CSSUM in Pet's life...

it's late, really, really late at night, and as i sit here in front of my laptop instead of sleeping (as sane people do) or cleaning up (less sane but people still saner than me might be doing)...i m recalling the year and all that it has meant to me.

one of the most outstanding events in this year has to be my appointment and subsequent election as the president of CSSUM (Catholic Students Society UM) by Fr Chris and the CSSUM members.

i still remember it as clearly as day. my initial attitude had been that of a semi interested observer...i cared but i had other commitments e.g. mooting and my secretary post over in UM Law Society. so i didn't think that i would have been able to lead the society out of the dark, as many things had happened in the interim. CSSUM was lost...in more ways than one. it was in the deep freeze of the HEP office and had a dwindling membership.

and then the day came. and suddenly, after an intense and very honest meeting over at SFX, i became the president. it was so scary simply because of its suddenness. and the changes it would mean in my life. heck i never saw it coming at all. and i could sense if was a call from God.

and what has happened since that fateful day?

i've come to appreciate the beauty of a simple life, and learned first hand the joy of serving God. it was a tough call for me, but i quit my post over at Lawsoc to enable myself to spend more time and energy fighting for CSSUM's cause over at the HEP office...sweet talking, cajoling, arguing, reasoning, listening patiently to clerks and officials who were sometimes less than helpful. i saw how bureaucracy, ignorance and not-very-well hidden intolerance can hinder the progression of unity and a broader meaning of harmony. my worldview has widened ... and i understand fully now what Fr OC means when he talks about 'subtle religious persecution'.

CSSUM at the moment is recognised by UM authorities, after some protracted battles at getting it started up again. however, there's still trouble in obtaining approval for our activities, after being told that we were to strictly confine it to 'akademik, sosial atau sukan.' no religious activities, including taking a guitar and singing songs together in a room. there's some form of irony here, but tell me why i m not laughing. it's a vicious circle...no approval, no activities, and then we get called 'tidak aktif' and nearly get shut down. we came so close to being dissolved officialy last sem. suffice to say, all religious societies have been subject to the same senseless directive.

we are still trying to get our kkd and activities off the ground, but now it's mostly confined to gatherings over at SFX, thanks to Fr Simon's good graces. but i really hope to be able to return to UM, where we ought to be able to meet openly to worship God and to learn more about our religion. as Fr Chris said, CSSUM is the oldest CSS in Malaysia, and it's a shame to see it go down.

there have been many 'encounters' and 'adventures' in this respect (HEP wise) and i feel that it's unnecessary to go into the bloody details. but call me up or talk to me, and i might fill you in on the details.

though there are times when i wonder if Margaret, Doris or Elizabeth would make a better leader, i v stopped second guessing myself and believing in a plan bigger than me. and yes, i v made so many mistakes along the way, i m also wondering how Fr Chris, our campus minister can still believe in me. but he does and i m much encouraged. thank you with much gratitude and love.

to Margaret, Elizabeth, Doris, Regina, Rachel, Gilda, Adelyn, Marcella, Cynthia and Angela...and Neilson and Nancy and Felicia...thank you for your support and guidance in helping CSSUM out of the darkness, hopefully into the brightest of light. i really owe all you guys one. :)

and many thanks to CSSUPM for your donation out of the weekly collection over at St. Anne's Chapel, we really appreciate it. also to KLCC and the support and understanding and prayers you have shown. Steph, i know CSSUTM KL and CSSUM really are in the same boat, so let's keep on praying for each other, ok? :)

finally, many thanks to the one above for His unerring guidance and His unfailing love.

'seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, alleluia, alleluia' - excerpt from a song which was sung at a very crucial point in my life this year, when i was about to make an important decision.

p/s CSSUM needs your prayers. thank you. :)