BLESSING OF ST.PAUL'S CHAPEL BALUNG TAWAU

JULITA SOCCOM TAWAU

Tawau : With the grace and blessing from the Almighty, another chapel which can accommodate about 200 parishioners had been officiated and blessed by Msgr. Nicholas Ong the Vicar-General of the Sandakan Diocese also the rector of Holy Trinity Parish of Tawau. St. Paul is another outstation under the main parish of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Its about 55 km from the main Parish  and takes some 30 minutes by road. Mass was presided over by Msgr. Nicholas and con celebrated by Fr. David A. Garaman.

The significant and momentous event was held on 21st October 2012, the 29th week in ordinary time which was also mission sunday. The rite of blessing began at 2.30 pm in the afternoon with a traditional Timorese warrior dance, outside the Chapel. Some 200 parishioners, local and foreigners attended the event. Most of the parishioners attending Service or Mass are from the Teacher's Training College, a few surrounding education institutions and the nearby plantations. The majority are the Indonesian workers together with the locals and the Filipinos.

       

The existence of this Chapel is a sign that God’s grace flows abundantly in this portion of Tawau. Three years ago, in 2009 Msgr Nicholas graced the ground-breaking ceremony. After three years of dedication and the joint effort of every laity here the chapel has eventually taken shape and put in place. Their hard work has bore fruit, a chapel of permanent structure. Msgr Nicholas in his homily said, 'Today is World Mission Sunday. We are called to live out our mission as witnesses of God to proclaim and spread the Good News. In conjunction with the Year of Faith we are to do our best to make Jesus name known, honored and loved.

After the Thanksgiving Mass, a  slide presentation on the process of the construction and completion of the Chapel was shown. Based on information gathered, spiritual activity  among its faithful started since 2005. Service of the Word and occasionally Holy Masses were celebrated in the house of a lay leader. With the assistance of some lay leaders working in an esteemed company nearby, they initiated to scout for a piece of land  to build a chapel. Today, a dream of some seven years came true and fulfilled.

Andrew Lojumin, the Chairman of the day's event extended his gratitude to all who came to lend support. He was particularly please that Msgr Nicholas and Fr David together with the Chairman and members of the Parish Pastoral Council were present. He commended the effort of everyone and gave praise and thanks to Almighty for He made all things possible. As long as we put our time, talent and treasure, and putting our heart and soul in all we do centering on God, there is nothing that is impossible.

During the fellowship, Gerald Emol the adviser and also a Eucharistic Minister of Communion ( EMC ) of St. Paul Balung expressed his gratitude and thanks to Almighty for His abundance grace granting him the strength to gather the people in that area to live the word of God and to continue serving the Lord. He also thanked the Company in assisting them to build the Chapel with a sitting capacity of some 200 parishioners. He said, 'It is through the spirit of partnership and the providence of God that this chapel is eventually completed. Make full use of it to build up our faith.'

The PPC Chairman, Mario Domingo in his speech encouraged each and all to continue their contributions through the various gifts received in building the church through our  commitment in serving the Lord.  'In this Year of Faith, we are called to grow and be matured in our spiritual life. We must experience the presence of God in our lives through our commitment to listen to His Word and transforming it into action.' he said. Faith and works must go hand in hand. for faith without works is dead.

The program continued with some presentations and the giving away of awards of recognition to those who have contributed their time and effort in the process of construction and completion of the chapel. The day's event came to an end with a dinner reception hosted by the local community.