Archives September 2026

Carrying Your Cross with St. Padre Pio: Faith, Suffering and Silent Trust

About 200 faithful gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima for Holy Hour, the recitation of the Rosary, Mass and Veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Padre Pio as the parish celebrated the Feast of St. Padre Pio.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Parish Administrator Fr. Andrew Manickam, with visiting priest Fr. Simon Agbo concelebrating.

In his homily, Fr. Andrew reflected on the crosses that form part of human life — illness, loss, family struggles, uncertainty and moments when we may wonder where God is in the midst of our difficulties.

He recalled that St. Padre Pio himself knew what it meant to bear heavy crosses. As his reputation for holiness and reports of miracles drew increasing numbers of people to him, Padre Pio also endured personal struggles, spiritual dryness, investigations and periods when restrictions were placed upon his ministry. He nevertheless remained faithful and obedient.

Padre Pio also lived with the continuing physical suffering of the stigmata, bearing the wounds of Christ upon his body.

Fr. Andrew reflected on Padre Pio’s understanding of spiritual struggle and highlighted three practices that anchored his spiritual life: frequent Confession, the daily Rosary and complete trust in God’s will, even when God’s purposes may be difficult to understand.

Among Padre Pio’s best-known words are the simple encouragement:

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

His life reminds us that suffering and struggle need not separate us from God. They can instead become occasions to deepen our faith, place greater trust in Him and remember that He remains with us through our difficulties.

At the conclusion of the celebration, Fr. Andrew thanked Devid Rejah and his wife Vanitha for the many ways they have served OLF behind the scenes during their two years with the parish, as they now embark on their Flame of Love vocation in Kulim.

Fr. Andrew also expressed the parish’s appreciation to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi for lending OLF the statue and relic of St. Padre Pio for the celebration.

The Veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Padre Pio has been extended until Friday, 25 September 2026.

Plans are also underway to purchase a statue of St. Padre Pio from Vietnam for OLF. Parishioners and friends who wish to contribute towards the purchase of the statue are welcome to do so.

Discovering the Amazonian Church: The Four Dreams of Querida Amazonia

On 22 September 2026, Rev. Fr. Andrew Manickam, Ecclesiastical Assistant for the Creation Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, delivered a two-hour presentation on Pope Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazonia).

Held at Loyola Hall, Church of St Francis Xavier, Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, the talk was organised by the parish’s Firm Foundation Ministry.

Published in 2020 following the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region, Querida Amazonia reflects upon a region spanning Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Fr. Andrew explained that the concerns raised in the document also have relevance beyond the Amazon, including the need to care for the earth, safeguard traditional family values and defend indigenous peoples and the poor.

He explored Pope Francis’ vision through the Four Dreams:

The Social Dream
A call for a just society that protects the poor, excluded and indigenous peoples whose rights and livelihoods may be threatened by powerful economic interests.

The Cultural Dream
The importance of preserving and valuing the artistic, historical and cultural heritage of indigenous communities and protecting their distinctive identities.

The Ecological Dream
A call for integral ecology and greater care for our common home. Fr. Andrew spoke about the importance of water, the effects of deforestation and exploitation of natural resources, respect for indigenous peoples who have cared for their lands for generations, and the relationship between the wellbeing of creation, families and communities.

The Ecclesial Dream
A vision of a missionary Church attentive to the particular circumstances of the Amazon. Fr. Andrew spoke about inculturation, incorporating appropriate elements of local culture while preserving the Catholic sacraments and liturgy.

He also touched on discussions surrounding the proposed ordination of married men (viri probati) and female deacons in response to the severe shortage of priests in remote communities, some of which may see a priest only once a year.

Referring to CCC 1577, Fr. Andrew spoke about the reservation of ordination to baptised men while also highlighting the important leadership roles exercised by women within the Church. In the local parish context, he noted the active leadership of women within bodies such as Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC), Parish Coordinating Councils (PCC) and Parish Finance Committees.

The evening invited participants to consider how the Four Dreams of Querida Amazonia speak not only to the realities of the Amazon but also to our own responsibility towards faith, people, culture and creation.

🙏 Let us keep the Amazonian Church and the work of creation justice in our prayers as we seek to care for our common home and its people.

