By Bernard Anthony
MUAR, Johor – Parishioners of the Church of St Andrew celebrated the parish’s 115th anniversary on Nov 30, marking the momentous occasion with their parish feast day. The celebration was made even more memorable by the presence of the Bishop of Malacca-Johore, Rt Rev Bernard Paul, who presided over the Mass, alongside the parish priest, Fr Jason Wong, and assistant priest, Fr Aaron Alammalay, as concelebrants.
Bishop Bernard extended heartfelt feast day greetings to all those in attendance, adding that the day was also significant for 21 young people who were receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
In his homily, Bishop Bernard spoke of the long history of the church, a parish that has grown from humble beginnings into the vibrant community it is today. He emphasised the importance of knowing the parish’s history, a story of growth from a small church building to the expansive parish it is now, and from a small Catholic community to one that continues to flourish.
The bishop also reflected on the life of St Andrew the Apostle, the parish’s patron saint. He described Andrew as a courageous and strong figure, noting that his name in Greek, aner or andros, means “man” and symbolises strength and bravery. He highlighted that Andrew was the first to be called by Jesus (before his brother, Peter), initially a follower of St John the Baptist. After recognising Jesus as the Messiah, Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Christ. The bishop remarked that Andrew’s mission was one of connection — bringing others to Jesus. Whether it was Peter, the boy with five loaves and two fish, or the Greek people who came seeking Jesus, Andrew was always introducing people to Christ. He continued his mission until his martyrdom, when he was crucified.
Bishop Bernard then shared three key lessons drawn from the life of St Andrew:
1. Immediate response to God’s call: Andrew left everything behind to follow Jesus without hesitation. The bishop encouraged the congregation to always listen and respond to God’s calling.
2. Bridging people to Jesus: Andrew was a “bridge builder,” connecting others to Christ. The bishop invited the congregation to be like Andrew, helping others find their way to Jesus.
3. The power of small things: The bishop emphasised that small offerings can lead to great things. Just as the small boy’s five loaves and two fish fed thousands, small acts of faith can grow into something much greater. He likened this to the Church in Muar, which began as a small community but has now grown and flourished over 115 years.
After the Prayer of the Faithful, the assembly prayed the Prayer to St Andrew the Apostle, and following the Concluding Rites, a celebratory anniversary cake was presented. Bishop Bernard, along with the priests and lay leaders, cut the cake to mark the 115 years of the parish. The assembly sang “Happy Anniversary,” and the cake was shared during a dinner fellowship held in the parish hall.
To commemorate the occasion, prayer cards, keychains featuring the new parish logo, and T-shirts were distributed for sale. Fr Jason also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the parish’s liturgical members and all those who contributed to the successful organisation of the celebration. He invited everyone to join the dinner fellowship, where many parishioners mingled with Bishop Bernard and the priests.
The triduum Masses held from Nov 27-29 were presided over by Fr Matthew Bun from Kulai, Johor, further enriching the anniversary celebrations. – Herald Malaysia
