Advent: Investing Time For Eternity, Says Archdiocesan Head
PENAMPANG(CS Online).- In his Advent message, Archbishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu says that Advent is "investing time for eternity."
The message, released Oct 21, focuses on the meaning of time.
The archbishop notes that people's preoccupation with time "somehow begins to disconnect the individual from one's real self. Life is becoming superficial and only serves the body."
The value of time, he says, is measured in terms of Ringgit and Sen. To stop or to slow down is a "waste of time," and hence "not profitable."
However, for the Christians, the prelate continues, "our life on earth is both now and forever. It continues to unfold the history of salvation where Jesus is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega."
He highlights the fact that "when Jesus is the focus of our life, when He is the reference point of our preoccupations, our time becomes His time (kairos), our work becomes extension of His mission. So, when we slow down and even stop to reflect over our relationship with Him, we are not wasting time; we are investing time for eternity."
Advent, he says, is a kairos for us. It is a season of "actively wasting time through reflection and self-examination, to prepare us for commemorating the incarnation (the Christmas event) and welcoming the parousia (the second coming of Christ)."
The season, he points out, connects us to our inner being, of who we are and where we will be at the end of our earthly existence.
Inevitably, the prelate continues, the Advent reflection will also lead us to "re-examine" the way we relate with others, especially with members of our family and community.
As disciples of Jesus, the archbishop adds, we witness our faith through our relationship with God and with our fellow humans, so that "all mankind shall see the salvation of God" through our lives.
The archdiocesan head ends his message with a prayer:
"May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race..." (1 Thess 3:12) and "May this season renew us in our communion with Jesus the Incarnated Word and with the whole creation."
He also encourages the faithful to read and reflect over the Scripture readings in the four weeks of Advent: "It is in and through the Scriptures that we encounter Jesus Christ the Word of God made flesh," he says.
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General Instruction Of The Roman Missal (GIRM): Liturgy Formation (2)
The Individual Parts of Mass - The Introductory Rites
[GIRM 46] Introductory Rites: Entrance, Greeting, Penitential Act, Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie), Gloria, Collect - all these have the character of a beginning, introduction and preparation.
Purpose: to ensure that the faithful, who come together as one, establish communion and dispose themselves to listen properly to God's Word and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily
Reflection: Don't come late for Mass. If you are late, then you will not be in communion with the other parishioners and be prepared to LISTEN to God's Wor
[GIRM 47] Entrance: After the people have gathered, the Entrance chant begins as the priest enters with the ministers (servers, extraordinary ministers of communion and readers).
Purpose of Entrance chant: to open the celebration, foster the unity of those gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical season and accompany the procession of the priest and ministers.
Reflection: ALL parishioners join in the singing unless you do not want to be in communion with the other parishioners.
[GIRM 49] When they reach the sanctuary, the priest and ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. As an expression of veneration, the priest then kiss the altar itself; as the occasion suggests, the priest also incenses the cross and altar.
Reflection: When priest and ministers make profound bow to the altar, parishioners DO NOT BOW as they have already reverenced the altar (profound bow or genuflect) before they took their seat in church. The bow is meant for the priest and ministers only as they are the last ones to enter the church.
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Diocesan Head Lauds Progress; Stresses Need For Priestly Vocations
TAWAU(CS Online).- In his state-of-the-diocese address at the 2nd Sandakan Diocesan Anniversary celebration in Tawau Oct 17, Bishop Julius Gitom reported positively on the progress of the diocese but stressed on the need for more local priestly vocations.
He pointed out that the past year has seen the establishment of several bodies such as the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Diocesan Finance Council, the Catechetical Apostolate, the Biblical Apostolate, the Social Communication Apostolate, the Catholic Women's Apostolate, the Liturgical Apostolate and the Diocesan Youth Apostolate.
The prelate also announced that "preparation work is underway to construct and complete the diocesan centre," and the "acquisition of an additional 4.25 acre piece of land for the proposed retreat centre, making a total acreage of six, to be built in stages over a period of three to five years."
The bishop said this year's celebration coincided with the Year for Priests, "a year of grace for each and every one of us if we continue this journey as a community of faith."
