Tuaran Hosts WDCL Celebration
TUARAN(CS Online).- St John Tuaran hosted this year's celebration of World Day of Consecrated Life (WDCL) February 1.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the Mass which was concelebrated with parish priest Fr Nicholas Stephen and his assistant Fr Thomas Madanan, assisted by Deacon Rayner Bisius.
In his address to the Religious present, the archbishop said it was good to celebrate the day with the faithful but questioned whether the Religious themselves were celebrating their day with joy over what the Lord has done for and through them.
After the homily, all the Religious present renewed their commitment of service to the archdiocese.
They took active part in the liturgy by serving as lectors, choir members and gift-bearers during the Presentation of Gifts.
Among those in the congregation were many young National Service trainees.
A fellowship lunch at the parish hall below the rectory cum parish office followed after the Mass.
The Religious who came for the celebration were Mill Hill Brother Ben Snoeren (lone representative), La Salle Brother Charles O'Leary (another lone representative), Gabrielite Brothers Francis Chua and Peter Kolaidasamy, two Daughters of St Paul, two Good Shepherd Sisters and several Franciscan Sisters.
To prepare themselves for the annual event, the Religious held a triduum Jan 29-31 at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, St John Tuaran, where they took turns to animate the thematic sessions: Relevance of Religious Life Today (Jan 29), Mission of Religious Life (Jan 30) and Perseverance in Religious Life (Jan 31).
Two weekends before the celebration, the Religious also went to the different outstations of Tuaran to hold awareness sessions for the faithful.
Normally celebrated on Feb 2, feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Council of Religious (COR) decided to observe the celebration this year on Sunday Feb 1 so that more lay people could participate in the celebration.
In his speech Feb 1, COR chairman Br Francis Chua said he was happy with the supportive attitude of Tuaran Parish which had made the celebration more meaningful.
Insituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997, the late pope said the World Day for Consecrated Life offers the Church the opportunity to thank God for the gift of consecrated life, to promote knowledge of the life, to invite consecrated people to celebrate what the Lord has accomplished in them, and to acquire more awareness of their mission in the Church and in the world.
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Archbishop Lee's Lenten Message Focuses On The Conversion And Transformation That Take Place After An Encounter With Jesus
PENAMPANG(CS Online).- In his Lenten Message released Feb 12, Archbishop John Lee focused on the conversion and transformation that take place after an encounter with Jesus.
He noted what Benedict XVI has singled out on the meaning of fasting. The pope, he said, "challenges us to fast not for the sake of fulfilling an external rite but from a heart which is converted by an encounter with Jesus."
St Paul, he continued, after his conversion, did not take any food for three days, "being overwhelmed by the forgiving love of Jesus" and his outlook of life was "radically transformed."
Likewise, the archbishop said, when we encounter our Lord on the road to our own "Damascus," we, too, can be transformed into a new person.
"Our hearts would be convicted, our priorities altered, our anxieties and fears gone. Peace, joy and love would reign in us. Material needs and wants would become secondary. In fact, we would begin to see the excess in the little we have. This is where almsgiving takes its deep meaning. We give because we feel enriched by our encounter with Jesus," the archbishop explained.
The prelate observed that the world is "tormented by the crisis of food" yet "studies have shown that there is enough food in the world for all if people opt to let go of material greed."
He said for Christians, the Beatitudes (cf Mt 5:3-12) "challenge us to opt for higher values in life. Our daily encounter with Jesus will convict us to share our resources, especially with the poor and downtrodden."
He ended his message with the hope that "our almsgiving be a manifestation of the conversion of our heart, a conversion that is caused by our encounter with Jesus through prayer and reflection on the Word.
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SHC Welcomes The Year Of The Ox
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- Sacred Heart Cathedral welcomed the year of the Ox on Jan 26 with more exuberance compared to last year when the first day of the Lunar New Year fell on Ash Wednesday itself.
The festive occasion was heightened by the rousing beat of 11 drums preceded by a graceful spring dance.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the Mass, concelebrated with Msgr Primus Jouil, Frs Tobias Chi, Johnny Raju, Michael Modoit, assisted by Deacon Rayner Bisius.
In his homily, the archbishop reminded the capacity-packed cathedral that the new year is a year for all to make greater efforts to walk the way of the Lord.
The ox, he emphasised, symbolised industriousness.
Various items such as pomelo, mandarin oranges, and kuaci, symbolising fruitfulness and prosperity, were presented along with the Bible, flowers, lighted candles as well as the gifts of bread and wine.
