This year we’ve decided to give the participants a more “authentic” experience of seminary life. They took part in our day to day activities: Prayer, meditation, games, classes, manual labour, afternoon siesta, pastoral visits etc.

Group photo

Serving food at LSP

Pastoral work at Little Sisters of the poor

O how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. – Psalm 133: 1-3

Makan time!!!!!

helping himself to some curry

Gift from SPC to Bishop Selva

All dressed up in their traditional costumes

The East Malaysian dance

Fr. Gerard blowing a blow pipe

Both the rectors of CG and SPC

Skit by the seminarians of CG

Sharing by Bro. Ronny

Sharing by Bro. James

Singing by the SPC choir

Till we meet again!!!

Fr. Andrew Kooi - The main celebrant

The theme of the celebration was Discipleship towards mission. The event culminated with Mass at 6.30pm, in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Mariophile. The Chapel was filled to the overflowing with priests, nuns, brothers, seminarians, aspirants and members of the laity. Some had even come from as far away as the Klang Valley and Singapore to witness this joyous occasion. The chapel was adorned beautifully with posters and an array of fresh flowers from the college gardens. The rector Rev. Fr. Gerard Theraviam and choir master Andre Ong had worked tirelessly to prepare the choir, which consisted of seminarians, external students and friends of College General. The choir sang beautifully and added much joy and a sense of sacredness to the Eucharistic celebration that evening. The general intercessions were prayed in five languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, Mandarin and Bidayuh.

We were blessed to have Rev. Fr. Andrew Kooi from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur as our main celebrant and preacher. Fr. Andrew had just returned from his studies in Taiwan and is now the assistant priest of the Church of the Visitation, in Seremban.  It was also a homecoming for Fr. Andrew who was a student of College General. In his homily, he shared about some of the “super heroes” in his life. He reminded the people that the church is also blessed with many heroes – and they are our saints and martyrs.

After the post communion prayer, Bishop Antony Selvanayagam, Bishop of Penang, addressed the congregation. In his speech, he reminded the people that “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of vocations in the Church.” Bishop Selvanayagam’s speech was followed by a brief message by the Rector of College General, Fr Gerard Theraviam. Fr Gerard praised the seminarians and staff of College General who had worked hard to prepare for this occasion. He also thanked all the teachers, external students and friends of College General for all their help in making the event such a successful one.

Bishop Selva delivering his speech

As the evening came to a close, everyone was invited to for some light refreshments, served at the college gardens around the museum along with some rambutans, fresh off the fruit trees of College General.

The Relic of St. Philip Minh

invites you to

our College Feast Day Mass.

Feast of St. Philip Minh & Companions

Friday, 18th June, 2010

Time: 6.30 p.m.

Venue: Chapel of Sacred Heart, College General

followed by light refreshments
around the Mariophile bungalow.

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.
All in all this was the perfect place for the camp. This is the Year of the Priest, so hopefully this trip has influenced many of my guy friends to join the priesthood. Thank you C.G for this experience and a special thanks to my dearest Bro Kevin for making all these possible.

By James Pitchai

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 -

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 -