|
||||||
 |
There is an old saying that reads “All good things must come to an end” and tonight we are gathered here to bid farewell to man who was responsible in holding the fort as a Rector of College General for five years. It is non-other that the Superstar of this night, Fr. Edwin Leon Paul, and it truly gives me great pleasure to say a few words as the caput and on behalf of all the students gathered here today and for those who are with us in Spirit and prayers. One thing is undeniable and that is Fr. Edwin Paul was a dedicated educator who understands his subjects (Philosophy) and (Philosophy of Life) thoroughly and has mastered very well on how to impart this mind boggling subject to us his students. His method of “Don’t give me what you read, show me how you apply them” has helped us in understanding our subjects – very especially Philosophy in a more comfortable way. On behalf of all the students, I would like to say that your contribution towards our faith and priestly formation is truly inestimable. For those who truly know Fr. Edwin Paul, you will know that he was not only a lecturer or a philosopher, he was also good guide, great friend, man of discipline and some where subtle inside him you will find he is an emotional and loving person, all molded into one. We will always be grateful to you for being who you are. No one can ever be a remarkable teacher unless he has feelings of warm affection toward their students and a genuine desire to impart what he or she believes to be of true value. On the whole a good teacher is always like a candle – it consumes itself…. to light the way for others. Fr. Edwin Paul that’s who you are. Finally: May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. I had a life changing experience during my confirmation camp in College General. During this camp, all the sessions taught me a lot of different things. Some opened my eyes and my heart to different possibilities. But the best part about this camp was to be in the place with loads of history on our Malaysian church and to be in the place where many of our current and previous parish priests had studied. The tour around the museum, the art gallery and the chapel were totally amazing. Imagine walking on the ground where many great saints had walked. To be able to see all the things used then and how technology has evolved and new invention had taken the place of old. In the art gallery, the artist was able to capture the life of Jesus in a Malaysian point of view was very interesting. Who would have thought of that! The greatest part of all was to see the ancient relics of the saints especially St. Jude’s. I felt very close to the saints then. The different rooms told a different story and that was unique. The books and the priest’s attire were awesome. Having being told and reading about the early saints who were martyred I thanked God in my heart for the gift of each and every one of them. It was also very good to be able to see some familiar faces such as Fr Naden, Fr Clarence, Fr Amala…etc looking very young and handsome. The view was breathtaking and I felt totally lucky for having had both my first Holy Communion Camp as well as my Confirmation Camp here. ‘Mission Accomplished!’ that’s what I would say as I stand here today having completed my tenure here at CG after 12 blessed years. When I completed my seminary formation never did I imagine that I would be posted back to the seminary – what more to become the rector of this house of formation – which has such a rich history, which has saints among its alumni. I thought that I had neither brains nor qualities to be back here. Anyway God’s ways are amazing! His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (photos taken by Lilian) It’s been a privilege ministering here – pasturing the seminarians who have freely offered themselves to formation! It’s also been tough – having to discern what God wants of His church and of these men. Over the years I have discovered that my work of formation was more than just expanding the seminarians’ minds, or imparting skills or nurturing virtues, it is about forming future priests. It is a vision that entails enabling seminarians to grow to become servant-leaders not of today but of tomorrow – with hearts resembling that of Jesus Christ. Yet, seminary formation it not a ‘jalan sehala ‘i.e. from the formators to the seminarians. Formation has a reciprocating effect. The seminarians, fellow formators, staff and friends of the seminary have given me so much back for my own formation. I used to jokingly say that I have been sent back to the seminary for rehabilitation. As I leave this sacred place, I realize that this has actually happened in more ways than I can imagine. To this end, I record my appreciation and gratitude to all of you who have been part of the fabric of my life here at the seminary – the Bishops of peninsular Malaysia; formators – past and present; the seminary staff; friends of CG and my dear seminarians for searching and working together selflessly! It has been a real Deepening of Discipleship through the Spirituality of Communion. In thanking all of you I have not forgotten the unpleasant side of me and for the pain and hurts that I have caused I honestly ask your forgiveness. I have fallen short of expectations in some ways and I accept my limitations. As College General looks forward to continue on its great mission I am confident that our new rector Fr Gerard Theraviam will lead it to greater heights – from our camaraderie I know that he will continue to be remarkable. As I bid my farewell I would like to remind ourselves that our God who calls us into existence is a good and glorious God! He loves us tremendously! He is true to His promises. May the Holy Martyrs of College pray for us! It was a sunny afternoon when we reached College General at Tanjung Bungah – the last stop of the outing of the Nativity Altar Servers. The servers of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NVBM), Butterworth were warmly greeted by Fr. Edwin Paul, the Rector, Fr. Gerard