Clergy Encounter Unexpected Event At Annual Fellowship
BUNDU TUHAN(CS Online).- Certainly when the clergy, deacons and seminarians of the three arch/dioceses went to the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre (BTRC) for their annual fellowship Jan 5-6, they were not expecting anything unusual to happen to them.
On the morning of Jan 6, Fr Paul Lo happened to look out of his window and saw someone breaking the windscreen of one of the vehicles parked at the carpark between the retreat centre and the Franciscan Sisters' convent.
He notified the others who were having their breakfast.
When they went out to see for themselves, they saw the culprit breaking the windscreen of Fr Aloysius Fidelis' vehicle with a large stone.
According to a reliable source, the culprit, a local, has suicidal tendencies ever since he returned from Semenanjung.
He was later caught by a rela member. When questioned by the police, the culprit said he "hated to see tall buildings and beautiful cars."
The clergy lodged a police report but were dismayed to find the police indifferent to the matter.
The following is the list of those whose vehicles were damaged:
1. Fr Nicholas Stephen SAA 2907D (Tuaran)
2. Fr Michael Modoit SAA 2539A (IY)
3. Fr Aloysius Fidelis SD 366C (Papar)
4. Fr Edward Raymond SA 6993X (Kudat)
5. Fr Alex Jimsy SA3257 (Papar)
6. Bishop Julius Gitom SAA 1746T (Sandakan)
7. Fr Simon Kontou SS4545L (Lahad Datu)
8. Fr Charles Chiew SU3922A (Keningau)
9. Fr Boniface Kimsin SA 6375H (Toboh) and
10. Deacon Rayner Bisius SA 2372T (KK).
However, the car used by Bisius was slightly damaged and there was no broken glass.
Both Gitom and Kontou had to have their vehicles towed back to Sandakan after the fellowship.
While the clergy were dismayed by the event, they were able to take it into stride.
Thankfully it was only the vehicles that were damaged and not the clergy themselves.
According to the source, Archbishop John Lee told the clergy that the Lord must have a message for them through this event.
Never in its history since its opening on 12 Sept 1984 by the late Bishop Simon Fung has such a thing happened at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre.
Throughout its 24 years of existence, many groups - both local and international - have come to make their retreat or attend a seminar there, enjoying the serenity and coolness of the atmosphere and its relative isolation from busy towns has made it an ideal place for one to get away from the rat race.
But this incident serves to show that no one place is really safe nowadays and it is time to beef up the security of the place.
More importantly, it serves as a reminder to always place oneself and all places under the protection of the Lord and never take one's safety and that of our properties for granted, even in fairly sleepy places like BTRC.
The damage incurred was estimated to be around RM10,000.
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Archbishop Launches New Putatan Church Fundraising Project
TANJUNG ARU(CS Online).- Archbishop John Lee launched the fundraising project for the building of the new church in Putatan Dec 15 at the Stella Maris Parish Hall.
Among those who attended the launching were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, YB Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the patron of the Steering Committee of the new church named after St Catherine of Siena, Madam Catherine Moinin, the land donor, parish priest Fr Fundes Motiung and his assistant, Fr Tony Mojiwat and Dr Tan Jun Kwang, technical adviser to the church building project.
In his address, the archbishop told his audience that he himself had been looking around for a piece of land to build a new church to accommodate the growing Catholic population in Putatan for six years.
He said the offer by Catherine Moinin came in "God's own time."
But he emphasised that it is more important to build up the faith community than the consturction of the building itself.
In his speech, Steering Committee Chairman Stephen Sondoh said the idea of building a church in Putatan started "from the realisation that the Catholic population of Putatan would grow substantially in the near future."
The land donated by Moinin, he continued, is "where their ancestral house once stood, where the early Catholic missionaries stayed when they first set foot in Putatan."
Sondoh informed the audience that "Catherine Moinin and her family came forward and offered their two-acre lot to the Church without any payment."
In gratitude, the chairman said, the committee decided to name the church "St Catherine of Siena" after her patron saint.
Sondoh also informed the audience that the main purpose of the launching was threefold:
(i) to inform the church community that a new church has been planned in Kg Dimbaan near Putatan town;
(ii) to get parishioners to be involved in the project by donating through the "five bricks and a sack of cement" campaign; and
(iii) to inform the world, friends and Catholics in other parts of the world, the existence of the new church through the website: www.stcatherine.org.