After Communion, the archbishop blessed eight and half basketfuls of mandarin oranges.
Then in line with the Chinese way of showing reverence, the clergy and faithful bowed three times before the altar followed by the faithful's bows toward the clergy and then toward each other.
The chairman of the Chinese community presented the clergy with angpows before the distribution of the oranges by the clergy to the faithful.
Later, the clergy and faithful watched the display by Yick Nam Lion Dance Troupe (four heads) followed by the display of the Nam Fong Unicorn Dance Troupe (two heads) in front of the parish centre.
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EFA (1998) CHARITY CARNIVAL & BAZAAR 2009
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- The Ex-Franciscans' Association (1998) or otherwise known as EFA is organizing a carnival and bazaar in aid of the St. Francis Convent Secondary School Building on Sunday, 8th March 2009 to be held at the Secondary School premises from 8am to 2pm.
The Association has obtained permission from the Chief Minister's Department under Permit Ref. No. JKM/HEDN&P 100-24/5/1/1 KLT.5/(187) to sell coupons and to seek donations from the public. EFA has also set up a dedicated project account for this fund-raising activity.
St. Francis Convent School was Sabah's first school for girls opened by the Franciscan nuns in 1923. Starting with two small classrooms and a handful of students, today the school comprises a kindergarten, a primary school and a secondary school.
From its earliest days, St. Francis Convent has been one of the leading educational establishments in the state showing a high academic record, in school and public examinations.
Its students were among the first women in the country to be awarded much-coveted overseas' scholarships for further education and training.
They returned to the country with academic and professional qualifications.
The present Secondary School buildings date back to the 1960s which have been through various extensions throughout the years. Today the physical capacity of the land has been exhausted and the condition of the buildings have deteriorated without any decrease in the number of students attending the School.
At present, the School is sustained by Government grants which stipulate for the money to be used on the present premises. Nevertheless, there are concurrent efforts to raise funds to re-site the Secondary School by its Board of Management.
The land on which the Secondary School will be relocated to have been identified in Bukit Padang and in fact preliminary earthworks have been completed.
However, further works have stopped due to lack of funds. Whilst the Building Committee has received some money from the Government, the sum received together with the contributions accumulated to date, fell short of the amount needed to proceed further.
The minimum required to enable the School to move to the new premises is RM7million and to date, some RM1.6m have been raised. The Building Committee under the Board of Management is headed by Ar. Peter Chin and the Fund-Raising Committee is headed by Ms Mary Kan-Kiob.
The Charity Carnival & Bazaar is part of the Ex-Franciscans' Association's effort to contribute towards the Secondary School Building Fund.
The Association is calling on all exfranciscans to join in this effort. Stalls or booths can be operated by exfranciscans and/or present students of the School. Registration forms can be obtained from the Association's website at www.exfranciscans.org or by request to President Feona Jinu (726797) / Vice-President Mazni Manjaji (249311) / Assistant Secretary Suzanah M A (249311). Closing date for registration for booths is 18.2.2009.
The Association is appealing for full public support for this fund-raising project. The Carnival & Bazaar Coupons are for sale at RM10 per booklet which comes with a lucky draw number.
For further details and ways to participate please call Feona Jinu (726797) / Mazni Manjaji (249311) / Suzanah M A (249311) or visit the website at www.exfranciscans.org.
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St John Tuaran Launches Year Of Re-evangelisation
SINALAPAK, TAMPARULI(CS).- In conjunction with the Pauline Year, St John Tuaran launched the Year of Re-Evangelisation (2009-2010) at St Paul's Chapel Sinalapak, Tamparuli Jan 25.
To mark the launching parish priest Fr Nicholas Stephen and Tuaran Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Wacky Taim unfurled the banners at the beginning of Mass.
Witnessing the event was Msgr Thomas Ivory of New Jersey USA, assistant parish priest Fr Thomas Madanan, the chairmen/representatives of the various zones, and a congregation of more than a 100 faithful, including some Franciscan, Pauline and Good Shepherd Sisters, and Seminarians Jeffri Gumu and Elvise Mourice.
The theme of the year launched is Living the Word and Culture in the Family.
In his homily, the presider explained the theme and the motto taken from 1 Corinthians 9:16: Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.
After Communion, the life of St Paul was shown through a powerpoint presentation to make him known to the faithful.
