Christmas Is Meaningful Only If Christ Is At The Centre, Says Bishop
KENINGAU(CS Online).- In his Christmas message released Nov 27, Bishop Cornelius Piong said that Christmas is meaningful only if Christ is at the centre.
The bishop exhorted the faithful to welcome Christ humbly as individual, family, community and society so that the Christmas celebration can become a more meaningful and hope-filled one.
The bishop said that although the birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise made by God to humankind, many people still do not recognise and accept him.
Human beings, he continued, is still seeking, waiting and hoping for something or someone to bring meaning into their lives.
Who and what can answer the longing of humanity for peace and harmony? the bishop queried.
The bishop noted that the Nov 5 elections in USA were a manifestation of the people's deep desire for change in their lives.
He said the March elections in Malaysia also indicated the voters' deep desire for a better future and more just society for all in the country.
The bishop wrote that the events of the world show that God is still present and in control.
Human authority comes from God and God can use it to carry out His own designs, he explained.
However, the bishop continued, the biggest deterrent to God's empowerment is human selfishness and pride.
These attitudes blind many people to the presence of God "dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14) and being "with us" (Mt 1:23; 28:20), the prelate lamented.
The bishop then spelt out the many global challenges facing humanity: global warming, food crisis, economic recession, human trafficking, political turmoil in many countries.
"How do we overcome such crises?" he asked.
He said there is no way human intelligence can overcome these crises.
"True wisdom and intelligence," he said, "come from fear of God" (Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10).
Without God, there is no morality in politics, society, culture and economy, he said.
The only solution, he warned, is to return to God the Creator, because God Himself said, "without Me, you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5).
Many people, the bishop observed, subscribe to the 'culture of death' - violence, fraud, rape, bribery, and so on.
This, he said, signifies that "God has no place in the human heart" (Lk 2:7) and that he is "still unknown" (Jn 1:10).
"Isn't Christmas an opportune time to invite and receive Jesus to dwell within us and our families?" he asked.
The bishop urged the faithful to "learn to live a lifestyle that is centred on God and His will. Only then will the culture of love become our way of life, the way of compassion in our service to Him and to one another."
The key, he explained, is to know, to accept and to respect the presence of Jesus in ourselves and in our families that will bring hope to the realisation of an "abundant life" that Jesus has come to bring us (Jn 10:10).
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St Paul Gifts KK Archdiocese With Two Deacons
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- After two years and a half years, St Paul gifted Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese with two deacons in the persons of Rayner Bisius, 33, and Isidore Gilbert Gondilou , 32, Dec 6.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the Mass which was concelebrated with the local clergy, three priests from Keningau Diocese and Fr Erik Jerome of St Peter's College (SPC) Kuching, witnessed by around 800 people, inclusive of family members and relatives of the two candidates.
A simple reception was held at the parish centre after the Mass.
Born on 13 April 1975 in Penampang, Bisius is the sixth child in a brood of eight born to the late Bisius James Joimpai and Helena Tsen.
His classmate, Gilbert, was born on 4 April 1976 in Kiulu to Gilbert Gondilou and Emily Siandong. He has two sisters and three brothers.
The two neo-deacons were accepted into the diocesan aspirancy in 2000. The following year, 2001, they, with five others, had the distinction to be the first to have their Initiation Year (IY) programme in Kota Kinabalu before proceeding to SPC (2002-2007) for their philosophical and theological studies.
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St Paul's Gift To Interior Diocese: A Deacon From Tambunan
KENINGAU(CS Online).- In his year - 2008 June 2009 - St Paul gifted the Keningau Diocese with another helper in the priestly ministry - newly ordained Deacon Ronnie Luni of Tambunan.
The stark simplicity of the sanctuary of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral Keningau underscored the poignancy of the diaconate ordination Nov 23, Solemnity of Christ the King, witnessed by about 1,000 faithful.
Bishop Cornelius Piong presided over the Eucharistic celebration which was concelebrated with the local diocesan clergy, four priests from Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese, Fr Erik Jerome of St Peter's College Kuching and Carmelitae Sancti Eliae (CSE) Father George Chung [Hartono] of Indonesia.
