Formation of Diocesan Social Communication Commission

Diocese of Sandakan - Social Communication Commission line up

Sandakan: The Diocese of Sandakan had officially established the Diocesan Social Communication Commission on Saturday, 4th July 2009 with Terrence Ngui appointed as the first Chairman of the said Commission and Airenne Gumanas as the Secretary. The inaugural meeting held at the Diocesan Meeting Room, Church Hill Road, Sandakan was well attended with representatives from all the four parishes.

Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom

Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom DD presided over the meeting and in his opening address, welcomed the representatives from all the parishes. He touched on the importance of communication in the context of the local Church. The Church should by now be able to communicate with the parishioners through the printed and electronic media, a tool of communication outside the pulpit. The world of cyberspace offers magnificent opportunities for evangelization and a platform for proclaiming the gospel. He urged the committee to explore ways whereby information can be perceived, transmitted and understood. The internet is a powerful and effective means of communication if used with competence and a clear awareness of its strength. For change to take place, there is a need for conversion as we face the challenges in the new culture of communication.

A display of printed media, a tool of communication outside the pulpit.

Terrence Ngui who attended the regional social communication commission meeting in Sibu recently, briefed the members on the latest development of the regional commission , its set up, roles and function through a slide presentation. He also spoke on the proposed structure of the social communication structure both at diocesan and parish level. Apart from that he explained in detail the process flow of print and electronic media and the right way in establishing the parish archive.

Briefing by Terrence Ngui

Representatives from the other parishes shared on the development of their social communication committee. All of them had established either web sites or blogs. They hoped to be linked to the diocesan blog. All parishes are weak in archive work and agreed to place more emphasis in this area. It was also resolved that a training session on basic journalism and photography will be organized before the end of the year for current parish media team and potential writers.

Before the close of the meeting, Bishop Julius was invited to launch the official diocesan blog newsupdate~diocese of sandakan.

The launching of the official diocesan blog. (http://newsupdatedospo.blogspot.com)

The full line up of the Diocesan Social Communication Commission for the term of 2009~2011;

(L)Chairman - Terrence Ngui(St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan)

(M)Secretary - Airene Gumanas(St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan)

(R)Committee - Dalius Lobinjang (St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan)

Committee - Monica Loh (St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan)* Not able to attend the meeting.

(L)Committee - Shirley Yong (St Dominic's Church, Lahad Datu)

(M-L)Committee - Lawrence Matusin(St Martin's Church, Telupid)

(M-R)Committee - Jessielyn Monton (Holy Trinity Church, Tawau)

(R)Committee - Joel Monasque (Holy Trinity Church, Tawau)