The presider then presented a banner, a CD on St Paul and a booklet on St Paul to the representatives of Tuaran, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Pukak, Topokon and Tenghilan so that they could make use of them during the year in their respective zones.
After the Mass, the faithful had a fellowship meal together before they dispersed.
CCKK Organises RCIA Seminar
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Taking advantage of the presence of well-known professor of catechetics in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese (on holiday here), the Catechetical Commission decided to organise a seminar on the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Jan 19-21 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre here.
Although it was at short notice, the organising committee was pleased with the attendance of more than 100 participants involved in RCIA and Sunday School from the different parishes (except Kota Marudu) in the archdiocese.
Although he was due to arrive Jan 18, Msgr Thomas Ivory of Newark Archdiocese, New Jersey, USA, could only touch down at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Jan 19.
However, Fr Nicholas Stephen, newly appointed Spiritual Advisor of the Catechetical Commission, stepped in to facilitate the session Jan 18.
Through the overhead projector, Ivory refreshed those present with a brief history of the adult catechumenate history, with Wacky Taim as translator for the BM-speaking participants.
He also gave tips for the catechumenate team how to prepare for each Sunday's session.
Time was alloted each night for questions from the floor so that doubts could be clarified and questions could be answered.
Born on 2 Aug 1938, Ivory was ordained to the diocesan priesthood on 23 May 1964.
During his 45 years of priestly ministry, Ivory has been blessed with a variety of pastoral experiences.
He has served in 10 different parishes, both in the Newark Archdiocese and in Europe.
He has been responsible for seminary formation at the American College, Leuven, Belgium, first as Spiritual Director and later as Rector (President).
He obtained his Doctorate in Theology and PhD in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Leuven, and was appointed Newark Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education from 1975 to 1985.
He represented the Newark Province on the Board of the National Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (NCDD, now NCCL) and was elected President of NCDD between 1983 and 1987.
Ivory, however, is no newcomer to East Malaysia.
His first visit to St Peter's College Kuching was from 7 Nov - 4 Dec 1987 where he spent nearly a month of his sabbatical training the seminarians (Bishop Julius Gitom's batch) and over 90 volunteer catechists of St Joseph's Cathedral Parish in field catechesis.
His next visit there was from 5-30 August 1991, (Fr Nick Stephen's batch).
On 3-6 July 2001, Ivory conducted a brief catechetical course at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre attended by more than 100 people including the bishop, clergy and religious.
He stayed in St John Tuaran during his holiday here in Sabah. Ivory left Sabah Jan 30.
SHCO Reaches Out To Pitas Flood Victims
PITAS(CS).- Eighteen volunteers of the Sacred Heart Charity Outreach (SHCO) delivered basic foodstuffs to 268 flood victims of five villages in Pitas Jan 30.
The relief operation was done with the help of local catechists at Bilangau Kecil.
Catechist Annie Murinting announced the names of the registered villagers from Bilangau Kecil, Bilangau Besar and Kg Salungkapit while Catechist Julius Mathius announced those from Kg Ladap and Kg Kiambalang.
Affected villagers from other denominations also received the packed goods.
A spokesperson for the outreach ministry told Catholic Sabah that the relief operation for Kota Marudu victims would be on Feb 4.
A total amount of RM11,204.45 was collected from Sacred Heart Cathedral and Church of Mary Immaculate parishioners Jan 18 which was spent on buying basic necessities for the victims.
SHC Chinese Community Celebrates Fr Wong's 10th Ordination Anniversary
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- With joy the Sacred Heart Cathedral Chinese Community celebrated the 10th presbyteral ordination anniversary of Fr John Wong with a dinner held at a local restaurant Jan 18.
Around 800 people took part in the celebration, including the honoree's mother and siblings who came all the way from Sandakan.
Young tambourine dancers led Archbishop John Lee and the honoree to their seats at the start of the dinner.
To mark the opening of the celebration, the archbishop, the honoree and Msgr Primus Jouil were invited to beat the three drums on stage.
At 75, the archbishop demonstrated that he has lost none of the skills he had learnt aeons ago from his father as a youngster.
Patrick Lee and his two companions picked up the drumming after the opening ceremony.
The dinner was cohosted by siblings Lance and Gene Yapp, children of well-known Chinese hostess Bernadette Sun.
In his speech, the archbishop said if a person brings honour to the family it is habitual to look at the person's parents.
So he thanked Madam Rose Chung for giving her son to serve in the Church as a priest.
The honoree's father had passed away in 1995.