Born on 26 June 1977 in Kg Tondulu Tambunan, Luni is the eldest in a brood of three born to Alfred Luni Imun and Theresa Joanne. His younger siblings are 18-year-old Rosina@Ronnia and 10-year-old Romie Romeo. He entered aspirancy in 2000 and was accepted into Initiation Year KK in 2001, followed by six years of formation in Kuching (2002-2007).
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SHC Launches Parish Pastoral Network
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Cathedral entered into a new phase of its history with the launching of the Parish Family Pastoral Network (PFPN) during the Sunset Mass Nov 29, First Sunday of Advent.
Msgr Primus Jouil presided over the concelebrated Mass with Fr Johnny Raju and Korean priest Fr Damian Choi.
After the homily, around 150 taman and zone coordinators/leaders of the 43 zones took their pledge of service and were commissioned by the presider.
In his speech during the fellowship dinner at the parish centre after the Mass, Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Damian Lee explained about the PFPN and its objectives.
"PFPN is basically a parish level geographical network to be formed and developed as a mechanism to reach out to all parishioners pastorally in the SHC Parish in line, in spirit and in substance for the pursuit and realisation of the vision and mission of the archdiocese focusing on our three Parish Pastoral Priorities (PPP)," Lee said.
The primary objectives, Lee continued, are:
(1) to form, develop and inculcate an effective, efficient and practical permanent PFPN of and for SHC Parish;
(2) to tap into this new dimension of pastoral growth in our parish - getting new pool of people involved with the Church, especially the non-group majority;
(3) to create a sense of care and "personal touch" in our parish and to instill a sense of identity and belonging to the parish;
(4) a new approach of being church by manifesting Archdiocesan Organisational Pastoral Plan (AOPP);
(5) to provide a two-way top/down and down/up communication platform/channel: from parish to parishioners and from parishioners to parish; and
(6) to facilitate proper and updated Catholic population census in the parish using PFPN to identify, locate and know who, where and how many parishioners there are in the parish.
The chairman said he hoped that all the parish group leaders would "respond positively" to support and work hand-in hand with PFPN to spearhead this new dimension of pastoral growth.
He stressed that the role of the PFPN is to "coordinate" concerted pastoral efforts and energies, "to complement, to supplement, not to compete but to enhance" pastoral care, and works at parish level where many groups have "invariably" been using their own charisms, including the sign language group.
He pointed out that the network is a geographical pastoral network and not a parish group per se.
The chairman explained that the PFPN is a "cumulative decision" in response to the resolution and recommendations from Parish Discernment Weekend (PDW) 2000 to PDW 2008 whereby the parish realised that there was no option but to set up the PFPN to facilitate the urgent need to reach out to the so-called 80 percent non-active or non-participative parishioners within the parish boundary.
He said that after an in-depth study by the advisory committee, the parish has decided to structure the parish into 43 manageable zones comprising 30 to 60 families in each.
The immediate propsed scope of work for the PFPN is twofold, Lee said:
1. To cater to the immediate social/welfare needs of parishioners when there is
- death in the family (funeral arrangements, prayers, financial assistance, etc)
- sickness - sending to hospital, hospital visits.
2. As a two-way communication channel and platform for dissemination of information: top-down from parish to parishioners and down-up from parishioners to parish as in -
- information on parish level seminars, Christmas carolling, formation programmes, etc (top-down)
- updating family data, family problems, social problems, etc (down-up).
After dinner, the taman and zone coordinators/leaders took active part in the dynamics designed to help them to get to know each other.
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Parishioners Show Little Awareness Of Cathedral's Dedication Anniversary
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Not many who attended the Sunset Mass Nov 22, Solemnity of Christ the King, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral were aware that it was also the 27th dedication anniversary of the cathedral although it was published in the parish bulletin for some time.
The only two things that gave away the fact that it was a dedication anniversary Mass were the concelebrated Mass by Archbishop John Lee with parish priest Msgr Primus Jouil and his assistants, Frs Johnny Raju, John Wong and Michael Modoit, and the lighted candles on the walls of the cathedral.
