Catholic Varsity Student Fellowship (CVSF)

Camp_2011@ varsity.com

2011-09-22T22:21:00.003+08:00

Shalom and Salam Satu Malaysia,

As we already know, Catholic Varsity Student Fellowship (CVSF) will organize a camp for new juniors from IPTA and IPTS (UMP,KPM,POLISAS,UITM and SHAHPUTRA College). This camp will be held on 30th September 2011 until 2nd October 2011 at St. Thomas Church, Kuantan. So, here the tentative for the camp. Be alert guys!! cheers..

p/s:for this camp, we need to pay RM10 for each person (participants and fasilitators)

Program Tentative

DAY	TIME	ACTIVITY	VENUE	Person in charge
FRIDAY 30 Sept	1700	Depart from UMP		L & T Team
	1800	Arrival of participants Check-in		Hospitality ( Nat and Vec)
		Leisure Time
	1900	Dinner		F & B Team (Callen team)
	2000	Ice Breaking, P & W session, games		Worship Team (zepher,Bel Raphael,cyetha and Jaq)
	2130	ACTIVITY 1 – Group discussion		Diana and Jeslyn
	2230	Night prayer		Worship Team (Michel, costello and zep)
	2300	Supper		F & B Team (Callen team)
	0000	Light off		All
SATURDAY 1 Oct	0700	Morning Prayer		Co-ordinator (Raphael/Bel/ Diana)
	0730	Breakfast		F & B Team (Callen team)
	0800	ACTIVITY 2- Gotong-royong at St Theresa Chapel		All



	1200	Lunch		F & B Team
	1400	P & W session		Worship Team (zep,Raphael, costello and the geng)
	1430	ACTIVITY 3- slide “dare to be different		Jaq
	1630	Tea Break		F & B Team
	1700	ACTIVITY 4- Treasure hunt and Games
	1830	Dinner /Leisure		All
	2000	Rosary opening prayer		All
	2100	Fr Danny’s speech. “relationship between boys and girls” and “challenges of being a Christian”
	2230	Night prayer
	2300	Supper		F & B Team
	0000	Light Off
SUNDAY 2 Oct	0800	Breakfast		F & B Team
	0915	Sunday Mass		All
	1015	Gathering		All

	1400	Depart to UMP		L & T team

Santai with Fr Eugene

2010-09-18T22:53:00.012+08:00

Father Eugene came to Kuantan last three days. After more than two years imprisoned in Cameron Highlands. hehehe ...So glad to see Father. He brought strawberries!!!...After lunch, we asked father to joined us play Bowling at Mega Mall.

before start the match

excitingggg!!

Bowler's rule by Fr Eugene

*hidden talents*

cowok...

twin- different parent but same uncle

father captured during sms-ing..

the result...

After that Father back to Cameron Highlands.
gonna miss you father....
next time we play again!!
hehe

Juniors Orientation Camp 2010 [camp_2010@varsity.com]

2010-08-04T14:51:00.009+08:00

Shalom dearest Reader.. during last weekend CVSF communities were organized orientation camp for the Juniors from college and University around in Kuantan Pahang. 38 of students getting involved in this camp and the camp was going smoothly.. Thanks to God because by His power we gathered as a one family even though most of us meet for the first time.

Hopefully, with the activities and talk that we heard from Father and Seniors can gain our knowledge by be a good christian and keep stronger our faith in every ways. Last but not least keep serving as a God's shepherd.

during "coffee talk"

lunch time

juniors.. but few of them older than us. ehemmm... :)

preparing for BBQ

panggang jani ayam etc..

worshiping God..

sing along..

praising God..

where we belong to..

some games- chicken google

fasilitators

ngajat- conducted by Callen

sumazau dance

"pulse game"

hi! nice to meet u!!

we are famiiiiiiily!

Orientation Camp 2010!!!

2010-07-29T22:14:00.007+08:00

Shallom dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

As we know, we have orientation camp for juniors during this weekend. So here the latest tentative for all the programs. So be alert guys!! cheers

p/s: for this camp we need to pay RM12 each (participants and fasilitators).

Calling, calling, calling

2010-07-28T21:04:00.003+08:00

Anouncement:
camp_2010@varsity.com

To all "juniors" in Universiti Malaysia Pahang, UiTM Kuantan, POLISAS, KPM, Shahputra etc... do come to the camp. 30july-1August 2010. St. Thomas Church, Jalan Gambut.
Any questions, contact core team members.

HARVEST FESTIVAL 2010

2010-05-29T12:48:00.016+08:00

OOOOOOHHHHAAAA....

Harvest Festival is around the corner. It is a festival where people of Borneo celebrated after harvested their paddy. As Catholics, we thanked Father for all the grace and blessing that we had received through out the year. We must remember that all things that we had received, food that we ate, car that we owned is from our Creator. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan and Gawai festival ia a menifestation of Creator and creation relationship as well as inter-creation relationship. It embodies the principal act of invocation of Creator, appeasing, purification, restoration and thanksgiving to the Creator.

an Iban warrior...

Kadazan girls...

traditional music & dance is a must...

some of the exotic meal... (e.g phyton @ ular sawa)

Less than a week left for the main celebration, many peoples starting their journey going back home @ balik kampong to their ancestoral house. Villagers start preparing their traditional secret recipe. Youngsters from urban area will go back to respective kampong to celebrate Gawai. There will be a mass movement of human population in Borneo during this weekend.

many cars on the road (Jalan Serian By-Pass)

balik kampong pake bas (fully loaded bus STC No.16 Serian-Tebakang-Mongkos)

travelling by plane from Kuching Airport.

Parishioners in Kuantan (especially the KUBM) had pre-gawai festival celebration on 15 May at St. Thomas Church. Sabahan will have their climax of Tadau Kaamatan at 30th & 31th May while Sarawakian kick-off Gawai celebration on 1st June.

To all friends...

KOTOBIAN TADAU TAGAZO DO KAAMATAN

SELAMAT HARI GAWAI DAYAK....GAYU GURU GERAI NYAMAI

Happy Harvest Festival to all CVSF member.

7 Steps of Gospel Sharing

2010-05-05T00:01:00.004+08:00

Brother Gregory and sister Yvonne from ASAYO were came to St Thomas Church gave talked about the steps of Gospel sharing. We had shared a lot of things and we could feel Jesus presence among us. Those who not joined on that day, don't feel sad. :) In this post I have attached the prayer pamphlet so anyone can get it. Just click to make it larger.

Talk on 7 steps of gospel sharing by brother Gregory & Sister Yvonne from ASAYO

2010-04-30T01:14:00.003+08:00

Shalom to all,

As what have been posted before this, there is a little bit changes on the tentative.
. We finally got the permission to keep our stuffs and belongings in the church for the long semester holiday.

-Like last year, we will charge RM 1 for every item (boxes,pails,bags) that you wish to keep in the church.
-Make sure you label your belongings with your own details (name,phone number,etc.)
-Make sure your belongings are securely wrapped either with tapes,ropes,etc. We don't want any items to be damaged while arranging them.
Please take note.

New tentative is as follow which includes the time we will gather your belongings to be kept in the church for this long holiday

30/4/2010
12.00pm - Gather all your belongings at respective "checkpoint" (gentlemen - house S39)(ladies - payung putih) Please make sure all your belongings are tightly secured & labeled.

1.30pm - Leaving for St Thomas Church to send all the belongings.

6.30pm - For those who can join this talk on Saturday,please gather at payung putih for the ladies & house S39 for gentlemen.(make sure you have your dinner first here in UMP)

7.00pm - Depart from UMP to St Thomas Church

8.00pm - Arrive at St Thomas Church (there will be no activities for this night, so, just relax, & extra info,gentlemen, brother Gregory will be staying with us at the gathering room)

1/5/2010
9.00am - Talk on 7 steps of gospel sharing

11.00am - Praise & worship

11.30am - Lunch

2.00pm - Movie time

3.00pm - Picnic at the beach (teluk chempedak)

6.00pm - Sunset mass

9.00pm - Cathechism

That's the whole program.
*PLEASE BRING ALONG YOUR BIBLE. ANY LANGUAGE. THIS IS FOR THE 7 STEPS OF GOSPEL SHARING.

Talk on 7 steps of gospel sharing by Brother Gregory & Sister Yvonne from ASAYO on 30th April & 1st May 2010

2010-04-20T13:58:00.006+08:00

Brother gregory from ASAYO with Sister Yvonne will be coming to Kuantan to meet us on 30th April & 1st May. They want to share with us the 7 steps of Gospel Sharing. We'll be staying overnight. If u r interested to join, plz do give your name to any of the Coreteam Members or juz confirming in the FB events in CVSF page before 28th April. We'll be departing from UMP on 7pm. So,plz do hve ur dinner here in UMP 1st.

*For the break session on 1st May 3pm, it is suggested to be a picnic at the beach. However if uhave other suggstions, plz do inform any of the Coreteam Members.
*Any enquiries, plz do contact me Souven (0199352511)

*We'll be departing on 30th April, 7pm. Please gather at pickup points,which is payung putih and house S39 for ladies & gentlemen,respectively.

Farewell party 2010

2010-04-19T15:48:00.012+08:00

last weekend, we celebrate party special for those who will leave us from CVSF kuantan.. :( 7 of them are Nancy, Stephie, Jojon, Emma, Edwin, J-Lo and Eppi. Step will continue her degree in UITM Shah Alam. Meanwhile, the rest will going to Industrial Training for 6 months. so sad.. and this what we call life actually. Everyone come and go and we are still here just continuing ours routine and pray to keep them safe. Good luck dear brothers and sisters! forget us not.. thanks for your cooperation and supported for the whole semester. LOVE you always.

