2009 PAX Assembly To Focus On Communion Aspect Of Diocesan Vision
PENAMPANG(CS Online).- This year's PAX Assembly will focus on the communion aspect of the Diocesan Vision, as communion leads to mission, and mission builds communion.
The choice of focus of the assembly to be held Nov 25-27 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre, has to do with what transpired since the election of the parish pastoral councils (PPCs) in August 2008, when clergy and lay leaders discussed about the concept of "pastoring together" and their understanding of a "pastoral council."
It was believed that "until and unless such concepts are properly understood, they would find it difficult to lead others towards the Diocesan Vision."
What is this vision formulated in 1997 which produced the Diocesan Organisational Pastoral Plan (DOPP)?
It states: A caring communion of Christ-centred communities journeying together in faith, hope and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the evangelising mission of building the Kingdom of God.
This communion envisioned summarises the vocation and mission of individual Christians (clergy, religious, lay), the family, parish communities and the Church as a whole.
When centred on Christ, the communion emphasises the importance of being, and that being is expressed in actions consumed by the love of God.
Thus, communion leads to mission, and mission builds communion.
At the first meeting of the new Archdiocesan Pastoral Council on April 4, it was generally felt that the once-in-two years' PAX Assembly should touch on certain aspects of leadership within the elements of the Diocesan Vision.
So when the Ad Hoc Committee met on July 11, the idea of strengthening "caring communion" among leaders in the local Church towards Christ-centredness was deliberated and adopted as the objective of this year's assembly.
It is hoped that when pastoral leaders are living in communion with the Lord and with each other, they would be able to develop a spirituality that would enhance their services to those under their care.
The PAX Assembly is an assembly where "we listen, reflect and discern together what is good for our diocese within the context of the Diocesan Vision," said then Bishop John Lee in his 1999 PAX Assembly keynote address.
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Three To Be Ordained Deacons
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- Wiandigool Runsab (Tuaran), Sunny Chung (Papar) and Mattheus Augustine Luta (Penampang) will be ordained deacons by Archbishop John Dec 5 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing.
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General Instruction Of The Roman Missal (GIRM): Some Notable Changes To Current Practices (7)
To be fully implemented by November 29, First Sunday of Advent.
Others
Blessing of non communicants
Until further notice, after some consultation on the thorny issue, Archbishop Lee has decided that blessing of non communicants at communion is to be given only to children who come together with their parents/guardians. Adults for whatever reason who may not receive communion, are not to be blessed.
No eulogy at Funeral Mass
Without exception, no eulogy or words of remembrance is to be allowed during the Catholic Funeral Mass/Service and Final Commendation. If desired, words of "salutation" or remembrance may be given at home, at the wake or the funeral parlour.
Recommendations
Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Given to children before their first holy Communion.
- After the Opening Prayer, the presider calls the children forward and presents the book of God's Word to the children's minister of the Word (adult)
- The children follow their leaders to the chapel for their celebration of the Word at their own level
- The children's Liturgy of the Word follows the structure of the celebration by the adults: Old Testament Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel Proclamation, reflection by the children's minister of the Word, Creed and Prayer of the Faithful
- The children return to the assembly main church during the preparation of the gifts.
Emphasis during the children's liturgical experience is on ritual not learning. The minister uses a three-step process that includes:
Step 1: We listen to God speak. The readings are adapted to the language of the child while still maintaining the integrity of the Word. (Preferably, no LCD projection so as to train the children to listen.)
Step 2: We reflect on the Reign of God. After drawing from the children what they heard God say to them, we share questions that invite the children to reflect on what difference God's Word makes in their life.
Step 3: We respond to God's Word. Finally we explore with the children what they are going to do now that they have heard God's Word.
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Kiulu Gifts Archdiocese With Third Son
KOTA KINABALU(CS Online).- Despite the rainy weather, over 1,000 faithful turned up to witness the presbyteral ordination of Kiulu's third son Sept 21 at rustic St Joseph Tombongon Kiulu.
The other two priests ordained there were Fr Marcellinus Pongking of Raganan (ordained in 1998, now serving in Telupid) and Fr Jasery Gabuk of Kotunuan Baru (ordained in 2004, now serving in Lahad Datu).
Tombongon is one of the 79 outstations under Tuaran Parish, about an hour's drive from Kota Kinabalu.
