DPC Organises Follow-up Gathering With Parish Family Committees
PENAMPANG(CS Online).- The Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) organised a follow-up gathering with the parish family committees April 19 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre (CPC) here.
The objectives of the follow up gathering were (1) to listen to the initiatives taken, problems and challenges faced by the parishes in reaching out to families and (2) for the DPC to brief the participants on the follow-up efforts of Diocesan Family Congress (DFC) for parishes.
Thirty-nine people took part in the gathering: 28 parish representatives, six DPC members, three members of the DFC Organising Committee and two from the Diocesan Family Secretariat.
The gathering started with the reading of the Word of God and reflection by Bishop John Lee.
DPC Chairman Anthony Lim then welcomed the participants and gave the introduction as to the objectives of the gathering.
Following a tea-break, the parish representatives took turns to share about the initiatives taken after the Congress of Family, the problems and challenges faced in reaching out to families.
Some of the initiatives taken (1) formation of family life committee (if there were none); (2) special implementation committee; (3) joint meetings of all parish communities/groups/ministries to reassess family life ministry; (4) formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and (5) formation of Senior Parishioners Committee.
Some of the approaches taken to help families were (1) parish survey through family visits and (2) parish pastoral plan to help build Christian families through updated pre-nuptial seminars/courses, Family Tree Healing seminars, family life catechesis, etc.
Some problems faced in helping families were inactive BECs, no general guidelines for family ministry, lack of cooperation/collaboration/coordination among the different communities/groups/clergy, lack of resources/manpower/facilities, etc.
Some problems faced by the families are alcoholism, estranged family relationships, divorce, work demands, irresponsible spouses, insufficient marriage preparation, drug addiction, internet pornography, infidelity, gambling, etc.
In response to the parish reports, Bishop Lee exhorted the participants to examine their own faith life first. He said if we have no faith in Jesus, then we are non-commital.
He also warned the participants not to analyse too much, otherwise, there will be paralysis.
"Let us move one step at a time and God will work his miracles," he said.
Before the participants moved to group sharing on personal commitment to the family life ministry, Dominic Lim shared some thought-provoking observations on the understanding, spirituality, vision, focus and strategy of the family ministry.
The gathering ended with a dialogue session.
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Bishop's Letter To All Parish Priests - Re: Collection In Aid Of Cyclone Victims In Myanmar
The situation in Myanmar remains critical and is urgently in need of aid. The Archdiocese of Yangon has set up a relief committee to provide rescue and other forms of assistance to the victims. As members of the universal Church, it is our duty and responsibility too to respond to the cries and anguish of those affected by natural disasters.
In solidarity with the Church in Yangon, I call upon all our parishes to have one Sunday collection specifically in aid of the Myanmar victims. Please hand in the money to the diocese before the end of May 2008. The fund will be channelled through the Archbishop of Yangon to those in need.
Please also include a prayer in the Prayer of the Faithful this weekend.
Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop John Lee
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PDW Ends With Resolution To Form Committees To Study In-depth The Proposals Recommended
BUNDU TUHAN(CS).- The Sacred Heart Parish Discernment Weekend (PDW) held April 23-26 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre ended with a resolution to form committees to study in-depth how the faith formation, family and Parish Family Pastoral Network (PFPN) can be implemented.
It was the first time the organisers were able to gather under one roof most of the key leaders of all the major parish communities and groups (BM, Chinese, English) since it started having discernment weekend in 2000.
The main objective of the PDW was to discern not only how to shape and chart a refined, updated, renewed parish vision and direction but also to embrace this pastoral commitment to address the three top Parish Pastoral Priorities (PPP) for the next two years in line with the Diocesan Organisational Pastoral Plan (DOPP).
The PPP, centred on family issues, faith formation and reaching out to nominal parishioners, were discerned in the previous PDW in 2006.
This was followed by a parish survey on the PPP in 2007, three briefings for parish leaders and seven weekly supplements to the church bulletin.
In the recently concluded PDW the 151 participants were allocated to the three concurrent sessions wherein there would be a short input, brain-storming, discussion, sharing and recommendations.
After much deliberation the following resolutions were carried:
To address the PPP, we first need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ;
That we need to acknowledge that we have serious problems facing our Catholic families and the faith formation process in our parish;
That we need to have a "shift in mindset" in order for the change to happen;
That we need crucial and urgent budgets for the PPP; and
That we need to update and upgrade approaches and processes in order to remain relevant with time.
