Charity Begins at Home - Treat for the Needy and Most Improved

Friday (28 June 2008)

The Concert Treat

2 students from each class were given a TREAT! Tickets were given free to the most improved student to watch a concert put up by the Hosanna Music Ministry entitled Planet Love. Two of our former Montfort boys, Stefan and Andrew played drums and bass on the band. The concert was held at Jubilee Hall, at the prestiged Raffles Hotel.

Proceeds to ticket sales goes towards the opening of a new chapel and education center for Montfort youths in Sabah. The new institution is the Montfort Youth Training Center in Sabah.

Some of the most touching parts of the concert was when one of the singers spoke about their personal life and choices. One had lost her aunt, her dad and found out that she had cancer. Yet, she willed that she would live on as joyfully as she could because "her act of love" for her mom and brother, being responsible for them, demonstrated that love can influence and inspire others to make the same choice with someone else. The more you choose to love others, the more you are creating opportunities for others to do the same.

Visitors commented that our boys were well-behaved. They greeted Brother Dominic at the door and were in their best weekend outfits. For some, it was their first concert and evenining spent at a posh hotel like the Raffles. (The $5 price tag to the drinks were a shock to many at the intermission)

Charity Begins at Home - Our Work in Sabah

In the same spirit, the Brothers of St Gabriels have been reaching out and changing the lives of the less privileged youth in Sabah, East Malasia, since 1999. The spirit of St Louis Marie de Montfort is liave at the Montfort YOuth Training Centre set up in Donggongon, Penampang, to cater for youth who have not had the chance to continue their educaiton. They receive a craft/ voaction like metal fabrication, motor mechanics, carpentry and are challenged to grow in a holistica programme under the guidance of brothers.

In very simple and touching fashion, Jude Anthony, a 17 year old previous substance abuser Montfort student at the center said, "Before I came to Montfort (Youth Training Center). I don't like to study and as working away from home as a shop assistant. I did whatever I like. I took drugs, alcohol and smoked. NOBODY COULD STOP ME. Until, one day, I was caught and jailed for a night. I was tested positive for drugs. The policeman let me go but told me that if he caught me again, he will put me in jail forever. My parents were very angry. I was very angry and didn't know what to do. A Sister at St James' Church in Tenghilan told me about Montfort and advised me to apply. I waited a month and was vey happy to get in!For the first month, I could not speak English and felt very lost. Now I can speak English and feel good about myself. Montfort programmes are different from others and have taught me to have a good attitude. A thousand thanks to the Brothers, Sisters, Staff and my family for not giving up on me"

Lorenzo Juli, a graduate from the center also shared his life, "Montfort asks of me to teach and correct my friends and whoever outside there to come back to live better lives and wake-up from being blind to what is happening to the family and in this world. Even though I hated what my father was doing to our family, i myself went down the same path. Montfort taught me the good values and to live my life with confidence. If not for MOntfort, I cannot see any future in teh way I was living my life. Drinking and smoking did not solve any of my problems but added to them more and more. i still love my parents. I wished they had guided me more and I wished that our family circumstances were not so bad. I now want to help my younger brothers and sisters. uring my semester breaks, I visited my father and I believe that through my prayers and seeing the changes in me, he is beginning to change too. He is not drinking so much now. He told me he was sorry he failed me when we were young. We can talk openly now. Today, I thank everyone at the Center who helped me in so many ways in shaping my life to meet the challenges of the world. Without you all, I believe that I would remain just another one of the boys in my kampung who does not know how to be focussed on building a good future".

A reformed and inspired believer, Clementine Bede Gungkit, 1919 shared, "my father tried to put me in jail because of my problems and I did not listen to him. My mother was very angry with my father and she snt me to study in Montfort. I had never found a better place to study, not even in my former school. But I am blessed because God gave me this opporturnity to study in Montfort where i learn about discipline, honesty and God. I am more disciplined, honest and my attitude changed. I would like to say a big "THANK OU" to Brother Francis, Sisters, staff, instructors and my family members, especially my parents, without them I would not be what I am today".

JUBILEE HALL

Designed in late Victorian style by theatre specialist, Charles Cosler of New York, Jubilee Hall features 388 luxurious seat velvet curtains, a balcony and an expansive stage.

A magnificent oil painting on canvas (oleo) depicting an old Singapore town scene forms the frontdrop of the stage. Complementing the grand oleo on the outside walls of Jubilee Hall are classic fresco murals of landscapes of old Asia by renowned artist, Carlo Marchiori.

The gracious setting of the Jubilee Hall is the ideal venue for corporate events such as trade launches, seminars, lectures and award ceremonies. When night falls, the Hall presents a variety of plays, musicals, recitals, dances and films.

Adjacent to Jubilee Hall, the foyer area serves as a venue for exhibitions, morning coffee breaks, afternoon teas or cocktail receptions.