However, he noted that most of the priests serving in the diocese are "loaned" from the other two dioceses.
He stressed on the need for the faithful, especially the parents, to pray and work hard for vocations so that the diocese can be served by its own local priests as the "loaned priests" cannot be indefinite.
Joining Bishop Gitom and his seven priests at the Mass were Archbishop John Lee, Fr John Wong, Fr Jalius Sading of Kota Kinabalu, and Bishop Cornelius Piong, Fr Charles Chiew and Fr Claudius Andrew of Keningau.
Also present during the celebration were Superior General Sr Grace Deosing and several of her Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
After the Mass, the faithful (over 1,000) and clergy adjourned to the parish hall for a fellowship meal and a short programme.
Speeches were made by Tawau Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman Mario Domingo, Tawau Pastor Msgr Nicholas Ong who noted the fact that currently he is the only Sandakan-born priest serving in the diocese and by Bishop Gitom who gave his state-of-the-diocese progress report.
Following the speeches were the cutting of the anniversary cake and lunch.
The four parishes took part in contributing an item - a song, sketch or dance performance - on stage to entertain the people.
The programme ended on a musical note - with the playing of native traditional bamboo instruments by the talented youth of the host parish.
Then the Tawau PPC chairman handed over the symbol to the PPC chairman of Lahad Datu which will host the 2010 celebration.
The night before (Oct 16), the anniversary dinner was held at the parish hall where there was a sharing from the four parishes concerning the progress in the respective parishes after two years of establishment of the diocese.
In his address, the bishop lauded the progress made in the parishes and said:
"For me, it does not matter at what stage of development we are in. What is more important is our commitment to undergo the process and our faithfulness to Christ the Lord who is our shepherd and guide."
He stressed again that the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) is indeed "our way forward as a church."
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General Instruction Of The Roman Missal (GIRM): Liturgy Formation (1)
To be fully implemented by November 29, First Sunday of Advent.
Preparation Before Mass
1. During the week, personally or/and as a family, read and reflect on all the readings for the coming Sunday Mass. Read the reflections given on page 2 of Catholic Sabah for the given Sunday to help you understand the Word better so that they may truly be a source of strength and nourishment for your faith.
2. Fasting at least one hour before Mass: "Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine." (Canon Law 919 # 1)
"The elderly and those who are suffering from some illness as well as those who care for them, may receive the blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something" (Canon Law 919 # 3).
3. Wear our best attire/dress to Mass, not for the purpose of showing off, but to give the best of ourselves as thanksgiving to God for his bountiful blessings in our daily lives. However, our dressing should be decent and neat and not cause others to be distracted or sin during Mass.
4. As you enter the church, dip your finger into the holy water and make the sign of the cross while facing the sanctuary (as a sign to remind us of our baptism, that we are gathered as a family of God). Before taking your seat, make a profound bow or genuflect towards the sanctuary, take your seat and have your personal prayer with God. This is not the time to chit-chat with your seatmate but with your God. Take this time to silence your whole being, to recognise that you are in the presence of God, so that you can hear his Word for you today in the Liturgy of the Word and be ready to offer your whole self, your concerns, your joys and sorrows together with Christ in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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St Simon Confirmed As Parish On Its Silver Jubilee Celebration
LIKAS(CS).- On its 25th anniversary celebration, St Simon Likas received its confirmation as a parish from Archbishop John Lee.
The prelate made this confirmation in his address to the more than a thousand people who turned up for the celebration Oct 25 at the fellowship lunch at the church hall after the Mass.
In his address, the archbishop said he was pleased with the progress of the church community within the last two years after he had posted Father Cosmas Lee there as the pastor in charge.
He gave a brief backgrounder on why he posted Fr Lee there after the erection of the Sandakan Diocese in 2007 and consequently was pleased with the progress under him.
He felt that the church community was mature and responsible enough to become a parish now - a long way from its beginning in 1984 as a place with a "last chance" Sunday Mass at 5 pm with a floating population.
The liturgy of the anniversary Mass was that of Sts Simon and Jude, which was concelebrated with Fr Lee and Fr John Wong.