Earlier, parish priest Msgr Primus Jouil expressed his gratitude to Wong for assisting him in looking after the spiritual welfare of the Chinese community in the cathedral.
While dinner was served, a short powerpoint presentation on the life of the honoree was screened.
Some parish groups and individuals then entertained the diners with dance and song performances, interspersed with three blessed draws.
The honoree's siblings also sang their theme song after Michael, the eldest brother, gave his speech, following that of the honoree's.
Born on 6 June 1968 in Sandakan, Wong is the seventh child in a brood of 11.
After SPM he worked for three and a half years as a salesman before entering the aspirancy in 1990 and went on to Kuching for his priestly formation in 1992.
He was ordained on 21 Jan 1999 in Sandakan by then Bishop Lee.
Upon his return from a licentiate course on spiritual theology in 2004, he was appointed to take charge of the formation of the aspirants at the Catholic Diocesan Centre in Penampang.
At the same time he would be assisting the parish priest of the cathedral to take care of the Chinese community there.
Sandakan Inaugurates DFC
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) was officially established on Jan 17 and held its inaugural meeting on the same day presided by Bishop Julius Gitom at the Diocese Meeting Room, Church Hill Road, Sandakan.
In his welcoming address, the bishop briefed the members that at the time of the erection, an ad hoc committee, headed by Anthony Wong, assisted by Henry Wong, John Liaw, Henry Solibun and Francis Tan, had successfully renovated the diocesan office, purchased the bishop's official vehicle and his temporary residence.
The committee had also upgraded the retreat centre at Mile 28, Labuk Road which is now operational and functional.
The committee, the bishop continued, had laid the foundation for the diocese to move on.
Having achieved its goals, the committee was dissolved last Oct 31.
The bishop commended the committee for a job well done in a short span of time.
With the dissolution of the ad hoc committee, and in accordance with the provisions of Can 492:1, there was a necessity to establish the Diocesan Finance Council to look into the proper administration of temporal goods for mission.
The bishop stressed that the roles and functions of the finance council are to complement the pastoral council in promoting the mission of the Church, just like in the Lord's time, when the apostles had a common fund for their mission.
During the meeting, John Liaw, a retired accountant, who is the bishop's financial consultant, briefed the members on the articles in the constitution of the finance council.
The diocesan head then announced the lineup of the members of the DFC appointed for a term of three years (2009-2012) effective Jan 17.
Below is the list of DFC members: Bishop Gitom (president), Fr Thomas Makajil (ex-officio), Henry Wong (chairman), Francis Tan (secretary), Dante Legada (member), Francis Anthony (member), Nicholas Chia (member), Jose James (member), Crispina Suibol (member) and Sharon Ho (financial administrator).
The executive committee responsible for affairs in between meetings comprises the bishop, the chairman and the secretary.
St Mary Sandakan Organises Seminar On Gospel Living
SANDAKAN(CS).- St Mary Sandakan organised a seminar on gospel living based on 1 Corinthians facilitated by Dr Jeffrey Goh of Kuching and his wife Angelina Lim Jan 9-11 at the parish hall.
Bishop Julius Gitom was pleased with the turn out and encouraged the 134 participants to make the most of the sessions given.
The sessions focused on the 10 main problems encountered by the Corinthians and related them to present-day situations.
Goh was no new comer to Sandakan as he had previously facilitated a seminar on the Eucharist in 2004 and on the Prodigal Son in 2005.
The seminar was one of the activities planned in the diocese in conjunction with the Pauline Year.
Vocation Seminar Nets 124 Participants
BUNDU TUHAN(CS).- A total of 124 young men from the three arch/dioceses responded to the call to attend the vocation seminar Jan 16-18 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre.
As is wont in such seminars, talks and sharings on vocation were given.
Father Erik Jerome, attached to St Peter's College Kuching, touched on the different kinds of vocation and the signs for them.
Deacon Ronnie Luni shared on how to spot the signs of vocation in one's own life.
He challenged the participants to ask themselves whether they feel called to the diocesan priesthood.
After each input, the participants took time to reflect on the input given.
Some of the seminarians were on hand to share their vocation stories and to share about their formation in the Kuching Seminary.
Slide shows, sing-along and games were designed to help the participants to know each other better.
Participants who were 20 years old and above were interviewed individually by the three priests present - Frs Michael Modoit (IY Director), Bonaventure Unting (Keningau Vocation Director) and John Wong (Aspirants Formator).
