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!

English Catechism Family Day

The English Catechism family day was held on Merdeka day 31 August at the Catholic Centre at 4 - 8 pm. Fun, food and games were organised, bringing about a spirit of family and unity among all who participated. We pray our Catechism teachers and students will build better bonds through this and future family days.

Visitation Senior Parishioners Dinner & Dance 2010

A sizable crowd attended the Visitation Senior Parishioners 19th annual dinner & dance. Even visitors from other states came to enjoy an evening of good food and good entertainment. Great music performed by the group D Wizards and a Bhangra act encouraged several to get up and dance. To add to the excitement, a raffle draw offering attractive prizes was also held.

Fondacio Malaysia Members Visit our Parish

Fondacio Malaysia members, Maria Yan, Annie Yap, Florence Alexius and friends came to visit our parish on Sunday 29 August 2010 at 12 pm - 1:30 pm and share with the Chinese community on their mission in China. About 30 Mandarin-speaking parishioners attended this sharing. The parishioners were enlightened about the struggles faced by Fondacio members during their mission trip to China. We pray that this sharing will instill more fervant missionary spirit among our parishioners and encourage more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

大马[为世基督徒]组织于28/8到本堂举行了一项[中国福传分享会]。

当天除了播放在中国的福传工作及活动外，她们也分享了她们的福传经验和心得。
非常感人。同时，对她们的牺牲博爱精神甚为敬佩。

她们的分享，使我们大开眼界也加深我们对这组织的认识及进一步了解在中国的福传服务近况。

[为世基督徒] 是一个国际天主教组织。本着梵二大公精神与其它基督徒在圣神催化下遵循基督的教诲活现一个与世共融；献身于社会服务传播希望及关怀。

服务对象有青年，夫妇，家庭，年长者，贫困者，边缘者和社会领袖。

服务项目包括：
• 我们与今日社会对话
• 培训平信徒牧工
• 革新教会信仰生活
• 社会发展计划

目前，[为世基督徒] 共有三千五百名成员， 散布在四大洲二十个国家。

为了栽培平信徒使徒负起[为世基督徒]的使命，设在菲律宾的亚洲培育学院提供一年的培育课程。课程包括人格成长培育，灵修学，社会学，牧灵学和基本神学。

若你是18-27岁的青年，想知道更多有关[为世基督徒]的资料可联络：
陈恒正兄弟（0123263690）

St. Augustine Chapel Feast Day Triduum @ Titi, Jelebu - August 20 - 22, 2010

St. Augustine Chapel Feast Day Triduum at Titi, Jelebu was celebrated on August 20 - 22, 2010. This is because, on August 28, 2010, the actual St. Augustine feast day, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly 2010 (APA) is being held in KL.

A crowd of about 160 faithful, consisting of parishioners and visitors from Melaka and Petaling Jaya attended the Sunday Mass in Mandarin on August 22 at 3 pm, followed by dinner at 5 pm. Masses on August 20 and 21 of the Triduum were attended primarily by the chapel parishioners, with 3 representatives from the Chinese community of Visitation Church, Seremban.

Alpha Pilot Programme in Tamil

The Alpha Pilot Programme in Tamil was conducted at Visitation Church, Seremban on 7th and 8th August 2010. This was organised by the Tamil Apostolate and attended by 52 Tamil-speaking parishioners, commencing on Sat 7th morning and concluding on Sunday 8th with tea.

13 facilitators and presenters from Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) Klang, headed by Mr & Mrs Sam and assisted by a team from Immaculate Conception Church, Port Dickson, facilitated this event. Rev. Dr. John Gnanapiragasam, parish priest of OLL and Director of Alpha (Asia Pacific region) is overall facilitator and advisor.

Participants were enthusiatic and about 40 volunteered to be in the Visitation Church Alpha Tamil core team.

Even though this was a Tamil-speaking event, Alpha service teams from the English and Mandarin speaking assisted in making this event a success. This shows how our parishioners are living up to the theme of being a Welcoming Parish.

