Chrism Mass at St Mary's Cathedral

Bishop Julius presiding over the mass

Sandakan : The Chrism Mass, where the bishop of the diocese gathers with the priests of his diocese is one of the most beautiful of the liturgies celebrated during Holy Week. The bishop serves as the high priest of the flock and the Mass represents his close unity with the priests who are united to him under his care.


Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom presided over the tri-lingual mass, con celebrated by the seven diocesan priests on Thursday 7th April 2011 which was well attended at St Mary's Cathedral. 

At the onset of the celebration, the congregation participated fully in singing   from their hearts with much emotion, feeling and passion the entrance hymn on Priestly People, welcoming the bishop and all his priests.

Bishop Julius blessing the oil

The prelate in his homily explained that Chrism Mass, normally celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday was celebrated much earlier taking into account of the convenience  where all  priests were around to hear confessions at the Cathedral for the Lenten season.

The celebration, the center of the liturgical action with the Oil of the Sick, used for those who seek the anointing, and the Oil of the Catechumens, which is imposed on those preparing for baptism and confirmation and the Oil for the Holy Order were blessed by Bishop Julius for the local church's use over the following year.

Priests renewing their commitment before Bishop Julius 

After the consecration of the three oils, the priests renewed their commitments they pronounced at their priestly ordinations before the prelate witnessed by the people of God. They resolved to live a life of holiness, sacred celibacy and faithful service.

The prelate went on to say, 'We express our heartfelt gratitude to the people of God gathered here today and in all parishes throughout the entire diocese for the love and continuous support given us through your personal prayers, BECs and other community gatherings.'

He said, 'We renew our commitment before you, dear people of God to serve Christ, His mission and His Church. Keep us always in your prayer.'

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ST MARY’'S CATHEDRAL LENTEN RETREAT

Elder Anthony Lim facilitating the retreat

Sandakan : Over 100 people of St Mary's Cathedral Parish attended a two-day Lenten Retreat organized by the Sandakan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Community (CCR) on 1^st – 2^nd April 2011. The retreat was facilitated by the Elders from the Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC) from Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese.

This is the second occasion that such a retreat was organized by the joint effort of all the Parish CCR groups. The first one was organized last year, at the Diocesan Retreat Center, Ulu Dusun specifically for members of the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC). The overwhelming response last year spurred the CCR to reach out to more people of the Parish.

The retreat was based on a four-part reflection series on the Mel Gibson’s epic film “The Passion of Christ”, produced by Trinity Formation Resources founded by Dr. Tom Curran of Washington USA. In this series, Dr. Tom Curran reveals four central themes portrayed in the movie to be reflected on;

1.     Living your mission with passion

2.     The Path of conversion of discipleship

3.     Revealing the nature of sin and evil

4.     The passion of God’s saving love (Mass)

The SYCC Choir

By the end of the 4-part series, the retreatants were divided into several groupings of 8 -11 people for personal sharing and discussion. After the four series reflection by Dr. Tom Curran, the Elder of LJCCC, Mr. Anthony Lim shared an inspiring talk on the last 7 words uttered by Jesus for in-depth reflection by the participants. 

• 'Father, forgive them, they know not what they do' Lk 23 : 34 
• 'This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise' Lk 23 : 43
• 'Woman, behold thy son' Jn 19 : 26
• 'My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me' Mk 15 : 34
• 'I thirst' Jn 19 : 28
• 'It is finished' Jn 19 : 30
• 'Into thine hands, I commend my spirit' Luke 23 :

William Fung giving his testimony

The retreat ended at 10.00 pm with several testimonies from the participants on how the retreat had helped them in understanding deeper the meaning of Christ's passion. 


