Church of St Michael (1890)

24 Church Road, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
T: 05-2540176
F: 05-2415437
stmc@streamyx.com

Parish Priest : Rev. Michael Cheah

Sat. Sunset Mass : 7.00 pm (English)
Sunday Masses :
8.00 am English
10.00 am Mandarin
5.30 pm English


Parish bulletin:
Page 1,   Page 2,   Page 3, Page 4

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SMC hosts formation session on diocesan ministries
Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Dec 16 2005
Church of St Michael, Ipoh >>

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.

Unlike the first formation, which was primarily, theology based, this session focused on the action side of human development work. Representatives from POHD were invited to give presentations on their respective ministries namely Bright Sparks, the Migrant Workers\' Support Centre and the Lighthouse.    

It was enlightening to learn about the types of human development work currently undertaken by the POHD, which at present included care and support for children, the disabled, migrant workers and the urban and rural poor including homeless people. Each speaker briefly explained about their respective ministries’ work, objectives, types of services offered, needs and the initial and on-going challenges that they face.

Particularly eye opening were the insights shared by speakers Lisa, Joachim and Belevindran about pre-conceived assumptions and the importance of listening. We often have preconceptions about the needs of those belonging to these groups that do not necessarily correlate with what they really require or desire.

Among other reasons, this may be because we are too concerned with achieving our objectives instead of truly listening to what they want. To be involved in human development work, it is not enough to have good intentions. We need to change our mindsets completely and cultivate the qualities of humility, sensitivity and commitment to total service. It was certainly plenty of food for thought for the PHDC members as they embarked on their respective human development projects.

As now expected of POHD events, the serious business of the day was interspersed with other interesting activities guaranteed to elicit much frantic brain-storming and laughter. There was the usual icebreaker to get everyone acquainted. Each PHDC also had to give a short presentation on the other human development (ie. non-liturgical) ministries in their respective parishes. Finally, each PHDC had to identify a current social issue in their territory and present it to the others by acting it out in a short sketch.

Despite the challenging programme, nearly all the PHDC members performed magnificently and entered into the activities with a wonderful spirit of enthusiasm. The challenge for the PHDCs now is to translate that enthusiasm and knowledge into fruitful action thus truly living up to their motto of becoming Salt of the Earth, Light of the World for Christ and marginalised groups within their midst.

— By Stephanie Yeap

Last changed: Dec 16 2005 at 4:05 PM

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