The parish priest, Fr. George Packiasamy, expressed his sincere appreciation for all who participated and commited themselves to promote Alpha in Tamil. He also urged for on-going formation in other languages as well, not only in Tamil.

Parish Integral Human Development 7th AGM - New Blood

An AGM was held on 21 July 2010 for the Parish Integral Human Development (PIHD) of Visitation Church. The members of the PIHD are as follows (newly appointed members in bold, italised & red):

Chairperson: Steven Dionis
Vice Chairperson: Alfred Selvam
Treasurer: Lalitha Rozario
Secretary: Melinda Ong
Adviser: Charles Leon De Lima (outgoing chairperson)
Society of Vincent de Paul (SSVP): Lalitha Rozario
Orang Asli: Ezuli & Jalil
Prison: George D'cruz
Migrant & Refugees: Anthony Param
Visitation Emmaus Counselling: Janet Thamboe
St Anthony's Meal: Xavier Arokiasamy
Urban Poor: Sr. Theresa Chua
Parish Ministry of Ecumenical of Inter-Religious Affairs (PMEIA): Alfred Selvam
Christmas Campaign: Spencer Sequerah
Human Resource: Bernadette Wong

Spiritual Advisers: Frs. George Packiasamy & Andrew Kooi

PIHD Members who attended the AGM









PIHD New Committee Members for 2010-2012









Keynote Address (by Fr. George Packiasamy):

John 10:10 - "I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full." We as Christians should get involved to help with care and concern for one another. We should give value, respect and dignity to our fellow human beings, especially to the poor, marginalised, weak, disadvantaged, etc.

Let us work together with the AOHD for better understanding and growth in the area of Human Development, as well as the development of ALL persons. We need to work together in our BECs and parish community in order to promote social awareness, justice and peace.

Let our vision & mission be rooted in the Gospel Message and grow in our faith as individuals & as community.

We thank Charles Leon De Lima for untiring service for the past five years and we welcome Steven Dionis, the new chairperson.

Visitation Church Parish Retreat

This retreat in 4 language groups, was conducted on 10 July 2010, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.

Those who conducted the retreat were:













Deacon Moses Rayappan - Tamil
(Ordination on 23 July 2010)










Sr. Lusiah Kayoh (FSIC) & Sr. Stella Gilbert (FSIC) - BM

Nama : Sister Lusiah kayoh fsic
Asal : Kota Belud Sabah
Pernah berada dan melayani :
1) 2002-2005 - Paroki St Edumnd Kota Belud Sabah.
2) 2006 - Paroki St John Tuaran Sabah
3) 2007 - La Foresta Hose of Prayer Kiulu Tuaran, Sabah
4) 2008 - Paroki St Theresa, Kota Marudu
5) 2009.... - Kuala Lumpur Mission

Nama : Sister Stella Gilbert Fsic
Asal : Tambunan, Sabah
Pernah berada dan melayani:
1) 2001-2002 - Paroki St. Mary Sandakan, Sabah
2) 2003-2004 - Holy Family Papar, Sabah
3) 2005 - Paroki Stella maris Tanjung Aru, Sabah
4) 2006 - La Foresta house of Prayer Kiulu, Tuaran sabah
5) 2007 - Paroki St John Tuaran Sabah.
6) 2008 -2009 - Holy Family Papar, Sabah.
7) 2010 - Kuala Lumpur Mission

Sr. Theresa Chew, FDCC - 中文 (Mandarin)

1967 born in Kampung Permatang TInggi, Bukit Mertajam
1990年：初学院 (Novitiate: Singapore) 新加坡（2 年）

1992年：宣发初愿 (First Vows / First Profession: Melaka) 马六甲

1992年 - 1997 年：马六甲圣心修女院（牧民服务：幼教、堂区）Sacred Heart Canossian Convent(Pastoral services in the parish, kindergarten)

1997 年 – 2001年：罗马尔我略耶稣会大学（Gregorian University, Rome）
（神学与教义系硕士学位）

Studied Theology and M.A in Religious Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome)
2001年 – 2006 年：和丰 (Perak, Sungai Siput)
（院长，幼儿园教育，怡保圣米高天主教堂 牧民助手）

