2020 Appointments

2020 Appointments

by | Jan 1, 2020 | Custody

Appointments notice 2020-2022

The start of the year saw fresh appointments within the Custody of St Anthony.

Having completed the 2019 Custody Chapter in October last year, and after much consultation, prayer and deliberation, our Custos, Friar Derrick Yap, announced new appointments to the friars on 25 Oct 2019.

The new appointments took effect on the 1 Jan 2020, and run until the end of 2022. Assignments of offices, along with movements of members within the communities take place once in three years, following a Custody Chapter or meeting. 

Below is the full list of appointments (and movements) of the brothers.

St Anthony’s Friary (Singapore)

  • Peter Michael (Guardian) 
  • John Paul Tan
  • Michael D’Cruz 
  • Julian Mariaratnam
  • Martin Low
  • Kenny Anthonysamy 
  • Gerard Victor 
  • John Wong
  • Justin Lim 
  • Jason Richard 
  • Esmond Chua 
  • Aiden Peter Jr 

 

Greccio Friary  (Singapore)

  • Vernon Chua (Guardian) 
  • Joseph Nasanathan 
  • Rowland Yeo
  • Derrick Yap 
  • Robin Toha 
  • Crispus Mosinoh 
  • Sixtus Pitah Amit 
  • Gerald Tan 
  • Gerald Saimel  (Friars-In-Initial Formation)
  • Cosmas Francis (Friars-In-Initial Formation)  
  • Nelson Evarinus  (Friars-In-Initial Formation)
  • Sylvester Singh (Postulant)
  • Julian Chua (Postulant)

 

St. Francis of Assisi Friary (Sarawak, Malaysia)

  • William Lee (Guardian)
  • Don Don Ramerez 
  • David Au
  • Cruzender Alex 

St James of the Marches (Johor, Malaysia)

  • Joseph Lee (Vicar) 
  • Moses Yap 
  • Claurence Motoyou 

 

Penang Friary (Malaysia)

  • Arul Mariadass (Guardian)
  • John Soh
  • Oliver Tham
  • Timothy Fong (Postulant)

 

Overseas

  • Michael Goh (Auckland, NZ, to end 2020) 
  • Francisco Basyanake (Sydney, AUS, to 2022)
  • Clifford Augustine (Franciscan Chapel Centre, Roppongi, Tokyo)
  • Marvin Voo (Manila,PH,to end of novitiate)

 

Parishes

CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS 

Parish Priest: Michael D’Cruz 

Assistants: Gerard Victor & Esmond Chua

 

ST ANN CHURCH (Kota Padawan) Kuching, Malaysia 

Rector: William Lee

Assistants: Don Don Ramarez, David Au & Cruzender Alex

 

RISEN CHRIST CHURCH Penang, Malaysia

Parish Priest: Arul Mariadass 

Assistant: Oliver Tham

 

ST ELIZABETH CHURCH (Kota Tinggi) Johor, Malaysia

Administrator:  Joseph Lee

JOSEPH CHURCH (Plentong) Johor, Malaysia 

Assistant Parish Priest: Moses Yap

 

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Johor Bahru) Johor, Malaysia 

Assistant Parish Priest: Claurence Motoyou

 

Columbarium

  • Julian Mariaratnam (Director) 
  • Peter Michael            
  • Kenny Anthonysamy

 

San Damiano Spirituality Centre

  • Martin Low (Director)
  • Justin Lim
  • Gerald Tan

 

Lady Jacoba Thrift Shop

  • Jason Richard    

                               

Holy Land Commissariat

  •    Justin Lim

 

Secular Franciscan Order (OFS)

  • Derrick Yap (Singapore)
  • Cruzender Alex (Malaysia)           

 

 Custody Bursar

  • Martin Low

 

Vocation Team

  • Esmond Chua (Director)
  • Robin Toha (Singapore)
  • David Au (Malaysia)

 

JPIC

  • Esmond Chua

 

Mission and Evangelisation

  • Justin Lim

 

Communication & Development Office

  • Aiden Peter Jr (Director)
  • Crispus Mosinoh
  • Sixtus Pitah Amit

                

Secretary of Formation

  • Joseph Nathan

 

On-going Formation

  • Joseph Nathan

 

Postulant Director

  • John Soh (Malaysia)    
  • Vernon Chua (Singapore)      

                      

Novice Director

  • Vernon Chua              

                    

Post-Novice Director

  • Derrick Yap                       

 

New Leadership for our Custody

by | Nov 29, 2019 | Custody

On 10 October, the newly-elected leadership team of the Custody of St Anthony Malaysia- Singapore-Brunei began its three-year term. Friar Derrick Yap is Custos, and his Council members are Friar Michael D’Cruz, Friar Julian Mariaratnam, Friar Martin Low and Friar David Au. 

