Caritas Penang organised an meeting for parish Caritas representatives and social mission ministries throughout the Diocese of Penang on the Minor Basilica of St Anne, February 15 and 16.
Mar 07, 2025
The delegates of the Caritas Penang meeting
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Caritas Penang organised an meeting for parish Caritas representatives and social mission ministries throughout the Diocese of Penang on the Minor Basilica of St Anne, February 15 and 16.
The occasion gathered representatives from 17 parishes and three social mission teams beneath the diocese. Themed Union of Minds, Hearts and Deeds, impressed by 1 John 3:18, “Allow us to not love with phrases or speech however with actions and in reality,” Caritas Penang aimed to strengthen the connection and collaboration among the many parish Caritas and social mission teams by fostering spirituality, enhancing data, and inspiring networking.
The meeting commenced with a recollection led by Fr Fabian Dicom, Nationwide Director of Caritas Malaysia, specializing in the spirituality of Caritas. Fr Fabian started by reflecting on Caritas’ id, imaginative and prescient, and mission, earlier than emphasising the significance of each being and doing in social mission. Through the recollection, Fr Fabian led members in a reflective session on Sanctity, urging them to revisit their non secular motivations. He reminded them that human growth shouldn’t be solely financial or social — it have to be non secular, because the Church teaches. The second a part of the recollection addressed Synodality and Solidarity, emphasising the significance of journeying collectively, standing with the weak, and striving for justice. Fr Fabian highlighted that immersing oneself within the lives of the poor is important to the Caritas mission. After every recollection session, conversations within the spirit have been held in small teams, offering members with a possibility to pause, replicate, and deepen their non secular grounding, which regularly will get overshadowed by the push to “do.”
Fr Fabian additionally spoke in regards to the integral response to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor in Malaysia, drawing consideration to the hyperlinks between environmental injury, migration, and poverty. He highlighted how these crises influence jobs and livelihoods, quoting Pope Francis: “The gravest results of all assaults on the atmosphere are suffered by the poorest.” He reminded the members of the Church’s ethical duty to “domesticate and care” for the earth (Genesis 2:15) and referred to as for a united, stronger response to the environmental and social crises.
Within the afternoon of Day 1, Fr Simon Anand, parish priest of the Church of the Sacred Coronary heart, Kampar, shared insights on the Migrant Ministry in his parish, specializing in the great wants of migrants, together with sacramental, medical, and academic help, in addition to help with documentation. Fr Simon emphasised inclusivity, highlighting how migrants serve in numerous roles, resembling Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members, and hospitality ministers. He additionally spoke in regards to the broader challenges migrants face, noting that their struggles lengthen past monetary help.
Later within the night, Magdalene Chiang, from the Creation Justice Fee offered on the subject of Ecological Parish. She outlined sensible steps that parishes might take to boost ecological consciousness, suggesting the institution of ministries devoted to ecology in each parish.
Fr Joachim Robert concluded Day 1 by synthesising the day’s periods, serving to members see the connections between the varied matters and the collective duties of the Church’s social mission. Individuals then engaged in a workshop targeted on figuring out their strengths and challenges, creating a possibility for reflection and collaboration inside their respective deaneries.
Day 2 started with shared experiences from two parishes. A migrant couple from the Church of the Sacred Coronary heart, Kampar, shared their private journey of overcoming challenges and serving to different migrants. Representatives from the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang offered their “Sharing Hope” meals financial institution and welfare help challenge, which goals to enhance the standard of life for weak people. Caritas Penang additionally shared particulars about their current Catastrophe Reduction Response, explaining the steps for establishing Emergency Response Groups in parishes and the way they’ll coordinate efforts within the occasion of a catastrophe.
Within the afternoon, Dr Mary Barathy, a psychiatrist, mentioned the psychological results of kid sexual abuse, adopted by Christopher Kushi from the Skilled Requirements Workplace, who spoke in regards to the safeguarding of minors and weak individuals. Each audio system emphasised the position of the Catholic Church in addressing these essential points.
The ultimate workshop of the meeting targeted on planning for the longer term. After listening to from the varied parishes and ministries, members have been inspired to draft plans for initiatives they wish to undertake at their respective parishes, figuring out aims, anticipated outcomes, and potential collaborations inside their deaneries or the broader diocese.
The meeting concluded with a Holy Mass celebrated by Cardinal Sebastian Francis. In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian spoke in regards to the important position of Caritas in bringing “a little bit of heaven to earth” by its work, emphasising the Church’s efforts to community with numerous organisations, each inside and outdoors the Catholic group. He highlighted the significance of organisations resembling St Joseph’s Residence, LSP, Simee Residence, Hospital Fatimah, and others that contribute to human growth and outreach to the marginalised.
Cardinal Sebastian additionally quoted St John Paul II, urging the meeting to “solid out our nets into the deep” with the beatitudes and blessings of God as a name to place charity into motion. He ended his homily with a strong message: “God has chosen you. You’re few, however you might be blessed and despatched on mission. The sector is huge, and the ocean is huge. Don’t be petty — take the danger and transfer ahead on this 12 months of Hope. We’re on a pilgrimage, guided by the Holy Spirit, to conversion and motion.”
The meeting concluded with members reflecting on the insights shared and the potential for future collaboration. Many expressed gratitude for the chance to study, share experiences, and community, which might assist strengthen their dedication to the social mission of the Catholic Church.
