Father Julius Gitom Appointed To Head Diocese Of Sandakan
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- Father Julius Dusin Gitom , priest of the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be the first bishop of the new Diocese of Sandakan July 16.
Talks were already circulating around about the possiblity of the formation of a new diocese on the east coast of the state at the end of 2005.
This possibility was more or less confirmed when the Apostolic Delegate in Malaysia, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, paid a visit to the three main parishes on the east coast in May 2006.
Bishop-designate Gitom, 49, was born in Kampung Lokos, Tamparuli on 14 Oct 1957, the second child in a brood of six of Gitom Tinggagau and Sodingkok Sulat.
He had his primary education at the local primary school and secondary schooling at SMK Kiulu and SMK Mat Salleh Ranau.
For over a year he worked as a laboratory assistant in a Japanese company in Beaufort.
After attending a two-month preparatory course in Kota Kinabalu, he was accepted into St Peter's College (SPC) Kuching in May 1982.
As part of his formation, he was involved in catechetical instructions in schools, visiting the inmates of a leper camp, visiting the sick at home and in the hospital, bringing them Holy Communion. During his last year at SPC, he went to a nearby kampung for pastoral work every weekend.
Completing his formation in Kuching in June 1988, the future bishop was assigned in Penampang where he was ordained a deacon on 9 April 1989.
He was ordained a priest at St Pius X Bundu Tuhan on 19 Nov 1989.
Between 1988 and 1995, he immersed himself in parish work in Penampang, Sook, Keningau, Lahad Datu and Tuaran.
After seven years of pastoral ministry, he was sent to further his studies at Academia Alfonsiana, Institute of Moral Theology of the Lateran University Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in moral theology.
He spent a year (1997-1998) at St Thomas University Rome where he obtained his master's degree in spiritual theology.
Coming home from his studies, he became a lecturer on spirituality at SPC from 2000-2003.
Finishing his term at SPC, he was sent to take up a three-year licentiate course on canon law at the Pontifical University of Sto Tomas (UST) Philippines.
Upon finishing his canon law studies in March this year, he was to start a marriage tribunal in the KK Diocese.
But the Lord has different plans for him. For in July he was appointed by the Holy Father to head the new Diocese of Sandakan.
The new diocese covers the administrative divisions of Sandakan and Tawau on the east coast.
It has a population of one million, about 64,000 of whom are Catholics. It has four parishes (St Mary Sandakan where the bishop will have his seat; St Martin Telupid, St Dominic Lahad Datu and Holy Trinity Tawau), six diocesan priests, seven Franciscan Sisters, one major seminarian (David Garaman) and 16 catechists.
Sandakan becomes the third diocese in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Keningau.
The new diocese, with territory taken from the KK Diocese, making it a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Kuching.
Kuching is in neighboring Sarawak, the other state in eastern Malaysia.
The episcopal ordination and installation of the bishop-designate will be on October 15, at 9am at St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan.
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Dontozidon Parish Celebrates Feastday With Exhibition
DONTOZIDON(CS Online).- St Paul Dontozidon celebrated its feastday with an exhibition on the activities of its various groups and communities July 8.
Bishop John Lee presided over the Eucharistic Celebration which was concelebrated with Rector Msgr Primus Jouil.
Eighty-eight candidates, included 81-year-old Tiantiana Mah, a former bobohizan (high priestess of the Kadazandusun race), received the Sacrament of Confirmation from the bishop and the rector. Mah was baptized in 2005.
After the Mass, the bishop cut the ribbon to open the exhibition held in front of the parish hall. As usual, there were speeches by the pastoral council chairman Christopher JIntoni, the rector and the bishop, followed by the cake-cutting ceremony.
The parish also took the opportunity to commemorate the bishop's 20th episcopal ordination anniversary (26 June 1987).
The confirmands received their certificates and gitts as well. Later the parishioners were entertained by the parish choir and some traditional dances.
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SHC Biblical Apostolate Organises Prodigal Son Retreat
LIKAS(CS Online).- Around 200 people took part in the Prodigal Son organised by the Sacred Heart Biblical Apostolate at St Simon's Church Likas July13-15.
