ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL WELCOMES 76 NEOPHYTES INTO THE FOLD

Article by Dalius LL
SOCCOM Sandakan

Sandakan: On the Feast of Pentecost (15^th May 2016), St. Mary's Cathedral welcomed 76 neophytes into their fold with a dinner reception at the Parish Hall. This year around, St. Mary's Cathedral received 54 members from the Bahasa speaking community, 16 from the Chinese and 6 from the English speaking community. The occasion set an environment connecting the neophytes and the parishioners. 

Before inquirers are ready to become Catholics, they will have to undergo the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for nearly a year. This is a process where the adults or older children who have the interest in the Catholic faith develop their relationship with God and spend their time with the Catholic community in prayer, catechesis and dialogue. During the Easter vigil, those who are ready to embrace the faith are baptized and fully initiated into the Catholic community.

In his welcoming address, the rector of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish, Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom expressed his thankfulness to everyone for coming together in welcoming the neophytes into the Catholic family. He expressed his gratitude to all the RCIA facilitators who have dedicated their service in the ministry and in the same note he reminded the parishioners that the ministry is not solely the responsibility of the facilitators but the responsibility of all to accompany the neophytes in their journey of faith. 

He encouraged more parishioners of the parish to come forward to serve in this noble ministry. As for the neophytes, he challenged them by saying, “I hope that you are not only coming to Church on every Sunday but do participate in the many programs and ministries in the church, and especially in serving as facilitators in the RCIA as well.” 

The prelate went on to say, 'This evening is appropriate to celebrate the welcoming of the neophytes because it coincides with Pentecost Sunday, the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church.'

He concluded by saying, “Let us emulate the first Christian community, who are eager and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring good news to other people. Let this be our spirit not only today but throughout our lives in bringing good news to others.”

During the dinner, the neophytes presented a few songs and gave their sharing and personal testimonials. 

Eric Ng Yen Kong – "I am drawn to the verse in John 3 : 16, For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. This is the promise given to us. My acceptance of the Catholic faith was filled with joy. I was overjoyed when I was baptized during Easter Vigil together with my wife and children. We were born anew.  The beauty of the faith is love and it is love that have changed my life. Love that flows in the family and the community has brought us closer and enhanced unity. I am now a member of the Sri Taman Basic Ecclesial Community. There are still much to learn in my new found faith and my community is giving me the much needed support."

Evayana Palikin – "I am married to a Chinese Catholic some 17 years ago. Together we have 3 children. My husband has never ceased to encourage me to join the RCIA. I have never responded because I held on to my faith. When my mother-in-law passed away recently, I began to ask myself, what if I am called by the Lord, where would I go? The question kept on playing in my mind. It was troubling me. It was last year that I finally said 'YES' and enrolled myself in the RCIA process. I just want to praise and thank our Lord for His grace, my facilitators for their dedication and the community for journeying with me. Today, I feel I am much closer to God and strengthened in my faith life. I am guiding my children to follow Christ. Please pray for me to remain faithful to the Catholic faith and be a genuine witness of Christ.

Ericson Somania – “RCIA has taught me how to live as a Christian, how to turn to God and pray, how to be forgiving and how to love one another. The interactive sessions throughout the process had enlightened me on the many challenges in life.  Now I realized that God is always with me in all situations. I pray that I will be able to go through with life challenges and now I am feeling happier, more calm and at peace. Thank you to all my facilitators.”

Alison Liew – “I went to  a few churches in search of God and ended here in the Catholic Church. I believe this is God's plan. This is a calling. I am grateful that I am now in God’s house. In times of trouble, I know whom to turn to and who to trust. God is always around to extend us His hand. I will hold on to Him. That way, I become more energetic and feel lighter as I surrender my problem to Him. He knows and He guides. People around me are happy and my parents are happy too that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.”

Jordan Oh – “I was extremely happy the day I was baptized. I am a new creation, forgoing the old and adopting the new. I regretted because it has taken me too long to make a decision to embrace the Catholic faith. It was a long journey with many obstacles before the Lord finally chose me. I will rely on Him more and I will always seek His mercy. He is the living God. Whatever difficulties we encounter, all we need is to pray to our Father and He will respond. There is no problem that He cannot solve. My heart is at peace and fill with joy. Praise the Lord!”