According to the Revised Rites of the Catholic Church, the anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral is to be celebrated with the rank of a solemnity in the cathedral itself either on the date on which the dedication of the church recurs or on the date nearest to it in order that the importance and dignity of the local Church may stand out with greater clarity.
The celebration should also preferably be with the participation of as many of the people as possible.
It was poignant to see that only perhaps one-tenth of the congregation came for the fellowship after the Mass at the parish canteen.
The cathedral was dedicated on 21 Nov 1981, Christ the King, the culmination of a yearlong celebration of the centenary of the arrival of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Sabah.
The previous building was demolished in September 1979 as it was found to be structurally unsafe.
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Tawau Holds LSS
TAWAU(CS).- The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) and the Filipino Pastoral Committee of Holy Trinity Parish jointly organised a Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) Nov 7-9 with the theme You're my Witnesses... at the parish centre.
The seminar was facilitated by Fr Raphael Giron, Dr Jaime and Sarah Irizari of Cebu, Philippines.
About 400 people attended the seminar.
Giron, of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) has conducted seminar workshops on spiritual warfare and healing of the Family Tree throughout USA and Canada.
He is currently the spiritual director of the Cebu Archdiocesan Charismatic Youth Movement. Besides English, Tagalog and Cebuano, he speaks Bahasa Indonesia as well.
Irizari is a physician by profession. In 1974, he was affected by a neuromuscular disorder which left him paralysed.
During a one-day recollection in 1976, he was healed by the Lord and this led him to get involved in the CCR.
He is married to Sarah who assists him in his ministry of facilitating LSS, retreats and recollections.
Irizari is, at present, the head of the Cebu Archdiocesan Ministry of Evangelisation and Word.
Parish Priest Msgr Nicholas Ong gave a welcome speech in which he thanked the trio for coming to facilitate the seminar.
Irizari facilitated most of the sessions while his wife facilitated the workshop on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Half of the participants were able to receive the gift of tongues later on.
The participants were asked to fill a genogram which was to be presented during the Healing of the Family Tree Mass presided by Giron.
After the Mass, the trio prayed over the participants.
It was not the first time the trio had facilitated such seminars in Sabah as they were here some years back.
The trio left for KK Nov 11 where they gave some sessions before they left Sabah.
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Two APCs Renew Their Pledge Of Service
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Pauline Cooperators Theresa Gompodok and Emy Lojingki renewed their pledge before Fr Michael Modoit, witnessed by Daughters of St Paul (FSP) Superior, Sr Mary Sualeh Nov 26, FSP convent chapel in the presence of around 50 people.
The Association of Pauline Cooperators was founded in 1918 by Blessed James Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family. Every baptised person is called to be a "cooperator" of Jesus Christ, to announce the gospel to the people of today. The Pauline Cooperators choose to announce the gospel through the communication media, evangelising people and cultures with the Word of God.
Pauline Cooperators meet twice a month with the Daughters of St Paul. After a period of formation, the candidate (male or female) may pronounce the promise of the Pauline Cooperators - praying and working closely with the Daughters of St Paul, the Society of St Paul, or other congregations in the Pauline Family in his/her area. This promise/pledge is usually renewed at the closing of the annual retreat.
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131 Receive Their First Holy Communion
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Among the 131 first communicants were five Korean children: three boys and two girls.
Father Michael Modoit and Korean Fr Damian Choi concelebrated the Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing Nov 15.
The children were from the five English FHC classes.
Those attending classes in Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia received their first communion Nov 16 during the Mandarin and BM Masses respectively.
It was the first time the organisers decided to hold the event at the end of the school year and to present the certificates immediately after Mass.
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Local Church's Response To Human Trafficking
PENAMPANG(CS).- The Archdiocesan Human Development Committee (AHDC) of Kota Kinabalu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Oct 15 with the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) to undertake a project on the issue of human trafficking in Penampang.
The project entitled Indonesia-Malaysia Cross-border Counter Trafficking Project 2008-2009, aims to bring greater awareness among Sabahans on the issue of human trafficking between the borders of Sabah and East Kalimantan.
