LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ALL CREATION

Let’s take a moment to reflect on two significant calls: caring for creation, and our nation’s 68th Merdeka Day celebration!

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for September 2025 is deeply Franciscan: “Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our inter-dependence with all creatures who are loved by God, and worthy of love and respect.” This intention coincides with the Season of Creation, which the Church observes in September. It is a time to pray, reflect and act with creation, not just to preserve it for the future, but because creation itself is God’s gift and revelation of love.

Pope Francis reminded us that “the earth is sick, just like anyone who’s sick.” Creation groans under the weight of human negligence, climate change and environmental disasters. As the Holy Father pointed out, it is always the poor who suffer the most when families are forced from their homes by floods, droughts or other natural disasters. The Pope called us to a response that is not only ecological, but also social, economic and political. We are called to commit ourselves to fight against poverty, and to protect nature by changing our personal and community habits.

As a Parish community, we will take a tangible step forward on this journey. Starting 31 August 2025 - coinciding with Merdeka Day - our Parish will commit to a renewed ecological initiative. Together, we will cultivate habits and undertake projects that protect the environment - from reducing waste to planting trees, conserving energy to raising awareness on how our everyday choices impact the environment. Inspired by Saint Francis, we aim to make our Parish a testament that love for God must also include love and respect for all of God’s creatures.

This call for ecological conversion also resonates deeply with the meaning of Merdeka. Malaysia celebrates 68 years of independence this year. Independence is not just about raising our national flag, but about building a nation that upholds justice and dignity - caring for all its citizens. Sadly, we often see strong reactions - such as when the flag is raised upside down - while deeper crises such as rising living costs, environmental degradation and a loss of trust in leaders,  are left unaddressed.

True patriotism must go beyond the national flag. It is about ensuring that every citizen has food security, quality healthcare, fair opportunities, and the freedom to live with dignity. A mature and confident nation listens to the cries of its people, and the cries of creation. Malaysia should strive to be a nation that shows respect for both people and homeland (tanahair).

Let us therefore unite our love for God, creation and our beloved country. As we pledge ourselves to ecological care, may we also renew our commitment to building a nation rooted in justice, compassion and responsibility. In this way, we honour both the Creator and the cherished gift of independence as true Malaysians.

HAPPY MERDEKA, MALAYSIA!

LET’S KEEP THE SPIRIT OF UNITY ALIVE!