Faith, Football and the Journey Home

Every World Cup journey eventually comes to an end. But our journey of faith never does.

Today, we bid farewell to Egypt and Colombia as their FIFA World Cup dreams come to an end. In football, every tournament brings moments of joy, heartbreak, perseverance and humility.

Yet today’s liturgy reminds us that there is another journey that matters even more.

Through the prophet Hosea, God invites us to “sow for yourselves justice… seek the Lord” (Hos 10:12). In the Gospel, Jesus sends out the Twelve to proclaim: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 10:7).

Sport teaches us perseverance, teamwork and discipline. Faith calls us to live those virtues daily — not for an earthly trophy, but for the Kingdom of God.

As the World Cup moves into the quarter-finals, Père André remains faithfully on duty at OLF World Cup Airport, gently sending teams home with a smile and a “Bon voyage, mes fils.” He still quietly insists that Air France has no departure scheduled just yet.

Whether that prediction comes true or not, today’s readings remind us that the greatest victory is found in answering Christ’s call with faith, humility and hope.

“Seek always the face of the Lord.” (Psalm 105)

Feast of St. Josemaria Escrivá Celebrated at OLF

More than 100 lay faithful from across the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, including members of the Opus Dei Prelature, gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kuala Lumpur on 4 July 2026 for the Votive Mass in honour of the Feast of St. Josemaria Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Ralph Valdes and concelebrated by Fr. Avelino Marin. The celebration commemorated the feast of St. Josemaria, which is observed annually on 26 June, and also honoured the memory of the late Fr. Michael Chan Kok Vui, who faithfully served in Singapore and various parts of Malaysia and passed away on 15 October 2025.

In his homily, Fr. Ralph reflected on one of the central themes of St. Josemaria’s spirituality: divine filiation—the profound truth that each of us is a beloved child of God. Drawing from St. Josemaria’s own experience of discovering God’s fatherly love, he encouraged the faithful to cultivate a spirit of trust, gratitude and loving abandonment to our Heavenly Father.

This message lies at the heart of St. Josemaria’s teachings, which invite Christians to seek holiness in the ordinary circumstances of daily life and to discover God in their work, family life and everyday responsibilities.

With the permission of Archbishop Julian Leow in 2017, Opus Dei has been conducting regular formation and activities within the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, helping the faithful deepen their relationship with God and grow in holiness through the sanctification of ordinary life.

Shared by Linda Archibald.

Green Hunt KL 2026 | Explore, Discover and Care for Our Common Home

The Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry warmly invites all parishioners, families and friends to participate in Green Hunt KL 2026, an exciting and educational adventure that combines fun, friendship and environmental awareness.

Participants will embark on a unique treasure-hunt experience, solving clues while exploring the streets of Brickfields before continuing the journey by train to complete the challenge. Along the way, participants will learn more about caring for God’s creation, build friendships and enjoy a day of discovery and teamwork.

Event Details

📅 Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 (Public Holiday)
Meeting Point: Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Brickfields
🕖 Time: 7.00 am – 3.00 pm
📍 Post-Hunt Meeting Point: Church of St. Ignatius, Petaling Jaya
👕 Dress Code: Green and casual attire (pants knee length and below)

Participation

🤝 Form a team of 2 to 4 members
👧🧑 Participant age: 7 years and above
💵 Participation fee: RM30 per person

Things to Bring

📝 Pen and one clipboard per team
💧 Bottled water
🧢 Cap or hat
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💳 Touch ‘n Go card or Rapid KL pass
💰 Some cash

To register, please complete the online form:

🔗 https://forms.gle/ftiohbV28BkBVYcT9

For further enquiries, please contact:

📱 Melina Yeoh – 017-871 8283
📱 Irene – 012-318 0062
📱 Marilyn – 017-328 6199

Come and join us for a day of fun, fellowship and a renewed appreciation for our shared responsibility to care for God’s creation. We look forward to seeing you at Green Hunt KL 2026! 🌿🍀

Faith, Football and Friendly Rivalries

The FIFA World Cup has once again captured the imagination of millions around the world. Victories are celebrated, dreams are fulfilled, and for others, the tournament ends in disappointment.

At the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, we have also been enjoying a little World Cup fun and friendly banter, especially with our very own “Andrezinho”—Fr. Andrew’s football-loving alter ego!

Beyond the goals and the trophies, sport teaches us important lessons about life and faith. There are moments of triumph and moments of heartbreak. There are seasons of waiting, perseverance and new beginnings.

As Christians, we are reminded that our lives are also a journey. We may stumble, experience setbacks, or see our hopes delayed, but God continually invites us to keep moving forward with faith, hope and trust in Him.

As St. Paul writes:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
(2 Timothy 4:7)

May the World Cup continue to bring families and friends together in joy and fellowship. Let us celebrate the beautiful game with good humour, healthy rivalry and gratitude for the gift of community.

And to all whose teams have already “departed”—there is always another World Cup!

