Recently at our Custody Chapter, we worked out the placement of friars for the different communities. There is only one change for the Kuching community that is the return of Friar Joseph Lee from Taiwan, after two years and the departure of Friar Joseph Goh for further studies in the United States.

There are 3 friars who continue to serve the parish of St Ann in Kota Padawan. Besides, the friars also minister to the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS).

The annual Animal blessing was held on 7th Oct 2007 at St Ann Baruk. The skies looked threatening at first but it soon cleared and the pet owners slowly arrived. There were 25 pet owners who attended the Pet Blessing that began with a paraliturgy.

The highlight of the afternoon was when one of the dogs pissed on one of the friar’s habit. The dog must have felt comfortable enough to piss on the friar’s habit to mark his territory. To put things in a broader Franciscan context, it must have been God’s humour of sharing his blessing with his people, in a unique way, in our everyday ordinary situation.

Friars Michael, Jivan, Clifford and Gerard went for the Provincial Chapter in Sydney from 25 – 29 September 2007. At the chapter we elected the New Provincial and Definitors and also discussed on matters/concerns to be taken up by the new Administration for the future.

Besides the Chapter, we also had opportunities to catch up with some of the friars from the Custody. One remarkable person is friar George Boggs, who ministered in Singapore for 17 years. We put up at the Ashfield friary where George is staying, after the Chapter. Together with Martin, they were wonderful hosts who made our stay comfortable and pleasant.

Friar Tom did not come alone but came together with the Provincial friar Steve Bliss and the Custos friar Michael D’ Cruz. They also joined the Kuching friars to celebrate the St Ann feast day, together with the Bishop and some priests. The same night we went for dinner as a community, hosted by Bishop John Ha.

Friar Tom left with pleasant memories of Kuching and his wish is that he will be able to visit Kuching, but not on official business.

The friars’ had two visitors who stayed over at the friary from 9-11 August 2007. It was a first trip to Kuching for both friar George Simulski, a Scottish living in the English province, and his friend. What touched and amazed them was the friendliness and warmth of the Sarawakians.

They were brought around to places of attraction in Sarawak such as the Cultural Village and Cat Museum. Besides they also enjoyed local dishes and were game enough to try some of the exotic ones.

Both of them then left Kuching to Miri to visit the Mulu caves. Sr Gerarda, helped them with their accommodation and trip to Mulu caves. Friar George remarked over the phone that he truly enjoyed his time in Sarawak and was grateful that things fell nicely in place for him and his friend.

The Kuching friars went for the Custody Assembly held in Singapore from 31 July to 2 August. The Assembly gave us the opportunity to gather together and also discuss the future for the Custody over the next 3 years and make concrete preparations for the Custody Chapter in October 2007.

This event also gave the friars in the Custody to hear the sharings of friars’ and have a bigger and in-depth picture to the situation in the Custody. However, we also took time in the evening to mingle and exchange news with the other friars’.

Overall, it was an enriching experience for all of us and to become mindful of the new challenges that lay ahead of us, in the coming years.

The exposure experience of Friar Vernon to CatLand was enriching and uplifting. Over a 3-week period, Vernon had a first-hand experience living together with one of the family in Kg Peraya and the SSFS communities in Kapit, Song and Kanowit.

He described his experience at Kg Peraya as having tasted the authentic Sarawak hospitality and also “back to nature” sort of lifestyle. These experiences reminded him of his good old kampong days in Singapore and he was truly surprised by the modern facilities available in the kampong.

Regarding his trip to Kapit, Kanowit and Song, he experienced the Franciscan connections and truly felt at home with the different communities. Vernon was not able to participate actively in his interaction with the locals but he felt a sense of belonging and that his presence among the people as important.

As a Franciscan, Vernon must have touched the family in Kg Peraya because some of the members came all the way to wish him goodbye and gave him a farewell gift, on the day when he was to leave Kuching for Singapore.

In July 2007, we took the opportunity to visit the Franciscan Hermitage, La Foresta, while on an official business to discuss about the vocation situation in Sabah.

La Foresta is located in Kiulu, Tuaran and was officially opened in 2005. This place caters for a person who wants to spend time in solitude and deepen his/her relationship with God through prayer. There are 7 huts built on the hill side for such purpose, situated in the midst of a natural environment like rushing streams, green hills. The atmosphere is serene and peaceful which allows a person to quieten one’s mind and heart and listen to the voice of God.

There is a community of sisters living close by, who minister to the retreatants as part of their ministry. We had a great time there and truly enjoyed their warmth and fraternal friendship.

La Foresta gave us the opportunity to appreciate the wonder of creation and also reconnect with oneself, God and the surroundings through the stillness and wonder of nature.

Fr Maurice Carmody made a short visit to Kuching to visit the Kuching friars and the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS). He had fond memories of this place because he was very involved in the lives of the SSFS sisters whom he helped to organize and direct them, back in 1989.

Although his stay was short, he took the chance to meet up with the SSFS sisters in Padungan over dinner and also visited the Orang Utans at Semenggoh Wildlife. Fr Maurice certainly felt at home during his stay here in Catland.

We began our journey at 10 am and visited the staff of St Ann Parish and friends from Penrissen, Upper Padawan, Bau and Kuching. There was a great mood of festivity seen among the locals and they were generous to welcome us into their homes.

What remained a great challenge for some was to stay sober and not to expand on the waistlines with all the eating and merry making. We ended our visitation around 10.30pm, filled with the wonderful memories and friendship shared with the people.