Faith Of The Disciples Nurtured By Tangible Evidences - Bishop Lee
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- In his Easter Message for 2007, Bishop John Lee observes that the faith of the disciples was nurtured by tangible evidences.
"This demand for evidences in the early years of Christianity is important for us 'who have not seen and yet believe,'" he writes.
The message, released March 12, cites the reactions of the Apostles John, Peter and Thomas.
"John the Apostle saw the empty tomb and he believed. Peter, too, saw the burial cloths on the ground and was amazed. Thomas, however, confessed, 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe," the message illustrates. Please read the full text in Bishop's Messages (Home Page).
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2,783 To Be Baptised This Easter
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- The Rite of Election this year, held February 24-25, First Sunday of Lent, saw 2,783 (1,417 in Keningau Diocese and 1,366 in KK Diocese) called to the Elect in Sabah.
It was held in the parishes in both dioceses where there are catechumens who have attended about 30 weekly RCIA lessons over several months in the language of their choice: English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu or Kadazandusun.
The Rite of Election marks the beginning of final preparation for baptism under the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
The Lenten season is a period of purification and enlightenment, a period of intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
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A Teacher Who Is More Of A Friend Than A Teacher
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- To some of his "old boys" (students) former Mill Hill Missionary Father Brian Coogan of England is more of a friend than a teacher.
Father Coogan, on his sixth return visit to Sabah, celebrated his diamond jubilee (60 years) of priesthood and 83rd birthday with around 250 of his former students March 12.
Born on 7 Feb 1924 in St Helen's Lancashire, UK, Mill Hill Father Brian Coogan was ordained priest on 6 July 1947. He came to British North Borneo (now Sabah) in December 1951. The missionary, who has a master's degree from Cambridge University UK and a Certificate in Education from London University, taught English and English Literature at Sacred Heart (now La Salle) Secondary School in 1952, 1956-1957, Holy Trinity School Tawau in 1953, St Mary's School Sandakan in 1954-1955 and in St Joseph's School Papar in 1958-1959.
Francis Wong Yit Shing, a well known architect in Sabah, was taught by Father Coogan at St Mary's School Sandakan and later at Sacred Heart Tanjung Aru from 1955 to 1958.
Wong has fond memories of this English teacher and priest, saying, "He was a man with a heart for students and their welfare. He tried to get them scholarships, especially the poor."
He recalled that in those days, "We were poor" and many were families whose parents were victims of the World War and the Japanese occupation. The scholarships enabled needy students from outstations to gain entry into La Salle and other schools without having to pay school and boarding fees.
"Father Coogan was a strong spiritual influence for us. He influenced us very strongly in character building. He did not behave like a teacher, but more like a friend to us. We all treated him like a friend.
"He talked to us as a friend would, not keeping in mind discipline only. That was how we developed a fondness for him and that is also why whenever Father Coogan comes to visit us in Sabah, we treat and welcome him like a friend, more than a former teacher," said Wong who has himself become a teacher after a long career in the field of architecture.
Wong is now a professor in building, fashion, interior and graphic designs as well as in music studies. He serves as Dean of Studies at the Sabah Institute of Art in Penampang. He has also been a long-serving member on the Advisory Board of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and previously the KK Municipal Council.
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Bishop Reminds Faithful To Pray For Him And Their Priests
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- In his homily during the Chrism Mass celebrated March 28 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here, Bishop John Lee reminded the more than 1,000 faithful present to pray for him and their priests to be faithful to their renewal of commitment to priestly service.
The Mass was the culmination of the two-day bimonthly clergy meeting held at the parish centre. The Chrism Mass is celebrated annually during which the oils for the sick, the catechumens and chrism are blessed and during which all the priests present renew their commitment to priestly service before the bishop. However, it is actually a celebration of the priesthood of the people of God: the common priesthood of the baptized manifested in the faithful present, the ordained priesthood visible in the clergy, and the fullness of the priesthood represented by the bishop.
The diocese has 36 priests including the bishop but only 27 were present during the Mass. The bishop, assisted by Father John Wong, blessed the oils brought by the faithful for personal use after the Mass.
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Soccom Conducts Journalism Seminar In Labuan
LABUAN(CS Online).- Around 17 people took part in the basic journalism seminar by the Social Communication Commission (SOCCOM) at the Blessed Sacrament Parish here March 23-25.
The participants, including a few retired people, are actively involved in their parish organizations such as Parish Pastoral Council, Legion of Mary and Catholic Women's League. They were taught how to write news and feature stories and the basics of documentation and photography.
Before the seminar ended, the participants agreed to form the parish media committee which will take care of sending news to the diocesan paper Catholic Sabah and of diffusing it, as well as other media activities.
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KK Diocese Celebrates Consecrated Life Soberly
INANAM(CS).- Members of the different religious institutes in the Kota Kinabalu Diocese celebrated the 11th World Day for Consecrated Life soberly February 2.
The event took place at St Catherine Inanam with Msgr Primus Jouil, vicar general, presiding over the Eucharistic Celebration.
Rector Father David Sham, Assistant Rector Father Tony Mojiwat, Papar Rector Father Aloysius Fidelis and Montfort Father Mark Tee concelebrated with him.
