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Friday, April 15, 2016

Blessing Ceremony of St. Cecilia's Shrine at SMK Konven St Cecilia, Sandakan

By Jamini Francis and Rogena R. Sining


Sandakan: More that 100 people; members of the School Board of Governors, religious sisters, student members of the Christian Students' Movement (CSM) and teachers witnessed the blessing ceremony of St. Cecilia’s Shrine on 9th April 2016 at SMK Konven St. Cecilia. 

 

The life-sized solid concrete statue of St Cecilia of about half a tonne was installed adjacent to the basketball court amidst a beautiful floral landscape of colourful flowers. 

Construction of the shrine is intended to maintain the ethos, character as well as the identity of the school and to honor St. Cecilia, the patron saint of the school. St Cecilia is the patroness of musicians. Construction work began in November 2015 and it took some 5 months to complete. 
 
In her welcoming address, Madam Cecelia D’Souza, the chairperson of St. Cecilia's School Board of Governors welcomed the guest of honor, Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, the Bishop of Sandakan and all who responded to the invitation to the occasion. She expressed her appreciation to Bishop Julius for the trust and confidence in the SBOG to construct and complete the shrine.

She also announced that with the consent of the mission authority, the newly completed open hall next to the library block shall be named St Gemma of Galgani, the patron saint of students. She extended her sincere thanks to all Board members for their commitment and teamwork. She also thanked all those who came to support the event.



After the opening speech by the Chairperson of the SBOG, all guests and attendees adjourned to the shrine to witness the blessing ceremony administered by Bishop Julius assisted by Fr. Sunny Chung, the assistant rector of St Mary's Cathedral.

Madam Chin Kui Leing, a former teacher of the school has contributed tremendously in making the Christian Students' Movement a vibrant and active student body of the school. She started teaching Bible Knowledge for SPM students in 2004. However, she stopped for awhile and resumed in 2007 after taking a course on Bible Knowledge (SPM) until her retirement in 2015. Since then, she has been teaching BK for form 1 and 2. Madam Chung Fui Fun received the souvenir on her behalf.
Mdm Cecelia presenting a souvenir to Bishop Julius.
To wrap up the event, the Christian Student Movement presented a performance followed with light refreshment.


With Board of Governor (BOG), Former Principal and teachers of SMK Convent St. Cecilia.

Alumni and teachers of SMK Konven St. Cecilia.

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