The organizer is hopeful that such retreat will be organized annually at parish level to benefit more people in the future.

dalius ll soccom of smcat

CFM Media Statement

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457

Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

7th April 2011

A call for patience and careful consideration

The statements of regret and appeals for forgiveness expressed by the Government of Malaysia with respect to the impounding and stamping of the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, the Alkitab, resonate deep within the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

As a body that brings together a wide cross-section of the Christian community in Malaysia, we know about the sinfulness of man and have experienced the forgiveness of God. As such, we receive these expressions with all the sincerity with which they are offered.

We believe the Government’s proposals represent a basis for further dialogue and engagement towards a viable long-term and comprehensive solution.

As such, CFM feels that this process ought not to be hurried. Its constituent bodies are currently undertaking their own internal consultations prior to responding collectively to the 10-point resolution proposed by the Government.

We call for patience and perseverance, and continued prayer and quiet reflection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our deliberations.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Ng Moon Hing 

Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia

Lenten Seminar

Tawau : The Children liturgy of Holy Trinity Parish Tawau organized a Lenten Seminar at the outstation Church of St Thomas Bombalai,  some 18 kilometers from town, on Sunday, 27th March 2011.

Sr Marysia  fsic and Sr. Liza fsic talked to the parents, the key to understanding the deeper meaning of Lent which is baptism. Preparation for baptism and for renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the season. Touching on the Holy Week, they explained in depth the 'Triduum', the great three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday  leading to Easter. Easter, an octave (eight days) celebration ends on Pentecost.  The participants were briefed on the general practices to be observed during the Lent season anchored on the three pillars of Lenten observance - prayer, fasting and alms giving.

The Parish BM Liturgical Committee helped to facilitate a similar session for the children. The children were taught the following;

•  meaning of Lent (when does Lent starts and ends)
•  what do we do and not do during Lent 
• giving something up during Lent

Some 200 parents and children, mostly of the Timorese community, as well as several BEC groups participated in the one-day seminar which was aimed at drawing the people closer to the Lord.

The co-ordinator Michael Harumal,  who initiated in organizing the seminar, hoped to see more of such activities arranged in future for outstations. He also hoped that Sunday School classes could be established  for the children. He presented a bookmark to each of the participant as a souvenir.

The seminar ended with a lunch for all the participants.

christin tan and julita

VOICE OUT CAMP (VOC) TAWAU

“Todays Voice Tomorrow’s Future” adalah tema yang dipilih oleh tim pelaksana Voice Out Camp (VOC) yang telah diadakan di St Jude, Semporna pada 11-13 Mac 2011 yang lalu. Kem ini adalah lanjutan konsultasi belia (Speak Camp) yang telah diadakan di Tawau pada 24-26 September 2010 yang lalu dan merupakan program di bawah Kerasulan Belia Keuskupan (KBK) Diosis Sandakan.

Objektif kem adalah untuk mendengar suara belia dan mengetahui keperluan belia di St Jude, Semporna agar dapat direkod dan seterusnya merangka program/aktiviti belia pada masa akan datang sesuai dengan tujuan konsultasi di peringkat Paroki dan Diosis.

Peserta-peserta kem lebih kurang seramai 50 orang termasuklah 3 orang belia dari Pegagau dan 8 orang dari St Peter, Kunak.

 

Sesi suaikenal

Pengisian malam pertama kem antaranya adalah taklimat tentang tujuan kem diadakan, peraturan-peraturan semasa kem, aktiviti “ice-breaking” dan diakhiri dengan renungan pembacaan petikan dari alkitab dan doa malam.

 

Sesi konsultasi dimulakan dengan Sesi 1 “Realiti Belia” yang dikendalikan oleh saudari Esther selaku tim pelaksana. Pengenalan sesi dibuat untuk membantu setiap peserta mengenai gambaran sebenar realiti kehidupan belia masa kini dalam pelbagai aspek seperti realiti di dalam keluarga, masyarakat dan rohani seseorang belia. Seterusnya, soalan “Apakah realiti belia di St Jude, Semporna/St Peter, Kunak?” dibincang dan dikongsi dalam setiap kumpulan yang telah dibahagikan mengikut peringkat umur dari 13-15, 16-18, 19-21 dan 22 tahun ke atas.