(superior in Sungai Siput, Pastoral Assistant in the Church of St. Michael, Ipoh)
2006年 - 至今 吉隆坡，增江（Jinjang Utara）修院

2006 to date: Based in Canossa Convent , Jinjang Utara, KL

serving at the Arhdiocesan Pastoral Institute, Chinese Formation

Coordinator for the ACLAC (Arhdiocesan Chinese Language Apostoalte Commission)
现任：（吉隆坡总教区牧民学院助理，中文部主任）
（吉隆坡总教区华文教务促进会顾问神师）

English - Marge Martinez - English


Some photos of participants:

Mandarin Participants








BM Participants








Tamil Participants








English Participants

Latin American & Spanish Classical Guitar Concert in Aid of Visitation Church Restoration Fund - Striking the Right Chord Article in Star Newspaper

Just though you might want to check out the article written by Charles Fernandez, promoting the Latin American & Spanish Classical Guitar Concert in Aid of Visitation Church Restoration Fund.

This article can be found in TheStar Newspaper at page M24 in the Events section - Saturday Metro 10 July 2010.

A scanned copy of the article can be found here:

Do grab a copy of TheStar dated 10 July 2010 and check it out.

Latin American & Spanish Classical Guitar Concert in Aid of Visitation Church Restoration Fund

Featuring Classical Guitarists Justin Hyer & Sebastian Pompilio

Argentine guitarist Sebastian Pompilio and British guitarist Justin Hyer will perform a selection of solo and duo works by Spanish and Latin American composers. Concert to include works by Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, Turina, Pereira, Gnattali and Sanchez.

IN AID OF THE VISITATION CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

Date : 12th. July 2010
Time : 7.45pm (Light Tea included)
Venue : The Klana Resort, Seremban

In attendance: “ THE SEREMBAN GREGORIAN CHOIR”

TICKET ENQUIRIES CALL
John Lim : 012 924 6196
Adrian : 013 620 8404
Corina : 012 933 7368
Jerome : 012 330 8071
T. Xavier : 012 6800016
Aloysius Gan: 06 632 2209
(Tickets also available from the Secretariat)

(The Visitation Church, Seremban, is raising funds for extensive restoration works which include painting, electrical work and also new sound system.)

Parish Retreat 2010 - July 10

(4 language groups)

Theme: “The Bible, A Guide for our Steps, A Light for the World”
Date: 10th July 2010
Time: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm
Registration Fee: RM3/-

As part of our focus in this fourth year of the New Image of the Parish (NIP), we have invited experienced and dynamic speakers to preach on the theme of the Word of God in this year’s retreat. During this retreat, we will be led to meditate on the Parable of the Sower and to reflect on our call to discernment, to spirituality, to spirituality and finally to mission. This Parish Event is a grace-filled moment to deepen our understanding and experience of the Word of God. Don’t miss this opportunity. Registrations at BEC level and after masses.

Compulsory for all BEC Core Team Members, Zone Leaders/Coordinators, Ministry Committee Members, Catechists, and also open to all parishioners.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

NOTE: BRING ALONG YOUR BIBLES AND WRITING MATERIAL

Closing Year of the Priest & Welcome Fr Andrew Kooi

Visitation parish closed the Year of the Priest last Friday on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 11, 2010. Elsewhere, Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Murphy Pakiam also both marked the same date as the closing for the Year of the Priest in Rome and Kuala Lumpur (St Anthony's Church) respectively.

During the homily delivered in 3 languages, Rev Fr George Packiasamy, the new Parish Priest, reiterated the principal goals of the Year of the Priest. He also spoke of the exemplary life of St John Marie Vianney, the Cure D'Ars, the patron of Parish Priests.

The day also served as a warm welcome to Fr Andrew Kooi, who has been appointed Assistant Parish Priest, w.e.f 10th June 2010. Fr Andrew Kooi has just returned from two years Mandarin studies in Taiwan. Fr Kooi is also an accomplished musician who has an internationally acclaimed website featuring many of his personal compositions for Mass sung parts and musical arrangements for responsorial psalms.

