Weekly Updates and Information

This week
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
2 Chr 36: 14-16,19-23; Ps 136: 11-2,3,4-5,6; 1Eph 2: 4-10; Jn 3: 14-21
Saturday 21 Mar 09 : 7.30 pm Mass in Tamil
Sunday 22 Mar 09 : 8.00 am Mass in English
Sunday 22 Mar 09 : 10.00 am Mass in Bahasa

Following Week
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Jer 31: 31-34; Ps 50: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15; Hebr 5: 7-9; Jn 12: 20-33
Saturday 28 Mar 09 : 7.30 pm Mass in Tamil
Sunday 29 Mar 09 : 8.00 am Mass in English
Sunday 29 Mar 09 : 10.00 am Mass in Bahasa

Contact details :
Parish Priest :

Friar Jivan Daniel Louis

Tel : 016-7445039

Email :jivan_daniel@yahoo.com

Asst. Parish Priest :
Friar Arul Mariadass

Tel : 019-6826916

Email :aruldass@catholic.org

MASS SCHEDULE FOR EASTER 2009 at St. Theresa's, Masai

• CHRISM MASS : Tuesday 31st March at 8.00 pm
• Penitential Service: Wednesday 8th April at 8.00 pm
• HOLY THURSDAY: 9th April at 8.00 pm Multi-lingual
• GOOD FRIDAY : 10th April- 2.30 pm in English
  - 5.30 pm in Tamil - 8.00 pm in Bahasa
• HOLY SATURDAY : 11th April - 7.30 pm in Tamil
  - 11.00 pm in English
• EASTER SUNDAY : 12th April - 10.00 am in Bahasa
  

COLLECTION OF FOOD ITEMS FOR THE POOR

This collection will take place until Easter.
Kindly leave them at the basket provided in Church.

KURSUS PRA-PERKAHWINAN KATOLIK BAHASA MALAYSIA,
Diosis Melaka-Johor – tahun 2009
1. 25- 26 Apr 2009 - St Louis Kluang
2. 09- 10 Mei 2009 - MAJODI Center.
3. 12- 13 Sep 2009 - Bro’s Banglow Pantai Kundur, Melaka.
4. 07- 08 Nov 2009 - MAJODI Center.
Untuk keterangan lanjut sila hubungi Sister Putri Karmel atau Pengerusi Bahasa Apostolik di gereja masing-masing.
1. Sister Putri Karmel -Sr. Eugenia – 016-7961490
Sr. Gerardine – 019-7383293
2. St. Theresa Masai -Jonathan George – 019 - 7993673

Helen Tan – 012-7966035

BEC Area Leaders

ENGLISH
BEC –1 : Masai/Seri Alam
i) Anthony Joseph 014-6176731
ii) Vincent de Paul 012-7723141
BEC –2 : Rinting / Megah Ria / Kota Putri
i) Raj Arokiam 012-7168721
ii) James Perix 013-7708434

BEC-3 : Pasir Putih / Pasir Gudang
i) Peter Sebastian 016-7718768

BEC-4 : Scientex /Nusa Damia / Kota Masai/ Cahaya Masai / Dahlia,etc
i) Rani
ii) Peter Arulappan 013-7124013

BAHASA MALAYSIA

BEC-1 : Masai / Seri Alam
Edward 019-7625758

BEC-2: Tmn Megah Ria
Johnathan George 07-3888296 / 019-7993673

BEC-3: Pasir Putih /Air Biru
Jenny Roman 019-7607480

BEC-4: Scientex / Nusa Damai/ Cahaya Masa I /Dahlia
i) Lily 016-7927761
ii) Lucy 019-7619245
iii) Donny 012-7219541

BEC-5: Kota Masai
i) Ronald
ii) Helen 012-7219541

TAMIL

BEC-1 : Masai / Seri Alam (2nd Wednesday)
i) Francis 016-725 1771

BEC-2 : Tmn Rinting

i) Morris 012-728 2442

BEC-3 : Tmn Pasir Puteh (2nd, 4th Wednesday)
i) Dominic 012-755 2840

BEC-4 : Tmn Scientex / Nusa Damai (2nd Wednesday)
i) Josephine Mary 016 793 0893

BEC-5 : Kota Masai

i) Arulappan / Christina 012-748 4208

PARISH OFFICE HOURS (WEEKDAYS)
Monday : OFF DAY
Tue – Fri : 10:30 am to 1:30 pm; 4:30 pm tp 7:30 pm

Please take this opportunity to meet up with our Priests.

