Monday, May 31, 2010

A pilgrimage day 朝圣的一天

St.Michael's Choir 圣米高歌咏团


On Sunday, The Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we celebrated Mass at St. Michael Church. The Choir dressed in their most regal and sang many Latin hymns that making the Mass solemn and joyful.

After lunch at a restaurant, we began our day of pilgrimage of churches.

First destination is the St. Joseph's Church in Batu Gajah which was established more than 130 years ago. Fr. Robin, the parish priest, welcomed the visitors with a briefing on the history of the church and a tea reception later.

Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was our next destination. We performed the 3 steps mini pilgrimage at the grotto. Fr. Bernard Paul expressed warm welcome to all the visitors and wished them a blessed mini pilgrimage.

The last destination was the Church of Perpetual Succour in Ipoh Garden. Besides a warm welcome by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Philip Lai, the Chinese Choir also presented their beautiful singing which received loud applause from the visitors. (more pic in Facebook)

Pilgrimage at OLL church 露德圣母堂朝圣

星期天是天主圣三日,我们在圣米高堂欢庆这个节日。该堂的歌咏团,穿上他们隆重的制服,用拉丁调唱出多少弥撒歌曲,使到这庆典更隆重欢悦。

午餐过后,我们的华都亚也圣若瑟教堂拜访,受到该堂罗宾神父及教友领袖的欢迎,并设茶点招待。

下一站是到斯里宾的路德圣母堂朝圣。本堂主任巴纳保罗神父在欢迎军友时,也祝福大家有一个美满的小朝圣。

我们参加了在圣母庭的三步骤小朝圣 - 祈祷准备,触摸圣庭石,象征坚强的新的,然后洗涤身体。

当天最后的一站是拜访怡保花园的永援圣母堂。我们也是受到该堂主任赖神父的亲身欢迎。该堂的华语歌咏团还特别为我们献唱多首悦耳的歌曲,舒愉拜访者。(更多照片在Facebook)

Fr.Lai welcomed visitors 赖神父欢迎访客Watch the Choir singing @Youtube 看录影


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Feeding an army 养精蓄锐

Spiritual food 精神食粮

Physical food 肉体食粮

The organiser served the best Ipoh food and specialty to the participating legionaries. For today's lunch, they served famous Ipoh chicken and pomelo.

Feeding an army of almost 400 is not an easy task. Well fed army ready for battle.

Today's programme including talks by Rev. Fr. Simon Yi and Rev. Sr. Theresa Chew.












主办当局尽量推出怡保出名的美食给到会的军友。今天的午餐,就有怡保著名的白斩鸡及梅菜扣肉,加上打门柚子。

为整四百人的大队提供食物,的确不是件容易的事。供给充足,打仗才有力量。

今天的交流会节目有讲座,有余金忠神父及周丽娜修女负责。

18th Legion Fellowship 第18 届圣母军交流会


第18届马新汶台圣母军交流会开始了!四百位来自26个单位的圣母军团员,出席了这项年度28/5/2010 - 1/6/2010 举行的联谊聚会。

The show began! The 18th Annual Legion Fellowship are being held in St. Michael Church, Ipoh from 28/5/2010 to 1/6/2010. About 400 legionaries from East, West Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Taiwan arrived at the venue as early as 26/5//2010.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The vocation of Sr. Marie (玛丽亚修女的圣召-英文版)

The [Holy Dash] trip was tight and short. Age was catching up and my physical endurance is getting weaker. 3 hours of checking in time at the airport, 4 1/2 hours of flight and 1 hour of taxi ride to home, exhausted me... has not recover as yet till today...

The [Holy Dash] did not make me holy instantly, but my understanding of "holiness" has been deepened and renewed. One could not be unaffected dashing from one holy place to another.

I was especially touched by Sr. Marie and her fellow sister nuns' serenity and joy radiated from within. As a Christian, a holy life is pleasing to God and the fulfillment of our vocation of holiness.

Sr. Marie has chosen the path through complete surrender and sacrifice to God to attain holiness.

After her Solemn Profession, Sr. Marie shared her story of her vocation. With her permission, I have translated into English as below:

The vocation story of Sr. Marie Aimee of Jesus


It was not my dream, not even my primary ambition to be a nun, but He called me when I was 21 years old. I did not panic, neither did I doubt the genuine of the Call nor asking “why me”. In my heart I responded to his Call, although I did not have much idea of being a Carmelite nun.

After many years, when I completed my studies, He called me again. The message was : “leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you, you are to be a blessing”. From then on, I understood that I have to leave my birth place, go to a new country, never to return! Luckily, He did not say: act immediately now, to realize my plan for you. So in my heart, I responded: ” give me few more years, allow me to be with my family. After that I shall be completely yours”.. He agreed. He blessed my works, and also sending kind souls to assist me in obtaining visa to Taiwan.

When I was about to enter into a new phase of my life, the political situation in Taiwan was very volatile and in turmoil. Friends advised me to delay the trip. “ you are alone and a stranger in a new place. Should anything happen to you…”. I was not perturbed. I recalled my earlier telephone conversation with the Sister, her first sentence was : “ Leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you, you are to be a blessing ”. I was taken aback, the same message! I did not wish to delay further, and decided to leave immediately. For failure or success, at least I have responded His call and realizing my promise to Him.

On May 6, 2004, with USD$300.00 and two pairs of shoes, I left for Taiwan, with no credit card, no second set of clothing to change, more so without a luggage. At the KL International Airport, I handed over my hand phone to my friend. She said:” could it be a scam..?” I looked at my one way ticket, did not answer except smiled and said goodbye. I left for the boarding gates without looking back. I followed the instruction of the Sister, bringing nothing. Few hours later, I was at the Taoyuan Airport, Taipei, meeting a complete stranger, bringing me to the Carmelite Monastery at Shen Keng. At about 7:00 pm, I entered the enclave.

