Laporan Lawatan - Boni Sagi

Kunjungan Monitoring Buruh Migran Indonesia

Di Sabah
(Bahagian I)

Boni Sagi, staf Center for Indonesian Migrant Workers (CIMW) berkesempatan melakukan kunjungan monitoring Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) di Sabah pada 8 – 20 Agustus 2009. Kunjungan ini terlaksana berkat kerjasama dengan Keuskupan Sandakan, Paroki St. Dominic, Lahad Datu, Paroki Holy Trinity, Tawau serta Susteran Putri Reinha Rosari (PRR) di Nunukan.


Empat hari pertama di ‘Land Below the Wind’ (8-12/8/’09) - Sandakan

Kota Sandakan

Menurut John Baptis, Ketua Majelis Paroki Katedral St. Mary-Sandakan, Land Below the Wind adalah julukan Kota Sandakan sebagaimana diberi oleh Agnes Keith, sastrawan Inggris. Kota Sandakan memang cantik, apalagi jika ditengok dari kejauhan Tepekong besar di atas puncak bukit. Selain cantik, Sandakan juga sedang membangun dan berbenah diri. Julukan lain ‘the little Hong Kong’ masih menyisakan jejak-jejaknya. Barangkali dengan sejarah ini, bisa dipahami, Sandakan adalah ’kota multikultural’. Orang berkewarganegaraan Indonesia banyak dijumpai di sana terutama dari Indonesia timur (Adonara, Larantuka, Lembata, Solor, Ende, Manggarai).

Sempat melawat Tepekong besar

Pertemuan dengan Komiti Keluarga Besar Katolik Indonesia (KKBKI) Paroki St. Mark pada Minggu (9/8/09), mempertegas hal ini. Puluhan TKI dengan anak-anak mereka menghadiri pertemuan. Menurut Petrus Bala Bean (Ketua KKBKI), organisasi ini telah diresmikan pastor paroki pada 12 Juli 2009. Dialog terbuka siang hari itu mengidentifikasi tiga persoalan pokok yang dihadapi TKI di sana, sebagaimana dicatat oleh Frans Hayon (Sekretaris KKBKI). Tiga persoalan itu adalah: soal pasport/IC yang sampai saat ini belum diterima TKI sejak pemutihan setahun silam; soal pendidikan anak-anak yang tidak bisa bersekolah di sekolah Kerajaan Malaysia; dan soal gaji yang tidak sesuai dengan kontrak dan tidak mencukupi kebutuhan hidup sehari-hari.

Kunjungan lapangan dan pertemuan dengan TKI di Batu 8, Gum Gum Manis, Taman Buaya dan Batu 16, memperkuat identifikasi persoalan TKI di sana. Di Batu 16 banyak anak yang tidak bersekolah. Dan berangkat dari keprihatinan itu, ibu Emiliana, jemaat gereja st. Mark, merelakan waktu senggangnya mengajar anak-anak menulis, membaca dan mengira dasar. Gereja st. Mark bersama KKBKI juga membuka sekolah minggu yang juga mengajar anak-anak menulis, membaca dan mengira dasar. Seorang bapak, pada pertemuan di Batu 16 mengaku kesulitan memenuhi kebutuhan hidup dasarnya serta keluarga dengan gaji kurang lebih RM12 sehari. Dan hal itu menjadi semakin berat, karena uang jaminan pasport juga mencekik.