To mark the launching, the archbishop beat the gong seven times, accompanied by Dompok, the two priests and the Steering Committee members.
This was followed by the presentation of mementos to the archbishop, the federal minister and the land donor.
Later, Madam Moinin, accompanied by her children, handed over the land title NT4405 to the archbishop.
Then the technical adviser, Dr Tan Jun Kwang, presented the Development and Building Structural Plan of the church to Archbishop Lee.
Father Motiung, accompanied by Sondoh, received cheques of RM200,000 from the Sabah State Govt representative, RM14,803.60 from Sacred Heart Cathedral represented by John Bagiu, RM10,000 from Patrick Payne Tudus and Helda Jonut, RM1,000 each from Veronica Jinilis Jounin, Jovita Jumpita and Damian Chai, RM999.99 from Edwin Totu and RM500 from Mr Chong of Sekolah Memandu Sabah.
Letters of Appreciation were presented to Madam Moinin, Dr Tan and to the Steering Committee members.
To enliven the event, the Steering Committee presented a song A Simple Step (lyric by Jacinta Juin, music by Stephen Sondoh), dedicated to St Catherine of Siena followed by a children's choir led by Pauline Sabian.
After refreshments, the guests were invited to tour the exhibition booths featuring the site location of the church building plan; the Development & building plan; the Recreational park development plan and Dimbaan Home.
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SCC Jointly Organises 4th GXC With Government Bodies
KOTA KINABALU(CS, DE).- This year, the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) jointly organised the fourth Gaya Christmas Celebration (GXC) Dec 17-19 with City Hall (DBKK) and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) with its theme of Peace, Love and Goodwill towards all People.
In his address in officiating the event Dec 17 at the Lintasan Deasoka in Gaya Street, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said Malaysians are "the luckiest because irrespective of religion and race, they could join in the celebration of any festivity."
He added that many have visited Malaysia to learn of its success in "moulding a progressive, united and tolerant nation."
Aside from the deputy chief minister's speech, Bishop Hwa Yung of the Methodist Church Malaysia also addressed the people. Based in the Semenanjung, he said he was happy to be here for the event.
Earlier, accompanied by Archbishop John Lee and the other dignitaries, Pairin pushed a button to light up the Christmas Crib after the archbishop had blessed it.
The crib was set up by Stella Maris Parish.
Members from Church of Mary Immaculate Choir sang carols beside the crib before and after the lighting up.
The fireworks display was one of the highlights on the first night.
The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC) presented three carols on the second night.
Speeches on the final night were given by Pastor Jerry Dusing, SCC president and by the mayor himself.
After the speecjes, co-organising Chairman Wong King Chuong presented a memento to the mayor.
The event closed with "pyrotechnique effects" and a combined interchurch choir singing We wish you a merry Christmas.
The three-day event, starting from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, featured performances from churches, choral singing, dancing, drama (Joseph Remembers Christmas) by the Anglican Church, cultural presentations, bamboo orchestra performance and more than 100 hawker stalls selling Christmas gifts, handicrafts, food and drinks.
Each night Christmas gift packs were distributed to the children present, sponsored by organisations and business establishments.
Co-organising chairman Wong King Chuong said the Methodist Church was in charge of this year's celebration.
Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who closed the event Dec 19, thanked Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for increasing the allocation to RM100,000 from RM50,000 last year.
On all three nights, revellers were reminded to dispose of their rubbish into the nearest bins in line with City Hall's efforts to keep Kota Kinabalu (KK) a litter-free city.
First introduced in 2005, the celebration has been part of City Hall's calendar, attracting thousands of people from all walks of life, including tourists.
As the mayor put it while inspecting the site Dec 16: "(The event) is a platform to promote understanding and racial unity amongst the people during the celebration, as well as creating an event in the city for the people during the Christmas season."
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Stella Maris Parish Celebrates Golden Jubilee
TANJUNG ARU(CS).- December 28 was a red-letter day for Stella Maris Parish here as it celebrated its golden jubilee with the theme: Rejoice! We have seen the Star (Mt 2:2,10).
More than 1,000 parishioners and guests turned up for the celebration.