The result.. today, May 23, 2010, allowing me a little boastfulness, I would like to say:“ I am more blessed than Abraham, for in my living days, I entered the Promise Land. May I invite all of you to recite with me the praises: “ My soul glorify the Lord, my soul rejoice in God our Saviour, for he looks on His servant in her nothingness, all generation shall call me blessed.”

May God bless and reward you all for coming to my Solemn Profession and sharing my joy.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

修女的圣召过程

这趟『朝圣的奔驰』的确是很短及紧凑。年纪大了,体能也大不如前,四个半小时的飞机航程,加上三个小时提早到机场登记,再加上一个小时的机场到家的计程车时间,回到家,已经是精疲力竭了。。。到今天还没有回复体能。。。真是哎呀呀!

『朝圣的奔驰』没有使到我即时的变的事圣洁(holy),但我对圣洁,却是有另一番的体验及概念革新。你不可能身在臭豆腐摊,不会沾染到臭豆腐味;同样的,到了圣洁的修院,接触到清心寡欲的修女们,不会毫无感动!

特别是看到玛丽亚修女及她的姐妹修女们发自内心的喜乐及和祥,我一定会更鞭策自己醒悟到,作为一位基督徒,圣洁的生活,才是取悦于天主的生活,是成圣的必然条件。

玛丽亚修女在发愿过后,分享了她的圣召过程。得到她的允许,特别放在这里和大家分享:

耶稣钟爱的玛利亚修女的圣召故事 (修女原文)

成为修女不是我的梦想,更不是我的第一志愿,但他却召叫了我。那一年,我21岁,我没有惊惶失措,也没有任何疑惑这个召叫的真实性,更没有太多的<为什么是我>。我在心里回应了他的召叫,虽然那时我并无完整的概念,对於当一个隐修女是怎么的一回事!

过了几年,他又召叫了我。那年我完成了学业。这次的讯息是<离开你的故乡,你的家族和你父亲的家,往我指给你的地方去,我要使你成为一个福源>。从那天起我明白了,我将离开我的出生地,到另一个陌生的国度,永远不再返家了!所幸他并没有说:你得马上行动,实行我在你生命中的划。因此我在心里答复他说:<给我几年时间,好让我能与家人欢聚之後,我会完完全全的属於你>。他答应了!他降福了我的工作,更让我处处遇贵人,让我很顺利的拿到签证入境台湾。

在我要启程开始我人生的另一个阶段时,当时的台湾政治局势很不稳定,满城风雨,友人劝说:迟些时候再去吧!你一个人,单身女子,去到陌生地,人生路不熟,举目无亲,万一有个什么的。。。怎么办。。。。我不为所动,我回想起当我与修女联络时,从电话的另一端,传过来的第一句话是:<离开你的故乡,你的家族和你父亲的家,往我指给你的地方去,我要使你成为一个福源>。我愣住了,同样的讯息!因此我不想拖时间,毅然决定的说走就走,因为不管成功或失败,至少我已答复了他的召叫,实现了我对他的承诺。

2004年5月6日,我只带了300美金和两双鞋子来台湾,身上没有信用卡,没有第二套换洗衣服,更不用说带旅行袋。在大马国际机场,当我把手机交给友人时,她说到:会不会是个骗局。。。?我看著手中单程的机票,只微笑道再见,头也不回的昂首走进栅栏。我真的按照修女的指示,不带任何东西就来了。过了几个小时,我在桃园机场等待著一个我素未谋面的人,接我去深坑隐修院报到。当天晚上7时左右,我踏入了隐院禁地。

结果呢,今天2010年5月23日,恕我斗胆的对你们在座的每一位说:我比亚巴郎幸运,因为在我活著的时候,我已进入了福地。现在我愿意邀请大家同我一起赞颂说:<我的灵魂颂扬上主,我的心灵欢跃於我的救主天主,因为他垂顾了他卑微的使女,今後万代的人都要称我有福>。天主赏报大家参与我的奉献,分享我的喜乐。

The profession ceremony 发愿典礼



Priests, Religious and well wishers streaming into the monastery as time approaching. The rain started early in the morning stopped!

I met some of Sr. Marie's former classmates and uni-mates from Malaysia and Singapore. Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Fr. who is studying Mandarin in Taiwan and seminarian Augustine Lee who is pursuing Theology study at Fu Ren University were also present.

I also met few of my fellow legionaries from Taipei came for the ceremony.

His Grace, "the humorous" Archbishop Hong, with about 15 priests and 2 Deacons, celebrated the Mass and the profession ceremony. His jokes and lively sermon made the otherwise solemn proceedings filled with love, joy and laughter.

After the profession and robing, Sr. Marie received a bouquet of flowers from her mother. His Grace Archbishop, as the head shepherd of the Taipei Archdiocese, also thanks Sr. Marie's mother and family for their great sacrifice and offering of a daughter to the vineyard of God. (More pictures on Facebook)


当庆典时间越迫近时,神父,神职人员及教友朋友们陆续的抵达了修院。从早上就下着的的雨,突然停了!

