WEEKEND EXPERIENCE WITH SEMINARIANS AND RELIGIOUS SISTERS

Raymond Lee

The seminarians from the Diocese of Sandakan successfully organized a Weekend Experience programme with the youth at St. Martin's Parish, Telupid on 3^rd to 5^th of January 2014. The organizing team was glad for the involvement and support of the parish priest, Fr. Jasery and three Franciscan Sisters: Sr. Appollonia fsic from Sandakan, Sr. Lucy fsic from Kota Belud and Sr. Liza fsic from Penampang. Some 30 youths took part in the programme which began with a fellowship dinner with the parishioners on Friday night.

The objective of the three-day event was to convey to the young people the meaning of vocation especially the priestly and religious vocations. The morning session began with the introduction of ‘What is Vocation’ facilitated by Sem. Dafrinn, followed with a vocation sharing by Sem. Raymond. Following which, the parish priest, Fr. Jasery explained the meaning and ministry of the Diocesan Priesthood.

Sr Appolonia fsic, Sr Lucy fsic and Sr Liza fsic

The afternoon session was an insight to the religious vocation and sharing of religious life by the Franciscan Sisters. The religious sisters and the seminarians presented movie clips regarding their daily life and their ministry in convents and St. Peter’s College, Kuching. The programme of the day ended with a Taize prayer session.

During the Sunday mass, Fr. Jasery introduced the seminarians to the parishioners as a motivation to the local youth to discern deeply and courageously in responding to the priestly and religious vocations.