Thirteen priests concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop John Lee, including former parish priests Msgr Nicholas Ong of Sandakan Diocese (served from 1984 to 1987) and Fr Moses Lui of Melaka-Johor Diocese (served from Dec 1999 to Sept 2002).
Present also were former assistant parish priests Fr Tobias Chi (Jan-Apr 1962) and Fr Alex Jimsy (Nov 2006-May 2008).
Archbishop Lee himself served as assistant parish priest from August to November 1970.
The entrance procession was led by liturgical dancers and representatives of parish groups, ministries and communities and of the two subparishes of Kepayan and Putatan carrying banners.
In his homily, the archbishop touched on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family.
In his speech after the Mass, Organising Chairman Thomas More Willie touched briefly through powerpoint the history of the parish.
Stella Maris, he said, was officially erected as a Catholic Mission with the appointment of Fr Anthony Georg Lampe by Bishop James Buis as the first rector on 16 Oct 1956.
Soon after his appointment, Willie continued, Lampe raised funds to build a church building and a rectory, and on 25 May 1963, Buis blessed and opened the new Stella Maris Church and rectory.
The chairman said the parish hall was opened in 1988 and the St Thomas Catechetical Centre in 2000.
"Not only here in Tg Aru, the parish has also grown in area with the erection of St Thomas Church in 1974 to cater to the needs of Catholics in Kepayan, and the soon coming St Catherine of Siena Church to cater to the needs of the increasing number of Catholics in Putatan area," Willie added.
The parish, he continued, has about 6,000 Catholics and it is definitely growing.
He then stressed on the need for more vocations "even though we have produced a number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life."
The priestly vocations who come from the parish are mostly from the neo-catechumenal community: Frs Fundes Motiung, Saimon William, Edward and Federick Raymond, Tony Mojiwat and Johnny Raju.
The religious vocations present are Srs Rose Hiu Santos, Cecilia Liew and Alphonsus Low of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) and Sr Theresa Ryan of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) who is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Other vocations who were not able to come are FSIC Sr Dorothy Aron, Carmelite Sr Vianney Dagul, Brother Thomas Chia of the Brothers of Mercy Ipoh, Brother James Chia of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary USA, FSIC Postulant Lucynia, Redemptorist Seminarian Robin Lomangkok and Order of Friars Minor Singapore Novice Francis Basnayake.
After the Mass, the congregation adjourned to the parish hall for dinner and an evening of cultural performances in song, dance and drama.
Three blessed draws were conducted and tokens of appreciation (Jubilee Mugs) were given to Archbishop Lee, former parish priests and assistant parish priests, the clergy and deacons present, vocations from the parish and to the 12 pioneers (religious and lay) who helped the parish in the early years (1956-1958).
The 12 pioneers were Sr Joan Neubronner fsic, Sr Assunta Chong fsic, Sr Carmel Ho fsic, Sr Agnes Wong fsic, Mother Bernadette Amandus fsic, Sr Jacinta Majalang, fsic, La Salle Brother Charles O'Leary, Mrs Annie Santos, Peter Chia, former organist Peter Pragas, former PCC Chairman Matthew Gonzaga, and the church architect, the late Mr Robinson.
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Archbishop Holds 16th Open House At His Residence
DONTOZIDON(CS).- In conjunction with the Malaysian tradition of holding open houses on festive occasions, Archbishop John Lee held his 16th Open House Dec 25 at his residence along the old Penampang Road.
This year it was a rather low-keyed affair with only the Chinese children's choir to sing for the occasion.
From 2:30 to 4:30 pm, a general flow of people, including the Religious and clergy, came and went.
Among those who came were the archbishop's relatives (both local and abroad) and members of a Chinese association led by St Simon Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Datuk Terence Chong.
Young and old from all walks of life enjoyed the free ice-creams provided by Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Dr Damian Lee as well as the food prepared by the Catholic Women's League.
Working behind the scene were members of the Legion of Mary who were busy washing the plates, pots and pans.
The open house came about in 1992 when the then Bishop's Residence was newly built and the faithful said they had never seen it although they had contributed to it.
Among those who called on the bishop that year was then State Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan and his family.
Since then it has become an annual event.
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RGS Organises Variety Concert
PENAMPANG(CS).- In conjunction with their 20th foundation anniversary in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese, the Good Shepherd Sisters (RGS) together with their lay collaborators, organised a variety concert entitled The Gift of Hope - Pass It On at the KadazanDususn Cultural Association Hall Penampang Dec 13.
