Seremban-Pertang 芙蓉 - 葫芦顶

 My hometown is a small new village at 8th Mile Jalan Labu, Negri Sembilan.( It is renamed Kg Sri, Batu 8)

I attended my village primary school and continued secondary education at Chung Hua High School in Seremban (a private Chinese medium school).

My secondary school day started in the early morning (about 7:45am) and lasted until 4:00pm (with a lunch break).

After school, I would walk more than a kilometer to the bus station to take a bus home, usually reaching around 6:00 pm.

On the way, I would pass a big field and old shop houses ....... and today, on it a big double-storey market was built.

I have not step into the market since its opening more than 2 decades ago.

On 23-8-2013, Steven and Anna brought me and Pauline, Susan and Tony to the market to have our breakfast. And this is the first time I visited this market.

The beef noodle is great.

After breakfast, we headed to our next destination.

Pertang StevAnna Farm ( I re-named the place) is another favorite place of us.

we brought Tony and Susan to the farm for the first time. They were pretty excited about the place.

Susan was happy picking up durian, Tony busy scouting all around....

Later in the afternoon, we went to Titi to attend the Feast Day celebrations of the Church of St. Augustine. (see previous post)

(See Facebook pictures)

我来自新村，家乡就在森美兰州，拉务八英里新村，现改名为“斯里新村”。

我的小学教育就在新村的小学完成，而中学则在芙蓉私立中华中学。

中学的上课，是在早上七时半左右开始，仍然到下午四点结束，中间有个午餐时间。

放学后，我得步行超过一公里路，到巴士车站乘搭巴士回家，通常都在六点左右才到家。

在这途中，我经过一个大操场及旧店屋 。。。如今已不存在，而是一间双层的菜市场（巴刹）取而代之。

自从离开了家乡之后，从未踏足这座已有二十年历史的巴刹。

23/8/13早上，金彪及年娇夫妇，陪同我和太太，东尼及苏珊第一次的进入这间巴刹去吃早餐。

这里的牛腩粉，确实是一级棒！

早餐后，我们往另一个目的地出发。

葫芦顶史提安娜园（我给的名字Stevanna Farm）是我们喜欢的另一个歇息地点。

这趟，我们第一次带了东尼及苏珊来到这里，他们非常的喜爱。

苏珊忙着捡榴莲，东尼则忙着到处视察。。。

下午，我们就去参加知知港圣奥斯定教堂的主保日庆典。（可看上一则帖子）

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知知港圣奥斯定主保 St. Augustine Feast Day at Titi

八月二十五日星期天，森美兰州葫芦顶的早晨艳阳高照，天气非常的热。

不要为葫芦顶这个丈八金刚而去摸你的头顶。葫芦顶是森美兰州的一个偏僻小镇，马来文名称为Pertang，离开芙蓉大约55公里左右。

我提早来到葫芦顶，探望一些朋友，然后在下午，将前往20公里外的知知港圣奥斯定堂，参加该堂主保日庆典。

我享受惯了加影的冷气教堂，想到下午四点半时，没有冷气的知知港教堂，有点头疼呢！

感谢天主，祂垂听了懒人的祷告，中午过后，天空转阴，气温也跟着下降，四点半到了圣奥斯定堂，可也还真的凉快，教堂里非常的舒适。

这是我第一次参加知知港圣奥斯定的主保日庆祝。

感恩弥撒由来自芙蓉往见堂的陈永强神父主持，大约150位本地及来自芙蓉，吉隆坡，新山等外地的教友参与。

这也是我第一次参加陈神父的弥撒。他是受英文教育，但已经可以用华语（罗马拼音）念出弥撒经文。

他是以广东话来讲道理。

他非常生动的讲述了圣奥斯定的爸爸的生平故事，进而引入了儿子与爸爸的关系，及儿子后来的的悔改，成为了天主教会的一位著名圣人，大家都听的津津有味。

神父训导大家，不要只是听而已，一定要把福音生活出来。

弥撒后，全体出席者受邀到礼堂共享团体共融晚餐。

晚餐食物丰富，都是教友们的奉献及精心烹煮的美食，如客家酿豆腐，客家炆炸猪肉，山猪咖喱等，再加上许多客家糕饼，如粗叶粄，糍粑等，让我大快朵颐。

知知港是个山城，最近这几年，以邻近的生态旅游著名。这里也有著名的客家美食及特产，吸引了许多游客的到来。

对我们教友来说，更是值得引以为荣的地方：这个弹丸小镇出了一位神父及一位修女！

知知港的优美环境，人情味浓厚，百年历史的教堂，加上令人垂涎欲滴的客家美食，的确是个令人难忘的地方。

祈愿圣奥斯定主保，护佑及光照这块土地，人民安居乐业，平安幸福，更显主荣。阿门。

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25-8-2013 Sunday.

