Welcoming The Juniors in UMS.

DS / st

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! - Ps 133:1

SANDAKAN : On Sunday, 21st September 2014, some 50 Christian students who have just enrolled into University Malaysia Sabah ( UMS ), Sandakan gathered for a welcoming event ~ 'welcoming the juniors to the campus' organized by the seniors. 

Apart from extending our arms to welcome them, the program is also an assurance that they are not alone in the campus. They will have the Brothers and Sisters In Christ ( BASIC ) to journey with them throughout their campus life in Sandakan. 

The program started with a praise and worship session led by Christopher Aban and group members, followed by games conducted by Anna Teresa, the Diocesan Youth Coordinator. The new president, Emanuel from Bintulu, Sarawak introduced BASIC, its structure, aims and objectives.  He introduced the new committee members of BASIC and he also presented some slides on the activities carried out for the year 2014. 

Before the program ended, Rem, also a student from Sarawak, expressed his hope that members will have the zeal to spur one another on, to commit to turn up for all other gatherings and activities. He urged the students to always stay united. He then led the Closing Prayer. It was a night filled with hope, love and joy.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY 'ROSARY WORKSHOP' AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH, TAWAU

BY CHRISTINE LIEW

Tawau : Passing on our faith to the next generation needs commitment and perseverance. Children deserve  to receive the fundamentals and the basics of their  faith  especially through their parents.

The facilitators of the Children's Liturgy of Holy Trinity Parish Tawau organized a one-day Rosary Workshop on 16^th September 2014 for children aged 10 years and above. It was attended by some 30 students,  English Sunday School teachers and parents. The workshop commenced from  9.00 am to 4.00 pm. 

The workshop aimed to help students in deepening their faith about Mother Mary through the knowledge of the Holy Rosary.

Topics covered during the workshop were :

1. What is the Rosary?

2. How the Rosary began?

3. Apparitions of Mother Mary

4. The promises given to St Dominic to those who recite the Rosary

5. Blessings and benefits of saying the Rosary.

6. The different mysteries that tells the life of Jesus.

7. How to answer questions on Mary and the Rosary

The session concluded with students making their own Rosary, assisted by facilitators, teachers and parents. The activity promoted creativity and the interaction helped develop a closer relationship bond.

The children left the workshop with their handmade rosaries which they were proud of. The organizers hoped that through the workshop students will be encouraged to recite the Holy Rosary and say it with more conviction and pride.

BEC CORE GROUP OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH, TAWAU ( 2014 -2016 ) FORMALIZED

BY JULITA, SOCCOM TAWAU

Tawau : The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) are acknowledged as a new way of "being church." It brings Christ to the family, community within the neighborhood. It is a church at the grass root. BECs are formed, based on the geographical location of the neighborhood. Families gather to listen and share the Word, proclaiming it and giving witness to it as members of a big family.

BECs remain the pastoral thrust of the Diocese of Sandakan since its inception in 2007. It is an effective way of evangelization and thus BECs is one of the most active movement in Holy Trinity Parish.  Msgr Nicholas Ong, the rector has been most instrumental about BECs and has been going round to promote the concept. To date, there are 56 BECs established in the Parish.

Danny and Julita facilitated sessions on 'The Christian Community' for all nominated members on Monday, 1^st September followed by election on Sunday, 7^th September. 

After going through the catechesis sessions and selection procedures, the newly selected members of the BEC Core Group for Holy Trinity Parish Tawau were commissioned on Saturday, 13^th September 2014 during sunset Mass.

In order to sustain continuity and provide support to the new line up, members of the ad-hoc committee remained  as a "consultative body." They shall render assistance and guidance to the new line-up when necessary.

Members of the new line up;

BEC Coordinator	Andrew Kiat
Chairman	Severinus Abel
Vice Chairman	Gilbert Jack
Secretary	Alesa Bontilau
Asst Secretary	Helena Ansel
Members	Freddy John, Bernard Chin,
	Matius Yohanes, Maria Felix,
	Mararetha Felix, Dorce Kondo,
	Lorensius Paulus, Yohanes Usen

Members of the "Consultative Body,"

Msgr. Nicholas Ong, the rector, Sr Liza Agustine fsic, Danny Carreon, Magrina Kiob, Julie Koh, Petrus Bernadus, Clara Alberto and Julita Kantod.