Preceding the Mass was the blessing of candles outside the church.
After the homily, all the professed religious renewed their commitment led by Montfort Brother Mark Tee, chairman of the Council of Religious.
A simple fellowship meal for all, including the lay faithful who turned up for the event, followed the Mass at the parish hall.
The celebration was preceded by a triduum of sharing of the different congregational charisms and Mass at different venues: Holy Family Telipok (first night), Good Shepherd Menggatal (second night) and St Catherine Inanam (third night).
KK Diocese has three religious institutes for men, six communities of woman religious and one secular institute.
World Day for Consecrated Life was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1997, to be celebrated each year on February 2, Feast of the Lord's Presentation.
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Vicar General Opens IY Academic Year
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- This year Msgr Primus Jouil, vicar general, presided over the Opening Mass of the Initiation Year (IY) students, to start their academic year Feb 5.
The Mass, concelebrated with IY Director Father Michael Modoit, Catholic Diocesan Centre (CDC) Rector Father John Wong and SHC Assistant Rector Father Wilfred Atin, was also attended by most of the academic staff and their spouses, CDC aspirants and the three who have been accepted to enter Philosophy Year in St Peter Kuching Feb 21.
In his homily the presider exhorted the students to be open during the course of their studies so that they could make the most of it.
The nine students: Marthin Steven, Abel Madisang, Tony Bingkuan, Trecher Alexander, Ronald Masik, Julian George, Fabian Herman, Richard Dennis and Roy Ujan - entered IY on Jan 15.
The 11 aspirants accepted for the English Year: Adrian Radius, Albert Alex, Cristiano Sumbat, Felix Singan, Harry Dorisoh, Hilanus Simon, Jakius Adam, James Michael, Joshua Liew, Maxmillian Donald and Stanley William, entered CDC Feb 4.
Earlier they had attended the statewide vocation seminar held at Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre (BTRC) Jan 19-21.
A fellowship meal prepared by the CWL followed the Mass, during which Father Modoit cut his anticipated seventh sacerdotal anniversary cake. His anniversary falls on Feb 12.
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KSFX Organises AP 3
KENINGAU(CS).- For the third consecutive year St Francis Xavier's Cathedral (KSFX) organised the Pesta Akademi Penghibur Ke-3 (AP 3) at its parish hall here.
Ten finalists took part in the final event which had an audience of around 500 people, mostly young supporters of the finalists.
The judges this year were Rayner Ajumal (tempo and music score), Neil Mah (vocals) and Cathrine Kindasan (presentation and public speaking).
Bishop Cornelius Piong opened the event with a short address.
Each finalist, after presenting his/her song, (some with choreography), was asked two questions, one on the theme and the other on what s/he would do to help the parish/church/youth after the event.
The ten finalists were: Loresa Elsie Asip (champion), Hervin Sijas (1st runner-up), Dilly Tyrance Jamis (2nd runner-up), Jackson Mindong, Barry Toini, Velyana Moridin, Norisah Yasin, Bodrick Paulus Aip, Frederick Jolius and Yohanes Alben.
Six composers took part in the event with Harry Wong as the winner of the best composition.
There was also a surprise prize - for the best learning attitude on the part the contestants throughout the entrie period (Dec-Jan): open attitude during training, being corrected, being helpful to fellow participants instead of just concentrating on winning, etc - this was given to Bodrick Aip.
Indeed, this surprise prize could turn out to be the most important prize to be won in terms of personal formative growth of the participants.
Seeing the popularity of the American Idol which spread to many countries including Malaysia (Akademi Fantasia), Fr Paul Mikin was inspired to organise something similar for the youths at parish level in 2005.
The contestants came from the zones under the parish.
However, the songs composed would be religious or spiritual songs inspired by the Bible and the spiritual experiences.
Johnny Guntavid, a music teacher in a local education institute, gave all the particpants basic vocal training during the two months.
He heads the organising committee established last year when the bishop saw the fruit of the first two events: that the participants did share their talents and what they had learned with their fellow youths in the zones they come from.
In so doing, the choirs were able to improve the quality of their singing as the bishop has observed.
Moreover, some of the past participants would help out in the current event either by contributing a number or acting as emcee.
For instance, AP1 winner Marysia Malating contributed a number during the AP2 while AP2 winner Christy Freddy cohosted the AP3 with another AP2 finalist Lydia Nasly.
The Akademi Penghibur is one way of tapping into the talents of our youths and rechannelling these talents for evangelisation.
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Vocation Seminar Nets 81 Participants
BUNDU TUHAN(CS).- Eighty-one young men from both dioceses participated in the vocation seminar on the diocesan priesthood Jan 19-21 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre here.
Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau presided over the Opening Eucharist. He encourged the participants to be attentive during the seminar and to follow the guidance of the facilitators (priests and seminarians).
Aside from the talks, group dynamics and sharings, and open forum, the participants had time for personal reflection and individual interview with the priests present.
The seminar concluded with the announcement of the 15 participants who have been accepted to undergo the English Year at the Catholic Diocesan Centre in Penampang. - Rhobby Mojolou
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