Participants Challenged On Their Understanding Of The Family
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- More than 200 participants of the first Our Family: God's Masterpiece conference were challenged on their understanding of the family June 6 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.
Dr Pauline Wong issued the challenge in the first session of the conference.
She said since the love of God is invisible the family is the visible expression nearest to this invisible love of God.
"That is why Satan is working so hard to destroy the family since destroying the family is to destroy the expression of God's love," she said.
"Have we contributed to the distortion of the value of marriage and family by standing by and letting things happen?" she asked.
She also asked the participants whether they have a multi-generational vision for their marriage and family.
Wong briefly went into an examination of situations facing marriage today: distorted meaning of marriage and family, unclear parental roles, and the pervasiveness of the culture of death.
Janet Chee followed up Wong's talk with a session on drug and substance abuse: What's Wrong with Getting High?
Aside from drugs and alcoholism, Chee pointed out that people can also get high on pornography, Internet (cyber games and chatting), gambling, shopping spree, reckless and life-endangering pursuits such as road speeding ('mat rempit' and 'bag snatching').
After a short break,Jason Soon warned the participants on the dangers of the misuse of technology (especially handphones and Internet) in The Modern Technology Craze Syndrome and gave some tips on how to discipline one's use of them.
The last input was on the culture of death wherein Dr Jeffrey Soon highlighted pornography as one of its many components which is pervasive in the home and in society: Can XXX Kill You?
He likened it to a silent epidemic due to its accessibility, affordability and anonymity.
He cited the results of the survey done in the cathedral parish a couple of years back and it became one of the three top pastoral priorities of the parish.
The doctor explained the stages in pornography addiction and how it can kill the body, mind and spirit and cites some local examples.
A workshop followed the last input wherein the participants were divided into 20 groups to discuss practical ways and means on how to deal with the challenges posed during the inputs.
The reports were later presented at the assembly.
Anthony Kong then summarised the flow of the conference: What's Next?
He asked the participants to reflect on their stance on the issues as individuals and as community.
He also pointed out ways on how to tackle the issues and encouraged them to trust God to help them.
In his opening address Msgr Primus Jouil said the conference was timely and exhorted the participants to have the courage to face and cut off the roots of whatever is destroying the family.
After the summary, Jouil closed the conference with a prayer and blessing.
A spokesperson for the organiser, the Family Issues Committee, announced that the followup will be on August 31.
This conference is the first of a series of seminars, workshops and conferences on family conducted by the Family Issues Committee of Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in response to the decision to tackle the three top parish pastoral priorities (faith formation, family issues and reaching out to ordinary parishioners [PFPN]) identified at the 2008 parish discernment weekend in Bundu Tuhan.
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Archbishop Lee Blesses Putatan Church Site
PUTATAN(CS Online).- It was a drizzling morning but it did not dampen the spirit of more than 200 faithful who came to witness the blessing and ground-breaking of the new Putatan church site by Archbishop John Lee May 18.
In his address, the archbishop said that he was happy to join in the occasion.
He urged the faithful to rally behind the steering committee headed by Stephen Sondoh who had great faith in putting up a place of worship in Putatan.
"It is important to have a strong community of faith. If you have faith, the Lord will surely bless you," he said.
The building, the archbishop continued, "might be shaken, but the faithful who are strong in their faith will not be shaken."
The archdiocesan head urged the local community to be united and have faith in carrying out the task ahead.
He then thanked Madam Catherine Moinin for donating the piece of land for the church building.
Father Fundes Motiung, pastor of Stella Maris Parish Tanjung Aru (Putatan will be a subparish of Stella Maris), also spoke at the function.
"I would like to invite all members (of the public) to take this opportunity to be part of this programme and participate fully to support us. Let us together build this wonderful church," he said.
In his address, Steering Committee Chairman Sondoh thanked everyone present for their support and attendance, especially the archbishop for blessing the site before earthwork could begin.
Sondoh said the committee had received more than RM60,000 (for 200,000 bricks), thanked all the donors and said the donation-drive is ongoing.
