2019农历己亥年（猪）新春联欢晚会

《斗湖讯》华人牧灵委员会属下礼仪小组于2月10日在海昇楼冷气餐厅举办新春晚宴。这次晚宴共开44席，比往年增了六席。这是因为堂区青年团，菲律宾及印尼牧灵委员会各派代表出席参与其中。今年的节目比去年丰富无穷，除了有合唱，独唱，才艺表演，扇子舞，幸运抽奖，敬老，小提琴及吉他演奏之外，本堂区也特地邀请来自教会学校如圣三中学及圣乌丝拉中学为我们呈现24节铃鼓及中国传统舞蹈。两位7岁可爱又活泼的表演者邓文欣及罗兆盈以华丽的服装及美妙的歌声呈现一首又一首的动听新年歌曲。名为“东方起武”的才艺表演配搭鲜红色的扇子由三姐弟陈宝瑄，陈凯乐及陈凯盛以生动流利的步伐演出。丰富舞台经验的刘会典姐妹再次以独特的嗓子为我们带来一首本土创作—“人生是过客”。此外，当晚在场表演歌唱及演奏也包括张文欣，许晶莹，吴楷莉，李轩圳，张文治及林姿廷姐妹。所有出席晚宴的来宾都以热烈的掌声回报他们精堪的演出。在最后一道菜端上甜品大家品尝之后，王蒙席为晚宴做结束祈祷并祝大家新年快乐。

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Feb 10/Ecobricks/Soccom Tawau

by Soccom Tawau

TAWAU: The youth should be the one who must take the environment seriously because their future is at stake if no actions are taken to tackle the degrading environment. It has direct implications for their well-being both now and in the future.

Msgr Nicholas Ong, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Church, launched the ECOBRICKS HTC organized by the Creation Justice Committee (CJC) at the parish hall on 26^th January 2019. The event attracted 64 participants including students and teachers from SM Holy Trinity, SM Konven St Ursula and SK Holy Trinity.

Msgr Nicholas hoped that schools will be more proactive in educating their students to care for the environment. He said the much talked about plastic rice, plastic noodle and many more artificial foods are quite disturbing.

The organizing chairperson, Magdalind Gabriel said the earth needs to be preserved and protected. Attendees were given a demonstration on how to make ecobricks.

You need to put into 500ml or 1500 ml plastic bottles with clean and dry plastic material such as styrofoam, bags, packaging/food wrappers, straws, cellophane and etc. A stick is used to compress all the discarded plastics into the plastic bottle. The mixture of soft and hard plastic will maximize the density of an ecobrick. A quality ecobrick must have a minimum weight of 200 grams for a 500/600ml bottle and 500 grams for 1500ml.

The campaign is meant to

1) Provide a solution to the habit of disposing plastic rubbish indiscriminately such as littering.

2) Stop the community from polluting the river as it is the main source of water supply.

3) Trap plastics out of the biosphere. Thrown away plastics will break down into tiny pieces and contaminate the area where it is disposed. Degrading plastics will also emit toxic gases which are harmful to the environment and all other living things.

It is an on-going campaign and the public are encouraged to participate. The incentive offered to those who make quality ecobricks according to the standard as follows:

·         5 x 1500ml ecobricks will receive 5kg rice (each 1500ml must weigh a minimum of 500 gm)

·         12 × 500ml ecobricks will receive 5kg rice (each 500ml must weigh a minimum of 200 gm)

The heaviest ecobricks was made by a woman with 5 plastic bottles with a total weight of 2.5kgs to exchange for 5kgs pack of rice from Magdalind.

Ecobricks can be used to substitute bricks and build things and structures for indoor, gardens and parks by using creativity and imagination. Further info, go to www.ecobricks.org.

Agustina Alo (second left/Asst. Secretary), Sr. Julita Joseph FSIC (Spiritual Advisor), Deacon Dafrinn Diwol(second right) and Roland Henry (right/Regional Creation Justice Commission Member of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) with outstation parishioner from St. Francis of Assisi Mile 8 checks the ecobrick weigh.

2ND SANDAKAN DIOCESAN DELEGATE ASSEMBLY : BAPTISED AND SENT

Reported by;

DaliusLL

Sandakan : Around 130 delegates from across the Diocese of Sandakan attended the 2nd Diocesan Delegate Assembly (DDA) on 31st January – 2nd February 2019 at the Diocesan Conference Hall. Delegates gathered to re-evaluate the understanding of the Diocesan Vision and Mission Statement and to review their Pastoral Plan Implementation.

The first Assembly was held on 4th – 5th January 2017 whereby the Diocesan Vision and Mission Statements were formulated. It was officially launched in October 18, the same year during the 10th Diocesan anniversary in Holy Trinity Church, Tawau.

The assembly was well attended by delegates from the five parishes (St. Mary, Sandakan, Holy Trinity, Tawau, St. Dominic, Lahad Datu, St. Martin, Telupid and Our Lady of Fatimah Beluran) and the Paitan Mission. In attendance were all the Sandakan Diocesan priests and religious (Franciscan sisters and a Montfort brother), a Deacon and seminarians. 

The Assembly began with an Opening Mass on 31^st January at 6.00 pm, presided over by Rt. Rev. Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan and con-celebrated by all the Sandakan Diocesan priests. In His Lordship’s opening note, Bishop Julius expressed his gratitude to all the delegates for making the effort and giving priority to attend the DDA.

