Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
19-21 Jalan La Salle, Ipoh Garden, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
T: 05-5458220 (O)
F: 05-5468495
T: 05-5468611 (Community)
Parish Priest : Rev. Philip Lai, CSsR
Sat. Novena Devotion : 9.00 am & 6.00 pm
Sat. Sunset Mas : 7.00 pm English
Sunday Mass:
8.30 am English
10.00 am Tamil
11.30 am Mandarin
Chapels:
St. Mary's Chapel, Kg. Tersusun
Sunday Mass in Tamil : 5.00 pm
Rangers's Camp Chapel
8.00 M. Mass in B.M.
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The Holy Spirit helps us be witnesses |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Jul 23 2007 |
8 July 2007 issue of The Herald
IPOH: The Redemptorist Frs Jacob Ong, Bill Heng and J J Fenelon, who preached at the novena Masses of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help church from June 15, spoke with fiery passion on what it means to be a Christian and the essence of discipleship.
Touching on growing in relationship with God through prayer, our duty to the church and to the world around us, they reminded the faithful of the wonderful privilege of being a child of God — to have that in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit within which assures us of God’s love for us everytime we pray.
Letting the Holy Spirit lead us in our hearts and accomplish what He wants in us, is the first step towards deepening our discipleship with God, Fr Jacob Ong, CSsR said on the first of the nine-day novena leading to the feastday of Our Mother of Perpetual Help church, here.
Fr Ong invited the faithful also to open their hearts and surrender to the Spirit, “to seek the Divine Will and let the fire of God transform us.
“Deepening our Discipleship with God,” he said, “is about claiming the power of God and asking God to heal us, and enable us to forgive others. If we let God transform us, we let others see God in us. The feast of the Sacred Heart today calls us to love, share ourselves and our sufferings. Ask Jesus for the grace to be a true disciple.”
On the second day, Fr Ong expanded on this by saying the only way to become a disciple is to forgive and not make judgements on others.
Fr J J Fenelon CSsR (picture left), spoke of discipleship that comes with love, sacrifice, recommitment and about being “disciples on fire.”
“Disciples embrace being burned in the Spirit, and salvation is doing the Will of God, as Jesus did, in total abandonment to his Father. Reflect on the meaning and purpose of our lives and praise God in good and bad times.
“We reveal Christ to the world when we touch others in our family and community through loving actions and become flames of hope for others who are lost and in darkness.”
Praying together as a family, touching base with our children, attending to their needs and spending time with the marginalised — this is our call to mission today, he said. “Make sure your family keeps God in sight. Spend time with God, and you will have peace,” he said.
Fr Fenelon also spoke on the Word of God as the Map for the disciple. Reading the Word of God daily gives newer insights and we will be made aware of the truth about ourselves and any changes to be made.
“Most of the time we “switch off” when the Word of God is to be proclaimed. But the Word is for us to mark, learn and inwardly digest, and God can take the preached word and speak through it, breathe fresh life into it and make Christ present in it.”
Jesus’ thirst was that all men be brought to the father. Fr Jacob Ong, speaking on “Prayer,” chose to show how a community can experience the Lord, in unity, just like the apostles experienced him when they were praying in the Upper room.
Fr Bill Heng (picture left) CSsR, stressed on the importance of sharing and pooling of talents to contribute to the growth of the Christian community at all levels.
Networking is an important way to share our faith, whether through SMSes, e-mail or a website. This way we let others remember their experiences of God and the faith community grows.
Parents should share their faith and God experiences with their children, and at BECs. Sharing of faith could simply mean helping others to come to church by providing transport, he said
Today many make their own “gods” of their jobs, business, entertainment and gossiping about others. People in positions of power should instead take the opportunity to help build the church.
On the eighth day, Fr Fenelon said Mother Mary’s witnessing was powerful and rich. The greatest story she could share was her son Jesus Christ, whom she bore and delivered so the world could be saved.
“Being a witness of Christ is not easy, but we are called to do so, that is why God gave us the Holy Spirit. We have to realise as Catholics, we are watched at all times. To be effective witnesses, starts with our family. Children today are looking for authenticity,” he said.
Throughout the novena Masses, there were special blessings for youth, children, married couples, the elderly and single adults, and also a healing session after Mass on the sixth day.
Confessions were heard throughout the week prior to Mass, encouraging the people to experience the mercy of God, and help them grow more deeply in God. Each day, fellowship grew in numbers, as more people stayed back to mingle with each other after Mass.
Last changed: Jul 23 2007 at 3:54 PM
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