Parish Feast Day Dinner Fellowship and Farewell for Fr Michael

The Parish of Visitation celebrated the final day of its Feast Day Triduum on Saturday, 29 May, with Mass in four languages followed by dinner fellowship for all parishioners. Several parish groups provided performances for the evening entertainment. The Parish also took this opportunity to bid farewell to Fr Michael Chua who has been with the parish for the last 6 1/2 years, the earlier 3 1/2 years as Assistant to Fr Albet Arockiasamy and the last 3 years as Parish Priest. Fr George Packiasamy will succeed Fr Michael as Parish Priest with effect from 1st June 2010.

More Photos on Facebook. More videos on The Welcoming Parish Youtube Channel.

Parish Feast Day Triduum - Mass Schedule

"The Bible, A Guide for our Steps and a Light for the World"


Day 1 - Parish Feast Triduum
Thursday, May 27, 2010 - "Reading the Word of God"
7.00 pm Rosary
7.30 pm Mass (3 languages)

Day 2 - Parish Feast Triduum
Friday, May 28, 2010 - "Praying the Word of God"
7.00 pm Rosary
7.30 pm Mass (3 languages)

Parish Feast Day - Feast of the Visitation
Saturday, May 29, 2010 - "Living the Word of God"
(No Novena)
5.15 pm Rosary
5.45 pm Feast Day Mass (4 languages)

(followed by dinner fellowship)

ALL ARE WELCOME
Come and savour the Word of God! The Word of God will come alive in these 3 days of our preached Triduum. Learn to read it, pray with it and finally live it to the fullest!

Bible Formation (English and Mandarin)

Today, March 20, parishioners from both the English speaking (136 participants) and Mandarin speaking (30 over participants) communities underwent a formation which introduced them on the basic principles of studying and praying the bible. Fr. Clement Lim from the Church of Immaculate Conception, PD spoke at the Mandarin session whereas, Fr. Michael Chua, the parish priest of Visitation delivered the English formation. Here are some basic tips which the participants had learned during the session:

• Note Geographical, Historical and Cultural Background.
• Know the Circumstances of Writing: Audience, Time, Place and Other Factors.
• Interpret According to the Purpose of the Writer.
• Recognise the Form of Literature.
• Interpret According to the Grammar of the Passage.
• Get at the Meaning of Single Words, But always study them in their setting.
• Interpret a Passage in the Light of its Context.
• Interpret any Passage in the Light of the Whole Bible Teaching & Analogy of Faith
• Interpret it within the Church – the light of Tradition guided by Magisterium

More photos on Facebook.

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Visitation, February 14

The parishioners of Visitation, Seremban, from different cultures and linguistic groups celebrated the Chinese cultural festival of the Lunar New Year or otherwise known as the Spring Festival. The celebrations kicked off with a lion dance performance that has been part of the parish celebration these past few years (with the exception of last year,where the lion dance was cancelled as a sign of respect and mourning at the demise of the late Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan). The lion dance symbolises the power of victory of good over evil, and therefore a symbol of joyful heralding in the New Year.

The climax of the celebrations was the bilingual mass presided by Rev. Fr. Michael Chua, Parish Priest of Visitation. During the homily, he reminded the congregation of the essential core of the Beatitudes which was read during the gospel, namely, true blessings comes from placing one's trust in God and God alone. Being the year of the Tiger, he used the example of the tiger as reminder that we should not be too self-confident as to believe in our own prowess, strength, capabilities, material wealth, success or popularity. "Today, the tiger is on the verge of extinction, precisely because of its strength. Here is an example where one's strength can be one's greatest weakness. Ultimately, one must find strength in God alone, the source of all blessings and goodness. Man curses himself when he places his trust solely on himself and his material wealth."

At the conclusion of the mass, the Chinese community also performed the traditional commemoration of ancestors. As the commentary noted before the rite was performed, this ritual has been approved by the Catholic Church as a valid cultural tradition of expressing filial piety to elders and ancestors. It is in no way to be confused with worship which is reserved only for God. More explanation can be derived from the website of the Singapore Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission.

