Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker ~ 1 May 2015

Saint Joseph was a carpenter, as we know from Matthew 13:55, "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? ....". He was a faithful and righteous man who went about doing his day-to-day work without complaining. He was a man who just put total trust in God, and did what he was required to do in order to care for his family. In order to Christianise the concept of labour and give to all workmen a model and a protector, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955, therefore Saint Joseph is the Church the patron saint of workers and craftsmen. In some countries around the world 1 May is observed as a public holiday to commemorate Labour Day aka May Day, a day of celebration in honour of workers labour. 

In normal times, Catholics traditionally honour Saint Joseph every Wednesday. The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus will be celebrated on 19 March. Except for Mary, no other saint has more than one feast day.

"I know by experience that 

the glorious St. Joseph 

assists us generally in all necessities. 

I never asked him for anything 

which he did not obtain for me."

~ * ~ St. Teresa of Avila ~ * ~

St. Joseph the Worker, Pray for us!

St. Joseph faithfully practiced the carpenter's trade. 

He is a shining example for all workers.

~ * ~ Canticle of Zechariah ~ * ~

O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Fidelity to Work

Glorious St. Joseph, 

model of all who are devoted to labour, 

obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, 

putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; 

to work with gratitude and joy, 

considering it an honour to employ and develop, 

by means of labour, the gifts received from God, 

disregarding difficulties and weariness; 

to work, above all, with purity 

of intention and with detachment from self, 

having always before my eyes death, 

and the account which I must render of time lost, 

of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, 

so fatal to the work of God. 

All for Jesus, all for Mary, 

all after your example, patriarch Joseph. 

This will be my watchword in life and in death. 

Amen.

Powerful word, "Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus!", remember to say this always to Jesus

Thank you JESUS, 

Praise you JESUS!

Everyday, at time of the day we can say the word above, cause everything happens for a better reason. Jesus is powerful, as all graces we receive is through Jesus by the will of the Heavenly and Almighty Father.

I whatever situation/condition you are in or whatever the outcome/result may be good or bad but always say the words above from your heart as many times you want. Jesus knows BEST, and He has a PLAN for us and His timing is PERFECT.

Inner Healing & Spiritual Growth Retreat - Potta Penang

I am JUST SHARING THIS GREAT news. It is a retreat (on Christian Inner Healing & Spiritual Growth) not to MISSED. Please visit the official web page of "POTTA PENANG" or https://pottapenang.wordpress.com/.

Potta Penang

Inner Healing & Spiritual Growth Retreat

ORGANISED BY POTTA MINISTRY 2015

(With the approval of Bishop of Penang)

Speakers and Team

Fr. Sabu Jacob Kalapurackal, VC 

& 

Fr. Arun Kuruvanthanam, VC 

with Joseph Fernandez & his Team

Date: 7 – 10 July 2015 (Tuesday-Friday)

Venue: Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, Penang

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION & REGISTRATION PROCESS PLEASE VISIT the LINKS BELOW or EMAIL/CALL the number below.

Brochure and Registration Form
https://pottapenang.wordpress.com/
Email: pottapen@gmail.com
Phone: 04-2611350 from 10am-12pm; and 1pm-3pm.
(Monday, Wednesday & Friday – except public holidays)

There will be also 2 session of "MASS & INNER HEALING SERVICE", where both the events below are open to all and no registration is required. Bring along your family and friends!

6th July 2015 (Monday)
MASS & INNER HEALING SERVICE
CHURCH OF ST. ANNE,
BUKIT MERTAJAM,
14000 PULAU PINANG
7pm-10pm.

11th July 2015 (Saturday)
MASS & INNER HEALING SERVICE
COLLEGE GENERAL HALL (Major Seminary),
JALAN CENGAI,
TG. BUNGAH,
11200 PULAU PINANG
7pm – 10pm.

Roman Catholic Church Hierarchy

The structure of the clergy body in authority within a Christian church.

Pope

Head of the Catholic church and he is based at the Vatican. The Pope is also Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, Also known as "Vicar of Christ" and the "Supreme Pontiff" of the Universal Church, and also a less formal title as the "Servant of the Servants of God". The pope is infallible in defining matters of faith and morals. He is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful. 

Cardinal

Are princes of the Church appointed.by the Pope and they make up the College of Cardinals, whom provides advise the Pope. They are chosen from head departments of the Roman Curia or important episcopal sees throughout the world.Cardinals under the age of 80 also have duty on electing a new Pope upon death or resignation of the current Pope.

Archbishop

An archbishop is a bishop of a main or metropolitan diocese also known as an archdiocese. A cardinal can concurrently hold the title.