In his address after the ordination, Archbishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu thanked God for the priestly ordination of Deacon Isidore Gilbert Gondilou and acknowledged that the ordination is indeed a "gift of God to the archdiocese in the Year for Priests."
He welcomed Gondilou to the presbyterium and quoting Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee, reminded him and the faithful that the priesthood is a call, not a career; a redefinition of self, not just a new ministry; a way of life, not a job; a state of being, not just a function; a permanent, lifelong commitment, not a temporary style of service; an identity, not just a role.
Just as he had done during Deacon Rayner Bisius' priestly ordination five days earlier in Sugud, the archbishop urged the neo-ordained to take St John Vianney as his model for the priesthood and then urged everyone present to continue to uphold their priests in their prayers throughout the priestly year.
Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan and more than 30 priests from the three dioceses, concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Lee.
Representing St Peter's College Kuching where Gondilou had his priestly formation were In-House Pastoral Coordinator and Liturgist Fr Alphonsus Tang and In-house Spiritual Father Fr Erik Jerome
The rite of ordination started after the gospel proclamation with Msgr Primus Jouil calling and presenting the candidate to the archbishop.
Following the presentation of the candidate were the election by the archbishop and consent of the people, homily on the duties of the priest, examination of the candidate, promise of obedience, Litany of the Saints, laying on of hands by the presider and all concelebrants, prayer of consecration, investiture with stole and chasuble, anointing of hands, presentation of paten and chalice and kiss of peace.
The ordinand's parents and siblings presented the gifts during the Presentation of Gifts.
After the two-hour ceremony in Bahasa Malaysia and speeches, all went down in the now sunny weather to the church hall for lunch and a cultural programme.
Born on 4 April 1976 in Rumindako, Kiulu, the neo-ordained is the fifth child in a brood of three boys and three girls born to Gilbert Gondilou and Emily Siandong.
He had his primary education in SRK St Joseph Tombongon and secondary education in SMK Tun Faud Stephen Kiulu and Kinabalu Commercial College KK.
He worked in Hiong Tiong Timber Factory Menggatal after Form 5 (1994) and as an assistant catechist at St Joseph Kiulu after college (1998-1999).
Together with Bisius and Ronnie Luni, he entered aspirancy at the Catholic Diocesan Centre Penampang in 2000 and was accepted into Initiation Year in Kota Kinabalu in 2001.
He continued his philosophy and theology studies in Kuching.
He was assigned to St Edmund Kota Belud after his studies and was ordained deacon together with Bisius at the Sacred Heart Cathedral last Dec 6.
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General Instruction Of The Roman Missal (GIRM): Some Notable Changes To Current Practices (6)
To be fully implemented by November 29, First Sunday of Advent.
Common Postures, Gestures, Movements (contd.)
Sign of Peace given only to those nearest (not to move around to avoid distraction) in a sober manner (no provision for song during sign of peace), the priest not to leave sanctuary to offer sign of peace unless for a serious reason.
Brief catechesis Fr Peter Abas, St Anne's Church, Diocese of Rochester, USA
The Communion Rite begins with the Lord's Prayer.
In the Lord's Prayer a petition is made for daily food, which for Christians means preeminently the Eucharistic bread, and also for purification from sin, so that what is holy may, in fact, be given to those who are holy (GIRM # 81).
The sign of peace follows. This is not a secular greeting, not a "Hi, how are you?" not a chance to talk to those whom we missed greeting as we entered the church. It is not a duplication of the gathering rite. We extend to one another a sign of Christ's peace, not our own, for sometimes, we have no peace of our own to give.
In their letter The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, the bishops of the United States wrote, "We encourage every Catholic to make the sign of peace at Mass an authentic sign of our reconciliation with God and with one another. This sign of peace is also a visible sign of our commitment to work for peace as a Christian community. We approach the table of the Lord only after having dedicated ourselves as a Christian community to peace and reconciliation."
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (EMCs) to approach altar only after the priest's communion, they are to receive communion and the ciborium from the hands of the priest; priest himself is expected to take and return the blessed sacrament to the tabernacle should there be real need for extra consecrated hosts;
Communion from the same Eucharist: People are to receive communion consecrated at the same Eucharist, and not from the tabernacle reserve.
Announcements: When these are truly necessary, the priest is to make them.
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SSC Holds First Confirmation Ceremony, Launches Its 25th Anniversary Exhibition And Souvenir Mag
LIKAS(CS).- In line with its series of activities in conjunction with its 25th anniversary, St Simon Likas held its first confirmation ceremony as well as the launching of the jubilee exhibition and souvenir magazine Sept 13.