At the end of the seminar, 12 young men were accepted to enter the one-year aspirancy programme (English Year) at the Catholic Diocesan Centre Penampang.
The young men will enter Feb 3. Those accepted are:
KK Archdiocese: Christie Richard (Limbahau), Heronay Bin Sulorin (Papar), Hilary Rovelin (Penampang), Rayner M Umar (Kota Belud), Stanley Chew (Papar), Walter Ginsayu
keningau diocese: Alphonsus John (Toboh Tambunan), Belonny Lawrence (Keningau), Rockefeller J Guanbee (Bundu Kuala Penyu)
sandakan diocese: Alexander Edmand (Telupid), Dafrinn Diwol (Sandakan), Sulpicius Jikun (Sandakan), Warren Pierre Anun (Telupid)
St Simon Likas Starts Its First Sunday Morning Mass
LIKAS(CS).- St Simon Likas started its first Sunday morning Mass at 8:30 am on Jan 4, Solemnity of the Epiphany.
Its pastor, Fr Cosmas Lee, was happy with the turn-out and said he would continue it.
In his homily, the presider explained about the meaning of the solemnity based on the liturgical readings.
He said that like the magi, having met and adored the Christ-Child, one must return home by a different route, meaning that one's life must change for the better after encountering Christ.
Inclusive in this morning Mass is the Liturgy of the Word for Children.
The one for the evening Mass will continue as usual.
Before Mass ended, all the children present were called to pay their homage to the Christ-Child in the manger before being blessed by the presider.
After Mass most of the parishioners trooped to the parish hall for a simple breakfast while some parents went to register their children for Sunday School.
Quite a number of the children who had already registered went for an orientation facilitated by Good Shepherd Sr Teresa Chye.
Later, they would be divided into the different levels (First Communion, Confirmation, etc) of faith formation.
Right from the beginning of its existence as a chapel on 14 Nov 1984, an evening Mass was fixed for every Sunday at 5:00 pm.
Throughout the years, this evening Mass has been the last resort for the faithful who, for one reason or another, have not been able to go for morning Mass.
It still goes on.
Having no resident priest, it became a subparish of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
However, in May last year, then Bishop John Lee decided to separate its administration from the cathedral with the appointment of Fr Cosmas Lee as its priest-in-charge.
Between then and now, the church building and hall had undergone renovation befitting its new status.
The community has its first Penitential Service with Individual Confession last Dec 10.
Under the re-zoning of boundaries held Nov 17, St Simon has three zones with 348 families.
The zones are Zone 44 - Dah Yeh Villa (176 families), Zone 45 - Likas (109 families) and Zone 46 - Kingfisher (63 families).
This made it so much easier for the carollers to visit the families Dec 15-19 after their commissioning Dec 14.
After the commissioning the carollers took the opportunity to sing a few carols for the faithful.
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Bishop Gitom's Lunar New Year Message
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings and peace be with you all.
A season has gone by and now it is Chinese New Year. On this festive occasion, it provides a wonderful opportunity for people to let go of their entanglement in daily work to really reflect on the deeper aspects of life. Forget the bitter past, the pain and hurt. Have faith and move on. Resolve to have a new beginning. Chinese New Year reminds us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity.
Chinese New Year is a celebration of the family, a time to be reunited and reconnected with family members, relatives of extended families and friends. I am sure many of our faithful had returned from abroad to be with their families. I take this opportunity to welcome you home. It is in such a practice that family ties and kinship will be strengthened. The whole thrust is in building relationship which matters most in life.
Life is love. It is in loving that we are most like Him, so love is the foundation of every command He has given us, love others as you love yourself. For believers, the family is the cell of communion at the very foundation of society which is likened to a small domestic church called to reveal God's love to the world. Let this be a sacrament of light and truth to others around you, more so to the Church as a whole.
In this season of joyous celebration and in your merriment, let us not forget to give a thought to the poor and needy, the oppressed and the marginalised. "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did to one of these least brothers of mine, you did it for me." Thus we are obliged to be mindful of the precept of the Lord: to assist the poor from our own resources.
I wish all Chinese faithful a blessed, happy and prosperous Gong Xi Fa Cai.
I remain,
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom DD
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CMI Holds Thanksgiving Dinner In Leaking Canteen
LUYANG(CS, NST).- The parishioners of Church of Mary Immaculate in Bukit Padang Luyang had no choice but to hold their annual thanksgiving dinner in their leaking canteen Jan 11.