He also thanked the state government for giving a RM200,000 grant for the project.
Sondoh paid tribute to the Stella Maris Women's League for its untiring efforts to help in the numerous fund-raising projects.
Present also at the function were assistant pastor Fr Tony Mojiwat, Sr Grace Deosing, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters, Thomas More Willie, chairman of the Stella Maris Parish Pastoral Council, Putatan MP Datuk Marcus Mojigoh, members of the steering committee and other local dignitaries.
In his speech, Mojigoh pledged his undivided support to ensure that the implementation of the project would be carried out smoothly.
The assemblyman also thanked the members of the community for their mitaatabang spirit which was evident when they cleared the site prior to the ground-breaking ceremony.
After the speeches, the archbishop officiated the rite of blessing before going up the excavator for the symbolic ground-breaking, followed by the signing of the memorial plaque and the planting of a commemorative belian tree.
He also received cash donations for the project from well-wishers and the faithful.
The church will be built on a three-acre site donated by Moinin, located in Kg Dimbaan, Putatan, off 1/4 km from the Putatan/Penampang Road, on top of a hill overlooking the Putatan New Township, just behind the Putatan Servay Hypermarket Shopping Complex.
The project was conceptualised by Sondoh after he recovered from an illness prior to retiring as the Penampang District Officer in February 2007.
Those who would like to donate to the building fund can do so by contacting the chairman at 013-8658333 or through the project account number with Maybank payable to RTDKK St Catherine of Siena Church, Putatan under account no 510189007514.
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KK Archdiocese Establishes A Family Life Service Centre
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- At long last, guidance and pastoral counselling services will be established at the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Catholic Family Life Service Centre.
These services are offered free at Room G4, Sacred Heart Parish Centre, Jalan Menteri, Kota Kinabalu.
The guidance and pastoral counselling services commenced June 1.
Those who wish to obtain services from the providers can contact this telephone number 088-220741 for appointment.
You may be asking what is counselling all about and what is the difference between guidance and counselling?
Briefly, guidance is a process whereby a counsellor or counselling practitioner offers assistance to a client who is confused and is in need of someone who is knowledgeable and can help provide advice before making a decision.
An example of guidance would be choosing a profession or career.
Counselling, in the proper sense, is "a systematic process of helping relationship based on psychological principles performed by a registered counsellor in accordance with the counselling code of ethics to achieve a voluntary favourable holistic change, development and adjustment of the client such that the change, development and adjustment will continue throughout the lifespan of the client." [Counsellors Act 1998, Act 580].
In addition, the counselling provided by the centre has a pastoral approach, a unique form of counselling which uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth.
In short, pastoral counselling means a process provided by certified counsellors, who are not only mental health professionals but who have also in-depth and informed religious knowledge to provide a variety of services to clients who are in need of help emotionally, mentally, behaviourally and spiritually.
Having explained the meaning of guidance and pastoral counselling, there arises the question of to whom guidance and pastoral counselling should be offered.
These services are offered to whoever seeks to talk about:
- personal problems
- family issues
- marriage conflicts
- effective study techniques
- career discernment
- any unresolved issue or a need for discussion.
One may also ask "Who will provide these services?"
The Catholic Family Life Service Centre (CFLSC) has a panel of credible counsellors, and four of them are registered and certified practitioners accredited under the Malaysian Counsellors Act.
Consultant/Advisor:
Fr Dr Charles Chiew (Registered & Certified)
STL, DMin., PhD (Pastoral Care & Counselling, Spiritual Direction, and Psychology)
Head:
Carmella E Ading (Registered & Certified)
MA (Counselling Psychology) BSc (Psychology)
Assistant:
Wilson @ Vincent Peter Pramo (Registered & Certified)
BA (Guidance & Counselling)
Members:
Sr Angilanah (Angelina) bt Limban rgs, (Registered & Certified)
Dip (Counselling Psychology)
Arita Pijulin, MA (Counselling Psychology), BA (Social Work)
Daria P Kuriting, MA (Counselling Psychology), BA (Social Work)
Apart from the six names mentioned above, there are also about 20 persons who will form part of the team as supporting care-givers, providing guidance and pastoral counselling at the centre.
