CANONICAL ESTABLISHMENT OF SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER FRATERNITY OF ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SANDAKAN, SABAH.

The welcoming team

The Eucharistic celebration

Sandakan  : The Secular Franciscan Order Fraternity of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan was canonically established on Sunday 26th September 2010 with a Mass celebrated by  Fr. Thomas Makajil, the rector of the Cathedral and con-celebrated by Friar Arul Mariadass, OFM the Regional Spiritual Assistant of the SFO. 

Fr Thomas Makajil

In his homily,  Fr. Thomas congratulated the SFO members for their eagerness and effort to live the teaching of Christ  in accordance to the Rules and Constitution of the Secular Franciscan Order. He also hoped  that, the SFO members will work hand in hand with the members of the other communities in the church to ensure the success of its pastoral  plan and vision.

Members of the newly established SFO fraternity  with Sr Appolonia  fsic

The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is a community of Catholic men and women, who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are members of the Third Order of St. Francis founded by St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. Originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, the Order is approved and recognized by the Holy See by the official name of Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS).

Friar Arul reading the document for the canonical establishment of the fraternity

Dympna sfo as a witness 

Luise sfo as co-witness

After the homily, Friar Arul read the Document for the Canonical Establishment of a Local Fraternity in the National Fraternity of Oceania signed by the Regional Minister SFO Ms. Patricia Tan Huat Neo, Permission of the Friar Custos Friar Michael D’Cruz, OFM and the  the Permission of the Local Ordinary, Rt. Rev.  Julius Dusin  Gitom, Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan. The same document was signed by Friar Arul, witnessed by  Dympna Richard, sfo  and Luise sfo.  

Members of the SFO fraternity  of St Mary

Sr Appolonia fsic receiving the appointment as the SA

Lina Sampog the Local Minister of  the SFO fraternity of St Mary

Sister Appollonia Gumpu, fsic was appointed as the Spiritual Assistant and Adriana Lina Sampog as the Local Minister for the Secular Franciscan Order Fraternity of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan.

Gathering at the Parish Hall for the fellowship

The joys of the SFO followed with a fellowship lunch at the parish hall participated  together by the SFO brothers and sisters from the Fraternity of Limbahau, Papar, Tuaran, Stella Maris, Labuan, Keningau, Our Lady Fatima, Beluran, St. Mary’s Cathedral and parishioners.

A musical presentation by the fraternity of Limbahau

The Fraternity of Limbahau presented a lively and entertaining musical item, followed with a slide show of the activities and program of the Secular Franciscan Order of St. Mary’s Cathedral.  

Sr Lilian fsic (4th from left) with regional and local sfo ministers

Sr Appolonia fsic and members of the St Mary's fraternity

The momentous event will always remind the SFO members, the beauty of  brotherhood and sisterhood, as they journey together as one family, in the fraternity.

“Pax Et Bonum”

Brenda De Guzman