Courtesy Call on Bishop Julius

by ds 

Sitting  L-R :  Francis Tan, Bishop Julius, Poh Choo
Standing L- R : Jell, Sr Maria RGS, Sr Lidwina RGS, Sr Barbara RGS, Sr Alice RGS, Sr Josie RGS

Sandakan : The Director of 'Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS)'  (Sabah) ~ the welfare arm of the Religious of Good Shepherd, Chin Poh Choo who led a delegation of  five religious sisters and one lay staff , paid a courtesy call on Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom DD, Bishop of Sandakan at the Diocesan Conference Room, this morning  Monday, 16th April 2012.                     

Poh Choo briefed Bishop Julius regarding the latest development of their mission in Sandakan and explored ways to enhance their mission service. Currently, there are four religious sisters serving in the Diocese together with a team of lay partners. They have just consolidated their office with Sr Barbara Lip RGS as the Manager of the Sandakan Seri Murni Crisis Centre and Sr Maria Dipal RGS as Program Manager for training and development.

The Good Shepherd Sisters in Sandakan has been journeying with the Indonesian and Filipino migrant communities since setting base here some two years back. The Indonesian community has set up seven 'BECs (basis) and they are being empowered to run the Children Learning Program at St Mark's Church, providing basic education to the migrants' children and the just established literacy class for the youth and adults. The Filipino communities in various areas have been reached out to and Women Empowerment Program have been conducted.

They have also conducted several YouthPREPLink programs for the youth through their Youth Ministry Team.  The elements of the program are relevant and beneficial for the young people to face the challenges of today's globalized world.

Bishop Julius commended PKGS on the noble work carried out and the proposed expansion of their mission in the Diocese.The Good Shepherd Mission is much visible on ground and has benefited both the locals and the migrants.