SANDAKAN ROSARY RALLY

By DaliusLL, SOCCOM Sandakan

Sandakan: St Mary's Cathedral (SMC) Parish is all geared-up for the Rosary Rally which will be its very first in celebrating their Parish Day this year. It is also held to commemorate the Year of Faith. The objective of the Rosary Rally is mainly to foster and strengthen the Christian values in the family by way of;

1.Gathering faithful community to pray together for common purpose

2.To pray that the faithful, especially the future generation, will not fall to the threat and negative consequences of globalisation and secularisation process which portray Christianity morals as no longer relevant in the modern society.

After a series of meetings for the past 3 months, the organising committee convened for their final meeting on 5^th Aug 2013. Also in attendance were Fr.Thomas Makajil, Fr. Philip Muji, Sr. Appollonia Gumpu fsic and Sr. Barbara Lip rgs. The day after the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, will mark the Rosary Rally event on 16^th August 2013 with Marian motive exhibitions, video clip presentation, Formation Talks and Catechesis on Mother Mary in Bahasa, English and Chinese. The highlight of the event will be on 17^th August with Mass at 6.00 am followed with the non-stop Holy Rosary recitation in front of the Grotto until 6.00 pm, after which the evening Mass will be celebrated.

Exhibitions and video clip will be an on-going activity for the 2-day event. Faithful attending the rally, especially those who on pilgrimage to St. Mary's Cathedral will have the opportunity to visit the Ave Maria Hill, pay homage to the pioneer Mill Hill Priest and the White sisters entombed next to Fr Mulders' Catechetical Centre, opportunity for quiet moment for personal meditation and reflection at the stations of the cross amidst  the natural surrounding, have a peek at the Japanese war bunker, visit the Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral And Worship Center, visit Fr. Mulders' Catechetical Center, formerly known as St. Mary's Primary School (the oldest school in Sabah), or enjoy the scenic view of the Sulu sea and part of Sandakan town. During the 2-day event, food will be available for sale at very reasonable price from the many stalls to be set up at the Parish Canteen.

Pilis Malim, chairman of the coordinating committee took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Rector and his assistant, the religious sisters, the PPC Chairman and the committee members and hardworking volunteers for their sacrifice and dedication in their effort in making this event a reality, coming 16^th – 17^th August.

In his closing remark, Fr. Thomas praised the committee and volunteers involved in putting tremendous effort towards the making of this cause a worthwhile event. Not only the devotion of the Rosary unite all the faithful and the many groups in the Church but definitely will bring closer union with Christ our Lord, especially during this Year of Faith. He concluded by saying, “It is not impossible for our dream to make St. Mary's Cathedral a Pilgrimage Center a reality in the very near future with the commitment shown by all of you.” 

For those who may be first timers to St Mary's Cathedral and those who come especially for the Rosary Rally will be assured of a memorable pilgrimage. We warmly welcome all parishioners and may you experience the peace and joy of this special event.