Trafficking of persons is a modern day slavery.
The demand for cheap labour, sexual services and certain criminal activities are some of the root causes of trafficking, according to Dominic Lim, spokesperson of the AHDC.
Poverty, lack of opportunity and resources as well as lack of social power are other contributing factors, he added.
Lim listed some common abuses experienced by trafficked persons such as rape, torture, debt bondage, unlawful confinement and threats against their family or other persons close to them and other forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence.
"This trans-border crime degrades the human person to a trading commodity. Often time, the victims have no recourse to justice. This crime towards humanity needs to be tackled jointly by both the origin and destined countries," Lim said.
Studies, he added, have shown that Sabah is a destination, and to a lesser extent, a source and transit state for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and men, women and children for forced labour.
"Among the activities to be undertaken by AHDC are five awareness workshops and 10 strategic planning workshops in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Tawau-Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan for local government staff, community leaders and members of civil society on the issue," Lim said.
The archdiocesan committee was set up in 2003 to promote the dignity of human persons, especially the marginalised and destitude through networking with like-minded organisations.
It has been carrying out awareness campaign pertaining to the socio-cultural effects of rural-urban and regional migration, particularly the plight of rural Sabahans in Semenanjung and Singapore.
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FABC-OSC Organises 13th Bishops' Meeting
HUA HIN, THAILAND(CS, FABC-OSC online).- Thirty-five participants from 15 Asian countries took part in the 13th annual Bishops' Meet of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences - Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC) at the Salesian Retreat House, Hua Hin, Thailand, Nov 17-22.
Archbishop Claudio M Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, gave the keynote address entitled Communication Challenges for Bishops' Conferences.
In his presentation, he stressed the need for local Churches to "invest in people. The technololgies will continue to change...What we need are people who are not mere technicians, but true professionals in the area of communciation."
Earlier, Celli pointed out that "we cannot simply view [media] technologies as means, but we must begin to understand how they have transformed patterns of communication, of education and of socialisation into a new dignital culture."
The Keynote Address was followed by the reading of Pope Benedict XVI's message of "good wishes" to the participants and "prays that the Holy Spirit guide them" in their deliberations by Msgr Dennis Kuruppassery, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok.
Kuruppassery also conveyed the greetings of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, who was away in Myanmar.
The participants reviewed the conclusions and final statements of former FABC-OSC meetings to make them more fruitful for the future.
There is a wealth of insights and proposals, the participants said.
Unfortunately, they said, these have not been sufficiently realised by some bishops' conferences in developping the communication dimension of "A new way of being Church in Asia."
Representatives from the member conferences also presented their national reports.
In their final statement, the participants emphasised among others, the growing need for proper communication ethics, communication formation and new ways of reaching out beyond narrow church boundaries.
Since 1996, "Bishops' Meets" are annual gatherings of bishops and secretaries responsible for social communication in member conferences and associate members of the FABC, organised by Divine Word Father Franz-Josef Eilers of Manila, OSC Executive Secretary.
Malaysian report was given by Sr Anna Yap fsp, Singapore by Fr Johnson Fernandez and Brunei by Bishop Cornelius Sim.
Sim replaces Archbishop Murphy Pakiam as the president of the Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Regional Commission for Social Commission in 2009.
Aside from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, other member conferences present were Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Absent member conferences were Japan and Timor Leste.
The next "Bishops' Meet" will be held on 16-21 Nov 2009 in Bali, Indonesia.
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SFK Holds Graduation Ceremony
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- St Francis Kindergarten (SFK) held its annual graduation ceremony Nov 7 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing.
Gracing the ceremony were Assistant Parish Priest Fr Johnny Raju, Franciscan Sisters Cecilia Liew and Rita Chiew, Board of Governors (BOG) Chairman Damian Lee and board member John Chee and spouse.
In his speech, Lee told the graduating children that it was a "special and proud day" for them and their parents because they have completed "the first milestone in formal education."
The chairman also said that the day was a special day for the BOG because "today six years ago, we were appointed to the board and this serves as the sixth anniversary" for the BOG.
