“As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

A Happy New Year to you all.

This is a time for us to take stock. Christians are called to continually ponder the events in their lives and to understand what God is revealing through them. This is the time when we count the blessings we have received in the past year.

FOR them, we are thankful, but TO God, we must be grateful, for He is the source of all blessings. The tendency in many of us is to focus on our present struggles while not remembering well, wonderful things we have experienced. Instead, Christians ought to be buoyed by the memory of God’s providence and faithfulness in times of hardship.

Yes, in reflecting on the past year, we must also recall our mistakes and bad choices. For these, we ask God for forgiveness, and seek wisdom from God to draw life lessons. This new year must be a time for personal growth.

“The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

This verse is taken from the Gospel of the Christmas Day morning Mass. As we’ve just celebrated Christmas, the Church calls us to continue to ponder on the lessons of this important feast.

God who so loved the world, could not stand aloof as we struggle with sin and in darkness. He came into our world, taking on human form to redeem us. In Jesus Christ, the Word of God that became flesh, all who believe in Him become sons and daughters of God.

And just as the Father sent His Son into the world to overcome darkness with His radiance, all of God’s sons and daughters are also sent to be the light of the world. Our call is to bring God’s presence to wherever we are.

In 2018, our parish community of Blessed Sacrament will endeavour to carry out the proposals adopted at the Kuching Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly (2017). The pastoral orientation is primarily to empower you to take initiative and to assume your roles in our parish, in your homes, and in your workplaces – to address your personal challenges and our shared concerns for our society.

I look forward to collaborating with many of you. Let us make this parish community a place where we can all draw strength and nourishment.

May 2018 see you and I grow, and bring about positive changes in our world.

May God shower His choicest blessings on you and your loved ones this new year!

Fr Felix Au