More Than 1,000 Enter The Catholic Church In Sabah This Easter
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- A total number of 1,412 Elect (1,030 in Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese and 382 in Sandakan Diocese, no available data from Keningau Diocese) entered the Catholic Church in Sabah this Easter.
The Elect - adults and children - received the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and holy eucharist) either on Easter Vigil (April 11) or on Easter Sunday (April 12).
These adults and children began their journey one to two years ago when they enrolled in their parish's RCIA (for adults) or CIC (for children) programme.
Previously known as catechumens (adults seeking baptism) or candidates (adults baptized in another Christian faith but seeking full communion with the Catholic Church), they were known as Elect when they had their Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent
"Election" refers to the idea that God continues to choose people through the covenant of baptism, just as he established a covenant with his chosen people, Israel. The Rite of Election provides the opportunity for these names to be formally enrolled among God's chosen people.
From the Rite of Election, the Elect underwent three Scrutinies over the Lenten period - these rites helped them to examine their lives for temptation and for the community to pray that they be freed from these temptations and be protected as they continued onwards towards baptism.
After their baptism, they are now known as neophytes (newly baptized) for the whole duration of the Easter season and they will continue to wear their white baptismal garments to signify the new life they have received.
The breakdown of the number of neophytes is as follows:
Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese
Kota Kinabalu: 178, Inanam: 47, Kota Belud: 40, Kota Marudu: 60, Kudat: 17, Labuan: 64, Limbahau: 25, Papar: 40, Penampang: 242, Tanjung Aru: 58, Telipok: 15, Tuaran: 151, Menggatal: 31, Kepayan: 32, Total: 1,030.
Sandakan Diocese
Sandakan: 114, Lahad Datu: 160, Tawau: 50, Telupid: 58, Total: 382.
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Clergy Renew Their Priestly Commitment During Chrism Mass
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- The clergy of the three arch/dioceses renewed their commitment to priestly service during the Chrism Mass held in their respective dioceses recently.
The Kota Kinabalu clergy renewed theirs April 2 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Keningau clergy on March 24 at Katedral St Francis Xavier and the Sandakan clergy on March 27 at St Mary's Cathedral.
The arch/bishop concelebrates this Mass with all the priests of his arch/diocese to exemplify the communion of the priests with their arch/bishop.
This Mass emphasises the institution of the priesthood.
At the end of the homily, there is a general renewal of commitment to priestly service by both the arch/bishop and priests.
In the late sixties, in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council and as a reaction to the defection of so many priests, the ordained priesthood got more and more emphasis in this Mass.
In 1969 there was a circular letter of the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy in which the hope was expressed that on Holy Thursday every priest would renew the act of dedication to Christ and commemorate the solemn obligation he undertook at ordination.
On 6 March 1970, the text of the renewal of commitment was published and made part of this Mass, to be done after the homily.
In a moving dialogue between arch/bishop, priests and people, the priests promise to do their best to become more and more like Christ and to serve the people of God faithfully in their office as teachers, priests and shepherds.
Turning to the people, the arch/bishop exhorts them to accompany their priests with their prayers, and to pray also for him that he may be a faithful successor of the apostles.
It is during this Mass that the blessing of oils and consecrating of chrism take place.
Traditionally, the blessing of the Oil of the Sick occurs before the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, while the blessing of the other two comes after Communion of the Chrism Mass.
For pastoral reasons all three are blessed after the Liturgy of the Word.
Since the Mass of the Chrism is one of the main expressions of the fullness of the arch/bishop's priesthood and reveals the close unity of the priests with him, all the priests of the arch/diocese concelebrate with him.
How come the blessing of oils is done on Holy Thursday?
The reason is a purely practical one: the Easter Night, the great baptismal night, is fast approaching and there is need of holy oils for the baptism and confirmation during the Easter Vigil.
Hence the custom to bless the holy oils on Holy Thursday.
There is no direct relationship to the Eucharist, the other great mystery celebrated in the evening of this day.
That is why the new rite after Vatican II is very flexible in regard to the day of blessing; as Holy Thursday morning is difficult for the clergy and the people to assemble, it may be held on an earlier day near Easter and the texts of the Chrism Mass must be used.
Decisive is the nearness to Easter because there is a connection to the sacraments administered in that night.
And so the consecration of the chrism is another rite which makes us look forward to Easter and bonds Lent to the feast of the resurrection.
After the Mass, the oil brought by the faithful is blessed by the arch/bishop or his delegate.
Unctions with oil or other materials have been used throughout the centuries and are considered instruments for strengthening, beautifying and healing.
For Christians, their use symbolises the gift of special grace of the Holy Spirit, a source of spiritual energy and a procedure for consecration.
