SANDAKAN DIOCESE CELEBRATES THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Sandakan 12th July – The closing of the Year for Priests for the Diocese of Sandakan was celebrated with a Eucharistic Celebration at the St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30 pm followed later with a pot-luck dinner fellowship at the parish hall.

Mgr Nicholas Ong was the main celebrant representing Bishop Julius Gitom who was unwell. All other priests from the parishes of Sandakan Diocese namely, Rev. Frs. Thomas Makajil, Simon Kontou, Jassery Gabuk, Philip Muji, Marcellinus Pongking and Deacon David con celebrated the mass with the attendance of about 800 parishioners. At the start of the mass Mgr Nicholas Ong appreciated the encouraging turn-up of parishioners indicating their support.

During the homily, Mgr Nicholas expounded in his fiery homily on the institution of the Eucharist based on 1 Cor. 11:23-26 and with deep conviction elaborated on the three fold role and function of the ordained priest in their priestly ministry that is preaching the Word, dispensing the Sacraments and building community. He especially touched  on the gift of the Eucharist, that only in faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit can we celebrate it meaningfully.

He echoed the words of the Holy Pope that the role of the priests is essential and irreplaceable especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. He also added that the year for priests has brought abundant blessings but at the same time scandal of the past was brought up as we have read in the media. He stressed that this event is viewed by our Church positively as it indicates the grace of God at work in purifying and renewing His Church. Thus, we are all called to deeper repentance and conversion in order to be holy witnesses of God’s grace and His salvific love.

Mgr Ong also shared of his active involvement in the parish pastoral activities especially in areas of BECs and Neo Catechumenal Way. He hoped that in the future the Alpha Program will be implemented in his parish.

Referring to the statue of St. Francis of Assisi that is temporally located outside the Parish Hall, he pointed out that another area to be seriously looked into is on the issue of ecology which according to him is a serious social issue too. We share in the responsibility of caring for the nature and our environment as these are God’s creation. We should exemplify the life of St. Francis of Assisi who honored God and lived a life in peace through the harmony of His creation and humanity.

Finally, he encouraged the faithful to continue to pray for their priests and also for more vocation.

Among the activities during the pot-luck dinner fellowship held later after the mass were a slide show presentation and cake cutting ceremony by all the priests to commemorate the day. As a gesture of appreciation for all the priests and deacon, each was presented with a specially home baked cake by the parishioners of Sandakan. A special cake for the birthday of 3 priests that falls on the month of July, i.e. Rev. Fr. Simon Kontou, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus and Deacon David was also presented at the same time.

Earlier, the PPC Chairman in his welcoming address acknowledged with  deep felicitation to all the priests for all their sacrifices and undivided commitment in their pastoral responsibilities over the huge geographical areas of Sandakan Diocese. He also thanked the organizing committee for steering the celebration as well as the parishioners for their support and participation.

John Baptis and ds

Youth Alpha Training Program

Sandakan : Five representatives from the St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan attended the Youth Alpha Training Program, held at St Michael's Anglican Church on 4th and 5th June 2010. The  main speaker, Jonathan Tse,  is currently working as the Youth Alpha Coordinator at the Alpha Malaysia National Office, Kuala Lumpur.

About 35 participants from the different Churches attended the training program. The participants, representing the Sandakan Catholic Church, were Terrence Ngui, John Baptis, Caroline Tai, Alexandra Chua and Shirley Joseph. 

The session, was an opportunity for the Catholic Youth to be trained as leader who in turn would be able to impart the course content to the other youth in the Cathedral Parish. 

The Catholic Alpha Team had thus far completed two rounds of alpha training to the parishioners as well as faith seekers in the three main languages, Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese in the St Mary's Cathedral Parish, Sandakan.

Two boarders of St Mary's Hostel among ten scholarship recipients

Sandakan : Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Tenaga Isteri-Isteri (BAKTI) champions many community and welfare projects to help all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and culture. Established in 1977, Bakti has been involved in many charitable activities to help the poor and the less fortunate.