In anticipation of the major changes that will happen, it was decided that an advisory body will be formed to study in-depth how the faith formation and family proposals can be implemented.
Another committee will look into the proposals to form the PFPN in the housing estates where the parishioners reside.
Due to the seriousness of the issues identified, these two committees have been tasked to present their final recommendations to the rector and PPC as soon as possible, not later than six months.
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SHC Celebrates World Communications Day
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish hosted this year's World Communications Day (WCD) May 4, Solemnity of the Ascension (moved from Thursday to Sunday because of the episcopal ordination of Auxiliary Bishop-designate Joseph Hii of Sibu).
Being in the Easter Season a neophyte shared her RCIA journey toward baptism after the gospel proclamation.
In his homily Presider Father Cosmas Lee was able to bring home to the congregation the seriousness of the pervasiveness of media influence in the family.
He illustrated it with the example of a family coming to Mass together: they belong to the same family because they look alike and have the same mannerisms.
Yet the children do not belong to the parents because their minds and attitudes have been moulded by the media.
Intentions of all media practitioners were prayed for during the Prayer of the Faithful.
At the Presentation of the Gifts, members of the parish Social Communication Committee as well as the Diocesan Social Communication Commision brought symbolic gifts to the altar: pen, laptop computer, microphone, camera, cellular phone, Catholic Sabah, Bible and monetary contributions to be offered together with the Bread and Wine.
The WCD is mandated by the Second Vatican Council (Inter Mirifica, II, # 18, 1963) to be celebrated annually in all dioceses.
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Toboh Parish Hosts Three-in-one Celebration A Second Time
TAMBUNAN(CS).- Holy Cross Toboh hosted the annual Keningau three-in-one celebration for the second time.
The annual event commemorated the 15th episcopal ordination of Bishop Cornelius Piong, the 15th anniversary of the erection of the Keningau Diocesan and the 15th Diocesan Kaamatan celebration.
It was a simple celebration which brought out the meaning of the celebration more clearly, as observed by Bishop Cornelius himself in his homily.
Among the concelebrants were Bishop John Lee, Fathers John Wong and Bruno Yasun of the Kota Kinabalu Diocese.
A special guest concelebrant was 79-year-old Mill Hill Father Michael Henselmans who was in Sabah for his month-long vacation (Apr 30-May 5).
It would be his last holiday here, Henselmans told Catholic Sabah.
Henselmans came to British North Borneo (now Sabah) from Holland as a newly ordained priest in 1954. Like many of his fellow missionaries, he had to take on additional responsibility in running a school.
He was a gifted teacher and administrator because he was able to turn troubled schools around. He left Sabah for good in 1976.
Around 1,500 people from all walks of life turned up for the event.
The Prayer of the Faithful was done in the main ethnic languages.
After the Mass and the speeches by the organising committee chairman, Rector Father Bede Anthonius and the honoree himself, the bishop beat the gong 15 times to signify the opening of the celebration.
He then received the scroll from the current host parish to be handed over to the next host - Beaufort.
After being welcomed by a silat demonstration at the entrance of the Ton Putman Hall, the bishop unfurled the banner made for the occasion.
Before lunch was served a group of women sang a harvest song.
Presentations by the different parishes entertained the guests during lunch.
Outside the hall there were several stalls offering either food items or handicrafts.
The cake-cutting ceremony took place after lunch, followed by presentation of gifts to the various parishes.
There were also lucky draws.
The bishop toured the different stalls after the presentation of gifts to greet the people who had come for the event.
In 1996 Toboh Parish hosted the celebration for the first time and the third for the diocese. It was historic in the sense that it was also the first time it had a theme The People of God journeys together to achieve the Diocesan Vision.
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Regional Young Priests Gather For OGF
PLENTONG, JOHOR(CS).- Thirty-five young priests from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore gathered March 31-April 4 at Majodi Centre, Plentong, for their ongoing formation.
This year, the Melaka-Johor hosted the event.
The annual Young Priests Gathering is a formation programme for priests who are ordained five years and below designed by the Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Bishop Paul Tan sj and his vicar general, Msgr Sebastian Francis, were on hand to welcome the participants.
