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
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Women's Day celebration in SMC, Ipoh |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Sep 02 2009 |
August 28 , 2009
IPOH : Women’s Day celebrations at St Michael’s Church this year was different.
It was a meeting where women heard stories of courage and inspiration in testimonies given by disabled women, single mothers, women with disabled children and those who faced and overcame innumerable challenges to become resourceful and giving individuals.
All these women had something in common. Their stories spoke of how they moved from strength to strength, because they embraced change and difficulties in their lives with courage. Some had low self-esteem to start with, and were ostracized, and because of this felt unhappy and unfulfilled.
Almost all admitted feeling fearful at the challenges facing them. Yet, what gave them confidence was the support and encouragement given by friends and family. This enabled them to move away from their pain, emotional paralysis and depression to self-empowerment. Many admitted feeling God’s great love pouring on them through others.
Their stories reflected the theme of Hari Wanita at St Michael’s Church, organized by the Women’s League, led by its chairperson Jennifer Wong.
“I was forced to leave my comfort zone and see the extent of my capabilities. I even had to climb on the roof one time to fix a leaky roof, because I was trying to save money,” said Placida Kek, a single mother of two children, aged 12 and 16.
Shirley Nathan, who has two special children, a daughter, now 32, and a boy, 28, who is wheelchair bound, said life was a struggle at first as both children had fits when they were young. Now she has learned to manage, with encouragement given by others, and the children have been fit-free for nine years.
Shirley received the Kiwanis Mother’s award in 2005. Jessica Chen and her husband have been managing their second son James, who suffered brain damage after a fall when he was seven. James is now 52.
“Despite the tragedy, we went on, and we recently celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary last month. It was the happiest day of my life, as my whole family came together for a holiday after that,” she said.
Paraplegics Cheong Ah Nooi, 66, from Lawan Kuda, Gopeng, and Choo Kim Lan, 49, of Jeram New Village, came to SMC on their own, riding their motorcycles, to tell their stories.
Cheong said she became paralysed after an injury to her spinal cord. She now does sewing and smocking at home. She mixes with friends, and manages alone after her sister left for Kuala Lumpur to look after her grandchild.
“Don’t ever be discouraged, but go forward. Look forward and don’t look back,” she said.
After the testimonies, there was a line dance performance by women from St Michael’s Church and Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church. Later each woman had a chance to talk and mingle with others, from the three different parishes of SMC, OMPH and Our Lady of Lourdes.
Last changed: Sep 02 2009 at 3:11 PM
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