Diocese of Sandakan celebrates its 3rd Annversary

The 85-table subscribed dinner at the Chinese Secondary School Hall

Lahad Datu : Faithful from across the Diocese of Sandakan as well as the Diocese of Keningau and the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu converged at the Lahad Datu Chinese Secondary School Hall in the evening, 15th October 2010 for the ‘three-in-one’ subscribed dinner reception celebrating the 3rd Sandakan Diocesan Anniversary, the 3rd Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom and his 53rd birthday.

St Dominic’s Church, with Fr Simon Kontou and Fr Jasery as the rector and assistant rector respectively, hosted the event.

Some 850 people were present at the function including Most Rev Datuk John Lee, the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu, Msgr Gilbert Enggan of the Diocese of Keningau, Msgr Nicholas Ong of the Diocese of Sandakan, Sr Grace Deosing, Mother Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Brother Ben of Bundu Tuhan, clergy and religious sisters.

Arrival of parishioners and well wishers

More arrivals

Arrival of guests including Archbishop Datuk John Lee of KK

The celebration begins with the arrival of Bishop Julius

Dinner is served after the Grace by Msgr Nicholas Ong

Presentations and cake cutting ceremony 

The Diocese of Sandakan, erected on 15th October 2007 is situated on the eastern part of Sabah with four parishes and one missionary area. It has a land size of 43,110 sq kilometers, the biggest among the three arch/dioceses. Currently there are only six priests and twelve religious sisters tending to the needs of some 64,000 Catholics.

The evening’s function commenced with a liturgical dance entitled “Cover the Earth’ by members of the Parish Youth Apostolate sending out a message that the people of God ought to be the instrument to exalt and extend Jesus name globally.

During the course of the dinner, the faithful were entertained to a variety of cultural and modern dances presented by the various parish groups. It was a spectacular sight to see the diversity of the parish groups taking its rightful place in the life of the Church.

Mid way through the dinner, members of the Parish Youth Apostolate led Bishop Julius on stage and a ten-year old girl, Kimberley serenaded a very moving song to the prelate followed by an unceasing round of applause by the people.

Happy birthday Bishop,
We are so glad you are here 

Everyone is around 

And the cake looks so nice
But the real gift is you
Happy birthday Bishop
We are so glad it’s your day
All these beautiful people
Make this day so special
And it’s all about you
Happy birthday Bishop
Bishop we love you.

Archbishop Datuk John Lee seen congratulating Bishop Julius

Willie Binati

When asked about his hope and aspiration of the Diocese, Willie Binati, the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council and the event Organizing Chairman shared that the people of God must pray, continuously and fervently for priestly and religious vocations. The response to the call for vocations is crucial for without priests there would be no Eucharist and without Eucharist there would be no Church.

More presentations and Closing Prayer by Bishop Julius

‘BECs in St Dominc’s Parish are set on the right footing. They are contributing to the growth of the Church. I hope BECs will play a more vibrant role in shaping the Church. We need to fall in line with the pastoral thrust of the Diocese and that is to make BECs the top priority in our pastoral planning’.

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