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Legionaries Renew Their Consecration To Mary
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Come March 25 and all members of the Legion of Mary (LOM) will have their Acies on the day itself or a day close thereto.
The Kota Kinabalu Chinese Curia, which has 13 senior praesidia and 4 junior praesidia, held their Acies March 22 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The Acies, a Latin word meaning "an army arranged in battle array," is appropriate to a ceremony in which the legionaries, old and young, active and auxiliary, assemble to renew their fealty to Mary, Queen of the Legion, and receive from her, strength and blessing for another year's battle with the forces of evil.
After reciting the prayers of the legion and the rosary, the members came forward to renew their consecration to Mary.
The ceremony ended with Benediction by Fr John Wong.
At the comitium level, the Acies was held March 28 at the Church of Mary Immaculate, Bukit Padang.
Comitium Spiritual Director Fr Alex Sipanul presided over the ceremony.
About 120 members - active and auxiliary - curia officers (KK English and Chinese, Inanam, Penampang, Tambunan, Beaufort, Keningau and Bingkor) as well as members from Labuan (although this is still a praesidium) took part in the event.
However, officers from Sandakan and Tawau Curiae were not able to attend.
The participants renewed their consecration to Mary either in English, Bahasa Malaysia or Kadazandusun.
The function ended with a fellowship meal at the church canteen.
The Acies is the central annual function of the Legion which was founded in Dublin Ireland in 1921 by Frank Duff.
It spread to Sabah (then North Borneo) in 1950 through Legionaries from Singapore with the encouragement of Bishop James Buis.
Fr Desmond McLindon did much to spread the LOM beginning at St Michael Penampang.
From there it soon spread to Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), Limbanak, Inobong, Inanam, Limbahau, Papar, Toboh and Tambunan.
Fr Georg Lampe took it to Tanjung Aru and Kepayan.
It also spread to Tuaran and Tenghilan, Kudat, Sandakan, Tawau and other places.
According to Clement Manson, one of the pioneer members of the LOM, the first curia was called North Borneo Curia.
He said it was mooted on 14 July 1955 which was spearheaded by Fr Francis Cowan with the blessing of Bishop Buis, who then appointed Fr Peter de Wit as the spiritual director of the curia.
On 7 Nov 1998 the KK (English) Curia was elevated to a Comitium, the third highest body in the Legion.
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KKAEC To Hold Seminar For BOGs
PENAMPANG(CS).- The Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Education Commission will be holding a seminar for all the mission schools' boards of governors April 23 (Thursday) at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
According to a statement from the commission, the seminar is for the benefit of all those who are involved in the management, administration and maintenance of Mission Schools in the archdiocese.
The statement dated March 26 and signed by Sr Rita Chew fsic, head of the Education Commission, says that all parish priests, chairmen and members of the boards of governors as well as all heads of Mission Schools are expected to attend the seminar.
It is hoped that this seminar will provide an opportunity for dialogue, interaction and exchange of ideas as well as to find ways to meet the challenges that confront the Mission Schools in the present times.
It is also hoped that the seminar will further define and restate the role, duties and responsibilities of the board of governors.
A registration fee of RM35.00 per head is required to defray cost and expenses and cheque payment can be made to RTDKK-Pax Education Commission.
Archbishop John Lee is expected to deliver the keynote address.
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KK Worship Commission To Hold Liturgy Formation And Introduction To GIRM
PENAMAPANG(CS).- The Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Commission on Worship will organise an archdiocesanwide liturgy formation and General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) July 1-4 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre.
In a circular dated March 26 addressed to all parish priests and parish liturgical committee chairmen, Archbishop John Lee explained the purpose of the event.
He explained that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has its GIRM with adaptations approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciplines of the Sacraments on 5 June 2008 and it came into effect on 1 Jan 2009 as the norm of celebrating the Eucharist in the region.
As such, he writes, there will be an archdiocesanwide formation of the liturgy focusing on the renewal of liturgical life and introduction to the revised GIRM.
Topics covered, the archbishop says, include (a) Theology of the Eucharist, (b) Spirituality of the Eucharist, (c) Celebration of the Eucharist, (d) Liturgical Ministries and (e) Introduction to GIRM.
The archdiocesan head notes that the main language for the inputs is in Bahasa Malaysia but handouts will be made available in English.
He also says that those who need to attend this formation are all priests and six representatives from each parish.
The representatives are: (a) chairman of the liturgical committee, (b) secretary of the liturgical committee, (c) Religious involved in liturgy,(d) head of the readers/commentators ministry, (e) head of the parish choir/music ministry and (f) head of the wardens/hospitality ministry.
He further says that parish priests and representatives need to do some legwork before the event.
Materials and a questionnaire will be sent to the parishes as preparation for this formation.
