The children of St. Joseph Home, Georgetown, Penang, gifted all guests at the St.
Joseph Home Thanksgiving Mass with a potted plant each, symbolizing the nurturing
of life, love and hope. This gesture aligns with Pope Francis reflection in the encyclical
LAUDATO SI, “The Human Family has received from the creator a common gift:
Nature”.
On 12 December 2024, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the children of St. Joseph
Home, offered the Thanksgiving Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, to staff,
caregivers, board members, benefactors, volunteers and Friends of St. Joseph Home.
The mass was celebrated by Bishop of Penang, His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian
Francis with Rev. Fr. Joachim Roberts concelebrating. Choir Director Celine D’Cruz
shared that the children had diligently over the past month practiced the songs and
prepared to serve as lectors, reciting the Psalm and proclaiming the Readings.
In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian reflected that Our Lady often appears to simple,
adults and children. He noted that Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego at Guadalupe,
to three children - Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco at Fatima, and to the 14-year-old
Bernadette at Lourdes. Cardinal reminded the children of St. Joseph Home that Our
Lady is always there for them and encouraged them to be loving and trustworthy of
Our Lady. Fr. Joachim, Chair of the Board, thanked everyone involved with the
children for their gift of faith, shared with love and dedication for the benefit of the
children. As the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child”.
Sr. Provincial Christin Law of the Canossian Daughters of Charity (FDCC) - Malaysia
sent Sr. Roslin Zaccharius to serve at St. Joseph Home in 2022. FDCC which in Italian
is ‘Figlie Della Carita Canossiane’ have charism in education, catechesis, and care of
the sick. Sr. Roslin shared that SJH has 25 children, ranging in age 5 to 17 years.
During the fellowship dinner, the children sang carols. Sr. Roslin mentioned that there
were no other presentations because she wanted the children to dine and mingle with
all the guests present. Sr Roslin also expressed gratitude for the volunteer pool, which
includes teachers who give tuition and music lessons, therapists, and even individuals
who tend the garden.
Also present were the Board members Mr. Iruthaya Das, James Tan, Shirley Ann
Chapel (with apologies), along with past Board member Frances Chan and around 60
guests. Iruthaya Das thanked all the benefactors for their kind generosity to the Home.
The Home provides a wholesome education, life skills and with Sr. Roslin’s presence,
spiritual growth. According to Iruthaya, the challenge the SJH faces is attracting and
retaining younger staff.
In 1865 Fr. Francois Xavier Hab established the St. Joseph Orphanage at the present
site. In the 1990’s, with the rise in problems faced by families, the St. Joseph’s
Orphanage opened its doors to include not only orphans but also boys and girls from
very poor socio-economic and psychological backgrounds. St Joseph’s Orphanage
became St Joseph’s Home, and on November 21, 2024, celebrated its 159th
anniversary.
‘Welcome to St. Joseph Home, Where Love Finds Its Way Home’
By Christopher Kushi