Back to the topic, that party was going smoothly even not many students participate due to Final exam preparation. Thanks to all CVSF members who joining us even few of them got test for the coming monday * Today*.. May God bless us!. like Father said " I just can pray for you all, but to make it real is study smart by yourself".... Amen..

we got sponsor for that event. Thanks to Uncle and auntie...those give us hot dog *branded punyer hot dog* hah.. thanks once again to Fr Danny to allow us to celebrate this kind of party and give us budget too. :0

There are some pictures that I was edited!.. check it out!!

when a man goes into the kitchen

special menu on that day

bah kut teh
fried rice *cook by father*
pork roasts
egg + pig's brain
chicken wings
water melon
***NO ALCOHOL**** hehe

our chef..

Billy a.k.a Chef Wan CVSF

waiting to serve!!!

party at Father's Garden :)

how father okey ka?. tida sedap marah billy *he is chef's head*

Night activities-karaoke, dance floor (tipu ja dance floor tu)

sayonara.. from left Nancy, Eppi and Stephie with Mr President aka side burn

from left Edwin, J-Lo, Jojon and Emma.
(they were not joined us on that night due to personal program. anyway, you'll always in our minds )

CVSF members...

after mass- give speech and souvenirs to the senior.

Easter Virgil 2010

2010-04-06T01:29:00.007+08:00

Christ has Risen!!! Allelulia

we as a part of Saint Thomas Kuantan wish Happy Easter to all our readers.

May this coming season bring all of us much more closer to Christ.
and..
keep strength our faith.
because
the only way of LIFE is get
through Jesus.

night before Jesus was crucified

cvsf members

Sahabat Gereja

free from darkness

cross- strength of Chruch

holy candle.

baptism

university students.

we're

musican and liturgy

lunch...

our community

nyam nyam..!

Palm sunday

2010-04-01T15:56:00.005+08:00

Our one-year journey through the life of Jesus is reaching it's climax in what's popularly called "Passion Week", the last week before Jesus is crucified, but won't stay dead. Over the next 6 lessons, we'll cover some of the highlights of this last week. We could spend a year and not completely cover all the events and their meaning, so, if it seems a bit rushed, you'll understand. This lesson covers the installation of the new King of Israel and His first acts as King. Many hundreds of years before, the Scriptures foretold of a Ruler who's Kingdom would never end, One who would bless all nations and lead all nations.

The time is here when we no longer worship in a place, but in spirit and in truth.

more info click here

kekeluargaan dalam Kristus dan Pra-Paska

2010-03-22T23:52:00.008+08:00

Empat biarawati (sisters) dari kerasulan Umat Bahasa telah datang ke St Thomas Kuantan dari 19 hb mac hingga 21 mac ini tadi. Tujuan mereka datang adalah untuk menjalankan sesi-sesi formasi berkaitan dengan *kekeluargaan dalam Kristus dan Pra-Paska*

sempena dua hari yang lepas, banyak aktiviti yang telah dijalankan antaranya talk berkaitan dengan understanding lent- prayer, penance, and almsgiving). Selain itu, Sisters juga mengadakan lawatan ( visitation- To strengthen their faith journey) ke Galing kem, Tentera laut, udara, dan darat, Perindustrian Gabeng/Balok.

selepas selesai Missa Ahad, formasi Al-kitab untuk semua umat paroki St Thomas kuantan. Ramai yang hadir pada hari itu dan bersama kita memberitakan Injil Tuhan kepada Seluruh dunia.

sing a song

praying..

watching video- touching video

student from Kemaman, Ganu kite

sister cumil..hehehe

muda-mudi

ibu ngan baby masing2..

with sister

sister pun suka ambil gambar

jemput makan..

kanak2 pun self service hehe

during talk

at St Theresa Chapel

home visits

presents for sisters

at church's hall

bible sharing

hubungan dengan Tuhan

GOTONG ROYONG PROGRAM

2010-03-22T23:06:00.005+08:00

During the previous meeting, Umat Bahasa community and CVSF members were agreed to organize the Gotong Royong once a month at Saint Theresa Chapel. Via this kind of activity, all the members can know each others and create a close bond with other group without feel hesitate. so check it out!

briefing..

divide into groups..

clean the windows

tabiat membaca ka nie?

builder massage

muka tired ka apa?

BBQ

take a break

para ibu-ibu

half of members that participated on that day

Lenten Campaign 2010

2010-02-26T17:46:00.005+08:00

Shallom dear brothers and sisters in Christ..

This Saturday tentative is as follows:

9. 00am = Depart from UMP ( RM10 will be collected from each person for food and transportation fee)

10.00am = Gotong Royong at St Theresa Chapel (please wear proper attire for this event)

2.00pm = meeting with the CVSF committee ( Core team only, the others can relax first)

4.00pm = Tea Break

5.00pm = Praise and Worship ( worshiping songs only since this is the month of Lent)

6.30pm = Discussion (during this slot Mr Greg will explain to the whole group what is campus Ministry all about to get feed backs from the students)

8.00pm = Dinner break

10.00pm = Lenten Campaign( Mr Greg will explain about this)

11.30pm = Good night

****forward email from Mr Greg***

for further information please contact Souven( 019-9352511)

all the student are invites to come and together we spread words of God.

Cameron Highlands Vacation

2010-02-23T00:47:00.013+08:00

Cameroon Highlands is the other holiday destination choose by the CVSF members. Depart from Ump around 8.am and arrived safely at Cameroon Highlands around 4pm. long journey... we're rent apartment for 2 nights.. enough for 15 of us!

first night we cooked by ourselves no enough time to jalan-jalan coz many of us seem like tired and need rest especially si Drivers.

first day... we visitNight Market at Brinchang.. at the evening we got Ash wednesday mass at Convent chapel. Mass conducted by Fr Eugene. At night, hang out with father Eugene.. He brought a lot of Kuih Raya Cina. We came to Fr Eugene House, really enjoy it..

Next day, we woke up early in the morning and drive to Gunung Brinchang Watch Tower (around 30 minutes from our apartment) to enjoy the sunrise but so sad because there were dimly visible. Locate at > 2000 m from sea level and there are damn cold. On the way back to apartment there was traffic jammed. It quite dangerous due to road condition very narrow.

At Night, we visit blue valley. Nearly kelantan and Pahang boundary. We going back to our apartment around 2am! so tired!

last day, we visit Bharat Tea Plantation (cameron Valley) and New Zealand village. Took some pictures! really enjoy on that day

check your car before start your journey. *pesan dr penaja*

check your engine! *pesanan dari Wai Fm*

take 5! took picture

nie dia..

meet father Eugene..

cactus farm..

at Gunung Brinchang

so cold but still can wear short trousers and slippers!

In front of sultan Pahang Palace In Cameron Highlands

Ash Wednesday at Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Ash's blessing..

we are...

mr president pray before break fast

Malaysian Cape town.

tea farm

standing in the eyes

Iban's warrior conquer the tea farm

Grotto.. nice one

damn cold..

dinner...

second table

NO Pork served hehe

mixing together

Malacca: World Heritage Site (WHS)

2010-02-23T00:12:00.009+08:00

kesempatan cuti CNY yang lepas tidak disia-siakan begitu saja. segelintir ahli CVSF telah mengambil peluang ini untuk bercuti bersama kengkawan yang lain. Antara nya ada yang melawat Melaka a.k.a tapak warisan dunia diitiraf oleh UNESCO.

seramai 10 orang dari kalangan cvsf menyertai pakej percutian yang sendiri di taja oleh mereka. :)..

bertolak petang sabtu dari kuantan dan sampai dalam pukul 8 malam di melaka.

nie antara mereka yg pegi.....

PATI yg SEJATI..

them..

mereka..

sida..

tamen

e sido

nyaa d munok

bala ne

jalan-jalan cari makan

princess parrot ehehe

dexter's cruise lol

st Francis Xavier Church

night walk

jonker walk

santai dlm muzium

Batu 8 (Orang Asli Village) visits.

2010-02-22T23:38:00.006+08:00

During the CNY holidays, 8 of cvsf members join the mass with orang asli at batu 8. They came together with 7 parishioners. Depart at 2 pm from church and they have 2 time mass during that day. They celebrate Ash Wednesday with Orang Asli also. They so lucky coz got ang pow! from auntie I guess..

here we go!

at Orang Asli village

smiling..

7 of them

rest shed.

BFF... best friend forever

Sunday Mass

2010-01-26T00:11:00.005+08:00

shallom dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Here some pictures taken during Sunday mass conduct by University Students.

1st reading

2nd reading

few of coir team

before mass: song practice

our guitarist: acoustic!

after the mass, we have short meeting together with Fr Danny at Gathering Room

waiting...

listening to Father Danny's speech.

Father make some jokes.

Fr Danny n Mr President.

words for this week: Rule and Regulations.

Congratulation to Mr. Kelvin.

2010-01-14T01:17:00.008+08:00

Mr. Kelvin, CVSF President 2005-2006

CVSF member in Kuantan would like to congratulate Mr. Kelvin Ensan Kieh for his appointment as councillor in Sibu Municipal Council. The swear-in ceremony was held yesterday witnessed by YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh,Minister of Finance and Minister of Environment and Public Health, Sarawak.

He was CVSF president in 2005. Mr. Kelvin was former student of Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Malaysia. Graduated as civil engineer, currently he work in Bakun hydroelectric project. He also involve in politic as he is the member of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

During his tenure as president, he did a lot of developments in CVSF especially in term of increasing of membership.

May God always bless him in whatever he do. Once again, congratulation Mr. Kelvin.

CVSF's member and their holiday!!

2010-01-08T01:56:00.028+08:00

shallom everyone..... welcome back to campus after 1 month and half holidays. Praise be to God for give us chance to meet again and growth in our faith!. so for this post just want to share how CVSF's member spending their holiday especially for christmas and new year celebration last year!!.. here we go

firstly....

mr president aka Souven with his mum and dad

Sabah vacations

Brandon's Christmas shopping at Time Square KL

santa clause

snow replica

cadence's holiday at Rumah Aup, Sibu Sarawak

"miring" ceremony

cadence and her sisters.. with iban and orang ulu costumes.