The liturgical celebration was enhanced by the chanting of the Gloria and Credo in Latin - which heightened the sense of being one with the universal Church.
Children of the community took active part in the liturgy by leading the congregation to sing the song to St Simon the Zealot at the entrance and after Communion.
Veterans took active part by bringing the gifts to the altar during the Presentation.
After the Mass, the congregation was feted by the presentation by the Shan Tao High School Brass Band (for the first time ever) which then led the people to the hall, where the band again presented some pieces.
Inside the hall, the children again gave a presentation, followed by speeches by the Organising Committee Chairman Ronald Masigi (welcome), the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Terence Chong (his speech was read by PPC Vice Chairman David Funk), the pastor (thank you) and the archbishop.
Cutting of the inevitable anniversary cake and fellowship lunch followed.
An item of interest would be that the green vegetables served were gathered from the parish vegetable garden plot behind the hall.
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SH Chinese Prayer Group Celebrates 25 Years Of Existence
LUYANG(CS).- The Sacred Heart Cathedral Chinese Prayer Group celebrated its 25 years of existence with a Life in the Spirit (LSS) training workshop Oct 16-18.
Bishop Anthony Lee of Miri facilitated the workshop held at the Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI).
Archbishop John Lee presided at the opening Mass Oct 16 and was the guest of honour at the concluding thanksgiving dinner Oct 18 held at a local restaurant.
Over 100 people from around the Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Region took part in the training workshop.
The prayer group was formed at the old Sacred Heart Parish Hall in September 1984.
It was pioneered by Anthony Yen, Felix Poh, Bonaventure Siaw, William Tham, Victor Hiew, Martina Voo and Stella Yong.
For many of the Chinese-speaking members, it has been an exciting, challenging and life-changing journey, many of whom are now serving in the various ministries of the parish.
At the thanksgiving dinner, the pioneers were given tokens of appreciation.
Currently the prayer group is headed by John Wong and meets every Friday at 7:30 pm at CMI.
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Tg Aru To Hold Bazaar In Aid Of Putatan Church
TANJUNG ARU(CS).- The Putatan Church Steering Committee will organise a fundraising bazaar cum carnival Nov 28 in the compound of Stella Maris Church Tg Aru.
The Organising Committee Head Stephen Sondoh said the event is jointly organised by Stella Maris Church, St Thomas Kepayan, St Simon Duvanson and several companies.
The 8 am - 2:30 pm event is expected to be officiated by Archbishop John Lee.
Several programmes have been lined-up to make the event more exciting and memorable:
i) launching of the Putatan Church's first newsletter;
ii) launching of two songs: Why I Volunteer and Simple Step composed by Dr Stephen Sondoh Jr and Jacinta Juin;
iii) selling of various food items;
iv) lucky draw prizes (14) donated by Colourfull Furniture;
v) exhibition of past and present activities of the Steering Committee;
vi) auctioning of sponsored items, including an imported marble dining set, a branded wristwatch, a bicycle, a guitar, a hifi set and various electrical items;
vii) 'Sukaneka' for young and old;
viii) song presentations by local singing sensations accompanied by a live band; and
ix) selling of the Putatan Church logo stickers.
The bazaar is fully sponsored by the four participating Catholic community councils and several companies while the preparation and cleaning of the site will be done by a voluntary service team on a gotong-royong basis.
Initially only 20 stalls were made available but upon request and positive response from parishioners, more stalls have been added.
Sondoh said the selling of food coupons and lucky draw tickets have been distributed to church representatives and it is hoped that parishioners in and around Kota Kinabalu will come to support the event.
The organising committee also extend its invitation to the faithful outside the district to join in the event.
The bazaar is being organised to coincide with a public holiday.
For more details, please contact the following: Stephen Sondoh (013-8658333), Datin Theresa William (012-8271866), Mark Jasli Tindi (013-8685898) and Florence Pauljack (016-8439200).