They were received by the host diocese with a cultural-coloured opening ceremony presented by the youth.
The theme for discussion this year was on sexual maturity.
Inputs were given on the first day. Father Clarence Devadass of Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese facilitated three sessions: Human Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy and Sexual Abuse in Pastoral Ministry.
On the second day, the participants broke into small groups to share their challenges in their priestly ministry.
The group sharing session was facilitated by Father Michael Mannayagam.
Later in the afternoon, the participants visited two historic churches, St Peter and St Francis Xavier in Melaka.
On the final day the young priests concelebrated the Eucharist on St Paul's Hill where the remains of St Francis Xavier once laid.
For many of the participants, that Eucharist was really meaningful.
This saint had brought the Catholic faith to this land. Some young priests felt that in some way St Francis Xavier had contributed to their priestly vocation.
The participants took time to evaluate the gathering at the conference room before the closing Mass presided over by Bishop Tan. Penang Diocese will host the 2009 gathering.
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Tawau Family Life Ministry Organises Seminar On Parenting
TAWAU(CS).- About 200 participants took part in the one-day seminar organised by the Holy Trinity Family Life Ministry Feb 23 at the parish hall.
The seminar covered the topic Ministry of Presence in Parenting by Dr Jeffrey Soon of Kota Kinabalu in collaboration with Rector Father Cosmas Lee.
This was to visualise the challenges and the effects of the absent-parent-syndrome.
The seminar touched on families being dysfunctional and displaced as a result of parents spending less time with their growing children as one of the consequences of rapid social economic development as well as the absence of one or both parents.
Among the realisations brought out during the seminar were:
The seminar concluded wih a para-liturgy wherein the participants examined their conscience through scripture and sacramental confession.
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Semporna PPC Organises LSS
SEMPORNA(CS).- The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of St Jude Semporna organised a weekend Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) April 4-6.
The theme of the LSS , Jesus, Dawn of the Family, was taken in view that the parish is under the new Diocese of Sandakan.
The seminar was conducted in Bahasa Malaysia by the core group of CCR Holy Trinity under George Gelord Emol.
Around 100 participants from St Jude and its outstations took part in the seminar.
The seminar started with lauds facilitated by Franciscan Sister Liza, followed by praise and worship.
All the sessions were given by the core group. Sister Liza gave a talk on inner healing.
The participants shared that they felt enlightened and refreshed after hearing the talks and testimonies, and after undergoing the inner healing and deliverance sessions.
They also felt alive and strengthened after the baptism in the Holy Spirit session.
They said they really felt blessed as this was the second LSS conducted in their parish after so many years.
Father Paul Lo presided over the concluding Mass, which was followed by a fellowship meal.
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CFC Organises Second Enrichment Retreat
PURAK, PAPAR(CS).- Couples for Christ (CFC) Kota Kinabalu organised the second Marriage Enrichment Retreat (MER) for its members April 5-6 at the Pace Bene Retreat Centre at Kg Purak Papar.
The response was overwhelming. Twelve couples against the expected 10 registered for the retreat.
Among the criteria for entry participation, the couples must have attended the first MER.
CFC Chapter Head for Sabah BG Chin oriented the retreatants.
The family is universally recognised as the basic, the most important unit of human civilisation, he said.
"But marriage is the indispensable first step before the family could be set up. Hence the necessity for the institution of marriage vis-a-vis the varied challenges and stresses of the secular world cannot be overstated. The Catholic Church has always emphasised this," Chin continued.
The retreat is designed to fulfill this goal, he added.
Among the subjects discussed were: What makes a Christian Marriage Work, Sex in Marriage, Unity in Marriage, Christian Parenting, Communication in Marriage and Empowering our Marriage.
The presenters were two Filipino couples, Manny and Ditas Garcia, and Romie and Linda Tiama.
To prop up sagging attention, besides knowing how close the couples were as they go through daily life together, imaginative quiz and creative games were introduce.
In the quiz category, the couples were asked to sit opposite each other back-to-back.
They were asked five questions: Which side your spouse sleeps? What is the first thing your spouse does when h/she wakes up in the morning? What perfume does your wife uses? What is the size of your wife's shoes? What is the measurement of your wife's waistline?
The results were startling. Most of the spouses could only answer two or three questions correctly. None of them obtained a perfect score!