Priests, the archbishop continues, "are expected to sit down together with their parish representatives to go through these preparation materials."
He requests that the registration form and the questionnaire feedback be sent back to the commission by May 4.
Archbishop Lee also gives an instruction that all participants should come in suitable attire for all the Eucharistic celebrations.
One of the items in the preparation materials is a copy of the GIRM (available in English and BM) which the participants are expected to go through so that they can participate fully in the sessions during the formation.
The questionnaire touches on four aspects of parish liturgical life:
(1) two greatest strengths, (2) two greatest weaknesses, (3) names of the parish liturgical committee members and of the person-in-charge of the liturgical ministries available in the parish and (4) the frequency of the meeting of the liturgical committee members.
Answers to the questionnaire to be submitted to the Commission on Worship together with the completed registration form to Neil Mah by fax: 088-711222 or by email: neilcpc@gmail.com.
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Chinese FFF Organises Confirmands' Workshop
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Sacred Heart Chinese faith formation facilitators organised a confirmation workshop March 22 at the conference room above the cathedral chapel.
Thirty-eight candidates, teenagers studying in various Chinese schools around Kinabalu, took part in the workshop, an annual event, in the programme for candidates for the parish confirmation.
Aside from the two talks given, the participants were given an activity to perform to enhance their understanding of the sacrament.
Time was given for devotional activity such as the Way of the Cross at the Centenary Monuments after one of the facilitators explained its meaning.
Observing the situation, one question that came to mind was whether such traditional church activities have any meaning for these young people.
While the girls were quieter, the boys were paying scant attention to the speakers and chit-chatting away loudly.
There is no doubt that faith formation facilitators have to find other ways and means to reach these young people.
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SH SOCCOM Makes Field Trip To Tuaran
TUARAN(CS).- Members of the Sacred Heart Social Communication Committee, accompanied by the Commission members, made a field trip to St John Tuaran Feb 28.
Although it was set up two years ago in the cathedral parish, it is only beginning to understand its role and functions in the parish under new leadership.
The field trip to Tuaran parish was one way of acquainting the members on how it can function in a parish, given the support of the parish community.
Fr Nicholas Stephen kindly took time out to show the ropes to the visitors.
He explained its organisation and the various activities undertaken by the committee.
He also showed them his own web blog which he started when he was studying in Rome.
He said it has helped those who visited it and he was both amused and challenged by the comments - both positive and negative - of the surfers.
The trip was an eye-opener to the visitors.
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SHC Organises Seminar For EMCs
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Seventy-four Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs) attended a seminar based on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei March 24 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.
The participants were not only from the cathedral parish itself and its subparish of Mary Immaculate but also from Stella Maris Tg Aru.
Neil Mah of the Worship (Liturgy) Commission facilitated the seminar.
The session focused not only the theological aspect of the ministry but more so on its practical aspects such as the conduct and demeanor of the ministers, their attire, the proper way of opening the tabernacle and distributing communion in church as well as to those who are sick in the hospital and the homebound.
Members, he said, are appointed yearly by the archbishop and commissioned on Holy Thursday.
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CWL Organises Training Seminar For Office Bearers
PENAMPANG(CS).- The Catholic Women's League Commission (CWLC) organised a one-day training seminar March 7 at the Catholic Diocesan Centre here.
Two hundred main office bearers from the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese turned up for the seminar.
CWLC Spiritual Advisor Archbishop John Lee gave the the opening address, exhorting them to build up their prayer life so that they will be able to fulfill their role well as committed leaders who are able to work well with each other.
Sessions given were Role of CWL in the Parish and Archdiocese (Sr Dariah Ajap fsic), Responsibilities and Functions of Chairpersons and Assistant Chairpersons, Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries (Susan Shee), and Responsibilities and Functions of Treasurers and Assist Treasurers (Rosalind Lohindun).
CWL Commission Head Anita Tunggolou moderated the open forum after the talks.
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Maktab Nasional Does It Again - 100 % Passes In 2008 SPM
LIKAS(CS).- Maktab Nasional did it again - it maintained 100 percent passes in the 2008 SPM examination.
Dexter Lee is the archdiocesan private school's top student with 10 straight A1s.
The other achievers are Karen Lui with nine A1s and two A2s; Jeremie Tan, eight As, two Bs; Kimbely Liaw, eight As, two Bs and Arthur Ong, six As, three Bs and one C.
Subjects which scored 100 percent passes were Bahasa Melayu, English, English 1119c, Mathematics, Science, English Literature, Art, P Account, Commerce, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and EST.
The private school has always stressed the importance of self-reliance, awareness, discipline, conscientious and determination to excel in studies while giving emphasis to character formation and ensure that students are motivated by right values and positive attitude towards life.
