Beauty Lies Within....(a photo essay)

The Passing of an Icon: The Ipoh Tree

It's so sad to see you on your side

Instead of upright and majestic

Prematurely taken by an afternoon storm

Rotary Club of Ipoh, President: KC Chan

Now mourned by a city that borrowed your name

IPOH

Fondly Remembered, Never Forgotten

Musicians Jam And Do Charity

Jamming for a cause.

A group of musicians have decided to come together once a month for a jam-session and do a bit of charity at the same time.

Denis of 'Denis Jazz Bistro'

The organizer who came up with the idea was Dennis Isaac with two others Jerry Arul and Anthony James.

Denis owns a bistro, Denis Jazz Bistro just behind Gourmet Square in Ipoh Garden  

“We decided that it would be a gathering for musicians for them to jam and get together as they just wanted to play their music.

“While we were at it we thought why not do something useful like charity” said Isaac.

The beneficiary of this April Charity went to ‘Mother Teresa’s Reading Shelter’ which provides opportunities for underprivileged children to acquire reading, writing and learning skills.

 

Jerry Arul hands the donation to Ms Maureen Thevabalan of MTRS

According to Isaac they plan to have the jam session once a month on the second Sunday of the month.

Jamming...

.....more jamming

Their first session on 9 April was like a mini marathon. It started at 2.00pm on a Sunday afternoon and carried on late into the night with musicians plugging in and carrying on with the music.

Overall there were close to 40 musicians who turned up some coming from Taiping and Kuala Lumpur while the rest were from Ipoh.

The musicians were polished and went straight into the music after being set up thus providing a continuous stream of melodies.

Playing a medley of song mostly from the 70’s to 80’s such as John Lennon’s Imagine and CCR’s (Credence Clearwater Revival) hit song Proud Mary it was like a trip down memory lane.

 A great afternoon it was and a cool way to spend a lazy afternoon with a beer in hand to rock on.

JAG

Wise Words From The Fb Page Of “Zarith Sofiah Idris”

“Muslims in Malaysia are so very lucky because they do not know what it's like to be part of a minority group.

Those of us who have studied or lived abroad know what it feels like to be a minority, and we learn to adapt. At the same time, we see the kindness and the acceptance of those who are Christians, Jews, or of other faiths, when we are in their countries.

I remember seeing photos of Zaharah Othman, the NST London correspondent, at a church, wearing her hijab. And she's also told me how she had been offered to perform her prayers in churches.

When my eldest son was leaving India and was ending his service with the Indian army, his fellow officers took him to the army mosque. They were Hindus but they showed their respect by covering their heads with their handkerchiefs, and taking their shoes off.

We Muslims must show the same respect to our fellow Malaysians who are not of the same faith as ours”.

Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah is the Permaisuri of Johor. She was born as a member of the Perak Royal Family. While still attending Oxford, she married the then-heir to the throne of Johor.

Easter – When Jesus Christ Triumphed Over Death

I like Easter. It’s the story that is played out once a year with rituals like the Blessing of the Fire - the Light of the World, the Blessing of the Paschal Candle - the Symbol of the Risen Christ.. all the signs of Hope, listening to his word and celebrating his mysteries.

Then there are the Candidates, about to embark in a new life.

It starts with the Blessing of the Fire

It carries on with Blessing of the Paschal Candle, it is the symbol of the Risen Christ who is alive in our presence today. This is very elaborate.

“Christ yesterday and today….the Beginning and the End …the ALPHA (he cuts the letter Alpha above the vertical line)and  OMEGA  (he cuts the letter Omega below the vertical line). All time belongs to Him and all the ages. To him be glory & power, through every age and for ever. Amen.                                                                                      

 When the Cross and other symbols have been inscribed, the Celebrant inserts five grains of incense in the candle in the form of a cross then lights the Candle.

Altar servers and ministers light  their candles from the Paschal candle pass the light  to those in the church.                  

 

Inside Church entrance, the Celebrant  lifts the Easter candle high and sings the  second time..'The Light of Christ'

            

The Celebrant stands at the Sanctuary, lifts the Easter Candle high and sings the 3rd time. "The Light of Christ"

The Easter proclamation proclaiming the great joy and glory of this night...                     

                       

The Candidates are invited onto the sanctuary......   

    ........... accompanied by their Sponsors.  

Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism starts with the blessing of the Baptismal Water. The Celebrant lowers the Paschal Candle into the water and continues.....

Renunciation and Renewal of Baptismal Promises: The Alter Servers, Hospitality Ministers and Godparents then light their candles from the Paschal Candle and pass the light around to the congregation....Do you renounce sin. Do you renounce the lure of the evil, Do you renounce Satan the author and prince of sin...'I Do'.

Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens: The Celebrant anoints each Candidate with the Oil catechumens on both hands. 

Rite of the Sacrament of Baptism.

The youngest candidate to be Baptized.... 

Presentation of the Light....to the newly Baptized

The newly baptized come forward with their sponsors, to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Born again in Christ by Baptism you have become members of Christ and of his Priestly people.

Sprinkling of Holy Water....We have renounced the devil and renewed our faith in God. 

The newly Baptized in procession bearing gifts . ....    

Mass has ended.....A Happy and Joyous Easter to each and all

JAG