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Franciscan Family Celebrates 800th Anniversary Of Franciscan Order
PURAK, PAPAR(CS).- The Franciscan Family in Sabah celebrated the 800th anniversary (1209-2009) of the birth of the Franciscan Order Oct 10 at Pace Bene Formation Centre Purak.
Archbishop John Lee presided over the concelebrated Mass.
In 1209 St Francis of Assisi wrote the First Rule which he took to Rome for the approval of Pope Innocent III.
St Francis wanted as many people as possible to be led by the Holy Spirit to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, allowing the Lord to transform their lives.
The love of God urged Francis to entreat all his followers to put away every attachment, care and solicitude so as to love, serve, honour and adore Our Lord and God with a pure heart and mind.
This Franciscan spirit prompted Msgr August Wachter to start a local congregation - The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) - on 20 June 1936.
To date, the FSICs have 33 communities in Sabah and one community in West Malaysia.
The Sisters are involved in four main ministries: education, pastoral care, catechetics, homes and hostels.
The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) in Sabah has existed since 1937 with the late Thomas Lee (father of Archbishop Lee) as the first member. Lee was given the habit in Hong Kong on 4 Oct 1937.
Currently, the SFO in Sabah has four canonically established fraternities and five emerging fraternities. They are actively involved in the various parish ministries.
To celebrate this event, an organising team was formed with Sr Grace Deosing heading the FSIC team and Petronella Wong the SFO Steering Committee.
The Franciscans visited various places to share with the people the Franciscan charism before the celebration on Oct 10.
The Franciscan family spirit was evident in the organisation of the luncheon reception.
Twenty-four Universiti Malaysia Sabah students formed the choir.
The cutting of the eight-tiered cake was followed by presentations by the Holy Rosary Limbahau Fraternity, St Joseph Papar Fraternity, PUSPA inmates and the Franciscan Friends.
God has blessed the Franciscan Family with the admission of nine candidates: eight made their profession for life, one temporary profession while seven underwent the rite of admission into the order - in Sandakan Oct 12.
The next day, Oct 13, in Beluran, eight candidates were admitted into the order while five made their profession for life. Both functions were officiated by Fr Thomas Makajil.
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Labuan CCR Organises LSS
LABUAN(CS).- Over 100 people took part in the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) organised by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) Ministry of Blessed Sacrament Labuan Sept 17-20. It was facilitated by the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Service Team (AST) headed by George Thien.
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Vocation Retreat Nets 29 Participants
BUNDU TUHAN(CS).- This year's diocesan priesthood vocation retreat Oct 23-25 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre netted 29 participants from the three dioceses. Father Michael Modoit and Seminarian Wiandigool Runsab gave the inputs. Group sharing on personal vocational journey was guided by the Initiation Year seminarians and the aspirants. After the individual interviews, seven participants decided to join the Intensive English Year at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre next year.
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Bishop Gitom Leads 5-member Delegation To Davao
MANILA(CS).- Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom of Sandakan led a five-member delegation to the AsIPA (Asian Integral Pastoral Approach) 5th General Assembly held at the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE), Catalunan Grande, Davao City, Philippines Oct 20-28.
The assembly, organised by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Office of Laity and Family (FABC-OLF, AsIPA Desk), has as its theme: Do this in memory of me (Lk 22:19). Bread Broken and Word Shared in Small Christian Communities/Basic Ecclesial Communities (SCCs/BECs).
The objectives of the event were 1) to review and reflect theologically on the experience of the different methods of gospel sharing as a way of breaking the Word in SCCs/BECs; 2) to reflect theologically on how SCCs/BECs break the bread, living the Eucharist in daily life; and 3) to facilitate the sharing of experiences and resources among the participants towards the 'new way of being Church.'
Around 300 delegates - mainly clergy and religious with 30 archbishops/bishops - from 17 Asian and European countries attended the assembly.
The Sandakan delegates were Bishop Gitom, Fr Simon Kontou of Lahad Datu, Teodulfo Rosalia Jr, Mangarina and Francis Tan of Sandakan.
There were also delegates from the archdioceses of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward J Adams presided over the concelebrated opening Mass at San Pedro Cathedral Davao City Oct 20.