Archbishop John Lee administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 25 candidates and assisted by Fr Cosmas Lee, gave Holy Communion to 29 young people.
Prior to this, confirmation candidates would join other candidates to receive the sacrament at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
However, the parish has been hosting its own ceremony for first communicants.
After the Mass, all adjourned to the parish hall for the launching of the jubilee exhibition and souvenir magazine by the archbishop.
The launching ceremony kicked off with a dance performance by St James Primary School Likas - the first ever, according to the pastor.
In his address, the archbishop recalled that he was the administrator when the parish started life as a chapel community in 1984.
He expressed his joy at the growth of the community and his appreciation to all those who have helped in its growth in one way or another.
The archbishop then cut the ribbons to unfurl the two banners to mark the launching.
Accompanied by several parish officials, the archbishop toured the exhibits set up in the middle of the hall depicting the thematic journey of the parish in the past 25 years: To Remember, To Celebrate, To Become.
Archbishop Lee then joined the confirmands and first communicants for a meal before leaving the place.
Leading up to the anniversary celebration on Oct 25 - feast of St Simon the Zealot - were:
April 19: Launching of Anniversary Celebration: Let the Preparations Begin!
May 10: Senior/Veteran Parishioners' Day: Remembering St Simon
June 14: Launching of Charity Outreach: We must Love and Care!
June 21: Children's Creativity Day: Starting from Young!
July 12: Children's Art Day: Showing off the Beauty of Creation
July 25: Youth Nite (night of praise and worship): Reveal the Zeal!
Aug 30: National Day Mass: Let's be Patriotic!, St Simon Family Day: It Begins in the Family!
Sept 13: Opening of Anniversary Exhibition, Launching of Souvenir Book: Displaying God's Work in our midst Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Oct 22-24: Anniversary Triduum: Watching and Praying
Oct 25: Feast of St Simon, 25th Anniversary Eucharist, Thanksgiving Lunch
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KK Archdiocese Organises GIRM Catechesis For Chinese-speaking Faithful
LIKAS(CS).- Over 200 Chinese-speaking faithful - including youth and children - from Kota Kinabalu, Menggatal, Telipok, Kudat and Labuan turned up for the catechesis on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) organised by the Worship Commission Sept 22 at St Simon Likas.
Father John Wong and Catechist Martina Voo conducted the sessions. It began with Wong reading the keynote address of Archbishop John Lee given during the Liturgy Formation and GIRM in Bundu Tuhan July 1-4.
The priest then gave the background - theology and spirituality of the Eucharist - so that the participants would understand better the changes made in the new GIRM.
Voo touched on the practical aspects - the general arrangement, environment, norms, common postures, gestures and movements of people and priest during Mass - with time for questions from the floor.
What was heard through the sessions was practised and celebrated during the concluding Mass.
The changes are to be fully implemented by Nov 29, first Sunday of Advent. The catechesis aimed at fostering not just an active and external but a more personal and interior participation in the liturgical life of the archdiocese.
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Sandakan Diocese Organises BEC Seminar
SANDAKAN(CS).- Sandakan Diocese organised a three-day diocesanwide seminar on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) Aug 29-31.
Around 235 people including clergy and religious from the four parishes participated in the seminar at St Mary's Parish Hall Sandakan.
The seminar was mooted by the then Diocesan Pastoral Working Group in line with establishing BECs as the pastoral thrust of the diocese.
Preparation work began as early as February this year with Fr Thomas Makajil as the organising committee chairman.
In his welcoming speech, Makajil welcomed the panel of speakers comprising Fr Charles Chiew and John Lainsin of Keningau, and Gideon Mositoh.
A total of 10 sessions were presented which covered the following topics:
- Roles and involvement of lay faithful in the Church's life and mission
- Church documents on lay participation
- Vision on "a new way of being Church"
- Concept and the need of a community
- Pastoral thrust of the diocese
- Focal point of parish activities
- Leadership in "a new way of being Church"
How to begin BECs
- Sustaining BECs
- Spirituality in BECs
In his keynote address, Bishop Julius Gitom stressed on the new approach to develop a "participative Church" through small Christian communities.
He said much effort has been taken in organising the seminar, aiming to train leaders to be committed in the development of BECs in the parishes.