The concert enabled the children from Asrama Desa Pukak (ADP) and the girls from Asrama Gereja St James Tenghilan (AGJT) to contribute in a meaningful way towards providing educational opportunities for other poor children, particularly those from Kg Nibang Pitas.
This is done under the "Pay-it-forward" programme to encourage the children who have benefitted from the hostels run by the Good Shepherd Sisters to think how they can help others in similar situations.
The children contribute back not to the persons who gave it but forward to others in dire need as they themselves once were and it is hoped that this process will continue as it reinforces their understanding that they have the capacity to give and bring benefit to others.
The concert showcased not only the children's multi-talents in song and dance but the Good Shepherd Sisters as well.
Guest artistes Atama, Ateng and Fireflys contributed as well.
Organising Committee Chairperson Angela Foo said the concert is "a true reflection of the Good Shepherd mission: reaching out with compassion and respect, empowering each person to wholeness and full potential."
Good Shepherd Sisters Province Leader Sr Susan Chia said the theme of the variety show "speaks of hope which God, our tender and compassionate Shepherd seeks to embrace us with."
Among those present to grace the event were
Fr Nicholas Stephen of St John Tuaran, Deacon Isidore Gilbert, Deacon Rayner Bisius and several religious of other religious instiitutes.
The RGS arrived in Kota Kinabalu on 5 Oct 1988.
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Sandakan Holds Third DPWG On Pastoral Directions
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral Working Group (DPWG) held its third meeting Dec 20 to discuss matters relating to the diocesan pastoral direction at the Diocesan Meeting Room, Church Hill Road, Sandakan.
Twenty-three members comprising the clergy, religious sisters and Parish Pastoral Councillors (PPC) from the four parishes attended the meeting presided by Bishop Julius Gitom.
The meeting focused on the demographic survey which saw progress in the parishes.
The demographic survey team coordinated by Henry Solibun came out with a relevant software to hold the data.
Phylis Malim briefed the participants on the operation and the advantages of the programme.
She also stressed the benefits of such data essential for a parish to plan and embark on a pastoral programme geared to the needs of parishioners.
The meeting deliberated on the proposed standard PPC constitution for the parishes which would come into effect in early 2009 upon confirmation by the clergy.
It was announced that all PPCs would be dissolved in January 2009 and the new PPCs be formed by the second week of April 2009, with the current PPC acting as caretaker.
The process includes the announcement of the dissolution of the PPC, catechesis, nominations, vetting, personal interview by the parish priest regarding their commitment as PPC members, final selection and commissioning.
The bishop was pleased with the good response from the parishes which, he said, reflected the seriousness and eagerness of the members regarding the diocesan pastoral direction.
He urged everyone to be more committed, to look forward with a positive attitude and to work together to build up the Church.
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Seminarians On Pastoral Immersion (mid-Jan To Mid-May)
Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese
1. Sacred Heart Cathedral: Wiandigool Runsab
2. St Simon Likas: Mitchelly Kiun & Jack Johimi
3. St Catherine Inanam: Sunny Chung
4. St Peter Claver Ranau: Mattheus Luta
5. St Joseph Papar: Florian Marcus & Daniel Jomilong
6. St Peter Kudat: Postinus Kurup & Maxmillianno Benhor
7. St John Tuaran: Elvise Mourise & Jeffri Gumu
Keningau Diocese
1. St Francis Xavier's Cathedral: Roney Mailap
2. St Peter Bundu Kuala Penyu: Clement Abel
Sandakan Diocese
1. Holy Trinity Tawau: David Garaman
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Singapore's Cathedral Choir Performs Evening Of Praise At SHC
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Parishioners (and some non-parishioners) of Sacred Heart Cathedral were treated to an "evening of sacred music in praise and thanksgiving to the God who made us" Dec 3 by the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ, Singapore.
In a moment of inspiration when he met Archbishop John Lee some months back, the Choir Director, Sir Dr Peter Low, an ex-seminarian and contemporary of the archbishop in the Penang Seminary, told his audience that he decided to ask the archbishop's permission if his choir could perform in the cathedral here.
The choir, established in 1970 by Low, has served at the Risen Christ Parish in Singapore for 32 years before it was officially installed as the Cathedral Choir in April 2002.
