....of 52nd Years of Independence

This is Rev Jude, the Parish Priest, who celebrated the Eucharistic Celebration for us for the "Merdeka Vigil Celebration" which Yours Sincerely ( Y S) was a member of the committee.
The BEC Leaders borne the state flags into the church.
The participation was good although participants had to stay until mid-night.
The Chairmaof the PPC and PAT borne the diocesan, church and national emblems.
This is Peter Gan, the organising chairman.

The rest of the celebration can be read in Herald as submitted by Y S .

A glorious “ Merdeka Vigil Celebration ”

Parishioners of the Church of St.Michael, Alor Star, adopted the booklet “ Love Our Neighbour – a shining light to the nations” and journeyed with Christians of other churches in Kota Setar in a Forty-Day Fast and Prayer for their beloved nation – Malaysia. Launched on 25 of July, 2009, the Forty-Day Fast and Prayer climaxed with the “Merdeka Vigil” celebration on 30^th of August, 2009. It was also the parish’s Second Special Event which aimed at uniting all parishioners for a common cause through fasting and prayers for unity, love and peace for their motherland. The celebration was motivated by Col 3: 15 : “May the peace of Christ rule in your heart; to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”

The vigil was attended by about four hundred parishioners and also those from the sister chapels of Jabi and Arau, migrants, undergraduates from UUM and trainees from TUDM. For the first time in the history of the local church, five pastors from the neighbouring Baptist, Methodist and Full Gospel churches graced the celebration, and in unison prayed for the nation.

The celebration started with a prayer and worship session led by Philip Loh and Inasimuthu. It was followed by an exposition on “Where are we as Malaysians today “ given by Charles Lourdes from The Star. He exhorted all Christian Malaysians to hold fast to their citizenship, stand up to be counted, be involved and contribute to nation building.

At the Eucharistic celebration, Rev Jude Miranda, the Parish Priest, expressed his delight over the bond of nationality, ethnicity and spirituality among the parishioners that succeeded the “Merdeka Vigil” and stressed that this is what a nation of 52 years should actually reflect. In his sermon, he showed what the scribes and Pharisees did to the law is what religious legalism has done to Christianity today, and how the ignorance of God’s grace causes an over emphasis on the letter of the law over the spirit.

The emblems of the Diocese of Penang, Church of St Michael and Malaysia, and the flags of the fourteen states were borne into the church by the Chairman of the PPC, PAT and leaders of the all BECs . The march-in was accompanied by the popular patriotic song “Tanggal 31 .” Rev Jude presented “ The Jalur Gemilang ” to members of TUDM at the end of the mass. It was borne to the giant flag mast at the church compound. The church was blacked out, and candles were lit. Then the count down began. At midnight, the national flag was hoisted to the accompaniment of “Negara Ku” and blasting of brilliant and colourful fire works. Everyone was jubilant with a celebration befitting a nation of 52 years.

A very early breakfast of multi-racial foods of “satays,” “pau” and “itali, ” and key-ring souvenirs of the “Jalur Gemilang” were presented to participants. Peter Gan, the organising chairman, was amazed by the good response, “ We are going to take the nation by storm !” James Lau, the PPC Chairman commented, “ This is really what 1 Malaysia should be .” Peter Lee, a member of the organizing committee, praised the pastors for their effort to be united for the beloved nation. – by Thomas Chua