我遇见了多位来自马来西亚,新加坡的大学同学。到台湾来学华语,来自吉隆坡总教区的神父及在辅仁大学修读神,哲学的李义兴修士,也到了参加典礼。

我也很高兴的回见到来参加发愿礼的台北圣母军军友,特别是秀英,素瑾和美满姐妹。素瑾和美满将在几天后,到来马来西亚,参加怡保第十八届圣母军交流会,到时我们可有好多时间聚谈。遗憾的是,秀英因工作,不能参与。

台北洪山川总主教,联同大约十五位神父及两位执事,主持了弥撒及发终身圣愿仪式。幽默的洪总主教,他的笑话及证道,使到原本严肃的典礼,充满温馨,喜乐及欢笑。

在发愿及穿上正式的会袍之后,妈妈向修女献上一束美丽的鲜花,温情感人。洪总主教,作为总教区的首牧,向修女的妈妈及家人,至上虔诚的谢意,感谢他们把一位女儿奉献给天主葡萄园。

弥撒及仪式结束后,修会特设了茶点招待到会者。新发愿玛利亚修女及姐妹修女们,也特地和他们交谈及道谢。 (更多照片在FACEBOOK)

玛丽亚(金燕)修女 Sr. Marie's Profession (Chinese version)

金燕的妈妈,四姐,外甥女及弟弟世兴

在台北的第二天,是圣神降临日,我们参加了在修院的圣堂弥撒,由年届83的刘神父主持圣祭。刘神父曾在槟城大修院完成了七年的司铎培训,甲柔教区的顾神父及余怀仁神父是他的同学。

今天将是非常欢欣的一天,因为我将会和玛丽亚(金燕)修女见面。。。六年来的第一次!

台湾有两所圣母隐修院,就是在台北穹林的总院,及在深坑的分院。目前总院有大约二十多为修女,深坑则有13位修女。玛丽亚修女是在深坑修院。

修院坐落在深坑,但并不如其名,而是在深坑镇的一座小山上,被许多山丘及树木围绕,小河流水,环境清雅宁静。

我和慧娜在本笃修院用完了早餐后,马上启程前往深坑。当天一早,雨就下个不停。我们乘坐捷运,再转坐计程车,在中午时间,到了深坑加尔默罗圣母隐修院。

因为是玛丽亚修女发永愿的大喜日子,修院特准修女会见来自国外的家人及朋友,所以我们很幸运的马上就和玛丽亚修女见面了。

她没什么特大的改变,只是从一位稚嫩的姑娘,穿上了会衣,显得端庄平和,但不失少女的朴真。依然没有改变的是她调皮及喜乐的笑容。

“安哥西满,你是不是在生我的气?。。。。去年,台北交流会期间,我盼望你到来探访我(假如你有来)。。。。我现在真的是很高兴看到了你!”

我要求她的原谅。我们谈了好多,回顾以前在加影的趣事。。。朋友们。。。。及。。。哦哦。。我答应要给她一间屋子的结婚礼物!!!

我告诉她我全都奉献给主耶稣了,要就向他拿把!。。(多么聪明的答案)。我问她在修会的生活。。。从她发自内心的喜乐和平安和祥,我知道她的修道及奉献生活过得很好,我非常的高兴及放心。

“我一定要介绍台北总主教给你认识。。。他是一位非常随和及充满爱心的神长。。” 她说的就是洪山川总主教。我在去年的台北交流会期间,就和他会过面了。他的确是位好客,随和及风趣的主教。

玛丽亚修女的妈妈,四姐及弟弟,特地到台北参加她的发愿典礼。洪总主教亲自招待他们,包括邀请他们到主教寓所共进晚餐,另外还特别安排主顾会修女全程接待他们,还特别指示自己的私人司机,随时候命,接载他们。这的确是令人感觉温馨的举动,体现一位教会神长的仁慈及受人尊敬的一面。

我们谈了将近两个小时,最后得停下来,因为修女要准备即将在下午三时举行的发愿典礼及弥撒。

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sr. Marie Aimee's profession 玛利亚(金燕)修女发愿 (英文版)


On Sunday, the second day in Taipei, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday Mass at the chapel in the Convent. The celebrant was 83 years old Fr. Liu who had spent 7 years in the College General Penang for his priestly formation. Fr. Ku and Fr. Yu from Melaka-Johor Diocese were among his classmates.

It was expected to be an exciting day. I was going to meet Sr. Marie for the first time in more than 6 years....

There are 2 Carmelite Monasteries in Taiwan, one in Taipei and a branch in Shen Keng (means deep hole in Mandarin). There are more than 20 nuns in Taipei monastery and 13 in Shen Keng. Sr. Marie is attached to Shen Keng Monastery.

The monastery is not in a deep hole or valley but on a hill surrounded by forest.

Hui Na and I left for the monastery immediately after breakfast and arrived there at noon. It was her big day, so Sr. Marie was allowed to see us (oversea visitors) upon our arrival.

She didn't change much...still jovial, cheeky and smiling. She looked blessed and serene.

"Uncle Simon, were you angry with me?.... I was expecting your visit last year during the Legion fellowship in Taipei ........ I am so happy to see you today!..."

I asked for her forgiveness and chatted...reminiscing her time in Kajang ...friends.... and ........ oooopsssss .... the house I promised her as wedding present!!!

I have to change the subject and asking her about her life in the monastery. I am happy to see her living out her vocation happily in the monastery.

"I must introduce you to the Archbishop of Taipei... he is such a kind and warm person ... " He was referring to Archbishop Hong whom I had met last year during our Taipei Legion Fellowship.

Sr. Marie's mother, elder sister and younger brother were in Taipei to attend her Solemn Profession. Archbishop Hong was so kind to look into their needs personally including hosting dinner for them at his residence, checking on them to make sure they were comfortable, assigning certain people to care for them ... and let them use his car and driver wherever and whenever they required.

