The normally quiet, small, little unknown chapel in Selama, off Taiping, the Chapel of St Vincent de Paul was bustling with near 300 people on 2 Oct. when members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul from the Diocese of Penang gathered there to celebrate the feast-day. Several parishioners from the Taiping Catholic Church joined them.

A riot of colours can be seen among the SSVP members as Penang state members wore their blue SSVP t-shirt, Kedah, beige SSVP t-shirt and Perak, green SSVP t-shirt.

Eucharistic celebration began at 5.00pm, celebrated by the Diocesan Council Ecclesial Assistant, Fr Maiccal Sinnappan. Joining him was the parish priest of Taiping Catholic Church, Fr Jude Miranda.

In his homily, Fr Sinnappan pointed out that during the Aggiarnamento 1976, one of the four core needs for the Peninsular Malaysia church, that arose was care for the poor. This is what SSVP had been doing and is still doing.

“It is good to see so many of you from all over the Diocese of Penang gathered here today to celebrate your feast-day.” Said Fr Sinnappan. “However, I would like to caution you that when you care for the poor, do not be too task oriented. Instead try to be Christ-centred when serving the poor. In doing so, you will cultivate a relationship with the poor that will have a great impact on their lives.”

“St Vincent de Paul  said that whatever you do, do it for the glory of God and Jesus Christ will bless you and guide you. Take this call of Jesus to the poor with love. Show by your actions that we are one with them. There should not be any classification – that they are the poor, and we are not. Do not look to them as the poor but treat them as your brothers and sisters, who are on par with you.”

After the post-communion prayer, the president of the Diocesan Council, Sr. Shirley Neoh, gave a short speech, followed by a presentation of token of appreciation to Fr Sinnappan and Fr Jude.

Two brothers, Philip Choo and Paul Choo were then called up to receive token of appreciation too. Their grandfather donated the chapel and the land to the church. Philip, had with his own funds, made some extension to the chapel. A porch in front was constructed and a further 10 feet width of the chapel was extended. Philip sponsored the food for that day, and he promised to continue sponsoring the food for another further two years, with the hope that the Society will help him raise fund to upgrade/restore the chapel. His intention is to see that more people, members and non members, coming to the chapel to celebrate the Feastday.

Before the final blessing, Fr Jude, who is also administrator of the chapel, gave an encouragement to SSVP.  Referring to the Pope’s call for evangelization, he said that one of the group that actively promotes this is none other than the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The works that SSVP does, speaks for itself – active evangelization. He said that whatever the members of SSVP does, will bear fruit, and they should stand tall and be proud of this.

The fellowship after Mass, see everyone mingling around joyously with each other as they tucked in the good food provided.

-          by Lucia Lai
(appeared in the Herald of 23 Oct. 2011)