NEWS UPDATE ~ Diocese of Sandakan: April 2016

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Dalius Lobinjang Helms the Sandakan Diocesan Social Communication Commission (2016-2018)

Article by Rogena RS
Photos by SOCCOM

Lahad Datu : Dalius Lobinjang, Chairman of the St Mary's Cathedral Parish Social Communication Ministry, Sandakan was appointed to helm the Sandakan Diocesan Social Communication Commission for a two year term, 2016 - 2018. 13 other nominated members representing the four parishes were officially appointed to sit in the commission for the said term.

The 2-day inaugural meeting and formation session was held at St Dominic's Church on 23rd and 24th April 2016. The meeting was presided by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom. In his welcoming speech, he expressed his appreciation to everyone present at the meeting. He thanked SOCCOM members who had worked hard. The many articles posted in the blog and later published in the Catholic Sabah and Herald is a clear sign of the members' labor. All this is only possible because we are called by God to communicate His Word through the mass media.
Such enormous work is only possible if we journey as a team inspired by God. Continue the 'communication work' set by God that we may fulfill His command as in Matthew 28 : 19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The full line up of the Diocesan Social Communication Commission for the term of 2016-2018 is as follow:

Designation	Name	Parish
Chairman	Dalius L. Lobinjang	St. Mary's Cathedral
Vice-Chairman	Gabriel Chung	Holy Trinity Church
Secretary	Rogena Roger Sining	Diocesan Pastoral Office
Ex-Officio	Francis Tan	Diocesan Pastoral Office
Committee Member	Leonard Sabinus	St. Mary's Cathedral
Committee Member	Helda J. Japanis	St. Mary's Cathedral
Committee Member	Farnandez Siprianus	St. Dominic’s Church
Committee Member	Mazdollyna Majalin Eborok	St. Dominic’s Church
Committee Member	Arnoldus Sanga Bayene	St. Dominic’s Church
Committee Member	John Wong	Holy Trinity Church
Committee Member	Joel Monasque	Holy Trinity Church
Committee Member	Bertram Lansing	St. Martin’s Church
Committee Member	Girald Palipus	St. Martin’s Church
Committee Member	Lawrence Matusin	St. Martin’s Church

Each Parish Social Communication Committee presented the development and progress of their ministry for the past two years involving related activities especially on news coverage of church events.

The first formation session, facilitated by Monica Lo, the out-going Chairperson of the Commission was the Pope's message on World Communication Day 2016, themed ‘Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter’. Members spent sometime to discern on the message and shared their opinions on the gist of the message.

The in-coming Commission Chairman, Dalius Lobinjang hoped that every parish will endeavour to draw up a program in conjunction with WCD to be celebrated on 8th May 2016. He proposed that every parish to show the video clip on World Communication Day 2016 produced by the Regional Commission of Social Communication before the final blessing of the mass. The sample poster should be printed and displayed at the church entrance adjacent to the Holy Door of Mercy. He also challenged each parish to create a short video clip based on the theme of "Mercy" to be shown during the upcoming 9th Diocesan Anniversary in Sandakan.

Members were commissioned during the morning mass of the 5th Sunday of Easter on 24th April 2016 presided over by Rev. Fr. Simon Kontou at St Dominic's Church, Lahad Datu. In his homily, he shared that to be Christ's disciples, we are called to serve and love one another. Love is compassion, giving support to one another. Love is precious and merciful. This is the love that will be a part of the community. BEC is that ideal community that promotes love that translates to authentic action binding members together.

The in-coming members of the Diocesan Social Communication Commission took their pledge before the presider, witnessed by the congregation. Before the commissioning rite, Fr. Simon called upon the SOCCOM members to always remember to write on events based on facts and truth, nothing but the truth.