We chatted for almost 2 hours and had to stop for her to get ready for the ceremony at 3:00 pm.

Looking at the photos of friends
翻看旧时的照片


Monday, May 24, 2010

Rev. Sr. Marie Aimee

Rev. Sr. Marie Aimee 玛丽亚(金燕)修女

St.Benedict Convent in Danshui 淡水圣本笃修院


It was a short but fruitful trip.

However, the 3 days in Taipei were dashing between airport, a convent, a monastery, a religious center and airport. It was a Holy Dash...

I arrived at Taipei at about 4:00pm with 3 other friends - Robert, Jane and Christina. Except Robert, Christina was the uni-mate of Sr. Marie, and Jane through church activities. They would attend the Solemn Profession and stay back for a retreat.

We were welcomed by the Sisters at the St. Benedict Convent in Danshui, north of Taipei. The Sisters had prepared for us comfortable rooms and delicious meals.

At night we had the opportunity to visit the night market of Danshui town and tried out the various local hawker food. (more pictures at Facebook)


这趟台北之行,虽短但圆满结束。

这三天的行程,主要就是奔跑在机场,修院,隐修院,修会中心及机场之间,可说是一项『朝圣之奔驰』。。。我还以为到圣洁的地方,不需要很多的步行,所以没带我的第三只脚(手杖),但却出乎意料之外的相反,幸好我的残脚没有出卖我。

我在星期六傍晚四时左右抵达台北。同行的有贵才(Robert), 妙琴(Jane)和慧娜(Christina)。除了贵才他不认识之外,慧娜是玛丽亚修女(金燕)的大学同学,而妙琴则透过教会活动,认识玛丽亚修女。他们三人都会和我一同参加发愿典礼(主要目的),然后留在圣本笃修院作避静。

坐落在北部的淡水圣本笃会修院的修女热情的欢迎我们,并为我们准备好了舒适的房间及美味哦餐膳。

在晚上,我们也趁机到离开修院不远的淡水夜市场溜达,并品尝道地的著名小吃。(更多照片Facebook)

(posted at the Taipei Airport 写于台北机场)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Many houses 庭庭院院

The reward for our fidelity of faith is to be with God our Father, the Creator in Heaven.

Jesus promised us: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.
In my Father's house there are many places to live in; otherwise I would have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you to myself, so that you may be with me where I am. (John 14:1-3)

But before checking into the house in heaven, our souls must be cleansed and purified. So there is a midway house (in theological term The Purgatory) for us to do penance and purification for sins committed on earth.

For our souls, we have to go through The lower house, then The upper house (Heaven).

On earth, in Malaysia, we have many houses too. Tall houses, low houses, high end houses, low end houses, upper houses, lower houses.

Among all the houses, there is one special lower house which enables people enter into it not to clean or purify their souls, but be given power to do good things for the people and the country. But instead, many choose to do good only for themselves, misusing the privileges, authority and perks accorded to them. They use their berths in the house to enrich themselves by frog jumping too.

Among the many entering this house, a number of them had become famous pornography actors; some have been turned into animals like lions, monkeys, pigs and the most famous ones being frogs! Among them also are undercover explosive experts, secret agents.....

Recently one ape man member married second wife illegally, was jailed for one month plus fine.

This is a house of sheep and wolf, weed and wheat.

We have a lower house, surely must have an upper house. This is not heaven.

The function of this house is to re-brand, re-package losers into winners, power seekers into sincere looking suckers, buggers into gentlemen. They do nothing but enjoy plenty of fat perks, benefits and privileges.

This is a house of deception.

I wonder these people do sincerely believe in God, purgatory (hell) and heaven .... or in common terms, power, truth and justice.

我们对本身信仰忠贞的奖赏,就是能够在天堂和天主,我们的创造者在一起。

耶稣答应我们:“你们心里不要烦乱;你们要信赖天主,也要信赖我。在我父的家里,有许多住处。我去,原是要为你们预备地方;如不然,我早就告诉了你们。我去了,为你们预备地方以后,我必再来接你们到我那里去,为的是我在那里,你们也在那里。”(若14:1-3)

但是,我们的灵魂必须洁净,罪恶清除,才能够进入天主的家。所以,就有一间半途的洁净所,叫做炼狱,让我们有赎罪的机会,清除我们的罪尤,使到灵魂洁白,才能够进入更高的天堂了。

我就这样的比喻:我们的灵魂,离开了在世时居住的家居庭院,经过灵的第一庭院(净化),才能够进入最高的第二庭院(天堂)。

在世俗生活中,马来西亚也许多这样的庭庭院院。如法庭,上诉庭,高庭,医院,法院,立法院等。但最有趣及最和上面所说的第一庭院和第二庭院相似的,就是下一院和上一院了。

下一院不是如灵性的洁净庭院,而是让那些能进入的人(体),得到权力及地位,为人们谋福利,国家谋福祉。但是,很多进入之后,却只为自己个人私利,滥用所赋予的权利,福利,特权,中饱私囊。

在这么多进入者中,出了几位著名春宫演员;有些则变成了动物,如狮子,老虎,猴子,人猿,当然最出名的就是青蛙了!在他们之中,还藏着卧底炸药专家,特务等。。。。

最近这下一院的一位人猿,因为重婚,而被判监禁一个月及附加罚款。

这是一所绵羊狐狸,野草麦蕙共存的庭院。

至于上一院,绝对不是天堂。

这里是利益的交易所,也是重新模塑,包装的地方。这个庭院,把失败者,变装成胜利者;把权势追求者,变成诚实的吸血鬼;把混蛋变成绅士。。。他们都无所事事,毫无生产力,但却享受着丰厚的福利,特权。

这是一所混诈的庭院。

我正在好奇,不知这些家伙是否真正的相信天主,炼狱(地狱)和天堂。。。简单的说,就是权力,真理和正义!