Theraviam, Bro Joachim Robert and the other seminarians who were expecting our arrival. After a brief introduction we started our tour of College General at the monument of the saints and martyrs. We were happy to know that our Chai Ling Park chapel’s patron saints Chastan and Imbert had both been lecturers in College General. We then made our way up the little hill to the seminary museum. It was a short climb but tiring since we had been visiting other places in Penang since morning. However the tiredness flew away when we entered the simple little museum. Wow! What a collection they have! It’s truly a museum which is of rich history. We were briefed regarding the history of College General from its founding, its journey through a few countries and finally its arrival to Penang in 1808. We were shown the various sections of the museum by the four seminarians and Fr.Edwin. After having a look at all the collections in the museum we made our way to the Chapel of the Sacred Heart next door. In the chapel we had the chance to view the relics of some of the College General martyrs. This was the first time that most of us were seeing the blessed relics so closely. At the chapel we were also briefed about the vocation to the priesthood and the life and journey of seminarians. We concluded the visit with a nice tea which included some durians from College General’s own ground. The visit to College General was truly fruitful. We hope the visit will spur more vocations among the servers of NVBM, Butterworth. Incidentally Bro. Joachim is from our parish. Bro. Martin Arlando, who is studying at St Francis Xavier Seminary in Singapore, is also from our parish. They were both servers at NVBM before. The short visit was an eye opener to many of us as this was our first visit. We learnt something valuable which we will treasure. On Saturday 22 of August ’09, the Penang Island Youth Network organized a sports day, held at College General field. We were invited by the Penang Youth coordinator, Mr. Sudhagaran Stanley, to participate together with 180 youths from around the island. The aim was to integrate the youths from Chinese, English & Tamil speaking communities together. Although the weather was not in our favour, the programme went on very well. It started with aerobic exercises for one hour, followed by 10 station games. We could not be with them until the end of the programme, because we had our own activities. However, it was an enriching experience for us, especially integrating with the youth and breaking down the thought of living apart from the outside community. By James Pitchai Mr. Kana, from the Penang Nature Society shared with the College community the benefits and need to recycle and how we continue to pressure Mother Earth. He stressed that we, the human race, continue to exploit Mother Nature without realizing the harm done to ourselves and our future. He also emphasized that it is our responsibility as citizens of the world to care for the earth, understand it and learn to co-exist with nature. In order to care for the environment we have no choice but to go “Green” and to change our mindset. We need new attitudes on how we look at waste and to be always mindful of the end in view, “How will waste be disposed?” We can help by adhering to the 5R’s in our lifestyle where we need to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle. Most of us would be familiar with the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) but not the other 2R’s (Refuse and Repair) and an example of it is refusing to buy or consume any goods that cannot be repaired. In doing so, we would be able to reduce and prolong the usable “waste” before it reaches the landfill. We are now more conscious and informed of what is happening to our environment which is so fundamental to the survival of the human race. Let us do our part in caring for the Earth because if we don’t who will? - Joachim Robert - Shalom and love of Abba Father be with all of you. As I take my step on a new chapter of my life, I would like to express my deep appreciation to College General for giving me this opportunity to share a few words on this page. It’s been 17 months of my journey in College General and I’m blessed to say that I’ve experienced a unity of ‘one big family’ of God. When I newly joined College General I was requested to write an article for the Annual College General, Sinaran Magazine 2008. I was drawn to this verse taken from Psalm 37:23 which says, ‘ The steps of a man is ordered by the Lord’. It is ironic that as I bid farewell this verse leaves a significant meaning in my life too. My journey to this ‘little corner of heaven’ was also paved by the Lord.
Personally for me, working in College General was an experience of life, journeying on a spiritual voyage. As I look back, it felt like a journey on a ship exploring the beauty and gifts of the Lord … the love of God personified. Whether rising with the crest or descending with the troughs, I am learning to grasp tightly with faith that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Regardless, the tide of waves in our lives, HE will bring us back safely to the shore. As I sailed along the vast sea, I embraced the love of God through Bishop Soter Fernandez, who shared his heart like a gentle ‘wheel’ which constantly steered the ship with love, comfort and reassurance. Your caring ways always brought to mind my safe journey to the shore. Thank you, Bishop for sharing the gift of God’s love. Fr. Edwin Paul, I would like to thank you for taking the role of a radiant ‘lighthouse’ during the voyage. You were like a ’sea guardian’, assuring us the Lord’s beacon of light . Your constant guidance and encouragement magnified the shoreline and the direction to safe harbour. Fr. Gerard Theraviam, thank you for all your support and encouragement. You were a great pillar of strength and you brought to mind the role of a majestic ‘mast’ for the ship. Thank you for believing in the sound of music and most of all you brought life to the sound of waves and winds throughout the journey.