The second day kicked off with Bible Enthronement followed by mixed international group sharing on the gospel using the seven-step sharing of the word.
Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus Diocese presented a talk on the understanding of a Eucharistic community based on faith, celebration and life on the third day.
The participants had time to share on community building projects and experiences in the context of the Eucharist and the Word.
They also experienced the Bible Mirror Method (BMM) which allows groups to look beyond immediate personal needs and interests, to focus on a common search for God's will in the face of a difficult public situation in the parish, diocese, village, town and society at large.
Bishop Emeritus Fritz of Africa gave an input on "Breaking the Word in SCCs/BECs" on the fourth day.
The retired bishop is the founder of SCCs and had given much time to develop methodologies in bible sharing, sustaining and enhancing SCCs.
The fifth and sixth days of the assembly provided an opening for delegates to go through the immersion programme.
All participants were sent to foster homes at the suburbs of Davao City and Tagum City (50 km from Davao) Oct 24.
During their stay with their foster families, participants had the opportunity to see how the local people live out their Christian faith in respond to life's challenges.
Their experiences shared through interactions were a rich source of learning for the participants.
They returned to REMASE Oct 25 at around noon time.
The seventh day was designed to allow the participants to practise the seven-step bible sharing method.
The whole afternoon was spent on discussing in mixed country/regional groupings the experiences and outcomes of the exposure programme held the day before, focusing on leadership styles in BECs/SCCs, involvement of PPCs, gospel sharing methodologies, community bonding through BECs/SCCs and strengths and weaknesses of local BECs/SCCs.
Two plenary sessions were held on country/regional groupings reports about BECs/SCCs in the local and their own country context.
From these reports the organising team formulated the assembly statement of commitment.
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Sandakan Formally Establishes Diocesan Women's Apostolate With Rokneh As Chief Coordinator
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Catholic Women's Apostolate (CWA) of the Diocese of Sandakan was officially established Sept 5 with Annie Rokneh of St Mary Sandakan as its first chief coordinator.
The meeting was attended by 12 lay members, with three respresentatives from the four parishes who are currently the parish CWA coordinator, secretary and another appointed by the parish priest.
The term of office is two years and members are eligible for reappointment for another consecutive term.
Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom presided at the inaugural meeting where he expressed his appreciation to all the attending members.
Line up of the 2009-2011 committee are: Annie Rokneh of Sandakan (chief coordinator), Evelyn Watson of Lahad Datu (vice coordinator), Cecilia D Souza of Sandakan (secretary), Hilda Laurencius of Sandakan (asst secretary), Patricia Kuit of Tawau (treasurer), and Nora Nicholas of Telupid (asst treasurer).
The other committee members are Victoria Salati and Arina Anggatis of Telupid, Nora Gabriel and Teresita Ortiz of Tawau, Mariana Dosis and Roslina Praser of Lahad Datu with Sr Appolonia fsic of Sandakan as spiritual adviser.
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Tawau Celebrates Its Pastor's 31st Presbyteral Ordination Anniversary
TAWAU(CS).- Parishioners of Holy Trinity Church celebrated their pastor Msgr Nicholas Ong's 31st presbyteral ordination anniversary Oct 3 with a Mass followed by a fellowship dinner at the parish hall.
Born 59 years ago into a rather wealthy family in Sandakan, young Ong had his primary and secondary education at St Mary's School Sandakan.
He remembers fondly that the present Fr Mulder's Catechetical Centre is where he used to have his primary school classrooms.
After his Senior Cambridge (Form 5) in 1971, when the Catholic Church in Sabah was under persecution with all the foreign priests expelled, Ong set his mind to become a missionary of Christ.
He enrolled into the Singapore Minor Seminary for two years followed by five years of studies at the St Francis Xavier Seminary Penang.
He was ordained priest for the Kota Kinabalu Diocese on 3 Oct 1978.
His first priestly assignment was at St Michael Parish Penampang, then St Paul Dontozidon, where he was secretary to the late Bishop Simon Fung, in addition to teaching duties at the Diocesan Centre.
He later became pastor of Stella Maris Tanjung Aru.