After the Eucharistic celebration, Rogena and Airene of Sandakan shared on "Beyond the lens." Four participants from the Diocese of Sandakan attended the 5-day workshop, jointly organised by Fondacio and Signis in Kuala Lumpur sometime in October last year. They presented 3 video clips of about 3 minutes each which they managed to produce during their field trip. The presentation was inspirational and hoped that an echo program could be held at the Diocesan level to train more young people to be involved in yet another means of effective communication.

The last session facilitated by Francis Tan touched on the importance and virtues of the Catholic printed press. He gave an analysis on the three main printed press viz; Today's Catholic in Sarawak, Catholic Sabah and Herald of West Malaysia regarding the frequency and the number of copies per issue. Apart from that, members had the opportunity to know the number of copies of the printed press ordered by each parish. Circulation at each parish is considered low. Members were challenged to ponder on the issue and find ways to tackle the problem, to increase circulation and readership. Members were also asked to discern on finding ways to attract more young people to be involved in writing news. At the current moment, the diocese has just a handful of committed writers.

At the end of the session, Dalius presented to each parish a 1 terabyte external hard disk as an appreciation for their commitment and continuous support.

PERASMIAN CHAPEL ST.MICHAEL, LUARSTASI LAM SOON PAROKI ST.DOMINIC LAHAD DATU

Artikel dan gambar oleh Dominggus

Lahad Datu : Rev Father Simon Kontou, rektor Gereja St Dominic telah merasmikan sebuah chapel luarstasi yang baru, iaitu Chapel St Michael di Ladang Lam Soon pada 17hb April 2016. Chapel tersebut terletak lebih kurang 32.5km dari St Dominic Lahad Datu dan 15km dari simpang menyusur masuk dari lebuh raya utama. Perjalanan ke destinasi tersebut memakan masa hampir sejam.

Chapel yang indah ini berukuruan 60 kaki x 70 kaki dengan 4 buah bilik ; bilik alat muzik, bilik rehat paderi, pantry dan ruang bacaan mampu muat 250 umat telah disediakan oleh majikan. Kerja-kerja pembinaan Chapel St Michael bermula pada Februari 2015 dan siap dibina pada Disember 2015. Dengan terdirinya Chapel St Michael, ia telah memudahkan lebih kurang 200 umat setempat untuk melaksanakan ibadat. Sebelum itu, umat-umat setempat menghadapi masalah pengangkutan ke Chapel St Petrus di Ladang Sandau.
Sejak 2010, umat setempat telah pun hidup dalam berkomuniti dengan tertubuhnya sebuah Komuniti Kristian Dasar, (KKD St Lukas) di bawah pimpinan sdra Michael Ngodo.

Lebih dari 200 umat, termasuk beberapa umat dari St Dominic turut hadir dalam upacara Pemberkataan dan Perasmian Chapel St. Michael. Perayaan Misa Kudus yang diselebrankan oleh Fr Simon bermula pada 2:00 petang.

Di antara homilinya, Fr Simon berkata, "Walaupun paderi atau Pelayan Komuni tidak selalu dapat hadir untuk merayakan Misa Kudus ataupun Ibadat Sabda, umat setempat harus berkumpul setiap minggu mendengar Sabda Tuhan agar terus berkembang dalam pertumbuhan iman Katolik ini. Chapel yang indah ini hendaklah digunakan dengan sepenuhnya untuk aktiviti rohani."

Tuan Yew (kiri) menyampaikan cenderamata kepada Fr Simon (kanan)

Selesai sahaja Misa Kudus, acara diteruskan dengan acara pentas bertempat bersebelahan dengan chapel tersebut. Fr Simon dalam ucapannya berkata, “Kita sangat berterima kasih kepada Pengurus Lam Soon Plantation kerana atas kerjasama dan bantuan beliau, chapel ini dapat didirikan dan dibuka bagi umat di sini.”
Turut hadir dalam acara tersebut ialah Pengurus Kilang Sawit, Tuan Yew, selaku wakil majikan, sdra Jude Gapil, Pengerusi Komuniti Umat Katolik Chapel St Michael, serta perwakilan-perwakilan dari KKD Monsuli, KKD Batu 18, KKD Batu 12, KKD Tempisau dan KKD Sandau.
Acara selesai kira-kira pukul 6:00 petang.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

FORMATION TALK IN PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE SABAH YOUTH CROSS AT HOLY FAMILY CHAPEL LUASONG TAWAU.

