St Valentine BEC and Tzu Chi Foundation Join Hands to Care for Our Common Home

Members of St Valentine Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC), Happy Garden, joined volunteers from the Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia for a community plogging activity on 19 July 2026, turning a simple morning of collecting litter into a meaningful expression of faith, service and care for creation.

The initiative grew out of the BEC’s reflection on “Ecology: Care of Our Common Home,” providing members with an opportunity to put their reflections into practice by caring for the neighbourhood they share with others.

The morning began with the national anthem, Negaraku, followed by light exercises and a briefing on waste separation and recyclable materials. Participants then walked through the Happy Garden neighbourhood, collecting litter and recyclable items while learning more about responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.

The activity reminded participants that caring for creation does not always require large-scale projects. Small, consistent acts carried out together can make a meaningful difference in protecting the environment entrusted to us by God.

The experience also reflected the words of Genesis 2:15:

“The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.”

Working alongside volunteers from the Tzu Chi Foundation also demonstrated how people of different faith traditions can cooperate for the common good through shared concern for the environment and the wider community.

The morning concluded with fellowship over breakfast prepared by Tzu Chi volunteers, while St Valentine BEC was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of its participation.

As Pope Francis reminds us, care for creation begins with everyday choices. For the members of St Valentine BEC, this simple morning of service became a powerful reminder that caring for our common home often starts right outside our own doorstep.

Catechetical Sunday Celebrated at the 10.30am English Mass | 02 August 2026

The English Sunday School of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima celebrated Catechetical Sunday 2026 during the 10.30am Mass on Sunday, 2 August, joining the universal Church in giving thanks for the ministry of catechists and all who faithfully pass on the gift of faith.

This year’s global theme, “Be Christ to One Another,” reminded the faithful that while Catechetical Sunday honours those entrusted with teaching the faith, every baptised Christian is also called to witness to the Gospel through the way we live, love and serve others.

During the celebration, Fr. Andrew Manickam commissioned and blessed the English Sunday School catechists as they renewed their commitment to the important ministry of forming children and young people in the Catholic faith.

Across the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, similar rites of commissioning and blessing were held for catechism teachers, RCIA catechists and baptism instructors as they recommitted themselves to sharing the Gospel and accompanying others in their journey of faith.

The parish community gives thanks for the dedication, generosity and faithful witness of our English Sunday School catechists, whose ministry continues to nurture the faith of the next generation.

May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen them as they joyfully proclaim Christ through both word and example.

தூய பாத்திமா அன்னை பங்கு – மறைக்கல்வி ஞாயிறு

2 ஆகஸ்ட் 2026 அன்று காலை 8.30 மணிக்கு நடைபெற்ற தமிழ்த் திருப்பலியில், மறைக்கல்வி ஆசிரியர்களுக்கான திருநிலைப்படுத்தும் நிகழ்வு சிறப்பாக நடைபெற்றது. தந்தை மறைத்திரு. வி. ஏ. மைக்கேல் அவர்கள் மறைக்கல்வி ஆசிரியர்களைத் திருநிலைப்படுத்தி, அவர்களின் மறைப்பணியை ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

மறைக்கல்வி ஆசிரியர்கள் அனைவரும் இறைநம்பிக்கையுடனும் அர்ப்பணிப்பு உணர்வுடனும் தங்கள் பணியைச் சிறப்பாக ஆற்றிட இறைவன் அருள்புரிவாராக!

✝️ Never Carrying the Cross Alone

One habit that has become part of my life is holding a crucifix as I fall asleep. Because I often struggle to sleep at night, the crucifix has become a quiet reminder that Christ is with me, even in the darkness and silence of the night.

On the opening day of the Perjalanan Salib, one particular moment touched me deeply. As I watched the volunteers together with Fr Andrew Manickam each place a hand on a small part of the cross during the procession, I found myself unexpectedly moved. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke so profoundly to my heart.

At that moment, I was reminded that carrying the cross is never as easy as it appears. From the outside, it may seem manageable, but those who strive to follow Christ know that the cross often comes in the form of hidden struggles, silent sacrifices, disappointments, and daily perseverance. Yet the same cross that speaks of suffering also proclaims victory, for through the Cross, Christ conquered sin and death.

Every gesture throughout the opening day of the Perjalanan Salib brought back memories of the crosses I have carried in my own life. Many of those crosses were unseen by others, but God has been present in every step of the journey. Instead of seeing only suffering, I was reminded that each cross has become an invitation to trust Him more deeply.

The Holy Hour, the Rosary, the intercessions for the Archdiocese, and the community that gathered each day to walk this journey together all became channels of God’s grace. They reminded me that no one carries the cross alone. Christ walks with us, and through the prayers and presence of the Church, we are strengthened to continue the journey.

Although the days of the Perjalanan Salib seemed to pass by so quickly, they have left a lasting impression on my heart. I thank God for allowing me to be part of this beautiful pilgrimage of faith. It was not simply an event that I attended; it became another gentle reminder that every cross embraced with Christ is never the end of the story. Beyond every cross lies the hope and joy of the Resurrection.

OLF Celebrates 63 Years of Grace with Thanksgiving Mass and Parish Fellowship

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima celebrated the 63rd anniversary of its canonical erection with a Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, 1 August 2026, coinciding with the Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists.