Yang Berbahagia Datin Dr Linda Lee, wife of YB Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department cum Member of Parliment P186 Sandakan was in St Mary's Secondary School on Friday, 11th June 2010 to present scholarship awards to ten promising upper secondary school recipients. The scholarship in the amount of RM600 each is for two years in running. They have been receiving the said scholarship since last year.

 Raily receiving the scholarship from Datin Dr Linda

Jack Patrick, another boarder of St Mary's Hostel, receiving the scholarship

 Raily, Jack and William Fung, the hostel warden

Among the ten recipients, were two boarders from the St Mary's hostel, both fifth formers, currently studying in St Mary's Secondary School. The boys are Raily Rindau of Jaya Bakti, Beluran and Jack Patrick of Ulu Dusun. Both had been staying in the hostel since its inception in January 2006.

Also present at the function were  Puan Chee, the principal of St Mary's Secondary School, representatives of  all the secondary schools and Henry Wong, Chairman, of the School Board of Management.

ds

Official opening of Seri Murni Crisis Centre in the Diocese of Sandakan

Sandakan :Two sets of painting, depicting 'Shepherd God reaching out to the poor and marginalized' the handwork of Sr Patricia Barasik RGS and Sr Maria Dipal RGS were offered during the presentation at the Eucharistic celebration, presided by Bishop Julius Dusin, yesterday 24th May 2010 at the Seri Murni Crisis Centre, marking the official establishment of the RGS mission in Sandakan,

The two paintings, very much connected have a story to tell. One of the paintings depict the Good Shepherd holding a staff and with one arm outstretched, reaching out. The other represents women and children with their hands outstretched asking for help.

One part of the painting was presented to the prelate as a gift of their gratitude and a representation of the shared mission and partnership of both parties in serving those in need. It was symbolic that the painting for the prelate was the one of the Good Shepherd.

The painting of the women and children, signed by the prelate, would be retained in the said center as a symbol of his endorsement of Good Shepherd mission in the Diocese. 

When the two pictures are placed side by side, they represent the Good Shepherd reaching out to persons in need. In the context of the center, they represent Seri Murni Crisis Center working in collaboration with the Diocese of Sandakan with a common mission of reaching out to persons in need.

Sr Joan Lopez RGS, the provincial leader of Malaysia-Singapore region, presented one of the paintings to the prelate.

ds

RGS establishes mission in the Diocese of Sandakan

Bishop Julius signing the visitor's book

Sr Joan Lopez welcoming Bishop Julius

Bishop Julius celebrating Holy Mass at the Crisis Centre

Sandakan : The Congregation of  the Religious Good Shepherd Sisters (RGS) officially established its mission in the Diocese of Sandakan with a Eucharistic celebration, presided by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, con celebrated by Fr Simon Kontou and assisted by Deacon David Garaman, this morning, Monday 24th May 2010 at the newly established Sri Murni Crisis Centre.

Some 60 people, including collaborators from KL and KK, religious sisters of RGS and FSIC,  Brother Datuk Charles of the De La Salle Brothers and local Church leaders, attended the celebration.

 Sr Joan RGS in her welcoming speech

Prior to the celebration, Sr Joan Lopez RGS, the provincial leader of the Malaysia-Singapore region took the opportunity to thank the prelate for his kind invitation extended to them to set base in the Diocese. She shared that the focus of  Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS), the welfare arm of RGS is to reach out to the poor and marginalized,  especially women, girls and their families.She commended her predecessor, Sr Susan Chia RGS and the lay partners for initiating the set up of the said crisis centre.  She called upon the local parishioners to volunteer as partners and journey with the less fortunate, restoring in them their worth and dignity.

The prelate, in his homily shared how a rich young man who had the best of the world ran to Jesus seeking for an answer for long lasting peace and happiness, which money could not buy. The man was in crisis.  He knew where and who to turn to.

