CONFIRMANDS ARE URGED TO CONTINUE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS

Article by Julita and photos by
Jerome Lim, John W and Julita

Tawau : Holy Trinity Church, Tawau celebrated the Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of Christ The King with 117 candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on 22nd November 2015. The confirmands are from the three main language community of the main parish and also from  out-station chapels.

The Eucharistic celebration, attended by some 2,000 parishioners was presided over by Rt. Rev. Julius Dusin Gitom, the Bishop of Sandakan, con celebrated by Msgr. Nicholas Ong the rector of Holy Trinity Church and Rev. Fr. Johnny Raju, the assistant rector at the 9.00 am Bahasa Malaysia Mass.

In his homily, the prelate said, "the Solemnity of Christ the King celebrated at the close of each liturgical year, address that Christ is the Universal King, a king of love and mercy. The forgiving king lowered himself to suffer for the good of his chosen people with the hope that all believers will acknowledge Him as their King."

The prelate continue to say, 'We are the heirs of His kingdom, the heirs of His truth. As believers, we are called to participate in spreading his church through personal, family, community commitment, and the whole world. We are entrusted by God to be His witnesses to continue the mission of the church as to reveal his salvation to all human races.'

Addressing all the confirmands, he said, 'you have decided to strengthen your belief through this Sacrament of Confirmation. Live it and exercise your faith by participating in church activities. Take part in the groups or ministries. Develop your faith and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in you by serving the church, community or even in your own family.'

The prelate ended his homily with words of encouragement to all, especially to the confirmands, their parents and facilitators for making the day's celebration a memorable event.

After Mass all confirmands, together with their parents, godparents and facilitators adjourned for lunch at the Parish Hall.

儿童圣道礼仪 - 《 期待耶稣来临 》讲座会

By Sharon Yong, Chinese Children Liturgy

Photos by John Wong, HTC Parish Soccom Tawau

（斗湖讯）在将临期即将来临前，斗湖圣三天主堂儿童圣道礼仪於11月10日（星期二）举办了一个以《期待耶稣来临》为主题的讲座会给年龄介于8 岁以上的小孩。讲座会分别以国语，英语及华语在各自的场所进行。早上8时30分由Liza修女以供奉圣经礼仪作为开始。华文组一共有17位儿童圣道礼仪及主日学学生参加。

黄 士英传道员在华文组讲解了将临期四个主日的意义，圣母领报至到耶稣诞生的经过，将临圈上四支蜡烛的意思以及圣诞树上装饰品的象征。最后她告诉参加者将临期主要是心灵的准备，洁净自己的心比如去办告解等。而不是注重在买新衣，新鞋或寻找物质上的需求。我们庆祝圣诞节是要把一份最尊贵的礼物给耶稣，那就是我们自己，所以要时时醒悟，准备主的降生。

下午1时是游戏环节，三语的孩子们共融一起玩将临期团体游戏，大家玩得不亦乐乎。一直到3点颁发比赛奖品，大家做了结束祈祷后，每个孩子们拿着小礼物带着喜悦的心情回家。

儿童弥撒

(斗湖讯）斗湖圣三天主堂主日学及儿童圣道礼仪于2015年11月8日早上7时举行了一台儿童弥撒。所有的主日学及儿童圣道礼仪学生负责当日弥撒的歌咏团，领经员，读经员，答唱咏，收奉献及奉献礼品。王世震蒙席在弥撒结束前对教友们说非常高兴看到儿童们在弥撒担任各种任务。 父母们除了给孩子们物质享受以外，最重要的是给他们在信仰中增强他们的信德，培养孩子们参与教会的活动。

弥撒最后以一首礼成咏 [ 我真心爱你 ] 作为结束。

文/Sharon Yong

Uniting People Through Sports

Article by Jessielyn Monton 

and photos by John Wong

Tawau : The Inter-Church Committee of Tawau organized a basketball tournament among member churches from 28th October to 1st November 2015. The competition, held at the Methodist basketball court attracted five teams from the Basel, Anglican, Calvary, Methodist and the Catholic Church. 

The purpose of the event is to build unity among members of the Christian churches. It is a healthy event to build up the body of Christ, united in love and in prayers.

The 12 players  from the Holy Trinity Church.

The program began with the launching followed by praise and worship,  and a dance performance by the Holy Trinity Youth .

