It began with a nine-day novena to St Faustina at 3 pm each day beginning on the 28^th September until the 4^th October. On St. Faustina’s Feast Day (5^th October) the celebrations ended with an evening novena followed by sunset mass.

In his homily, Fr. Martin Arlando related the story of the advice given by a pencil maker to his pencils before setting them into the box off for shipment. He said, “One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil. Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside. And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

Now taking the lesson from the pencil maker, Fr elaborated, One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person. Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside. And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Fr concluded by saying that faith is trust and not a certainty. We can never lose our faith if we trust in God. He asked the congregation to ask for the grace to never lose our trust in God. The celebrations were made more meaningful as there was a relic of St. Faustina on display on loan from CDM Shah Alam throughout the 9 day novena. The congregation was also invited to come up and kiss the relic of St. Faustina at the end of mass.

After mass the congregation was treated to light refreshments of curry puffs and cake. The celebrations ended with the burning of all petitions offered during the novenas at the grotto of our Lady at CDM.

Written by Dr. Ivan Filmer
16^th October, 2013.