Herald Malaysia
KULIM – On Sep 6, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus turned a simple act into a thoughtful gesture of love, as some thirty parishioners gathered with willing hands and joyful hearts to mould herbal soaps for prison inmates in Penang.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Penang Diocesan Prison Ministry, was more than just a yearly activity — it was a mission of compassion. The ministry provided the tools and raw materials, while the parishioners, in just three hours, produced 600 soaps that were carefully left to dry before being packed and sent off the next day.
The day opened with prayer, setting the tone for a spirit-filled mission of service. Faith Sharers’ chairperson Steven Philip, assistant Peter Teh Choo Wee, and programme coordinator Albert Phillips guided the group with encouragement, while the organising team ensured warm hospitality with meals and care for all participants.
The event concluded with words of gratitude to all involved, including representatives from other parish ministries who lent their support. For many, the experience was a reminder of the Gospel call to serve the least among us.
Mandarin-speaking coordinator Bryan Ho Ken Yin summed up the spirit of the day beautifully: “What fascinated me the most was the participation of the parishioners who all worked together despite being from different BECs, language, and age groups.”
In the fragrance of handmade soap, there was the unmistakable fragrance of Christ’s love — uniting hearts, bridging differences, and reaching out in mercy to those behind prison walls. – Herald Malaysia
