CHILDREN LITURGY “ A WALK THROUGH MASS “ SEMINAR

By Mary Marclyn Rendal, Children Liturgy 

Photos by Carlos

 

Tawau : Understanding the fuller and deeper meaning of the Liturgy must be from the very beginning of each one's life as followers of Christ. With this awareness of an early exposure to the fundamental spiritual need, one must cultivate and place in their heart  the importance of attending Mass from childhood.

The Children Liturgy team and the Sunday School facilitators in a joint effort, organized  a one-day seminar called "A walk through Mass" on Saturday, 8th November 2014 from 7.30 am to 4.00 pm.

Some  150 children from the age range of 6 – 14 years of the three language groups, Bahasa, English and Chinese attended the seminar. Some parents were also present to lend support to their children. Their attendance is an indication of  the importance of the Liturgy of the Eucharist to be understood by all, especially the younger generation

Participants were divided according to language groups, facilitated by their teachers. The program began with a prayer, followed by spiritual input and games.

Topics presented covered the following;

Part One :

• Introduction to the meaning of the Eucharistic celebration (What and Why)
• Explanation of each part of the celebration from the procession to the concluding prayer.

Part Two :

• The practical part of the Eucharistic celebration (experiencing the actual celebration)
• Fr. Johnny Raju presided the mass where all the children had the opportunity to serve in different tasks such as wardens, collectors, offertory, readers, commentator and choir.

Part three : 

• Session on games  to cultivate relationship bond.
• Clearing and cleaning up, instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility

Prizes donated by generous parishioners, parents and friends were given out to winners of the various games.

It was indeed meaningful to see the children and parents taking part  in the seminar. It was a blessed day for everyone involved in the seminar. Congratulations to the organizing team! 

CHRIST IS THE SHEPHERD, THE KING OF OUR LIVES

BY JULITA, 
PHOTOS BY JEROME, JOHN AND JULITA, SOCCOM TAWAU

Tawau : More than a thousand parishioners attended the Eucharistic celebration of the last Sunday of the Year, "Jesus Christ, Universal King" at Holy Trinity Church Tawau on Sunday, 23 November 2014. 

 

The solemn celebration was presided over by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Julius Dusin Gitom, the Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan, con celebrated by Fr. Johnny Raju at the 9.00 am Bahasa Nakaysia Mass.

At the same time 170 confirmands received their confirmation, 81 from the main parish and 89  from out-stations namely St. Thomas Bombalai and St. Stephen Tass.

Bishop Julius greeted the congregation by proclaiming that Christ is truly the King in everyone lives.  His Lordship, in his homily clearly explained that Christ is not only the  King of the universe but also a shepherd that has brought us to the father's home through the water of baptism, to the table of the Eucharist and receiving the eternal food,who healed and wrapped our wound for He cares and loves his flock. Christ  wants each one of us to be His children for He has chosen us . With this privilege, it must be understood that God wants us to participate in His eternal kingdom and acknowledge Him as our king in our personnel life, family and community.

Addressing the confirmands, the prelate said, "it is indeed a great and wonderful grace for you to receive yet another gift of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, that you may recognize him, live in him and acknowledge him as your King."

In conclusion, the prelate shared that unless Christ is in our heart, we may not be able to share with others what we do not have. The Holy Spirit will be our guide in life. We must struggle to place Him in our heart and be receptive to his love. 

He called on everyone to build a relationship with God every moment of our life through prayers as an individual, as a family or as one community. Prayer is a sign of faith and hope and that it is through this intimate relationship that we may know him and his kingship. Action is always more effective than words. Do what you say and live out your words that you are followers of Christ, faithful servants who know what the Father wants. 

After mass, all confirmands, godparents and family members adjourned to the Parish Hall for lunch with the Bishop.

兒童聖道禮儀舉辦兒童彌撒

BY EDWARD KOH AND 

PHOTOS BY JOHN WONG

HTC PARISH SOCCOM, TAWAU

(斗湖訊) 在学校還沒放假之前，儿童圣道礼仪及主日学于11月9日早上七点举行了一台儿童弥撒。当天弥撒的歌咏团，领经员，读经员，收奉献及奉献礼品都是由学生们负责。这次举办儿童弥撒的目的是让儿童们能更深入的参与弥撒圣祭。同时也藉此培养他们将来在教会服务.在還沒結束前，神父非常高興看到那麼多兒童踴躍參與並鼓吹家長們應多鼓勵自己孩子參與教會團體，堅固他們的信德為主事奉。愛主愛人的心畢竟要從家裡開始和成長.弥撒开始以【普天地颂扬天主】作为进堂咏，以礼成咏 【 跟随主】 作为结束。

Preparatory Meeting For The Third Bishops' Institute For Lay Apostolate (BILA) on Youth

By DS / st

Front row 1st left : Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and 3rd left, Bishop Baylon of Legazpi, Philippines

KOTA KINABALU : A preparatory meeting on the third Bishops' Institute For Lay Apostolate (BILA) on Youth was held from 11th to 14th November in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu. Two bishops, six priests, three religious sisters and nine full time pastoral workers from across Asia convened for the 4-day meeting.

From left, Holly Mok - Hong Kong, Ahran - Korea Fr. Joseph Park - Korea, Anna Teresa - Diocese of Sandakan, Sr. Dora, Sheerah - Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and Winnie Su - Taiwan

The first Bishops' Institute for Lay Apostolate on Youth (BILA on Youth) was held in 1997 in Tagaytay City, Philippines, themed "Youth in the Social Economic Development of Asia: A Challenge to Integrate Faith in Youth Life and Work". Some of the fruits of the first gathering were the Asian Youth Gathering, Asian Youth Day and Asian Youth Ministers' Meeting which became the main event organized by the Youth Desk.

