This year’s Christmas celebration at our Parish of St. Thomas in Kuantan was absolutely fantastic! It was heartwarming to see such a huge crowd coming together from various parts of Malaysia and even from abroad. We were thrilled to invite our Migrant friends and the Orang Asli community, and provided transportation for them, so they could join in the festive fun. The church was packed with many standing inside and lots more gathering outside the Church building, celebrating the spirit of community and togetherness. It was indeed a beautiful sight!
Approximately thirty children participated in the Nativity Story this year, showcasing their incredible talent in the Christmas pageant before the Christmas Eve Mass. These wonderful kids committed themselves to practice over the past two months, supported by our dedicated catechism teachers. Through this play, they not only had a great time but also gained a deep understanding of the Christmas story and the special characters that make it so memorable. Participating in the nativity play brought to life their imagination as they embraced their roles – whether as sheep, shepherds, angels, wise men, Mary, or Joseph. It was like the story was living inside them!
The Universal Church officially launched the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve with the uplifting theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” To commemorate this significant occasion, the Holy Father opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, which will remain open throughout the entire year until 6 January 2026. This longstanding tradition of Jubilee Year, originating in 1300, which the Church has celebrated every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years, serves as a special time of reflection, grace, forgiveness, and hope.
In the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, the Jubilee Year will be inaugurated on December 29 with a special Mass at St. John’s Cathedral. At our Parish of St. Thomas, we held a soft launch on Christmas Eve and are eagerly preparing for the official launch on 19 January 2025 during Archbishop Julian Leow’s visit when he will officially declare our Parish as a designated Pilgrim centre. We have an exciting lineup of events planned throughout the Jubilee Year that offer a beautiful opportunity for all of us to embark on a heartfelt pilgrimage, embrace indulgences, and experience the power of forgiveness and grace. We warmly invite every Parishioner of St Thomas to fully engage in the fun and festivities, and together, we will warmly welcome all pilgrims who visit our Church.
As we gear up for this extraordinary Jubilee Year, remember what Christmas truly means: Emmanuel, God with us! This is a time to rediscover how God walks with us, lights our path, and renews our hope as we journey together as pilgrims of hope. Let’s celebrate the Jubilee Year and experience Grace and forgiveness with our families, friends, and everyone we meet. Let’s come together on this inspiring journey!
Comments