Principal Michael B Baikan expressed his appreciation and thanks to all the teachers who had shown their commitment, dedication and giving of personal attention, love and care to each student.
He also wished to congratulate the parents who had given cooperation, dedication and support to the school in monitoring their children's studies.
Parents, he said, are "our co-partners" in achieving academic endurance. Without their support and encouragement our students would not be able to shine, he added.
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St Simon Likas Holds Second DW
LIKAS(CS).- St Simon Likas had a second Discernment Weekend (DW2) Feb 13-14 at the Montfort Youth Training Centre with the theme Let the Journeying Together Move On.
Twenty church leaders including the two seminarians and their pastor Fr Cosmas Lee took part in the event.
Their journey began on 1 June 2008 when the church community welcomed Lee as their first pastor to begin the process of becoming a parish.
While keeping the whole flock and ministries in view, the participants chose as their initial focus the building of a "Christ-centred communion of caring leaders pasturing our people towards the vision of our archdiocese in the spirit of Jesus our Good Shepherd."
They agreed that the journey can be difficult at times, especially when it is bogged down by unnecessary baggage.
Therefore, they felt it is wise to let go of all that hinder the progress through prayer, reconciliation and responsible relationships and to refill with the essentials of faith, hope, love, the Eucharist and the Word of God.
As a positive means to remind each other and all leaders of their commitment, the participants crafted a covenant during this DW2 retreat, which they pledged during Mass.
What was the overall experience of the DW2 - especially on Feb 14, Valentine's Day - for them?
"We feel God's loving presence flowing through each one as we continue to journey together in faith, hope and love through green pastures and dark valleys, beside peaceful waters and up rugged mountains," they said.
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Sandakan CWA Holds Third Pro-tem Meeting
SANDAKAN(CS).- Twenty-seven members of the Diocesan Catholic Women's Apostolate (CWA) from the four parishes gathered at the Diocesan Conference Room, Church Hill Road, to attend their third pro-tem meeting March 21.
In his welcoming address, Bishop Julius Gitom expressed his appreciation to the women who took time to attend the meeting.
He reminded the members of their role in evangelisation wherever they are and wherever they serve at the different levels.
He expressed his hope that the members will give due attention to the drafting of the guidelines by reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of their ministry, their needs and to be line with the PPC Constitution.
The bishop proposed that a separate committee be established to study and prepare the draft and thereafter to table it for further discussion.
Pro-tem chairperson Anne Rokneh Jailani chaired the meeting proper.
She expressed the members' appreciation of the bishop's presence, followed by members' reports from the parishes: Evelyn Watson (Lahad Datu), Nora Nicholas (Telupid), Catherine Chung (Tawau) and Jailani (Sandakan).
The subcommittee for the study of the proposed guidelines was then set up, headed by Sr Lilian with Sr Appolonia, Jailani, Watson, Cecilia D'Souza, Dora Ho, Ferdee and Nonita Miles as members.
The subcommittee will forward the draft to the bishop for endorsement before its implementation.
The biennial general meeting at parish-level will be as follows: Tawau May 16, Telupid June 13, Lahad Datu July 25 and Sandakan Aug 30.
The BGM at diocesan-level will be Sept 5 at St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan at 9:00 am.
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St Mary Holds Vocation Awarenss Session For Youth
SANDAKAN(CS).- St Mary's Cathedral held a faith formation seminar and vocation awareness for its youth March 14 at the parish hall.
The seminar, organised by Franciscan Sisters Appolonia, Lilian and Liliana, assisted by 12 youth, was based on the theme: What are you looking for? Come and see (Jn 1:38-39).
Sister-in-charge Appolonia said the theme was chosen because it was one of the most thought-provoking question for all peoples.
It is, she said, in fact a 'call' story, the purpose of which is to arouse in our hearts the question of what we are seeking in life and to elicit a response to it.
The seminar, she added, was a primary platform in which to "till the soil, plant the seed and nurture the young" in terms of their own vocational calling.
More than 200 participants from the cathedral parish and its subparishes of St Mark Mile 12, St Paul Ulu Dusun, Our Lady of Fatima Beluran, St Emmanuel Jaya Bakti and St Peter Sg Manila turned up for the event.
Novice Formator Sr Calista, Sr Tauria of Tawau and six novices were on hand to help out in the seminar.
Assistant pastor Fr Paul Lo delivered the first session: What are you looking for?
He emphasised that putting Christ at the centre of our life is the prerequisite for Christian growth in joy and peace.
He also shared his own vocation story and urged the participants to discern their own vocational calling which can be seen through a consistent prayer life, active involvement in ministry and a liking for the religious way of life.
The Franciscan novices then introduced a group dynamic to enable to participants to know each other better.
