to tuck in and join in fellowship.

It was also a special day, being held on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Parish priest Fr Michael Cheah gave a succinct explanation on the relationship between prayer and living our life in fellowship as God wants us to.

9 July 2006 issue of the Herald

The role of the volunteer to the sick

IPOH: Death, illness and human brokenness, all tend to be things we often keep hidden away or refuse to admit, because they are the opposites of happiness and well being that we desire.

In following Jesus through His teachings and His life, we often find that true joy and fulfilment is found in supporting and accompanying those who are sick, especially those who are suffering in great pain.

29 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: For TUDM recruits Embly Gamon and his friends from Sarawak, the Church of St Michael provides some precious time away from their usual rigorous training schedule in the air force, to spend some time worshipping God.

Every Sunday at 8am, a truck ferries Embly, 21, and his friends - Wrandel Didit, 20, Justin Jogi, 20, Barnes Jones, 19, William Umpang, 19, Geoffery Joe Jok, 20, and Sundry Anak Sinuwag, 20, to St Michael�s Church for Mass. They first came to Ipoh seven months ago and are due to leave in February, since their six-months training has been completed and they will be receiving their postings soon.

�We are happy to be here. We would like to be more involved in church gatherings, such as those back home in Kuching, but our time outside the camp is limited,� said Embly.

The trainees have to be ready for their pick-up truck at 12.30pm, from the church.

22 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: Committing oneself to pastoral care is humbly allowing God to work through us. He corrects us and teaches us what we ought to know, and how to love others in a Christ-like way.

By esteeming what is valuable in God's sight, namely the sick, the aged and the dying, we are doing what is most pleasing to God by walking with Him in our lives, every day.

Sr Geraldine Tan, of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Singapore, gave an inspiring fomation session on Pastoral care for the Sick at St Michael\'s Church.

Those who attended came away enlightened, motivated and deeply grateful to the pint-sized nun for her invaluable sharing of her experiences in pastoral care in Singapore.

22 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: The access to affordable healthcare for Malaysians especially those of the working class and the relatively poor have been a concern, since the Malaysia Incorporated Policy was introduced during the Mahathir Administration.

The policy resulted in the exodus of government doctors to Private Hospitals creating a distortion in the ratio of specialist to patients in Government Hospitals. The consequences of this policy has never been adequately debated by the mainstream media, especially on questions on how such a policy could effect the services of Government Hospitals, and how such a market-driven policy would affect the cost of medical drugs.

15 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: The BECs of Ampang, Rapat Indah and Ipoh Jaya of the parish of St Michael organised a Christmas party for all on January 1. About 125 attended the celebration, including a great number of non-Catholics.

The presence of the BECs in the housing estates has changed the people�s perception of Catholics. Inviting people of other faiths to the Christmas party is part of this.

�I have been attending this party for the past 21 years and the members have been very friendly and open. This is one of the reasons why I brought my friends along,� says Violet Chung who lives in Rapat Indah.

15 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: For many at St Michael�s Church, Christmas morning Mass transcended all the outer glitter of decorations, ornaments and merry-making that follows midnight Masses. Instead it was the simple yet joyful pleasure of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and enjoying each other�s company during Mass.

Then there was beautiful singing of carols by St Theresa�s Choir. The choir, which is the mainstay of SMC�s English choral groups, has been singing for St Michael�s church for many years, and has 35 active members.
Led by choirmistress Teresina Gonsalves, the choir sang a spirited mix of both new and old Christmas carols, including some nostalgic ones coupled with modern tunes.

15 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: �I knew many of the members when I was a small boy here and they are still contributing,� said St Michael parish priest Fr Michael Cheah.

Fr Cheah said this during the annual Evergreens dinner held at Peter Pang Hall, in the church grounds. Some 200 parishioners both young and old attended the dinner, which also celebrated the Evergreens� fourth anniversary of its inception.

The Evergreens got a wonderful start to the New Year with the gift of a new clubhouse for them, at the premises of the former Regina Florist near the church car park.

�This year is targeted towards the Evergreens senior citizens, and the Regina Florist building will be acquired for them. I also invite all Catholics and non-Catholics of all religions and creeds in Perak to join in the activities of the Evergreens.

8 January 2006 issue of The Herald

IPOH: The Parish Human Development Committee, English Youth and Chinese Youth Groups of the Church of St. Michael combined forces to launch an Advent Campaign throughout the four weeks of Advent.

The aim of the Campaign was to re-establish the true spirit of Christmas which has been diluted by materialism and other secular forces in recent years.

25 Dec. 2006 issue of The Herald.

IPOH: Parishioners from various ministries of St Michael�s Church came out in support of the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM) Sunday Brunch n Fun Fair� on Dec 11.

Many of them already serve as volunteers at the NASAM Ipoh branch at 9 Lorong Pinji� Off Jalan Pasir Puteh Ipoh. The Sunday brunch was organised to raise funds for NASAM Ipoh, which is headed by Ann Yeoh, who is herself a stroke survivor.