Flying off 起飞

I am at the LCCT waiting to board Air Asia 10:00 AM flight to Taipei.

I found my camera without battery.

My wife surely will say:"if the Ding Dongs are not attached, you will find them missing too".

I charged the battery last night. Either it was left on the table in the bedroom or still attached to the charger which I placed in the luggage... answer shall be known when I arrived in Taipei.

I shall be back on Monday... no WIFI or Internet in the monastery...

** PA system just annoucement, due to bad weather (heavy rain), boarding would be delay...


我现在是在廉价终站,要趁搭亚航十点班机前往台北。

我刚发现,照相机没有电池。

我的太太一定会说:“假如两粒叮当没有附体,也是会不见的”。

昨晚我充电后,可能留在睡房的桌上,或者电池还在充电器上。我把充电器放在行李箱里,到了台北,答案就知道了。

我将会在星期一回来。相信在台北的修院,没有无线或上网的设备。

** 刚刚报告,因为外面下着大雨,将延迟登机。

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

To Taipei 到台北去

(Edited 21-5-2010 6:30 pm, please see footnote)
(增编 21-5-2010 请看后记)

I was informed almost a year ago of the tentative date: 23/5/2010 OR 30/5/2010.

I was hesitating and struggling. May would be a busy month - wedding in Kota Kinabalu on 15/5/10, Legion day (Marian congress was not even conceived yet), Legion Fellowship in Ipoh from 28/5 to 1/6/2010.

Until a month ago, it came with an invitation card and a note to confirm the date: 23/5/2010.

After reading the note, my wife and I decided immediately, if not possible for both of us, one of us must go ....

The note reads:
My dear Uncle Simon and Pauline,

With my broken English, I still have to write in English because I afraid that uncle Simon doesn't want to translate the letter if I write in Mandarin, right or not, uncle Simon? (
no change, still the cheeky Esther -my comment). Somehow, I really wish to see you (both of you) in my Profession Mass... but then...OK, I leave it up to God. Uncle Simon, thanks for everything that you had done for me, God reward you now and forever... I miss you very very much. I'll pray for your need day and night. That's the only thing that I can do for you... God bless you.
Love from Sr. Marie 16-4-2010

Immediately I made a flight booking to Taipei from 22/5 to 24/5/2010 to attend Sr. Marie Aimee's Solemn Profession on 23/5/2010 Sunday at 3:00pm at the Carmerlite Monastery, Shen keng, Taipei.

Sr. Marie Aimee (Esther Yong)from Sibu, Sarawak was a student in UKM, Bangi more than 17 years ago. She was not a Christian then. She followed her friends to our church and later attended RCIA and baptised as a Catholic. After obtaining her Masters, she returned to Sibu to teach for a while.

Then she went to Taiwan to join the Carmerlite order... have not seen or contacted her since then....
She is a bright, jovial and lovely girl. I once joked that if she got married, I would give her a house as present....
Now she is making her final profession to take Jesus as her spouse, I am not sure the promise still valid ..... I am in trouble!

Footnote: Got some pictures from others. Sr. Maria was very active in our parish ... she has more friends than I can remembered.

Sr. Marie (Esther Yong) front seated first from left at Disciple retreat 1998
玛丽亚修女(杨金燕),坐者左一,门徒班避静 1998


我在大约一年前,就被告知这个日期: 23/5/2010 或者 30/5/2010.

当时我觉得有点为难,犹豫,内心在挣扎。我知道五月是个很忙的月份,因为在五月中( 15/5)要去亚庇参加乾女儿诗诗的结婚典礼,通常这个月份也是庆祝圣母军日的时候。到了月尾 29/5 至 1/6/2010,要去怡保参加圣母军交流会。这个交流会更是重要,因为这是我二十年来,从未间断过都出席的盛会。假如日期肯定在30/5/2010,那我就不能够了。

直到大约一个月前,一张邀请卡和一则短信,肯定了日期: 23/5/2010.

打开了卡,读了那则短信之后,我和太太马上决定,假如不能两人去,必定要有一个人去。

那则短信如下(原文英文):

我亲爱的安哥西满及(安蒂)宝玲,
以我不是很好的英文,还是要用它来书写,因为我恐怕假如用华文,安哥西满不会把它翻译(给安蒂看)。安哥西满,你说对吗?(看来她还是这么调皮)。无论如何,我确是很希望看到你们(两人)出席我誓发终身隆重圣愿的弥撒。。。但是。。。OK...我交给天主吧。安哥西满,我非常感谢你过去为我所做到一切。天主降福你,现在及永远。。。我非常非常的想念你。我将为你的需要,日夜祈祷。这是我唯一能够为你做到的事。
天主降福你。

玛利亚修女
16/4/2010

我马上的订了飞机票,22/5 至 24/5/2010 到台北深坑,加尔默罗圣母圣衣隐修院,参加玛利亚修女的永愿庆典及弥撒。我必须去。

玛利亚修女,原名Esther 杨金燕,来自沙劳越的诗巫。大约17年前,她就读于国民大学,当时不是基督教徒。她常随同住的同学来加影圣家堂参加弥撒及活动,后来进入了慕道班,也领洗成为一名天主教徒。在修读完硕士学位后,她回到诗巫担任教师一个时期。
后来,她进入了台湾圣母圣衣隐修院。那时起,我就没有和她见面及联络了。

金燕是一位聪明及可爱的女孩,我们常常逗弄她及和她开玩笑。我曾开玩笑的和她说:“当你结婚时,我会送一间屋子给你作为礼物”。

现在,她决定奉献自己,以耶稣作为净配,我不敢肯定我对她的承诺,是否还有效。。。我可有麻烦了!
Sr.Marie - standing first right
玛丽亚修女,站者右一


后记:从别处拿到一些照片。原来玛丽亚修女(金燕)在加影时,非常活跃。她比我的记忆中,拥有更多的朋友。

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Congratulations 恭喜

Congratulations to the courageous Sibu voters.