Inter-BEC Gathering: Growing Together as One Family in Christ

On 22 September 2026, St Gabriel BEC, Bangsar Park, welcomed members of St Jacinta BEC for an Inter-BEC Gathering centred on prayer, reflection and fellowship.

Members of both communities reflected on the month’s theme, “Family: Reaching Out,” sharing their thoughts, experiences and perspectives with one another.

The gathering also provided an opportunity for members of the two BECs to become better acquainted and strengthen the relationships between their communities.

Inter-BEC gatherings are an opportunity to build connections beyond individual neighbourhood communities and foster a deeper sense of belonging to the wider parish family.

May our BECs continue to grow as communities of faith, friendship and service, supporting one another as one family in Christ.

OLF Children and Teens Choir at the 5th Vox Choir Festival

On 20 September 2026, 11 members of the Children and Teens Choir of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima represented the parish at the 5th Vox Choir Festival, organised by Broadway Academy and held at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC).

Making their first appearance at the festival, the young singers performed two contrasting pieces: the Filipino Catholic hymn “I Will Sing Forever of Your Love” and Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There.”

The performance marked a special milestone for the young choir members and provided them with an opportunity to share their musical gifts beyond the parish community.

Congratulations to Brigitte Januarius, her team and all the members of the Children and Teens Choir who participated.

May our young singers continue to develop the gifts God has given them and find joy in sharing those gifts through music.

OLF Sunday School Celebrates Mass Amidst God’s Creation

On Sunday, 20 September 2026, 88 Sunday School learners from preschool to Level 10, accompanied by their catechists, travelled to Camp Red in Bukit Tinggi for an Outdoor Mass and activities organised as part of the Season of Creation.

Fr. Andrew Manickam celebrated the Eucharist in the outdoor setting and prayed for creation, the Sunday School learners, their catechists and the volunteers who accompanied them.

During an interactive homily, Fr. Andrew invited the children to share one action they could take to care for creation. Their responses included reducing the use of plastic bags, recycling and planting vegetable gardens. Fr. Andrew also encouraged them to use water and electricity responsibly at home. The children participated actively in the celebration by undertaking the various liturgical roles.

Following Mass and breakfast, the children took part in activities prepared by their catechists. The older learners followed a nature trail to a nearby waterfall, observing fungi, insects, different leaf shapes, tree trunks and other features of the natural environment along the way.

The outing provided the children with an opportunity to bring together faith, learning and care for creation, while experiencing the natural environment beyond the classroom.

The programme was coordinated by the OLF Catechetical Ministry in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry.

A Gathering of Faith, Fellowship and Care with St Jude BEC

Fr. Andrew Manickam recently responded to a request from St Jude BEC, OUG, bringing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist to 21 members gathered at a common residence.

The members, aged between 51 and 92, gathered in prayer around a lighted candle to receive the Sacrament. Fr. Andrew was accompanied by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs).

Before their arrival, the BEC members learnt that Fr. Andrew had been delayed as he had gone to Pantai Hospital to anoint a parishioner in the ICU. They immediately began praying the Rosary for the parishioner, together with other intentions.

Following the Anointing and distribution of Holy Communion, Fr. Andrew led everyone in prayer before joining the members for lunch and fellowship.

The gathering also provided an opportunity for conversation, with questions ranging from the recently concluded Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 to the proper handling of the Eucharist when Holy Communion is brought to homebound parishioners.

The gathering was a reminder of the important role our BECs play in bringing the prayer, pastoral care and fellowship of the Church into our homes and communities.

A Joyful Celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at OLF

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima was filled with parishioners and visitors on Tuesday, 8 September, as the community gathered to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The evening began with Holy Hour Adoration at 6.00pm, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Joining Parish Administrator Fr. Andrew Manickam in concelebrating the Mass were visiting priests Fr. Michael Adawai and Fr. Simon Agbo. Among those present were visitors from Singapore, Rawang, Petaling Jaya and surrounding areas, as well as members of the Legion of Mary from the Church of the Assumption, Petaling Jaya, who served as gift bearers during the Offertory.