 

Setelah berbincang mengikut kumpulan masing-masing selama 45 minit, setiap ketua kumpulan dijemput membuat pembentangan. Pada mulanya, keberanian untuk bercakap di hadapan rakan-rakan yang lain merupakan cabaran terbesar setiap kumpulan. Akan tetapi, setelah melalui sesi yang seterusnya iaitu Sesi 2 “Ciri-ciri Belia”, mereka semakin selesa dan berani untuk tampil memberi pembentangan. Dalam pengenalan sesi ke 2 yang disampaikan oleh saudari Felsa, para peserta diberi gambaran tentang ciri-ciri seseorang belia yang mengalami perubahan dan perkembangan yang dapat dilihat dari segi luaran dan dalaman.

 

Sesi yang ke 3 iaitu “Cabaran-cabaran Belia” disampaikan oleh saudara Herry yang menerangkan sebahagian dari cabaran-cabaran/masalah-masalah belia yang telah dialami oleh kebanyakan belia dalam pelbagai situasi seperti cabaran di dalam keluarga, rakan-rakan, sekolah, tempat kerja dan lain-lain.

 

“Tonight’s dream,Tomorrow’s memory” menjadi pilihan tema malam terakhir VOC

 

Setelah melalui sesi-sesi konsultasi pada sebelah siang, para peserta berkumpul dan makan bersama serta bermain dalam beberapa permainan yang telah disediakan pada malam terakhir kem VOC

 

antara permainan pada malam tersebut

Sesi terakhir merupakan sesi dialog di antara wakil-wakil pemimpin dan para belia di St Jude. Panel-panel gereja yang diwakili oleh pihak gereja adalah Sdra Dennis (MPP Semporna), Sdra Dominggo (MPP HTC Tawau), Sdra Francis Kamuntah (Koordinator Outstasi), Sdri Julita (Family Life Tawau), Sdri Felsa (Pengerusi Belia HTC Tawau) dan Sdra Alen (Kordinator Belia Semporna). Sesi dialog selama 1 jam tersebut memberi kesempatan untuk para peserta dan juga ajk pelaksana untuk bertanyakan soalan tentang gereja, pelayanan dan juga iman katolik kepada panel-panel yang mewakili pihak gereja.

 

lagu “Kasih Yesus” menjadi lagu penutup kem VOC

Kem berakhir jam 12.30 dengan upacara pemotongan kek sempena ulangtahun Gereja St Jude yang ke-6.

 

Felsa May
SOCCOM
Tawau

PRE MARRIAGE COURSE, HTC Tawau

Tawau : The Christian Family Life Ministry of Holy Trinity Parish conducted a pre marriage course in BM for 33 couples from 23rd - 26th March 2011, lasting 3 nights and a half day on Saturday.

 

Though mainly meant for those preparing for marriage, most of the participants attended the course so that their marriages could be blessed.

 

Fr. David Garaman, the assistant rector, began the course with a talk on ‘marriage according to God’s plan and the sacrament of marriage’.

 

This was followed by the talk on ‘the law (civil and church) and liturgy of marriage’ given by Melvin and Linda.

Mario then gave a talk on communication in marriage followed by ‘marriage and the Christian family” given by Julita.

The talk ended with the session on the natural method in birth regulation according to the church’s teaching delivered by Julita and her team.

Given 3 times a year, the course is usually well attended by migrant workers from outstations.

Sharings from the attendees were overwhelmingly positive. Most of them did not have the opportunity to be exposed to such input before, and the course has helped them to understand better the mission of the husband and the wife in a Christian married life.