Gary's christmas celebration at Kuching Sarawak

Gary's future wife belakang tue.... heh

Nick's Long House at Sibu Sarawak

mbal ka bungai terung dia baka keling nya ya akih!!

ngambi indu a.k.a taking bridesmaid cereomony

peter's New year eve at Niah

mogiminum..

waiting for 12.ooam 1.1.2010

Jacquilene's Christmas Caroling at Sabah

during mass..

coir... children with their own uniform..

Ronald's Christmas day at Miri

slaughter process of pig... sedap tue!!

"ngabang time"..

Rufina's christmas celebration at Bintulu

lovely family

father?uncle?boyfriend?cousion?brother?

Sobrie's holiday at Rh Kurra Limbang

at ruai I guess..

ranyai.. one of the Iban open ceremony

Yurika's Genting highland visits

nice vacations...

Billy's holiday at Kuching

Taize prayer... during camp I guess...

stephie's and Dorine's christmas eve

colorful x'mas stage

Dozier and Bryan with Mr Santa Clause

so that only we can share for right now. To the other members who want to share their some holiday pictures here, do contact us immediately...

URAPAN BARU

2010-01-06T23:26:00.006+08:00

The URAPAN BARU already for sale now. This is an effort by undergraduate students from Kuantan for their fund raising. This URAPAN BARU consists 12 track of praise and worship songs.

There also 2 songs; Yesus Id Tuhanku in Dusun & Apai Braham in Iban included in this album. All songs are ideal for praise & worship session.

URAPAN BARU CD is sold RM10 each. Do contact us for the CDs.

7th Annual General Meeting 2009

2009-10-27T02:09:00.009+08:00

25 October 2009 was the last day for Miss Florence Weddna hold the presidency post of CVSF. Exactly at 11.25am, Wednna stepped down as president of CVSF along with her team members to pave way for new election to choose new core team.

The annual general meeting was presided by Billy and assisted by Ermilya Grace. Before the election started, Dexter and Stephie presented their report to the assembly. Then followed by final speech by Weddna. In her speech, Weddna thanked for cooperation and support from CVSF members during her tenure as leader of CVSF. She stressed four elements a student leader must have; leadership, worship, friendship, evangelize.

The nomination of candidates were done by secret ballot. After nomination, the election for all posts also was done by secret ballot. It was a tradition in CVSF to elect leaders via secret ballot in order of transparency. The master of election were Billy and Ermilya.

Souven Jawa was elected as new president of CVSF replacing Weddna. At the end of the meeting, all members who attended the AGM, prayed over to the new core team led by Weddna. Farewell party also being held for outgoing students.

Weddna led the pray over

words from outgoing senior, Diana

Below are the new line up for Core Team 2009/2010.

President: Souven Jawa

Vice President: Michelle Ida

Secretary : Christabel Melanie

Treasurer: Gary Steven

Elected EXCO: Jaqueline William, Angelina Lawrence, Solomon Eugene Phang, Zepher Flamino.

Congratulation to the new core team!

CVSF Great D-Day...

2009-10-11T01:24:00.008+08:00

Catholic Varsity Student Fellowship

Shalom members of CVSF Kuantan, here we wana inform you all dat tis coming weekend (24 till 25OCT), 3 things will be happen.

1. SESSION WITH FR. DANNY

Fr. Danny would like to meet all students (senior + junior) on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Just prepare for this session. Bring along ur stationeries. Fr. Danny might give some useful knowledge in our life as Catholic Undergraduate.

2. MASS ANIMATION

Sunday, 25 Oct it is our turn to animate the mass. Practise will be done at Saturday morning till evening.

3. 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Our AGM will be held immediately after Sunday mass at gathering room @ Mount Temple Room. In this AGM also, there will be election for new core team. Attendance is compulsory to all members of CVSF. Bring also ur frens who always being chipsmore.

As conclusion, we will spent 1 nite at church. Transportation provided. Standby at UMP bus stop and time of departure is 0900H; SATURDAY (24OCT). Those who want to come later, please inform any of core team member. If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact MICHELLE- 012-8867724.

Thank you. Have a nice day...

ORAIT!!!

Mass Animation

2009-08-25T21:35:00.010+08:00

Last Sunday was Vocation Sunday. CVSF was animating mass on that Sunday as part of vocation promotion among them. When it is come to CVSF turn animate the mass, sure it will be like tradisional borneo mass. With nearly half of uni. students turned out for practises and animation, overall were quite happy with their achivement. Below are the happy faces during that day.

After mass, we had vocation talk with Vocation Team from KL and of course the talk held in our gathering room.

vocation sharing by Fr. Larry

Freshmen Orientation Camp 2009

2009-07-21T22:44:00.009+08:00

Second week of July, the CVSF core team organised FOC2009. This annual camp is for new students. The main objective of this camp is to introduce journey of faith in Kuantan. The camp began with evening mass presided by Fr Danny.

All students were divided into 5 groups which names are: STAGIR(Green); TOMTOMPOYAK(yellow); BLUE HYPPO(blue); PINK UNITED(pink); ANGELIC DEVIL(red).

The core team was assisted by Bro. Xavier, OFM. All students have a great time to mix with each others.

On Saturday night, we have Cultural Nite. All students revealed their talent during that night. The camp end with sharing session on Sunday morning.

Welcome back

2009-07-07T14:30:00.005+08:00

After long long holiday.....

After begawai till morning...

Welcome back fellow friends. Now it is time to serious again. Those who become senior, be a good example to new enrolled students. To superduperhyper senior, no play2...

Harvest Festival 2009.

2009-05-31T19:27:00.004+08:00

Few hours to go for Dayaks to celebrate their harvest festival. Since many years ago the Dayaks (also Kadazan, Dusun & Murut in Sabah) give thanks to their respective paddy spirit for the harvest. They will held festival @ keramaian.

bank pun penuh. pay day ba...

pulai menoa. (taken at jeti kapit)

In Sarawak, the festival is well known as GAWAI DAYAK. The Dayaks give thanks to the god for the harvest. In modern days now, many of them thanks Jesus for the harvest in this year after their embraced Christianity.

favourite dish.... manok pansoh.

kumang Gawai

To all my friends who celebrate Gawai, the CVSF core team would like to wish you all......

SELAMAT ANDU GAWAI DAYAK... GAYU GURU GERAI NYAMAI. OOOOOOOO... HAAAA....

ER2009 @ JOY

2009-05-25T00:18:00.005+08:00

23 May was a very special date for me in this year. Why??????

1. My birthday ba.....

2. Easter Rally Concert di Kuching. Kena ngan birthday saya....

serian contingent

ER was held since 2003 if I'm not mistaken. This was very meaningful this year when the concert fell on my birthday. Apa lagi, kiranya pegi rami celebrate my birthday. Rami cara gereja. I'm not alone. A contingent from Serian also join me during that night. Our cute vice president also present.

saya ngan bos no. 2

That nite we enjoy ourselves. Singing, praising, worshipping, jumping cause of JOY for being present there with Christ. Next ER, sure I will go again.

lampu kelip-kelip.

saya melaporkan dari Kuching.

Energy Input = Energy Output

2009-05-22T08:54:00.004+08:00

Serving the church is the common things that we always hear lately. Gotong-royong in church, hold a position in ministry, lead a prayer etc. Many peoples response positively when their service is needed by the church. That is good. It is a good sign that His followers are uphold " We are the Church" concept.

But the problem is when the call is coming, always the same face, same person to give response. Why???? [start scratch your head now] What happen to other people of the church????? When we go to the grass roots, we can see most of them afraid to serve the Lord. Main reason was their service might not be satisfy. No experience la katakan.. Some give time constraint reason.

Another problem is some people love to serve but mau minta puji. They want their names to be well known in the society. Buka cerita sana, buke cerita sini. There also lay peoples love to serve but always do not walk the talk. Always critised here and there. Give idea but do not help implementing the idea.

We do understand that some of us have our own business and own agenda. But, remember WE ARE THE CHURCH. It is not a burden for Christians to serve and give some energy output to the church. God has give energy input to us through our daily bread. Serving the church give us more understanding in our journey of faith. Serving with a sincere heart make us feel near to the Lord. Serving the church also will make the brotherhood sense in Christ getting stronger. We can gain more experiences when we are willing to learn from experts in church services.

As a conclusion, do not afraid serve in the church.

Ascension of Jesus

2009-05-22T08:31:00.003+08:00

Yesterday, 21May 2009, Christian celebrated the Ascension Day. The day when Jesus ascended to heaven in the presence of his apostles following his resurrection and that in heaven he sits at the Father's right hand. In Gospel of John, it refers Jesus returning to the Father in heaven. Christ's ascension occurs in the original Nicene Creed, a touchstone of Christian orthodoxy since 325.

It is affirmed by Christian liturgy and, in the West, by the Apostles' Creed. In terms of belief, the Ascension implies Jesus' humanity being taken into Heaven. The canonical account of Jesus ascending bodily into the clouds contrasts with the gnostic tradition, by which Jesus was said to transcend the physical realm and return to his home in the spirit world. It also contrasts with Docetic beliefs, by which matter is intrinsically evil and Jesus was said to have been pure spirit.

The Ascension edicule

The place of the Ascension is not distinctly mentioned in the Gospel of Mark. Luke 24,50 states that the event took place in Bethany while it appears from Acts that it took place on the Mount Olivet (the "Mount of Olives"), since after the Ascension the apostles are described as returning to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day's journey. Tradition has consecrated this site as the Mount of Ascension.

The Ascension rock, inside the edicule, said to bear the imprint of Jesus' right foot.

source: Father Meehan's homily + wikipedia

Farewell Party 2009

2009-04-29T16:33:00.014+08:00

Last weekend CVSF was organized one small party to celebrate our brothers and sisters who will leaving us this semester (Bryan, Walter, Vanessa, Lucy) and those who were received Baptism. Many people were came and join this party. Very very enjoy on that day. A lot of activities were organized by core team and thanks you so much to them.