The second BILA on Youth was held on 2007 in Johor, Malaysia, themed "Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the Emmaus Story". From this gathering, regular meetings and formations have been organized by the Youth Desk together with the sub-regional representatives. This has enabled them to respond to common realities in a more systematic way.

The third BILA on Youth will be held on 1st to 5th August 2015 in Pace Bene, Papar with the theme "Catholic Youth : Transformed by Christ and His Church; Transforming Asia". The objectives are to empower participants in motivating and shepherding young people as agents of the Gospel in the face of the burning issues today and at the same time to establish networks and resources that will recognize and support pastoral workers in Youth Apostolate in Asian countries. One hundred and twenty participants from all over Asia are targeted to join the program.

Through this fruitful meeting and gathering, a friendship bond has been build among those who serve full time in the youth ministry throughout Asia.

Hari Paroki SMC Ke-48

Ditulis oleh Lawrence Matusin

Foto oleh Bertram Lansing dan Javy J. Litak, SOCCOM Paroki

TELUPID-Perayaan Hari Paroki yang ke 48 Paroki Telupid telah berlangsung di Gereja Santo Martin Telupid pada 16 November lalu yang diselebrankan oleh Uskup Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom.

Seluruh stasi luar Paroki Telupid telah diwakili untuk menghadiri perayaan tersebut. Tema perayaan pada tahun ini adalah “Setia Bekerja Di Ladang Tuhan (Mat 25:19-21).”

Uskup dalam homilinya menekankan kepada umat khususnya Komuniti Kristian Dasar (KKD) untuk terus berusaha bekerja di ‘ladang’ Tuhan yang berperanan menjadi pembangun semangat kekeluargaan, kegerejaan dan kemasyarakatan.

Beliau juga mengucapkan tahniah kepada para penerima sakramen penguatan dan berharap agar mereka akan terus melibatkan diri di dalam pelayanan.

Paderi paroki, Fr. Jasery Gabuk dalam ucapannya berkata semangat bersatu padu, iman yang tumbuh, persekutuan yang erat dan cintakasih jelas ditunjukkan oleh semua pihak terutama sekali KKD di dalam persiapan perayaan ini. Menurut beliau perayaan pada tahun ini berjaya atas bantuan dan kerjasama sepenuhnya daripada KKD.

SELEPAS MISAKUDUS BEBERAPA ACARA MENARIK

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Perayaan Sdra. Roger Sebastian Enty mengucapkan berbanyak terima kasih kepada  Uskup Julius kerana hadir pada perayaan kali ini. Beliau juga turut merakamkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada umat yang menghulurkan derma dan sokongan untuk menjayakan perayaan ini.

Selepas Perayaan Kesyukuran, acara pentas telah diadakan di perkarangan Asrama Pride yang turut menyaksikan persembahan dari pelbagai komuniti sekitar paroki.

Bishop Julius Celebrates 25 Years As a Priest

BY DS

Sandakan : About 200 parishioners gathered at St Joseph's Church to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bishop Julius and the 36th anniversary of Fr Thomas Makajil's ordination to the priesthood, Wednesday 19th November 2014 at St Joseph's Church.

Con-celebrating the Thanksgiving Mass were Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau, seven Diocesan Priests and five other priests, all former classmates of Bishop Julius at St Peter's College, Major Seminary, Kuching. 

Also present at the celebration were Sr Grace Deosing fsic, Superior General of FSIC, religious sisters of FSIC, RGS and religious brothers of SG.

The prelate attended St Peter's College, Kuching from April 1982 - May 1988. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Emeritus John Lee on 19th November 1989 at St Pius X Bundu Tuhan. He holds a licentiate in Moral Theology, a master degree in Spiritual Theology and a licentiate on Canon Law. He lectured on spirituality at St Peter's College from 2000-2003. He was elevated as Bishop of Sandakan in July 2007.

In his introductory note , Bishop Julius said, 'The priesthood is the gift of God to the community. It is a sign of God's love, a sign that He cares for us and a sign of His presence among us.'

Bishop Julius' family members

L-R : Fr Simon Poh of Kuching, Fr James Ting of Sibu, Bishop Julius, Fr Justin Dan of Miri, Fr Benedict of Keningau and Fr Boniface of Keningau (Bishop's former classmates)

Bishop Julius with Bishop Cornelius (3rd from left) and all diocesan priests and former classmates at SPC Kuching

In his homily, he shared that each of us has some religious experience where one feels the closeness of God.  He invited parishioners to recall on their personal religious experience, the precious moment encountering God. Those are special moments in life, giving us joy, hope and confidence.

Bishop Julius with Sr Grace fsic (3rd from right) and members of the congregation

As regards to the talents gifted us by God, he said, 'Use them or lose them.' He called on everyone to use all possible opportunities to use their time and talent for the service of others for the glory of God.

Bishop Cornelius (2nd left)

After the celebration, parishioners proceeded to Bishop's Residence, a short distant from the church for the Blessing of the new Home led by Bishop Cornelius of Keningau.

After seven years of its establishment, the Diocese of Sandakan has eventually acquired a permanent home for the Bishop. Bishop Julius was overwhelmed and extended his appreciation to all attendees for being present. 

Diocesan staff

He conveyed a special thank you to the good Samaritan who paid for the house and all renovation work. The diocese is deeply indebted to him for his generosity. He also thanked all those who were involved in ensuring that the house could be put in place according to schedule.