PARISH CULTURAL DAY 2019

Article by Euthalia SOCCOM
Photo by SOCCOM)

Sandakan : Culture is the characteristic of a particular group of people defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, costumes and arts. Through culture, we learn to understand and accept people of other ethnic groups, living as brothers and sisters in a Christ-centered community.

Catholic Nurses Guild leads the Zumba session

For the first time, St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish celebrated the 2-day “Parish Cultural Day 2019” celebration on 11th and 12th May 2019, themed “To nurture active church participation with the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life”. Over 1000 parishioners attended the event.

The first day of the program was more on traditional games namely Chinese Chess, Burr Puzzle, Diabolo and Sepak Bulu Ayam (Chinese) Rampanau, Monopuk, Monungkava, Monokon Bakas and Monuntung Babandil (Dusun), Bewiton and Keso (Timorese), Cara Cross and Luksong Tinik Brod (Filipino). The purpose of the games is to introduce to the younger generation its formats so that they will better understand their roots, identity and belonging. 

At the same time, there were cooking demonstrations of traditional dishes in each traditional hut such as Jagung Titih, Chicken Adobo, Bosou Sada, Hinava, Chicken Pansu, Umai Kaki Ayam, Sayur Ensabi, Tang Yuan (Sweet rice dumpling), Hakka Hee Pan (steamed bun), Zongzi (Rice dumpling) and many more. In the afternoon, the ethnic groups, in traditional costumes presented cultural dances accompanied by traditional music.

On the second day, the Eucharistic celebration commenced at 8.30am, presided over by Rt, Rev. Julius Dusin Gitom and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. David Garaman, Rev. Fr. Thomas Makajil and Rev. Fr. Sunny Chung.

Bishop Julius in his homily said, "What is interesting in our parish is that we remain united in spite of our diversity because we believe in the one shepherd, Jesus Christ. Through the Cultural Day activity, parishioners are united to implement one of our diocesan missions: "Nurturing active church participation with the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life." This is to say that whatever we do, we keep focus on Christ as the center and channel of grace to our lives as Christians.

On the same day, we also celebrate Good Shepherd's Sunday or Vocation Sunday. We are asked to pray for all calls, especially the call to family and community life, call to the priesthood and religious life. Being also Mothers’ Day, the prelate called upon all members to pray for the well-being of their mothers.

Pilis Malim, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council in his speech shared, "The culture of every race is a culture that God has given for a particular purpose, especially in terms of the unity of the people of that particular race. God also allows us to use the culture to express our gratitude and to glorify Him." He also cited 1 Cor 11 : 2, Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

The process in preparing for the event is a clear sign where the people of all ethnic groups in the parish came together in full commitment to realize the Cultural Day celebration. It is a step forward in achieving our vision goal to build a ‘Christ-centred community, serving one another with love.’

Rev. Fr. David Garaman, the rector of St Mary’s Cathedral, in his speech said, “The celebration has strengthened the unity of the people through the Eucharist as the source of unity for all our activities. The 2nd Diocesan Delegates Assembly has resolved to prioritize the first diocesan mission goal for the year 2019 that is to nurture active church participation with the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life”.

The event is geared towards the said motive and the involvement of the various communities is a sign of cementing relationship bond in building a Christ-centred community. He extended his appreciation to all the members of the Parish Pilgrimage and Social Function Ministry and all kind sponsors in realizing the first Parish Cultural Day celebration.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the parishioners together with the clergy, religious and the Bishop adjourned to the Cultural Day site, adjacent to the Parish Hall to witness the launching ceremony of the monument that symbolizes the Eucharist. It was graced by Bishop Julius. After which they visited the 6 main traditional huts of the 6 main ethnic groups of the Parish, namely Tionghua, Dusun Labuk, Dusun Tambunan, Timorese, Iban and the Filipinos.

During the 2-day celebration, parishioners were encouraged to wear their own traditional costumes. It was a beautiful and colorful celebration where we see people in their different costumes, music, dances, arts, crafts, foods and languages.

The event ended at around 3 pm on the second day of the event. Through this event, we believe that the various communities can journey together in harmony in building a Christ-centred community. We need to continue to pursue our dream in achieving unity through diversity and for that to happen each of us is called to active church participation.