Actually we celebrated together with armys family. Their wife bring variety of foods especially "Lauk Kampung". sambal mempelam, cencalu, keli panggang, jani panggang etc.. Kalah KFC.... hehe Really like it. Tasty!! wanna go back home after saw the foods. haha...

Anyway there are some picture taken by our friend who bring their own camera. Check it out!

still waiting other members ..

Nick having time to take some pictures here..

Rock Kapak from solven...hi

variety of foods

ermmm feel hungry??...hehe

Father Danny blessing our dinner.

peoples who were came

karaoke. Mostly pop yeah yeah songs

ermm... who is that girl arr Eppi?? hik

here we go... some games.. *Pijak Belon*

final stage... hik

kids join us.. hehe

St Theresa..

Live from uncle. He got nice voice. same with alley cats. thumb up!

yeah.. miss you all after this..

our cake's.. so sweet.. hand-made maybe lol..

and.. for sure this is our last activities for this semester then will be continue in next semester and hopefully there are lot of activities that we can organize amongst our CVSF members. Thanks a lot to our core team (under weena aka president) and I know they work hard before.. Only God knows.

last but not least hope we can see next semester and to our seniors who will leaving for Industrial Training. May God Bless you all. keep in touch. Words of God walks with you...

WHO IS JESUS?

2009-04-29T11:20:00.025+08:00

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE. ?

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE

NORMAL CONCEPTION; ?

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF
GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW

OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH ?
TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE
BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL
BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO
THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO, WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;

HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL
NOT BEHOLD EVIL,

THE HAND THAT WILL
SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL
NOT LABOR IN VAIN,

AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN

TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER.

REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.
AMEN

IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!

The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer

He had no army, yet kings feared Him..

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. ?
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

These are the pictures of the crucifixion of Christ
Sculptured from metal by a man near Amarillo, TX. ?
The crosses are made of metal also.
The man did this out of the kindness of his heart.
Someone donated the land
On which to erect them.

Exam oh exam...

2009-04-20T00:47:00.006+08:00

When I wrote this post, there are 7 hours left for students to enter the examination hall. Mostly students very busy past few weeks preparing themselves for the battle. This crucial time is devoted for revision and praying.

power plant technology revision stuff

Some are still nervous. Some still smiling. The best thing I discovered was some student playing counter strike to ease their tension. Macam- macam ada...

Here a prayer you should recite before answering the question paper.

Last but not least, PRAY HARD, STUDY SMART...

Divine Mercy.

2009-04-19T23:51:00.005+08:00

19 April 2009 is Divine Mercy Sunday. What is divine mercy????

The message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.

Devotion to The Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful.
The devotional practices proposed in the diary of SaintFaustina and set forth in this website are completely inaccordance with the teachings of the Church and are firmly rooted in the Gospel message of our Merciful Savior.Properly understood and implemented, they will help us grow as genuine followers of Christ.

There are two scriptural verses that we should keep in mind as we involve ourselves in these devotional practices:

1. "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Is 29:13);

2. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt5:7).

During the course of Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord.

You can read more about Divine Mercy by click icon at right section.

credit: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals

Easter @ Kuantan

2009-04-16T18:48:00.006+08:00

Since "Independence Day", CVSF showed that they are the powerful stuff in the parish. Holy Week will be a great event for some of the students especially for first year students who celebrate Holy Week for the first time in St. Thomas Church. For some senpai, this will be the last celebration in Kuantan.

This year, with new parish priest, vast changes happen in Holy Week. The CVSF actively involved in preparation of the Easter Vigil mass in St. Theresa Chapel. The core team especially the president, Miss Wednna work hard ensure that the preparation done properly.
Her very thankful to Billy,Michelle,Eppi and Walther for their willingness to come early to get the work done.
~Thanks Guys!!~

On the spot altar boys (Jeremy,Rey and Billy) helping Fr.Danny handling the mass

The candle blessing

following the light

father bless the holy water

That day also the CVSF welcoming their new family member, Cyetha who was baptised on that day. She thanked to all friends who help her in her journey of faith.

Holy Week 2009 was the busiest week for CVSF. But, they believe Lord Jesus Christ will help them in their study. Study this week do not forget to study and pray.

Christ is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia...

A REMINDER...

2009-04-10T03:21:00.002+08:00

During this Holy Week, transportation (BDT4243) is available but we have a very limited place. So, thus who are wanna join services/masses, do contact Wenna early so we can arrange. But all CVSF members are encourage to find own transportation. Depature will be an hour earlier before the mass/service start.

Good Friday start at 7pm (St. Thomas Church)

Easter Vigil start at 8pm (St. Theresa's Chapel)

Easter Sunday start at 8.45am (St. Thomas Church)

Enquiries???????

Contact Wenna (013-9989091) @ Brendan (012-8582885)

-sekadar memberitahu-

The Significant of Holy Thursday.

2009-04-10T02:20:00.005+08:00

Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church. Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood. As you go for the mass, celebrant always says Eucharictic Prayer upon the gifts of bread and wine. Let we see the story as written in Bible.

During the Last Supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb, and teaches that every ordained priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way. (Mat 26:26-30). Christ also bids farewell to his followers and prophesizes that one of them will betray him and hand him over to the Roman soldiers. (Luke 22:21-22).

Jesus also wash His disciple's feet (John 13:1-15) as we can see at this Mass, the celebrant washes the feet of twelve parishioners to symbolize Christ’s washing of his twelve Apostles, our first bishops and priests.

This Mass stresses the importance Jesus puts on the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water, a symbol of baptism. Also emphasized are the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which we now find present in the consecrated Host.

At the end, all of us continue adoration along the night like Jesus invite His apostles to stay pray with Him before betrayed by Judas. We will remember Jesus while in agony, the apostles fall asleep then He caught by the soldiers. So, Friday come. Do fasting....

"Ekaristi mesti nyata dalam kehidupan ini..."(Homily during Holy Thursday Mass, Kuantan)

credit: -Catholic News Agency

-Homily Father

Holy Week...

2009-04-09T04:32:00.005+08:00

This week quite a wonderful week for being a Christian. Holy week kicked off on Palm Sunday untill Easter Sunday. This particular week also the last week of lecture especially in UMP. So, life as student will be busy in campus and church.

Holy Week is a very special week. Some say it is the climax in Christian teaching. Some say it is time to repent. Hmmmmm..... Watever it is, Holy Week is time for us to spend time in church and deepen our faith.

Being an undergraduate Catholic, we have both responsiblities. FAITH & ACADEMIC. Some of us are more into FAITH. Some of us more into ACADEMIC. But, in reality, both FAITH & ACADEMIC must balance! Then we can very proud of it. It is useless to live in this world with full of knowledge but lack of faith and vice versa.

Christ is the source of truth in the darkness...

Anywhere anyhow, this Holy Week, we should bring ourself closer to God.

Nothing is miracle with God's will: A story of six followers of Christ.

2009-03-04T14:08:00.024+08:00

Fr. Eugene once upon a time was well known as best Catholic priest in Kuantan. Now, his status eleveted as "Mystery German Mayor of High City of Cameron Highland"(a.k.a resident priest in CH). As his new appointment in Cameron Highland, he invited few CVSF members to his HQ in Cameron Highland. The CVSF members who join the trip were; Wednna, Dierdre, Jojon, Bryan & myself. Everybody exited since this was the first time to CH.

We depart immediately after IFD 2009. Data of the journey:

1. Transportation: Proton Iswara 1.3 Manual.

2. No. of passangers: 6 (1 priest + 5 students)
3. Route: Bentong > Raub > Sg. Koyan > Pos Betau > Cameron Highland. (this was believe the "short cut)

range of mountains between Bentong-Raub road.

short break at Raub.

We started our journey at 4pm after pit stop at UMP. With a speed of 140km/h (don't do this next time!) and some sort of INDEPENDENT stories, we manage to reach Bentong exit 1.5hours later. Then, we continue our journey towards Raud then Sg. Koyan. Unfortunately, we missed Pos Betau junction. We had wrong way to Kuala Medang. Aiya....

After asking people by roadside, we manage to find Pos Betau junction. We prayed Rosary along the way. After ride about 20km with a newly paved road, we reached the worst part of the journey. Here come the real adventure for the first timer.

The road was still under construction. If we turn back, it was too late. We will waste another 4 hours of the journey. "Just go on", said Father. We believed this road will save our time. Muddy, wet, landslides, deep cliffs, slippery uneven road; that was the condition of the road. We got stuck in the mud in the middle of the primary jungle plus chilled night after rain and even worst NO LINE COVERAGE... With the power of God plus energy of 5 students, we several times went out of the car to push our only vehicle from the mud.

" The short cut"

After struggling for 1 hour, we manage to see the light of Cameron Highland among the midst of the mountain. Everybody joyed that we were almost our destination. Finally, we reached Bertam Valley. The lights of the farms greet us especially for the first timer. Everybody thanked God for His miracle for saving them from the jungle. Everybody praise the Lord.

Bertam Valley vegetables farm.

After that, we directly go to Ringlet and finally reach mayor's mansion at Tanah Rata. Each of us had mud stain all over our clothes. mmmmm...... Its time for washing.

Aunty Camelia was here????

We arrived at Father's mansion at 11pm. The weather quite chill outside. Fr. Eugene managed to serve us with pizza and roti canai.

lapar-lapar....

Sunday morning, we hard to wake up early since enviroment was very cold. Nice to "swim" on the bed. After that we went to the chapel just one stone throw from the Father's house. That morning, we thank the Lord for His guidance during our adventerous journey last night.

(above; Church view from Sister's retreat house. centre: the altar)

After morning mass, we met some of the parishioners of CH. After that, we went to retreat house of IJ Sisters. There, we fixed Father's Iswara after rough journey last night. While waiting, Uncle Robert, showed to us his herbal plants all around the compound. Jojon love to plant slimming herbs while Billy loves to play with stinging nettal. The flower also very beautiful.

After Iswara finished be repaired, we went to Brinchang for lunch and wash the car. Finish eating, we proceed to Kea Farm. At Kea Farm, we bought strawberries, t-shirt, cactus, roses.

