BEC TAMAN INDAH JAYA ORGANIZES A CEMETERY CLEAN-UP DAY

Dallius LL

Sandakan: The Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) of Taman Indah Jaya took the initiative to organize a gotong-royong service to clean up the Catholic Cemetery in Sibuga, Sandakan on Sunday, 5^th Aug 2012. The laity of Taman Indah Jaya responded to the pastoral thrust of the Diocese, focusing on the building of communities and thus formed its BEC more than two years ago.  

Some 40 members of the community armed with parangs, brooms, rakes and even borrowed grass-cutter machines, gathered together at the cemetery that day with full of zest and commitment to offer their service in beautifying the Catholic burial ground. They were seen pulling weeds, raking up leaves, clearing debris, cleaning tombs and trimming hedges throughout the four-acre cemetery. 

It is an excellent opportunity for parishioners to remember those who have passed on. It is our obligation to ensure that the cemetery is maintained at all times with honor and dignity as it is to us Catholics, a sacred place. It was a rewarding experience for those who participated, bringing them closer as a community.

Three days after the gotong royong on Wednesday, 8th August 2012 the BEC of Taman Indah Jaya was blessed when the Member of Parliament (MP) for Batu Sapi YB Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin personally donated three units of grass-cutters and other gardening equipment and materials to the community. With the equipment donated by the MP, the BEC of Taman Indah Jaya is committed to take up the challenge in tending the burial ground on a regular basis. Leonnie Degullacion, the BEC Chairman said that the Catholic Cemetery Committee might consider  granting them the contract to upkeep and maintain the said cemetery. It is hoped that the effort of  the BEC of Taman Indah Jaya will become a motivating drive to other BECs in rendering their service to the parish.

After the presentation of equipment, YB Datin Linda went up to visit the cemetery to inspect the caved-in section of the road and the land slide. Raymond Wong, Chairman of the Catholic Cemetery Committee, and representatives from the Anglican and Basel Church were on hand to  brief YB Datin Linda on the situation of the road leading to the cemetery. YB Datuk Linda assured the Committee that she will seek allocation to rectify the problem.