The Eucharistic celebration brought together parishioners in thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings upon the parish since its establishment on 31 July 1963, while remembering with gratitude the generations of priests, religious and faithful whose service and dedication have shaped the life of OLF over the past six decades.

During the parish announcements, Fr. Andrew Manickam shared that the parish’s anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 1–15 August, encouraging parishioners to see the occasion not simply as a series of events, but as an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives and strengthen the bonds of the parish family.

He also invited the faithful to remember all priests in prayer, especially on 4 August, the Feast of St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests. Parishioners were encouraged to pray for all clergy who have served and continue to serve OLF, and to spend a few moments reflecting on the list of former parish priests displayed outside the church.

At the conclusion of Mass, the parish community gathered for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, joyfully singing “Happy Birthday” in celebration of OLF’s 63rd anniversary.

The celebration continued at Dewan Fatima, where parishioners shared a fellowship meal as one family in Christ. Continuing his practice of servant leadership, Fr. Andrew personally served packed chicken nasi briyani to parishioners after blessing the meal, creating another memorable moment of fellowship within the parish community.

As OLF celebrates 63 years of grace, may the parish continue to grow as a community of faith, hope and love, remaining faithful to its mission of proclaiming Christ and serving His people for generations to come.

Church of Our Lady of Fatima Celebrates 63 Years of Grace

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima marks the 63rd anniversary of its canonical erection on 31 July 2026, remembering with gratitude the journey of our parish since 31 July 1963.

For more than six decades, OLF has been a spiritual home to generations of Catholics — a place where the faithful have gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, receive the Sacraments, hear the Word of God and journey together through the many seasons of life.

On this anniversary, we give thanks for the generations of priests, religious and parishioners whose faith, service and generosity have helped build and sustain the parish community we know today.

The anniversary is also an opportunity to look ahead. As OLF continues its mission, may we remain a community rooted in Christ, attentive to the needs of one another and faithful in bearing witness to the Gospel.

To mark this occasion, parishioners and friends are invited to a Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, 1 August 2026 at 6.00pm at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima.

As we celebrate 63 years of grace, we remember our past with gratitude, renew our commitment to serve today and entrust the future of our parish to God.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Saints Francisco and Jacinta, pray for us.

🙏 “I Felt Connected to Jesus”

My son who is not baptised followed me to mass on 28 July – it has been a very long time since he came to mass. We were there during rosary + some part of the adoration and I told him to lift all his pain and anxiety to our Lord who is present in the Blessed Sacrament.

After mass I asked him how he felt and he shared that he felt connected to Jesus when he prayed during Adoration – it’s something I knew he would feel since I have felt the powerful presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament every time I attend Adoration or spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

He was very moved and touched by Father Andrew’s sermon on “sacred wounds” – he never saw his wounds as sacred and his comment was that Father spoke from his heart and truly believed in what he shared.

To God be all glory, AMEN

~ Anon

Catechetical Sunday 2026 – Be Christ to One Another

As the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday on 2 August 2026, this year’s theme, “Be Christ to One Another,” invites us to reflect not only on the ministry of our catechists, but also on the responsibility each of us shares in witnessing to Christ.

In his Catechetical Sunday message, Rt. Rev. Joseph Hii Teck Kwong, Episcopal President of the Malaysian Catechetical Commission, reminds the faithful of Pope Francis’ words that catechists are people who keep the memory of God alive in themselves and are able to revive it in others.

While Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity to recognise and thank those who serve formally as catechists, the call to share the Gospel belongs to every baptised Catholic. Through our words, actions and the way we accompany one another, each of us can help make Christ present in our families, parish and wider community.

On this special day, we remember our catechists in prayer and thank God for their dedication, sacrifices and commitment to sharing the faith with young and old alike.

May Catechetical Sunday also invite each of us to consider a simple but important question:

How can I be Christ to another person today?

Fr. Andrew Manickam, together with all parishioners of OLF, wishes every catechist a blessed and inspiring Catechetical Sunday.

Deo Gratias.

Catechetical Sunday 2026 – Celebrating the Gift of Faith and Those Who Share It

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sunday, 2 August 2026, giving thanks for the catechists who faithfully share the Gospel and help nurture the faith of children, young people and adults.

Catechists are witnesses of faith who, through their teaching, example and accompaniment, help others to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him.

At OLF, Catechetical Sunday will be celebrated during:

Tamil Mass – 8.30am
English Mass – 10.30am

Parishioners are warmly invited to join us as we pray for our catechists and give thanks for their dedication and service in helping to nurture the faith of our parish community.

Holy Hour for Those Who Have Lost Their Lives

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima will hold a special Holy Hour on Friday, 31 July 2026, offering prayers for all those who have lost their lives through tragedies, accidents, natural disasters and other calamities, as well as those whose lives have ended through suicide.

During this time before the Blessed Sacrament, those gathered will entrust the departed to the infinite love and mercy of God, praying that He may receive them into His eternal peace.

The Holy Hour will also remember their families, friends and loved ones, particularly those who continue to carry the sorrow of sudden or unexpected loss. May they find consolation, strength and hope in the presence of Christ.

Parishioners and friends are warmly invited to join this special time of prayer and remembrance.