Cameron Highland = Strawberies

Then, we went to Bharat Tea Plantation, where all of us were for the first time went to tea farm. Father Eugene wanna us to meet aunty from Kpg. Raja. The journey quite long until we unaware that we reached Lojing, Gua Musang, Kelantan. Wednna and Bryan very excited because she step foot on Kelantan soil for the first time. Me too.... :-)

Then, we went back to Tanah Rata to rest. Father had mass at Kpg. Raja at 8pm. Dierdre were very excited to take photo as much as she can. After paking up, we left Tanah Rata at 9.30pm through CH-Tapah "snake road". We managed reached UMP at 5am after went through highway via Genting Highland short cut and change driver twice.

We praise Lord Jesus Christ for His guidance through out our journey. We also thanked Father Eugene, "Mystery German Mayor of Highland City of Cameron Highland" for his invitation and hospitality. We will never forget our first trip to Cameron Highland. Next time we will come again to "City of Cameron Highland" to discover more about the mysterious highland.

1st IIUM interfaith dialogue

2009-03-03T00:31:00.015+08:00

Last day of February was a good day. Sunny. Then sun shows how great the Father's creation. On that day, all of His peoples sit together in one place.

upon arrival in IIUM Kuantan

The IIUM (locally known as UIAM), organized a interfaith dialogue, the first ever in Kuantan. The representatives from 4 major religions in Malaysia present in the event. CVSF was invited to the event. The invitation letter was sent few month before.

ready to hear the lecture???

Topic of the day was concept of God in the Light of Sacred Scriptures. The objectives were:

# to understand the concept of God in the major religions present in Malaysia.

# to learn how to respect the different sensitivities of different religions and to remove any misconceptions about different religions.

# to inculcate a sense of brotherhood and friendship amongst the participants.

CVSF has sent 17 students to join the dialogue. Students departed from UMP as early as 7am. Upon arrival, all the students register and took their seats at the main auditorium Kuliyyah of Medicine. The CVSF team got special treatment from the organizer. Thanks to Yusoff and the geng.

VIP seat for CVSF

cabut undi...

Rev. Father Eugene Benedict came in to represent Christian faith in the dialogue. In his presentation, Fr. Eugene explain about Christian faith and the mystery of in Christian teaching. He explained the crowd according to text from the Bible. Amazingly, Fr. Eugene explain without refering slide show. He gave presentation while holding Bible. How great he is.

Fr. Eugene Benedict presenting his presentation with the help of express technician, Miss Jojon.

The dialogue finish around 2pm after Q&A questions. CVSF ended the trip with lunch of nasi ayam.

Lent: A time for reflection

2009-02-24T12:54:00.006+08:00

Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness. Western Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends right before the evening Masses of Holy Thursday, although Lenten penance continues through Holy Saturday

Lent can be a mystery. For some, Lent a period of going on a diet; for others Lent a time when their Catholic friends wear ashes on their foreheads and eat fish on Fridays. Many evangelicals find they are strangely attracted to Lent, but know little about the Lenten season. The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity.

Lent can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begins with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead.

There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during Lent.

Fasting: The Western Rite of the Catholic Church requires its members age 18 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, unless a physical condition prevents otherwise. This means only one full meal is permitted. The Fridays of Lent are days of required abstinence, meaning meat are not permitted. Abstinence is required of those ages 14 and older. Most Protestant churches that celebrate Lent do not have these requirements. However, when we "give something up" for Lent, we are embracing a form of fasting, an excellent spiritual discipline. Eastern Christians have a more rigorous fast, abstaining from meat, wine, oil, dairy products, and even fish. Some people choose to give up sins (gossip, drunkenness, etc) for Lent. In this way, Lent represents a spiritual training time to overcome evil. Pope St. Leo, for example, emphasized that fasting from wrath is required along with food. Some give up things they have an inordinate desire for, e.g. sweets, caffeine, etc. By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over. As such in Lent we are able to learn, examine, and get under control our material excesses. Lent is about spiritual results, not material ones. So, while losing a few pounds may be a nice side benefit, all fasting should be done for God's glory and spiritual growth.

no alcoholic drink!

no smoking!

Prayer: Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer. A good goal for Lent would be to read Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer every day. If you already do that, perhaps you could add noon or night prayer. Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent form prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent. We can also find many excellent prayers for Lent from the Scriptures.

Let us speak to Jesus

Praying The Rosary throughout Lent can be rewarding too. Theology and liturgy should always be prayer, so a good discipline for Lent would be to make an effort to attend worship services whenever possible. Daily mass would be very rewarding.

Almsgiving (Charity): While Lent is about giving something up (i.e. fasting), it is also about putting something positive in its place. The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbours out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter. There are many lay religious orders, which devote much of their time to charity. Lent is a perfect time to discern a call to these or any other ministry. Some good charity organizations include Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

donate to help the poor.

Scripture Reading: When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians of all types is rampant and, quite honestly, shameful. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem. One way to read Scripture is to use the lectionary of the Liturgy of the Hours. This will get you through most of the Bible in two years. If you are thinking along different lines than the Liturgy of the Hours, it may be helpful to promise to read two chapters a day of a particular book or maybe finish a medium sized book by Easter.

Thus, in this season of Lent, let us recall our journey of faith with our Creator. Reflect our contribution to the church. Be a good follower of Christ.

Pope Benedicts' Lenten Message: A Call to Fasting

2009-02-24T01:29:00.007+08:00

"He fasted for forty days and forty nights,and afterwards he was hungry"

(Mt 4,1-2)

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

At the beginning of Lent, which constitutes an itinerary of more intense spiritual training, the Liturgy sets before us again three penitential practices that are very dear to the biblical and Christian tradition – prayer, almsgiving, fasting – to prepare us to better celebrate Easter and thus experience God’s power that, as we shall hear in the Paschal Vigil, “dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy, casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride” (Paschal Præconium).

For this year’s Lenten Message, I wish to focus my reflections especially on the value and meaning of fasting. Indeed, Lent recalls the forty days of our Lord’s fasting in the desert, which He undertook before entering into His public ministry. We read in the Gospel: “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry” (Mt 4,1-2). Like Moses, who fasted before receiving the tablets of the Law (cf. Ex 34,28) and Elijah’s fast before meeting the Lord on Mount Horeb (cf. 1 Kings 19,8), Jesus, too, through prayer and fasting, prepared Himself for the mission that lay before Him, marked at the start by a serious battle with the tempter.

We might wonder what value and meaning there is for us Christians in depriving ourselves of something that in itself is good and useful for our bodily sustenance. The Sacred Scriptures and the entire Christian tradition teach that fasting is a great help to avoid sin and all that leads to it. For this reason, the history of salvation is replete with occasions that invite fasting. In the very first pages of Sacred Scripture, the Lord commands man to abstain from partaking of the prohibited fruit: “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die” (Gn 2, 16-17).

Commenting on the divine injunction, Saint Basil observes that “fasting was ordained in Paradise,” and “the first commandment in this sense was delivered to Adam.” He thus concludes: “ ‘You shall not eat’ is a law of fasting and abstinence” (cf. Sermo de jejunio: PG 31, 163, 98). Since all of us are weighed down by sin and its consequences, fasting is proposed to us as an instrument to restore friendship with God. Such was the case with Ezra, who, in preparation for the journey from exile back to the Promised Land, calls upon the assembled people to fast so that “we might humble ourselves before our God” (8,21). The Almighty heard their prayer and assured them of His favor and protection. In the same way, the people of Nineveh, responding to Jonah’s call to repentance, proclaimed a fast, as a sign of their sincerity, saying: “Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we perish not?” (3,9). In this instance, too, God saw their works and spared them.

In the New Testament, Jesus brings to light the profound motive for fasting, condemning the attitude of the Pharisees, who scrupulously observed the prescriptions of the law, but whose hearts were far from God. True fasting, as the divine Master repeats elsewhere, is rather to do the will of the Heavenly Father, who “sees in secret, and will reward you” (Mt 6,18). He Himself sets the example, answering Satan, at the end of the forty days spent in the desert that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4,4). The true fast is thus directed to eating the “true food,” which is to do the Father’s will (cf. Jn 4,34). If, therefore, Adam disobeyed the Lord’s command “of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,” the believer, through fasting, intends to submit himself humbly to God, trusting in His goodness and mercy.

The practice of fasting is very present in the first Christian community (cf. Acts 13,3; 14,22; 27,21; 2 Cor 6,5). The Church Fathers, too, speak of the force of fasting to bridle sin, especially the lusts of the “old Adam,” and open in the heart of the believer a path to God. Moreover, fasting is a practice that is encountered frequently and recommended by the saints of every age. Saint Peter Chrysologus writes: “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself” (Sermo 43: PL 52, 320. 322).

In our own day, fasting seems to have lost something of its spiritual meaning, and has taken on, in a culture characterized by the search for material well-being, a therapeutic value for the care of one’s body. Fasting certainly bring benefits to physical well-being, but for believers, it is, in the first place, a “therapy” to heal all that prevents them from conformity to the will of God. In the Apostolic Constitution Pænitemini of 1966, the Servant of God Paul VI saw the need to present fasting within the call of every Christian to “no longer live for himself, but for Him who loves him and gave himself for him … he will also have to live for his brethren“ (cf. Ch. I). Lent could be a propitious time to present again the norms contained in the Apostolic Constitution, so that the authentic and perennial significance of this long held practice may be rediscovered, and thus assist us to mortify our egoism and open our heart to love of God and neighbor, the first and greatest Commandment of the new Law and compendium of the entire Gospel (cf. Mt 22, 34-40).

The faithful practice of fasting contributes, moreover, to conferring unity to the whole person, body and soul, helping to avoid sin and grow in intimacy with the Lord. Saint Augustine, who knew all too well his own negative impulses, defining them as “twisted and tangled knottiness” (Confessions, II, 10.18), writes: “I will certainly impose privation, but it is so that he will forgive me, to be pleasing in his eyes, that I may enjoy his delightfulness” (Sermo 400, 3, 3: PL 40, 708). Denying material food, which nourishes our body, nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Christ and be fed by His saving word. Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.