The third session on self-knowledge was given by Sr Calista. She focused on the dignity of the human person and the worth of the human body.
This was followed by the six novices who took turns to share their stories and their experiences of novitiate life.
After lunch, the participants viewed a LCD presentation on the life of St Francis of Assisi and his response to the Lord's calling.
Pastor Fr Thomas Makajil focused his talk on My Dreams.
"We have dreams - big and noble," he said.
But whatever dreams we have need to be guided by the Holy Spirit so that they will come to fruition, he said.
He urged the participants to deepen their faith and to uphold their Christian identity and values at all time.
In the last activity, the participants were divided into groups to pen down their commitments to the Lord. These were presented to the Lord in the concluding rite.
The day ended with a fellowship dinner for all at the convent which was also graced by Bishop Julius Gitom.
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DFC Organises Training Session On Accounting
SANDAKAN (CS).- The Sandakan Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) under Henry Wong organised a training session on Arkiv Accounting System for all parish finance personnel March 18-19 at the Diocesan Meeting Room, Church Hill Road.
The objective of the programme was to establish a common and standard diocesan accounting and financial reporting system for the parishes.
Miss Liew of Arkiv Computing Sdn Bhd facilitated the two-day programme which was attended by finance personnel from Holy Trinity Tawau, St Mary Sandakan and St Dominic Lahad Datu.
Diocesan Financial Administrator Sharon Ho also gave a helping hand in the programme.
Ho said that the Arkiv Accounting System has been in use in Sandakan for the past 10 years and is now being used at the Diocesan Finance Office.
However, Lahad Datu is using the UBS Accounting System while Tawau is doing it manually.
"The programme is beneficial and I am eager to implement it in my parish. However, I need a little more time to really get used to the system," said Sebastian Francis of Lahad Datu.
The programme included an introduction, hands-on experience in using the software and the format which gave the participants a better understanding of the system which can be shared and made accessible in the Internet through appointed authorised personnel.
With such facility in place, the financial reporting system can be more systematic and be sent easily.
Further courses at different stages on the programme will be conducted from time to time to ensure that all parish finance personnel will have a strong grasp of the system.
St Martin Telupid will send its personnel to the next course.
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Sandakan Holds Briefing Session For Timorese Community
SANDAKAN (CS).- About 120 members of the Timorese Catholic Community of St Mary Sandakan attended a briefing by Ms Tumiur Harianja, the coordinator of the Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers (CIMW), Jakarta at St Mark's Church, Mile 12, Labuk Road.
The CIMW is a non-governmental organisation for migrant workers who are being deprived in the process of development.
The briefing touched on current issues and problems faced by the migrant workers and the proper channel to voice their predicaments.
The event was facilitated by St Mary in collaboration with the pastoral committee of St Mark.
Through this awareness forum, the community decided to form an ad-hoc committee to look into the welfare of the community as well as a channel for the Church to reach out to them.
The concern for the migrant workers is very much in line with John 11:52: And not for that nation only but that also he should gather together into one the children of God scattered abroad."
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Neo-catechumenal Way Finds Its Way To Tawau
TAWAU(CS).- Three couples from the Neo-catechumenal communities of Kepayan, Tuaran and Kota Kinabalu gave a series of talks to around 90 parishioners of Holy Trinity Tawau in February and March.
Freddy and Celestina of Kepayan said the main purpose of their visit to Tawau was to help the parishioners deepen their faith by guiding them to reflect on their relationship with God.
They went there at the invitation of the pastor who felt that they would be of help to strengthen the parishioners' prayer life and in the formation of small parish communities in line with the development of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).
The participants felt the talks had been useful in helping them spiritually.
The talks ended with a presentation of the Bible to the participants and a three-day retreat.
The team had been to Lahad Datu before and there are now two communities there.
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Producer Tells How "Cahaya" Came About
PENAMPANG (CS).- A local producer of a Christian song album Cahaya would like to share his story with CS readers how on the production came about.
Hello, my name is Clarence George Dol and I am from Ranau.
In January 2009, my family and I produced a Christian song album entitled "Cahaya" which we have distributed to many churches around here and also to relatives and friends.
It hasn't been free flowing all the time as there were some Christians who refused to accept us.
I am confident that God has a special message that He would like to convey towards His people by means of this CD.
I can feel that God wants to focus His love on our young people through this service. This album is meant for them - children, teenagers and young adults.
I sense that our Blessed Lord is preparing our youngsters for something bigger in the near future.
I am aware of the challenges and temptations that are preventing everybody from doing God's will in this day and age.
People, especially the younger generations, are living in an open world. Access to evil is at one's fingertips.
This CD, sung by kids, is one way to counter the ungodliness and to divert the kid's attention to Christ.