Archbishop John Ha of Kuching Archdiocese and his companions, Dr Jeffrey Goh and his wife Angie, facilitated the retreat.
Based on Rembrandt's painting of the Prodigal Son, as explained by Author Henri Nouwen in his book The Return of the Prodigal Son, the facilitators attempted to enlighten the participants the several movements of the parable which Nouwen has probed: the younger son's return, the father's restoration of sonship, the elder son's vengefulness and the father's compassion.
The themes of homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation were brought home to all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy, rebelliousness, rejection or anger.
In a nutshell, all the characteristics of the sons are found in each human person and all are called to become like the compassionate father.
Time was given for personal prayer after each session. The retreat ended with the Service of the Cross and Resurrection.
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Council Of Religious Holds First Inter-religious Gathering
BUNDU TUHAN(CS Online).- Around 36 members from the different religious institutes of the Kota Kinabalu Diocese participated in the first inter-religious gathering July 15-17 organised by the Council of Religious at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre here.
Brother Dominic Yeo-Koh, former provincial of the Gabrielite Brothers of Malaysia-Singapore, facilitated the gathering.
He touched on consecrated life in the post-modern era and brought home to the participants how technological advancements are influencing consecrated life as a whole in a rapidly changing world.
The participants (5 Gabrielite Brothers, 1 La Salle Brother, 1 Mill Hill Brother, 3 Daughters of St Paul, 2 Good Shepherd Sisters, 1 Infant Jesus Sister and 20 Franciscan Sisters) took time to share their reflections and experiences in groups and in the assembly.
They all agreed it was a worthwhile effort to hold such gathering regularly.
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RGS Organises Discernment Sessions
LIKAS(CS Online).- The Religious of the Good Shepherd (or simply the Good Shepherd Sisters) took advantage of the presence of Sister Linda Lizada, a member of the Order of the Religious of the Cenacle (RC) and organised a weekend of discernment sessions July 21-22.
The sessions, held at the Good Shepherd Convent in Likas, were attended by around 100 people, including the religious of other congregations.
What is discernment? Lizada explained that it is to interpret prayerfully the hand of God in our daily life, in our personal history through the movements of consolation and desolation (feelings) "in the skin of our soul." She concretized this through asking the participants to go through their own life histories and through sharing with a partner or with a group their own faith experiences.
Lizada is one of the general councilors of the religious congregation since 1998, based in Rome. She has wide experience in formation/training ministry. She was also the former regional superior of her congregation in the Philippine-Singpore Region.
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Keningau Presbysterium Welcomes Two More Into Its Fold
TOBOH, TAMBUNAN(CS).- Bishop Cornelius Piong ordained Deacons Claudius Andrew and Rudolf Joannes to the priesthood June 2 at Holy Cross Church, Toboh Tambunan in a concelebrated Mass participated by more than 2,000 faithful, 19 priests including six priests from Kota Kinabalu Diocese, Franciscan Capuchin Father Valentine Gompok (Tambunan-born but currently serving in Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese) and several religious Brothers and Sisters from both dioceses.
The rite of ordination began after the gospel proclamation with Father Erik Jerome, representing St Peter's College Kuching where the two had their formation, calling and presenting the candidates to the bishop.
After being examined by the bishop, the two, one by one, placed their joined hands between those of the bishop, and promised to respect and obey him.
In commenting on this gesture, the late Pope John Paul II said:
"The gesture of the priest who, on the day of priestly ordination, puts his own hands in the hands of the bishop, professing to him filial respect and obedience, can at first sight seem like a gesture in only one sense. In reality, it commits both of them: the priest and the bishop."
The young priest, continued John Paul II, chooses to entrust himself to the bishop and, for his part, the bishop commits himself to take care of those hands.
In this way the bishop becomes responsible for the fate of the hands which he embraces between his own, the late pope said.
"The priest must be able to feel, especially in moments of difficulty, of loneliness, that his hands are held tightly by the bishop's," he said.