It was very hot in the morning.

We were in Pertang to visit some friends, and will head for St. Augustine's Church Feast Day celebration in the afternoon at Titi, which is about 20 kms away.

Being used to the air-cond comfort at the Church of the Holy Family kajang, I was a little apprehensive of the heat in the afternoon at the little church at Titi.

God heard this lazy man's prayer. The weather changed cloudy in the afternoon and the temperature dropped. When we got to Titi, the church was cool and comfortable.

The Feast Day Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Gregory Chan, and was attended by about 150 parishioners and well wishers from out-station like Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.

Fr. Gregory was ordained about a year ago. He is English educated but is able to recite missal prayer in Romanized Mandarin. However, he gave his sermon in Cantonese.

In his homily, he spoke about the story of St. Augustine's father, and his relationship with the son. St. Augustine was later renounced his sinful life and became a great saint.

After Mass, a fellowship dinner was held at the parish hall.

Parishioners have prepared many delicious Hakka dishes such as Hakka Yong Toufu, Fried pork, wild boar curry ......

Titi has recently become popular with tourist coming for nearby eco-farm stay, Hakka food and local produce.

(Pictures in Facebook)

Ah Wong Junior and me 小黄与老潘

Alan came to Kuala Lumpur with his father Anthony Wong more than 10 years ago to enroll into a college for his law study. They were Malaysians residing in Brunei.

He completed his study in United Kingdom and came back to KL again for his chambering and CLP (Certificate in Legal Practice)

On 29-9-2005, he was admitted to the Bar as an Solicitor and Advocate.

His proud parents, sister and I were there to share this joyous occasion.

On 22-8-2013, I met Alan at the Palace of Justice (Federal Court), Putrajaya where he attended some cases of his clients in court.  

May God continue to bless Alan and family with good health and happiness.

(Few more pics in Facebook)

Alan 在十多年前来到吉隆坡的一间学院，就读法律课程。他们当时是住在汶莱。

过后，他到英国完成了他的学位，再回到吉隆坡，进入本地律师事务所完成了他的实习及律师执业文凭。

29-9-2005 他正式成为执业律师。

当天，他的父母，妹妹及我，出席了这个令他家人引以为荣，由大法官见证的宣誓典礼。

22-8-2013， 很意外的在布城的司法宫（联邦法院）遇见了Alan。当天他是有案件而需要到此出庭。

愿主继续降福Alan 及家人，健康，快乐，生活幸福。

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Mourned 哀悼

Mourning the passing of my eldest sister Ah Moi who died peacefully on 23-8-2013 morning at the age of 68.

She left behind 3 sons, 2 daughters and many grandchildren.

She is a Buddhist. However, I firmly believed that through a different path, she will be united with us in the eternal Kingdom of God the Father, our Creator.

Amen.

沉痛的哀悼我的大姐潘金梅，她在23-8-2013 早上，平安的与世长辞，享年68岁。

她遗留下两个女儿及三个儿子，及多位孙子女。

她说位佛教徒。不过，我坚信她通过不同的途径，殊途同归，一定会在我们的天父，天地万物的创造者的仁慈及怜悯下，与我们在天乡共聚。

阿门。 

A case of Allah or not Allah 阿拉或不可阿拉的案件

My wife and I went to the Palace of Justice (Federal Court House) to lend support to our Catholic church.

Archbishop Murphy Pakiam is applying for the appellate court to set aside the government’s appeal against the High Court decision in 2009 which allowed the use of ‘Allah’ the Malay bibles.

Majority of Catholics in Malaysia are Bahasa Malaysia speaking and using Malay Bible which uses the word 'Allah' in place of God as in English.