He added for women and girls in crisis and trouble, the Sri Murni Crisis Centre, managed by PKGS will be able to provide a safe haven for them. With that, he officially welcomed the RGS to the Diocese to carry out the great mission of the Church, in compliance with the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.

The blessing ritual saw Sr Joan Lopez RGS and Theresa Symons, the Executive Director of PKGS lighting the candle and passing it on to Chin Poh Choo, Director of PKGS and Sr Angelina RGS. They in turn, passed the lighted candle to Sr Maria Dipal RGS and the staff of Sri Murni Crisis Center, Sandakan. The candle was then blessed by the prelate followed by the sprinkling of holy water.

DS

Bishop Julius attends the 17th Anniversary of the Diocese of Keningau

Tenom : St Anthony's Church celebrated its 50th anniversary and hosted the 17th anniversary of the erection of the Diocese of Keningau and the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong on Saturday 8th May 2010. 

A seven member team, including four seminarians, from the Diocese of Sandakan, led by Bishop Julius D Gitom attended the three in one function. Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong was on hand to welcome the group on Friday 7th May, where they put up a night at the well set up and very conducive, Tataal Retreat Centre, Keningau.

The Celebration began with the blessing of the statue of St Anthony of Padua, the patron Saint of the Church placed at the left entrance. The holy mass presided by Bishop Cornelius Piong was con celebrated by Archbishop Datuk John Lee, Bishop Julius and  Diocesan priests of Keningau and Kota Kinabalu.

The Church was packed to full capacity, with close to 2,000 faithful coming from all the eight parishes and two missionary areas of the Diocese. The Catholic population is a little more than 111,000 with 18 priests and 55 religious sisters and brothers and 255 full, part time and volunteer catechists serving the members.

Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong, the first bumiputra (Kadazan Tatana) bishop in Malaysia, in his homily, called upon the People of God to always return to the basics of the Catholic faith, to focus on the family unit as it forms the basic societal unit. The Christian family is an intimate community and through such conducive environment, faith ought to be passed down to the children through initiatory catechesis that they may have a strong foundation.

Archbishop Datuk John Lee, who once served as the assistant parish priest of St Anthony's Church from 1965 - 1967 shared that it was always his desire to carve Keningau and the interior region out of the then Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, when he was the Bishop in 1987. He was glad to see the rapid development of the Diocese and called upon the clergy and lay faithful to move along with Bishop Cornelius, especially in achieving the Diocesan Vision and Mission.

He reminded the people, 'Build community first and rest assured, physical structure will come along.'

Dr Marcus Takong, the PPC Chairman extended his appreciation to all the very much committed working committee, in ensuring the success of the 'big' event. He welcomed Archbishop Datuk John Lee, Bishop Julius, invited guests and all faithful to the occasion. It was the Mill Hill Missionary who came to sow the seeds of faith and it was their sacrifice that had made the Parish of St Anthony as what it is today. He quoted from 1 Corinthians 3:6, the apostle Paul said:"I sowed the seed, Appolos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow."

St Patrick's Church, Membakut will host the next, 18th anniversary celebration of the Diocese and the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Cornelius Piong in May 2011.

Bishop Julius, with Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong, Archbishop Datuk John Lee and priests from the Diocese of Keningau and Kota Kinabalu.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the faithful gathered at the newly completed Msgr Augustine Watcher's Hall for a lunch fellowship and some entertainment.

Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong cutting the3- in- 1 anniversary cake.

Bishop Julius receiving a memento from Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong.