Evil is everywhere, planting seeds of its own, so that trees of evil are grown to produce fruits of evil.
We must do something to counteract this.
I grew up in a small village in Ranau. My mother was a single parent since Daddy left us when we were still very young. I never thought much about God as I found religion to be old and boring.
Nobody really approached me to share with me what it really meant to be a Christian. I did not take the Church seriously.
It was only in Form 6 when some classmates brought up the issue of baptism that I started to think seriously about church to avoid being ridiculed.
But it started from there. The next few years saw me attending IKD, being baptised and receiving my first Holy Communion.
From there I thirsted for more and wanted to know even more.
However, after a while, with no firm background in the faith in my younger years, I fell into sin.
Parties, drinking, sex, cheating at work, hatred, envy, jealousy, greed. Those were all I knew for the next few years.
Not surprisingly this reckless life took its toll on me.
At this time I was starting to face constant problems concerning health and financial matters.
I began asking myself what might God's plan be for my life?
I had made some bad decisions in many instances and these have burdened me with sickness and debts till today.
But these afflictions, I later found out, are just some ways of keeping me humble.
One thing now that really touches me is this: I really did seek to know God's plan in my life.
The songs I wrote would end up in some stacks of books on a dusty old shelf in my room. My effort to record the album on my own was futile.
But when we got the children to sing for the album, everything went smoothly.
It was then that I understood God's plan for me is to prepare His little children for the future. He has something special for the children of this nation.
The three sisters are Shera Laura Lucius, 14; Sarah Lounira Lucius, 12; and Sandra Leonora Lucius, 10.
The CD consists of 10 songs: Cahaya (sung by Sarah), More than Sparrows (Shera), Yesus NamaNya (Sandra), KasihMu Tuhan (Sandra), Let's Follow Jesus (Sarah & Sandra), More than a Thousand Words (Sarah), Money and Fame (Shera), Promise You Can't Keep (Sandra), Oi Jesusku (Shera) and Love (Shera & Sarah).
Some of the songs like Cahaya, More than Sparrows, Let's Follow Jesus and Promise You Can't Keep are about life, trials, weaknesses, hopes and keeping the faith.
Songs of devotion to our Blessed Lord are More than A Thousand Words, Money and Fame and Oi Jesusku.
Yesus NamaNya and KasihMu Tuhan are songs for Lent and Easter.
The last song, Love, is based on 1 Corinthians 13.
The proceeds from the sales of the CDs are meant to pay back the loan we've acquired for recording, production and printing of the album. The rest will be donated to those in need.
With our limited budget we were only able to produce 200 pieces of the CD. For any future development we leave that to God's grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, I ask for your support for this project by purchasing a copy and distributing it around.
You may contact the Daughters of St Paul at 088-239932 for a copy at RM25.00 each.
I sincerely hope you will find peace and hope from the messages of the songs that I wrote.
I can see the hand of our Blessed Lord reaching out to His beloved people.
He is determined to prepare the next generation for something great. We are merely instruments in His endeavour to carry out Christ's mission.
May God bless all of us and especially all who are serving Him.
For further details, you may contact me at clarence_gd@yahoo.com.
Credits:
Songs & Music Composition: Clarence George Dol
Graphic Design: Ray Hilary Benedict Yasin Dangi
Photography: Steve Benedict Yasin Dangi
Music Arrangement: Mark Paul Bakin
Mixed and Mastered: Borneo Tunes Production
Recording: Milestones Studio, Luyang
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SHCPPC Organises Orientation For Faith Formation Facilitators
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council (SHCPPC) organised an orientation for faith formation facilitators March 9 at the parish centre.
The organisers were pleased with the turnout of around 200 participants from the cathedral parish and its subparish of Mary Immaculate who are involved in faith formation ministries (Sunday School, RCIA, CIC) and group leaders who did not attend the 2008 Discernment Weekend.
The orientation began with the enthronement of the Bible by Deacon Rayner Bisius followed by an opening address from Msgr Primus Jouil.
Inputs were given by PPC Chairman Dr Damian Lee and Anthony Lim.
Lee gave the rationale for the orientation:
1) A parish-level resolution was consensually adopted on the definition and scope for the parish faith formation from the discernment weekend.
However, many faith formation facilitators were not there to take ownership of the resolution.
2) To ensure that all faith formation groups are aware, know, understand and informed of this new defining chapter of the fatih formation process in the parish.
3) It is imperative for all faith formation groups to be in communion with each other so that all can, should, must and will share a common vision and mission on faith formation with no one group superior to the others.
4) There is unity in vision, mission and action.
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, Lee said faith formation or educating in the Catholic faith, in discipleship and in witness means helping each other to "enter into a living relationship with Christ and with the Father."
Lim took this definition up and explained further.
