Pesta Kaamatan Thanksgiving Mass In HTC Tawau

Julita, SOCCOM Tawau

Tawau : The month of May is a  meaningful month for the  Kadazan Dusun community all over Sabah. It is the month of thanksgiving for the great blessing and grace granted by the Almighty to their community. Responding to the goodness of the Almighty and as a sign of deep nd prayerful gratitude, the Tinimungan  Kadazan Dusun ( TUKAD ) community of  Holy Trinity Church (HTC) Tawau offered their Thangksgiving Mass on Sunday, 4th May 2014. More than 600 TUKAD members together with other parishioners attended the Eucharistic celebration. 

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. David A Garaman, the assistant rector of HTC, con celebrated by Fr. Philip Muji of St Mary's Cathedral Sandakan, who was on a visit to Holy Trinity Parish Tawau.

The celebrant began his homily by reflecting on the gospel reading from Luke 24 : 13-35, the road to Emmaus.  He said, 'Journeying together with other communities of  various traditions and customs sometime would blind us from recognizing Christ in our midst. The friction, misunderstanding and at times the unintended racist practices pose a great barrier to establish the spirit of brotherhood as commanded by Jesus Christ.'

The lesson from the Word of God teaches us that by going through the same experience as that of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, our eyes are opened to recognize Christ through the Scripture and through the Eucharist. 

Another lesson from the Word of God is that the death of Jesus shattered the disciples' hopes and dreams. They were at the verge of 'giving up.' There are moments in our life that we felt the same as the disciples. When encountered with problems, we fail to recognize and seek the Lord. His life-giving word and with the bread of life, would nourish and sustain us.

Many a time, we ourselves take that journey to Emmaus. We beg to seek Christ in our disappointment, sadness, anger, doubts and many other challenges. Let us not forget that Christ indeed is just next to us. As we journey together to Emmaus, let us stand together in solidarity and peace that we become the messengers of His love to others.

Wishing all members of TUKAD, a trully Happy, Blessed and Fruitful Harvest Festival !!!

After the thanksgiving mass, everybody adjourned to the Parish Hall for a luncheon fellowship and presentations.