Lee reminded the parents, teachers, stakeholders and educators present that SFK is a "mission pre-school provider where holistic preschool education with emphasis on [the] spiritual dimension is delivered and nurtured in our students."
"We want to make sure that these children have greater access to a good quality of mission pre-school education, so that they can obtain a firm foundation when they enter the primary school," he added.
He pointed out that the realisation of a wholesome pre-school education is a partnership among the kindergarten and the family, especially the parents, and the community.
"While the school delivers the curriculum, the family and the community must and should provide support," he continued.
By this concept, the chairman explained, the child is guided by the belief that education is an ongoing process that takes place "not just in school, but also at home and within the community they live and play."
He urged the parents to take heed of the reminder and put it into practise as it will "eventually provide a holistic approach to your child's education."
The challenge, he continued, is to "build a vibrant Christian living and learning environment" that will provide the child "the best opportunities" to grow holistically in the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual faculties" and at the same time, to provide them the opportunities to "discover their own talents and the varied experiences that will help them to shape the attributes they need" to seize "future opportunities, hold together when storms blow and move forward in a new and challenging world."
He reminded the audience that one of the parish's top three priorities is family issues and therefore, the BOG's main area of focus this year is on "communicating, disseminating and imparting pastoral values and building better relationship" within, among and between SFK family members comprising the board, headmistress, teachers, parents and students.
He concluded his speech with a reminder that "children are the only future the human race has" and as parents and educators, "the onus is on us to teach them- not only to teach them but to teach them well."
Following the speech, the guests of honour presented the 140 graduating children (five classes) with their certificates.
Later, both the graduating and non-graduating classes entertained those present with colourful performances.
The concert ended with the singing of the Auld Lang Syne.
Light refreshments were served after the final blessing.
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76 Graduate From STK
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Seventy-six children received their certificates in a graduation ceremony organised by the Shan Tao Kindergarten (STK) Nov 12 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing.
The event was graced by Fr Tobias Chi who opened and closed the ceremony with a prayer, Board of Directors (BOD) Chairman Charlie Chia, Board members Julia Wong and Catherine Wan and YB Melanie Chia of Luyang.
In his speech, the BOD chairman congratulated the children on their graduation and wished them all the best as they enter primary one next year.
After the speech, Wong, representing the parents, presented a Yamaha organ to the school.
This was followed by a presentation of a desktop computer to the kindergarten by YB Melanie Chia.
The 76 graduates (three classes) then received their certificates, followed by the reception of prizes for the students who had done well in their studies and activities.
All the students (graduating and non-graduating) entertained their parents, siblings, relatives, teachers, guests and well-wishers with their dances and songs.
After the closing prayer, all went back to the kindergarten for refreshments.
The STK is a kindergarten owned by the KK Archdiocese.
It traces its history to the preparatory class established by Catechist Thomas Lee Yen Chiang in 1936.
When Lee and his family migrated to North Borneo (as Sabah was known then) in 1921 from China, he found that most of his fellow immigrants and their children were illiterate.
So he founded Kung Ming Primary and a preparatory class (now kindergarten) for it.
The main purpose of the preparatory class was to help the children to recognise basic Chinese characters before they went to primary school.
At first there were less than 20 students with three teachers.
Lee took up the responsibility and wrote out the syllabus himself.
In the 15 years under him, the number of students increased steadily.
When he became a practising physician, Voo Han Chiu took over.
Teresa Ho took over from Voo in 1959 and Lee Rui Yun became the principal in 1961.
In 1964, Fr Tobias Chi Shu Zhang became the chairman of the Board of Directors.
He changed the name of Kung Ming to Shan Tao, a name that is known today.
There were over 80 students in the kindergarten and they were split into two classes.
In 1974 another class was added. By 1978 there were over 160 students in four classes.
In 1980 the state government decided to separate kindergartens from primary schools.
So the BOD had to raise funds to build a separate building for the kindergarten.
It was eventually relocated within the Sacred Heart Cathedral compound, next to St Francis Kindergarten, adjacent to the parish centre.
The number of classes increased to five with 40 to 45 students per class.