At the same time, fasting is an aid to open our eyes to the situation in which so many of our brothers and sisters live. In his First Letter, Saint John admonishes: “If anyone has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, yet shuts up his bowels of compassion from him – how does the love of God abide in him?” (3,17). Voluntary fasting enables us to grow in the spirit of the Good Samaritan, who bends low and goes to the help of his suffering brother (cf. Encyclical Deus caritas est, 15). By freely embracing an act of self-denial for the sake of another, we make a statement that our brother or sister in need is not a stranger. It is precisely to keep alive this welcoming and attentive attitude towards our brothers and sisters that I encourage the parishes and every other community to intensify in Lent the custom of private and communal fasts, joined to the reading of the Word of God, prayer and almsgiving. From the beginning, this has been the hallmark of the Christian community, in which special collections were taken up (cf. 2 Cor 8-9; Rm 15, 25-27), the faithful being invited to give to the poor what had been set aside from their fast (Didascalia Ap., V, 20,18). This practice needs to be rediscovered and encouraged again in our day, especially during the liturgical season of Lent.

From what I have said thus far, it seems abundantly clear that fasting represents an important ascetical practice, a spiritual arm to do battle against every possible disordered attachment to ourselves. Freely chosen detachment from the pleasure of food and other material goods helps the disciple of Christ to control the appetites of nature, weakened by original sin, whose negative effects impact the entire human person. Quite opportunely, an ancient hymn of the Lenten liturgy exhorts: “Utamur ergo parcius, / verbis cibis et potibus, / somno, iocis et arctius / perstemus in custodia – Let us use sparingly words, food and drink, sleep and amusements. May we be more alert in the custody of our senses.”

Dear brothers and sisters,

It is good to see how the ultimate goal of fasting is to help each one of us, as the Servant of God Pope John Paul II wrote, to make the complete gift of self to God (cf. Encyclical Veritatis splendor, 21). May every family and Christian community use well this time of Lent, therefore, in order to cast aside all that distracts the spirit and grow in whatever nourishes the soul, moving it to love of God and neighbour. I am thinking especially of a greater commitment to prayer, lectio divina, recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and active participation in the Eucharist, especially the Holy Sunday Mass. With this interior disposition, let us enter the penitential spirit of Lent.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Causa nostrae laetitiae, accompany and support us in the effort to free our heart from slavery to sin, making it evermore a “living tabernacle of God.” With these wishes, while assuring every believer and ecclesial community of my prayer for a fruitful Lenten journey, I cordially impart to all of you my Apostolic Blessing.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

21 February 2009

source: http://www.catholic.org

25 Feb: Ash Wednesday; The begining of Lent.

2009-02-23T23:42:00.010+08:00

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent, in which ashes are placed on the head or forehead of the faithful. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed, mixed with either holy oil or water, and imposed on the head with the sign of the cross, or sprinkled on the forehead.

our mind seal with the sign of the cross.

the symbol of penitence

The ashes are made from burning palm branches blessed the previous year on Palm Sunday. When the priest imposes the ashes he says either "remember man you are dust, and to dust you will return" (see Genesis 3:19), or "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark 1:15).

Why ashes????

The ashes serve a dual purpose:

1. First, as the above words imply, we are reminded of our mortality and humanity as we begin the Lenten Fast.

2. Second, the ashes are a Biblical symbol of repentance, sorrow, and humility.

In Bible also have the history of the usage of ashes as symbol of penitence. Kindly refer to 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1-3.

Ash Wednesday is a key for us to reflect our relationship with God. We should review our act and ask forgineness from Him.

Amen.

PROCRASTINATION...PROCRASTINATION...

2009-02-22T00:02:00.009+08:00

On 25th and 26th January, Professor Dr. Julia, a lecturer form UIA had share her knowledge about the very effective way to take notes and

some tips regarding on what we should do and should not do before going to class and afte the class...

Not to forget she was also emphasize on hot issue that students always did that is PROCRASTINATION....!

Ok less word...just roll out....See what we were doing during the workshop...

practising to take effective note (n_n)

participants (concentrate huh)

There was no fee for the workshop and open to all CVSF members. On that week, we were also had our recording. It was a very very busy week... All preparations must be set up correctly and we all very tired.. But because of knowledge, we were willing to join it.

Prof. Dr. Julia explained something to the participants...

the effective way to take notes

wow, this girl is really concentrate!

just like answering the final examination (^_^)

another view of the participants...

There are some tips what we should not do during the lecture....**

sleeping during the lecture... (u_u) zz

playing with your handphone... silent mode please...

And here is the tips what we should do during the lecture....**

jotted down the importants notes

To the participants, thanks for the commitment that you all show during the workshop... We will look foward to have another session with Prof. Dr. Julia and hope at that time more members will participate the workshop...

Leave it to God and He will shows us the way...

Shallom!

** all pictures are just gimmick... (-_^') la~la~

Dear Fr Eugene... Thank you so much.

2009-02-20T01:35:00.009+08:00

Many was shocked when they red a statement inside the church buletin on Sunday. Rumors past few months became reality. Hot gossip is not a gossip anymore.

Everybody know, Fr. Eugene transfered to other parish. Where???? He had been transfered to Cameron Highland. Still in Pahang. But many were sad. Their loving priest will leave Kuantan.

Father Eugene Benedict had served St. Thomas Church since 2002. During his duty in Kuantan, Fr. Eugene brought lots of changes in the parish especially to the varsity student in Kuantan. Before he came here, the CSS Kuantan chapter not so active. Then, Fr. Eugene came to help us to build new era of CSS. First, he change CSS to CVSF (Catholic Varsity Student Fellowship). He also allowed student to use church van to cater the needs of student transportation.

blessing before examination

He allowed us to use one big room in the community centre for our gathering. Although he was busy with his tight schedule, he always concern about university students.

Fr. Eugene is a good teacher.

Father Eugene also a good dancer. Here, he preform ngajat dance during dinner and dance 2007

Dear Father Eugene, thanks for your leadership and guidance for past 7 years. God bless you.

Sing praise to the Lord.

2009-02-06T12:23:00.009+08:00

This year, CVSF has a very big thing to do. And yes, they did it. CVSF core team planned to publish a compilation of songs CD to fund CVSF activities whole year. The CD title will be decide later.

short briefing before practise.

WALTHER JENIS = poginuman chief of staff @ jembalang paya.

Last holiday, several students "berkampung" at gathering room to have their practise for the song. This project was managed by a energetic group of students which they named themselves as POGINUMAN. They practised hard to archive Fr. Eugene's standard.

the seniors voice L-R: Jojon, Lucy, Emma, JLo.

some comments from Fr. Eugene

the time keeper: Si EPPI

We have two guitarist: Nick and Souven

the bass team

Before the recording day, we have warming up presentation during evening mass at the grotto. All parishioners impressed with the voice of the CVSF.

On the big day, 27 Jan 2009, the team headed to Kompleks Teruntum for the studio recording. Some feel nervous but just hide in their heart. For almost 4 hours, they sang, then cut, then sang again. Wat a tiring day they had.

So, to all team members, congrats for your effort. Now we just wait for the CD to be publish. Beli jangan tak beli...

Selamat Sawa Bauh Bisina....

2009-01-23T00:56:00.005+08:00

Welcoming The Year of Ox. We would like to wish Happy Chinese New Year to all Chinese friends and visitor to our blog. May this year will bring more prosperity to us all. God bless.

Why Do Roman Catholics Pray to Saints?

2009-01-02T11:49:00.002+08:00

Why Do Roman Catholics Pray to Saints?

Shallom,Like all Christians, Catholics believe in life after death, but they also believe that our relationship with other Christians does not end with death. Catholic prayer to saints is a recognition of this communion.

-Do Catholics believe that saints should be worshiped?
-Why do they pray to saints?
-Is there a difference between prayer and worship?

Answer:

The Communion of Saints

Like all Christians, Catholics believe in life after death. Those who have lived good lives and died in the faith of Christ will, as the Bible tells us, share in his resurrection.

While we live together on earth as Christians, we are in communion, or unity, with one another. But that communion doesn’t end when one of us dies. We believe that Christians in heaven, the saints, remain in communion with those of us on earth.

So, just as we might ask a friend or family member to pray for us, we can approach a saint with our prayers, too.

The Difference Between Prayer and Worship

Many non-Catholic Christians believe that it is wrong to pray to the saints, claiming that our prayers should be directed to God alone. Some Catholics, responding to this criticism, have argued that we do not pray to the saints but with them.Both groups, however, are confusing prayer with worship. True worship (as opposed to veneration or honor) does indeed belong to God alone, and we should never worship man or any other creature as we worship God. But while worship may take the form of prayer, as in the Mass and other liturgies of the Church, not all prayer is worship. When we pray to the saints, we’re simply asking them to help us, by praying to God on our behalf, or thanking them for having already done so.

This article taken from cus usmkk's blogspot.

A Christless Christmas Is Senseless

2009-01-02T11:40:00.002+08:00

A Christless Christmas Is Senseless, Says Pope

Notes That Without God-Made-Man, It's an "Empty Holiday"

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A Christmas celebrated without mention of the birth of Christ is an "empty holiday," said Benedict XVI in a meditation given during the final days of Advent.

"What sense does it make to celebrate Christmas if we don't acknowledge that God has become man," the Pope asked today upon delivering a reflection on Christmas at the general audience in Paul VI Hall.

The Holy Father began his address with a commentary on justice. "We all await justice," he said, but "the Christian significance of waiting for justice, implies that we begin to live under the eyes of the Judge, according to the criteria of the Judge."

