ST. MARY CATHEDRAL NEW YEAR 2018 MASS

Reported by DaliusLL

Sandakan: St. Mary Cathedral Sandakan celebrated Mass of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church on every 1st of January, on which is also a Mass of celebration of the first day of New Year 2018. The Church also observes the World Day of Peace on this day.

Today also marked the first day of Fr. David Garaman officially assumed duty as the new rector of St. Mary Parish which was well attended by St. Mary’s parishioners. In his homily, Fr. David started with the explanation of the importance of this feast and Mother Mary’s role in the mystery of salvation to all Christian. When talking on the New Year resolution, he opined that mostly the failure in keeping one’s resolution was because we did not consult God first. He advised that the first thing we should do is to resolve in strengthening our relationship and walk with God and let Jesus live and lead us in our lives. He then posed the question whether everyone has this resolution as their commitment and priority in lives?

He pointed out that the Vision and Mission statements of the diocese, “Christ-centered community, serving one another with love”, is a good start and guideline towards one’s commitment in having a good relationship with God in our journey of faith for this year. Fr. David said that it is not enough that every Sunday we recite the Vision and Mission prayer only but we have to act upon it and work it out in building the relationship with God, in building the church and in journeying together in faith. He called upon all to commit themselves as a family in realising the Vision and Mission of diocese.

After the Mass, everyone took the opportunity to exchange New Year greetings with one another and with Fr. David.