In 1982, Lee Yue Ping became the principal. After her retirement in 1990, Joanne Tan took over the post.
Since 2006, the kindergarten has been jointly administered by Senior Teachers Tiang Nyuk Li and Marie Chu Tze Lan.
Msgr John Lee became the chairman of the BOD when he was appointed parish priest of the cathedral in 1983.
He served as chairman even after he became the bishop in 1987 - until 1995.
After that John Ng took over the chairmanship while Fr Cosmas Lee became the consultant.
Charlie Chia has served as the chairman of the BOD since 2002.
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BOD Hosts Award Night For St Mary's Hostel Boys
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Board of Directors (BOD) of St Mary's Hostel headed by John Pang hosted a thanksgiving and award presentation night Nov 2.
The 20 hostel boys were treated to a meal graced by the presence of Parish Priests Frs Thomas Makajil and Paul Lo, members of the Management Committee, the Building Committee, the Fundraising Committee and the religious sisters.
St Mary's Hostel was opened in 2006. Its objective was to cater for the underprivileged students from the rural areas.
It began with an initial intake of 12 boarders. Today it has 20, with students coming from Paitan as well.
All boarders are currently studying in St Mary's Secondary School, a Catholic mission school.
Some of the activities conducted in the hostel are leadership skills, disciplinary development, organisation and community living.
The boys also join in the choir for the Sunday evening Mass at St Joseph's Church.
Mass is celebrated once a month in English by the parish priest or his assistant.
During the function, the boys presented a few songs, declamations and sharing of their experiences in the hostel.
The highlight was the presentation of awards to the boarders who excelled in leadership skills, academic achievements and discipline.
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SHC Launches Divine Mercy Devotion
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The Divine Mercy Devotion was inaugurated at Sacred Heart Cathedral Oct 19 with Mass presided by Assistant Parish Priest Fr Johnny Raju.
After the homily, the presider blessed the image of the Divine Mercy.
Among those present at the inaugural Mass were devotees from Penampang (which has the first group of devotees), Papar and Kepayan.
The devotion started in St Michael Penampang as a private devotion organised by a small group of Catholics in early 1998.
On 16 March 1998, the group received permission from then Parish Priest Fr Aloysius Fidelis to gather together to pray the chaplet at 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoons.
The Divine Mercy Devotion began to spread throughout the world in the 1930s through Polish Sister Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938).
In 1931 Jesus appeared to her in visions and gave her instructions to teach the world about his mercy.
In the first vision, she saw Jesus dressed in a white robe, with two rays of light coming out from his heart, one red and one white. Jesus was raising his right hand either in blessing or greeting while his left hand touched his chest where the rays came from.
Sister Faustina was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 18 April 1993.
The first novena to the Divine Mercy (composed of the DM Chaplet and the daily three o'clock prayer) was held at St Michael Penampang on 10 April 1998.
Father William Poilis informed then Bishop John Lee about the devotion in a letter dated 4 May 1998.
The memorial of Bl Faustina was celebrated with Mass for the first time on 5 Oct 1998.
The devotion became an official devotion in St Michael Penampang on 14 March 1999.
Pope John Paul II established Divine Mercy Sunday on the second Sunday of Easter on 30 April 2000 when he canonised Sr Faustina Kowaslska that day.
Since last year, a group of Sacred Heart parishioners known as Servant of Divine Mercy headed by Henry Liew, started having the devotion on Saturdays from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at G1 of the Sacred Heart Parish Centre. It culminated in this inaugural Mass.
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Inobong Celebrates Fr Makajil's Pearl Anniversary
INOBONG(CS).- Sacred Heart Inobong celebrated the pearl (30th) presbyteral ordination anniversary of one of its sons, Fr Thomas Makajil, Nov 4.
The Eucharistic Celebration started with a procession of 30 candle bearers by the students from St Theresa's School Inobong to mark the anniversary.
The Mass was concelebrated with Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan, Msgr Primus Jouil, Frs Alex Sipanul, Marcellinus Pongking and Michael Modoit.
The jubilarian said he was grateful and thanked Parish Priest Fr Sipanul for giving him the opportunity to celebrate this milestone in his home parish.
