ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL NEW YEAR MASS CELEBRATION

DaliusLL, SOCCOM Sandakan

Sandakan: St. Mary's Cathedral celebrated New Year (2014 ) Mass at 8.00 am on 1st January. The mass was well attended by parishioners and their families. January 1st coincides with the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and a Holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church.

“We thank the Lord for all the blessings we have received last year and may the Lord continues to guide, to bless and be with us in our ups and downs throughout this year”, addressed Rev. Fr. Sunny Chung in his opening homily to the parishioners.

 

The presiding priest called upon the congregation to emulate Mother Mary’s faith by saying “Yes” to God without knowing what the future holds for her. By saying “Let your will be done to me according to your will Lord”, Mary has already submitted herself to God and put her life in God’s hand. As Mary did, we also should follow her example to lead a holy life to carry the word that was made flesh in our daily lives and practice it.

Rev. Fr. Sunny said that this New Year, everyone would renew their commitment to God to bring Jesus in their lives, to one another, to those who are in need, to those homeless and especially to those who are walking away from the Church. He concluded by saying, “Don’t leave Jesus inside the Church building, but take Him and bring Him in our hearts wherever we go and in whatever situation we may face”.  After the Mass, everyone took the opportunity to exchange New Year greetings with one another and with Fr. Sunny Chung.