Members of the BEC Core Group are obliged to :

• Provide continuous monitoring to each BEC area in term of their activities, involvement of their members in church programs, visit by the Core Group members, priests / religious or other groups such as the Family Life members and other spiritual needs to the particular BEC area
• Organize faith formation to the main core group team as well as to all BEC facilitators or coordinators through talks, workshops, recollections or any spiritual input conducted by other church groups.
• Identify potential areas to form BECs.
• Involve BECs in church programs such as home carolling, organizing Mass, holding a BEC Day or participate in Parish Feast day celebration.
• Cooperate with other groups in the church especially the rector and the Pastoral Council.
• Sustain good communication and relationship bond within members of the BEC area and other groups/ ministries in the church.
• most of all, to be bound to the church teaching and mission.

The first BEC Core Group meeting was held on Sunday, 14th September with Msgr Nicholas Ong, presiding over the meeting.

圣三堂华文教友一同欢庆中秋晚会

BY EDWARD KOH,SOCCOM TAWAU

“月圆人团员”。一年一度华人传统文化中秋节于9月7日在堂区礼堂隆重举行。华人牧灵委员会主席上台致词说庆祝中秋佳节是要我们一同团聚，团圆，共融与彼此联系。当晚主办当局敬备无数节目如歌唱，灯笼比赛，口琴表演，剥柚子以及猜灯谜。在众多的教友参与之下，当晚的气氛显得热闹与喧嚣，个个不亦乐乎。教友也携带自己烹饪的美味佳肴来与大家一同分享。在游戏环节，修女们也被邀请上台一同竞技剥柚子。在由王蒙席颁发奖品给灯笼比赛与猜灯谜的胜利者之后，大约9时左右结束晚会。

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE LEGION OF MARY, HOLY TRINITY PARISH TAWAU

BY JULITA, SOCCOM TAWAU

Tawau : Some 100 members of the LOM ( Legion of Mary ) of the 3 main language ( BM, Chinese and English ) gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary – English Praesidium known as “Mother of Divine Grace” on Saturday, 6th of September 2014 at the Parish canteen.

The Golden Anniversary dinner fellowship took place in the evening after a half-day recollection conducted in the morning, facilitated by Patrick Benjamin, the Vice-President, Comittium of Kota Kinabalu. The Comittium is responsible in looking after the Bahasa Malaysia curia in Tawau.

The Legion of Mary at Holy Trinity Parish Tawau was first introduced by the late Rev. Fr. Lampe in 1956 where Rev. Fr. Beckhema was the rector. It then slowly took root and was well accepted by the parishioners.

1964 marked the formal formation of this group when most of the Convent girls became members. This group known as "Mother of Divine Grace" was led by two priests, Fr. Kouthers and Fr. Hurley. It was then divided into two praesidiums due to the increasing number of members. The second group formalized  in March 2001 was named "Mother of Perpetual Help Succour."

In the early days, legionaries contributed towards the cleaning of the the church compound and promoting the recitation of the Holy Rosary. Impressed by their commitment and the success achieved, the Tawau Chinese Curia,  called "Queen of family" was  eventually set up in 1995 during Fr. Aloysius Tung's ( the rector ) time. Michael Wong was appointed as the Curia President at that time .

A short history of the formation of LOM at Holy Trinity Parish; 

• 1956 – first introduced by Fr. Lampe
• 1964 – English praesidium called "Mother of the Divine Grace" later divided into two in 2001 called  "Mother of Perpetual Succour"
• 1987 – Chinese Praesidium called "Queen Of Peace"
• 1995 - Chinese Curia  formed, called "Queen Of Family"
• 2014 - Bahasa Malaysia Curia called "Mother Mediatrix of all Graces"

At present, there are 118 legionaries at Holy Trinity Parish Tawau with 12 auxiliary  members in 9 Praesidiums, 3 from the English, 5 from the Chinese and 1 Bahasa Malaysia.

Currently, legionaries journey closely with other groups in serving the church such as at the RCIA, Sunday School, Canteen service, Novena devotion and other spiritual and social activities.

Present at the occasion were Msgr Nicholas Ong, the rector, Sr Lisa fsic and Sr Aquinas Voon fsic. Apart from some entertainment presentations, senior members were honored and were presented with mementos as a token of appreciation and recognition of their dedicated service.

Bishop Julius Blesses the Building Site for the Extension of St. Mark's Multi-Purpose Hall

BY ROGENA ROGER SINING

Sandakan : Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom blessed the building site and graced the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed new hall for St. Mark's Church, some 20 kilometers from town, yesterday 14th September 2014. The ceremony marked the start of the construction.

The new building, a 30 feet by 100 feet two-storey concrete structure is an extension of the existing hall, behind the church. The proposed building runs parallel to the existing hall, which is 18 feet apart. The gap will be covered, to add space to the hall and when completed, may accommodate some 600 people for church functions and community activities. The first floor of 4 classrooms will be used for catechism classes.