Three quarter of Catholics are living in East Malaysia and has been using the word Allah for more than 400 years.

Sad to notice that many non-Malay speaking Catholics are not aware or interested in the Allah issue, either due to ignorance or indifference. Some even commented that the Catholic church should not bring this to the court.

It was quite crowded at the first floor of the court house which house the Court of Appea Room 2. The limited space of the court room resulted many being kept waiting outside.

About 10 priests were present in the court to lend their support, with Fr. Lawrence and Fr. Paulino being inside the court chamber. 

Many Muslim groups and NGOs were present outside the court house, reciting prayers and shouting slogans.

The court was called into session at about 9:30 am, taking a break for lunch, and delivered its judgement at about 4:00 pm.

The 3 members panel dismissed the application by the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur to strike out Govt's appeal over High Court ruling allowing Herald to use word Allah. The case will go for hearing of the appeal proper on September 10, 2013. 

Let us continue to pray for our country and our church. 

(More pictures on Facebook)

今早我和太太到布城的司法宫（联邦法院），给我们的天主教会打气。

天主教会的巴吉安总主教，向法庭申请撤销政府对2009年，法庭宣判非穆斯林教徒可以使用“Allah” 字眼的判决，提出上诉。

在马来西亚，大部分的天主教及基督教徒，都是使用马来西亚语朝拜及赞赏；而他们所使用的国语圣经，就是使用“Allah" 来称呼天主或上主。

四分三的天主教徒来自东马， 他们使用Allah 一词已经有四百多年的历史了。 令人伤心的是，有许多非马来语的教徒，对Allah 这个课题缺乏认识及认同，这是因为他们的无知或漠不关心所致。

司法宫的二楼一早已经有很多人来。上诉庭第二法庭的座位有限，所以许多人都在庭外等待。

大约有10神父出席支持，其中两位在法庭内协助代表律师听审。

许多来自穆斯林组织及团体的成员，在司法宫外集合，诵念经文及高喊口号。

审讯在早上9：30 开始，至下午一点左右午休，然后在三点继续，到了四点左右，就有了判决。

有三位法官组成的听审团一致裁决，巴吉安总主教申请撤销案败诉，政府可以上诉。此案将在10/9/2013 听审。

让我们继续的为国家及教会祈祷。  

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钻石婚庆 Diamond Jubilee

爱是恒久忍耐又有恩慈
爱是不嫉妒
爱是不自夸不张狂
不做害羞的事
不求自己的益处
不轻易发怒
不计算人家的恶
不喜欢不义只喜欢真理
凡事包容凡事相信
凡事盼望
凡事忍耐凡事要忍耐
爱是永不止息

这首美丽动听的歌曲，取自圣保禄宗徒致格林多人的书信（哥前13），告诉我们爱超越一切，爱是美德的灵魂。（Youtube 爱德真谛）

这首歌，就彰显在一对夫妇的身上。

17/8/2013 星期六早上十一时，加影圣家堂大约五百位教友及非教友，集聚一起，出席了黄全成 、林安娜夫妇的结婚六十周年钻石欢庆。

他们就是爱德的见证及榜样。

当天的弥撒及午餐，温馨隆重，大家见证了这对夫妇的爱情弥坚，也肯定了他们爱主爱人的夫妻生活。

他们的生活，就如以上歌词一样： 爱情恒久，充满恩慈及忍耐。他们不会说他人的坏话，也不做损人利己的事。他们性格随和，良善及慷慨。

他们是加影堂区受众人爱戴及尊敬的长者，无论老少，包括神父们，都对他们赞赏有加。

全成（84）、安娜（81）夫妇目前是圣母军工作团员，每周都准时出席会议，也积极的参与拜访医院及家庭的工作。近年来因晚上驾车不便，所以就邀请了他的最小儿子璟忠加入圣母军，由他载送，共同为主及团体服务，令人赞羡。

愿主继续祝福他们，身体健康，家庭幸福，主恩满溢。

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On 17/8/2013, Robert and Anna celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary (Diamond Jubilee).

A thanksgiving Mass was held at the Church of the Holy Family at 11:00 am attended by about 500 friends and relatives.

Robert (84) and Anna (81) are well-liked and respected by the community, young and old including Parish Priest Fr. George Harrison. All spoke highly of them.

