Bishop Datuk Julius Conferred Datukship BY TYT Sabah

By DS

Heartiest Congratulations and Prayerful Wishes to Rt Rev Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom DD

Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan 

on being conferred the State Award of Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK)

which carries the title 'Datuk'

by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sabah

Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Bin Haji Mahiruddin

S.M.N., S.P.D.K., P.G.D.K., P.J.N., A.S.D.K., J.P.

In conjunction with His Excellency's 59th Birthday 

on 6th October 2012

From :
All Clergy, Religious and the Laity of the Diocese of Sandakan

Mario Domingo, PPC Chairman, HTC Tawau

It is our privilege to hear the news that His Lordship Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom has been conferred the PGDK award which carries the title 'Datuk' by the TYT of Sabah. The Sandakan Diocese has now added up another occasion to celebrate this October, together with His Lordship's birthday, his 5th Episcopal Ordination anniversary, the 5th anniversary of the erection of the diocese and the opening and blessing of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. All this is made possible through the divine intervention and the overflowing blessings that God has showered upon this young and vibrant diocese, its clergy, religious and lay faithful.

On this auspicious occasion we, the laity of Holy Trinity Parish and its sub parishes, hereby renew our pledge of obedience to the Truth, to do our utmost and to give our Bishop our whole hearted support in discharging his duties, as our beloved Bishop, teaching and leading us to be faithful and fruitful.

In such a short span of 5 years, with the blessings and encouragement from His Lordship we have established more than 30 BECs in Tawau. These BECs together with the many church groups, ministries and apostolates has somehow learned and is still learning some more; how to wash each other’s feet and to “Serve one another with God’s love” (taken from the Gospel of John) which is the Bishop’s Episcopal motto.

We look forward to the establishment our very own Vision and Mission statement of the Sandakan Diocese, as a guide to our physical, mental and spiritual growth of our parishes, diocese and its flock. Having gone through the process of formulating the Vision and Mission statement at parish level, we have seen our shortfalls and shortcomings but we are not discouraged. We look forward anxiously for guidance and inspiration from our prelate, in achieving our soon to be Diocesan Vision and Mission statement.

May the Lord continue to shower His choicest blessings upon our beloved Bishop.

Patrik, PPC Chairman, St Mary Sandakan

It is indeed a great blessing to all of us in the diocese. An honor to the people of God here in Sandakan. The conferrment of PGDK to Rt Rev Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom coincided with a great number of joyous events ~ the 5th Diocesan Anniversary, the 5th Episcopal Ordination of our dear Bishop, his belated birthday and the Official Opening and Solemn Blessing of our Pastoral Centre.

As a young Diocese of 5 years, the Sabah Government has recognized the important role of the Catholics of this Diocese of Sandakan towards its contribution in building the community and the society at large.

We are proud to have our very own Bishop and Diocese. Under his guidance and foresight, the pastoral thrust of the diocese in building community through BECs has  successfully taken shape. The establishment of BECs in the various parishes, has enhanced the closeness of the faithful. 

There are significant shifts in the backbone of this parish. The Chinese and the Filipino used to form the majority of its members. The Good News has taken root and spread in Sandakan. The vast majority are now the local natives of the State. My hope and expectation is that more young people would respond to the call of vocations, as priests or religious. The Church needs more shepherds especially from the Chinese community to tend to the Chinese speaking flock.

May the Lord continue to bless our dear Bishop. 

Willie Binati, PPC Chairman St Dominic,L. Datu

We give thanks and praise to the Lord for His greatness and blessings showered upon our beloved Bishop Julius D. Gitom as the head of Sandakan Diocese being conferred the 'Datukship.' This award augers well for our Diocese of Sandakan as this month of October we will be celebrating our fifth Diocesan Anniversary as well as Bishop Julius' Episcopal Ordination.

Through the grace of God, the Diocese has grown tremendously; spiritually and physically.  Come 26th October 2012 we will be penning another history on the occasion of the Opening and Blessing of the long awaited Pastoral Centre of our Diocese ~ the hallmark as well as a sign of our progress which we faithful are proud of. 

Thank you Lord for the many blessings showered upon us in the Diocese. Definetly spiritual development is also on par with our physical development as we can see for ourselves the increasing number of BECs in Lahad Datu. There are more than 30 BECs, a sure way of building up the community.

Our dear Bishop Datuk Julius has always been our source of strength and encouragement. He has inspired us to move forward in building the Church. This award to the Lordship is indeed a recognition to the faithful of our Diocese. May this recognition spur us further with burning spirit to grow in faith and strength especially  in this year of faith.

Together in chorus with the other parishes, we the parishioners of St. Dominic's Parish wish our Lordship Bishop Datuk Julius, heartiest congratulations on his 'Datukship' award. Happy Episcopal Anniversary and Happy Birthday too! 

May the Almighty Lord continue to bless you and grant you the grace necessary to guide us.

Herman Soibun, PPC Chairman, St Martin Telupid

Pertama sekali, kita bersyukur kepada Tuhan kerana dengan rahmat dan berkatnya, Diosis Sandakan mendapat pengiktirafan kepimpinan melalui penganugerahan Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) yang membawa gelaran DATUK kepda Bapa Uskup Datuk Julius oleh Kerajaan Negeri baru-baru ini. Ini adalah satu petanda yang sangat positif dalam perkembangan visi dan misi Diosis Sandakan yang sedang  direncanakan pada ketika ini.

Bagi Paroki St. Martin Telupid, sesungguhnya sangat bersyukur dengan penganugerahaan ini kerana sangat bersesuaian dengan waktunya, dimana Diosis Sandakan menyambut ulang-tahun Diosis yang ke-5 dan juga menyambut ulang tahun Bapa Uskup Datuk Julius yang ke -55 tahun. Selain itu, pada bulan ini kita bukan sahaja merayakan Perayaan Ulang Tahun Disosis yang ke- 5 tetapi kita juga dapat menikmati satu lagi kejayaan iaitu, perasmian juga pemberkatan Bangunan ' Diocesan Pastoral Centre' yang baru.

Semoga dengan adanya bangunan baru ini akan dapat meningkatkan lagi proses perkembangan pelayanan dan iman komuniti keseluruhan, di Diosis Sandakan. Kita berharap dengan berkat dan rahmat Tuhan yang berlimpah akan menyemarakkan semangat umat untuk terus berkembang maju dalam pertumbuhan  iman.

Akhir sekali, marilah kita bersatu, senantiasa berdoa dan berkembang maju dalam satu harapan dan iman yang berpusatkan  Kristus.