Daphne Chan – “The greatest gift of my life is the gift of baptism on 26th March 2016 when I turned 18. Opportunities came knocking at the door of my heart to meet the Lord. I turned Him away. It wasn't until last year when I made up my mind to join the RCIA. Things changed for the better. I believe and want to abide to pray always to God, have deep faith in God and never cease to love God. In that way, God will always be with us. He will make everything right. He will always give us the best of the best. The problems we face in life are in fact lessons God gave us so that in solving them relying in His power and mercy, we may grow, mature and become strong. God indeed is great. I am now with the Chinese Youth Ministry, hoping to  share my little talent with the young people."

The reception concluded at 9.30 pm with a Closing Prayer led by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom.

双亲节及家长日

山打根圣玛莉主教座堂属下华文主日学於5月22日庆祝双亲节及家长日。为了提升孩子、家长及老师的彼此间感情，主日学必办的此项活动。与往年不同的是，今年是由我们坚振班的7位同学精心协力策划一连串的活动。

  

首先是由5月8日既母親節当日举办绘画双亲卡片的活動开始。我们到每个班上分发空卡片於同学及观察他们绘画卡片的情況。老師们都很用心地为同学们讲解绘画主題,也就是“繪畫自己父母的肖像”。同学们为了給父母一个惊喜，都非常努力的画著自己心目中的父母的肖像。不少同学还准备了可爱的貼紙，各种颜色的紙卡來装饰自己的卡片，非常美观。其中也有老師也跟著一起动手画画，现场同学们之间的气氛美好。在如此美好的氛围之內，同学们做出來的卡片自然分外別緻。相信同学们的父母在双亲节当天收到礼物时一定会特別高兴。
                               

终于盼望得到5月22日双亲节与家长日的来临。由于是第一次筹备活动，我们7位同学都以紧张的心情面对。弥撒结束后，家长们连同孩子一起來到堂区活动中心集合。当我们安顿好家长们后，司仪碧亮同学请筹委主席，丽雯同学致欢迎词。接着是会前和餐前祷，此时家长和孩子们一同享用茶点。享用完茶点，則播放母亲节当日孩子们绘画卡片的过程影片，孩子们认真绘画的神情都通过影片让父母们得知。除了观看影片之外，主日学还特別准备了小礼物，由我们坚振班同學分发給父母们。活动到了尾声，司仪便请父母们到各自的班桌等待孩子送双亲节卡片与他们，及领取孩子的成绩册。此时此刻，各班级老师争取时间与家长交流。

整个活动进行的都非常顺利，也都多亏了父母与孩子们的配合。而父母收到卡片時，脸上的神情也让我们知道同学们的努力並未白费。

新闻：巫蔷薇

摄影：成永儿

'AGAR SEMUANYA MENJADI SATU'

Artikel oleh Alice Aban 
Gambar oleh Leonard dan Helda

Sandakan : Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Paroki Katedral St. Mary yang ke–12 telah berlangsung dengan jayanya pada 14hb dan 15hb Mei 2016 di Gereja St. Mark. Perayaan ini dimulakan dengan acara sukaneka tradisional pada Sabtu, 14hb Mei 2016,  disusuli dengan Misa Kudus dan acara pentas pada hari berikutnya.

‘Miiso id pamanaan maza Koubasanan om Kotumbazaan,’ ('Agar Semuanya Menjadi Satu')  iaitu tema perayaan pada tahun ini sangatlah bertepatan dan dapat ditunjukkan melalui kehadiran umat yang begitu ramai dari Katedral St. Mary, Gereja St. Petrus Sungai Manila, Gereja St. Paul Ulu Dusun, Gereja St. Anthony Bukit Garam dan Our Lady of Fatima, Beluran di mana kesemuanya berkumpul dan bersatu di Gereja St. Mark untuk memeriahkan perayaan Pesta Kaamatan pada kali ini.

Acara sukaneka tradisional dimulakan dengan doa pembukaan, perasmian serta ucapan  singkat oleh Rev. Fr Stanley William Matakim. Di dalam ucapannya, beliau mengingatkan semua kontinjen untuk bersaing secara sihat dan acara ini bukanlah masa untuk menunjukkan kehebatan masing-masing tetapi sebagai satu peluang untuk mengeratkan hubungan persaudaraan antara sesama sebagai satu gereja.

