COMMUNITY INTEGRATION THROUGH CULTURE

 By Julita, SOCCOM Tawau

Tawau : The Chinese Community of Holy Trinity Parish Tawau celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival moderately but with much joy and harmony on 23rd September 2015 at 7.00 pm at the Parish Hall.

Some 200 Chinese parishioners attended the event. Msgr Nicholas Ong, the rector, Fr Johnny the assistant rector, religious sisters, members of the Parish Pastoral Council and lay leaders were also present in support of the occasion. 

Msgr. Nicholas Ong expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee for the initiative taken  to maintain and continue with the ancient Chinese tradition of celebrating the Moon Cake festival. The festive occasion celebrated together among the various communities inculcates respect for one another's culture.

Msgr Ong went on to say, “As one part of the church, we must sustain our relationship with other people by organizing and inviting others to such a wonderful event, the Moon Cake Festival. We cannot live by our own just within the community but in communion with others. Through this activity we can be united and build friendship bond within our own community and others, more of an  extended  family.  The presence of other communities shows that it is a sign of unity as one parish.” 

The program was filled with a special 'harmonica' musical presentation by David Wong and a few other presentations. There were also competitions on peeling the pomaloes, the best designed lanterns and solving riddles. 

The event ended at 9.30 pm with a Closing Prayer led by Fr. Johnny Raju.