To Forgive Is Human, And Necessary (Mengampuni Adalah Sikap Manusiawi Yang Sungguh Diperlukan)

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. 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.

Engaging: A Brief Counseling Approach As A Model For Pastoral Ministry In The Congregational Setting

By Charles Chiew, published by Cloverdale Books, South Bend, 2007 (US$14.95, RM 25.00)

The author investigates how the trend toward brief forms of psychotherapy has progressed, and has become the model form of treatment applied to people in the parish setting. This book outlines reasons short-term therapy is now becoming acceptable, and has many advantages. The author explains how brief pastoral counselling methods are equally effective as longer methods.

Available at the Daughters of St Paul, Tel: 088-239932

Thoughts For Reflections

By Teresa Chung Yun Sin, published by Paulines Sabah 2008, (RM8.00)

These are short stories with human and Christian values born out of the author's personal experiences. Some of the stories have no conclusion - leaving the reader to draw his/her own conclusion. It is a good way of drawing the reader into the story.

This booklet is a project of the author in aid of the Diocesan Retirement Home for Clergy and Religious Building Fund.

Teresa Chung Yun Sin is a former bank officer. Even before accepting the VSS, she has published her first book entitled Stories for Children Around the World in England in 1998.

Available at the Daughters of St Paul, Tel: 088-239932

What's Going On In The Mass?

In describing the publication, the first-ever by a local parishioner in the Kota Kinabalu Diocese, Father Cosmas Lee of the Liturgy Commission, has this to say in the Foreword of the book:

"In a Local Church where knowledge of the liturgy is at best limited, it is stunning to find the width and depth of the author's personal reading and reflection on the Eucharist."

Father Lee continues: "Here is an 'ordinary' lay Catholic, with no formal training in the field, who, so moved by the discovery of the great treasure, has mustered courage and energy enough to collect, write and compile the fruit of his labour, that many more people may stand to gain."

The author, William Yapp, has been working with the Sabah State Government for over 30 years. He retired in 2001.

He is married to Margaret for over 30 years and they have two children, Monica and Alexander. Monica is married to Allen from Sarawak and they have two children.

How did the book come about?

In the author's preface, Yapp writes:

I have, in the past, rightly or wrongly, always considered myself as an honest, faithful church-going "Sunday Catholic" who attend Holy Mass every week.

Baptised at birth, I was taught in catechism that it is an obligation for all Catholics to attend Sunday Mass and missing this is a mortal sin punishable in the eternal fire of Hell.

So I attended Holy Mass faithfully every Sunday, out of fear of the above punishment during my younger days, and out of obligation and the desire to make to good impression on my family and friends in my married life...in all honesty, I did not understand or truly appreciate let alone value the importance of the Holy Mass until recently...

This "recently" was when my two children went overseas for their higher education.

I started sending them information about our Catholic Faith, in addition to reminding them on the importance of a regular prayer life and the need to observe their Sunday "obligation."

Little did I realise that God indeed works in mysterious ways! Out of my concern for my children's faith, He has seen to it in his wisdom to deepen and strengthen my own faith.

It was then that... I began to gradually awaken to the beauty and holiness of our Catholic Faith, to realise how wonderful it is to be Catholic, to discover the true wonders and awesome reality of the Holy Mass, the treasures hidden within Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, and the wonderful Sacrament of (Reconciliation) that the Catholic Church possesses.

However, it has never occurred to me that I would be writing a book on the Holy Mass, let alone has it completed, but for the encouragement and influence of two of our local priests from KK Diocese, Fr Felix Chung and Fr Fundes Motiung.

It has taken me three long but spiritually rewarding years to complete this book...And as this is a free gift of the Lord to me, I want to share what I have found and discovered with others, so that they too will be enriched spiritually as I have. - CS

The 322-page book had a soft launching at Stella Maris Church Tanjung Aru (the author's parish) Feb 3. It is priced at RM22.00 per copy.

For more information, the author may be contacted at 019-8724644 or 088-716617 (R).

For all history lovers, here are three titles to add to your collection on the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu:

Crowned With The Stars
By Mike Gibby, 2005
Hardcover: 240 pp
Price: RM50.00
ISBN 983-42557-0-5
Size: 16cm x 22.5cm x 2.5cm
Language: English

A biography of an extraordinary man, an idealist who spurned a life of ease in Europe to devote his life and fortune to pursuing a personal dream. Prompted always by the ideals of liberty and human rights, and a tireless campaigner against both slavery and piracy, Don Carlos Cuarteron was one of the most extraordinary characters in 19th century Borneo. His story raises important questions on the cost of a wholehearted pursuit of a dream, and on the nature of faith and of success.

The author, Mike Gibby, is British by birth, a biologist by training and resides in Singapore. He is the author of Islands of Malaysia, a travel guide to the islands of peninsular Malaysia, and has had numerous articles published on travel in Southeast Asia. He is married with two children and teaches in an international school in Singapore.

Khabar Gembira (Good News)
By John Rooney mhm, 1981
Hardcover: 292 pp
Price: RM27.00
ISBN 0-86012-122-4
Size: 15cm x 23.1cm x 3cm
Language: English

A remarkable study of the history of the Catholic Church in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. Very readable with many amusing anecdotes, well documented for the serious student of South East Asian history, it provides real insight into the past for Catholics of this region.

The author, Fr John Rooney, has practical experience of mission work in Sabah. He was the first Mill Hill Missionary to be expelled from Sabah in the early 1970s, after he had founded a new mission stationed deep in the interior of Sabah. His love for the Church in Sabah and Sarawak speaks volumes in this well-written, entertaining and informative work.

Put Out Into The Deep
Edited by Irene Obon, 2002
Paperback: 264 pp
Price: RM15.00
ISBN 983-41264-0-9
ISBN 983-41264-1-7
Size: 29.6cm x 20.7cm x 1.5cm
Languages: English/Chinese/Bahasa Melayu

A pictorial documentary on the actual celebrations of the silver jubilee of the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu in all the parishes of the diocese. It gives an overview of the parishes in the diocese and the viewpoints of leading personalities in the diocese as well.

The editor, Irene Obon, is a veteran journalist and has a weekly centrefold in a local daily. She has written numerous articles on culture and people for the local daily.

For more information, contact the Books Distribution Centre @ 088-723973 or fax: 088-713435 or email: w.suyin@yahoo.com