Bersama komunitas/keluarga Indonesia di Batu Enam Belas – Sandakan (Senin, 10/8/09)

Pada Selasa (11/8/09) sore, CIMW bersama mama Margaretha Francis (bendahara KKBKI Gereja St. Mark) dan Joseph Sudirman (dari Manggarai-Flores), berkesempatan berjumpa dengan Uskup Julius Gitom (Uskup Sandakan). Uskup Julius sangat terbuka dengan kunjungan-kunjungan seperti ini, tidak hanya dari kalangan Katolik, tapi dari kalangan mana saja. Beliau mengatakan bahwa persoalan buruh migran adalah persoalan yang sangat kompleks dan membutuhkan kerjasama dari berbagai pihak, termasuk Ornop/NGO. Uskup Julius juga menceriterakan pengalamannya semasa Padre dan melayani di ladang-ladang (kamp). Ia menyatakan keprihatinannya atas kondisi kerja para buruh migran di ladang-ladang, serta gaji buruh yang hanya RM10/hari. Menurut Bishop, hal seperti ini sudah merupakan bentuk eksploitasi. Untuk urusan Gereja pun, persoalan buruh migran kadang rumit, terutama berkaitan dengan pembaptisan dan pernikahan. Ada pekerja migran yang di kampung halamannya sudah memiliki suami/istri; dan ketika dia merantau mendapatkan suami/istri baru. Hal ini membuat status perkawinan mereka bermasalah, demikian pun status anak-anak yang dilahirkan dari pasangan seperti ini. Ketika disinggung, apakah mungkin Keuskupan membentuk divisi pastoral khusus untuk pekerja migran, Uskup Julius mengatakan itu merupakan ide yang baik. Hanya saat ini belum terlaksana karena sedikitnya sumber daya Keuskupan. Keuskupan Sandakan baru dua tahun berdiri, dan masih banyak hal yang harus dikerjakan. Demikianpun soal kerjasama dengan keuskupan-keuskupan di Indonesia yang banyak jemaatnya merantau ke sana adalah ide yang baik, tapi membutuhkan waktu untuk merealisasikannya. Dengan latar belakang ini, menurut Uskup kehadiran pihak-pihak lain yang prihatin dengan berbagai segi persoalan pekerja migran ini dipandang sebagai hal yang positif. Uskup Julius berharap pemerintah Indonesia dan Kerajaan Malaysia bisa lebih intens membicarakan persoalan kemanusiaan pekerja migran dan menemukan solusi-solusi yang baik.

Kiri - Kanan: Francis Tan, Boni Sagi, Uskup Julius Gitom, Joseph Sudirman dan Margaretha Francis

Oleh Boni Sagi

Diocesan BEC Seminar

Participants with Bishop Julius

Sandakan : Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom graced the 3 day Diocesan Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) Seminar on 29th August 2009 at the St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Hall. The Seminar was well attended by 235 participants from all the four parishes together with the religious and all priests.

The Seminar was mooted by the then Diocesan Pastoral Working Group in line with establishing BEC as the pastoral thrust of the diocese. Preparation work began as early as February 2009 with Fr Thomas Makajil, the rector of St Mary’s Cathedral as Chairman of the Organizing Committee.

Bishop Julius in his keynote address stressed on the new approach to develop a ‘participative Church’ through Small Christian Communities. Much effort was taken to organize the seminar, aiming to train leaders to be committed in the development of BECs in the various parishes. He felt strongly that it is in BECs, the real presence of the Risen Christ can be seen and expressed in the true light of love. It is a place where Christians can work together for a better world rather than be individualistic and selfish.

Fr Thomas in his welcoming speech

Fr Thomas Makajil, in his welcoming speech extended his appreciation to the panel of speakers in the persons of Fr Dr Charles Chiew, John Lainsin and Gideon Mositoh who had responded to facilitate the Seminar. The overwhelming response from all the parishes is a sign that the faithful is taking up the challenge posed by our Bishop to make BECs the pastoral thrust of the diocese.