It has a strong tradition of public performances in aid of worthy causes both local and international, in line with its philosophy that music can also be put at the service of society.
It has also contributed significantly to promoting international relations through its joint concerts with well-known choirs from other nations.
For instance, it has sung in Australia, England, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Philippines, Switzerland, Spain, Thailand, America, Vietnam and Wales.
It performed twice for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1985 and 1997.
On the local scene, the choir is called upon regularly to perform at significant national events and has cooperated with Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board in projects promoting Singapore as a tourist destination through international concert tours.
It was the only choir to be included in the ceremony to launch the 25th anniversary celebration of the republic.
Low received the Singapore National Youth Service Award in 1979 for outstanding contribution to the local choral music scene.
He was awarded a government scholarship to major in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Low was conferred the Bene Merenti Award in 1996 for 40 years of service to the local Church, and was made Knight Commander with Star of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory by the Vatican in 2003.
For this concert in Kota Kinabalu, the proceeds collected went to welfare organisations like SHC Charity, Don Bosco Children's Home in Bundu Tuhan, Franciscan and Good Shepherd Hostels.
Indeed, many in the full-packed cathedral felt that they were uplifted by the choir's performance, featuring the finest compositions from the pens of the masters sung in the churches today and through the ages.
Low took time to explain briefly the background of each composition.
The compositions , a repertoire of liturgical hymns, Marian songs and Christmas carols, were rendered in English, Latin, Mandarin and Indonesian.
The event was graced by Archbishop Lee, to whom one of the compositions, Juravit Dominus - Tu Es Sacerdos In Aeternum (You Are a Priest Forever) was dedicated, to mark his appointment as archbishop.
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Rite Of Admission Integrated Into IY Closing Mass
PENAMPANG(CS).- This year, the closing Mass to end the Academic Year of the Initiation Year (IY), was somewhat special with the integration of the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Ordination as Deacons and Priests.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the rite of admission for Deacons-to-be Rayner Bisius and Isidore Gilbert Dec 3 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre Penampang as the IY Formation House in Karamunsing was under renovation.
The rite of admission took place after the homily. The candidates were called, examined and accepted by the archbishop.
This was followed by intercessions and a concluding prayer. After which, the Liturgy of the Eucharist continued as usual.
The Mass was concelebrated with Aspirants' Formator Fr John Wong and IY Formator Fr Michael Modoit.
Aside from the aspirants and IY students, some of the teaching staff and their spouses were present as well as Dr Gimfil James and his wife.
In the Motu Proprio Ministeria quaedam, it is stated that candidates for the diaconate "should know what ministries they are to exercise before ordination and when and under what considerations they are to take upon themselves the obligations of celibacy and liturgical prayer."
In the introduction of Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Ordination as Deacons and Priests, it is stated that the rite of admission is celebrated "when there is clear evidence that the aspirants' properly formed intention has sufficiently matured" (# 1a) and that the aspirants "must make a public expression of the intention to receive holy orders. The bishop, in turn, gives the public acceptance of this intention" (# 2).
After the Mass, the congregation adjourned to the aspirants' refectory for a meal and a short programme during which tokens of appreciation were given to the teachers and formators of both years, as well as to Dr Gimfil for the services they rendered during the year.
The formands also entertained the guests with a couple of Christmas carols before they called it a day.
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Carmelite Sr Genevieve Celebrates Silver Jubilee Of Profession
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- One's whose sweet voice you always hear behind the turnstile whenever you ring the bell at the Carmelite Monastery but seldom see, celebrated her silver jubilee of religious profession Dec 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, at the monastery chapel.
All but two of her 12 siblings and their families joined Carmelite Sister Genevieve (Mary Shang) of the Holy Face on this auspicious occasion.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the jubilee Mass which was concelebrated with Frs Felix Chung, John Wong and Michael Modoit, assisted by Deacon Rayner Bisius.
In his homily, the presider explained briefly about the Church's belief in the Immaculate Conception and dwelt on the three questions posed by God to Adam and Eve after they had eaten of the forbidden fruit: Where are you? (situationer); Who told you? (relationship with God); and Why have you done this? (motivation).
He told the jubilarian and the faithful in the jam-packed chapel that these questions can help one to examine one's standing before God.
The jubilarian's family members and relatives took active part in the liturgy - as readers, prayer of the faithful and gift bearers.