The late pope acknowledged that this challenge needs untold commitment in a world "so rich in technical means, material means and comforts" but which "appears tragically poor in terms of ends, values and ideals."
The chanting of the litany of the saints followed the pledge of obedience.
After which the bishop, followed by all the priests present, laid hands on the candidates' heads in silence.
After the prayer of consecration, two of the assisting priests arranged the stoles of the newly ordained as it is worn by priests and vested them in a chasuble.
Next, the bishop anointed the palms of the newly ordained as they knelt before him and this was followed by the presentation of the paten and chalice by the bishop to the new priests.
The ordination rite ended with the fraternal embrace given to the two neo-ordained by the bishop and the priests present.
The neo-ordained were then led to their chairs beside the bishop and took part in the sacrifice of the altar for the first time.
A simple reception with the inevitable cake-cutting ceremony was held after the Mass at the Tom Putman Hall.
Born on 27 March 1973, Andrew had his education in Toboh, Sook, Nabawan, Tenom, Bingkor and Gunsanad.
After working for two years he joined the 1997 vocation seminar and entered aspirancy at the Catholic Diocesan Centre Penampang in 1998. He was accepted into St Peter's College in 1999 and completed his formation in 2005. He was ordained deacon in November 2006.
For his pastoral immersion, Andrew had been assigned to Bau, Keningau, Kuala Penyu, Tenom and Beaufort.
Joannes, on the other hand, was born on 14 April 1978 in Kg Tondulu, Tambunan.
He had his education at St Theresa Tambunan and St Martin Tampasak.
He felt his calling in 1993 when he was in Form Three and joined the vocation seminar in 1995 after Form Five. But it wasn't until 1998 that he decided to take the plunge and answered the call.
He entered CDC that year and together with fellow Tambunite Andrew, completed his formation in 2005 and was ordained deacon in 2006.
He had his pastoral immersion in the parishes of St Anne Sarawak, St Francis Xavier Keningau, St Anthony Tenom, St Peter Bundu Kuala Penyu and St Valentine Beaufort.
The bishop announced at the end of the Mass that both of them would serve where they were serving before the priestly ordination: Andrew in Beaufort and Joannes in Keningau-Sook. With these two, the diocese has now 15 priests to serve 10 parishes and 181 outstations.
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Disciples: Lambs Among Wolves
Regional Biblical Commission's Message for Bible Sunday (July 8)
As we celebrate Bible Sunday this year, we are confronted with the unusual words of Jesus to his disciples as he sends them out on mission: "I am sending you out like lambs among wolves" (Lk 10:3).
Surely any sane shepherd would want to protect his flock from wolves and not send them into direct danger!
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seems to be deliberately asking for trouble. The added problem is that we, his lambs, are going to be the ones in trouble!
What does it mean to be lambs among wolves? What are the dangers that we might face in the big bad world?
We might face apathy, total disregard or even opposition to the Good News.
Certainly there will be persecutions, either of the subtle kind but perhaps also more directly because of the faith we profess or the truth we stand for.
What is more, we might even be seduced by the ways of the world that we lose our true identity as followers of Jesus and instead follow the world's ways.
The lambs might find themselves resembling the wolves they have been warned against!
As disciples, we are called to listen to his voice and to follow the Shepherd (Jn 10:27), and have him as our model in every move and step.
Nevertheless, Jesus seems to be comfortable with the dangerous situation he puts us in.
Obviously, he has trust and confidence in us...and himself.
The Good Shepherd continues to guide and lead his lambs through the valley of darkness with his assuring staff and crook (Ps 23:4) just as he has promised to be with them always, "yes, to the end of time" (Mt 28:20; Mk 16:20).
He knows that when we are aware of our fears and vulnerability in the face of the dangers, we are then also aware of our need for God and will then learn to rely on him all the more.
Our protection is in the relationship we have with Jesus.
Clinging to him and relying on him, we cannot fail, even in the most difficult situations. His grace is indeed sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).
The inward strength the Shepherd gives is sufficient to overcome the outward threat of the wolves or any other danger.