Harmony in the Church

HOLY SPIRIT INTERACTIVE - Harmony in the Church
As one member of the human body harmonizes its function with the other members, we must harmonize our individual functions in the Church with those of others.
There is beauty in variety, even as there is a spiritual uplift from music that harmonizes a variety of instruments and voices. We must never get out of tune by harping on the one gift we consider ours.
No one of us can act independently as a member of the body. We have to cooperate with other members if we are to be of any use to the body of Christ as a whole.

Daily Inspiration - Someone Else

Holy Spirit Interactive

SOMEONE ELSE
The Church was bowed in grief this week to learn that one of our most valuable members, SOMEONE ELSE, passed away. This death creates a vacancy that will be difficult o fill. SOMEONE ELSE has been with us for many years. During all these years, he did far more than a normal person’s share of work. Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results.

Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend – one name was on everyone’s list :
“Let SOMEONE ELSE do it.”

SOMEONE ELSE was also among the largest givers of the Church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that SOMEONE ELSE would make up the difference.

This beloved Church member was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing superhuman; but a person can only do so much. Everyone expected too much of SOMEONE ELSE.
Now SOMEONE ELSE is gone. Who will pitch in to do the things that SOMEONE ELSE has done? If you are asked to take a job in Church, we hope you won’t reply,
“ Let SOMEONE ELSE do it.”
Now we need you to pick up where SOMEONE ELSE left off.

Daily Inspiration - Uninvolved Church Members

Holy Spirit Interactive

Uninvolved Church Members
Someone once called a preacher to say he wanted to place church membership. But, he went on to explain that he did not want to worship every week, study the Bible, visit the sick, or serve as a leader or teacher.
The minister commended him for his desire to be a member, but told him the church he sought was located in another section of town. The man took the directions and hung up. When he arrived at that address, the man came face to face with the logical result of his own apathetic attitude. There stood an abandoned church building boarded up and ready for demolition.

Vocation of Laity

What is my role as a Lay Faithful?

THREE FOLD MISSION OF CHRIST

1. Priestly Mission
Incorporated in Jesus Christ, the baptised are united to him and to his sacrifice in the offering they make of themselves and their daily activities.

How ?
· Liturgy : Preside over liturgical prayers, to distribute communion (Extra Ordinary Communion Ministers) when ordained ministers are lacking.

2. Prophetic Mission
The lay faithful are given the ability and responsibility to accept the gospel in faith and proclaim it in word and deed, without hesitating to courageously identify and denounce evil.

How?
Praying together as a family, as a congregation, as a community (BEC), evangelisation through bible sharing, rosary, visitation (e.g. the sick and dying).

3. Kingly Mission
Because the lay faithful belong to Christ, Lord and King of the Universe, they share in his kingly mission and are called by him to spread that Kingdom in history. Make a gift of themselves.

How?
Serving (e.g. Lectors and Commentators, BEC Coordinator, Altar Servers, Catechists, Pastoral Chairman, etc.)

(Christifideles Laici & M-J BEC Animation & Formation Team)

Some Christian Humour

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Isthere anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk."Only the Ten Commandments." Answered the lady.

Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the
world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say,"Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up inthe morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large citybecause he was short of time and couldn't find a space witha meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper thatread: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here,I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."When he returned, he found a citation from a police officeralong with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If Idon't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. "Lead us not intotemptation."

There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday andannounced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news.The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our newbuilding program. The bad news is, it's still out there in yourpockets.

"A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" A hand shot up in the air."He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy. "Really? How do you know?"the teacher asked. "You know -Our Father, who does art in Heaven..."

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, butthere were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motionedhim toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the lastminute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied,"What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The sonreplied, "I do know!""Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy,Daddy." The young boy replied excitedly, "It stands for'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'"

Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared,you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, thePastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid,thy comforter is coming."