Opposition DAP party has won the Sibu parliamentary by-election by a thin majority of 398 votes.

Money cannot buy ....
White hair, pink lips better take flight...
Sibu ning --- Boleh!

恭贺勇敢的诗巫人。

民主行动党在诗巫区国会补选中,以398张多数票,击败执政的国阵而胜出。

金钱不能收卖。。。
白头,红唇快快滚开。。。
诗巫人---能!

Goodbye 再见


We attended Sunday Mass at the Church of Mary Immaculate, Kota Kinabalu where Jonathan serves in the Choir.

The church is the smaller version of our Holy Family Church in Kajang in term of structure and interior.

Apparently, Jonathan has not much time to say goodbye to his choir members ....

However, today the parish also celebrating the Pesta Ke'amatan, so the Mass ended with a high note, fittingly, Shine Jesus Shine! diluted the feelings of goodbye.

For a young man leaving a place which has been his home for almost 2 years and many friends behind.... surely is a sad thing.

But life must goes on... with God blessing, I wish my son a happy and fruitful posting in Melaka. For Kota Kinabalu and all the people who had been looking after him, befriending him, I said Thank you and God bless you too....

For those otherwise not included, Don't cry for me Argentina.....

Fittingly, a bowl of KK famous Ngiu Cap Mee (Mixed beef noodle) concluded our KK trip.


今早我们到亚庇的玛丽亚无染原罪堂参加主日弥撒。儿子政安 Jonathan 是这里的歌咏团成员。

这间教堂的结构及内部,好像是加影圣家教堂的缩影。

在即将调任到马六甲的他来说,确实是没有很多时间向歌咏团成员道别。

今天,该教堂也欢庆当地的丰收节,所以,最后一首的礼成咏【耶稣照耀】,以高吭的歌声作为结束,也冲淡了离愁。

对于一个年轻人来说,要离开一个住了两年,称为家的地方,及留下好多的朋友,的确是件伤感的事。

但日子还是要过。。。藉着圣神的保佑,我祝福儿子到马六甲的新岗位上,工作愉快及顺利。对于亚庇,及那些照顾他,关怀他的朋友们,我说声谢谢,愿天主降福大家。

至于那些不包括在内的,我只能够说:不要为我流泪,阿晋蒂娜(阿根廷)

最后,我们以一碗亚庇著名的牛杂面,来结束这趟亚庇之行,该是最恰当不过了!

Goodbye my friends 再见朋友

Goodbye ngiu cap 再见牛杂面


Outing 户外活动


For the whole month of May, the Kadazan-Dusun community in Sabah are celebrating the Pesta Ke'amtan (Harvest Festival).

HSBC sports club organized an outing in conjunction with the festival at the HSBC Manager's residence. We were invited to be there after the wedding Mass.

Many traditional childhood games were organised and the outing ended with a buffet lunch served with variety of local Kadazan-Dusun specialties.
在这个五月份,沙巴州的卡达山-都顺群体欢庆丰收节。

配合这个节日,汇丰银行的体育会,特别在当地的经理别墅,举办了一项户外活动。我们在结婚弥撒过后,也被邀请出席。

当天的活动包括许多孩提游戏项目,供家庭成员参与。最后,活动以丰富的自由午餐,加上许多当地的族群美食,作为结束。











Saturday, May 15, 2010

Wedding 终成眷属

Cecilia was a form 5 girl when I met her in Sandakan where our God father and God daughter relationship began. Later she entered form 6, then graduated in accountancy from University Malaya Sabah.

I am so happy to see her married the man she loves at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu. May God bless them a happy and fruitful married life.

Later in the evening, a wedding beach dinner party was held at the Beringgis Beach Resort, Kinarut, about 20 km from Kota Kinabalu.

It was a wonderful party and a beautiful day.

我在山打根认识诗诗(Cecilia) 时,她当时是位中五生,开始了我们乾爹,乾女儿的关系。过后,他进入中六,然后进入沙巴马来亚大学,毕业于会计系。

今天,我很高兴的看到他与一位自己爱的人结婚。婚礼是假亚庇圣心主教座堂举行。愿天主降福他们的爱情及家庭生活。

过后,在傍晚,他们在离开市区约二十公里的一间海滩渡假村举行了一个沙滩派对。

这是一个非常别致及快乐的婚宴庆祝,我们也度过了美好的一天。

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dinner 晚餐

From left左起: Robettta, Agatha and Nancy

We have sea food dinner tonight.

Jonathan's colleagues joining and meeting us for the first time. They would miss Jonathan very much since they have been working together for more than one and a half year.

今晚我们吃海鲜晚餐。

儿子的几位同事也来参与,并和我们第一次会面。他们将会感到难过,因为他们和他共事已经一年多,相处的也很融洽。

I am in KK 人在亚庇


Many legionaries would be looking for me this weekend at the Marian Congress held at Wisma MCA Kuala Lumpur (15/16 May).

How can former Regia President absent from such a big event? not supporting?

Very often, some legionaries, some with genuine concern and some not, asking me "why didn't see you at the xxx function?", "are you still in the Legion?"," are you still an active member?"