BY JULITA, SOCCOM TAWAU
Tawau : Seven members of the Family Life Ministry of Holy Trinity Church and a religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception responded to the invitation by the community of the Holy Family of Nazareth Luasong to conduct a faith formation session on 23rd April 2016. The team, led by Mario Dominggo, the Chairman of the Ministry set out at 8.00 am and arrived their destination at around 10.00 am.

This is the second visit by the team. Their first visit was some 5 years ago where they conducted a talk on Marriage Enrichment to some 30 couples.

This year around and in conjunction with the 4^th Sabah Youth Day, the community took the opportunity to prepare themselves to receive the SYD 4 Youth Cross with spiritual formation for the elders and youth of their area. This would prepare them spiritually for the arrival of the Youth Cross on 24^th April 2016.

The team presented 3 main topics:

The Cross and Me by Julita Kantod
Year of Mercy–an opportunity to be merciful by Sister Liza Augustine fsic
Family Relationship by Jocelyn Angar

The session began at 10.30 am where some 50 parishioners including parents, couples, youth and children attended the informative talks.

In her sharing on the Cross and Me, Julita explained about the beautiful meaning of the Cross through her own personal encounter. "All of us must learn to recognize Christ in our own Cross for it helps us to strengthen our faith, build a close relationship with Christ and most of all, learn to accept faithfully and calmly on any trial that comes in our life. So bear your cross, love it and hold on to it," she said.

Touching on the Year of Mercy, Sr. Liza fsic shared that the Year of Mercy is indeed an opportunity for all not merely to experience God's mercy but also learn to be a merciful servant of God. She said, "This extra-ordinary year calls upon each one of us to reflect more deeply on God’s mercy so that we may be merciful like the Father. We need to uphold mercy in words and deeds to one another within our family, our community or people around us. Many need our company, to listen to them or to comfort them. Let us share and show God’s love and mercy to those who are in need."

Jocelyn presented the last topic on family relationship. She said, "We must acknowledge the presence of all our family members. None of them should be isolated inclusive of those in the extended family. The sense of belonging of family members is an important element that we may live in communion. We learn to understand and care for one another. Such relationship bond will protect and enrich our faith."

The session had in a way made the community aware of 'Carrying one's own Cross,' 'Be merciful just as your Father is merciful,' (Luke 6 : 36) and 'Building Family Relationship.'

Joipit Mosuli, a teacher and the coordinator of the event expressed her gratitude and thanks for the positive response from the team though the invitation was given within a short notice. She said, "It is a very motivating, nourishing and enriching session. I believe that all of us will be able to live up 'to carrying the Cross and relate it to the environment of our family and community."

The program of the day ended at 12.30 in the afternoon followed with a photo session and a luncheon fellowship.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

HARI MINGGU PANGGILAN MEMBAWA BELIA KEPADA ERTI SEBENAR PANGGILAN

Oleh Sister Liza Augustine fsic dan Sem Dafrinn Diwol

Tawau: Hari Minggu Panggilan ( Vocation Sunday ) jatuh pada 17hb April 2016. Gereja Holy Trinity Tawau dengan usahasama Seminarian Dafrinn Diwol dan Seminarian Raymond Lee dibantu oleh para sister Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception telah membuat persiapan awal untuk perayaan tersebut. Belia Paroki Holy Trinity turut mengambil bahagian dalam aktiviti ini.