Nevertheless, it is still rather scary to go out to the mission, especially when he seems to want us to go virtually empty-handed, with the barest of possessions - again another lesson in trusting Divine Providence, instead of our own abilities or the things and tools that we might possess.
Today's world may seem to be interested solely in the material aspects of our lives and yet deep down in many, the rat race seems to have exposed a deeper hunger that the world and its attractions do not satisfy.
Many people are hungry for a deep spirituality that sadly, organised religion has sometimes failed to deliver.
The harvest is rich indeed, yet the labourers are few (Lk 10:2), perhaps because we disciples have not been fully aware or convinced of our mission.
Surely we must go to those who are hungry for nourishment.
Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that 'Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God' (Mt 4:4; Dt 8:3).
As Christians we must share the Good News we have received.
Yet, before we can actually share the Good News, we must ensure that we actually have encountered it ourselves.
We ourselves need to listen to the voice of the Lord in the scriptures not just using our minds but also our hearts.
'Let the word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you' (Col 3:16).
Mere hearing or reading the word is not enough. We need to truly listen inwardly, assimilate and then live out the Word in our everyday lives, not just keep it for Sundays.
We need to have perseverance as we pray through his Word, and allow it to touch every aspect of our lives.
Having listened to the Word, we need to 'be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves' (James 1:22), for it is only by seeing our faith in practice that others be convinced of the power of the Word.
We must become intimately familiar with the Word so that it 'soaks' into us.
Like Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, we disciples need to sit daily at the feet of Jesus as we absorb his Word (Lk 10:39).
His Word is truly life-changing - it is active and alive and more powerful than any double-edged sword (Heb 4:12).
Armed with the Lord's Word, we, lambs, will have no fear of the wolves among whom we are sent.
May we be led forth in joy as we labour together with the Lord of the harvest, allowing his Word to be a lamp for our feet, a light on our path (Ps 119:105).
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Rector Blesses The First Columbarium Of The Diocese
PENAMPANG(CS).- Msgr Primus Jouil blessed the first columbarium of the KK Diocese June 14 at the Catholic Cemetery here.
Present to witness the historic event were members of the St Joseph's Benevolent Fund, Special Liturgy Choir and representatives from the Fook Lu Siew and Tiong Hua Funeral Parlours.
The RM20,000 columbarium has 280 niches: the two upper and two lower rows cost RM300 per unit while the middle three rows cost RM500 per unit.
The project started January 31 and was completed on May 7 by 3M Popular Undertaker Sdn Bhd. To date three niches have been sold. The first internment was on June 18.
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Sacred Heart Parish Concretises Its Family Visit
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The Sacred Heart Parish Family Visit Committee concretised the objectives of its family visit programme at its third meeting on May 22.
Chairman Dr Damian Lee informed the meeting that the survey forms distributed to parishioners in April have all been collected and the feedback received will greatly determine the manner by which the parish pastoral council plans to resolve the three priority needs of the parish identified at the Discernment Weekend last year.
The survey has contributed toward the manner the parish is reaching out to parishioners in the forthcoming family visit programme, tentatively scheduled for August this year.
Areas of responsibility have been identified and people assigned to various tasks to ensure that the materials and tools required for the use of visiting teams are duly prepared and ready on time.
Assistant Rector Father Wilfred Atin has been tasked with drafting the booklet of intercessory prayers with the assistance of Datuk Joseph Leong.
LifeLine has been tasked to study and edit the VCD of The Passion, the viewing of which during the proposed visits will impart the message of how the Eucharist can change the family and inspire them to relate to the Eucharist.
This will be followed by a second story on a Latin American country where a soup kitchen is set up after Mass to help the poor and needy.
The committee also saw the need for a new theme which is taken from the Book of Joshua: As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord (24:15).
It is an invitation to the parishioners, challenging them to change their way of life and to return to the Father.
To help the family visit programme get off to a sound start, a technical briefing for all leaders will take place on July 6.
This will be followed by a day of recollection the following day. The commissioning will be done during the Mass on July 8.
Lee urged all to work as a team in the spirit of DOPP, calling on BM and Chinese speaking parish leaders to help make the programme a success.
