Bishop Julius celebrates Christmas mass

The local community attending Christmas Mass at St Mark's Church

Sandakan : Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom celebrated Christmas Midnight Mass at St Mary's Cathedral on 24th December 2009 and on the following day the prelate celebrated Christmas mass at St Mark's Church and St Paul's Church at 9.00 am and 11.00 am respectively.

St Mark's choir

Bishop Julius, in his Christmas message to the faithful of Sabah through the Catholic Sabah released on 20th December 2009 states that Christmas is 'essentially a celebration of faith in the Lord Jesus' and that the celebration is more meaningful if celebrated in the context of the family ,for God was born in the family, and is to be born in every family.

In deep prayer

St Mark's Church located some 20 km from the town centre and the majority of the parishioners are the Timorese who work within the vicinity in palm oil plantations and poultry farming. The rest of the community are the Kadazandusuns and Chinese. The parishioners assembled at the Church as early as seven in the morning and the Church was packed to the full.

Bishop Julius seen blessing the children

After the Eucharistic celebration at St Mark's Church, Bishop Julius left for St Paul's Church some 50 km from the town to celebrate the same with the local community of which the majority are the Kadazandusuns.

Bishop Julius presenting a hamper to a lucky winner.

Immediately after the mass, the parishioners gathered at the community hall for the Christmas fellowship.

By DS and photos by Bell