Christmas Fellowship with Bishop Julius

 Sandakan : St Mary's Cathedral organized a Christmas Fellowship with the Bishop Sunday December 26 2010 immediately after the Bahasa Malaysia Mass at 10.30 am at the Parish Hall, attended by some three hundred people. 

L-R : Datuk Peter Pang, Bishop Julius and Fr Thomas Chong

The theme for the celebration; 'One Family ~ Christmas, a time to love' was chosen in line with the Solemnity of the Holy Family which highlighted the qualities of a good family having Jesus Christ as the centre of the family. Also present at the function were Datuk Peter Pang, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah cum Minister of Youth and Sports and Fr Thomas Chong SJ from the Melaka-Johor Diocese who was at the Cathedral Parish to help out during the festive season particularly to the Chinese speaking community.

In his welcoming address, John Baptis the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council extended his appreciation to all those involved in ensuring  the function be implemented as planned. He went on to say that as Church, the people need to journey and witness as a community, as a family involving everyone for the glory of God.

Bishop Julius in his speech, said 'This is our celebration and because of this we come together to celebrate as one family. Christmas is a time to share our God given gifts, be it talents, time or treasure. Let us be generous to one another, inculcating in us the spirit of oneness'.

Members of the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community, English Prayer Group and the Bahasa Malaysia Pastoral Committee entertained the crowd with Christmas carols.

Datuk Peter Pang presented a Christmas hamper to Bishop Julius and together they presented Christmas goodies to the children, teenagers and the youth of the parish.

Enjoying the food and the company of one another

ds and photos by Michael Wong