Antara usaha dan inisiatif yang mereka adakan adalah menyelitkan tayangan video singkat mengenai ‘Apakah Itu Panggilan?’ dan ‘Kehidupan di Seminary St. Peter’s College, Kuching’ di dalam ketiga-tiga Misa Kudus Bahasa Inggeris dan Bahasa Malaysia yang dikendalikan oleh seminarian Dafrinn Diwol manakala bagi misa dalam Bahasa Cina dikendalikan oleh Seminarian Raymond Lee.

Antara tujuan utama seminar ini diadakan adalah untuk memberikan pendedahan kepada semua umat tentang panggilan hidup masing-masing di samping menggalakkan golongan muda untuk lebih memahami dan merenung akan panggilan mereka.

Seminar singkat ini telah diadakan pada 17 April bertempat di bangunan kantin lama Gereja. Seramai 70 orang umat yang terdiri daripada belia dan ibu bapa telah menghadiri program Minggu Panggilan ini.

Msgr. Nicholas Ong, rektor Gereja Holy Trinity telah memberi perkongsiannya tentang hidupnya sebagai seorang paderi telah memeriahkan lagi suasana seminar ini.

Program ini dimulakan dengan Doa Pembukaan dipimpin oleh Seminarian Dafrinn Diwol dan diteruskan dengan acara ‘action song’ yang dikendalikan oleh Kerasulan Belia Paroki Tawau. Seminarian Dafrinn mendahului ceramah dengan menerangkan maksud panggilan secara umum yang mana panggilan itu bukan merujuk kepada panggilan menjadi paderi atau religius sahaja tetapi juga panggilan hidup yang merangkumi semua kehidupan dan pekerjaan. Kemudian ia disusuli dengan tayangan video mengenai panggilan secara umum dan mengenai kehidupan di Seminary St. Peter’s College, Kuching.

Sesi kedua, juga disampaikan oleh Seminarian Dafrinn iaitu mengenai ‘Pesan Bapa Suci Fransiskus untuk Hari Doa Panggilan Sedunia yang ke-53.’ Dalam sesi ini, Bapa Suci Fransiskus menegaskan bahawa seluruh umat Kristian yang dilambangkan sebagai gereja memainkan peranan penting dalam aspek panggilan hidup. Ia disusuli dengan perkongsian dan input singkat dari Msgr. Nicholas Ong. Beliau merakamkan rasa gembiranya dengan kehadiran yang ramai dalam ceramah singkat mengenai panggilan ini. Beliau menyeru kepada belia yang hadir supaya berani menyahut panggilan Tuhan dan kepada ibubapa supaya terus mendoakan dan menggalakkan anak-anak mereka untuk merenung akan panggilan hidup mereka.

Sesi ketiga yang disampaikan oleh Sr. Liza Anggie fsic tentang kongregasi Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) kepada para peserta iaitu tahap-tahap pembentukan dan apostolate mereka. Ia disusli dengan tayangan video tentang kehidupan para sisters dalam kongregasi FSIC.

Dalam perkongsian Sr. Liza Anggie fsic beliau menekankan bahawa kekuatan kehidupan sebagai seorang religius adalah kehidupan doa dan hidup berkomuniti. Melalui kehidupan komuniti yang berpusatkan pada Kristus memberi kekuatan iman dan panggilan. "Seorang Kristian tidak boleh hidup bersendirian, kami harus menghidupi hidup yang berpusatkan kepada Kristus dan mengongsikannya dengan komuniti ," katanya.

Sr Liza Augustine fsic, dalam perkongsiannya itu, beliau menyatakan, "kehidupan sebagai seorang religius adalah sangat menggembirakan. Walaupun terdapat banyak cabaran namun kegembiraan dan cinta kasih mengatasinya. Selama 17 tahun sebagai religius tidak pernah sekalipun ada penyesalan dalam diri saya malah sebaliknya sentiasa bersyukur kepada Tuhan kerana hidup saya dipenuhi dengan kasih dan perhatian dari kalangan para sisters itu sendiri dan juga dari umat-umat yang sentiasa menyokong dan memberi perhatian kepada kami semua," katanya.