The bishop said he felt strongly that it is in BECs that the real presence of the Risen Christ can be seen and expressed in the light of true love.
It is, he added, a place where Christians can work together for a better world rather than be individualistic and selfish.
In between the sessions were group dynamics and reality games involving all participants.
Representatives from the parishes shared their experiences on the process, strengths and weaknesses of BECs.
"I love BECs," said Msgr Nicholas Ong. "I try to visit and cover as many BECs as possible. I hope to see BECs in Tawau grow and flourish. My dream is to make BECs into BHCs (Basic Human Communities) where everyone, regardless of race or religion, in the neighbourhood can participate."
It is through the BECs that priests have the opportunity to visit Catholic families and mix with the laity at grassroot level.
There was a surprise event for all the priests Aug 30 after the Mass.
In conjunction with the Year for Priests which was launched the day before with a slide presentation on A Tribute to Our Bishop and Priests.
This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony and then each priest was presented with a mug imprinted with their names.
In winding up the event, Makajil said he hoped that whatever has been acquired would not be confined within the four walls of the parish hall.
It is hoped that in time, with the knowledge and skills acquired coupled with right attitudes, BECs will be an "in thing" of the diocese in the near future.
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Fr Lo Appointed Sandakan Diocesan Liturgy Coordinator
SANDAKAN(CS).- Sandakan Diocese established its Diocesan Liturgical Commission (DLC) Sept 12 with Fr Paul Lo as its coordinator.
The inaugural meeting held at the Diocesan Meeting Room was attended by representatives from the four parishes.
In his opening address, Lo thanked Bishop Julius Gitom for his trust and confidence in him to lead the commission.
The bishop, said Lo, is the "promoter and guardian" of the liturgical life of the diocese.
The coordinator expressed his appreciation to all those who have come to attend the meeting.
He then touched on the guidelines and stressed that the main aim of the commission is to promote high standard of liturgical celebrations in accordance with church documents concerning liturgy.
He then briefed the members regarding the latest recommendations from the bishops' conference on eulogy, benediction and novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Lo informed the commission that the new changes in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) which had received the recognitio (recognition) from Rome will be fully implemented in the diocese by 1 Jan 2010.
For that, he continued, he plans to visit all the parishes to brief the parish liturgical committee so that preparation for the full implementation can take place in time.
Lo, representing the diocese, left Sept 14 for Manila Philippines to attend the Asia Liturgy Forum scheduled for Sept 16-20.
Line up of commission members: Fr Paul Lo (coordinator), Sr Florence Jidang fsic (ex-officio), Francis Tan (ex-officio), Jacob Chin (secretary, Sandakan), Nelson Fernandez (asst secretary, Lahad Datu), Philip Mosinoh (Sandakan), Junaidah Adam (Telupid), Christopher Stephen (Telupid), Rosena Kudus (Telupid), Magrina Kiob (Tawau) and Elizabeth Chan (Tawau).
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SFO Officals Pay Courtesy Call On Diocesan Head
SANDAKAN(CS).- On Aug 27, Mrs Helen Briton, National Minister of Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Oceania (covering Australia, Singapore, Sabah), Mrs Patricia Tan, Regional Minister of Singapore, Petronella Munting, Sabah SFO Steering Committee, Friar Arul Mariadas ofm, Regional Spiritual Assistant of Singapore and Sabah, Sr Francis Mani fsic, Spiritual Assistant of Sabah SFO and other team members paid a courtesy call on Bishop Julius Gitom at the Diocesan Meeting Room Sandakan.
The aim of the visit was to brief the bishop on the existence of the steering committee on better understanding, collaboration and participation of the SFOs in the local Church. They also sought the bishop's permission to establish the regional fraternity in the diocese. SFO members are members of the third order of Franciscans recognised by the Holy See.
Currently there are four canonically established fraternities in Sabah: Sacred Heart Fraternity KK, St Joseph Fraternity Papar, Holy Rosary Fraternity Limbahau and St Francis Xavier Fraternity Keningau.
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SH Youth Groups Organize Rally Featuring Rapper Priest
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- More than 400 youths registered for the rally - from the three dioceses and even from Miri Diocese. Presented jointly by Sacred Heart Cathedral, Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community and Royal Ambassador Youth and supported by Kasih Belia Hati Kudus, LifeTeen, LifeLine and SH Chinese Youth, it was held at the Dewan Foo Chow Luyang Sept 26-27.