In the game section, the husbands were required to sit on a straight row of chairs, while the wives were blind-folded. The seating arrangements of the husbands were reshuffled. Finally the wives were asked to identify their husbands by their smells.
The outcome was even more outrageous, considering the duration of the couples' marriages: most of them at least more than a decade.
One or two husbands ended up with more than "two wives" because the particular man smelt the same to the "wives."
The game brought home the need to know and understand each other more.
The most unexpected and dreadful episode was the selection of three children without consultation from their parents by one of the speakers to testify in front of the crowd in respect of their relationship with their parents.
The youngsters gave candid and frank assessments of their relationships with their parents, putting the latter in a tight spot. Some of the couples cringed with bated breadth as they anticipated their juniors' next sentence.
Again in the parent-child relationship department, the gap is quite significant.
There is a need to understand our children's psyche. Perhaps the usual top-down and carrot-and-stick approaches need some modifications in this post-modern setting.
In this respect, CFC is an active proponent of holistic Christian parenting approach.
The highlight of the one-and-a-half-day retreat was the 3:00 pm Mass presided by Father Mark Tee, who delivered a powerful sermon which touched the participants profoundly.
The couple presenters, besides delivering the structured lectures, also laid bare their own lives, even the most intimate ones.
They revealed how they soldiered on when they hit the rough patches and critical moments of their shared lives together by totally consigning everything to God's benevolence.
In fact, the wife of one of the speakers testified that she almost jumped off the car driven by her husband at 100 km/h in the midst of an unsolicited fierce quarrel which erupted suddenly between the two of them.
But in that split second, an inner urging prompted her to raise her hands to make a cross out of her index fingers and said, "Be gone Satan."
The two of them stared at each other in stark silence for a while, then laughed off the incidence. The drive was smooth henceforth.
Satan could stir the weirdest and wiliest of circumstances with disastrous consequences; but the Holy Spirit is that inner voice that invests wisdom in us in order to manoeuvre us out of even the inescapable quagmire.
The participants were more than satisfied with the course contents and the lessons learnt gauging from the flowing testimonies of the participants at the closing of the retreat.
For all intents and purposes, this retreat has more than fulfilled its goal.
Whither the family and the institution of marriage against the backdrop of the myriad of challenges of the secularised world?
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SYD2 Cross And Icon Arrive In Bundu Tuhan
BUNDU TUHAN(CS).- The SYD2 Cross and Icon arrived at St Pius X Bundu Tuhan April 26 from St Edmund Kota Belud.
It would visit four villages before it travelled to Sandakan Diocese with its first stop at St Martin Telupid on May 3.
The east coast diocese will be the last stretch of its journey before the youth event in Ranau in August.
Itinerary of the Cross in Sandakan Diocese:
May 3-4: St Martin Telupid
May 10-11: St Mary Sandakan
May 17-18: St Dominic Lahad Datu
June 14-15: Holy Trinity Tawau
The theme is taken from the WYD08 theme: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' - Acts 1:8
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Two New Titles From Local Authors
Engaging: A Brief Counseling Approach as a Model for Pastoral Ministry in the Congregational Setting
By Charles Chiew, published by Cloverdale Books, South Bend, 2007 (US$14.95, RM 25.00 Promo Price)
The author investigates how the trend toward brief forms of psychotherapy has progressed, and has become the model form of treatment applied to people in the parish setting. This book outlines reasons short-term therapy is now becoming acceptable, and has many advantages. The author explains how brief pastoral counselling methods are equally effective as longer methods.
Thoughts for Reflections
By Teresa Chung Yun Sin, published by Paulines Sabah 2008, (RM8.00)
These are short stories with human and Christian values born out of the author's personal experiences. Some of the stories have no conclusion - leaving the reader to draw his/her own conclusion. It is a good way of drawing the reader into the story.
This booklet is a project of the author in aid of the Diocesan Retirement Home for Clergy and Religious Building Fund.
Teresa Chung Yun Sin is a former bank officer. Even before accepting the VSS, she has published her first book entitled Stories for Children Around the World in England in 1998.
Both titles are available at the Daughters of St Paul, Tel: 088-239932
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KK Comitium Holds Annual Acies
INANAM(CS).- The Kota Kinabalu Comitium of the Legion of Mary held their annual Acies March 29 at St Catherine Inanam.
