A rationale explanation behind Ash Friday(Wednesday).

Well, we had some 'hurrah' over the recent announcement that Ash Wednesday this year has been carried forward and celebrated on the Friday instead. This is due to the fact that Chinese New Year's eve falls on that Wednesday.

Note : The following is not the official reasoning of the Archbishop of Malaysia. It's just a view on this topic to clear any uneasiness with the Archbishop's decision.

Reasons why it is rationale to move Ash Wednesday to Friday :
1. Absteinance. Well, Chinese New Year's eve is always associated with reunion dinners. THIS is the time when the whole family comes together and eat as a family. It is symbolic to the family lives of the Chinese. If Ash Wednesday were to be carried on, Chinese Catholics have to abstein from meat/fast. How then is it possible to attend the reunion dinner if you're fasting? It is sound then that Ash Wednesday to be moved to a Friday in order to celebrate a culture.

2. Obligatory day. Usually by the eve, everyone will be out of town, back at their hometown. The eve and the day before is associated with travelling. If Ash Wednesday were to be on Wednesday, travelling back to hometowns might be a little inconvenient. Some travel far(think Klang to Perlis) where the trip is about 9 hours, and might just miss mass.(and therefore, sinned!) Yes, some of you might argue that you can travel a day earlier, and so on, but there are always other problems cropping up, right?

Reasons for this mini-uproar :
1. What is the meaning of celebrating Ash WEDNESDAY on a Friday? Hmmm? Well, I suggest that if you want to celebrate Ash Wednesday, you can still celebrate it on Wednesday(you know, all the fasting and absteinance minus the church service)
2. We're changing religion for culture. Well, in my opinion, religion is not static. It has to change with time. Since we're living in a multicultural society(the Ash Friday is only applicable in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei), it wouldn't hurt to make compromise so that ALL catholics will be able to attend Ash Wednesday, rather than sacrificing one or another.

Well, i'm sure many of you have loads of opinions. Shout them out in the cbox. It is important that we discuss the matter, to strengthen our faith instead of creating arguements against each other. Sometimes, we might be ignorant, hopefully this post will update you all on it. Will receive any feedbacks!

Cheers!

Ethnocentrism anyone?

A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a Black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.

"Madam, what is the matter," the Hostess asked.
"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a Black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm please, the Hostess replied. "Almost all the seats on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another seat is available."

The Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later.
"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy class. I spoke to the Captain and he informed me that there are also no seats in the Business class. All the same, we still have one seat in First class."

Before the woman could reply, the Hostess continued: "It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

She turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First class."

At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

"When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."

In the words of 'Nike's' campaign, KICK OUT RACISM!(yes, it happens even in Malaysia...)

p.s. Ethnocentrism is defined as thinking one's own race is more superior compared to another!

~A fOrWaRdEd MeSsAgE~

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appearedto be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the sameas the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot ofstew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped withthe same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'
It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.'

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you. Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this withthe title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%.

(I count myself in because i'm 'forwarding' the message and sharing it with all you readers')

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.

Inter Campus Student Mass

Ola everyone.
There's an inter campus student mass with details as follow:

Date : 13th January 2008
Day : Sunday
Place : St. John Cathedral
Time : 1pm followed by fellowship later
Celebrant : Archbishop Murphy Parkiam

We are meeting in front of UCSI guard house at 11.30am.
From there, we will be taking a taxi to Bandar Tasik Selatan and then LRT to Masjid Jamek.
The church is walking distance from the LRT station.

See you all there!

p.s. Anything, please don't hesitate to contact any CSS committee member. Or STALK us down. Hehe...