Five sessions were conducted by Fr Stan Fortuna at the Dewan Foo Chow for the registered participants during the day while there were two open sessions (for all interested faithful) at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre at night.
The sessions were 1. Living out our faith in the Word of God; 2. Eucharist - Foundation of our faith; 3. Growing in faith through prayer; 4. Faith that moves mountains and 5. Passing on the faith to others.
Born of an Italian father and a Greek mother in 1957, Fr Stan Fortuna is a founding member of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), established in the Archdiocese of New York in 1987. He was ordained priest on 8 Dec 1990. Fr Stan lives in the South Bronx, where the Friars serve the poor and needy families, but he is also internationally known for his music, as well as for his powerful preaching.
Fr. Stan travels extensively, performing his music and proclaiming the Gospel at events all over the world. His music includes Contemporary Christian, Jazz, Folk, Reggae, Hip-hop and Rap, and caters for all walks of life. Fr Stan is most commonly known to many from his appearance in the Youth CaFE 'Plugged in' video resources produced by Catholic Evangelisation Services.
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SHC Organises Second Conference On Family As 'God's Masterpiece'
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- More than 200 parishioners (including youth and children) turned up for the second conference organised by the Sacred Heart Family Issues Committee on Our Family-God's Masterpiece Aug 31 at the parish centre.
The first conference was held June 6, also at the parish centre, in answer to one of the top three priorities of the parish which is to look into issues affecting family life.
In the first session after a time of praise and worship led by the CMI Intercessory Ministry, Dr Jeffrey Soon gave a summary of the last conference which includes:
- why the family is God's masterpiece
- what we have done to our families due to the influence of our environment through technology
- what parents have overlooked
- what our children are facing, especially pornography
In the second session, three participants of the first conference who have decided to take seriously the issues and did something about in their families or in their work places, gave their testimonies.
The trio were Jessie Yong, Wendy Chin and Elizabeth Funk.
These, according to a spokesperson of the conference, are practical examples of how we can improve our families.
She said many participants are now aware that the challenges facing us are real especially among our school going children.
Many, she added, did not know the extent of the influence until they were told of it at the first conference.
"Unless we act as a big group of concerned people, we will be overcomed by the problems," she continued.
The third session was a talk show (like Orpah Show) featuring a family with three generations hosted by Dr Pauline Soon.
Here the objectives were to see how the values taught from one generation are passed down to the next - good and bad; how the young people in the family deal with each value and how the parents stood by their Catholic principles.
Murphy and Emily Wong have nine biological children and an adopted one.
Session Four was on paradigm shift - moving from one belief or value to another for good or bad - facilitated also by Dr Pauline Soon.
This was followed by a spiritual input wherein Anthony Lim showed the participants how God is the strength all should rely on to deal with the evil around them.
He also showed them that God will help them if they want to bring their families to be more like God's masterpiece.
After a break, time was given for prayer ministry - a time for personal sharing with leaders on what to do or a time of reflection and decision making.
A time for sacramental confession was also available.
The conference ended with the participants gathering together to ask the Lord for his blessing and protection of their families, and at the same time, to consecrate their families to God through the Eucharistic celebration.
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Over 300 Attend BM Conference On Family Issues
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- While the English speaking parishioners attended the second conference on Our Family - God's Masterpiece, over 300 Bahasa Malaysia (BM)-speaking faithful participated in the concurrently held first conference on the family.
The participants were not only from the cathedral parish but also from nearby parishes.
Msgr Primus Jouil welcomed the participants and said he was happy that the participants made the effort to come for such an important conference.
The sessions touched on family institution in crisis (Dr Pauline Soon), social ills such such drug addiction and alcoholism (Janet Chee), technology craze syndrome (Rayner Ajumal) and pornography (Dr Jeffrey Soon).
The talks were followed by group sharings and workshops.
After the summary, the participants joined the English-speaking participants for the closing Mass presided by Msgr Primus Jouil at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
A spokesperson said a similar conference will be held for Chinese-speaking parishioners sometime in September.
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CMI Organises Badminton Tourney
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- The tournament was organised for youth (age 18 and below) and senior citizens (age 55 and above) Aug 15-16 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre. The prize presentation was carried out Aug 22 in conjunction with the Chinese senior parishioners' dinner at the church canteen.