St Michael�s Church parishioners also helped to sell tickets for the event.

27 November issue of The Herald

IPOH:� Sixty-eight blood donors of different faiths and of all ages came together at St Michael�s Church, to donate blood and were encouraged by good hospitality from the parishioners of SMC.

What was noticeable was that there were many more young people donating blood, and women formed the majority of the donors. Many of the donors took their children to see the blood donation drive, so the children could understand the need for such campaigns.

�Ng Wai San, 26, a Bhuddist, came on her own to St Michael�s Church by bus to donate blood after reading about it in a local Chinese newspaper.

20 November issue of The Herald

IPOH: �Fr Michael Cheah has always campaigned the importance of families coming together and meeting as a group since becoming the parish priest of St Michael�s Church. He emphasised this point again in his homily during the area Mass at BEC Pengkalan, celebrated in conjunction with the feast day of St Mary Magdalene, the BEC �s chosen saint.

For those who are unprepared to come together and meet as a group, Fr. Cheah pointed out the importance of their inclusion and participation. �Now the parishes are divided in area groups and in our area group we are supposed to be alive. At the area leader meetings, what transpired was conveyed to all of you. Even the celebrations of the feast of St Michael � how we should celebrate � was brought down to you in a form of a referendum, seeking your opinions. If those people don�t come for meetings, surely they do not know. What is important is you all meet as an area group. For example, if you don�t agree with something in the parish you bring it out to the BEC. Your area leader will bring it out to the BEC leader meeting and then we will bring it up to the Parish Council. I guarantee you, I don�t overrule people for nothing. I just listen to all your opinions. After all, the parish is ours, not mine,� Fr Cheah said.

13 November issue of The Herald.

IPOH: The family members of BEC Pengkalan responded positively to the Rosary sessions held at the home of every family during October.

A great number attended, demonstrating great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even little children were seen encouraged to lead.

The adults read the word of God, thus recalling the things God had done for the people in the past and drawing attention to the recognition of what God is doing for the present generation.

6 November issue of The Herald

IPOH: The Church of St Michael (SMC) recently played host to a joint formation session for the Parish Human Development Committees (PHDC) of Taiping Catholic Church, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes as well as its own PHDC. A total of nineteen participants attended this session, which was held on October 9.

The session themed Introduction to Diocesan Ministries was the final formation organised by Susan Lim of the Penang Office for Human Development (POHD) for the fledgling PHDCs. All three PHDCs had already undergone the first formation session on Integral Human Development & Spirituality earlier this year.

30 October 2005 issue of The Herald

IPOH: Faith in life somehow adequately describes the work of a small group of women at St Michael's Church.

These women call themselves the Catholic Womens League of St Michaels Church. What they do is essentially to bring hope and the voice of peace to women by application of their individual skills and talents in everyday work.

Ordinary 'housewife' things such as baking, quilting, sewing, basket weaving from recycled paper, and crocheting find a place in their ministry to reach out to other women especially those in difficulty.

16 October 2005 issue of The Herald

IPOH: The celebration of the feast of St Michael was so full of joy that many parishioners stayed back for fellowship after the Eucharistic celebration.

Despite a heavy downpour which cancelled the feastday procession to carry the statue of St Michael around the church, the spiritual fervour inside more than made up for it.

The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by parish priest Fr Michael Cheah, and visiting priest Fr Emmanuel Selvarajah, 75, from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

9 October 2005�issue of The Herald

IPOH:� It was with great joy that parishioners of St Michael�s Church celebrated the confirmation of 54 young people during a bilingual Mass on Sept 25. The Mass also incorporated the installation of parish priest Fr Michael Cheah, and the consecration of the new altar.

Just as on the day of Pentecost when the apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit, the feeling of love, joy, and peace pervaded the hearts of those who participated in the Eucharistic celebration. Joy was especially evident on the faces of the young confirmation candidates as they were marked with the sacred seal of confirmation. All had gone through a process of spiritual maturing with the help of their dedicated teachers and facilitators.

2 October 2005�issue of The Herald

IPOH:� Migrants from the parishes in Central Perak district gathered at the Church of St Michael to celebrate Migrant Sunday recently. With the theme Living our lives in harmony, it was a day-long celebration.

The day started with praise and worship, and a workshop where the migrants were divided into groups and given coloured hand bands. The groups were required to join these coloured bands by using a white ribbon. They could make whatever symbol they liked and later they had to explain what the symbol represented. The white ribbon used to tie the bands together represented Christ. Some of the groups made the symbol of the rosary, which is close to all Catholics; there were some who made the Cross, signifying Christ�s passion and love for His people.

2 October 2005 �issue of The Herald

IPOH: �How do we see Christ? Simply by opening our eyes of love and hearing with ears of love towards others.

Then we can see Christ�s miracles all around which serve as signs and wonders for us � these miracles are often worked by the Holy Spirit through other human beings just like us, people who performed their work selflessly and with moral authority, not to show off but in fact showing Christ is still with us today, as he promised.