He said there are three key elements of faith formation:
a) Faith formation covers all aspects of evangelisation - preaching and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
b) Faith formation involves the all important aspect of discipleship - ongoing process of formation to maturity in Christ.
c) The core aim of faith formation is "entering into a living relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father."
Quoting Pope Paul VI, Lim said evangelisation consists in
- preaching and teaching
- being a channel of the gift of grace
- reconciling sinners with God and
- perpetuating Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, the memorial of his death and resurrection.
Lim also quoted Pope John Paul II: Mission (evangelisation) is an issue of faith, an accurate indicator of our faith in Christ and his love for us (Redemptoris Mission # 11) and Faith is strengthened when it is given to others (RM # 2).
A good gauge of the effectiveness of our faith formation programmes, Lim continued, quoting Paul VI again, is whether those being evangelised, do in turn, reach out to evangelise others.
Lim stressed that while evangelisation cannot be new in its content (Good News of Jesus) it should be new in its ardour, methods and expressions, with new energy and in a style and language adapted to the needs of the people of today (cfr John Paul II).
Lim emphasised that the Holy Spirit is the "principal agent of evangelisation" (RM # 21) for without Him our efforts will fail.
Touching on discipleship, Lim said before we can be evangelisers, we need to be evangelised first since our faith is "often exposed to secularism and atheism...runs the risk of perishing from suffocation or starvation if it is not fed and sustained each day" (cf Evangelii Nuntiandi # 15).
At the heart of faith formation is the task of bringing or helping people into a "living relationship with Christ and the Father," Lim said.
This relationship is vital because only this can bring about genuine conversion and transformation in our lives, Lim continued.
Lim warned his listeners that "we cannot give what we do not have" and hence, the need for all to commit all energies and resources into this work of faith formation as it is the underpining of all other aspects of church life.
Following the inputs the participants were divided into small groups for discussion on practical ways on:
1) how to build up relationship/discipleship with Jesus on a personal level;
2) helping others (students, parishioners) to become disciples and evangelisers; and
3) improving the implementation of the faith formation process in the parish.
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Archbishop Grants Approval For OCDS To Be Canonically Erected
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Members of the Secular Carmelite Order (OCDS) are happy that at last their group has been granted approval by the archbishop to be canonically erected recently.
When Carmelite Father Aloysius Deeney, General Delegate to the OCDS, went to see Archbishop John Lee at his office at the Catholic Diocesan Centre Penampang Feb 26, he was pleasantly surprised when the archbishop granted approval for the order to be canonically erected in the archdiocese in response to his request.
So on March 1, Deeney officiated the Rite of Erection at the OCDS Centre on the slope below the Carmelite Monastery (going down to Initiation Year Formation House).
He read the decree of Father General in granting the community its canonical status and standing in the OCD family.
Deeney remarked that the community now has a "full driving license" and would henceforth manage its own affairs while undergoing continuous formation.
One of the members, Justin Paujik, took his Definitive Promise at the same time. With this, there are now seven full-fledged members.
To mark the historical occasion, there was election of new councillors for a three-year term by the seven full and five temporary members.
Elected were Celestina Kinajil-Jinu (president), Justin Paujik, Thasius Joeman and Stephen Lai ( councillors), Stephen Kutai (alternate councillor) and Matthew Liow (formator).
The council then appointed Catherine Wan as secretary, Jacinta Chai as assistant secretary and Angeline Mojigoh as treasurer.
The evening continued with a fellowship meal with invited guests and concluded with a presentation of OCDS Malaysia: If We Hold On Together and the OCDS Phil Formation Program, Aspirancy (adapted by OCDS Kota Kinabalu).
In his address, Deeney informed the members that in fact, in 2001 when then Bishop Lee went to Rome for the Synod of Bishops (Sept 30-Oct 27), he looked for Deeney and expressed his concern for the formation of the nucleus group which had gathered together since 1995.
In June 1998 this group had written to Bishop Lee to ask permission to form a lay group.
On 8 July 1998 during the visit of Carmelite Father General Camilo Maccise and Father Definitor Charles Serrao, Maccise gave his provisional approval for the group to be established.
In October 2002, Carmelite Father Dominic Vas accepted six members (Matthew Liow, Magdalene Liow, Thasius Joeman, Florence Chen, Justin Paujik and James Tiking) into the novitiate during the morning Mass.
Later Celestina Jinu, William Pain, Catherine Pain and Alexander Wong also entered the novitiate.
In 2003, Deeney started coming to KK for his pastoral visits, giving formation to the members.
These 10 novices took their First Promise on 31 July 2004, officiated by Deeney.
On 28 July 2007, Matthew and Magdalene Liow, Thomas and Catherine Pain, Celestina Jinu and Thasius Joeman took their definitive promise while Florence Chen, Justin Paujik and Alexander Wong renewed their promise.