Present to witness the occasion were, Michael Lai, St Mary's Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council Vice-Chairman, David Chung, the Parish Finance Committee Chairman, Peter Thien, the Parish Property Management Committee, John Pang, Dimeh Koyopo, St Mark's Pastoral Committee Chairman and his committee members.

St Mark's Church, built in 1993 sits on a two-acre site with a multi-purpose hall constructed behind the church, to cater to the then small Catholic community. With the ever increasing number of parishioners over the years, both local and foreign, the need to extend the hall is felt. The new extension is expected to be completed before 14th April 2015. 

PROGRESS WORK ~ PROPOSED ST MARTIN'S PASTORAL CENTRE

BY LAWRENCE, SOCCOM TELUPID

Telupid : Progress work on the proposed St Martin's Pastoral Centre, measuring 70 feet by 100 feet costing some RM800,000 is according to schedule. The concrete floor slab has been completed and the reinforced concrete columns are in place.

Rebar works for the ground beam at the entrance and at the first roof beam are in progress.

St Mark's Multi-Purpose Hall To Be Extended

BY DS 
PHOTOS BY BELL

L-R : Fr Thomas, Isaac Pang, Bishop Julius and Peter Lo

Sandakan : Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan signed the contract for the extension of St Mark's Multi Purpose Hall, some 20 km from town, this morning 12th September 2014 at St Mary's Cathedral Parish Conference Room. Peter Lo, signed on behalf of Terusan Enterprise, the successful bidder for the project.

The extension, a double-storey concrete building measuring some 30 feet by 100 feet, consists of 4 classrooms on the first floor and an open hall on the ground floor. It shall run parallel to the existing hall at a gap of some 18 feet which shall be covered on completion of the proposed extension.

Present during the signing ceremony were Fr Thomas Makajil, the rector of St Mary's Cathedral Parish, Fr Sunny Chung, the assistant rector, Isaac Pang (lawyer), Pilis Malim, the PPC Chairman, David Chung, the Finance Committee Chairman, Peter Thien, the Property Management Committee Chairman, John Pang, Demeh Koyopo, St Mark's Pastoral Committee Chairman and his committee.

The total cost of the project is RM800,000 (RM Eight Hundred Thousand Only). The project is expected to take some seven months to complete and the contractor assured that the handing over shall be on or before 14th April 2015.

Bishop Julius extended his appreciation to those who had initiated the extension especially John Pang who has been very instrumental of the project. He expressed his full confidence in the Building Committee and the contractor that the project would be completed as scheduled.

The prelate urged everyone in the Cathedral Parish under the capable leadership of Fr Thomas to generously assist the sub-parish to solicit for funds for the project. With the involvement and the cooperation of the faithful, things will work out accordingly to His will.

The ground breaking ceremony shall be graced by Bishop Julius on Sunday, 14th September at 10.30 am, after the Bahasa Malaysia mass.

(山打根訊)  聖瑪莉主教座堂華協青年團奪得2014年“第四屆華協聯誼杯”。當日共有14組競逐聯誼杯，場面熱鬧歡愉。

華文協調委員會(簡稱華協)于本月一日早上八時半，在堂區活動中心舉辦2014年“第四屆華協聯誼杯”，今年聯誼杯主辨單位為聖母軍。參加隊伍有：聖瑪莉主教座堂華協青年團、聖馬谷堂青年團、同禱會、主日學、及聖母軍各小組共組隊14，競逐一年一度“華協聯誼杯”。共70位教友、非教友參與。

比賽項目分別有：“報紙建築”、“湯匙傳沙”、“椰子保齡球’、“味覺大比拼”、“旅遊名勝”、“地理常識”、“聽一聽”等等共設十六競賽站，比賽時間為一個半小時，各隊伍自由選擇。比賽項目別出心栽，老少咸宜。 

各參賽者都抱著友誼第一、比賽第二的原則，玩得盡興，也表現了“體育精神”。除了促進了友好聯誼，也帶來和諧、融洽。

經過一個小時半的激戰后，最高分的隊伍有兩組：聖瑪莉堂華協青年團以及圣馬爾谷堂青年團，主持人宣佈進入加時賽。第一輪“椰子保齡球”加時賽一度出現平手；第二輪中，聖瑪莉堂青年團以兩分險勝聖馬爾谷堂青年團，取得最終勝利。

2014年“第四屆華協聯誼杯”得主為聖瑪莉主教座堂青年團。與此同時，主辦單位聖母軍也將下屆主辦權移交于聖瑪莉堂華協青年團，比賽于中午時分圓滿落幕。