Pope offers hard-hitting Way of the Cross meditations

Apr. 14 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) presided at the Way of the Cross in the Roman Coliseum this evening: April 14, Good Friday.

Like his predecessors Paul VI and John Paul II, Pope Benedict carried the cross as he led the ceremonies, reading meditations prepared at his request by Archbishop Angelo Comastri, the vicar general for Vatican City.

On Good Friday one year ago it was then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who led the Way of the Cross, reading meditations that he himself had written at the behest of the ailing Pope John Paul II (bio - news). The future Pope offered a very somber view of the condition of Catholicism in those meditations, comparing the Church to "a boat about to sink, taking on water on every side." Cardinal Ratzinger lamented "how much filth there is in the Church," and said that "a Christianity which has grown weary of faith has abandoned the Lord."

This year's meditations, by Archbishop Comastri, again took an unsparing look at the evils of contemporary life. The text that Pope Benedict read condemns the "frivolous freedom" of modern society, and the attack on family life, the gap between rich and poor in the world. (The full text of the meditations is available on the Vatican web site.)

In the prayer prepared by Archbishop Comastri for the Third Station, the Pope said:

Lord, we have lost our sense of sin! Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil,a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolous freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication. Lord Jesus, open our eyes: let us see the filth around us and recognize it for what it is, so that a single tear of sorrow can restore us to purity of heart and the breadth of true freedom. Open our eyes, Lord, Jesus!
At the Ninth Station the Pope decried "the division of our world into belts of prosperity and belts of poverty." The meditation continues: "Our world is made of two rooms: in one room, things go to waste, in the other, people are wasting away."

The meditation for the Seventh Station referred to the attacks on traditional family life as "a kind of anti-Genesis, a counter-plan, a diabolical pride," which seeks to "modify the very grammar of life as planned and willed by God." The theme of human love runs throughout the meditations, and at the Tenth Station the meditation includes the observation: "Only the pure are capable of love;? only the pure can love without cheapening love." The source.

Alito's longer paper trail gives senators much material for questions

By Patricia Zapor
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As the second Supreme Court nominee in five months faced the Senate Judiciary Committee in early January, Judge Samuel Alito Jr. encountered a hearing markedly more skeptical in tone than the one now-Chief Justice John Roberts sailed through in September.

Contributing to the difference were Alito's lengthier record of judicial opinions and a perception -- described by several Democratic members of the committee -- that Alito would be more judicially conservative than Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whom he would replace.

One key area on which committee members focused in opening remarks and early questioning was Alito's writings on abortion, including his 1985 application to become deputy assistant attorney general, in which he said he personally strongly believed in the government's position that "the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion."

The Senate hearing room was packed with more than 100 reporters, many of whom worked on laptop computers while they listened to the proceedings. The sea of dark business suits in the public area was dotted here and there with red stickers espousing "No on Alito" or "Confirm Alito."

Committee chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., opened the first day of questioning Jan. 10 by asking Alito his opinion of Supreme Court rulings which found that the constitutional right to privacy covered a right for people to use contraception without government interference and to have abortions.

Alito responded to Specter's questions about specifics of the rulings by saying that legal precedent holds great importance.

"There needs to be a special justification for overruling a prior precedent," he said. Specter did not press Alito as to what special justification there might be for overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. Democratic senators were expected to focus more on Alito's views on Roe in later rounds of questioning.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., questioned Alito's views on executive power.

"Your record shows that, even over the strong objections of other federal judges, you bend over backwards to find even the most aggressive exercise of executive power reasonable. But perhaps most disturbing is the almost total disregard in your record for the impact of these abuses of power on the rights and liberties of individual Americans."

Several Republican committee members used their initial half-hour question periods to counter criticism of Alito by their Democratic colleagues, followed by gentle questions for the nominee, such as one asked by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa: "Do you believe the president of the United States is above the law and the Constitution?"

"Nobody is above the law and the Constitution," Alito responded.

"It should be clear to everyone that these are just a blatant smear tactic to tar Judge Alito's honorable and distinguished judicial record," Grassley said. "These outlandish criticisms are plain dirty and dishonest and should be rejected."

In his opening remarks Jan. 9, Alito said that "good judges are always open to the possibility of changing their minds based on the next brief that they read or the next argument that's made by an attorney who's appearing before them, or a comment that is made by a colleague during a conference on the case."