He said it reminded him of his younger days when he was one of the altar boys in the church.
The jubilarian said he hoped that there will be more youngsters who will be able to answer God's call to serve in His vineyard.
A pot-luck fellowship was held at the church hall after the Mass with the inevitable cake-cutting.
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Legionaries Organise Closing Rosary Month Mass
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The Legion of Mary organised the closing of the Rosary Month with a Mass Oct 29 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral preceded by the trilingual recital of the rosary.
Msgr Primus Jouil presided over the Mass which was preceded by the procession of LOM representatives bearing stalks of roses to be placed in the containers at the base of Our Lady's statue in the sanctuary.
Members of the different praesidia of the cathedral parish, Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang and St Simon Likas took active part in the liturgy as lector, commentators and gift-bearers.
The closing celebration was the culmination of the monthlong daily public recitation of the rosary led by the different language groups either at the grotto or in the chapel.
The LOM organises the rosary recitation and closing Mass in the Marian months of May and October.
The KK English Curia has 13 senior and two junior praesidia while the Chinese Curia has 13 senior and four junior praesidia.
Inanam Curia has 19 senior and five junior praesidia while Penampang Curia has 12 senior praesidia.
Keningau and Sandakan Dioceses have their own curiae.
All these curiae come under the KK Comitium headed by Catherine Ong with Fr Alex Sipanul as Spiritual Director.
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SHC Senior Parishioners Enjoy Their Annual Outing
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Around 120 senior parishioners of Sacred Heart Cathedral enjoyed participating in the annual outing organised for them by the Pastoral Care of the Aged Committee Nov 9.
This year the seniors went first to attend the Chinese Mass at Good Shepherd Menggatal presided by Fr David Sham, followed by a quick breakfast at the church hall.
In Menggatal, the seniors were welcomed warmly by the Legion of Mary members.
After breakfast the seniors went to the Crocodile Farm in Tuaran where they watched two trained crocodiles (one huge, one small) performed with their three trainers in the arena with two large ponds.
However, the participants did not stay long to watch the cultural performances at the long house because of the rain.
On the way out to the waiting three buses, they saw two big pythons, two civet cats, more crocodiles and shoals of fish.
Some of the participants had fun taking photographs with the stuffed crocodiles.
Some even bought frozen crocodile meat to be cooked at home.
Lunch was at a local seafood restaurant in town where it was graced by Fr Tobias Chi, Pastoral Council Chairman Damian Lee and YB Melanie Chia and her family.
The highlight was the karaoke competition which netted eight contestants from among the seniors.
The judges were Damian Lee, Grace Yapp, Bibiana Aw and Regina Chin.
The prizes were sponsored by Chia.
There were also three lucky draws in between.
Lee, in his speech, exhorted the seniors not to think that they are useless because they are already past their prime.
Their wisdom born of their experiences of life is valuable to the community.
This year, the organising committee headed by Catherine Yong, decided to present awards to the committee members who have a perfect or near perfect record of attendance during meetings and functions held during the past years.
As usual, there was the cake-cutting ceremony for all the birthday honorees.
Although the pastoral care committee started in 1984 with a monthly breakfast for the seniors at the old St Francis Convent School Canteen and an outing every two years, the outing became an annual event in 1996, when Yong took over.
It is an event most of the seniors look forward to, even those in their 90s, and they have gone to many places of interest in Penampang and Kota Kinabalu.
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CMI-LOM Visits IY Students
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Around 10 members of the CMI Legion of Mary came for the annual pot-luck fellowship with the Initiation Year (IY) students Nov 10 at the IY Formation House in Karamunsing.
The gathering started off with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and rosary recitation at the chapel.
The legionaries and the students with their formator Fr Michael Modoit then proceded to the dining hall for the fellowship meal.
One of the students shared his vocation story while two others shared about life in the seminary: one on the daily schedule and the other on what he has learned from the lessons and experiences.
This was followed by a powerpoint presentation on seminary life and the present batch of seminarians. Two of the legionaries also shared spontaneously about their own learnings and experiences.
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