After the Mass, all the Massgoers were invited to join in the breakfast organised by the Carmelite Seculars (OCDS), during which the archbishop cut the commemorative cake on behalf of the jubilarian.
Born on 28 Aug 1954 in Papar, Mary is the eighth child in a brood of six boys and seven girls born to the late Benedict Shang and Veronica Lee.
Mary entered the monastery on 27 Dec 1981 and was given the religious name of Genevieve of the Holy Face.
She made her first profession on 8 Dec 1983, followed by her final profession three years later in 1986.
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CMI Marks Feastday With Procession
LUYANG(CS).- The Church of Mary Immaculate celebrated its feastday Dec 6 with a procession from the grotto to the church preceded by flower children.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the Mass which was concelebrated with Fr John Wong.
The annual feastday celebration is organised alternately by the English-language and Chinese-language parishioners respectively.
This year it was organised by the Chinese-language parishioners.
After the gospel proclamation, the presider lit the second advent candle before giving the homily.
In his homily the presider explained about the readings and also dwelt briefly on the meaning and belief of the Church in the immaculate conception of Mary.
A fellowship meal was held at the church canteen after the Mass.
Parish Pastoral Councillor Francis Lo welcomed the parishioners and guests, including PPC Chairman Terence Chong of St Simon Likas, on behalf on PPC Chairperson Victoria Voon who had to attend another function that night.
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DCWA Sandakan Holds First Retreat And Assembly
SANDAKAN(CS).- Around 125 members of the Diocesan Catholic Women's Apostolate (DCWA) held their first retreat and assembly Dec 4 at St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan.
The delegates came from the four parishes of the diocese.
Bishop Julius Gitom presided over the opening Mass which was concelebrated with Fr Paul Lo.
In his homily, the bishop reminded the delegates to always remember that faith should be built on a strong foundation, like the builders who build their houses on rock. Come what may - rain, storm or gale - the houses will be intact.
However, the bishop continued, if one's faith is weak, like a house built on sand, a slight storm will cause the house to collapse.
Father Thomas Makajil, the retreat master, centred his talk on the apostolate and a caring generation as a way forward in building the kingdom of God.
Father Lo touched on the liturgical aspect of the Church.
Franciscan Sister Appolonia guided the participants in the use of lectio divina while Sister Lilian stressed on commitment being a criterion for pastoral involvement.
The retreat ended Dec 7 with a reconciliation session immediately after the morning Mass.
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Neocatechumenal Sunset Mass Forms Part Of Liturgical Pastoral Work
KUNDASANG(CS).- The Eucharistic Celebration of the neocatechumenal communities on Saturday evening is to be considered as part of the Sunday liturgical pastoral work of the parish and is open also to other parishioners, according to the official Neocatechumenal Way Statute.
The statute was officially approved by the Vatican on May 11 this year.
A group of 175 catechists and responsibles of the neocatechumenal communities in Sabah was given a full briefing on the contents of the statute during their three-day annual Convivence (retreat) at Kundasang Nov 27-30.
The convivence, marking the beginning of another year of activities, was conducted by a team of itinerant catechists.
Touching on the Eucharist, contained in Article 13 of the Statute, the Holy See has granted approval for the distribution of Holy Communion under the two species (bread and wine).
The entire text of the statute was read to the catechists and responsibles, with the meaning and significance of sections within the various articles highlighted, especially where there were changes to the earlier text of the Statute of the Way that was approved ad experimentum six years ago.
The Neocatechumenal Way has now been granted by the Vatican public juridical personality, meaning that what it does is done in the name of the Catholic Church.
The formal handing over of the decree of approval by the president of the Pontifical Council for Laity to the initiators of the Way, Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez, and to Fr Mario Pezzi, the third member of the International Responsible Team, was on 13 June 2008.
The Way is confirmed in the new statute as a model of post-baptismal catechumenate to be implemented under the direction of diocesan bishops.
It is an itinerary of Catholic formation that "is at the service of the bishops as a form of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith."
The Way began in 1964 in the slums of Palomeras Altas, Madrid, Spain, through the two initiators who, at the request of the poor with whom they were living, began to announce to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Way was introduced to Sabah in 1980 during the time of the late Bishop Simon Fung.
The first community was formed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu when Fr Tobias Chi was parish priest.