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Space Constraint Fails To Dampen Charity Carnival Spirit
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Space constraint failed to dampen the spirit of enthusiasm that prevailed at the charity carnival and bazaar organised by the Ex-Franciscans' Association (1998)[EFA] March 8 at the St Francis Convent Secondary School premises.
From 8:00 am to 2:00 pm a constant flow of people - present students, exfranciscans and general members of the public - thronged the premises located between Carmel Hill and Jalan Kebajikan (formerly Harrington Road).
Despite trepidation over holding the event at the present school premises, EFA was determined to push the venue as the ideal place for the carnival and bazaar.
Many whom they had approached to sell the coupons expressed fear of the traffic congestion that they would have to face by going to the school for the event.
However, with the assistance of the traffic police, there was minimal congestion.
The secondary school blocks were built in 1959 and that day, many saw the real condition of the school with the deteriorating classrooms, windows, tables, chairs, hall and canteen. It was indeed a pitiful sight.
Outside the school premises, a normal day would have seen cars and trucks racing down the road the school faces.
Due to its location near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, no speed bumps can be erected on the road outside the school as it is a route taken by the ambulances.
The objective of the carnival and bazaar was to raise funds for the new secondary school building fund.
Hundred percent of the nett proceeds will be given to the fund raising committee for the building fund.
The main expense would be the 30 percent share to be paid to the stall/booth operators.
Stall/booth operators were generally the present students and exfranciscans gathered in their years. However, many of the exfranciscans running a stall or booth have indicated that they would not be taking their alloted shares.
There were clowns, cotton candy, popcorn, face painting and helium balloons, as well as games such as hole-o-rama, bowling can, balloon attack and haunted houses.
Foodies had roast lamb, homemade jams, pastries, cupcakes, puddings and ice-cream.
There were also nasi lemak, mutton curry, roast chicken, sambal ikan bilis, chicken porridge, burgers, spaghetti as well as bubur chacha, bubur kacang, chocolate-covered mashmallows, coconut candy, waffles and apple crumble.
At press time, a spokesperson told Catholic Sabah that a total of RM81,000.00 has been collected from coupon sales. RM100,000 worth of coupons had been printed.
She said donations are still coming into the Project Account - which will have to be closed within a month as the accounts have to be submitted to the JKM by then.
The association has undertaken this task with the strong support from Principal Mrs Pang Shat Moi and her staff.
Without them, the task would not have not so successful.
This is because the association has very few members and their efforts over the years to boost its membership have not been met with great enthusiasm.
The present executive committee is determined to hear views from all exfranciscans with the objective of ascertaining as to why the response to the association has been lukewarm.
The founder of the association is Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad who formed the alumni in 1984.
The association underwent a period of inactivity in the 1990s and was revived as EFA in 1998.
Being one of the oldest schools in School, having existed since 1923, one would have thought the thousands who had gone through the school would be pleased to become alumni members.
Sad to say, current membership roll sees less than 400 members.
In the bid to seek an appointment to make a presentation to the Minister of Education on the current dilapidated status of the secondary school, the executive committee met with the minister himself, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin sometime in January 2008.
However, when the minister asked them where they were from and whether the alumni was a strong one, they were unable to confirm it.
The association faces a lot of expectation from parents, teachers and the board of management to be a strong support and even lead the fundraising drive for the new school.
With so few members, it is very much a misplaced expectation.
So the present executive committee is making an appeal to all exfranciscans to come forward firstly, to be a member and not to be afraid of what may be asked of them - they need only to just stand up and be counted first.
Secondly, to go to the ex-co with ideas on how the association can rise up to the challenge and meet the expectation of so many people.
Those interested may visit the website: www.exfranciscans.org for further information.
The association thanked all donors - individuals, groups and companies - and all sponsors of the lucky draws as well as the principal and school staff for their support.
EFA was pleased to share that 23 had signed up as new members and two members became life members on the day of the bazaar.
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Sandakan Parish Holds First Assembly Of Faithful
SANDAKAN(CS).- St Mary's Cathedral Parish held its first Assembly of Faithful Feb 28 at the parish hall.
Around 250 participants took part in the half-day assembly which ended with lunch.
The assembly was to kick-start the nomination and selection of candidates for the Parish Pastoral Council.
Most of the subparishes also sent representatives to the gathering.
Since the diocese adopted a new selection process, the assembly started with a series of talks.
The talks centred on the mission of the Church, the role of the laity and the selection process.
Both Parish Priest Fr Thomas Makajil and his assistant Fr Paul Lo attended the assembly and gave talks.
Bishop Julius Gitom was present and gave the opening address.
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