The types of services available at the centre include:
- individual counselling
- group counselling
- family counselling
- marriage counselling
- guidance
- psycho-education in terms of training or talks
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SFCBOM Organises Teachers' Appreciation Nite
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The Board of Management (BOM) of St Francis Convent Secondary School organised the 2009 Teachers Appreciation Nite at a local restaurant May 22.
Speaking on behalf of the chairman, Stella Moo welcomed the principal, Mrs Pang, BOM and Ex-Franciscan Association (EFA) members and around 30 teachers and staff of the school to the function.
She related a bit of her own experiences as a student there and expressed her appreciation of the teachers who taught her.
During the function, EFA Chairperson Feona Jinu thanked all those who helped out at the March 12 bazaar, especially the teachers and staff before presenting a check of RM60,754.60 (proceeds of the bazaar) to Moo for the school building fund.
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SHC Set To Celebrate Feast Day As Parish Family Day
PENAMPANG(CS).- The decision to celebrate the parish feast day (Sacred Heart of Jesus) as parish family day was made with the objective to instill a sense of belonging, unity and integration among the parishioners, said Damian Lee (pic), chairman of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council.
"It is a way to reach out to the 2,000 families and a way to grow as the Sacred Heart Parish Family encompassing the subparish of Church of Mary Immaculate," Lee said in an interview with Catholic Sabah May 22.
He said the decision was made because the PPC, together with the pastor and his assistants, felt it is one way of addressing the top three parish pastoral priorities discerned during the last discernment weekend.
The priorities focused on faith formation, family issues and reaching out pastorally to nominal parishioners.
He observed that all other parishes in the archdiocese are celebrating their feast days annually in conjunction with the pastoral visit of the archbishop. Why not the cathedral parish?
Lee added that the cathedral parish introduced the celebration of the feast day on 16 June 2007 in conjunction with the archbishop's 20th episcopal ordination anniversary.
He said that it was the archbishop's personal choice to have his episcopal ordination and installation as head of the diocese on this feast day 22 years ago.
Previously, the feast was celebrated yearly together with Christ the King and the dedication anniversary of the cathedral in November.
The organising committee has decided to adopt the theme of Oneness in Heart, Family and Parish for this year's celebration, he continued.
This is because the parishioners are very group-and-language-based, often caught up in their own numerous activities so much so that there is little sense of parish family spirit, he explained.
"The feast day celebration is to enhance the sense of belonging to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish through the various events planned such as family issues seminar, gotong-royong, blood donation, photo exhibition, triduum of devotion to the Sacred Heart, parish family day (foodfair and concert), and the Feast day Mass to cater to the spiritual, social, environmental and physical dimensions of the parish," he elaborated.
Other activities that have been carried out include Advent and Lenten family visits, Easter party for children (first time ever), he added.
Lee said the parish has hired Johnny Chong May 5 and Derek Chong May 18 as full time Parish Family Pastoral Network (PFPN) and youth coordinators respectively.
In order to create awareness of the feast-day, Lee said the organising committee has come out with a billboard poster at the cathedral building entrance inviting all parishioners to the feast day Eucharist June 20.
The committee will also publish supplement issues to the weekly bulletin during the three weeks prior to the feast day focusing on the origins of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, who initiated it, why this feast was celebrated and why Fr Henry van der Heyden, founder of SHC, named it after the Sacred Heart in 1903.
"It is very important [...] to know our roots...to appreciate all the hard times, hardships, sufferings and trials encountered by the mission pioneers, and God's abundant blessings as they and we - clergy, religious, layleaders - get involved in the building and nurturing the parish into what it is today and who we are as church today," he said.
