St Mary's Cathedral Celebrates the 2nd Anniversary of the Erection of the Diocese of Sandakan

Sandakan : St Mary’s Cathedral of Sandakan celebrated the parish level thanksgiving fellowship on the ‘3 in 1 occasion’ i.e. the 2^nd Anniversary of the Erection of the Diocese of Sandakan, the 2^nd Anniversary of Bishop Julius Episcopal Ordination and also his 52^nd birthday yesterday, 11^th October 2009 at the Parish Hall. The occasion was well attended with Bishop Julius as the guest of honor, Fr Thomas Makajil, the rector, Fr Paul Lo the assistant rector, religious, community and group leaders, local and outstation parishioners.

John Baptis, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council in his welcoming address quoted a message from Pope John Paul ll at the close of the Jubilee Year 2000 which is very much relevant and applies to the said function. ‘to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm, to look forward to the future with confidence’. He invited faithful to always be reflective of the past, appreciative and grateful of the present and to remain confident in facing the future.

He also said that by virtue of our common baptism we are entrusted with a role to play in the Church and should be asking ourselves ‘what can I do for the Parish or Diocese rather than ‘what can the Parish or Diocese do for me’.

Bishop Julius was grateful to the Parish Pastoral Council members and expressed his heartiest congratulations to them for the initiative taken to organize the event. He reminded everyone that the '3 in 1' occasion should also include the elevation of St Mary's Church to a Cathedral Parish and therefore should set as a role model for other parishes. He appealed to all faithful not to wait for things to happen but together as a family make things happen.

He said that there are urgent issues that need the attention of the whole Parish. Issues on pastoral matters and physical needs are challenges that need strong collaboration and will to solve. That can only be achieved if focus is on the Lord. He urged the lay faithful to be proactive and not just wait for directive from the hierarchy.

The events of the night include a dinner reception, cake cutting ceremony, toasting and presentations by the Parish Youth Team.

Holy Trinity Church of Tawau will host the diocesan level 2^nd Anniversary of the Erection of the Diocese of Sandakan and the 2^nd Anniversary of Bishop Julius Episcopal Ordination on 16^th October and 17^th October 2009 with a dinner reception and Eucharistic Celebration respectively.

DS