Around 400 members comprising officers from the Comitium, the nine Curiae from both KK and Keningau Dioceses, active and auxiliary members, and the Spiritual Director/Directresses took part in the annual function in which the members renew their consecration to Mary.
The Acies, a Latin word meaning an army ranged in battle array, is appropriate to a ceremony in which the legionaries as a body assemble to renew their fealty to Mary, Queen of the Legion, and from her to receive strength and blessing for yet another year's battle with the forces of evil.
The Acies is the great central annual function of the Legion where each member (active and auxiliary) is expected to attend.
The essential idea of the Legion, upon which all else is built, is that of working in union with and in dependence on Mary, its Queen.
The Acies is the solemn expression of that union and dependence, the renewal - individual and collective - of the legionary declaration of fealty.
The Legion of Mary, founded by Frank Duff in Dublin Ireland in 1921, came to Sabah through the efforts of Father Desmond McLindon mhm who formed the first praesidium, Our Lady Help of Christians Praesidium in St Michael's Church Penampang on 8 Sept 1950.
It soon spread to other parishes. The first Curia for Sabah was formed at the "Provisional Meeting for the Formation of the First North Borneo Curia of the Legion of Mary" held on 14 July 1955 at the Sacred Heart Primary School Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).
At that time there were 12 Senior Praesidia and seven Junior Praesidia in Sabah.
The meeting was presided by Father Francis Cowan and attended by 15 other priests, including Redemptorist Father Joyce, Spiritual Director of the Singapore Comitium, and Fathers Thomas Sham and Aloysius Tung.
The KK English Curia was raised to a Comitium on 7 November 1998.
As of December 2007, there are 2,800 members (active and auxiliary) spread out in 11 curiae: KK English Curia, KK Chinese Curia, Sandakan Curia, Tawau Curia, Inanam Curia, Tambunan Senior Curia, Tambunan Junior Curia, Beaufort Curia, Penampang Curia, Keningau Curia and Bingkor Curia.
The KK Chinese Curia (comprising around 200 members coming from KK, Kudat, Menggatal and Telipok Senior and Junior Praesidia) had their Acies April 06 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, which ended with Benediction.
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SHCOS Reaches Out To Tandek And KM Flood Victims
PENAMPANG(CS).- The Sacred Heart Charity Outreach Services (SHCOS), a church-based charity organisation, reached out to the recent flood victims in Tandek and Kota Marudu recently with basic foodstuffs and other necessities such as blankets and mattresses.
The organisation met Feb 25 with the catechists from Kudat and Kota Marudu to identify families affected by the recent flood in Kota Marudu/Pitas and Tandek.
Contributions amounting to RM22,467.05 were collected during the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Cathedral and its subparishes of Mary Immaculate and St Simon.
A generous benefactor contributed a lorry of 11 types of food items totalling RM20,000 for the affected families.
The following is the breakdown of the villages and families visited by the SHCOS March 5:
Kg Sungoi - 35 families, Kg Rasak - 52 families, Kg Pinatau - 75 families, Kg Morion - 80 families, Kg Damai - 22 families, Kg Mengkoloa - 132 families, Total: 396 families.
One hundred and fifty three families in three villages were visited on March 16:
Kg Salimantut - 47 families, Kg Togudon - 50 families, Kg Tingkalanon - 56 families, Total: 153 families.
Aside from Sacred Heart Cathedral, the organisation is also set up in St Peter Kudat and St Mary Sandakan.
Beside coming to the rescue of families/people affected by natural disasters such as floods (Tropical Storm Greg, Keningau, Dec 1996; Telipok, 17 July 2005 ) and drought (El-Nino, Kudat & Kota Marudu, 1997) with food and basic necessities, the SHCOS has the following activities.
The organisation regularly assists poor families in kind in Kudat, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Kota Belud.
It visits regularly children's homes and hostels in Kiulu, Tenghilan, Tambunan and Nabawan.
The SHCOS also visits the inmates of the Kinarut Old Folks Home, the patients in the Bukit Padang Mesra Hospital and the inmates of the Sabah Chesire Home (disabled people).
A blood donation drive is organised twice a year (March and September) at the lobby of the Sacred Heart Parish Centre for the local hospital.
