Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (1905)
45 Jalan Silibin, 30100 Ipoh, Perak
T: 05-5279349
F: 05-5276671
Email: ololsilibin@catholic.org
Parish Priest : Rev. Bernard Paul
Assistant Parish Priest: Rev. Stanley Antoni
Sunday Masses : 7.00 am Tamil; 9.00 am English
Chapels (6.30pm Tamil):
Chapel of St. Sebastian, Buntong
Chapel of Christ the King, Buntong Tiga
Chapel of Our Lady of Velangkanni, Jelapang
Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, Tasek
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Perak State Level Police Day Celebrations |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on May 07 2008 |
4 May 2008
IPOH: The Perak State Level Police Day celebration in commemoration of its 201 years in service was celebrated solemnly with a Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. The theme for the day, which also happened to be the 5th Sunday of Easter, was ‘We, the People of God.’
Christian police personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), Special Branch, Commander 69, Criminal Investigation Department(CID) and D9 (Special Investigation Unit) from all over Perak attended the Mass and celebration that followed with their family members. It is worthy of note that police personnel from all ranks, including Police trainees, newly appointed Police Constables, Constables, LANS Corporals, Corporals, Sergeants, Sergeant Majors, Sub Inspectors, Inspectors, Chief Inspectors, ASP, DSP and even the Superintendent of Police of Perak were all present in full force.
A solemn ceremonial mood was created right at the start of the Mass when the police flag bearers marched up to the altar together with the altar boys and the celebrant, bringing in the Jalur Gemilang and the Police Force flag, escorted majestically by more police personnel all in full uniform. Behind them came a whole battalion of police officers. They took their seats in the front pews, flanked by happy family members.
Mass was celebrated by the parish priest, Fr Bernard Paul. The commentator was Sergeant Geraldine and the readers were Sergeant Anna Francisca Jokeem and Corporal John Asin.
Fr Bernard, in his homily, quoted from Edward Burke, “The one thing that makes evil triumph is when good men and women don't do anything.” He said that when good men and women do something only then we can see miracles happening and changes taking place. In the early church, the people heard, saw, believed and then joined the community. They saw no compromise in living God’s word through prayer, they saw no neglect of widows in the community, they saw good people doing something and that’s why the church began to grow. This made the people want to become Christians.
Everything we do today must show that, as St Paul said, ‘We are the chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people set apart.’ We cannot be less than that. We have to be who we are, Christians, inside as well as outside. As children of God we need to reflect on our Christian attitudes. If we are dark inside, we have nothing to reflect but if we’re full of light inside, you have much to reflect. This destiny or identity must grow in all of us.
Fr Bernard explained that, basically, we are all good people and want to do good but sometimes we do bad. Why do we sometimes find it hard to do good? He said that, Mother Teresa’s attitude towards life might help us. He quoted:
“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of having a selfish, ulterior motive; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies — succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may cheat you — be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spent years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find dignity and happiness, some will get jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do is often forgotten. Do good anyway.”
Later, a documentary on the history of the police in Malaysia was shown.
In his speech, the organising chairman DSP Eruthaya Soosay thanked Fr Bernard Paul for allowing the police force to celebrate at his parish. He also thanked Bro Peter Anthoney for his help. This annual affair is carried out to strengthen the ties between the police force and the parishioners. With the help of the people, the police force can control the crime rate. He also urged the parishioners to join the Rakan Cop in an effort to help the police control crime. He also thanked all the police personnel and their families, the police day celebration committee, the church committee and also all the parishioners for their support in making the celebration a great success.
Next, Superintendent Thomas and Fr Bernard Paul, cut a special anniversary cake. Then the whole police force stood at attention and sang their official police anthem. They were then given a special blessing by Fr Bernard Paul who invited the whole congregation to raise their hands and join him in prayer. Fr Bernard also thanked the Police Force for giving an opportunity for his parish to celebrate the 201st Perak State Level Police Day celebration. He also thanked all who were involved in making the celebration a success.
Refreshments sponsored by the police force were served later. The free flow of ice-cream delighted not only the children but also the young at heart. Bishop Anthony Selvanayagam, who was in Ipoh, mingled with the crowd and showed his support and appreciation to the Police Force. Both His Lordship and Fr Bernard Paul, later joined the VIPs and high-ranking officers, for some refreshments and a chat.
Superintendent Thomas, from the D9 (Special Investigation Unit), who was recently transferred from KL, described the celebration as ‘very festive and lively in every way…the support given is great….’ He hoped that in coming years it would be celebrated in a bigger way. Assistant Investigation Officer (AIO) Michael, from the Crime Investigation department, a parishioner, described the Mass as just ‘Wonderful!’ This feeling was echoed by Constable Wira, from Sabah, who is undergoing training, who added that it was ‘nice and lively.’ All in all, it was indeed a very meaningful and joyous day for the parishioners and police personnel.
— By Alexandar Anthony Dars
Last changed: Sep 18 2008 at 9:27 AM
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