In quoting the day’s gospel reading (Mark 4: 21-25), he said that the Lamp mentioned is much relevant and connected to the intention of the Diocese to give light to all. Whether it will shine on each one of the delegates depends much on his/her enthusiasm. The prelate hoped and prayed that through the DDA and on this Extraordinary Year of Mission will enkindle that enthusiasm to be bearers of the light in their respective parishes.

On the welcoming address by the Chairman of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Fr. David A. Garaman encouraged all delegates to adopt the spirit of the Extraordinary Year of Mission’s theme, “Baptised and Sent” -  Life is a mission: We are called to live, preach and bear witness to the Word of God.

On the second-day, 1^st February morning session, delegates were given a recollection by Fr. Jasery Gabuk on the importance for church leaders to be focused in their mission work, in-line with the Vision and Mission of the diocese. “Once baptised you are called to fulfil God’s mission, it is not solely the responsibility of the bishop, priests or religious alone but all baptised Christians”, said Fr. Jasery. The recollection helped the delegates to reflect on the renewed ways of thinking through the spiritual eyes and relying on God and the Holy Spirit for their pastoral commitment.

The afternoon session was allotted for Bishop’s keynote address on the realities facing the churches in the Sandakan diocese.  In response to the keynote address, delegates were divided into 12 groups to discuss a number of issues presented to the floor on what they thought and felt, and their responses to the challenges highlighted in the keynote address. The session provided the opportunity to share experiences, ideas and hopes for better pastoral approaches.

In the late afternoon, all parishes and the Paitan Mission presented their report on their pastoral plan   -   what they have set to accomplish through the vision and mission of the diocese. The night session was the Pope’s message on the Extraordinary Year of Mission delivered by Fr. David. This year will be an opportunity for the delegates to renew their missionary enthusiasm and develop their sense of commitment towards the mission and pastoral work of the church.

On the final day of the DDA, 2^nd February, the delegates were divided according to their parishes to discuss and chart out their pastoral action plan based on the mission statement of the diocese; “Building a Christ-centered Community through nurturing active church participation with the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.” The delegates agreed that the said mission statement be adopted as the main priority for all parishes. At the end of the discussion, every parish presented their action plan for the year.

The Sending off mass was celebrated right after the presentation of the discussion to mark the end of the 2nd Sandakan Diocesan Delegate Assembly. Towards the end of the celebration, Bishop Julius launched the Extraordinary Year of Mission for the Sandakan Diocese by unfurling the banner depicting the Extraordinary Year of Mission. The prelate then presented the Missionary Year banners to all the rectors in the five parishes and the resident priest of the Paitan Mission.

In wrapping up the DDA, the prelate pointed out the importance of nurturing unity among the faithful, groups and ministries in the church. He said the Eucharistic celebration unites us with Christ and at the same time, unites the faithful whether active or non-active members in serving the church. He stressed that the Eucharist will nurture the spirit of unity and the involvement and participation of all and it is our duty and responsibility to promote the importance of the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.

The Diocesan Delegate Assembly has given the opportunity for the Church leaders not only to voice out their pastoral concerns but together with their Bishop, Clergies and Religious take up the role as disciples of Christ, working together in building up God’s kingdom in the diocese. 

Briefing Regarding the Children’s Sunday School

By: Evelyn Jock-Lagan
Sunday School Catechist

SANDAKAN - 'Parents as Primary Catechists', CCC #2223.  Fr. David A. Garaman, the Parish Priest of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish reiterated that parents bear witness to this during a briefing to the parents at the Diocesan Centre Worship Hall, Sandakan on 20 January 2019.  He also stressed the importance of creating a home conducive for forming, nurturing and strengthening their children’s faith and spiritual dimension.

In quoting CCC #2226, Fr. David pointed out that education in the faith begins in the child’s earliest years.  Parents have been entrusted with a mission from God to teach their children to pray and discover their vocations as children of God. He also went on to say that it is a daunting task, as parents, to play the role of teachers and be models of faith within their homes.

Parents should also guide their children to the Catholic faith and not simply entrust them to the Sunday School.  In the house and in every home, parents too have a role to play in their children’s faith formation. He stressed that parents should not have this misguided predisposition that “religion” is just a Sunday School subject.

He explained that parents and the Sunday School catechists complement each other.  A person will continue to receive the formation of faith so that they can become a better person.  The information that they received in Sunday school must also be reflected in their daily lives. Parents must lead by example on how to live a good Christian life.

The decision to bring the whole family to church communicates that life is more than work or sports. He reminded the parents to dedicate their children to God when they are young, for God will surely bless them abundantly. If a child grows up to be a better person, then parents should give praise and thank the Lord for his blessings and guidance.  He advised them not to be discouraged if the church demands a lot from them. Instead, they should accept this as an opportunity for the betterment of their children.

The Sunday School Catechists

Fr. David also mentioned that although the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish is a multilingual (English, Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia) community, he requested parents to encourage their children to mingle with the other communities.  He stressed that the Sunday School should not be confined to only one language group but that these groups should create activities where other communities can come together and become one community.  The Vision and Mission of the church which the parents recite at every mass, to be a Christ-centered community serving one another with love, would certainly be realized.

Most importantly, he reminded the parents that Jesus Christ is the essence of our Christian faith. And therefore we must keep our minds focused on Jesus, the author, and architect of our faith.