In 1987, Ong went for a two-year course at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley California where he obtained his Master of Theology.
Upon his return, he taught at St Peter's College Kuching till 1996.
His later assignments saw him serving at the Diocesan Centre Penampang, Blessed Sacrament Church Labuan, Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing and St Dominic Lahad Datu.
With the erection of the new Diocese of Sandakan in 2007, Ong was appointed vicar general and became pastor of Holy Trinity Tawau in April 2008.
In his speech, Ong said the reason he became and remains a priest is that he takes as his mission in helping to build up the Christian community by proclaiming and sharing the Good News.
He does not see himself retiring at any age as there is still so much for him to do.
He thanked the parishioners for giving him so much support and asked them to continue praying for him.
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New Publication
With insight and wisdom drawn from Sacred Theology and Behavioural Sciences, Father Charles Chiew of Keningau offers us a reflection that touches the body, mind and soul in both English and Bahasa Malaysia: To forgive is human, and necessary, (Mengampuni adalah sikap manusiawi yang sungguh diperlukan). This timely book discusses the importance of the need to forgive in order to live a happy and healthful life. Contact 088-239932 (KK) or 087-331154 / 339506 (Keningau) at RM8.00 a copy.
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66 Receive Confirmation At Terawi
PENAMPANG(CS).- Sixty-six candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation Oct 8 at Holy Nativity Church Terawi.
The candidates included 20 young people from Limbanak Zone.
Terawi and Limbanak are two of the 12 zones under Penampang Parish.
Archbishop John Lee and Father Alex Sipanul administered the sacrament to the candidates.
After the ceremony, Wildy Moujing, chairman of the Terawi Catholic Community Committee, gave an update on the progress of the community since the last pastoral visit of the archbishop in 2008.
Before adjourning to the church hall for the reception, the archbishop, accompanied by the church officials, visited the newly constructed one-storey visiting priest's house adjacent to the hall (completed and blessed in May this year.)
Of interest perhaps would be the news item that the commemorative tree planted in conjunction with Lee's first visit as archbishop last year is growing up nicely.
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125 Receive First Communion At Cathedral Parish
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- One hundred and twenty-five children, including three Korean children, received their first Holy Communion Oct 10 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral during the Sunset Mass.
Neo-ordained Father Rayner Bisius presided at the Mass with Korean priest Fr Damian Choi as concelebrant.
In his homily, while touching on the readings, Bisius also engaged the young communicants in a dialogue, asking them if they were "ready" for the sacrament.
This time, the wardens were more prepared to keep order during the reception of the sacrament, unlike last year, when they had a hard time keeping order due to overenthusiastic parents/guardians who distracted their children from praying after receiving communion by taking their photos or videos, resulting in an atmosphere of irreverence in the church and losing the time of intimacy with the Lord as well as the meaning of the occasion for the children.
Certificates and gifts were given to the first communicants after Mass by the two priests before they adjourned to the parish canteen for the reception.
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SHC Liturgical Committee Holds GIRM Overview
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Most of the Sacred Heart Cathedral liturgical groups attended the overview of the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) Oct 11 at the parish centre.
Neil Mah of the Worship Commission facilitated the overview on the gestures, postures and movements of the people during Mass which are currently in the process of implementation in the archdiocese.
The changes are to be fully implemented by Nov 29, the first Sunday of Advent.
However, Mah stressed on the spirit behind the changes, explaining to the participants - altar servers, choir, wardens/hospitality/ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs), Children's Liturgy, readers and commentators - the importance of understanding the meaning and implication, the spirit behind all those gestures, postures and movements.
This was followed by a practicum at the cathedral where the different rites were explained and the gestures, postures and movements were practised. Due to time contraints, Mah was not able to go deeper into the different liturgical ministries.
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SHC Parish Organises Pre-PDW 2009 Session
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Over 100 parish group leaders/coordinators of Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish turned up for the Parish Discernment Weekend (PDW) 2008 recapitulation and PDW 2009 preview session Oct 9 at the parish centre.
Some church or group leaders who would not be able to go to the forthcoming Oct 15-17 PDW at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre also took part in the session.
