By Elvina Fernandez
KAMPAR, Perak – Fr Simon Anand, parish priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart Kampar and head of the Penang Diocesan Youth Network (PDYN), reflects on his vocation journey with humility and grace, sharing that the Holy Spirit guided his journey to bring hope to everyone, particularly with the migrants and youth whom he works closely with now.
His decision to join the priesthood was not marked by a single moment but by a spectrum of experiences over the years. Coming from a mixed marriage, with both parents now Catholic, his gradual involvement in church activities at the parish and diocesan levels eventually led him to consider the priesthood seriously.
Inspired by numerous priests who became his mentors and guided him along his spiritual journey, as well as with the support from family and friends, Fr Simon found joy and fulfilment in his vocation, a journey that began in earnest at 21. Fr Simon’s vocation journey has deeply influenced his approach to ministry.
“I see the Church as a place of refuge,” he said, adding that he is particularly drawn to reaching out to those who cannot be physically present, such as migrants and the young people whose campuses are far away from the parish. “Our parish also provides transportation to students in tertiary institutes who live up to 45 minutes away from the parish to participate at Mass.”
As the head of PDYN, Fr Simon aspires to see young people actively influencing the various facets of their lives in the country, and globally, from politics to NGOs and advocacy work and bringing about a positive change in policy-making to benefit the community at large.
“I believe that this is the Age of the Holy Spirit, where ministry extends beyond the church walls. In essence, it is like Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down, the Apostles went beyond Jerusalem.”
Fr Simon encourages young people to cultivate their diverse vocations using their personal charism.
His initiative in the Penang Diocesan Youth network with various social programmes have successfully engaged youth in faith formation and community service.
Fr Simon shares inspiring stories of youth transformation through PDYN’s programmes. “One recent highlight was sending 33 young people to World Youth Day, where they bonded, fundraised, and were touched lading them on their return to serve in the diverse ministries in the Church and contribute to the society.
“We have had one who has chosen to enter the seminary, whicle some others chose to work for Caritas, the tribunal, the PDYN, social communications and run even independent youth programmes for the community.”
Fr Simon’s passion for working with migrants stems from his deep empathy for their struggles and vulnerabilities. His ministry in Kampar includes organising monthly gatherings for migrant groups and providing spiritual and practical support for the most vulnerable group in our society.
“The church also offers medical camps, documentation assistance with the help of the Indonesian embassy, educational programs, and community events, not only to help create a sense of belonging for migrants but also to ensure they are not left out.”
The Church of the Sacred Heart Kampar is a diverse community with parishioners from various nationalities, including Indonesians, Myanmar nationals, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Koreans, Africans, Sri Lankans, and locals from different ethnic backgrounds.
“For these communities, what they need is a safe space to spend time together once a week and know that the church is there for them.”
Fr Simon has played a part in the renovation of the community hall to provide migrant groups with this safe space for gatherings and to foster a sense of belonging, while the monthly coffee mornings and migrant-local initiatives help build a cohesive community.
Looking ahead, Fr Simon said that in 2015, the church was designated as one of the pilgrimage churches for the Year of Mercy, and has been a strong theme since, emphasising that the church should be a welcoming place for everyone.
“I envision the church as a centre of mercy, with initiatives like the Mercy Hall and Mercy Kitchen serving the community’s diverse needs. We are here to serve the people, and especially those who are most in need.”
When asked what he would like to be remembered for, Fr Simon shared that he humbly leaves his legacy in the hands of the Holy Spirit and the people of God. “I hope to inspire a community that fosters and embraces everyone and serves as a beacon of mercy and love to those looking for a little glimmer of hope.”
Fr Simon Anand’s journey and ministry remind us of the profound impact of faith, community, and service. His dedication to youth, migrants, and the diverse parish community of Kampar is truly inspiring. – Herald Malaysia
