St Mary's Cathedral celebrates Thanksgiving Mass

Members of BEC Merak attending the Thanksgiving Mass

Sandakan : St Mary's Cathedral celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass for the close of the Rosary month, the 3rd Anniversary of the Diocese and the 3rd Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom on Saturday 30th October 2010,  the 31st Sunday in Ordinary time. The mass, jointly organized and undertaken by the 7 BECs of the Cathedral Parish was presided by Bishop Julius.

Reciting the Rosary

Prior to the Eucharistic celebration, members of all BECs, in different colored t-shirts and parishioners gathered in front of the Grotto to pray the Holy Rosary led by Sr Appollonia Gumpu fsic.

Bishop Julius

The prelate, in his homily urged the parishioners to respond to the pastoral thrust of the Diocese and that is to establish BECs. It is the communion of communities that will eventually determine and shape the future of the local Church.

He said, 'BECs should by now be the norm of all the parishes. It should be the trademark of the Diocese'.

He added, 'Celebrating the Diocesan Anniversary is an opportune occasion for the faithful to cherish the past, appreciate the present and journey with confidence to the future for the advancement of the Diocese'

After the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners adjorned to the Parish Hall for a fellowship meal, sharing whatever was prepared and more importantly sharing the company of one another.

John Baptis

John Baptis, Chairman of the PPC in his welcoming speech said that he was happy to see the solidarity of members of the 7 BECs and other parishioners coming together to celebrate the three-in-one event. 

BEC Cathedral

BEC Merak

Youth of BEC Taman Indah Jaya

Adult members of BEC Taman Indah Jaya

He said, 'Though the Cathedral Parish may be slow in responding to the Diocesan Pastoral thrust in forming BECs, nonetheless the momentum has been established and is moving along and towards the goal'.

A presentation by the teenagers of BEC Chi Hwa

In between meal, there were some presentations by members of the BECs followed by a cake cutting ceremony by Bishop Julius, Fr Thomas Makajil, Deacon David, religious and PPC members. 

Fr Thomas presenting a cheque to Bishop Julius

Fr Thomas, rector of the Cathedral Parish presented a cheque of RM79,000 which is 30% from the proceed of the Bazaar held on August 15th 2010 to Bishop Julius as a contribution for the construction and completion of the Diocesan Pastoral and Worship Centre.  

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