Give Generously to the Church, Tithing and Offering

Tithe is a tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church. Catholics don't practice tithing, but we give voluntarily as our conscience dictates in response to the Precept of the Catholic Church that requires us to support the needs of the Church according to our ability and our station in life.

Ephesians 5:29-30

for no one ever hated his own flesh, 

but nourishes and cherishes it, 

just as Christ also does the church, 

because we are members of His body.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body; 

and be thankful.

Support the Church,

• Give what you can and what feels right. “Ideally, giving should feel good and should not be like a chore. It’s entirely up to you to decide how much you can give and what is appropriate given your monthly budget.
• Keep it consistent, no matter what amount you decide on, try to give on a regular basis.
• Keep it discreet, Matthew 6:3 say "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
• Offer help in other ways instead (eg. like your services, volunteer on the weekends or during church-related events.), if your budget is tight.

Deuteronomy 14:22

You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, 

which comes forth from the field year by year.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must do as he has made up his mind, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, 

for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 11:24

One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, 

and only suffers want.

Genesis 28:22

This stone, which I have set up for a pillar, 

shall be God’s house; 

and of all that thou givest me 

I will give the tenth to thee.

Six Precept of the Catholic Church (The Duties of a Catholic)

1. To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days.
2. To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent).
3. To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the "Easter duty"). 
4. To observe the days of fasting and abstinence.
5. To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one's abilities and station in life.
6. To obey the marriage laws of the Church.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth, Novena & Feast day ~ 2014

Etiquette in Church at Holy Mass

Please remember the two fundamental principles upon which our behavior and attitudes in church rest:

1) The church is a sacred space! It is the “Lord’s house” where we come to worship God together.

2) Mass is a holy and sacred act! It is during the Mass when all the graces and merits of our Lord’s sacrifice are applied to our souls in a sacramental fashion.

If you keep these two principles in mind, all the following points of Mass etiquette will make perfect sense.

1. Please dress appropriately. We should dress for Mass as if a King had invited us to a wedding feast, for that is what Mass truly is. Jesus, our King, is the groom and we are his bride. Who would show up to a wedding improperly dressed? Therefore, we should wear our best for the Lord. 

2. Please arrive to Mass punctually. It is a good idea to arrive at Mass on time in order to participate in the entire liturgy. After finding your seat, take the opportunity to review the Bible readings, prepare yourself in prayer, or reflect on what you wish to bring to Jesus during the Mass. Arriving on time is also respectful to other parishioners because it prevents distractions once Mass has begun.

3. Please turn off your devices. This includes cell-phones, pagers, or anything else that rings, beeps, or buzzes.

4. Please do not bring any food, drink, or gum into the church. 

5. Please reverently genuflect towards the tabernacle before sitting down. We do this to show respect to Jesus, our crucified King, who is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the hosts that are preserved in the tabernacle.

6. Please stay until the end of Mass. Mass ends when Father gives the final blessing then says, “The Mass is ended, go in peace” and we say: “Thanks be to God.” The final blessing is very powerful and will aid and protect you throughout the week. You are encouraged to stay and sing the final recessional hymn as well. Attending Mass in its entirety from beginning to end will give you a fuller, richer experience than leaving right away.

7. Please exit the church reverently and respectfully. Again, this is to show respect to other parishioners and our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. There is a custom where some people stay several minutes after Mass in thanksgiving for the Eucharist they have just received. You are encouraged to do the same.

Source: Penang Diocesan Pastoral Institute - PDPI Facebook

Dress code at Chapel, Church and at the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament

There are no official and specific Church norms or requirement for lay persons who attend Mass mentioned in Canon Law or the Sacramentary but Catholics must dress respectfully and appropriately when attending Mass or entering the house God, even the non-Catholic Christian also have similar request.

"... church has an eschatological significance [i.e., it has a connection to eternity]. To enter into the house of God, we must cross a threshold, which symbolizes passing from the world wounded by sin to the world of the new Life to which all men are called. The visible church is a symbol of the Father's house toward which the People of God is journeying and where the Father "will wipe every tear from their eyes." (CCC, #1186)

The 9th Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's.

Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly addresses the importance of modesty, as it tell us the struggle against carnal covetousness entails purifying the heart and practicing temperance (CCC, #2517). And purity requires modesty, which is an integral part of temperance (CCC, #2521). Modesty.

"Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity. "(CCC #2521)

"Modesty protects the mystery of the person. It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships. Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. " (CCC #2522)

Philippians 4:5

"Let your modesty be known to all men."

1 Timothy 2:9

"I wish women to be decently dressed, adorning themselves with modesty and dignity."

Let us love God and our neighbour, even our enemies, by dressing properly and modestly, especially while in His house. Let us dress properly. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

‘We like seeing you in church, just not so much of you.’

‘We want you in church 

but we just want you to be respectful and dress appropriately.’

'Honour God, dress respectfully'

St. Peter the Rock of Christ Church

John 1:42

You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” 
[Cephas in Hebrew is Peter (Petros). Petros in Greek which literally converted means Rock.]

Christ confers authority onto Peter to guide and care for His Church on earth in John 21.

John 21:15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Peter is told about his special authoritative role in the Church founded by Christ in  Matthew 16.

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Peter's primacy is evident from the Ho;y Scriptures as his name is always appears first in the lists of the Apostles.

Peter became the first Supreme Vicar (Pope) of Christ early church. 

Prayer to Saint Peter

O Holy Apostle, 

because you are the Rock 

upon which Almighty God 

has built His Church, 

obtain for me I pray you: 

lively faith, firm hope, and burning love, 

complete detachment from myself, 

contempt of the world, 

patience in adversity, 

humility in prosperity, 

recollection in prayer, 

purity of heart, 

a right intention in all my works, 

diligence in fulfilling the duties 

of my state of life, 

constancy in my resolutions, 

resignation to the will of God 

and perseverance in the grace 

of God even unto death; 

that so, by means of your intercession 

and your glorious merits, 

I may be made worthy to appear 

before the Chief and Eternal 

Shepherd of Souls, Jesus Christ, 

Who with the Father 

and the Holy Spirit, 

lives and reigns forever. 

AMEN.

Church of Saint Joseph. Bagan Serai

Church of Saint Joseph (1882)
Jalan Parit Buntar, 34300 Bagan Serai, Perak
Tel: 605-7212979

Pioneers of the church of St. Joseph, Bagan Serai are 

Fr. Rene Michel Marie Fee (1882 - 1896), 

Fr. L. Perrichon (1896 - 1900), 

Fr. Duvelle (1900), 

Fr. M. Sausseau (1901 - 1905), 

and Fr. J. Passail (1906 - 1909).

Fr. Fee had long vision and dreamed of a settlement where Indian Christians could develop and form one community. In 1882, he managed to get a concession of about 200 acres (later increased to 700) near Bagan Serai. "Soosaypaleyam" (St. Joseph's Village) started with Father Fee and 10 pioneers. By 1885, there were more than 30 families and in 1889, the population had grown to 450, with 180 baptisms.

Building of the church started on 1882 and completed on 1905.