Category Reflection

A simple, unexpected encounter at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima on 16 August 2026 became a touching reminder of how God’s grace can be found in ordinary moments.

At about 4.30pm, Fr Andrew Manickam was leaving the parish office with a rosary in hand, intending to spend some time praying in the church. As he stepped outside with a friend, they encountered an elderly couple who had come hoping to join a Rosary prayer.

Fr Andrew soon discovered that the couple were newly baptised Catholics, having received Baptism only in April after beginning their journey into the Catholic faith later in life.

When they expressed concern that they might make mistakes while praying the Rosary, Fr Andrew reassured them that Our Blessed Mother is not concerned with perfection, but with the sincerity and desire to pray.

The three then prayed the Rosary together.

During their conversation afterwards, Fr Andrew encouraged the couple in their continuing journey of faith, reminding them that it is never too late to respond to God’s call: Abraham himself began his journey at the age of 75.

What began as an unplanned meeting became a quiet encounter of faith – a reminder that God often works through seemingly ordinary circumstances, bringing people together at just the right moment.

As Fr Andrew reflected:

“This encounter was a reminder of how God’s grace works through simple moments and genuine faith.”

The Archdiocesan Prayer Ministry invites the faithful to a Holy Hour for Priests on the Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests.

As the Church honours the saintly Curé of Ars, we are invited to pray in a special way for all priests, asking the Lord to strengthen them in their vocation, sustain them in their ministry, and grant them the grace to shepherd God’s people with faithfulness, humility and love.

The programme is as follows:

🕕 6.00pm – Holy Hour for Priests
🕗 8.00pm – Holy Eucharist
📍 Church of St. John Marie Vianney, Tampin

May St. John Mary Vianney continue to intercede for all priests, especially those serving our parish and the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

I was the photographer for the first day of the Perjalanan Salib. As I tried my best to capture every meaningful moment for our Facebook page, I found myself focusing so much on getting the perfect shot that I was slowly missing the experience itself.

I kept hoping for that one perfect photograph, but somehow it never came. Instead, God was waiting to capture my heart.

As Fr Andrew and several others walked in procession towards the altar, something touched me deeply. It was not the procession itself, but the way every hand reached out to hold the wooden cross. Each person carefully supported it, helping to keep it balanced as they walked. I couldn’t take my eyes off that moment.

Then, when the cross was finally placed firmly on its stand, a question quietly arose within me:

“Lord, were You too heavy to carry? Or was it the fear of dropping You?”

As I looked at the cross standing so steadily before us, another thought came to my heart.

Perhaps that is what our lives are meant to be.

As we journey with Christ, carrying our crosses is never easy. We stumble. We struggle. Sometimes we are afraid we are not strong enough, or that we might fail Him. Yet when we finally reach the destination and place our burdens before God, our struggles no longer seem greater than the Cross itself. The Cross stands firm, unshaken, reminding us that Christ has always been stronger than the weight we carried.

Maybe the journey is not about how perfectly we carry the Cross, but about never letting go of it until we reach Him.

~ TS