That is because they have yet to have a proper hall built for their church activities although the community has been in existence since 1993.
Incessant rain since late afternoon caused the church compound to be flooded, with water dripping down from the roof onto the canteen floor here and there.
Since the canteen is an open one, with strong wind blowing and flashes of lightning all around followed by thunder, some parishioners were affected to the point of screaming.
The event highlighted the dire need to have a proper hall built soon - as this happens not just once but every time when there are thunderstorms and heavy rain with strong winds.
Despite the adverse weather, the parishioners and guests managed to enjoy their time together, graced by the presence of Archbishop John Lee, the parish priests, Deacon Rayner Bisius and some religious sisters.
Games and blessed draws were organised as well.
There were no speeches in the first part as the rain made it difficult for everyone to hear.
Later when the rain slowed to a drizzle the parishioners were able to view a powerpoint presentation on church activities in 2007-2008.
Local dailies reported Jan 12 that the incessant rain caused several other low lying areas in Kota Kinabalu and its suburbs to suffer from flash floods.
Flooding was reported in Taman Tai Tet and Dah Yeh Villa areas near Tshung Tshin School, while stretches of Jalan Tuaran, Jalan Sang Kancil as well as between Inanam and Telipok were also hit.
There were traffic snarls in most areas.
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SHC Organises Annual Dinner For Parish Workers
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Cathedral organised its annual thanksgiving dinner for those who had served the faithful in their various ministries/groups/communities at the parish centre Jan 4.
In his address to the faithful, Archbishop John Lee reminded the people to work together to build up the parish community.
In his turn, parish priest Msgr Primus Jouil thanked all those who have served in the parish during the past year and encouraged them to continue doing so in the year ahead.
Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Dr Damian Lee reminded the parishioners of the three parish pastoral priorities (PPP) on faith formation, family issues and networking. He urged all the different groups/ministries/communities to work together to realise the parish priorities.
After food was served at different stations, the people were entertained by the different groups/communities in song and dance, interspersed with blessed draws.
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Teenage Club Bids Farewell To Franciscan Sr Angela
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Teenager Buddy Club of St Mary Sandakan organised a party to bid farewell to Franciscan Junior Sr Angela Onat Jan 1 at the parish hall.
The junior, who hails from Labuan, has been transferred to Keningau Diocese.
Onat was posted to St Mary early January 2007 for her pastoral exposure.
She was appointed chief coordinator of the catechetical ministry and of the parish youth team.
The junior involved herself in the RCIA and Sunday School.
She was actively involved in organising activities for the teenagers, carolling during the Advent Season and was part of the outstation mission programme.
In her farewell address, the junior said her short exposure in Sandakan was "fruitful and enriching."
Recalling her involvement in the catechetical and youth ministries, she said she was "impressed to meet vibrant people and proud of their firm faith."
Likewise, she said, she was encouraged by the enthusiasm and affection shown by the faithful and expressed the hope to return to "beautiful Sandakan" one day.
Earlier on Dec 31, the Men's Sharing Group also hosted a farewell party for Onat.
The group's spokesman, Frederick Chu, said Onat has been a "role model" for the young people for she not only "teaches the young about the faith but lives the faith as well..."
Onat is replaced by Sr Liliana Gupod of St Joseph Penampang.
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JWG Holds Christmas Party
TANJUNG ARU(CS).- Although the Joyful Weekend Gathering (JWG=Sunday School) Bible class closed on Nov 9, the students and teachers held a Christmas gathering Dec 5 at the home of teacher Anita Gimfil.
During the gathering the class sang Christmas carols, danced and exchanged gifts.
The students surprised the teachers with their cooking and baking talents.
The gathering had the objective of strengthening the bond of friendship among the students and with the teachers.
This is important as the Form 5 students will not be in the Bible class in 2009 and Form 4 students may not have the time to attend class regularly.
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SHC Holds Carols By Candlelight
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Cathedral held its annual carols by candlelight Dec 23 in front of the parish centre.
Unlike last year, there were no individual groups or carollers to lead in the singing of carols.
Instead, all present sang together the carols in English, BM and Chinese, interspersed with the reading of the nativity narratives.
Msgr Primus Jouil gave a short welcoming address and then led the opening prayer.
Deacon Rayner Bisius proclaimed the Word while the breaking of the Word was given in English by Jouil, in BM by Fr Michael Modoit and in Hakka by Fr Cosmas Lee.
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