Antara acara sukaneka yang dipertandingkan adalah isi air dalam botol, meniup belon, lari atas tempurung, lumba karung, menggolek tayar gergasi, rampanau, melastik, monopuk, boling kelapa, lontar peluru, menyiri padi, mengupas pinang, mengupas kulit kelapa dan acara tarik tali. Sistem pertandingan adalah berlandaskan kepada pungutan mata; tempat pertama setiap acara akan diberi 3 mata, tempat ke-2, 2 mata dan tempat ke-3, 1 mata. 

Acara kemuncak yang menjadi perhatian pada saban tahun, iaitu acara tarik tali yang menyaksikan pertarungan sengit di antara Gereja St. Paul dan Gereja St. Mark. Acara yang dipertandingkan secara liga ini akhirnya dimenangi oleh tuan rumah sendiri, iaitu Gereja St. Mark. Setelah semua acara selesai dan mata dikumpul, Katedral St. Mary sekali lagi dinobatkan sebagai juara keseluruhan dengan kutipan mata tertinggi iaitu 44 mata.

Pada keesokan harinya, 15hb Mei 2016, Misa Kudus yang juga bersempena dengan  ‘Tadau Kinasandatan di Spiritu Tobitua’ atau Hari Raya Pentekosta dihadiri oleh perwakilan-perwakilan dari setiap gereja serta umat – umat yang segak memakai pakaian tradisional suku kaum Kadazan Dusun. 

Dalam homili Bapa Uskup Julius Dusin Gitom, selebran bagi Misa Kudus ini, beliau menyentuh tentang perpaduan yang harus dipelihara di dalam gereja dan mengajak semua umat terus berdoa agar sentiasa dianugerahkan Roh Kudus supaya kesatuan ini terwujud secara utuh dalam kalangan umat seiring dengan Sabda Allah di dalam petikan 1 Korintus 12 : 7 – ‘Tetapi kepada tiap-tiap orang dikaruniakan penyataan Roh untuk kepentingan bersama’ .

Sdra Daniel Sipajon, selaku pengerusi penganjur Pesta Kaamatan peringkat paroki 2016 di dalam ucapannya menyatakan rasa syukur kerana Pesta Kaamatan dirayakan pada kali ini di Gereja St. Mark dan segala yang dirancangkan telah pun dilaksanakan sesuai dengan kehendakNya. 

Pengerusi Majlis Pastoral Umat Katolik Gereja St. Mark merangkap Penasihat bagi penganjuran Pesta Kaamatan, sdra Dimeh Koyopo turut merasa lega dan gembira dengan sokongan daripada seluruh umat dan menjelaskan bahawa dana bagi keperluan perayaan ini adalah menjadi kerisauan beliau namun dengan berkat rahmat dan cinta kasihNya semua berjalan dengan lancar. 

Pengerusi Majlis Pastoral Paroki Katedral St. Mary, sdra Pilis Malim mengucapkan syabas dan tahniah kepada Pengerusi Penganjur dan AJK beliau atas usaha yang ditonjolkan dalam memastikan penganjuran Pesta Kaamatan ini dilaksanakan dengan baik. Setelah semua ucapan selesai, sdra Daniel Sipajon menyampaikan cenderahati berbentuk gong kepada sdra Pilis Malim sebagai simbolik penyerahan penganjuran tuan rumah pada tahun hadapan, iaitu Katedral St. Mary sambil disaksikan oleh Bapa Uskup Julius.

Setelah upacara Misa Kudus selesai, Bapa Uskup serta perwakilan dari setiap gereja mengunjungi setiap gerai jualan yang rata-ratanya terdiri daripada umat suku kaum Kadazan Dusun yang menjual pelbagai makanan dan minuman tradisi. 

Acara pentas turut meriah dengan pelbagai acara yang dipertandingkan seperti Pertandingan Unduk Ngadau Kanak-Kanak, Pertandingan Sugandoi, Pertandingan Magagung dan tidak dilupakan cabutan tiket bertuah. Acara berakhir pada jam 5.30 petang dengan acara penyampaian hadiah.

Pemenang hadiah utama cabutan tiket bertuah (paling kiri)