Tuesday, November 1, 2011

’Awareness And Prevention Of Child Sexual Abuse’ Talk



An in-depth and informative talk ‘Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse’ was held on Sunday, 23rd October 2011, at the Visitation Parish Hall, attended by about 60 parents and adults. It was organized by the ‘Visitation Emmaus Counseling’ Ministry and ‘Family Life’ Ministry, of Visitation Church Seremban. Ms Wong Lai Cheng from ‘Protect and Save The Children,’ a non-profit, non-governmental organization of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, presented the talk and a DVD show which explained, and enlightened those present on; What is Child Sexual Abuse? Who sexually abuses children? When and where can it happen? What can an adult/parent do to protect the child? And, was shown, case presentations of boys and girls who shared their story of sexual abuse and exploitation, on video.

Ms Wong Lai Cheng shared with the adults on the need to be alert to signs of sexual abuse and to always listen, pay heed to what their children tells about their encounters or events that took place, or talks about their feelings, about sexual abuse, and not to dismiss it as a tale or their imagination. She told parents to start a dialogue with children about sexuality, that open and honest communication about sexual behavior and feelings that is appropriate for the age of the child, signals to the children that it is okay to discuss these things and also to teach them the correct names of their private body parts, as they teach the names of their other body parts. She highlighted to parents, how children should be told about ‘appropriate and inappropriate touch’ by strangers or even known persons. To always, ‘run, run, run and tell …tell someone’.
Ms Wong explained that every adult and parent need, to be aware, to be educated, in order to empower and to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation; to be able to create a safe and nurturing environment for children so that their lives are free from fear and to feel safe at all times.
Many questions from the adults/parents were satisfactorily answered by Ms Wong before concluding, and she was also personally approached by some parents after the talk.
It was a most interesting and informative talk, well delivered together with DVD presentation and created a great awareness on the subject ‘Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children’, which in my opinion could benefit many more parents and adults in our parish.

Prepared by Irene Lopez

Thursday, June 2, 2011

2 June 2011 Bible Camp (Form 1, 2 & 3) - Stewardship A Way of Life









































A bible camp with the theme "Stewardship A Way of Life" was conducted for Forms 1, 2 & 3 catechism children on 2 June 2011. About 73 catechism children participated. We hope and pray that our young people would be inspired by the bible and make effort to know it well.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A Colouring Competition - 2011






























































A colouring competition in conjunction with the Parish Feast Day was held on 29th May, 2011 at the Visitation Community Hall. About 250 children from the 3 languages groups took part in this competition. It was held after the respective morning masses. The competition was open for children from the Nursery – Std 3 classes. Parish Priest, Fr George Packiasamy was at hand to lend his moral support to the children. Sr Theresa Chua gave away some souvenirs to all the participants.

(Edited by Elizabeth Chong)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Feast of the Visitation













































































































































































Feast of The Visitation and Unveiling of Our Lady's Statue

On Saturday, 28th May, we celebrated the 6th day of novena with the unveiling of our Lady’s statue with a Special Blessing. Throngs of people turned up for this historical event. People of all ages, from the elderly to the young gathered for this momentous occasion which started at 1715hrs with the rosary to Our Lady followed by mass, which was celebrated by Parish Priest, Fr. George Packiasamy and Asst. Priest Fr. Andrew Kooi.

It was then followed by a candle light procession with the Blessed Sacrament in Seremban town, a first after 1950s. The faithful parishioners continued with reciting the rosary and singing.

The procession ended back at the main entrance of Church where the refreshed statue of the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception was unveiled looking serenely over Seremban town as she has for the past 45 years. Doves were set free and the night ended with breathtaking fireworks, food and fellowship.

History of the 78-year old statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception of Church of the Visitation:

It was first installed in the main sanctuary of the Church of Visitation in 1933 by Fr Georges Auguin an MEP priest and (the then) Fr Dominic Vendargon. In 1966 residents priests at the Visitation – Fr Paul Wan, Fr Edward Limat, Fr Pallier and Fr Joseph Tsai – had the statue relocated to the front of the Church. It was elevated above the main entrance overlooking Seremban town.

Forty-Five years later on 12 May 2011 the statue was taken down and intending to replace it with the two statues depicting the identity of the parish of the Visitation – Mother Mary visiting Elizabeth but it didn’t materialised at the end. On the 28th May the 78- year old statue of Our Lady was restored to its original. She is very happy now happy to have “gone back home”. The two new statues depicting the Visitation is now placed in the grotto for the moment.

(Written by Samantha Wong)


"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
Mother Teresa
"If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve."
Mother Teresa

Thursday, May 26, 2011

FACADE AND SANCTUARY






















The new look of the facade
of Church of the Visitation and sanctuary
On Wednesday, 25th May, we celebrated the 3rd day of novena for the feast of the Visitation. About 800 people came for the Eucharistic celebration celebrated by Fr Simon Labrooy. The Church sanctuary has been brightened up with warm lights and the facade of the Church was fixed with the stainless steel lettering. A special blessing will take place on 28th May, 2011 at sunset Mass @ 5.45 pm followed by the procession in the town.
All are welcome!