It is his hope that this parish feast day celebration will be "the start of the growth of a deeper sense of belonging, unity and integration among the parishioners in the 43 zones" as they journey together as a parish family.
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Tuaran Hosts 43rd World Communication Day
TUARAN(CS).- St John Tuaran hosted this year's 43rd World Communication Day celebration May 23 with the theme: New Technologies, New Relationships-Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.
Organised by the parish social communication committee headed by Winnie Wong, there were colouring and drawing competitions for the children of Tuaran Zone in the parish hall (competitions were also held at the outstations), essay writing and videoclips contests for the youth.
For the parents waiting for their children, an interactive talk on communication facilitated the Archdiocesan Social Communication Commission (SOCCOM) was held at the chapel.
The highlight of the celebration was the Mass concelebrated by Fr Nicholas Stephen and Fr Thomas Madanan.
Videoclips were shown at the beginning and end of the Mass to show the sad state of the environment today.
During the Presentation of Gifts, the winning entries were presented along with the media instruments, bread and wine.
The parishioners adjourned to the parish hall for a fellowship meal after the speeches by PPC Chairman Wacky Taim and the pastor.
Photos/posters depicting the parish history were exhibited together with those of Catholic Sabah and the Daughters of St Paul.
Past and present parish publications were also displayed.
After the meal, Fr Stephen awarded the prizes of the winning entries to the children and youth.
The Daughters of St Paul were also present to diffuse their publications and religious articles.
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CMI Celebrates Kaamatan On A Grander Scale
BUKIT PADANG(CS).- Although the Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) celebrates Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) annually, it is usually a low-key affair.
This year however, the organising committee under Clarice Moiji-Ligadu decided to have it on a grander scale, according to one of the parishioners May 24.
Dressed in Kadazan, Dusun and Murut traditional attire, selected parishioners - adults and children - took part in the entrance procession from the grotto to the church to the beat of the gongs.
Children carrying stalks of padi placed them in the tall basket next to a woven bin full of rice grains below the altar before Mass began.
Msgr Primus Jouil presided over the celebration, assisted by Deacon Rayner Bisius.
Fruits and vegetables were offered along with other gifts, bread and wine at the Presentation of Gifts.
Among those who attended the Mass were veteran Catechist Peter Lidadun of Penampang, Suhakam vice-chairman Simon Sipaun, Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman Damian Lee and wife Helen, and CMI-PPC Chairperson Victoria Voon.
After the Mass, the parishioners adjourned to the parish canteen for a fellowship meal (with some native dishes) and a short programme.
The parishioners were entertained by the Kaamatan Choir, solo singing by a couple of parishioners and cultural dances (sumazau of Penampang and Papar).
As is customary, the audience - young and old - were invited to join in the dances.
Fr Johnny Raju came later to join in the fellowship.
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Likas Organises Double Celebration
LIKAS(CS).- St Simon Likas organised a double celebration for its faithful May 10.
Being Mother's Day, children and husbands were encouraged to purchase flowers to show their appreciation to their mothers and wives.
At the start of the Mass, mothers were asked to stand to a big round of applause of the congregation.
Aside from that, the faithful launched the first of their many events planned for their silver jubilee celebration to be held on October 25.
The honourees were the senior parishioners who were invited to have breakfast at the church hall after the Mass.
The other parishioners were encouraged to join them in recalling the beginnings of St Simon.
Before the event started, the senior ladies were called to a cake-cutting ceremony.
Members of the original building committee, the first chairperson of the Women's League, some choir members and members of the first Legion of Mary took turns to share their experiences of how the community started.
Datuk Anthony Robert, who was called by the late Bishop Simon Fung to help save the land from being taken over by the government 27 years ago, gave a detailed report of what transpired and how funds were raised to get the project off the ground.
It was a daunting task but Robert was able to get the help of the late Datuk Alfred Jayasuriya to get the project running.
Initially Robert thought it was impossible but when they were able to raise the first RM100,000.00 he knew it was God's will.
He paid tribute to the late Steven Chin who at his death bed, would still call on him to find out the latest development of the building project.