Bishop Julius together with Gideon and Lawrence the facilitators for reality games
Fr Dr Charles Chiew

John Lainsin ~ the main speaker

A total of 10 sessions were presented during the 3 day seminar which covers the following topics;

• Roles and involvement of lay faithful in the life and mission of the Church
• Church documents on participation of lay faithful
• Vision on ‘a new way of being Church’
• Concept and the need of a Community
• The pastoral thrust of the Diocese
• Focal point of Parish activities
• Leadership in ‘a new way of being Church’
• How to begin BECs
• Sustaining BECs
• Spirituality in BECs

Group discussion - Holy Trinity Tawau

Group discussion - Holy Trinity Tawau

Group discussion - St Dominic Lahad Datu

Group discussion - St Dominic Lahad Datu

Group discussion - St Martin Telupid


Group discussion - St Mary Sandakan

The Reality Game facilitated by Gideon

Sr Liza, Sr Lilianna & Sr Appolonia in an action song

In between the sessions there were group dynamics and reality games involving all participants. Representatives from Parishes shared their experiences on the processes, strength and weaknesses of BECs.

Msgr Nicholas Ong in his sharing said, ‘I love BECs. I try to visit and cover as many BECs as possible. I hope to see BECs in Tawau grow and flourish. My dream is to make BECs into BHCs (Basic Human Communities) where everyone regardless of race or religion in the neighborhood can participate'.

It is through BECs that priests have the opportunity to visit homes of Catholic families and mix with the laity at grass root level. As we progress, we often need to stop and look at how things are going. There is always room for improvement and growth. We need to evaluate from time to time and detect weak areas and then find ways to improve.

The Eucharist Celebration concelebrated by Bishop and all priests

There was a ‘surprise’ event for all priests on 30th August 2009 after the Eucharistic Celebration, in conjunction with the ‘Year of the Priest' which was launched the day before with a slide presentation on ‘A tribute to our Bishop and Priests’. This was followed by a cake cutting ceremony. Each priest was then presented with an exclusive mug with their name imprinted.

Fr Thomas Makajil in his winding up speech

Fr Thomas Makajil in winding up the event hoped that whatever acquired should not be confined within the four walls of the Parish Hall. It is time that with the knowledge, skill and coupled with the right attitude, BECs would be an in thing of the diocese in the near future.

“争执可以快乐吗？”讲座会

山打根圣玛莉主教座堂于2009年8月29日(星期一)成功举办“争执可以快乐吗？”讲座会。

该讲座会于当天晚上8时正在圣玛莉主教座堂掀开序幕。我们非常感激萧永伦神父千里迢迢从遥远的新加坡到来为我们主讲并分享夫妇之间和谐的人际关系。与萧神父同行的，还有大众传播主任王文才兄弟，及海星报主编谢文碧姐妹。

虽然当晚天空飘着细雨，但不能阻止教友对该讲座的热情与支持，约有60人出席当晚的讲座会。

讲座会开始时，萧神父萧洒地让到场的教友们选择爱听的讲题，即心心相印、争执可以快乐吗，以及爱他所爱。最后教友们选择了“争执可以快乐吗？”之讲题。但见萧神父娓娓道出现代夫妻之间或孩子与父母之间所会出现的争执。萧神父以轻松而温和的语气，讲述争吵的目的，也让在场的每一位明了争吵的艺术；即在不伤害对方的情况下说出自己的感受，促进彼此间的了解与尊重，而不是在于因取得个人的胜利而沾沾自喜，使彼此间的关系更和谐、更美好。

过后，萧神父也藉此良机，向在座的教友推介其最新的著作，即 “相爱要花心"及介绍由王守礼主教创办及推动之“海星报”双周刊。希望藉此得到教友的支持，达致“海星报” 肩负培育教友及询息的目的。

接着，王文才兄弟被邀请致词，王文才兄弟在致词中表示信仰的传神，因有圣经的记载，所以要提升我们的信仰，就要多阅读。王兄弟非常强调文字福传，他希望教友多阅读海星报，以加强马新汶之间的联系。以此，王兄弟也介绍了 “桥梁”及适合于孩子阅读的“儿童刊物”。

本堂司铎罗志康神父也藉此机会鼓励教友多阅读，并感谢萧永伦神父、王文才兄弟与谢文碧姐妹的莅临。最后，在罗神父的见证下，华文协调委员会主席钟学良兄弟赠送纪念品予萧神父以表谢意。