Winners of the Youth Section: Men's Single - Roysten Lapongan, Ashley Majawai; Men's Double: Ryandall L Chuan & Ashley Majawai, Rinaldo L Chuan & Corey Freder; Mixed Double: Lydia Lapongan & Roysten Lapongan, Edwin Liew & Angelmerici Wong; Ladies's Single: Lydia Lapongan, Fiona Lee
Winners of the Senior Citizens: Men's Single: Michael B Lutam, John Ho; Men's Double: John Ho & Dtk Claudius Roman, Anthony Chong & Michael B Lutam.
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East Coast Diocese Launches Year For Priests
SANDAKAN(CS).- Bishop Julius Gitom launched the Year for Priests Aug 29 at St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan.
The date of the launching, according to the bishop, was picked to coincide with the diocesanwide seminar on Basic Christian Communities held Aug 29-31 when all four parishes would be well represented.
Among the concelebrants were Fr Charles Chiew of Keningau Diocese who was one of the speakers of the seminar and Fr Henry Siew of Singapore Archdiocese who came for a pastoral tour.
The diocese has seven priests serving about 60,000 faithful in a total population of about a million.
The launching created awareness among the laity of the great challenges facing the priests in ministering to the people.
In his homily, the bishop called on the laity to always lift up the priests in prayer, asking God to strengthen them in their love for Christ and people.
The bishop acknowledged there are problematic priests but he said the number constitutes a small portion.
The majority, he continued, are people of integrity, dedicated to their pastoral ministry and strive to serve the people after the example of St John Vianney of Ars, the patron saint of priests.
After the homily, Bishop Gitom unfurled the banner of St John Vianney, marking the Year for Priests.
He then presented banners and prayer cards to all the priests as a symbolic gesture of the launch.
Prayer cards in English, Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia were distributed to all the faithful.
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Sandakan Walks For Jesus
SANDAKAN(CS).- More than 2,000 Christians from member churches of the Sandakan Inter Church (SIC) assembled at the grand stand of the Municipal Council Town Padang Aug 23 to take part in the biennial "Walk for Jesus."
The charity event was held simultaneously in 12 other towns in Sabah and in a town in Sarawak.
The theme of this year's walk was Righteousness exalts a nation with the following objectives:
- to encourage the unity of the Body of Christ;
- to encourage the people to pray for the nation, state, city and town;
- to encourage fellowship among brothers and sisters in Christ; and
- to encourate active involvement and witnessing in the community.
The occasion was graced by Isaac Pang, representative of YB Datuk VK Liew, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
In his address, Pang urged fellow faithful to stand united in building up the faith community and to play a proactive role in contributing to the progress of the nation, state and municipal.
Among those present were Ir James Wong, president of the Sandakan Municipal Council, KH Tan, representative of the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) and pastors of the SIC member churches.
SIC chairman Pastor Antonio Tang of Calvary Church expressed his appreciation to all who had contributed to the success of the event which saw an overwhelming turnout.
He said the fund raised through the walk would be channelled to the less fortunate through the various NGOs and FBOs, especially the Prison Fellowship Malaysia (Sabah) Ministry.
He reminded the participants that the focal point of being a Christian is to reach out to the poor, needy and marginalised.
The walk was flagged by Pang. The participants walked through the main town, Harbour Square, Community Centre and ended at St Michael's Church for a time of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
The walk went off smoothly without any untoward incident with the assistance of the polic and St John's Ambulance.
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SMC Celebrates Feast Day With Outdoor Mass
SANDAKAN(CS).- St Mary's Cathedral celebrated its feastday cum parish day with an outdoor Mass at the grotto on the cathedral ground Aug 14.
Concelebrating the trilingual Mass with Bishop Julius Gitom were Fr Thomas Makajil and Fr Paul Lo. The faithful gathered at St Mary's Parish Hall at 7:00 pm for the recitation of the Rosary in three languages (English, Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia) followed by the crowning of the statue of Our Lady. The procession started from the hall making its way to the grotto through the main access road of the cathedral.
The next morning, a jogathon was organised to raise fund for the parish in front of the parish hall. Many groups participated as it was planned for the parish day celebration.
The highlight of the parish day was the potluck dinner held Aug 16 at the parish hall. It was partly subsidised by all the parish groups. Bishop Gitom graced the event. Parish and subparish groups contributed to the programme, including Sunday School children.
For this year, a catchy theme of Christ for all and all for Christ was chosen for the celebration.
Traditionally, this day has been the only occasion in which the parish celebrates with a procession and the only time when the liturgy is celebrated in the three main languages.
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