They are simple and truthful, kind and generous. They spoke no ill of others, always show care and concern towards others especially the poor and less fortunate.

They are active members of the Legion of Mary, attending weekly meetings regularly and participating in visitation to homes and hospitals.

May God continue to shower the choicest blessings upon them and family members, with peace, health and happiness.

(See more pictures in Facebook)

The young ones 年青人

Got up at 5:30 this morning.

Picked up Joseph and Rose from KLIA at 7:00 am. They just returned from a visit to Pyongyang, North Korea on a special trip arranged by the North Korean Airlines for travel agents.

Arrived at Dominic Villa, Genting Highlands at about 8:30 am.

Today is the last day of the 9th Young Legionaries Annual Fellowship starting on Thursday, August 15.

Attended a plenary session and left for home at about 11:00 am, to avoid the end of Hari Raya rush traffic.

I met my god-daughter Magdeline and husband John from Johor Baru （bottom pic). Nine years ago, at the 1st Young Legionaries Fellowship, also in Genting Highlands, I was gifted with 5 god-daughters with Magdeline being the youngest.

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今早五点半就起床了。

七点，到了吉隆坡国际机场，接了刚从北韩的平壤回来的禄声及丽馨夫妇。他们是参加了韩国航空公司，特地为旅行社代表而举办的一个旅游行程。

八点半，到了云顶的道明活动中心。

今天是第九届马新汶青年圣母军交流会的最后一天。本届交流会在八月十五日开始，在今天的午餐过后就结束。

我们参加了他们的总结及分享时段，各地代表发表了这次交流会的感想及个人体验。

十一点左右，我就离开了。这也避开开斋节假期结束的拥挤交通状况。

九年前，第一届青年交流会也是在云顶举行。当时我“得到了”五位乾女儿。今天，也就是九年后，五位乾女儿中的最小一位 - 小妹（慧银）及她的丈夫光辉 ，也再次的参加了青年交流会，可说是天主的恩赐也。

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聚餐 Lunch fellowship

As I am growing older, memory is a sweet honey that synergies me.

Today, 20 Taichi members had a lunch fellowship at a restaurant in Kajang.

We were counting since the formation of Taichi group 26 years ago, about 10 members had left us for eternal rest.

However, many new members joined in too. Currently we have more than 30 members, with ages ranging from 40s to 80s.

Life is beautiful with friends and acquaintances.

(Ｍｏｒｅ　ｐｉｃｓ　 Facebook )


在我年纪逐渐增长的时候，回忆犹如蜜糖，生活的添加剂。

今天，20 位太极班成员在加影的一间餐馆，来个午餐集会。

我们回顾太极班成立26年来，已经有大约10成员离开这个世界，远赴天国。

不过，在此同时，也有新的团员进来。目前我们有超过30位成员，年龄从40多到80多。

生命更美丽，因为有许多新朋旧友。

生命是珍惜。

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郊外走走 To the countryside

今天乘着有个空档，到郊外去与老朋友聚聚。

过了轻松愉快的一天。

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Being a free day, we went to the countryside meeting up with old friends.

A relax and happy day.

（More pictures in Facebook)

Pigrimage (2) 朝圣之旅

 

 