Julita

Soccom HTC

CFM Media Statement in Chinese Translation

马来西亚基督教联会

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA

(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457

Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

2011年3月30日

马来西亚基督教联会媒体文告

保护和捍卫基督徒使用马来文版圣经（ALKITAB)之权利

（以英文为准）

  

我们感谢全能的上帝带领西马，沙巴和砂拉越众教会的领袖，同心合一地处理俱争论性的马来文版圣经(Alkitab)，目前在巴生港口及古晋被扣押事件。这决定极其重要因为其含义不仅包括基督徒，也包括全体马来西亚人民。

我们一致坚持宗教信仰的自由。因此，我们的立场是，圣经或者宗教实践的语言选择不应该受到任何的限制、剥夺或阻挠，一如马来西亚成立之前和之后的情况。

基督徒和其他马来西亚人民一样，在这次的要求并没有超越宪法第11(1)条款和国家人权宣言第18条文所阐明的权益。

目前马来文版圣经的争议只是冰山一角，其实信仰自由的公共空间早已不断面对系统化的压缩，包括佩戴十字架或其他宗教标志、使用宗教字眼、兴建宗教场所都遭遇限制。

我们表达这关注不仅是代表基督徒也代表了全体马来西亚人民。我们的信仰对国家建设，扮演重要的角色，这也是根据我国国家原则的第一条：信奉上苍。

我们恭谨声明有关政府在2011年3月22日的献议，并未解决事情的核心问题。就事实而言，他们在2005年提出的献议，即印上“基督教刊物”（A Christian Publication），当局只遵守了一次。其后的马来文版圣经都面对被扣押，必须在不同的条件下才获得发还。

为了事情得到进展，我们呼吁政府一劳永逸，除去无论在法律或行政上一切对进口，出版，发行和使用马来文版圣经的限制，这也是保护和捍卫我们使用马来文版圣经（ALKITAB)之权利。

这包括取消所有根据1960内安法令下，宣布马来文版圣经为国家安全威胁的命令。同样的，也不能在1984年印刷与出版法令下，认为马来文版圣经对公共秩序构成威胁。我们绝对拒绝如此鉴定我们的圣经。

相反的，我们的圣经提供我们启发和方向。诗人说，“您的话是我脚前的灯，是我路上的光”（诗篇119章105节）。我们重视在新约圣经所教导的说，“圣经都是上帝所默示的，于教训，督责，使人归正，教导人学义都是有益处的。”（提摩太后书3章16节）。

只要我们在联邦宪法规定的基本自由上没有受到侵犯，我们将继续与政府合作，寻求一个可行及长远的解决方案。这方案包括毫不含糊的详细过程和程序。

至于被扣押和污损的马来文版圣经，我们重申我们的立场，内政部加印于圣经的行为，是相等于损坏，不敬和鄙视基督教的圣经。

鉴于内政部在没有通知和寻求有关单位的意见也没有顾及基督教社群的感受，采取专制的行动，有关单位的决定取回已被盖印和印上系列编号的马来文版圣经，将视为避免基督教的圣经，可能在内政部官员专横行动中，受到进一步的污损，不敬及破坏。

我们交由两名进口商，根据他们个别不同的情况和对有关当局的信任，以及按当地的程序，决定是否要取回马来文版圣经。

无论他们的决定如何，我们对宗教自由的立场是一致的。这包括在不受任何的妨碍或阻碍下，可以自由的在马来西亚使用马来文版圣经。

我们呼吁所有爱好和平的马来西亚人民，继续为我们国家在面对这些关键的事情上，可以得到一个有尊严的解决方案祷告。

马来西亚基督教联会

会长黄满興主教以及全体执委会。

TAWAU INTER-CHURCH UNITY PRAYER

Tawau :As part of our parish’s commitment to Ecumenism as promulgated by the Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, Holy Trinity Parish Tawau hosted the Inter-Church Unity Prayer Session held at the parish hall on the evening of Wednesday, 30th March 2011.

