MORE than 500 Catholics throughout Malaysia came together last weekend to bring the spirit of Christmas to homes worldwide through a multi-language virtual choir as the world combats the Covid-19 pandemic.

The virtual choir, titled Malaysia’s Largest Christmas Catholic Virtual Choir, was premiered online by Catholics at Home (CAH) Podcast, and features Malaysian Olympian Pandelela Rinong, retired SMK Assunta founder and principal, Sister Enda Ryan, with their friends and families.

Father Clarence Devadass, a member of the CAH Podcast Team, told The Malaysian Insight that during this trying time, it is important not to neglect the community’s spiritual needs and do whatever possible to lift the spirit of the Catholic community.

“Assembling a choir of this magnitude was not easy. However, the response from Catholics across Malaysia was overwhelming,” he said.

“So many wanted to be part of this unique expression of Christian fellowship necessitated by the times we live in,” said Father Clarence Devadass, a member of the CAH Podcast Team.

The choir presented a medley of Christmas favourites, including “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Angels We Have Heard on High”.

The CAH Podcast team took two weeks to put together the submissions that were accepted in different languages – English, Mandarin, Tamil, Bahasa Malaysia, Kadazan, and Iban, as well as the Malaysian sign language.

“Never would we have ever imagined that a global pandemic would bring people closer together – by requiring people to stay apart for safety,” said Devadass who is the Director of the Catholic Research Centre in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

“With churches closed, carolling and big family gatherings not encouraged, many are adapting to the new normal using technology to come together while being apart,” he added.

The programme also featured Christmas wishes from Archbishop Julian Leow from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, unique Christmas cribs from local churches, and creative participative activities live-streamed from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Another member of the CAH Podcast Team, Mark Darren Lee, said the team was heartened by the viewership of the project.

“When we premiered Malaysia’s Largest Christmas Catholic Virtual Choir over the weekend, we had approximately 20,000 viewers tuning in to the livestream.

“To date, we have over 35,000 views in total via Facebook and YouTube,” Lee said.

The CAH Podcast was started in April during the movement-control order period to reach out to Catholics who needed their spiritual fellowship and growth.

“Across the year, we have seen all manners of organisations in Malaysia changing how they reach their audiences.

“And it is the same for spiritual communities where interpersonal communication is the glue that binds the congregation together,” Lee said.

The CAH Podcast Team then decided to use the channel to also extend the Christmas cheer during the Advent season. – December 22, 2020.