At the end of the whole celebrations, oranges and red packet were distributed to members of the congregation, which has become a popular cultural practice among the Chinese community (and others too) in Malaysia and elsewhere in the world.

Visitation Celebrates Year of the Priest - PCC Chairman's Speech

By Jerome Selva Retnam
Parish Coordinating Council Chairman

Today we are here for the thanks giving Mass, thanking God for giving us three wonderful priest.

The dedication (by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI) of the period June 2009 to June 2010 as the Year of Priests is indeed a tremendous and an inspired move that helps us give due recognition and appreciation to the priests of the universal Catholic Church most or all of whom are wholly committed to the mission of Jesus in the many nations, dioceses and parish communities of the world.

It is (to my mind) a call to us as the People of God to give thanks to God for these chosen people who have given their lives (as it were) to serving full time in the priesthood of Jesus in the many facets of mission of Jesus. The decision to give their lives to serving in mission (as we all would know) is a decision that calls for courage to a readiness to serve God in whatever the ministry might be after eight years of intensive study and pastoral training. It is an answer to a calling by God to each one in some special way. They do not know what the circumstances of their journey would be.

We have vivid instances of God’s calling to people in both the old and new testaments. They just respond without looking back or subjecting God to terms and conditions of service. They just go out into the wilderness (the world) trusting in God’s continued presence with them. Divine providence is their way of life. They enjoy support in their new found communities and they also face criticism and rejection. We are touched as we read about their persistence and determination (in their missionary callings).

This is the same of the priests in today’s time. Their journey in mission is never something that spells of comfort and peace. It is fraught with challenges and diverse community needs. The diocesan priests (like those attached to parishes throughout the world), by and large face the greatest challenges. Many have stood the test of time and many still struggle. The consolation is that God is with them. He stands by them in all circumstances.

We too need to stand by them. We (as the people of God) need to accept them, appreciate them and affirm their mission among us. We strive to remain one with them.

In the beautiful words of St. John Marie Vianney – the patron saint for all priests – “IF WE HAD NO PRIEST, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE LORD IN THE EUCHARIST. WHAT WOULD BE THE USE OF A HOUSE FULL OF GOLD, IF YOU HAD NOBODY TO OPEN YOU THE DOOR! THE PRIEST HAS THE KEY OF THE HEAVENLY TREASURES.”

This historical parish of the Visitation (established in 1848) has been served by so many priests since its founding. We thank God for the journeying with the priests that He has sent to us. They have come and they have gone. We can only remember them and pray for them.

Today as we focus on the Year of Priests in our parish, we remember that we have (in our parish today) three dynamic priests – Fr. Michael Chua, our Parish Priest, Fr. George Packiasamy our Assistant Parish Priest and the newly ordained Fr. Clement Lim.

In this Year of Priests we (in a personal way) express of gratitude to God for placing them here to journey with us towards our spiritual goals. We ask God to bless them each day as they strive to live out their mission in our diverse communities. We love them and we keep them in prayer.

Later this month we would lose one to (to be gained) by a neighbouring parish. Father Clement Lim who has been with us for hardly a year would move to the parish of the Immaculate Conception in Port Dickson after Christmas – taking on the responsibilies of a Parish Priest. Though we would miss him, we are also happy for him on his elevation in this new posting. We place on record our sincere appreciation to him for being so much a part of our lives here at the Visitation. We thank you, Fr. Clement and we love you.

On this same note I place on record, on behalf of the Parishioners of Visitation, our deep appreciation to Fr. Michael Chua and Fr. George Packiasamy as we continue to affirm them in the mission among us. We thank you and we love you.

Visitation Celebrates Year of the Priest and Bids Farewell to Fr. Clement

The parish of Visitation, Seremban, officially celebrated the Year of the Priest at sunset mass,December 12. At the same celebration, the parish also bid farewell to Fr. Clement Lim, Assistant Parish Priest, who will be taking up the position of Parish Priest in the Church of Immaculate Conception, Port Dickson from the 26th of December 2009. The event was organised by the Parish Pastoral Council led by its chairman, Mr. John Lim.