Bishop (Diocesan Bishop)

A bishop, like a priest, is ordained to this position/ranking. Ordained to the episcopate is the fullness of the priesthood, are considered the successors of the Apostles. He is a teacher of church doctrine, a priest of sacred worship, and a minister of church government within the diocese or sees he is ordained bishop. The Pope himself is a bishop (the bishop of Rome).

Priest

An ordained priest who can administer most of the sacraments, including the Eucharist, baptism, and marriage in a given congregation. He can be with a particular religious order or committed to serving a congregation.

Deacon

A transitional deacon is a seminarian studying for the priesthood. A permanent deacon can be married and assists a bishop or priest by performing some of the sacraments.

The two dimension of the Holy Eucharist

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (ccc 1324). The Holy Eucharist is not just the what meal at the Last Supper. It actually has to aspect or dimension like a coin which has to sides. The first dimension is 'Meal' dimension (a Sacrament) and the second dimension is the 'Sacrificial' dimension (a Sacrifice). The meal aspect of it reminds of the Last Supper and the sacrificial aspect of reminds us of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum (Christ calls himself the bread of life, come down from heaven, John 6), giving his disciples his Body and his Blood. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper by taking the bread, He blessed and broke it, and giving it to His apostles, said: "Take and eat; this is My body;" then He took a cup of wine, blessed it, and giving it to them, said: "All of you drink of this; for this is My blood of the new covenant which is being shed for many unto the forgiveness of sins;" finally, He gave His apostles the commission: "Do this in remembrance of Me." 

When Jesus said, "This is My body," the entire substance of the bread was changed into His body and when He said, "This is My blood," the entire substance of the wine was changed into His blood. Jesus by his omnipotence and by His word we truly believe Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.

The change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continues to be made in the Church by Jesus Christ, through the ministry of His priests. Only ordained priests have the power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. When they consecrate, they act in the person of Christ, through the power received in the sacrament of Holy Orders.The changing of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ upon consecration is called Transubstantiation. The appearances of bread and wine remains after the substance had been changed into body and blood of Christ. Through our bodily eyes we see the bread and wine as it is but through the eyes of faith, we the real presence of the Lord in the consecrated bread and wine.

"That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'" (ccc 1381)

Our Lord's invitation to us before communion, "Take this and eat it, all of you".

The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist: "Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." (ccc 1384)

Our response to the Lord's invitation, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed."

O Son of God, bring me into communion today 

with your mystical supper. 

I shall not tell your enemies the secret, 

nor kiss you with Judas' kiss. 

But like the good thief I cry, 

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

~ Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom ~

First class relics of Saint Faustina & Saint John Paul II @ Church of Divine Mercy, Sg.Ara, Penang

The parish priest of Church of Divine Mercy, Sg Ara, Penang, Rev Father Martin Andrews Arlando led a group of parishioners to Poland in March 2015 to obtain the relic of St Faustina. 

Saint Faustina is known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy and her relic displayed consists of a piece of her bone.

Saint John Paul II one of the longest-serving popes in the history of the Catholic Church. His relic displayed which contained a drop of the pope’s blood on a cloth. The relic of the pope was handed to Penang Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Rev Sebastian Francis through Vatican Ambassador to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Marino upon the release granted by the custodians of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome.

Both relics will be placed on permanent display at the CDM, Sungai Ara, Penang for the veneration of those that come seeking healing and answers to their needs in prayer.

Notes:

Relics are categorised into 3 classes by the Catholic Church.

1st Class Relic 

A part of the Saint such as a bone, hair, blood, etc..., and the instruments of Christ's Passion.

2nd Class Relic 

Something that was owned by the Saint or instruments of torture that was used against a martyr.

3rd Class Relic

Something that has been touched to a 1st or 2nd Class Relic or by the Saint. Anyone can make their own 3rd Class relics by touching an object to a 1st or 2nd Class Relic which includes the tomb of the Saint.

Church of Divine Mercy

117, Jalan Kenari

11900 Bayan Lepas

Penang

Tel: 604-646 6885

www.cdm.my

Prayer for Holy Week

Lord Jesus Christ,

in this sacred and solemn week

when we see again

the depth and mystery of your redeeming love,

help us to follow where you go,

to stop where you stumble,

to listen when you cry,

to hurt as you suffer,

to bow our heads in sorrow as you die,

so that, when you are raised to life again,

we may share in your endless joy. 

Amen.

Source: http://www.rsccaritas.ie/

Season of Easter

The season of Easter is the period of fifty days begins at sunset on Easter Vigil and ends on Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the day Christians remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the earliest believers in Jesus. and the birth of the Church. 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. ~ Acts 2:1-4

The solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated 40 days after the Easter Sunday ( the Resurrection of the Lord). The next nine days from the Ascension of the Lord are days of preparation known 9 day novena to the Holy Spirit for the gifts of the Holy Spirit the Paraclete.