Pelbagai acara menarik seperti pameran, ceramah, tayangan video, perkongsian dan acara menyanyi bersama. Program ini diakhiri dengan doa penutup oleh seminarian Raymond Lee dan seterusnya makan tengahari sebelum semua bersurai.

AHLI LEGIO MARIA PAROKI HOLY TRINITY TAWAU MEMPERBAHARUI JANJI

Artikel oleh : Sr M Liza Augustine fsic

Tawau : Seramai 120 orang ahli Legio Maria dari 10 presidium; 4 dari Kuria Cina dan 6 dari Kuria Bahasa Malaysia telah menyertai Upacara Acies di Gereja Holy Trinity pada 13hb Mac 2016.

Upacara Acies ini disaksikan bersama oleh Sr. M. Liza Anggie fsic, pemimpin rohani, Sr. Liza Augustine fsic dan Seminarian Raymond Lee.

Aktiviti yang diadakan sekali dalam setahun ini merupakan detik atau upacara yang penting bagi semua ahli. Pembaharuan Janji dan Komitmen para ahli termasuklah mereka yang aktif mahupun tidak memberikan inspirasi dan semangat untuk terus melayani dan menjadi perajurit Bonda Maria yang setia dan beriman.

Upacara bermula dengan perarakan dipimpin oleh Presiden Kuria Cina iaitu saudara Charles Wong, Presiden Kuria Bahasa Malaysia saudari Hermin Tambing dan diikuti oleh semua presiden setiap presidium.

Upacara perarakan masuk disusuli dengan Doa Rosari yang dipimpin sendiri oleh Sr. M. Liza Augustine fsic, Pemimpin Rohani bagi Legio Maria Gereja Holy Trinity, Tawau.

Selepas pembacaan dari Buku Pegangan Legionaries tentang Acies oleh Pemimpin Rohani, Sr. Liza Augustine fsic, dikuti dengan perkongsiannya.

Dalam perkongsian itu, Sr. M. Liza Augustine fsic sekali lagi mengingatkan semua ahli Legionaries yang membaharui janji mereka pada hari itu, untuk mengambil Bonda Maria sebagai teladan dalam penyerahan diri yang total kepada Tuhan.

“Kita harus meneladani sikap Bonda Maria yang telah memberikan seluruh hidupnya kepada Tuhan sebagai alat untuk menyebarkan Khabar Gembira iaitu kebangkitan Kristus. Kita harus percaya bahawa kebangkitan Kristus telah memberikan kita harapan, bahawa kematian sudah dikalahkan,” katanya.

Beliau turut menyeru kepada para legionaries untuk menghayati dan merenung akan janji mereka sebagai legionaries. Dengan pembaharuhan janji ini sebagai perajurit Bonda Maria, pantaslah ahli legionaries berusaha sungguh-sungguh untuk mengongsikan berita baik ini terutama sekali pada mereka yang lemah dalam iman, mereka yang terpinggir serta mereka yang sakit, kesepian dan memerlukan cahaya dan kasih Kristus lebih-lebih lagi pada tahun ini, Tahun Kerahiman.

Pembaharuan janji dan komitmen ini didahului oleh Pemimpin Rohani Kuria BM Sr. Liza Augustine fsic, pemimpin Rohani Sr.M. Martha Jonik fsic, Sr. Liza Anggie fsic dan seterusnya disusuli oleh semua presiden Kuria dari Cina, Bahasa dan diikuti oleh Ahli Jawatan Kuasa tertinggi dan semua ahli Legio Maria. Seramai 120 orang ahli telah melafazkan pembaharuan janji mereka.

Upacara Acies tahun ini turut menerima kehadiran ahli-ahli auxiliary. Presidium junior yang sedang dalam percobaan turut hadir untuk menyaksikan upacara acies ini. Upacara Acies di Gereja Holy Trinity berakhir pada 12.30 tengahari dengan jamuan tengahari.