FEAST OF STO. NINO de' CEBU

JCK, SOCCOM TAWAU

Tawau : The Filipino Pastoral Community ( FPC ) celebrated for the 15th consecutive year, the annual Feast Of Sto. Nino de’ Cebu with a Holy Mass at 11.00 am on 20th January 2013 presided by Msgr. Nicholas Ong and con celebrated by Fr. David A. Garaman. The objective of the celebration is to honour the history of Christianity in the Philippines by being part of the event with the theme  ~ 'Strengthen Our  Faith'.

Having celebrated this event since 1998 here in Holy Trinity, the Fiesta of Sto. Nino de' Cebu becomes one of the most meaningful celebrations for the Filipino Community in Holy Trinity Parish Tawau .

The feast was attended by some 800 Filipino parishioners together with other fellow Filipinos  from Sandakan, Keningau and Lahad Datu.

In his homily Msgr. Nicholas touched on the importance of living in communion with one another, to be strengthened and be firm in the same faith always worshiping and glorifying the Lord. We must always remain child-like totally dependent on the Father, having faith and hope that God is our provider. Like Jesus He surrendered his life in the hand of the Father knowing that we are nothing without God's grace and blessing. He said, 'The meaning of honouring the Holy Child of Jesus becomes more significant which is manifested in our faith'.

He continued in reminding all youths that the reason of the Mass is to continue the work of salvation. We should never worry about earthly possession but to come and worship, to seek the Kingdom of God and the rest will be provided according to our needs.

In conclusion, he said that through salvation brought to us by Jesus, we should always thank the Lord for all the gifts  poured unto us especially the gift of Faith - faithfulness to God and most of all, faith in the Sacrament,  leading to the one belief. Thus, we are to work together for the good of the Church and the Glory of the Lord.                      

After the celebration of the Mass, parishioners assembled at the Parish Hall for a fellowship lunch with  presentations and lucky draws.

The presence of the Consul General of the Philippines Embassy from Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Medardo G. Macaraig made the event more meaningful to the Filipino Community.  He was with the people right from the start of the Mass right till  the end of the program.