25 September 2005 issue of The Herald.

IPOH: �It is for us to build the parish; the parish is not my parish, it is our parish,� said Fr Michael Cheah. He said this in his homily during the recent Eucharistic celebrations for Zone 8, attended by about 180 family members.

He told the family members that their views are always sought on certain Church matters through their area leaders before implementation, citing the recent air-conditioning of the Church. �The parishioners in our parish cannot say now that they have not been consulted. However, if you don�t come for area meetings, then you will never be consulted. This is the reason why the local Church now is putting so much importance on BECs. It is for us to build the parish; the parish is not my parish; it is our parish.

4 September 2005�issue of The Herald.

IPOH: The parishioners of St Michael can now enjoy the well renowned Cameron Highlands Greens at their own doorstep.

The Parish Human Development Committee has undertaken a �Selling Greens� project to earn money to support their programmes for human development at parish level.

28 August 2005�issue of The Herald.

IPOH: St Michael�s parish jubilee exhibition was a testimony of God�s guiding hand in the growth of the church throughout its 116 years in existence.

The parish which had begun as a simple wooden structure in the compound of what was later to be the Main Convent, was set up by Fr Emile Barrilon. He was followed by a string of other priests, mainly missionaries who had dedicated their lives for the purpose of making Christ known and to bring God�s Word to every corner of the earth.

28 August 2005�issue of The Herald.

IPOH: The Church of St Michael�s� Canteen day was� a picture of a parish building a family - a family, that is, of the very different communities present in and around Ipoh.

The fundraising event for the Ministry to the Poor, held on Aug 14 was more about community building and caring, and welcoming visitors from other places who are working here.

31 July 2005 issue of The Herald.

IPOH: St Michael\'s Church diocesan jubilee carnival was a joyous and Spirit-filled celebration of the parish\'s mix of the different cultures and the culmination of a journey which began in the early days of rickshaws and immigrants.

17 July 2005 issue of The Herald.

IPOH: Seek God and the things of God. For when God comes, man experiences that deep integration of God within his person, and he enters that realm of the kingdom of God. That in turn enables the person to progressively feel and know the changes God wants him to make in his life.

Fr Rudy Wong, CSsR the parish priest of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, told this to participants of the Fundamental Conversion seminar at St Michael�s Church on June 26. The seminar is part of the Golden Jubilee Formation under the Penang Diocese.

19 June 2005�issue of The Herald.

IPOH: The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reminds us of the love of God for us and how He alone can give us happiness, in life or death. Everyone wants to be happy. And though we may seek it everywhere, in the end we find that love and happiness come from God, who is the best of Fathers and the dearest of friends.

Jesus who died for us, has opened the way for those seeking to know God, through his Sacred Heart. He promises to help us and give us that consolation, and graces so necessary in this life when we face difficulties. Fr Nicholas Gunasegaran said this during his homily at the Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St Michael�s Church, Ipoh on June 3. Prior to the Mass, a novena to the Sacred Heart was held.

19 June 2005�issue of The Herald.

IPOH: A blood donation drive was carried out at the Church of St Michael (SMC) to spur more people to donate blood. This year�s drive is the twelfth blood donation drive organised at SMC.

Staff from the Ipoh General hospital were ready at Peter Pang Hall, well before the 9am startup time, to welcome donors.

Every year, the blood donation drive is held at Lent and before Christmas. According to a member of the Chinese Apostolate the blood donation was held in June this year to be in tandem with other blood donation drives that were being held all over the State, June being the month of blood donations.

12 June 2005 issue of The Herald.

The unexpected presence of Bishop Antony Selvanayagam at our BEC Ampang's gathering on May 24, surprised all the family members.

During the Bishop's pastoral visit to St Michael's Church, Ipoh from May 24 to 27, he visited 2 BECs as part of his planned schedule leading up to the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee at PISA, Penang. The other BEC he visited was Greentown.

12 June 2005 issue of The Herald.

After a short community Mass following his pastoral visit to St Michael's Church from May 24 to 27, Bishop Antony Selvanayagam carried out the theme most often heard in church: Celebrate Eucharist, Build Family, Live Community, by meeting with the lay people to find out what kind of problems they faced at home, their basic ecclesiastical communities (BECs), parish and workplaces.

During Mass, parish priest Fr Michael Cheah thanked the bishop for his visit and also congratulated him on his 25 years as bishop, serving first as auxiliary bishop of Kuala Lumpur before being installed as bishop of Penang on Nov 8, 1983.

"The priestly prayer of Jesus to his Father was that all of us would be one, united together in spirit. The main idea of the celebration of the Eucharist is of our unity in the person of Jesus Christ. That is the real message - that we have the same mentality of Jesus.

Instead of the usual yearly gathering and blessing of mothers by the priest on the sanctuary, this time, mothers were given a blessing through the children in the form of a small song dedicated and sung to them by the youth group, whilst cake wrapped in silver boxes were distributed by the children\'s liturgy group.