Embarking on a new journey with a heart full of hope

On 11 August 2024, I had the profound honour of being ordained a priest. As I stood before the congregation, surrounded by family, friends and fellow clergy, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. The journey to this day had been one of deep...

Alleluia, a new priest for St Ann’s Church!

KOTA PADAWAN — The St Ann’s Church community was filled with joy as they welcomed their new priest, Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM on 18 August 2024. His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter in the parish’s spiritual journey, bringing with it fresh...

Pentahbisan melakar sejarah selepas 44 tahun

MEMBAKUT – “Mungkin inilah sebab hujan lebat selepas 44 tahun baru hari ini ada tahbisan paderi dari ini paroki”, ujar paderi paroki St Patrick Membakut, Fr Boniface Kimsin membuatkan para umat gelak ketawa. Paroki St Patrick Membakut telah melahirkan seorang paderi...

Membakut, rai pentahbisan imamat Friar Nelson Sipalan OFM

MEMBAKUT: Akhirnya selepas 44 tahun setelah pentahbisan pertama di St Patrick Membakut pada tahun 1980, seorang pemuda ditahbis sebagai paderi Fransiskan (OFM) pada Ogos 11, 2024. Akhirnya selepas 44 tahun setelah pentahbisan pertama di St Patrick Membakut pada...

Finding my true vocation

My name is Friar Gerald Tan OFM, and I am one of a handful of lay friars in the Franciscan order in Singapore. In 2020, the year I made my solemn profession of religious vows, I discerned that the Lord was not calling me to the priestly ministry – in other words, not...

Experiencing the truth of “the joy of the Lord is my strength”

Jonathan Ng, one of two postulants in the Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei), spent the first three weeks in June on a mission trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He shares his experience with us. My mission trip in Kuala Lumpur from 1 to 21 June was...

Recollection for Friars ‘Under 5’

A small group of young Franciscan Friars from the Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) began 2024 in Danang, Vietnam. Except for Custos Friar Derrick Yap, who guided the recollection, all of them are in their first five years of Solemn Profession or...

Ordination to the Order of Diaconate of Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM

KOTA PADAWAN — All glory to God for another moment in history at St Ann’s Parish, Kota Padawan as we have a newly ordained deacon for the Minister of the Word. Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan OFM was called to the Order of Deacons by Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh on...

Blessed with brothers in formation

The Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei is blessed to have a good number of young brothers in various stages of formation in 2024. Two candidates – Jonathan Ng from Singapore and Maximillian Alexson from Kuching, Sarawak – joined the postulancy programme...

Embracing humility: Inspired by Matthew 23:11-12

The path to the diaconate has been a transformative journey marked by self-discovery, spiritual growth and commitment to the teachings of Christ. As I prepared for my diaconate ordination on 14 January 2024 at St Ann’s Church, Kuching, Sarawak, the verses from Matthew...