Happy New Year 2022 ...

Lets look forward to a new 2022

May it give us positive vibes 

In all our endeavours and encounters

And guide us towards the right path 

Always 

Kinta Chronicles

Christmas Mass 2021....

Christmas 2021 mass was different this year because i attended mass in Church. Last year i attended the mass via audio sitting outside the hall behind the Church all because of Covid 19 and social distancing and whatnots.

There was social distancing hence attendance was drastically reduced to only 400 with 1st -come-1st gets-in. As expected there was disappointment by the latecomers. That's the consequence of the new normal.

My Church is always decorated nicely for the occasion. The Christmas tree, Our Lady's shrine. the poinsettias at the tabernacle was a sight that warmed my heart. Everything else was still status quo. Even the choir which i never heard for nearly two years was on key. 

The Flower Ministry did a wonderful job as usual. Some new additions to the decor

The Nativity procession at the beginning of the mass ... 

 

...and placed the Baby Jesus at the Nativity Crib .... 

the Crib blended well ...

...... which Fr Massang called the 'Pandemic Crib' ... for obvious reasons

My OMPH Church 

Merry Christmas 2021

A Pandemic Christmas Crib At OMPH Church

The Pandemic Crib at OMPH Church

Christmas should be joyful and that was how it was. However over the last two years with Covid19 around it has wreaked much havoc that we can no longer ignore the pandemic.

We stand little chance what with the virus developing new variants and mutating within a short time. It is time to embrace the pandemic as the new normal and live with it the best way we can. 

Fr Patrick Massang, the Parish Priest of OMPH Church was explaining the rationale of the Church’s crib this year.

Calling it a ‘Pandemic Crib’ he said that visuals are important. We wanted to construct the nativity scene through the eyes of the suffering amidst the global pandemic.

We constructed infested lungs that carry the breath of Christ in us and many who struggle to breathe with the coronavirus.

Circumnavigating the entire crib are the Holy Family, the shepherds and the people who come to pay homage to Jesus as the coronavirus is invading every space. The lungs are on the verge of collapse but it is held together from behind and supported by the cross of Christ bearing all our suffering in this pandemic.

Above all this is the pulsating heart of Jesus with the symbol of the cross that saves all of us.  And the child in the middle is Emanuel which means God with Us.

There is hope because God is with us and we will pull through with unwavering faith. This is our ‘pandemic crib’. GOD is in the midst of the suffering and hardship.

He has come to give us hope and unity to journey in this time of the pandemic. The frontliners and parishioners, everyone is doing their share together as a community.

We have to fight this coronavirus. we can’t journey alone as it is not a one man battle. He will help us get through this.

We want to portray this message despite the floods and so much more going around us. It is gloom but it is not doom and we are getting through this together.

God will see us through.

 

KC

New Kid In Town - Peoples Park And Chiang Jiang White Coffee Shop

 Peoples Park was gazetted in 1909 more than a century ago. Now it is known as Ipoh River Front and it is about to get a new lease of life.

Left..barren on the 6th and right..revitalised on Friday 10th

A new diner Chiang Jiang White Coffee Shop has set up shop at Peoples Park. Based on its track record it should be a positive move for Ipoh’s community.

New Village look...?

Spacious premises 

Seated in the airy exterior  ...

or air conditioned interior

People’s Park, over the last ten years maybe more, has had its gardens upgraded with water features, dining facilities and kid’s jungle gym to make it more family friendly all to the tune of several million ringgit.

But it never sustained the crowds not even the families on a weekend. Vagabonds and homeless persons were the more frequent users.

But I think that is going to change. Last Monday 6^th December there were several customers at 3pm in the new Chiang Jiang Coffee Shop. Hope springs eternal??

Stagnant waters at this fountain feature on 6 December

..and cleaned by  Friday 10th

I like People’s Park. The garden is well designed with shady areas for sitting and chilling. However MBI doesn’t maintain it well. 

When I was there earlier in the week the fountain area was dry, the garden was not swept clean, flower containers were bare, tiles were broken. I could go on and on. Overall it was shabby and nowhere like how a park should be.

It was different on Friday 10^th when I dropped by again. MBI workers were around, water was filling up the fountain area and workmen were fixing spotlights at the kid’s station. It looked fine but maintenance isn’t a one day job and there is a lot more that needs fixing.

Trip hazard. Senior citizens could twist an ankle.

This is still here. It was hilited in a 2018 post on Google

?????

Missing covers and empty flower stands and more 

Ponds filling up on the 10th

Tripping hazard at the kids station

I have no doubt that Chiang Jiang will draw the crowds. But will MBI do their part and make Peoples Park a truly family park for all Ipohites to enjoy.

Improved fencing alongside the Kinta river. 

Let’s wait and watch.

KK