The first day of the hearings was devoted to introductions and the opening comments of senators and Alito. Questioning by senators began Jan. 10; other witnesses were scheduled to speak later in the week.

Meanwhile, much as they had with Roberts, groups with a wide range of interests papered the hearing room and flooded e-mail accounts with releases decrying or lauding aspects of Alito's professional record.

People for the American Way provided half a dozen press releases arguing that Alito would overturn Roe v. Wade, as well as roll back laws protecting the environment and civil rights, and that he would support expanding government authority to bypass civil liberties.

The days leading up to the hearing were filled with press conferences and media events, such as the well-publicized prayer service in which members of the National Clergy Council said they were consecrating the Senate hearing room to ask that God's will "be done in all that is said by the senators and Judge Alito. We are praying that both parties be faithful to the Constitution, honest in their exchange and devoted to the truth," said the group's press release.

Despite the efforts to scrutinize and criticize Alito's rulings and personal views, it seemed likely that the Senate ultimately would confirm him. He could be sworn in as soon as late January.

Alito, 55, would be the fifth Catholic on the current court, the first time Catholics would constitute a majority there. The other Catholics are Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas.

Alito's confirmation would allow O'Connor to finally step down, seven months after she announced her plan to leave as soon as her replacement was seated. Roberts was originally nominated to replace her, but when Chief Justice William Rehnquist died early in September, President George W. Bush asked O'Connor to stay on and made Roberts his nominee for chief.

As the Supreme Court term opened and Roberts took the helm early in October, Bush nominated White House counsel Harriet Miers for O'Connor's still-vacant seat. Her nomination was roundly criticized by some of Bush's strongest allies. She withdrew her name in late October and Alito's nomination followed a few days later.

END

Peace requires a leap of faith - Pope

Vatican, Jan. 02 (CWNews.com) - As he celebrated Mass on January 1, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) said that the quest for world peace requires "a 'jump in courage and faith in God and in man."

On the feast of Mary, Mother of God, which coincided with the 39th annual World Day for Peace, the Holy Father devoted his homily to the "great heart-felt aspiration of every man and every woman" for peace. He said that "faced with situations of injustice and violence that continue to oppress the different areas of the earth, faced with the challenge of the newest and most insidious menaces to peace-- terrorism, nihilism and fanatic fundamentalism-- it is ever more necessary to work together for peace."

The Pope celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, with all the members of the Vatican diplomatic corps in attendance for the formal release of his message for the World Day of Peace. The text of that message, entitled "In Truth, Peace," had been made public on December 13. Pope Benedict added further thoughts in his homily.

The Second Vatican Council left the Church a legacy of commitment to world peace, particularly in the pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes (doc), the Pope said. At the time that document was approved, he noted, the world was afflicted with tensions much like those of the current day.

Peace is the aspiration of all peoples, the Pope continued, but the quest for peace is a particular responsibility of Christ's followers. As Christians come to a fuller realization of the importance of "the Gospel of Peace," he said, they will become more fully engaged in that work.

The Pope called upon world leaders, and especially on the UN and other international organizations, to take the lead in promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts. He closed his brief homily by invoking the "the maternal help" of the Virgin Mary in the quest to honor "the Prince of Peace."

The Eucharistic celebration in the Vatican basilica was enlivened by a combined youth choir of 4,000 voices, directed by Jean-François Duchamp. The choir was composed of members of the international group Pueri Cantores, which had recently concluded an international meeting in Rome; the singers came from Germany, Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and other countries.

During the Mass, prayers of petition were read in Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Polish. The Arabic prayer was dedicated to "the tortured populations of Palestine, the land of Jesus and his Mother Mary," as well as for the people of war-torn countries in Africa and Asia. The Chinese-language prayer was for "the leaders of nations, for those who work in international organizations and those engaged in restoring the conditions of peace." The Mass was concelebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano (bio - news), the Vatican Secretary of State; Archbishops Giovanni Lajolo and Leonardo Sandri, the assistant secretaries; Cardinal Renato Martino (bio - news), the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; and Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, the secretary of the same Pontifical Council. The source....