There are communities in Dontozidon, Tuaran, Kepayan, Papar, Kota Belud in KK Archdiocese and in Sandakan and Lahad Datu in Sandakan Diocese and also a community in Sibu, Sarawak.
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St Simon Holds Its First Advent Penitential Service
LIKAS(CS).- Taking its place among the parishes in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese, St Simon Likas held its first Advent Penitential Service with Individual Confession Dec 10.
Around 100 parishioners came for the Penitential Service.
The Word was centred on the genealogy of Jesus as found in the Gospel of Matthew, based on the theme that reconciliation starts in the family.
Formerly a subparish of Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Simon now has its own pastor, Father Cosmas Lee, since May this year.
Under the re-zoning of boundaries of the three churches held Nov 17, Sacred Heart Cathedral has 43 zones with a total of 1,783 families, Church of Mary Immaculate has nine zones with 370 families and St Simon has three zones with 348 families.
The zones under St Simon are Zone 44 - Dah Yeh Villa (176 families), Zone 45 - Likas (109 families) and Zone 46 - Kingfisher (63 families).
The nine zones under CMI are Zone 36 - Bundusan (73 families), Zone 37 - Beverly Hill (36 families), Zone 38 - Khidmat Bungalow (34 families), Zone 39 - Khidmat B (30 families), Zone 40 - Khidmat A (36 families), Zone 41 - Kolombong (58 families), Zone 42 - Bukit Padang (56 families and Zone 43 - Ria (47 families).
Zones 1 to 35 come under Sacred Heart Cathedral.
In the new year, St Simon will have its first Sunday morning Mass Jan 4 at 8:30 am, followed by Sunday School classes at 10:00 am at the newly renovated parish hall.
The Sunday evening Mass will continue as usual at 5:00 pm.
Weekday Mass is at 6:30 pm.
The late Bishop Simon Fung blessed and declared St Simon Chapel open on 14 Nov 1984 in conjunction with his ninth episcopal ordination anniversary.
It became a subparish of Sacred Heart Cathedral as it had no resident priest but it had a management committee to look after its operation and maintenance.
Right from the start, Mass is only celebrated once a week on Sundays at 5:00 pm in this 600-capacity chapel.
A multipurpose hall was built in 1988 while the chapel was extended in 2000.
During the blessing of the extended chapel on 19 Nov 2000, Bishop John Lee raised it to the dignity of a church.
On 1 May 2008, the bishop decided to place the administration of the church under the care of Father Cosmas Lee.
Since then there has been a major revamping of its administrative and pastoral activities.
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Teen Group Celebrates Second Anniversary
SANDAKAN(CS).- More than 100 teenagers and their parents turned up for the second anniversary celebration of the St Mary's Cathedral Teenagers Buddy Team (TBT) headed by Fernandez David under the supervision of Franciscan Sister Lilian Unsoh Dec 10.
During the annual event, the members also bade farewell to the senior members who had completed Form 5.
Team members consist of Form 1 to Form 5 students within the vicinity of Sandakan town.
There were praise and worship, personal testimonies, dances and songs with a life band in attendance.
In his opening remarks, Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Jerry Lo congratulated the teenagers for organising the event by themselves, pooling available resources.
He said the "beauty" of the function was the attendance of the parents who came to support their children.
The chairman said he hoped the teenagers will eventually succeed as future leaders of the Church.
Three Form 5 outgoing members, Eldon Tang, Vanessa Julian and Cornelia, shared how they were attracted to the team, the changes they went through and the benefits they received through the activities organised by the team.
Some of the activities organised were weekly meetings on the Word of God facilitated by Sr Lilian and pilgrimages to St Paul Ulu Dusun and to St John Tuaran, according to them.
The trio also expressed sadness as they have to leave the team in anticipation of further studies.
John Baptist, a representative from the parents, shared that he was confident that the team, which is spiritually centred and motivated under the guidance of Sr Lilian, would bring forth "faith-grounded" future leaders.
He said that because of his confidence and trust in the team, he has his three children in the team.
Baptist then encouraged all parents to allow their children to join the Teenagers Buddy Team.
The gathering ended with a prize-giving ceremony and the handing over of files from outgoing chairman Fernandez David to incoming chairman Mark Lai. Sister Appolonia led the closing prayer.
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