A traditional dance by the local Murut community.

ds

2nd Conference of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerants (EMI)

Penang : The Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants  (EMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference  of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei held its 2^nd conference at Stella Maris, Penang on 23^rd – 25^th April 2010 attended by 18 Commission members and appointed consultants from the following arch/dioceses;

• Kuching archdiocese
• Kuala Lumpur archdiocese
• Singapore archdiocese
• Kota Kinabalu archdiocese
• Penang Diocese
• Melaka-Johor diocese
• Sandakan diocese
• Keningau diocese

The conference on Friday, April 23^rd 2010 began with presentation of reports from the participating dioceses, giving an insight into the different scenario of the plight of the migrants and itinerants.

The Opening Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Anthony, Bishop of the Penang Diocese, Bishop Paul Tan, Bishop of the Melaka-Johor Diocese and also the President of EMI, Fr Simon Poh of Kuching Archdiocese and Fr Benedict of Keningau Diocese.

On Saturday, April 24^th 2010, Commission members and the appointed Consultants discussed at length future EMI plans from April 2010 – March 2011 touching on formation program, roles of the media and resource materials. 

Joachim Xavier, the Chairperson of EMI from the Penang Diocese, presented a paper on 'The Penang Diocesan Migrant Ministry (PDMM) Experience' which gave an overview of the services and activities carried out in 2009, the challenges and the hopes of PDMM.

Towards the later part of the day, participants were deeply engaged in group discussions paving the way to establish networking with other dioceses.

On the final day of the conference, Sunday, April 25^th 2010, participants deliberated on the Diocesan Migrant Ministry guidelines and EMI constitution.

The EMI Executive Committee line up for 2010-2011 is as follows;

• President         -       Bishop Paul Tan  (Bishop of the Melaka Johor Diocese)
• Chairperson     -      Joachim Xavier (Penang Diocese)
• V-Chairperson -      Fr Simon Poh (Kuching Archdiocese)
• Secretary         -      Josephine Tey (KL Archdiocese)
• Treasurer         -      Ken Chua (Melaka Johor Diocese)
• Committee       

                  Francis Tan (Sandakan Diocese)

                       Dominic Lim (KK Archdiocese)

                       Josephine Chua (Melaka Johor Diocese)

                       Sr Angelina RGS (Melaka Johor Diocese)

• Consultants 

                      Media -  Diana (Kuching Archdiocese)

                      Formation – Cheryl Lee (KL Archdiocese)

                      Resource – Patrick Neo (Singapore Archdiocese)

ds

Courtesy call on Bishop Julius

 Sr Joan M Lopez (right of Bishop) and her team with the Bishop

Sr Joan Marie Lopez RGS , the newly appointed Provincial Leader for the Good Shepherd congregation for Malaysia-Singapore and her delegation of eight other members, paid a courtesy call on Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom at the latter's office this morning, 24th March 2010.

Among the members in the delegation were Sr Maureen Catabian RGS from the Phillipines,  Gloria Bon and Theresa Symons from Kuala Lumpur, Sr Maria Dipal RGS, Sr Angelina Peter RGS, Chin Poh Choo from Kota Kinabalu, Jessica Wong and Jellferyne Joseph from Sandakan.

 Bishop Julius sharing his views with Sr Joan RGS and her delegation

The Good Shepherd Sisters will make their presence felt when they officially establish a community here in the Diocese of Sandakan sometime next month. They approach each person with the same care of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. They are guided by the principle that, 'One person is of more value than a world.'

 Poh Choo of Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd briefing the Bishop

The Good Shepherd Sisters through its welfare arm of Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd will set up a Shelter Home in the Diocese for women in crisis as well as to look into preventive program for young people. They are also working towards setting up migrant ministry to look into migrant issues. For a start, they will recruit program coordinators for the said ministry based in Lahad Datu and Tawau.

ds

Tony Wee of AOHD gives a talk on Integral Human Development

 Fr Phillip Muji leading the Opening Prayer

Sandakan : Tony Wee, the Executive Secretary of the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD) Kuala Lumpur gave a talk on Integral Human Development to some 30 participants from the four parishes of the Diocese of Sandakan on Saturday, 20th March 2010 at the Diocesan Meeting Room.