A. INTRODUCTION

It has been a busy yet fulfilling year for the Catholic Lawyers Society (CLS), Kuala Lumpur and at the very outset I wish to congratulate and convey my appreciation to all members of the Committee for the time, effort, skill, talent and ideas rendered.

B. MEMBERSHIP

As at 31.12.2005 there are 94 paid-up members of the CLS. I am glad to note that this an increase of 40 members from the preceding term. Kudos’ to the Committee for assisting in achieving the membership target we had set at the beginning of the term.

C. EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

i) February 2005

The Annual Red Mass was held on 19.2.2005 at St. John’s Cathedral. The celebrant was His Grace the Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. O.C Lim, Msgr. James Gnanapragasam, Rev. Fr. Matthew, Rev. Fr. Amalanathan and Msgr. John Kallarackal, special assistant to the Apostolic Delegate. About 50 lawyers attended the Eucharistic Celebration which was wholly animated by the lawyers present . The event concluded with a fellowship brunch. The Apostolic Delegate presented rosaries blessed by His Holiness The Pope to CLS which was distributed to those present.

The following day on 20.2.2005 the CLS hosted a dinner in honour of the Apostolic Delegate at the Royal Selangor Club. About 15 lawyers attended this dinner. Also present was His Grace Archbishop Datuk Murphy Pakiam and Msgr. John Kallarackal.

ii) March 2005

The Annual General Meeting was held on 5.3.2005 at Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya. The morning began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided by our Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Fr. O.C. Lim.

Those elected as office bearers are as follows:
President   :   Francis Pereira
Vice President   :  S. Chrishanthini
Secretary   :  David Charles
Asst. Secretary   :  Bernard Scott
Treasurer   :  Mabel Sabastian
Committee Members :  Maria V Pereira, Antoine Jayaraj, Anna Marie, Annou Xavier, Lancelot Rozario, Adrian Silvarajoo

iii) April 2005
The CLS participated in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur which was held from 22nd -23rd May, 2005 at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. We had set up an exhibition booth explaining the history and activities of the Society. Members also provided legal advise to patrons and distributed pamphlets on various areas of law and legal rights.

iv) June 2005
In keeping with the aims and objects of the CLS namely to render assistance and works of piety or charity to organizations and individuals whenever needed, about 20 members of CLS and family members and friends visited the Fatima Home for children in Malacca. The day was spent getting to know the children, playing games, sharing meals and celebrating the Eucharist with them. Father Bala who manages the home was most accommodating and welcoming. Gifts and cash donation was presented to the home and the children. Members also had the opportunity to fellowship with Catholic Lawyers from Malacca who joined us in this outreach. We take this opportunity to thank our member Leong Yeng Kong for co-ordinating this outreach.

Members of the Committee paid a Courtesy Call on the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur on 21.6.2005 at His Grace residence. The committee members were introduced to the Bishop. We had also explained to His Grace our plans for the year and listened to His Grace sharing on the Vision and mission of the diocese and our role in this vision. The dialogue was very encouraging and truly enlightening.

July 2005
Members of the CLS participated in the St. Thomas More Feast Day mass at the Church of the Assumption on 22.7.2005. About 20 Lawyers were present and the evening ended with a dinner fellowship.

A CLS home fellowship dinner was held at my residence on 16.7.2005. About 25 Catholic Lawyers were present for an evening of pure fun and camaraderie.

August 2005
In line with the Society’s plans to becoming a national body a trip to Kuching and Miri was made by 8 CLS members from 27th to 31st August 2005 to introduce the Society and get to know our fellow Catholic Lawyers from the East. We were blessed with the wonderful hospitality of the East Malaysian lawyers as well as the Bishops of Kuching and Miri.

September 2005
3rd September 2005 marked an important day in the history of the CLS being the day we took our first step towards becoming a national society with an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The proposed amendments were unanimously passed by members present.

The Annual Retreat of CLS took place from 16th -18th September 2005 on the theme “The Human Experience of God”. The Retreat Master was Rev. Fr. Simon Pereira CSsR of Singapore and the retreat was held in the cool and serene settings of Frasers Hill. About 20 lawyers participated in a time soul searching of our true calling and the challenge to embrace that calling. We wish to record our thanks to Rev. Fr. Simon for the wonderful faith experience weekend.

October 2005
The Annual dinner and Dance was held on 15.10.2005 at the Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya. Approximately 330 people attended this annual event. The event netted an income of RM28,691.00 for the CLS part of which shall be utilized for the activities of the CLS and some to be donated to charitable organizations. I wish to congratulate and thank the organising committee ably led by Annou Xavier for a job well done.

November 2005
The President and Secretary of the CLS attended the Celebration of King’s Day at the J.W. Marriot Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of the Ambassador of Belgium.

December 2005
On 10.12.2005 the CLS organized a Seminar entitled, “Legal Implications on Conversion to Islam” at the Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya. It was a day of indepth study mainly for lawyers on the law and procedure involved in such matters and the possible legal advice lawyers could give if posed with a certain problem. We are grateful to two of our members namely Leonard Teoh and Benjamin Dawson for unselfishly sharing their invaluable knowledge and experience.

The same night after the conclusion of the Seminar the CLS held its Annual Christmas Dinner and get together at the President’s residence. It was well attended and those present had a fun time with christmas carolling, exchange of gifts, excellent food and not to mention a Christmas turkey!

D. MONTHLY PRAYER SESSIONS

I am glad to inform that these prayer sessions were prepared and attended quite well by members during this term. Different members took turns to prepare on various topics relating to our faith which also involved many thought provoking discussions as well.

E COLA MEETINGS

The CLS attended the Council Of Lay Associations [COLA] meetings through its permanent representative Antoine Jayaraj. At these meetings, the Archbishop is updated on the activities of the CLS.

F. DONATIONS

During the course of the year the following donations were made:-

i)   Fatima Home   RM2,250.00 ii)  Assumption Church   RM 500.00

G. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I take this opportunity to thank the committee members of the CLS for their time and effort which they so willingly gave without counting the cost as well as our members and friends of CLS especially Leonard Teoh, Francis Bridgged, Joy Appukuttan, Chan Yat Hee, Jescey Lawrence, Charmaine Pereira, Joachim Lim, anita Stevens to name a few whose support and assistance we value immensely.

I wish to convey my apologies on my own behalf and on behalf of the society for any shortcomings.

Last but certainly not in the least, I wish to thank His Grace Archbishop Murphy Pakiam and Rev. Father O.C Lim who constantly inspire and guide the CLS in its undertakings.

May the Good Lord continue to shower His blessings on the Catholic Lawyers Society that she may be an effective instrument of His Kingdom.

………………………………..
President
Catholic Lawyers Society
Kuala Lumpur
2005