Msgr Primus Jouil welcomed the participants and gave them some words of encouragement while Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman Damian Lee gave the recapitulation of the 2008 PDW.
The chairman touched on the top three pastoral priorities of the parish: family issues, faith formation and reaching out to nominal church members - which came out of that PDW.
Lee briefed the participants on the progress of steps taken to address these issues.
Room allocations and the PDW 2009 schedule were distributed to those going.
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13th Campus Day Focuses On Catholic Traditions And Current Issues
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Around 490 students from 13 colleges and universities took part in the 13th Campus Day (Hari Warga Kampus [HWK]) which focused on Catholic traditions and current issues Sept 22-23 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing.
The campus, with its theme: We have our hope set on the living God (1 Tim 4:10), was jointly organised by the Sabah Catholic Student Council (SCSC), the Campus Ministry Office (CMO) and the Campus Ministry Team (CMT). The Main Organising Team (MOT) was headed by Sixtus Peter Amit of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
First held in 1997, the HWK is an annual event for all Catholic students studying in the various colleges and universities to get to know one another, to share their experiences, to discuss issues affecting their lives in the campuses and to deepen their own understanding of the faith.
Aside from the two talks given: Catholic Traditions by Fr Edward Raymond of Kudat and Implications of Conversion to Another Religion by lawyer Martin Idang, the participants took time to reflect on the Word of God (Lk 9:1-6) and share their reflections in groups, gave testimonies and shared their experiences. They also had thematic presentations.
The opening Mass was celebrated by Fr Johnny Raju; the closing Mass by Fr John Wong, Spiritual Adviser of the Youth Commission - both Masses were held at the cathedral.
The next HWK will held in September 2010.
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SM Konven St Francis Celebrates Feastday
KOTA KINABALU(CS).- Over 400 Catholic students and teachers of St Francis Convent Secondary School Kota Kinabalu participated in the Mass in honour of the school's patron saint, Francis of Assissi, Oct 2, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Johnny Raju. After the Mass the students went back to the school where there were talks and activities on ecology such as recycling, preserving the environment and so forth, as St Francis is the patron saint of ecology. The organising committee was headed by Franciscan Sister Carmen Cordova.
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SYCC Celebrates Silver Jubilee
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) celebrated its silver jubilee Sept 30 at St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan.
The dinner reception was held at a local restaurant attended by some 200 members, friends and well wishers.
Invited guests included Bishop Julius Gitom, Fr Thomas Makajil, Fr Paul Lo, the religious sisters, Parish Pastoral Council members and 20 altar servers.
In his address, the bishop commended the organising committee for the effort taken to celebrate the occasion with a difference, not just a celebration among the members but giving a thought to the priests and showing concern for the Church through the promotion of priestly vocation among the young members.
The bishop asked everyone present to pray for more young people to respond to the call to serve in the vineyard of the Lord.
Founding member Henry Solibun presented a brief talk on beautiful quotations and reflection on the priestly vocation.
The members then viewed an LCD presentation on the lives of Bishop Gitom, Fr Makajil and Fr Lo.
The trio were given tokens of appreciation after the presentation.
SYCC Presiding Elder Michael Lee warmly welcomed all attendees and urged them to pray and support the bishop, priests and seminarians especially during the priestly year.
He said he hoped the young altar servers would be inspired by what they experienced during the function.
The community, Lee said, was formed on 19 Aug 1984 when the pioneers and now the current elders made a covenant to live a righteous life.
Within the last 25 years through the grace of God, the community had gone through the thick and thin of community lifestyle with much joy and sorrow, success and failure, satisfaction and frustration in building the kingdom of God among the members, Lee added.
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Sandakan Diocese Establishes Youth Commission
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Sandakan Diocesan Youth Commission was formally established Oct 3 with an inaugural meeting presided by Bishop Julius Gitom at the Diocesan Meeting Room Sandakan.
In his welcoming address, the bishop reminded the members not to be tied down with activities but to focus on faith and personal formation.
He warned that in the course of seeking self-glory and glamour, competing for recognition and falling into pride, power and privilege, youth may be separated from the main stream of the Church.