As for Andrezinho, his flight to Rio de Janeiro appears to have been delayed until 21 July 2026! 🇧🇷⚽✈️

Confirmation Day at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima

On 26 June 2026, the Church of Our Lady of Fatima joyfully celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation as 23 young parishioners were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Eucharistic Celebration was a grace-filled occasion, bringing together various parish ministries, catechists, parents, sponsors, and volunteers in support of the confirmands and their families. The celebration marked an important milestone in the faith journey of these young Catholics as they were strengthened by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to live as witnesses of Christ in the world.

During his homily, Archbishop Julian Leow encouraged the confirmands to listen attentively to God’s promptings and to respond generously to His call. Sharing his own vocation story, he spoke about the support and encouragement he eventually received from his father, reminding the young people that God often works through the people closest to us.

Following the celebration, the Archbishop spent time with the newly confirmed over tea, chatting with them about their aspirations, their lives, and even football, creating a warm and memorable encounter for the young parishioners.

Addressing the confirmands, Fr. Andrew Manickam reminded them that God has a purpose and mission for each person and encouraged them to discover and fulfil God’s plan for their lives.

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima congratulates our 23 newly confirmed brothers and sisters and prays that they may continue to grow in faith, guided by the Holy Spirit and strengthened to live as joyful disciples of Christ.

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.”

Kick. Score. Win. – Coffee Morning Fundraiser

The OLF Sunday School Level 3 students warmly invite parishioners and friends to a special Coffee Morning on Sunday, 5 July 2026, at Dewan Fatima.

As part of their fundraising efforts for their upcoming First Holy Communion Camp, our young parishioners have put their creativity and teamwork into organising a fun football-themed activity, aptly named “Kick. Score. Win.”

The children themselves brainstormed the idea and look forward to welcoming everyone for a morning of games, fellowship, and community spirit.

Join us for tea, coffee, breakfast, and a friendly challenge as we support our young people in their faith journey.

📅 Sunday, 5 July 2026
⏰ Kick-off: 7.00am
📍 Dewan Fatima

Come dressed in your favourite team’s colours, cheer the children on, and help make a difference together!

St. Teresa’s 69th Annual Sports Carnival | June 27, 2026 ⚽🏆

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima was pleased to support St. Teresa’s School, our neighbour in Brickfields, during its 69th Annual Sports Carnival held on 27 June 2026.

Fr. Andrew Manickam was invited as the Chief Guest and officially inaugurated the carnival, joining the school community in celebrating a day of sportsmanship, teamwork, healthy competition, and fellowship.

The event also reflected the longstanding spirit of friendship and neighbourly support between St. Teresa’s School and the Church of Our Lady of Fatima. The parish is grateful for this relationship and for the many ways both communities continue to support one another.

Fr. Andrew, together with Santhana Rengan from our parish, also assisted in judging the parade, group coordination, and mascots.

We congratulate the Principal, teachers, students, staff, and organisers of St. Teresa’s School on this joyful occasion and wish them continued success in nurturing teamwork, discipline, and school spirit through sports.

Thank You for Celebrating Father’s Day with Us

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating Father’s Day over the weekend.

We thank all parishioners who participated in the special blessings for fathers, visited the Youth Ministry’s Father’s Day booth, shared messages and prayer intentions for their fathers and father figures, and remembered deceased fathers through prayer and the lighting of candles.

Your presence, prayers, and participation helped make the celebration a beautiful expression of faith, gratitude, and family.

May God continue to bless all fathers with wisdom, strength, and loving hearts as they fulfil their vocation within their families. We also remember with gratitude those fathers who have gone before us, praying that they may rest in the eternal peace of Christ.

Thank you to the OLF Youth Ministry and everyone who contributed their time and effort in making this celebration meaningful for our parish community.

St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family, pray for all fathers.

🕊️ Confirmation Mass – Parking Notice

Parishioners attending the Confirmation Mass on Sunday, 28 June 2026, are advised that St. Teresa’s School will be available for parking from 3:30pm to 8:00pm.

To help ensure a smooth arrival and departure for everyone, all candidates, parents, sponsors, family members and parishioners attending the celebration are encouraged to make use of this designated parking facility.

We thank everyone for their cooperation and look forward to celebrating this joyful milestone in the lives of our Confirmation candidates.

Celebrating the Gift of Fathers at OLF

Father’s Day was celebrated across the parish with gratitude, prayer, and fellowship as parishioners gathered to honour fathers and father figures whose love, sacrifice, and guidance continue to shape our families and communities.

At all weekend Masses, a special blessing was offered for fathers, entrusting them to the care and intercession of St. Joseph, guardian of the Redeemer and protector of the Holy Family. The parish also came together in fellowship after Masses, sharing moments of conversation and community at Dewan Fatima.

The OLF Youth Ministry coordinated a special Father’s Day booth where parishioners were invited to write messages, wishes, and prayer intentions for their fathers and father figures. These heartfelt offerings were later presented during the Offertory at the 10.30am Mass as a sign of thanksgiving and prayer.

A particularly moving aspect of the celebration was the remembrance of deceased fathers and grandfathers. Parishioners lit candles in their memory, giving thanks for their lives and praying that they may rest in the peace and love of Christ.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, we thank God for all fathers, grandfathers, guardians, mentors, and father figures who reflect God’s love through their care, sacrifice, and faithful presence in our lives.

St. Joseph, pray for us.