I am blogging now at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Yes, I am here to attend my God-daughter Cecilia Hooi's wedding tomorrow but planned a year ago. I booked my air ticket a year ago too.

My son Jonathan who has been working in KK since September 2008, gave us a surprise when he picked us up at the airport -- he is being transferred to Melaka branch. He is to report for duty at his new post on 23-5-2010 to fill the held vacant position.

KK may be removed from my frequent destination soon ....

Sun set view from the hotel room
房间看到夕阳西下

这个周末在吉隆坡马华大夏举行的『 圣母大会』里,会有很多圣母军团员在找我。(15及16日)

一位前任的区域团团长,那里可以不出席?难道不支持吗?

很多时候遇到一些团员,有些关心的,有些则不是,他们问到:“那天xxx活动,没看到你?”, “你还有在圣母军吗?”, “你现在还很活跃吗?”。

我现在是在沙巴亚庇的酒店,写这帖子。是的,这个周末,我来了亚庇,出席乾女儿诗诗的结婚典礼。这是一年前就定下的日子,也是一年前就订好的机票。

我的儿子政安 Jonathan, 在这里工作也将近两年了。当他到机场接我们的时候,给了我们一个惊奇:他将会被调往马六甲分行服务,并需在本月二十三号报到,填补空置的职位。

看来,亚庇将会从我 “常拜访” 的地点除名了。。。

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Mother of Mother's day 母亲节的母亲


Today is Ascension Thursday, it commemorates Christ's Ascension into heaven 40 days after his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

My wife and I attended the 7:00 am Mass, using Father George's words, to bid farewell to Jesus ... his departure from this earth to take up the rightful place in Heaven.

After breakfast, we bought 2 packets of Nasi Lemak to visit Andrew whose wife Ann has been admitted to Kajang Hospital few days ago due to mild heart attack. (hopefully you won't say why so cheap one, nasi lemak only! It is the thought that counts)

At the gate, we were surprised to see Ann sweeping the porch! She is home.

She has undergone many tests including CT heart scan at the National Heart Institute (IJN), Kuala Lumpur. She is a little weak but otherwise doing fine and would go back for the test results in a few weeks time. It was suspected that her heart condition was related to her rheumatoid conditions. She also suffers from knee pain (her knee condition is worse than mine).

Andrew, himself suffered from some medical conditions, complained that he could not sleep during her wife's one week absence from home. He missed his wife! ( I did not tell him that my wife is leaving me for six weeks to Europe!)

Surely not only Andrew missed his wife, their two children at home ( the eldest girl has married) also missed their mom too.

Ann is a devoted wife and mother. Besides having a career as a staff nurse in Kajang hospital, she attends to the needs of her family with utmost dedication and love.

She is kind and helpful. Whenever a friend, or a friend's friend admitted to hospital, she would unhesitatingly offer her helping hands.

She was in hospital and missed the Mother's day celebration, but surely she is THE mother of the Mother's day!

May God bless her a speedy recovery.


今天我们庆祝耶稣升天,纪念他在复活四十天后,回到天国里去。

我和太太参加了早上七时的弥撒,套用赫神父的话,“欢送耶稣”,因为他要离开这个世界,回到天国里,坐在全能天父的右边。

我们用过早餐后,买了两包椰浆饭,打算去探望朋友安德鲁(Andrew),因为他的太太安娜(Ann) 因轻微的心脏病而进了加影医院。(请勿嘲笑我们孤寒,只买两包经济的椰浆饭。。。礼轻情意重吧!)。

到了他的家门,很惊讶的看到安娜正在打扫车房。原来她已经出院回家了!

她在医院做了很多的检查,包括到吉隆坡国家心脏中心(IJN) 作心脏扫描。目前她虽然有点虚弱,但都算是还好。她将在几个星期后,到回医院复诊及告知检验的报告。医生怀疑她的心脏病发作,是与她的严重风湿有关。除了心脏有问题,她还受到严重风湿病的折磨,而且她的双脚膝盖也痛,情况比我的还更糟。

安德鲁 Andrew 本身也有健康的问题。他向我们投诉,在太太住院的一个星期里,他不曾有好睡过。原来他想念太太!(我没告诉他,我的太太即将离我一个半月,到欧洲去!)

我想不只丈夫想念太太,和他们一起住的两个孩子(大女儿已经出嫁)也同样的很想念妈妈吧。

Ann 安娜的确是一位好太太及母亲。她本身是加影政府医院的一位护士长,但也对家庭一切所需,照顾的无微不至。

她心肠善良,喜欢助人。就算是朋友的朋友,她也绝不会犹豫的给予相助。

母亲节期间,她人在医院,当然不能欢庆母亲节,但我称她为母亲节的母亲,该是当之无愧!

诚心祈求天主恩赐,使她早日康复。

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

坦然接受 Postitve attitude


今天下午,到贵明兄(上)的家探访了他。

他住在吉隆坡的泗牙沫(Segambut)地区,假如没有卫星导航系统,可得花好多时间,兜兜转转才找得到。有了导航系统之助,很容易就到了他的家门前。

贵明兄是光仁的员工。他在一年多前就被验出有前列腺问题,接受药物治疗。一个多月前,动了手术,割除膀胱旁边的肿瘤,但被证实有初期癌细胞。经过多次的进出医院,他人也消瘦了些。他将在本月十八号再到回医院,接受CT Scan 的检验,然后医生会决定是否要割除膀胱。

