Lahad Datu : The Diocese of Sandakan celebrated its 3rd Diocesan Day and the 3rd Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom with a two-day celebration. The auspicious celebration kicked off with a subscribed dinner at the Lahad Datu Chinese Secondary School Hall on Friday evening, 15th October 2010 attended by some 850 people.
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| Celebration in progress |
The opening hymn ‘The Feast’ sang by the 30-member Parish Youth Choir, put in place the atmosphere for the sacred celebration.
The trumpets sound, the angels sing
The feast is ready to begin
The gates of Heaven are opened wide
And Jesus welcomes you inside
In his homily, the prelate touched on the importance of being authentic witnesses of God in our daily lives in all circumstances. He called upon the faithful to lean on His teachings and to draw strength from the Holy Spirit at all times.
He went on to say that the Holy Spirit is the guiding force to have transformed the Diocese over the years both in physical and spiritual development. He urged the faithful to continuously pray for a strong community life that will eventually shape the future of the local Church.
The recessional hymn which is the accepted Diocesan theme song, ‘Serve One Another With God’s Love’ composed by the Holy Trinity Parish Choir was sung for the first time.
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| The rector, Fr Simon Kontou |
Right after the close of the Holy Mass, Fr Simon Kontou, the rector of St Dominic’s Church in his address extended his appreciation to all who came from far and near to lend them support, as host of the occasion.
He said, ‘Though there are four parishes, distance separates us. This event, therefore provides the opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our oneness, instilling in us the spirit of unity and a strong sense of belonging to the one Diocese’.
Bishop Julius in his speech called on all faithful to remember the Diocesan Day and make it a basis for building a stronger and unified community. Apart from relating the progress and development of the Diocese, the prelate highlighted three other important upcoming happenings.
- Work on the RM2.9 million ‘Diocesan Pastoral and Worship Centre’ sited within the St Mary’s Cathedral compound had begun and he took the occasion to remind among members that building such a massive structure requires the collective efforts of everyone.
- Its time that the Diocese sets its Vision and Mission Statement and for that, parishes have been directed to hold its parish assemblies to listen to the voices of the grass root, early next year. The outcome of which shall be deliberated at the Diocesan Assembly. The eventual Vision and Mission shall then be owned by every faithful. A facilitators’ training program will be conducted next month to equip the leaders with the right tool and skill in conducting such assemblies.
- BECs are now an in thing of the Diocese and people are much aware of the importance of community life. He thanked all the priests to have been instrumental in setting up BECs in line with the Diocesan pastoral thrust announced two years ago.
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| Willie of Lahad Datu handing over the Diocesan plaque to Albert of Telupid, witnessed by Bishop Julius |
He then announced that the 4th Diocesan Anniversary Celebration for 2011, will be held at St Martin's Parish, Telupid.
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| Bishop Julius (centre) with Archbishop Datuk John Lee (left), Msgr Nicholas (right) and all clergy |
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