Being vigilant during Advent, said the Pontiff, "means to live under the eyes of the Judge and to prepare ourselves and the world for justice. By living under the eyes of the God-Judge, we can open the world to the arrival of his Son, preparing our heart to welcome 'the Lord who comes.'"
Benedict XVI continued: "The Child, adored 2,000 years ago by the shepherds in a cave of Bethlehem, never stops visiting us in our daily life as we, like pilgrims, walk toward the Kingdom.
"As he waits, the believer becomes the spokesperson for the hopes of all humankind; humanity longs for justice, and thus, though often unaware, waits for God, waits for the salvation that only God can give us."
Come!

The wait "is marked by assiduous prayer," said the Pope, so that the arrival of the Son of God comes more quickly.

"This faith in the Creator Logos, in the Word that created the world, in the one who came like a Child, this faith and its great hope seem to be far from our daily public and private reality," the Pontiff lamented. "The world is becoming more chaotic and violent: We witness this every day. And the light of God, the light of Truth, is being put out. Life is becoming dark and without a compass."

"It is therefore very important that we are true believers, and as believers, that we reaffirm forcefully, with our lives, the mystery of salvation that comes with the celebration of Christ's birth," he said. "In Bethlehem, the Light which illumines our life was made manifest to the world; the Way which leads to the fullness of our humanity was revealed to us."

Best wishes

The Holy Father continued with various Christmas wishes: "We ask God that violence be defeated by the power of love, that opposition be replaced by reconciliation, that the desire to dominate be transformed into desires for forgiveness, justice and peace.

"May the wishes of kindness and love that we exchange in these days reach all sectors of our daily lives. May peace be in our hearts, so that we can be open to the action of God's mercy. May peace live in all families and may they spend Christmas united before the crib and the tree decorated with lights.

"May the Christmas message of solidarity and welcome contribute to create a deeper sensibility toward old and new types of poverty, and toward the common good that we are all called to share."

"May all family members," he added, "especially the children and the elderly -- the weakest ones -- feel the warmth of this feast, and may that warmth spread out through every day of the year. May Christmas be a celebration of peace and joy: joy for the birth of the Savior, Prince of peace."

"Like the shepherds," said the Holy Father, "we hasten our steps toward Bethlehem. In the heart of the Holy Night we will be able to contemplate the 'infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger,' together with Mary and Joseph."

Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-21341?l=english

We want to wish you...

2008-12-30T14:57:00.001+08:00

New Year 2009 Comments

Christians and Muslim can agree on human rights

2008-12-30T10:32:00.003+08:00

Meeting on Nov 6 with participants in an unprecedented Catholic-Muslim encounter, Pope Benedict XVI said that the keen public interest in the ‘Common Word’ initiative should be “an incentive for us to ensure that the reflections and the positive developments which emerge from Muslim-Christian dialogue are not limited to a small group of experts and scholars, but are passed on as a precious legacy.”

The Holy Father met with the participants in the Catholic-Muslim meeting in a private audience at the conclusion of their three-day session in Rome. The talks were the result of invitation that the Pope extended to the 138 Islamic leaders who wrote to him and to other Christian leaders in October 2007, calling for greater dialogue between the two faiths. The dialogue, the Pope said at his Nov 6 audience, should help both sides to “know one another more deeply and to grow in esteem for our shared values.”

The Pope went on to say that he had been receiving regular reports of the daily meetings of the ‘Common Word’ conference, and was “pleased to learn that you were able at this meeting to adopt a common position on the need to worship God totally and to love our fellow men and women disinterestedly, especially those in distress and need.” He observed that the Muslim tradition matches the Christian belief that “Love of God is inseparable bound to the love of all men and women.” Because of this similarity, he said, Christians and Muslims can work together in practical efforts to help those in needs, “even though our anthropological visions and our theologies justify this in different ways.”

Christian and Muslims, despite their different beliefs, can find common ground in the understanding that human life and human dignity are gifts from God, recognized as sacred by both faiths, the Pope continued. From that understanding, the two faiths can both work toward a common defense of human rights. “My hope,” Pope Benedict said, “is that these fundamental human rights will be protected for all people everywhere.”

In a gentle challenge to the world’s Islamic leaders – repeating the challenge that he had in his famous Regensburg address – the Pope said: “Political and religious leaders have the duty of ensuring the free exercise of these rights in full respect for each individual’s freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.” He condemned violence, particularly violence done in the name of religion, and said that “God’s name can only be a name of peace and fraternity, justice and love.”

Pope Benedict closed his remarks by saying that honest dialogue, motivated by goodwill, can “overcome all misunderstandings and disagreements.” He expressed the hope that Christians and Muslims alike can “overcome past prejudices and correct the often distorted images of the other which even today can create difficulties in our relations.” – CWN

News Article. CWN. “Christians and Muslim can agree on human rights”, Herald News, November 16, 2008, part “Editorial”, page 10

Catholic-Muslim joint declaration

2008-12-30T10:19:00.002+08:00

Vatican: An important and demanding declaration was published today by the Vatican and representatives of the 138 Muslim scholars who wrote the well-known letter to the pope and other Christian leaders. Among other things, it affirms respect for life and for the dignity of each person, man or woman, which involves, among other things, respect for freedom of conscience and religion; the rejection of discrimination on account of faith; the importance of bearing witness through prayer to the transcendent dimension of life in an increasingly secularized world; an affirmation of the duty to give young people a solid moral, civil, and religious education, and teach them about the faith of others. The declaration also speaks of the possibility of creating a permanent mixed committee, and announces a second forum to be held within two years, in a Muslim majority country. The document that concludes the first forum organized by the pontifical council for inter religious dialogue and by representatives of 138 Muslim scholars, authors of the letter ‘A Common Word.’

Here is the text of declaration:

For Christians the source and example of love of God and neighbour is the love of Christ for his Father, for humanity and for each person. “God is Love” (1 Jn 4, 16) and “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3, 16). God’s love is placed in the human heart through the Holy Spirit. It is God who first loves us thereby enabling us to love Him in return. Love does not harm one’s neighbour but rather seeks to do the other what one would want done to oneself (Cf. 1 Cor 13, 4-7). Love is the foundation and sum of all the commandments (Cf. Gal 5, 14). Love of neighbour cannot be separated from love of God, because it is an expression of our for God. This is the new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn 15, 12) Grounded in Christ’s sacrificial love, Christian love is forgiving and excludes no one; it therefore also includes one’s enemies. It should be not just words but deeds (Cf. 1 Jn, 4, 18). This is the sign of its genuineness. For Muslim, as set out in A Common Word, love is a timeless transcendent power which guides and transforms human mutual regard. This love, as indicated by the Holy and Beloved Prophet Muhammad, is the prior to the human love for the One True God. A Hadith indicates that God’s loving compassion for humanity is even greater than that of a mother for her child (Muslim, Bab al-Tawba: 21); it therefore exists before and independently of the human response to the One who is ‘The Loving’. So immense is this love and compassion that God has intervened to guide and save humanity in a perfect way many times and in many places, by sending prophets and scriptures. The last of these books, the Qur’an, portrays a world of signs, a marvelous cosmos of Devine artistry, which calls forth our utter love and devotion, so that ‘those who have faith have most love of God’ (2:165), and ‘those that believe, and do good works, the Merciful shall engender love among them.’ (19:96) In a Hadith we read that ‘Not one of you has faith until he loves for his neighbour what he loves for himself’ (Bukhari, Bab al-Iman: 13).

Human life is a most precious gift of God to each person. It should therefore be preserved and honoured in all its stages.

Human dignity is derived from the fact that every human person is created by a loving God out of love, and has been endowed with the gifts of reason and free will, and therefore enabled to love God and others. On the firm basis of these principles, the person requires the respect of his or her original dignity and his or human vocation. Therefore, he or she is entitled to full recognition of his or her identity and freedom by individuals, communities and governments, supported by civil legislation that assures equal rights and full citizenship.

We affirm that God’s creation of humanity has two great aspects: the male and female human person and we commit ourselves jointly to ensuring that human dignity and respect are extended on an equal basis to both men and women.

Genuine love of neighbour implies respect of the person and her or his choices in matters of conscience and religion. It includes the right of individuals and communities to practice their religion in private and public.

Religion minorities are entitled to be respected in their own religious convictions and practices. They are also entitled to their own places of worship, and their founding figures and symbols they consider sacred should not be subject to any mockery or ridicule.

As Catholic and Muslim believers, we are aware of the summons and imperative to bear the witness to the transcendent dimension of life, through a spirituality nourished by prayer, in a world which is becoming more and more secularized and materialistic.

We affirm that no religion and its followers should be excluded from society. Each should be able to make its indispensable contribution to the good of society, especially in service to the most needy.

We recognize that God’s creation in its plurality of cultures, civilizations, languages and peoples is a source of richness and should therefore never become a cause of tension and conflict.

We are convicted that Catholics and Muslims have the duty to provide a sound education in human, civic, religious and moral values for their respective members and to promote accurate information about each other’s religions.

We profess that Catholics and Muslim are called to be instruments of love and harmony among believers, and for humanity as a whole, renouncing any oppression, aggressive violence and terrorism especially that committed in the name of religion and upholding the principle of justice for all.

We call upon believers to work for an ethical financial system in which the regulatory mechanisms consider the situation of the poor and disadvantaged, both as individuals, and as indebted nations. We call upon the privileged of the world to consider the plight of those afflicted most severely by the current crisis in food production and distribution, and ask religious believers of all denominations and all people of good will to work together to alleviate the suffering of the hungry, and to eliminate its causes.

Young people are the future of religious communities and of societies as a whole. Increasingly, they will be living in multicultural and multireligious societies. It is essential that they well formed in their own religious traditions and well informed about other cultures and religions.

We have agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a permanent Catholic-Muslim committee to coordinate response to conflicts and other emergency situations and of organizing a second seminar in a Muslim-majority country yet to be determined.

