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!!!

The retreat was broken down into 5 phases:
Phase 1 : The Shepherd’s call
Phase 2: The Shepherd who loves his sheep
Phase 3: The Lost Sheep
Phase 4: Called to be shepherd
Phase 5: Sent on a mission

Finally, the retreat taught us to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, responding to his call to feed his sheep.

Testimony:

I had a wonderful retreat in College General. Retreats are not new to me as this was my third retreat. In this retreat, I was able to spend more time in meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. I managed to share my experience with my fellow brothers and the retreat master as well. Finally, I could summarise my whole experience of this retreat in one word – “LISTEN”. I was able to listen more to the voice of God calling me to serve others. – Bro. James Pitchay

Seminarians with our retreat master Fr. Frederick Joseph

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

The main Passover celebration is known as “Seder”. The word “Seder” literally means “order” referring to the order of the ceremony as set up in ancient ritual books.

The Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples is the Passover dinner. Jesus used the liturgy of this Passover meal to institute the sacrament of the Eucharist. As part of our preparations for Holy Week, we celebrated this event as a community to help us understand the situation of the Last Supper and to reflect on the meaning of the Mass.

Before the meal begins: The table is set

The food: unleavened bread, haroset, eggs, salad and bitter herbs

Elijah's place: The Jews normally leave a seat empty for Elijah

The presider's seat

The seder meal begins!!!!!!

Bishop lights the Paschal Candle

Listening to the Scriptures

Ablutions: The act of washing or cleansing, as a religious rite

The washing of feet: Fr. Gerard washes John's feet as Ringo (our dog) looks on...

Bishop washes the Rector's feet

"Blessed are You Lord, God of all creation......."

The breaking of bread

The roasted lamb!!!!!!!!!!!:P

It was indeed a beautiful experience for all us here in College General to celebrate this Passover together. May the Lord be praised now and forever!!!

The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan and Kue Keranjang. In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival.

We in College General celebrated this event as a community as part of our Chinese New Year celebrations!!! Our bishop, rector and seminarians were all dressed in red as we enjoyed ourselves and feasted on a hearty steamboat dinner!!!

Here are some pictures!

Before our meal

Mmmmmm... Steamboat.....

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.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that’s always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

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 -

We were blessed with the presence of Ms. Ann Dass on 4th and 5th May, 2009 at CG. She came, she stirred us up and she went back…….. She came to give talks on etiquette to us, the seminarians.

(click image for larger photo)

After the inspiring sessions, our behaviours and manners, our relationship with others, among us and with the public will definitely be some notches higher!…………….. Apa Kata Survey………?

Here’s the feedback:-
“The session created an awareness and a sensitivity in my relationship with others” – Joachim

“Made me realize my worth as a seminarian” –Kevin

“Helped me a lot how to behave and look at myself positively” – James
“Helped to build my self confidence” – Louis

“She gave a lot of insightful input” – David

Anne, thank you very much for your presence and sharing….. We’d love to see you again soon……………

- David Kathamuthu @ Anthony

At the Last Supper, the washing of the feet was the most touching for me. I felt Jesus asking me to be humble, to serve others and not to be served. On Good Friday, while I was carrying the cross towards the altar, again I felt Jesus inviting me to carry my own cross to follow him and he will always be with me. Finally, at the Easter vigil the hope of new life, one of rejoicing and happiness eagerly waiting to welcome the risen Christ into my life. Although most of the congregation complained that the mass was too long, I personally felt that was the way the mass should be celebrated. For me, to wait for the resurrection of the Lord was not too long. Alleluia! Thank God for choosing me as his child.

Contributed by :
- Louis Loi Boon Chew

All of us might have heard terms such as “Street Wise”, “Street Fight”, “Street Vice”, “Street People” and so on. What Joachim and I experienced on April 4th was something unique. We went for the “Street Walk” with the members of the “Light House” where we are currently on pastoral assignment every Wednesday. The Light House is a “drop-in center” which provides food, health care, counseling and hospitality for “street people” from Mondays to Fridays. On that day, we gathered at the “Light House” at about 8.30 p.m to prepare food for all the people who are homeless, or whose home is the street. Then, we went as a group and walked through the streets and delivered the food to them. “Street walk” is not just the activity of providing food to relieve their hunger but also a medium to spend time talking and listening to them. We completed the “Street Walk” at 3.15 am. It was a very touching and challenging moment for us physically, mentally and emotionally. As for Joachim and me, the prayer of St. Francis of Asisi became very much alive at that moment. We will treasure that moment throughout our lives.

Contributed by : David Kathamuthu @ Anthony