Church of St. Francis de Sales (1900)
521 Jalan Raja Omar, 32000 Sitiawan, Perak
T: 05-6911594
F: 05-6913423
Email: sfdsparish@gmail.com
Parish Priest : Rev. Arulnathan Joseph
Sunday Mass :
7.00 am (English)
9.30 am (1st & 3rd Sun. in Tamil; 2nd & 5th in English; 4th Sun. in BM)
6.00 pm (1st & 3rd in Mandarin)
Chapels:
St. Anne, Ayer Tawar :
St. Jane Francis de Chantal, Brus: once a month
Pantai Remis/Sg. Batu: once a month
Our Lady of Fatima, Suak Padi (Orang Asli): once a month
============================================================
Prayer is acknowledging the presence of God |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Nov 09 2005 |
SITIAWAN: Bishop Anthony Selvanagam made a 4-day pastoral visit to the Church of St Francis de Sales (SFDS), recently. During his visit, he visited the Orang Asli Centre in Suak Padi where he said Mass and later joined in the fellowship.
He then visited the Chapel of St Jane Frances de Chantel in Bruas where he met the parishioners and celebrated Mass in the evening. The next day, the Bishop had a meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council members of SFDS, both the old and the newly elected members, and reminded them of their responsibilities. The pastoral visit culminated in a four-language Eucharistic Celerbration.
In his homily, Bishop Selva reminded the parishioners to be aware that both good and bad exist together. He said God planted good seeds but bad plants also grow among the good plants. Both plants were allowed to grow until a point when the good and bad would be judged. This is how it is in reality. Therefore, there’s a continuous invitation through the Word of God that we take the right path as we journey with the good and not so good in our community. He stressed that we need always to be in touch with God through prayer as prayer is acknowledging the presence of God.
The Bishop also explained the Jubilee theme which emphasised the Eucharist and the building of family and community. In the Eucharist, God speaks to us and by receiving God’s body and blood, we live.
He reminded the congregation that coming to Church alone does not guarantee salvation and stressed that salvation begins in our own families. He urged the parishioners to bring goodness to the Church by becoming a better community.
After the homily the ceremony of the installation of Fr Nelson Joseph as the parish priest of SFDS was held. It was preceded by a citation of Fr Nelson Joseph by the outgoing PPC Chairman, Colin Ong. The Chairman then read out the letter of appointment from the bishop which was later followed by the renewal of promises by Fr Nelson and the signing of the appointment letter.
After the post communion prayer there was the handing over of the administration banner from the parish by the PPC Chairman to the parish priest. The Parish also presented a memento to Bishop Selva to congratulate him on the occasion of his Episcopal Silver Jubilee.
In his final speech, the Bishop urged the congregation, firstly, to offer formation programmes in an organised way so that children, youth and adults could be cared for in this formation. Secondly, he reminded parents that the seeds of faith are sown at home.
Therefore, they have to take on the responsibility of educating their children in this faith and praying together as a family. He said that children look upon the parents as role models whom they would imitate in later years.
After the celebration the celebrant and the parishioners proceeded to the Parish Hall for a buffet lunch-fellowship.
— by Peter and Mary Francis
Last changed: Nov 09 2005 at 10:16 AM
Back