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Tawau Bids Farewell To Outgoing Pastors
TAWAU(CS Online).- Parishioners of Holy Trinity Tawau bade farewell March 30 to Father Cosmas Lee who has served them the last seven years and to Father Thomas Madanan who has been there since his ordination four years ago.
At the same time they welcomed incoming Rector Father Nicholas Ong, who is also the Vicar General of the Sandakan Diocese.
Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman Thaddeus Sibir thanked both outgoing priests for their guidance and contributions.
He highlighted Lee's achievements in introducing the discernment weekend at the start of every PPC term to map out its role and functions; with ongoing formation and catechesis for all parish groups and the upgrading of the parish's physical structures and administration.
In his remarks, Lee said he felt a great sense of communion among the parishioners and urged them to pray together more often.
On his part, Madanan thanked Lee in guiding him through his initial years as a priest and the parishioners for helping him to build up his confidence as a priest.
With his sense of humour, Ong remarked that he was looking forward to a "very easy time" as both outgoing priests have stressed the renewal and maturity of the parish.
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SHC Welcomes 240 Neophytes Into The Parish Family
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Cathedral and its subparishes of Mary Immaculate and St Simon officially welcomed their neophytes into the parish family at a fellowship March 30.
The event was graced by Bishop John Lee, Rector Msgr Primus Jouil and his assistants Fathers Wilfred Atin, John Wong and Michael Modoit.
The 240 neophytes, accompanied by their families, sponsors and godparents listened to addresses given by Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Damian Lee, Rector Msgr Jouil and Bishop Lee, who welcomed and encouraged them on their journey of faith.
After dinner, the neophytes rendered a number before the presentation of certificates and gifts by the clergy present.
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CMI Organises Formation For Residential School Students
BUKIT PADANG, LUYANG(CS).- The Church of Mary Immaculate started the first monthly fellowship for the students of Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah after Mass March 30.
Around 17 students (five boys, 12 girls) turned up for the fellowship which consisted of breakfast together at the canteen after Mass, an input session followed by Q & A.
Most of the students are in Form Two, one in Form One, a few in Form Three and Form Five from various places in Sabah such as Tamparuli, Penampang and the Interior.
During the fellowship the subparish pastoral committee members comprising Lawrence Mah, Patrick Chin and Victoria Voon were able to verify the status of faith formation of the students.
When queried, most of the students said they wanted to know more about the faith as they were often questioned on it by their non-Christian classmates and also to learn how to read the Bible.
Some are not baptised yet; others have not received their First Eucharist; still others are yet to be confirmed.
The fellowship came about when the pastoral committee members noticed the students from the residential school coming regularly to the Sunday Mass last year.
This school is within walking distance from the church and is also the nearest church to it.
The pastoral committee members perceived that these students who are residing away from their families may be in need of Catholic faith formation and are in their various stages of preparation for the sacraments.
In the later part of 2007, the pastoral committee initiated a meeting between the students and the pastoral committee.
That meeting after Sunday Mass drew a crowd of 30 students and the pastoral committee members present were Patrick Chin, Paul Lee, David Ho, Victoria Voon and Lawrence Mah.
Two subsequent meetings were held before the 2007 school semester came to a close.
A questionnaire on student particulars and status of faith formation was distributed in order to assess faith formation needs and to enable facilitators to meet those needs.
The committee carried out a second census of students in January 2008 and is in the process of collecting the questionnaire for new students in Form One and Form Three.
Activities carried out so far include after Mass gathering in the church function room, canteen and an off-site coffee shop, and joining the Children's Liturgy celebration.
Activities planned include enrolling for faith formation classes, talks by guest speakers from CMI and other churches, and visits to Catholic institutions in and around Kota Kinabalu.
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CCKK-PCCs Meet For Annual Planning
PENAMPANG(CS).- More than 20 representatives from the various parish catechetical committees met with the Catechetical Commission April 5 for their biannual gathering at the Catholic Diocesan Centre in Penampang.
During the gathering the members gave a brief report on their parish catechetical activities since they last met in November 2007, particularly on the Easter baptisms.
Of interest was the tentative programme for post-confirmation and RCIA (Baptism) 2007 students, subject to the bishop's approval.
The participants also discussed plans for the year including the annual retreat, the goodwill visit to Sibu and Catechetical Sunday activities. The members meet twice a year, the next meeting being in November.
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