Tamil Catholic Community Kapar

Catholic Chapel @ Kapar

Sunday, afternoon, at 3.30p.m., I was at the newly  renovated (well not so new, now -was it around 3 years ago, the renovations??) chapel in Kapar, joining the Tamil community in  their Eucharistic celebrations. A mass in Tamil...The 60 odd congregation were all smiles and excludes such warmth! Being a thorn among the roses... has its own advantages. Those lovely people, sure do their best to make you feel at home. Thanks people!

Catechism & RCIC

Secondary level catechism
atteendees

I learnt  a little more today, what giving and caring is all about. Before mass, I had the opportunity to have a "look see" of the chapel and its facilities. The chapel was nice, real nice. At the back of the chapel, in another building lies the area, designated for catechism classes and RCIC. Three to four sessions of catechism classes were on. Students ranging .from kindergarten till secondary level. RCIC for children was also in progress. All in- around 20 odd children and young adults were in the building. One classroom  was all cramped up, but nobody seemed to notice...two teachers dressed in their Sunday best were diligently teaching and the children. appeared  appreciative and attentive. The small room must be uncomfortable and hot..but they took it in their stride. Serving means accepting the environment and making the most of the situation and facilities....Obviously, these volunteers got that special calling to do just that.

Tamil homily with Father David

Hello! Rev  good to see you!!

Mass commenced at 3.30p.m. with Father David as the celebrant. 

And we observe mass

Our Lady-Serene wearing a lovely
jewelled crown on her head 

Surprisingly,  it wasn't  really that difficult to follow the mass celebrations, language aside. The Homily was actually quite interesting...even though I could not understand Tamil. The expressive hand gestures and  the speaking facial expressions  of the celebrating shepherd, brought in some measure of understanding......so I wasn't completely lost. Of course, it helped that I had attended the Sunset mass at OLL the day before....The sixty odd congregation  comprising the elderly, adults, youths and children were totally absorbed in the message dished out during the homily. One thing for sure...nothing less than what we have in our regular week end masses. - no lacking , no difference whatsoever.....a full fledged mass celebration was observed. The  congregation were really, really all ears, you could see from their facial expression and attentiveness. It is not something we regularly  see . You know, sometimes,  YT  herself, loses her focus but these people were really into it! Father David must have felt very proud of his Kapar flocks yesterday and he was obviously, much loved and respected by the congregation there . Reward of priesthood!

Moments with the Rev

Warm ,very friendly community.  When asked  how long, they had been praying at the chapel, an elderly lady shared that they had been coming to pray at the chapel for more than 20 years... That long?? Yes, she answered...since the time of Father Benedict...WHO?? And guys, ...a number of them were gushing their appreciation of Father John (now at Church of Visitation, Seremban ) ..appeared, he had done much to get their chapel extended and renovated. Sort of re boosted their vitality-given new lease of life to the chapel and its activities. Even the statue of the Holy Mother standing at the inner portion of the chapel was from Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang ?? Really?? News to this writer.  The chapel was  sparkling clean, spacious and airy. Came with the fourteen station of the cross...a beautiful holy sanctuary., complete with flowers, sufficient seats,  IT facilities, mike and a mini projector as well!    The satisfaction must be immense for priests able to  renew the  faith of those under their charge ,  have the ability to carry out the works entrusted them-.fulfilling basic needs for continuance of faith formation., like this unit in Kapar.  Hmmm .....sure got Father J one very firm and shinning footprint in  Kapar!

After mass-one for the album

Kapar Chapel observed mass on Fridays -8.30p.m. and Sundays, 3.30p.m. (unless there are feast day celebrations in the main church in Klang) besides that, they also have bible classes, rosary., catechism and RCIC classes The youths  conduct their activities in the chapel building on Fridays after the bible classes. Their  activities include  prayer meet and  problem solving -youths help each other resolve problems.  Interesting!  Active BECs too- they actually have four BECs going under the Kapar zone ...BECs closer  to the chapel hold  their rosary meet at the chapel; those further away..observed them at the homes of individual members. Now don't they have an almost complete "must have" routine of church norm and activities??

Thanks Father David for the opportunity to be part of the Mass celebrations in Kapar. Guys, I always thought, priests have  it easy, but hei, serving is really hard work, you belong to others, all the time -your flocks first before you could claim right to  yourself...........How many of us have  got what it take to place self last and others first??? Not easy, not easy..but then who says doing God's work is easy???You need a special calling.......You need strength, you need stamina and yes, people, you need God in you!!