该讲座会于晚上9.30, 在萧神父的祝福下圆满结束。 教友们很荣幸地请萧神父在其新书上签名。然后，欢欢喜喜地离开教堂。

图与文：杨玉娟

Courtesy call to Bishop

Sandakan: On the 27th August 2009, the National Minister of SFO Oceania (covering Australia, Singapore, Sabah), Mrs Helen Briton sfo, Regional Minister of Singapore, Mrs Patricia Tan, Sabah SFO Steering Committee headed by Petronella Munting sfo and Friar Arul Mariadas, ofm the Regional Spiritual Assistant of Singapore and Sabah as well as Sr Frances Mani fsic the Spiritual Assistant of the Sabah SFO together with several other team members paid a courtesy call to Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom at the Diocesan Meeting Room.

The aim of the visit was to have a better understanding, collaboration and participation of the SFOs in the local church as well as to brief the Bishop on the existence of the Sabah SFO steering Committee. Apart from that the team also sought the Bishop’s blessing for future canonically establishment of the regional fraternity in Sabah especially in the Diocese of Sandakan.

The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is a community of Roman Catholic men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi. Secular Franciscans are members of the third order of Franciscans which is approved and recognized by the Holy See entrusted the pastoral care and spiritual assistance.

Currently there are four canonically established fraternities in Sabah;

• Sacred Heart Fraternity, Kota Kinabalu
• St Joseph Fraternity, Papar
• Holy Rosary Fraternity, Limbahau and
• St Francis Xavier Fraternity, Keningau.

There are another five emerging SFO fraternities;

• Our Lady of Fatima, Beluran, Sandakan
• St Mary, Sandakan
• St John, Tuaran
• Stella Maris, Tanjung Aru and
• Blessed Sacrament, Labuan

After the courtesy call, the visitors had lunch at the Parish Hall. On hand to welcome the visitors were Sr Appolonia Gumpu fsic, Adriana Sampog sfo of the local emerging fraternity of St Mary and about 20 professed members and inquirers.

Current and Upcoming Events

St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan
1st ~ 30th September 2009

Date	Time	Event	Venue
1st Sept	8.00 pm	Parish Catechetical Committee Meeting	Room B, Parish Hall
1st ~ 2nd Sept		Priests Meeting	Diocesan Meeting Room
4th Sept	8.00 pm	Briefing for Commentators and Readers	St Mary’s Cathedral
5th Sept	10.00 am	Catholic Women’s Apostolate Meeting	Diocesan Meeting Room
7th Sept	7.00 pm	Alpha Course	Kenalanmu Restaurant
12th Sept	9.00 am	Confirmation	St Mary’s Cathedral
12th Sept	11.00 am	Diocesan Liturgical Commission Meeting	Diocesan Meeting Room
24th ~ 26th Sept		Vocation Seminar ~ La Salle Brothers	Diocesan Retreat Centre
26th ~ 27th Sept		Youth Rally ~ Passing the Faith	Dewan Foo Chow, Kota Kinabalu

Year of the Priest

Bishop Julius and all priests concelebrating the Mass

Sandakan : Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom launched the ‘Year of the Priest’ at Diocesan level on Saturday 29th August 2009 during Sunset Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. The date of the launching, according to Bishop Julius was picked to coincide with the Diocesan BEC Seminar on 29th ~ 31st August 2009 where the lay faithful, religious and Clergy from the 4 parishes would be well represented. Also in attendance during the launching were Fr Dr Charles Chiew from the Diocese of Keningau who was a speaker of the Seminar and Fr Dr Henry Siew from the Archdiocese of Singapore who was here on a pastoral tour.

The Diocese of Sandakan has 7 priests serving close to 60,000 Catholics in a total population of a little over 1 million.

The launching of the Year of the Priest created awareness among the laity the great challenges priests have to encounter in administering to the people of God. The laity as a whole loves their priests and definitely wants to see them happy, holy and joyous in their daily apostolic undertakings.