My dear seminarians, you are like a box of precious jewels to me, constantly radiating God’s light and you shine in so many beautiful ways. Thank you for taking the role of the united ‘lines’ that holds the sail gently directing the ship according to the movements of the wind. Simon Anand, you are a constant reminder of the line of ‘courage’. Your perseverance gives you a greater understanding of the needs of the community. May HE guide you each step of the way. Gregory Chan, you hold together the line of wisdom. Your deep understanding of your journey opens the doors for community sharing and growing. May you continue to be a great instrument of God’s kingdom. Anthony Liew, you are the line of ’strength’. As you continue your journey may you be filled with inner strength to reach out and spread the Good News of our Lord. Your talents are God’s gift to you, and as you continue to share, it is your gift back to God. David Kathamuthu, you hold the line of leadership. May HE continue to give you the wisdom and understanding. Faith makes all things possible. Joachim Robert, you hold together the line of peace …. peace like a river. May HE bless you with divine peace so that you can continue to share it with one another. Peace is a reward of faith and trust. Kevin Eruthayanathan, you bring together the line of love. Your caring ways are a gesture of HIS love. May HE bless you with the kind of love that binds everything together in HIS precious name. James Pitchay, may you continue to hold the line of hope. As you rise above all, that on the wings of prayer, HE will be your constant strength. Louis Loi, may you hold on closely to the line of joy. As you share HIS joy with one another, may you continue to drop a splash of cheer and kindness to many bearing hope, joy and comfort on each dashing wave. Dear seminarians, your teamwork and community sharing are the ‘lines’ holding on tightly to the heart strings of the sail …. each needing the other to poise the strength of the sail. Sathiya A., thank you for taking the role of an ‘anchor’, strongly holding the ship in position. I admire your strength, zest and commitment towards your role. You have been a great support and I cherish my working moments with you. My sincere thanks to all formators, priests, staffs, lecturers and many more who added so much love and joy in this amazing voyage.
This journey has taught me to look beyond, to see the world from the mind of God in HIS abounding sea of love and mercy. Each day as I awaken to a new sunrise, sunset, each horizon and every rainbow … I realize that we are blessed to embrace a brand new day painted with splashes of colours from HIS loving hands. Always know that ‘when we are weak, we are strong, because then our strength can be made perfect in our weakness.’ I have learned that we can open our hearts to any voyage that God is calling us to. As we journey this intimate self-discovery with HIM, we will realize that by God’s sustaining grace, we can really endure, that we are really strong and that we really do have worth. Thank you, College General …… for being an instrument in bringing these words alive! God’s blessings be upon all of you. - By Evlyn Ambrose -
This was the theme of our silent retreat from 3rd to the 8th of August 2009. Moderated by Fr. Larry Tan, we were taken on a journey of self denial and then embracing who we actually are. The whole retreat was based on understanding and embracing the “Now”, and not clinging on the past nor hoping for the future Fr. Larry Tan lead us to understand on how to unload the old baggages and to move on from our false self to the true self by using the Lectio Divina method.
At the start of the retreat, we revisited the Lectio Divina method of praying,and we were asked to use it as a method of prayer throughout the whole retreat. It was truly and deeply inspiring. Relying wholly on the word of God for consolation, guidance, protection, love etc was new for some of us. For some it was a time of inner and spiritual healing. For some, it was a time of understanding who we are in a deeper manner rather merely scratching the surface. For others, the silence that we had for the five days managed to change their whole perspective of life which was always full of noises (both externally and internally).
Finally, the retreat taught us that something new happens when something bad happens. We have to learn to die to our false self in order to embrace our true self which is in Christ alone through the help of his Blessed Mother. - By Kevin Eruthayanathan - College General reopens for its second semester – and if you wish to study Epistemology, Anthropology, Exodus (Old Testament) or Luke & Acts (New Testament) or our new course ‘Religions: Phenomenology & Theology’ please get in touch with Evlyn on 8902002 in the mornings or email bookings@collegegeneral.org. Attached is our timetable. Classes begin this week 30-31 July followed by a 1 week retreat break and then resume on 10 August (last day of registration) |
 |
||||
|
Copyright © 2010 College Diaries - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