A few words from the Custos, Brother Derrick: 

“Lord, give me a scripture verse to live by as I take on this new role” was the question in my heart after I said “yes” to my Provincial Minister Friar Philip Miscamble on 10 October, when he asked if I would accept the role of Custos. 

That very evening, during Vespers, the scripture reading read thus “you should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-effacing. Never pay back one wrong with another, or an angry word with another one; instead, pay back with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit a blessing yourself.” (1 Pet 3:8-9) 

I literally exclaimed that my guiding passage had been revealed to me! To love the brothers, that’s my call and my mission as I assume the role of Custos. For those unfamiliar with the term, “Custos” is “Custodian” in English, and for me, it is the service of leadership of the Franciscan Friars in Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei. 

St Francis of Assisi, calling himself a “friar minor”, wanted his brothers to be minor (or lesser), and hence even the titles given to leaders in our Order reflect this sense of minority. Instead of “Superior” or “Prior”, 

St Francis preferred ‘Minister”, “Guardian” and “Custodian”. Franciscan leaders are meant to serve, guard and look after. 

Hence this scripture passage hit the nail on the head for me: to love the brothers in the way the Lord wants me to. Our Custody Statutes state that the task of the Custos is “to visit the brothers regularly, exhort them spiritually, support them and humbly and charitably correct them”. I intend to do just that, if the friars allow me to, and to humbly journey with them towards greater authenticity and audacity as we live our Franciscan life and charism, in the service of God and God’s beloved people. May the Holy Spirit who inspired St Francis continue to inspire us, the sons of St Francis, today. 

Franciscans Rejoice over Two Priestly Ordinations

Franciscans Rejoice over Two Priestly Ordinations

by | Oct 31, 2019 | Custody, Vocation

Friars Aiden & Cruzender

In John 15:16, Jesus says “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Indeed, that was true during the final week of October 2019, when the Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei saw the ordinations of Friars Cruzender Alex and Aiden Peter Jr to the priesthood, amidst great thanksgiving and joy. 

The two Sabahan friars entered the novitiate together in 2011, and after journeying for nine years, became friar-priests in the same month. Friar Cruzender made his way back to his hometown of Tuaran, Sabah for his ordination by Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu on 22 October. Friar Aiden Peter received the sacrament through the hands of Singapore Archbishop William Goh at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Singapore on 27 October. 

Present at the ceremonies were the Friar Phillip Miscamble, Provincial Minister of the Province of the Holy Spirit to which our Custody belongs, Custos Friar Derrick Yap and many guests who came from far and near to be with the newly ordained. The journey of any Religious entails the support and sacrifice of those around him, particularly his loved ones, and Friar Phillip thanked Cruzender and Aiden’s families for the gift of their sons to the Franciscan Order and the Church. Friar Phillip also made special mention of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who have been instrumental in promoting Franciscan spirituality and vocations among the youth in Sabah, to the point that our Custody is now blessed with enough young friars to consider establishing a presence in Sabah in the not too distant future. 

In his thanksgiving remarks, Friar Cruzender admitted to having gone through many struggles on his journey towards priesthood, but added that the Lord continues to grant him hope and assure him of His divine assistance. Friar Aiden thanked his pillar of support – all those who supported him through prayers or mentorship – and urged the young people gathered to consider the challenging but rewarding life of a Religious. 

Truly the week was yet more proof of God’s unfailing providence in the growth of His kingdom in this region. 

Encounters : Francis of Assisi & Sultan Al-Malik Al-Kamil (Video)

Encounters : Francis of Assisi & Sultan Al-Malik Al-Kamil (Video)

by | Aug 17, 2019 | Custody, JPIC, Spirituality

What took place 800 years ago? In the year 1219, while on his way to meet Al-Malik, Francis of Assisi crossed the Crusader army lines and found himself in the siege of Damietta. Their subsequent encounter continues to inspire dialogue today as it become more important and relevant. Check out the recorded videos of the conference from the playlist below.