We look forward to the second Seminar of the Catholic-Muslim Forum to be convened in approximately two years in a Muslim-majority country yet to be determined. All participants felt gratitude to God for the gift of their time together and for an enriching exchange. At the end of the Seminar His Holiness pope Benedict XVI received the participants and following address by Professor Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr and H.E. Grand Mufti Dr Mustafa Cerif, spoke to the group. All present expressed satisfaction with the results of the Seminar and their expectation for further productive dialogue

AsiaNews

News Article. AsiaNews. “Catholic-Muslim joint declaration”, Herald News, November 16, 2008, part “Editorial”, page 10.

Kisah dari Alkitab

2008-12-24T11:34:00.004+08:00

Di Yerusalem, ada seorang lelaki tua bernama simeon. Dia seorang yang baik dan takut akan Allah. Dia menantikan masanya untuk menyelamatkan Israel. Roh Allah memberitahu Simeon, bahawa dia tidak akan meninggal dunia selagi tidak melihat Yesus iaitu Penyelamat yang dijanjikan oleh Allah.

Pada suatu hari, ibu bapa Yesus membawa-Nya ke rumah Tuhan. Pada ketika itu, Yesus baru berusia lapan hari. Simeon segera mengenali Yesus. Dia mengambil Yesus dan mendukung-Nya sambil memuji-muji Allah.

Ibu bapa Yesus hairan melihat perbuatan Simeon. Menurut Simeon, "Anak ini sudah dipilih orang!" oleh Allah untuk menyelamatkan ramai. (Lukas 2:21-34)

Dipetik daripada Herald News, December 28, 2008

CVSF's Official Logo

2008-12-24T11:10:00.005+08:00

This logo was designed by our our former President, Billy Anak Sup and Gilbert.

The meaning of CVSF logo :

Purple- symbolizes pain, suffering, and therefore mourning and penitence. It symbolizes our struggle in our journey of faith in Kuantan. It reminds us that we must be tough to overcome all temptations that can jeopardize our strong bond with our Creator.

Red- the color of fire and so symbolizes the presence of God. God always helps His peoples and is always present everywhere we go. God is the Light of our journey which comes from fire.

Green - symbolizes the renewal of vegetation and generally of living things and the promise of new life. We come to Kuantan to get new fresh life. While studying for our degree scrolls, we learn many new things here. This shows that God's love never fades and is evergreen. He always gives chance to us to improve our lives.

Yellow - symbolic of renewal and hope, especially in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is our companion. His resurrection gives hope to us.

The elipsed cross - symbolizes the blend of cultures and races among the students which united and worshipping the same God.

commendo spirituum meum - In Luke 23:46, Christ's life on earth ended with these words (in Latin): "Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum." This means, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. All our activities, actions and decisions are guided by Father in heaven. Simply to say, whatever we do, we do them in the name of Father.

C.V.S.F- acronym for Catholic Varsity Student Fellowship.

Kuantan - means the seat of the organization is at Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.This information above is taken from CVSF forumotion site under share picture.So, get to know the CVSF much deeper? Join us in our gathering every week at St. Thomas Church, Kuantan

Christmas carolling... lalalalalaaaa....

2008-12-14T18:16:00.003+08:00

Begining tomorrow night, all of us will join carolling in respective parishes. I know everybody excited because of candies, sweets and cookies. So, sing alound. Brighten up Christmas spirit with your voice. 11days left to Christmas. HOHOHO...

Holiday @ Vacation...

2008-11-11T15:29:00.012+08:00

Yea holiday..... Yabedabeduuuuu..... Aram kitai pulai menoa.

Students are going home... Yet, few of them still left behind fighting with the exam. Just 3 days left... Cannot wait to see my dog, my frens, my cat, everything...

How they mering remin???? Some of them using express bus and airbus(AirAsia @ MAS @ MASwings)

Here few example how CVSF troops going back home.

Route 1: Hentian Kolej, UMP>Puduraya, KL> KL Sentral> LCCT>home

Route 2: Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah airport>KLIA>home

Route 3: Stesen Teksi Gambang>Sultan Ismail airport, JB>home

and newly created route...

Route 4: Hentian Kolej>KL Sentral> KLIA

Here some of carrier that famous among Kuantan students.

the most famous of all: AirAsia

second in line: Malaysia Airlines System

For interior trip: MASwings

for long journey: Transnasional

There are many ways going back home. Spent this holiday with your family and you beloved one. Use the 7 weeks of holiday with activities that benefit to you. Do not forget to serve your church in your kampong or city.

To all my fren out there, happy holiday. See you again next semester. Pandu cermat. Jiwa selamat.

p/s: Although we are in holiday mood, stay tune with us. I will bring some news during this semester break directly from Borneo.

Best wish for you all...CVSF members...

2008-10-30T11:41:00.006+08:00

Approximately 24 hours before the exam start (2nov@ 10.30am) , all varsity students plus SPM & STPM students received blessing from Father Eugene before they enter to the battle field. Many were came to pray for wisdom and courage for the examination time.

And for all students...

Do your best ya...May you all have the peace in mind and calm every second in the examination hour... All the best my friends...Gambate kudasai... Aja aja fighting...Chaiyo-chaiyo...Bule bah kalau kau... Agi idup agi ngelaban... Yeah...

From St. Thomas, KUANTAN to St. Thomas, ULU REMIS, Johor.

2008-10-29T01:01:00.008+08:00

Slightly after the farewell party, Miss Camelia Fong searching for 2 more persons for Kluang visitation. After few minutes, the searching end up with Moses and Billy (thats me...) volunteered to go with them. Our journey started at 1.00pm.

We were using costal road again which for me good to test your driving skills. We enjoyed the sceneries from the van windows. During the journey, we prayed Rosary and recited Divine Mercy prayer. Our journey was like this: Pekan> Rompin> Mersing> Renggam> Ulu Remis.

river at Rompin (don't wory. no crocs)

Bill Fish, landmark of Mersing.

We arrived at St. Thomas Chapel, Ulu Remis around 5.30pm. We was welcomed by community of Ulu Remis plantation. Father Sebastian, parish priest of Kluang also present. FYI, the chapel was deep inside in a very huge palm oil plantation owned by Sime Darby.

The chapel of St. Thomas, Ulu Remis, Kluang, Johor.

inside the chapel

Before the thanksgiving mass began, Father Eugene presented the Flag of St. Thomas, Kuantan and stone of St. Thomas to the chapel representative as a token of friendship.

The thanksgiving mass began with Rosary prayer. After the mass, everybody enjoyed their dinner prepared outside the chapel. The community also tried the St. Thomas Cake baked by parishioners of St. Thomas, Kuantan.

this is my favourite part...makan...

That night, everybody enjoyed the celebration. We depart to Kuantan at 8.30pm. We arrived at Kuantan at 2.00am. The whole day I felt very tired but I enjoy the trip. I hope I have chance to visit the chapel again.

Farewell Party...

2008-10-28T03:45:00.011+08:00

Last Sunday 26 November 2008, the CVSF held a party to bid farewell to the senior students who will left Kuantan by end of November. Before the party started, all varsity students animated the Sunday Mass under new core team. They offer all their heart and knowledges to the Lord on that Sunday as a thanksgiving before final examination start.

Michelle as commentator

wardens from UMP

After the mass, all students proceed to Mount Temple @ gathering room for P&W session. All students from various campuses as far as UNITEN Muadzam Shah attended this gathering. This gathering was the last gathering for this semester. Gathering started with games by Wednna to choose "Bapak Ayam".

Then followed by praise and worship.

After that, there were several sharing and farewell speeches from outgoing seniors. The seniors thanked to friends for the supports and experiences that they gained in Kuantan.

Finally before lunch, there were certificate giving ceremony to the pervious core team members. All core team member of 2007/2008 received their certifcate from mentor, Aunty Karyn and Father Eugene Benedict.

Music Co-ordinator, Mr. Denis

Miss Emma, Assistant Secretary

Miss Ermilya a.k.a Jojon, the vice president

Mr. Billy, the ex-CEO

The lunch was prepared by Aunty Georgina. She cooked pork, cabbage and bihun. All students enjoyed their food very much. The party finished by 1pm.

To all seniors, do the best for practical and to all varsity students, wish you all the best for the coming final examination. The time has come to prove your ability.

Aramaitiiii et RoMpiN...

2008-10-28T01:15:00.014+08:00

Once upon a time on 25 October, early in the morning, Walther and Billy went to met Jojon. They want to take the car at church as constructed by Aunty Katherine Boon. With enough energy only for walking to KK1, both of them walk slowly while enjoying beautiful scenery of campus in the morning.

early in the morning at Kolej Kediaman Kedua

the student who wanna rocked the day

After managed drive the car back to UMP, both of them packed their stuff then picked Denis and Edwin. On that day, 27 varsity students will enjoy themselves at Orang Asli wedding receiption at Rompin. Rompin is about 2 hours drive via costal road.

We began our journey at 0830H, stopped at Restoran Zaman for breakfast. We passed by Bandar Diraja Pekan along majestic Sungai Pahang.

We arrive at the bride's house at 1130H after fast and furious driving along "snake road" under sunny day.

The students were happy during the wedding receiption. The Orang Asli here comes from Jakun tribe. Their wedding receiption was almost like Malay but the different was the food served to the peoples were mostly based traditional food except the drink, air sirap.

And after 40 minutes waiting, finally the bride came.

Father Eugene came from Kuantan to solemnize the marriage of the bride and bridegroom. All villagers came although that day the sun appeared in full blast mode. Everybody praise God after the bride and bridegroom exchange vows and rings.

After the wedding service, everybody were served by air sirap, kerbau kurma etc...

my favourite dish

The main event was cutting the cakes and karaoke plus joget. Some of the students really enjoy the day. They sang few songs to entertain the crowd.

We also joget under the hot sun. Thats the reason Souven wear his sunglass.

The students were enjoyed their trip because this was the first time in their life attended an Orang Asli wedding receiption. Altough the wedding was not fully following the Orang Asli traditions, the student especially the juniors enjoyed the trip. They were exposed to the Orang Asli life and learn their culture.

By 2.30pm, we left Rompin with thousand of sweet memories and one day we would like to come here again.