Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #219

Apr 18, 2025

Welcome dear friends and fellow Catholics,

The long Raya break is over. The first Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (MCYD) in Kota Kinabalu ended on Sunday April 6, with participants from the nine Malaysian dioceses, and the neighbouring countries, Brunei, Timor Leste and Thailand. MJDYPN sent 56 reps.

It was there that the Salib Malaysia Pilgrimage was launched. The journey of the Cross in MJD began at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, JB on April 11, Friday, and will journey through the diocese from parish to parish according to the schedule, till MPC2026.

The Chrism Mass was held at the Church of St Theresa Masai on April 15.

Special collections for the Myanmar Earthquake Rebuilding, initiated by the Catholic Church of Malaysia, will take off on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, on a month-long campaign.

The diocese wishes Bishop Emeritus Paul Tan a blessed 85th Birthday.

More Questions than Answers: “Hands Off” protests, denouncing Trump policies and measures, are spreading to cities across the US? Malaysia to seek united ASEAN response to US reciprocal tariffs?

The MCMC probing influencer for stirring racial sentiments?

A migrant worker recruitment syndicate has become active again and may block efforts to reform the hiring of Bangladeshi and Nepali workers when Malaysia reopens the intake of foreign workers, according to a migrant rights activist? The Putra Height gas explosion and the mystery contractor? A lorry driver was attacked by a panther when he stopped along Jalan Bukit Tangga- Seremban in Jelebu recently?

High-rise littering is making life unbearable for residents of a four-storey apartment in Melaka, leaving them frustrated as rubbish fills public spaces, with some seen even dangling from trees?

A doctor who was charged for transmission of offensive videos on COVID-19 vaccine was freed when the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt?

“Losing Sight” Times: A columnist remarked “The Trump Tariffs are not about trade. It is about identity. It is about a nation that cannot admit its own economic model (war, debt, consumption, greed) is unsustainable.” Likewise, religions, governments, corporations and organisations are capable of camouflaged evil, immoral acts and silent approvals. Partnerships, coalitions and alliances can remain silent and approving because of agreements. Here, one’s religion, higher education, reformations, and revolutions do not deter one’s complicity in deeds of death.

A Thought for the Week: The Lonely Dreamer
A rose dreamed day and night about bees, but no bee ever landed on her petals. The flower, however, continued to dream. During the long nights, she imagined a heaven full of bees, which flew down to bestow fond kisses on her. By doing this, she was able to last until the next day, when she opened again to the light of the sun. One night, the moon, who knew of the rose’s loneliness, asked: “Aren’t you tired of waiting?” The rose replied: “Possibly, but I have to keep trying!” The moon asked, “Why?” The rose answered: “Because if I don’t remain open, I will simply fade away.”

The lesson from the rose: The only way to resist, or not permit loneliness to crush beauty is to remain open.

QnQ! Q asks? When did we get distorted?
“A tulip doesn’t strive to impress anyone. It doesn’t struggle to be different from a rose.” It doesn’t have to. It is different. And there’s room in the garden for every flower. You didn’t have to struggle to make your face different from anyone else’s on earth. It just is. You are unique because you were created that way. Look at little children in kindergarten. They’re all different without trying to be. As long as they’re unselfconsciously being themselves, they can’t help but shine. It’s only later, when children are taught to compete, to strive to be better than others, that their natural light becomes distorted. Marianne Williamson

The Holy Spirit @work: The Holy Spirit transforms and renews us, creates harmony and unity, and gives us courage and joy for mission. Pope Francis

Something To Tickle You: Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. --Henry Ward Beecher

Bishop Bernard Paul