The committee is also expected to enlist the rector's help in getting parish groups to commit and participate in the programme. - Irene Obon
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Chinese Legionaries Hold Gathering In KK Diocese
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- More than 400 Chinese-speaking members of the Legion of Mary from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Taiwan gathered for their 15th annual convention in Kota Kinabalu June 5-8.
There were also two legionaries from Hong Kong for the first time.
It was the second time for KK Diocese to host the event. It pioneered the event 15 years ago and since then member countries take turn to host it.
Father John Wong presided over the Opening Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral June 5.
It was concelebrated with Fathers Paul Lo, Daniel Lim OCD, Joseph Lo CDD of Melaka and Lee Wei-He, a Korean priest serving in Taiwan.
Father James Ting of Sibu did not concelebrate.
The theme of the gathering was a marian theme based on Mary's consent to the angel's message that she would be the mother of the Saviour: Be it done to me according to your word (cf Lk 1: 38).
The theme was elucidated by the different speakers: Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Gertrude Yap, Father Paul Lo, Father John Wong and Father Joseph Lo.
However, the talks were held at different venues: the first day was at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre and the second day at Menggatal (morning) and Telipok (afternoon).
As expected in such gatherings, it was not wholly on spiritual matters only.
The participants had the opportunity to go sightseeing and have a day out at the National Park in Kundasang.
The afternoon showers on the first two days did not dampen their high spirits.
Each participating presidium contributed in song or dance to entertain their fellow members and guests during the welcome and farewell fellowship meals which were graced by Bishop John Lee.
The host for next year's gathering will be Singapore.
The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin Ireland in 1921 by Frank Duff, a lay man.
Prayer in common, apostolic work (visits to the sick and needy, teaching catechism in the parishes, etc) and the weekly meeting which all the members are required to attend, have been typical features of the Legion from the beginning.
Throughout its history, the LOM has always been viewed with favour and supported by the church authorities in the dioceses where it has developed.
According to the write up by Father Desmond McLindon mhm, Msgr James Buis, who was appointed Prefect Apostolic of North Borneo in 1947, was most interested in starting the LOM here.
When Redemptorist Father Moran of Singapore (spiritual director of Singapore Curia) came to give retreats and missions in Jesselton and Sandakan, Buis asked him about it.
Buis then appointed McLindon to establish the first praesidium, Our Lady Help of Christians, on 8 Sept 1950 at St Michael's Church, Penampang.
The first Chinese praesidium (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) was formed at Sacred Heart Church on 4 March 1951 through the efforts of Fathers Arnold Verhoeven and McLindon.
Among the pioneering members were Thomas Lee, Anthony Fung, Magdalene Lee and Mary Teresa Lee. It soon spread to Menggatal, Telipok, Sandakan and Tawau.
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KSFX Integrates WCD Into Its Anniversary Celebration
KENINGAU(CS).- St Francis Xavier's Cathedral Parish integrated 41st World Communications Day (WCD) into its commemoration of the diocesan anniversary May 20.
In his homily presider Bishop Cornelius Piong reflected on the WCD theme Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education and exhorted parents to help their children to be critical users of the media.
However, the people who attended the celebration were caught up more in the commemoration of the three-in-one 14th diocesan anniversary at parish level.
The Mass was marked by ethnic dances such as Toraja, Murut and Dusun sumazau and presentation of fruits and vegetables during the Presentation of Gifts. Mass media instruments were not presented.
After the Mass, a programme was held at the Dataran Keuskupan where the Social Communication Commission (KOMSOS) had a booth, showcasing their activities since its inception last year.
The commission had also organised some media-related activities prior to the celebration.
Around 1,000 faithful including members of the Kota Kinabalu Social Communication Commission (SOCCOM) took part in the celebration.
Prizes and certificates of participation for the various activities held were given out during the programme, including a prize for one of the participants (Farah J Francis of Papar) of the English Essay Writing organised by the SOCCOM in conjunction with WCD 2006 on the theme The Media: Network for Communication, Communion and Cooperation.
One of the numbers presented during the programme was a declamation of a poem on media by a child and choreographed by her companions dressed in different costumes.