The inter-church basketball tournament is not a new event. It was ever held in the early 80’s.  Pastor Dylan Cham, from the Basel Church chaired the event, assisted by Pastor Chong Tan Wa also from the Basel Church while Danny Carreon and Joel Monasque represented the Holy Trinity Church as committee members.

Rev David Wong, the chairman of the Tawau Inter-Church Committee in his sharing to the participants said, "we need to be be physically and spiritually strong, for with a strong body and mind we can be a good host to the Holy Spirit that will drive us  to serve the Lord and one other with love and confidence."

The tournament ended on 1^st November, with a  fellowship while the final game was held.  Basel Church emerged as the champion,  Holy Trinity Church, the 1st runner-up while St. Patrick's Church, the 2nd runner-up.

With Gratitude to Our Priests And Religious Sister

Article by Dalius L.L. and

photos by Bell and Helda

Sandakan: Around 600 parishioners of St. Mary's Cathedral witnessed a joyful celebration of priesthood and religious life anniversary; the 26th Sacerdotal anniversary of  Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom (19th November), the 37th Sacerdotal anniversary of Msgr. Nicholas Ong (3rd October) and Rev. Fr. Thomas Makajil (11th November) and the 40th anniversary of religious life of Sr. Veronica Kandaung fsic (2nd December).

On 9^th November 2015, the celebration started with a Thanksgiving Mass at 6.30 pm, on which the Church also celebrated the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica of Rome. The mass was presided over by Bishop Julius and con-celebrated by seven diocesan priests.  

In his homily, the prelate relayed his gratitude to God for the gift of these long dedicated serving priests and a religious sister in the diocese. He thanked all the parishioners who have journeyed together with them in faith and their support and encouragement rendered to them. He asked the parishioners to continuously pray for all of them. 

After mass, parishioners adjourned to the Parish Hall for a dinner fellowship. Michael Lai the Vice Chairman of the PPC delivered the welcoming address on behalf of Pilis Malim, the Chairman. In deep appreciation of the role of the priests and the religious sister, he said, “Your priesthood anniversary and religious life is a manifestation of your steadfast perseverance and dedication. You have endured life in humility proclaiming God's Word fearlessly and unconditionally for such long years, is already a living proof that the Spirit of Christ is living within you and in our midst.” He summed up his congratulatory remark with a poem entitled “Always for others.”

                         

Sr. Veronica Kandaung fsic shared that if someone were to ask her how she managed to sustain for 40 years as a religious, she would answer, 'it is the love of God that drives me to continue to serve tirelessly.' She said, 'there are ups and downs in serving the Lord but that does not matter. One will overcome everything by living a prayerful life.'

In his turn, Fr. Thomas extended his appreciation to all who have taken the trouble to organize the evening's function and even joining the priests in thanking the Lord for the gift of priesthood and religious in prayers. The parishioners of St Mary have been supportive to their priests and religious all the way even to the point of making this parish a pilgrimage center for the diocese. In appreciation of their cooperation given to the priests and religious, he quoted the statement of the Chairman of the Marian Corridor Development Committee by saying, “It would be impossible to make changes if I were to dream alone but if we were to dream of the same thing together, everything will be possible.”

Msgr Nicholas Ong's speech had the crowd in stitches. His absence for nearly a year due to medical treatment and is still recovering from his illness did not change him from his old jovial self. He shared that the doctor kept pestering him to gain weight and that now he has to eat to live. He attributes his recovery to the constant prayers of the faithful that he is now on the road to recovery. He said, 'I am very enthusiastic to say mass every Sunday and as such my assistant is out of job,' which drew laughter from all.

Edward Masigi, Chairman of the Marian Mount Project

John Tan, Chairman of the Marian Mount Fund Raising Project 

Bishop Julius launching the Raffle Tickets for 

the Marian Mount Project

The 1st Prize of the Raffle, a Perodua Axia

During the thanksgiving event, the Marian development committee took the opportunity to launch the raffle ticket of which the proceed will go to the funding of a Chapel on the Marian Mount and the construction of the 14 stations of the cross, expected to complete by August next year. 

A wide range of entertainment was also performed and the event concluded with a Closing Prayer led by Bishop Julius at 10.30 pm.

Front row (L-R) : Deacon Stanley, Fr Thomas, Bishop Julius, Msgr Nicholas, Fr Simon
Back row (L-R) : Fr Johnny Raju, Fr Sunny Chung, Fr Jasery and Fr Marcellinus 

“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – St. John Marie Vianney.