For parishioners Vincent Soo and wife Petrina Sin of Perak, who have been members of the community for the last seven years, they said they were impressed with the way the locals come and participate in the Mass, especially during festive seasons.
Mass goers could be seen sitting outside the fence on the road kerbs just to attend the Mass.
This, to the Soos, is something unique.
The day ended with the seniors gathering in their original groups for group photos which would be displayed during the parish exhibition at a later date.
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MYTC Holds 9th Graduation Ceremony
KINARUT(CS).- Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) held its ninth graduation ceremony May 16 at its Kinarut campus.
Aside from the usual speeches, three of the 30 graduates were selected to give their sharings on their experiences in MYTC.
The three were Loi Tyven Bing of Limbang Sarawak, Ricky Rojit of Kg Tulid Sook Keningau and Aubrey Aurelius Siku of Lahat Datu.
Below are excerpts of the sharing of Loi Tyven Bing.
I would like to take this opportunity to share about my terrible experience before I joined Montfort.
I was addicted to the ecstasy drug; I liked going out to night clubs. I disrespected my family and gave up my studies which disappointed my family.
I also became a spendthrift, overspent my money until I had to borrow from loan sharks. I borrowed up to RM2,000 in order to take ecstasy every weekend. My interest was RM50 per day but I was unable to pay the money because I was jobless.
Although the loan shark never threatened me to pay up, he kept calling everyday just to collect the interest.
From then on, my daily life became miserable and I had trouble sleeping at night.
One night I decided to call him and negotiated with him to pay RM4,000 for the RM2,000 I borrowed.
He agreed and I approached my family to help me settle the debt before I came to Montfort.
So I advise all my friends: never try to take drugs or borrow money from a loan shark no matter how hard life may be.
It was a terrible experience for me.
I was very lucky to have a good family who is willing to help me to get out of the trouble.
If it weren't for Montfort I would still be taking drugs and ruining my life. Montfort gives us the best opportunity to change our attitudes and we must be very thankful for it.
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Tawau Celebrates Nurses' Day
TAWAU(CS).- The Catholic nurses of Tawau celebrated their annual Nurses Day Mass May 24 at Holy Trinity Church here.
It is usually held after Mother's Day but this year it was held together with World Communication Day and Ascension.
The nurses in their uniforms, participated actively by taking part in the choir, as commentator, lectors and collectors.
It was a refreshing sight for the parishioners to see so many student nurses smartly dressed in their uniforms participating actively in the liturgy.
In his homily, Fr Phillip Muji encouraged the nurses to treasure and value the vocation they have chosen.
He exhorted them to be witnesses of Christ in their work of relieving pain and suffering through doing it with joy, prayer and thanksgiving.
The Mass was followed by a breakfast fellowship organised by the Women's Apostolate at the parish canteen.
Catholic nurses make their presence felt in the parish through the Catholic Nurses Guild (CNG). Through it, the nurses are encouraged to be involved in parish life.
It also provides guidance and support to the students who are undergoing their training at the Tawau Nursing School.
The parish provides transport for them to attend the weekly prayer meeting in the church.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) Ministry will conduct a Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) for them in July.
The Tawau CNG will be hosting the national biannual general meeting for the second time at the end of July.
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Sabahan Invited To OCD General Chapter In Fatima
FATIMA, PORTUGAL(CS).- Matthew Liow, a member of the Secular Carmelite Order Sabah (OCDS) attended the 90th General Chapter of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) April 17-May 7 at the Domus Carmeli, Fatima, Portugal.
"It was a very exciting and memorable day for both myself and for OCDS Malaysia and OCDs everywhere, speaking to OCD friars coming from all over the world," said Liow after presenting the OCDS formation programme based on the Filipino Programme April 27.
The other invited OCDS was Elizabeth Korves of Oklahoma USA. Both spoke on the need for good holistic formation for better service to church and society.
The delegates elected Fr Saverio Camistra of Italy as the new superior general.
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