He encouraged them to be always linked to the Church through working closely with other ministries and through involvement in BECs.
He told them that the existence of youth groups is vital to the life of the Church.
He expressed his hope that the youth commission will draw up programmes that will help young people to be an integral part of the life and mission of the Church.
The bishop then announced the lineup of the youth commission with Fr Paul Lo as spiritual director, Sr Lilian Unsoh fsic as spiritual assistant, and Anna Theresa Peter Amandus of Sandakan as coordinator.
A presentation on the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the youth gave the commission an opportunity to explore ways to better prepare themselves to face the challenges of faith.
"I want to thank the bishop for the confidence given me to lead. It's an honour. I hope we can walk side by side, closely knitted in the journey of faith," said Amandus in her acceptance speech.
Felsa May of Tawau shared that members should be united and committed in building up a strong and effective youth body.
Lo suggested that an annual youth retreat and assembly be held for a start.
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CNG Holds Health Talks For Boarders
SANDAKAN(CS).- The Sandakan Catholic Nurses Guild (CNG) conducted talks Sept 19 on personal health and hygience especially on H1N1 to 22 male boarders of St Mary's Hostel who are studying at SM St Mary Sandakan. Sinclair Kelvindiran from the Health Department presented the talk on HINI and the necessity to take precautionary steps to prevent the spread of HINI. They also participated in the practicum organised. Francis Chai, chairman of the Hostel Management Committee thanked the CNG for their visit and hoped that such activity will held periodically.
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Catechists Make Half-day Recollection
SANDAKAN(CS).- About 60 Sandakan catechists had a half-day recollection Sept 16 at St Mary's Cathedral in preparation for the pledge-taking on Catechetical Sunday Sept 20. The reflections were facilitated by Franciscan Sisters Appolonia and Lilian on being "Servants of God" and on the importance of effective communication, collaboration and unity.
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Church Officials Make Inspection Visits To Outstation Buildings
SANDAKAN(CS).- Father Thomas Makajil, Peter Thien, chairman of Property & Maintenance Committee, Suzanna Hon, chairperson of Finance Committee, and Sylvester Ho, administrator, made a one-day inspection visit to St Mary"s subparishes and outstations Sept 28. The visit was to check on the progress of work done in these places.
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Merdeka Day Mass Held At St Mary's
SANDAKAN(CS).- Bishop Julius Gitom presided over the concelebrated Mass in conjunction with Merdeka Day Aug 31 at St Mary's Cathedral, joined by 235 participants of the Diocesan BEC Seminar. The celebration began with a flag-hoisting ceremony and the singing of the national and state anthems as a mark of solidarity, respect and honour.
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Two Local Religious Call On Diocesan Head
SANDAKAN(CS).- Jesuit Father Joseph (Jojo) Fung and Sr Lily Sorop of the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd pose with Bishop Julius Gitom when they called on him Sept 25 at the Bishop's Office in Sandakan. Fung hails from Likas, ordained priest in 1986 and is currently serving in Melaka-Johor Diocese. He has a master's degree in anthropology (London) and a PhD in contextual theology (Chicago). Sorop comes from Tambunan and has been in Virac Cantaduanes Philippines since 2003.
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Tawau Celebrates Assumption With Candlelight Procession
TAWAU(CS).- Holy Trinity Tawau celebrated the feast of the Assumption with a candlelight procession Aug 14 around the church compound. The celebration was organised by the Legion of Mary with the recitation of the rosary in the three main languages at the grotto. After the crowning of the statue of Mary by some flower girls, the 300-odd parishioners walked to the church where the Mass was presided by Msgr Nicholas Ong.
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Holy Trinity Gives "voice" To The Young
TAWAU(CS).- Sunday School children made their presence felt at the Catechetical Sunday Mass Sept 20 at Holy Trinity Church through taking part in the choir, readings and collection, based on the theme: Giving the young a voice through the Word. In his homily, Msgr Nicholas Ong told the parishioners that the voices and aspirations of the young are important to he Church. He reminded the faithful to pray for more priestly vocations and later commissioned all the catechists for another year.
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