Bishop Julius, during his homily called on the laity, not only this year but always to lift up all priests in prayer, asking God to strengthen them in their love for Christ and Church. He admitted that there are priests who are problematic but the number constitutes to a very small portion. The vast majority of them are people of integrity, dedicated to their pastoral work in their sacred ministry and they keep on striving to be priests of the masses emulating the example of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests

Unveiling of the banner of the patron saint - Saint John Vianney

After his homily, Bishop Julius then unveiled the banner of St John Vianney marking the Year of the Priest at the diocese. He then handed banners for the 'Year of the Priest' and prayer cards to all the Parish Priests as a symbolic gesture of the launch. Prayer cards on the Year of the Priest in English, Bahasa Melayu and Chinese were distributed to all faithful.

Bishop Julius presenting the banners and prayer cards to Mgsr Nicholas Ong

Altar Servers distributing prayer cards to the parishioners

MESYUARAT AGUNG DWI-TAHUNAN KERASULAN WANITA PAROKI SANTA MARIA SANDAKAN

SANDAKAN: Mesyuarat Agung Dwi-Tahunan Kerasulan Wanita Katolik Paroki Sandata Maria bagi sessi 2009-2011 telah diadakan pada 22hb Ogos 2009 bertempat di Bilik Katekatikal Katedaral Santa Maria Sandakan. Seramai 60 orang perwakilan daripada setiap Sub Paroki iaitu: Katedral St. Mary Sandakan, Gereja St. Mark, Chapel St. Peter Sg. Manila, Gareja St. Paul Ulu Dusun, Chapel St. Emmanuel, Jaya dan Our Lady Of Fatima Beluran Sandakan.

John Baptis duduk sebelah kanan

Mesyuarat Agung Agung ini dihadiri oleh En. John Baptis selaku pengerusi Majlis Pastoral Paroki Cathedral St. Mary dan Sister M. Lilian Unsoh (FSIC) selaku ahli kehormat Kerasulan Wanita Katolik Paroki.

Album kenangan Kerasulan wanita

Sebelum mesyuarat persiapan rohani dengan pembacaan yang dipetik dari Kitab Yehezkiel 36: 26 Kamu akan Kuberikan hati yang baru, dan roh yang baru di dalam batinmu dan Aku akan menjauhkan dari tubuhmu hati yang keras dan Kuberikan kepadamu hati yang taat. Seterusnya pembacaan dari INJIL dan ceramah pertama telah disampaikan oleh Rev. Fr. Thomas Makajil serta disusuli oleh ceramah kedua oleh Sr. M. Lilian Usoh.

Berikut Adalah Ahli Jawatan Pelayanan Bagi Sesi Tahun 2009-2011.

Penyelaras: Pn. Annie Rokneh Jalani
Penolong Penyelaeras: Pn. Cecelia D’ Souza
Setiausaha: Pn. Helda Laurencius
Penolong Setiausaha: Pn. Brenda De Guzman
Bendahari: Pn. Dora Ho
Penolong Bendahari: Pn. Siony Fiel

Ahli Jawatan Pelayanan:

Pn. Milanie Michael (St. Paul)
Pn. Joana Lim (Our lady Of Fatima)
Pn. Adriana Lina Sampong (St.Mark)
Pn. Maureen Murugung (St. Petrus)
Pn. Azilin Ajan (St. Emmanuel)
Pn. Rosaline Philip (St. Paul)
Pn. Helda Merusin (Our Lady Of Fatima)
Pn. Merynah Kaong (St. Emmanuel)

Ahli Jawatan Pelayanan:

Pn. Ferdee Mariano (St. Mary)
Pn. George R. Casuple (ST. Mary)
Pn. Atilvia Intal (St. Mark)

Kerasulan Wanita sering mengadakan aktiviti sosial, kebajikan dan kerohanian seperti mengadakan Seminar Kefahaman Liturgi, Seminar Kepimpinan, retreat dan perhimpunan tahunan, lawatan-lawatan ke kawasan yang memerlukan seperti hospital dan ke zon Paitan.