完成了一个完满及充满恩宠的圣妇亚纳朝圣之旅后，我们在隔天，七月28日星期天，到浮罗山背的耶稣圣母堂参加早上10时的主日弥撒。

我们遇见了一群来自古晋的朝圣客，由许中新兄弟带领。

耶稣圣母堂主任邓英伟神父热烈的欢迎我们大家，还在弥撒中介绍给他的教友认识。当天是华语弥撒，不过有两首歌曲是由伊班兄弟们以他们的语言唱出。

弥撒后，若瑟兄弟特地安排了“槟城喇沙及水果”午餐。这个时候，因为榴莲季节已过，所以没有著名的槟城榴莲招待，但喇沙及其他的水果可真是一级棒！

午餐后，我脱队留在浮罗山背，追随我的“浮罗特别行程”，而大队则继续他们的行程，到升旗山及市区游玩。

在老朋友，也是浮罗山背老居民的张鉅明兄弟的带领下，前往离开教堂不远的一个山上榴莲芭。

榴莲芭主人伟贤兄弟带领我们绕园参观。榴莲芭地处山上，可以远眺到槟城市区的景色，包括槟威大桥，飞机场等地。可惜当天烟霾所阻，远处美丽的景色看的不是很清楚。

到了傍晚，我参加了一个非常特别及期待的活动 - 圣母圣像到访教友家庭。

这是一项十年一次的活动，至今已有大约近百年的历史了。目前的出游，是从5月26日开始，到12月15日结束。圣像每天将到访一个家庭，总共受访的家庭超过200个。

我是在当地的教友“麦可左思”（叶为骠）兄弟的邀请及安排下，才有幸的参加这个十年一遇的重大团体活动。

当天受的是陈老先生家庭。

晚上8点整，超过百位的教友已经集合，在数位资深的年长教友带领下，以客家话开始诵经。

群众的祷声洪亮，悦耳动听，确实是难得的一次体验。

这是浮罗山背天主教团体的一个重大活动，许多远地的乡亲都会尽量的回来参阅。目前在沙巴古达服务的本地人叶为聪神父，就是专程调整时间，更改机票，赶回来迎接圣母到访他家。

浮罗山背是个传统的天主教教友集居地，居民们还保持着蓬勃的信仰，过着基督团体的生活。圣母像到访家庭的传统活动，就是保养着这个坚强信德的活动之一，希望能够继续的保持及发扬下去。

祈祷集会结束后，主人家热情的准备了丰富的晚餐招待大家，促进团体的共融。陈先生的其中一位女儿亚加大，非常友善热情的给我们送上食物，让我们吃得饱饱的，也因他们的热情，我也认识了一些新的朋友。

隔天，有与队友们会合，共同去拜访安贫姐妹修会管理的老人疗养院，然后就离开槟城，继续第二段的旅程。

巴士到了加影后，我依依不舍的像他们说再见，而他们继续的南下，到马六甲及新加坡游玩，然后在八月二日星期五，才乘搭飞机从新山返回加拿逸。

这是一个难忘及充实的旅程。我很荣幸的能够成为伊班兄弟姐妹团队一份子。

一切荣耀及赞美归于天主。阿门。 

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(录影 on Youtube)

 

After a blessed pilgrimage to St. Anne's Sanctuary at Bukit Mertajam, we went to Church of Holy Name of Mary at Balik Pulau on Sunday, July 28 to attend 10:30 am Mass.

We met a group of pilgrims from Kuching led by brother Philip Hii.

Fr. Martin Then welcomed all of us warmly and introduced to his parishioners during the Mass. Two Iban hymns were sung by Iban pilgrims during the Mass.

Joseph has arranged "Penang Laksa & fruits" lunch after Mass. The durian season is almost over, so we did not get the famed Penang durians, but the Penang Laksa, Cempedak and Duku were fantastic!

After lunch, the group continued their journey to Penang Hill and the city tour while I broke off to pursue my "Balik Pulau special" itinerary.

I went with Francis, a local resident, to a friend's durian farm on a hill nearby. From the farm, we have a good view of Penang Island, including the Penang bridge, Penang airport and the city.

In the evening, an exciting event unfolded .... Visitation of the statue of Blessed Virgin Mary to homes in the Balik Pulau community.

This is a 10-yearly event, a tradition started almost a century ago. The current tour started on 26/5/2013 and ends on 15/12/2013, visiting a home daily and covering more than 200 homes.

I was invited by Michael Yip, a long time resident of Balik Pulau, to attend this event at 8:00 pm.

The host of the evening is Chen family.

At 8:00 pm, prayer started. The prayers (including Rosary) were chanted in Hakka, the dialect of the majority Chinese in Balik Pulau.

After the prayer, the crowd was treated to a buffet dinner by the host family.

It was a great and humbling experience for me. 

I joined my group on the next day and visited the nursing home run by the Little Sister of the Poor.

We left Penang Island at about 10:30 am for the next phase of the tour.

I bid them goodbye when the bus reached Kajang and they continue their journey to Melaka and Singapore before flying home on Friday, August 2.

It was a wonderful and fruitful journey. I am honoured to be one of the members among Iban brethren in this pilgrimage.

All praise and glory to God. Amen.

(More pictures Facebook)

(Video on Youtube)