More than 100 senior parishioners in CMI attended the inaugural breakfast fellowship for the seniors, Oct 23
By CMI SOCCOM
Nov 1 2022
BUKIT PADANG – “A long life…is a blessing, and the elderly are not outcasts to be shunned but living signs of the goodness of God…” These words of Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly July this year, were heeded by a local parish here when they formed a ministry specially to care for her senior parishioners.
Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) has recently formed the new Senior Parishioners Ministry (SPM) to inculcate in the seniors, a sense of belonging to the Church and to make them feel that despite their age, they can still contribute towards the church in their own way.
An inaugural fellowship over breakfast for the seniors aged 60 years and above was recently organised after Sunday Mass Oct 23 by the new ministry which is presently under a ‘pro-tem’ committee headed by Catherine Engsun, CMI PPC Chairlady.
The turn-out was very encouraging as more than 100 senior parishioners registered for the event. This was the first step of getting the CMI senior parishioners community to come together from time to time as their involvement and contributions are continuously valued in church services.
While majority of the senior parishioners are just church-goers, some of them are currently serving in several liturgical ministries such as readers and commentators, wardens, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (EMC) and Special Liturgy Ministry, in other church groups such as the Catholic Women’s League and Intercessory Ministry. With the existing of SPM, it is hoped that more pastoral and social activities can be organised which will suit the seniors thus giving them the opportunity to participate and serve.
Fr Terans Thadeus present at the breakfast fellowship
Also present at the breakfast fellowship was Fr Terans Thadeus, a newly-posted assistant parish priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral and CMI. Fr Terans said he felt honoured to be among the ‘wiser’ ones whom can teach him a thing or two with their life experiences.
Thereafter everyone was treated with a sumptuous meal of porridge, noodles and sandwiches over fellowship among brethrens.
Among the seniors present that day
When the proposal of forming SPM in CMI was brought up to parish priest Fr Paul Lo, he fully supported of such a ministry as the time is right with the growing community of senior parishioners in CMI.
The proposal took on Pope Francis’ call:
“Many people are afraid of old age. They consider it a sort of disease which any contact is best avoided. The elderly, they think, are none of their concern and should be set apart, perhaps in homes of places where they can be cared for, lest we have to deal with their problems. This is the mindset of the “throw-away culture”, which leads us to think that we are somehow different form the poor and vulnerable in our midst, untouched by their frailties and separated from “them” and their troubles. The Scriptures see things differently. A long life – so the Bible teaches – is a blessing, and the elderly are not outcasts to be shunned but living signs of the goodness of God who bestows life in abundance. Blessed is the house where an older person lives! Blessed is the family that honours the elderly!”
Future activities in mind are to continue serving breakfast on a quarterly basis, monthly bible sharing with a religious, gentle physical activities such as Tai Chi, dancing-exercise, gardening, and talks or briefings on spirituality, health and well-being and many more.
Moving forward, an election of a committee will be held with full representatives from this senior parishioners community.