起初贵明兄也有害怕及彷徨。但经过许多朋友的鼓励及支持,加上信德的力量,他目前以坦然的心态来接受一切,包括检验的结果及所要采取的治疗方法。他目前正在阅读一本由一位台湾医生,也是癌症康原者所写的书『感谢老天,我活下来了』,取得更多对抗癌病的知识,人生哲学及抗病的力量。

他也接受中药的辅助治疗,目前的精神很好,心态也很开朗。他告诉我,在接受CT 扫描之后,就会到光仁上班了。

我们祝福他平安,早日获得有效的治疗,祈求主的恩惠,使他早日康复。

在探望他的时候,他的一位朋友来电通知他,一位相识的老友,刚住进医院,被检验出得了肝癌。

人生虽无常,但生老病死确是定律,我们要勇敢的去对应,活出每一天的精彩。

五月是玫瑰月,让我们在每晚的邻里家庭玫瑰经祈祷时,记得为所有病患者及他们家人祈祷,求赐给予他们力量及平安,来渡过这个困难的非常期。

阿门。

家庭玫瑰经的小朋友
My young friends at family Rosary


This afternoon, I visited Dominic at his house in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

It is quite a difficult place to find with many housing estates in Segambut area. But with the help of GPS (Global Positioning System), I have no problem to be at his door step slightly after 3:00 pm as planned.

Dominic is a staff of Cahaya Puri Holdings Sdn Bhd ( Guang Ren Service Center). About a year and a half ago, he was suffering from swelling of prostate and received treatment at the University Hospital in Petaling Jaya. One and a half month ago, he underwent an operation to remove growths at the urinary bladder. It was confirmed cancerous (initial stage) through biopsy.

He has been in out of the hospital many times and affected him physically and mentally. He has lost much weight. He is going back to hospital on May 18 for CT Scan to determine whether his bladder needed to be removed.

Initially he was scared and worry after being informed of the test result. Through counseling and encouragement of friends, he accepted his condition with positive attitude including the result of future medical tests and treatments.

He is currently reading a book written by a Taiwan doctor who is a caner survivor entitled:『Thank God I am still living』. He gained many knowledge about cancer and treatment, philosophy of life, courage and motivation in fighting the sickness.

He is also receiving Chinese medication treatment. He looked sprite and cheerful. He told me hopefully would be back to work after the CT scan.

We wish him well and may God bless him success in his treatment towards a speedy recovery.

During my visit, he received a call from a friend informing him of an old friend has been admitted to hospital for liver cancer.

Let us all during the month of May, the month of Rosary, pray for all the sick people and their families, peace and strength in their time of need.

Amen.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's day and birthdays 母亲节及生日

Happy Mother's day 母亲节快乐
(Lily - 4th from left 左四 -莉莉)

Today is "many days and daze".

Lily, our Yoga-Taichi-Qigong- aerobic dancing- ball room dancing instructor par excellence, is a kind lady and our good friend. Not only a mother to two sons, but also mother to many. She is well respected and well liked.

She invited many of us to her grand-daughter's first birthday cum mother's day celebrations at her son's residence in Petaling Jaya at 1:00 pm.

Eric, a Taichi exponent, also celebrated his 50th birthday.... alas, being a man, he got a small cake only!

According to news report, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off Aceh, Sumatra in Indonesia at about 2:00pm. Many high-rise buildings residents and shopping complexes visitors in Penang felt the tremors and ran out in a daze....

More dazing were news from Kelantan on the royal power struggle saga. Ailing Sultan were reportedly being "ambushed" by armed men while on the way to airport to board a plane for Singapore for check up, then forcibly kept in the hospital ...a prince and his body guards were being arrested by Police....

dazing....dazing...

Happy Mother's day and happy birthday!



今天是一个 “ 很多节与日及头晕目眩 ”的日子。

莉莉是我们的好朋友,也是一位出色的瑜伽-太极-气功-热身舞-社交舞教导员。她为人善良,受人尊敬及敬爱。她不只是自己两位儿子的妈妈,也是好多人敬爱她如妈妈。

她今天邀请了我们好多人到她儿子于八打灵的住家,共同庆祝她小孙女的一岁生日及母亲节。

一位太极喜好朋友Eric, 正巧也是他的生日,但因为是位男士,只能够得到一粒小蛋糕而已。

根据新闻报告,今天下午二时左右,在印尼的苏门答腊岛岸外,发生7.1级的地震,在我国半岛的槟城,一些住在高楼的居民及购物中心的访客,也感觉到震动,头晕目眩,慌张的逃离现场到户外。

但更令人头晕目眩的是发生在吉兰丹州的皇室权利斗争。新闻报道,患病的苏丹,在前往机场乘达飞机欲前往新加坡医院复诊的途中,遭到“埋伏”,强行被载到哥打巴鲁医院就医。。。后来三王子及保镖被警方扣留。。。。

真是令人头晕目眩。。。

母亲节快乐,生日快乐!













别致的蛋糕
A very special cake

Saturday, May 8, 2010

MPV 多元用途


This is my favourite MPV (Multi-purpose Vehicle) albeit lower range and 10 years old ... capacity - 8 seaters.

It is comfortable, easy handling and the air-condition is COLD!

I have traveled to Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Melaka, Johor Baru ... friends borrowed for trips to Lumut, Penang .......

We have added one more purpose for this MPV ... drying herbal leaves. Very effective and convenient, no worry of rain, wind and insects!


















这是我喜欢的多用途汽车(上图),虽然不是高档车,而且十年车龄了。它可容纳八个人。

这轮车座位舒适,行驶平稳及容易控制,冷气非常的冷!

我加多了一种用途在这车上。。。那就是用来晒干草药叶。这方法非常有效及方便,不害怕风吹,下雨及昆虫。