Diocese of Sandakan Catechetical Seminar 09-08-2013

It was brisk business on the second day of the seminar. Morning prayers was at 6.30am in the St. Mary's Cathedral. After breakfast, there was the group photo at the grotto and the first session was "United in Christ, Give witness to Him" by Rev. Fr. Thomas Makajil.

 Sr. Imelda Anggang had the the participants in group discussion on the "New Evangelisation" to start off her talk. After that is was a very details sessions on the Church's various documents on evangelisation.

Rev. Fr. Philip Muji started the session after lunch on "Living our Catholic Faith in the midst of Religious Pluralism." Fr. Philip brought the participants' attention to several major issues confronting the Catholic community in the state or country. The participants felt that there is a need for the Church to explain or make available the details of its many documents issued. Fr. Philip also reiterated the need of dialogue especially in matters of ecumenism and also with the people of different faith like Islam.

This session was followed up with "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church" by Sister Imelda. Again it was a thorough examination of the Church's position on the topic at hand. The evening's Eucharistic celebration by the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu, His Grace Archbishop John Wong, rounded off the "serious" of the day. In his homily he echoed the sermon of the Most Reverend Julius yesterday and posing the question of who made the catechsists the "teachers, coordinators and animators." He reflected Jesus' condition of discipleship is apt and based on the three condition of "deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me." He said that it is critical that we fulfil these with the right motive or conviction. After dinner a video show was held at the Diocesan Pastoral and Worship Centre.