All the 11 zones (Dalit, Pohon Batu, Senagang, Biah, Menawo, Magatang, Kepayan Baru, Apin-Apin, Liau, Bingkor, Toboh Laut) under the parish and the host parish took part in the programme in song or dance.
There was also a traditional cooking competition which was judged by Father Francis Dakun and Putri Karmel Sister Maximilliane Soon.
This was the busiest site, judging by the number of patrons present and the obvious enjoyment of all in partaking of the various dishes available.
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MYTC Director Likens Graduation Day To "Harvest Festival"
PENAMPANG(CS).- In his address during the fifth graduation ceremony held at the Montfort Youth Training Centre in Donggongon here, MYTC director Gabrielite Brother Francis Chua said graduation is also its "harvest festival."
The graduation, held May 19, saw 30 students receiving their certificates from guest-of-honour YB Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, minister in the Prime Minister's Department cum chairman of the MYTC Board of Governors.
They completed a two-year training course in automative mechanics (8), carpentry (5), welding (10) and office administration (7).
"In a way, graduation day is also our harvest festival, for the past two years of hard work put in by the graduates, our instructors, support staff, the Infant Jesus Sisters and the Brothers," Chua said.
The director recalled the first time he saw the graduates, he was rather worried because he saw them then, "as ignorant, broken, having low self-esteem, sensitive and not able to take corrections."
Some, he said, were "heavy smokers, heavy drinkers and perhaps some were even involved in social ills."
He wondered if they could pull through as Montfort has a set of very strict rules and regulations.
He was happy to note that the training centre had helped them to discover their true selves by planting the seeds of faith in them, giving them hope to look to the future and recovering their lost talents.
The director said he discovered in the course of the two years that the actual root cause of most of their problems resulted from poor family environment and exhorted them to build up "strong pillars and good foundations" if they intend to start their own families later on.
In his turn, Dompok said youths need to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills to enable them to face a challenging future.
"As a fast developing nation, our youths are our main key players to help us develop and shape the country in the future," he said.
The minister also said that Sabah itself has a lot of training and work opportunities that youths can take up and they don't actually have to go elsewhere to work although Chua had mentioned earlier that all the graduates had already received job offers not only within Sabah but also from Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Bintulu and Singapore.
Present also were Brother Francis Xavier Gasper, provincial superior of the Gabrielite Brothers, YB Edward Yong, assistant minister of the Ministry of Local Government & Housing and his wife, religious sisters, parents and relatives of the graduates, members of the Rotary Club, benefactors and friends of Montfort.
Apart from the graduation ceremony, Dompok also witnessed the signing ceremony of a RM3.97 million contract between MYTC (signed by Gasper) and KA Contractor Sdn Bhd (represented by Ong Hock Keong, managing director) for the Phase II construction of training workshops at Kinarut.
Construction work had commenced and completion is expected in 28 weeks i.e. by the first week of December.
The MYTC director said that public tender was called in January this year for the construction of these two blocks of four-unit training workshops and one block of staff quarters on a 3.67 acre site in Kg Mook Kinarut which are crucial to run Montfort's programmes.
Phase I (residential campus) comprising hostel and student affairs facilities adjacent to the training workshops is already completed.
Due to severe shortfalls in building funds, the administrative block with classrooms cum assembly hall and other less urgent infrastructures, costing another RM2.5 million are put on hold for the time being until funds are available.
Chua further mentioned that since the setting up of the present centre on a one-acre site in Donggongon in June 1999, many youths who needed an opportunity for holistic formation and skills training to equip them for the workplace, had to be turned away due to limited space.
This prompted the Brothers to embark on the development of a bigger campus in 2004 with facilities for 200 trainees at any one time.
Dompok also urged the public to continue to support Montfort to enable them to achieve their objectives of providing residential care and holistic formation cum skills training to turn aimless youths into a productive workforce.
With the support of the government and the public, the residential campus costing RM5 million was completed.
Without the training workshops, it would not be possible to move from the present centre to Kinarut.
Three of the graduates gave a sharing on how Montfort has changed their lives for the better.
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