In his homily, Fr. Andrew reflected on Mary’s acceptance of God’s call and her willingness to become the handmaid of the Lord. Recalling the words of the angel to Joseph, he spoke of the trust and faith that accompanied Mary’s place in God’s plan of salvation.

Fr. Andrew also reminded the congregation that Christ remains with us in our failures and weaknesses. Jesus is not only with the successful or powerful, but is the Good Shepherd who remains close to us, especially in times of sorrow and difficulty.

At the conclusion of Mass, Fr. Andrew thanked everyone who had travelled from near and far to join the celebration. He then invited members of the Legion of Mary from the different praesidia and parishes to come forward for the cutting of a birthday cake in honour of Our Lady.

The celebration continued after Mass with fellowship and refreshments at Dewan Fatima and around the church grounds, bringing together parishioners and visitors in a shared evening of faith and community.

May the example of our Blessed Mother continue to lead us closer to her Son and inspire us to respond faithfully to God’s call in our own lives.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Celebrated in Tampin

Some 190 parishioners and friends from 22 parishes across the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur gathered at the Church of St John Marie Vianney, Tampin, on Saturday, 5 September, to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The outdoor Mass at the church grotto was celebrated by Fr. Andrew Manickam, Ecclesiastical Assistant of the KL Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry, and concelebrated by Fr. Albet Ariokasamy, Fr. Xavier Andrew, Fr. Edwin Peter and Fr. Anthony Robert.

In his homily, Fr. Andrew spoke about the need for ecological conversion, beginning with an awareness of ecological sin. He reflected on how nature, plants and animals can be mistreated or discarded without remorse when the consequences are not immediately felt, and spoke strongly about the seriousness of environmental destruction.

Drawing attention to the effects of climate change, including floods and the collapse of glaciers, Fr. Andrew encouraged everyone to recognise that even seemingly small actions matter — from picking up discarded plastic to planting trees.

Parish Priest Fr. Albet invited those present to explore the church grounds and spend time among its trees and plants. Many also visited the chikoo (sapodilla) tree planted at the church compound last May, while others spent time in prayer and reflection at the outdoor Stations of the Cross.

The young people added their own message through an entertaining skit encouraging greater care for creation.

As a reminder to carry that responsibility home, representatives of each of the 22 participating parishes received a potted plant for their parish.

The KL Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry expressed its gratitude to Fr. Albet, Fr. Anthony and the St John Marie Vianney parish community for their warm welcome and assistance, as well as to Fr. Xavier and Fr. Edwin for concelebrating the Mass and accompanying parishioners from Seremban and Port Dickson.

The gathering was a timely reminder that care for our common home begins not only with awareness, but with the choices each of us makes every day.

Fr. V.A. Michael Celebrates 33rd Sacerdotal Anniversary

Parishioners at the 8.30am Tamil Mass joined in prayer and thanksgiving for Fr. V.A. Michael on the 33rd anniversary of his priestly ordination.

The occasion provided an opportunity for the parish community to give thanks to God for his vocation and 33 years of priestly ministry and service to the Church.

OLF joins Fr. Michael in celebrating this milestone and prays that the Lord will continue to strengthen and guide him in his ministry, granting him good health and many more grace-filled years in the service of God’s people.

Happy 33rd Sacerdotal Anniversary, Fr. V.A. Michael!

Feast of St. Thérèse at the Church of St. Theresa, Nilai

The Archdiocesan Prayer Ministry invites the faithful to participate in the Feast of St. Thérèse at the Church of St. Theresa, Nilai, on Thursday, 1 October 2026.

The theme for the celebration is “St. Thérèse’s Witness of Love with Mary.” The Eucharistic Celebration will begin at 7.00pm, followed by fellowship.

Transportation will be available with pick-up at SFA at 4.00pm, OLF at 4.30pm and SFX at 5.00pm. The transportation fee is RM30 per person.

Those wishing to participate may register with:

Rina: +6013 336 4248
Marilyn: +6017 328 6199

Payment may be made via Touch ‘n Go to Marilyn, account number 151814537132, with the reference IC Name – St. Theresa’s Feast.

Parishioners are invited to join the celebration and reflect upon St. Thérèse’s enduring witness of living the Christian life through simplicity, trust and love.