Participants from Tawau InterChurch

Some 800 participants from various Christian churches including the Basel, Methodist, Anglican, Shalom, SIB, and Calvary Church as well as our own Holy Trinity Church attended the function.

Together we pray for unity among Churches

Aware that Ecumenism takes as it starting point that Christ founded just one Church, not many churches; hence the Roman Catholic Church has as its ultimate hope and objective - that through prayer, study, and dialogue, the historically separated bodies may come again to be reunited with it. 

Session began with the Opening Prayer followed by a ‘repentance prayer' led by the Chairman of the Tawau Inter Church Committee.

Praise and Worship session

A pastor from each church presented his/her petition and Sr Marysia fsic presented the petition on behalf of Holy Trinity Church.

Coming together in the spirit of Christian unity

Prayers offered focused mainly on world peace, Christian unity and for our nation Malaysia, its leaders as well as for our youths.

Msgr Ong and pastors from the various churches

Though each church may present its prayer differently, a pervasive feeling of unity of the one God and one Lord was keenly felt.

Session ended at 9.15pm with the Closing Prayer by Msgr .Nicholas Ong.

julita soccom htc

SEMINAR PRA-PERKAHWINAN – KKK, PAROKI ST.MARY

Sandakan - Komiti Keluarga Katolik(KKK), Paroki St. Mary, Sandakan telah menganjurkan Seminar Pra-Perkahwinan Siri yang pertama dalam tahun ini bertempat di Dewan Paroki St. Mary yang telah disertai oleh seramai 23 pasangan peserta.

Komitmen kami

Pendaftaran seminar seawal jam 7.00 pagi disusuli dengan Misa Kudus bermula jam 8.00 pagi yang dipimpin oleh Paderi Paroki Rev. Fr. Thomas Makajil dan diteruskan dengan sesi-sesi ceramah yang disampaikan oleh beberapa penceramah dari Komiti KKK termasuk Fr. Thomas Makajil yang menyampaikan tajuk ceramah “Perkahwinan Menurut Rencana Tuhan (Sakramen Perkahwian)” dan Fr. Philip Muji yang menyampaikan tajuk ceramah “Kerohanian Keluarga Katolik”.

Fr. Thomas Makajil yang menyampaikan tajuk ceramah
“Perkahwinan Menurut Rencana Tuhan (Sakramen Perkahwian)”

Sentiasa berkomunikasi

Antara tajuk-tajuk ceramah dalam seminar yang berlansung selama 2 hari iaitu pada 26-27hd Mac 2011 adalah; “Komunikasi Suami Isteri dan Keluarga dalam Perkahwinan” oleh Sdri. Martina Duhong, “IbuBapa yang Bertanggung-Jawab” oleh Sdra. Richard Atilano, “Sex dalam Perkahwinan” oleh Sdra. Pius Gorohom, “Merancang Keluarga Menurut Agama Katolik” Bhg.1 (Falsafah dan perancang Keluarga semulajadi) juga oleh Sdra.Pius Gorohom, Bhg. 2 (Billings Ovulation Method – BOM) oleh Sdra. John Babtis, Bhg. 3 (Latihan/Charting) oleh Sdri. Theresa Adam dan “Penyakit Keturunan dan Penyakit Kelamin” oleh Dr. Henry Ong.

John Baptis menerangkan Billings Ovulation Method (BOM)

Doa bersama sebelum makan

Apa yang menjadi kelainan dalam seminar kali ini adalah, para pasangan perserta telah diminta untuk membawa bunga dan lilin yang mana pada sesi makan tengahari hari yang kedua (27hb), setiap meja makan para pasangan peserta telah dilapik dengan kain dan dihiasi dengan bunga dan lilin untuk mewujudkan suasana kekeluargaan yang romantic dan para pasangan diminta berdoa mengikut pasangan masing-masing sebelum makan kerana ini adalah perkara asas yang perlu diterapkan pada setiap keluarga Katolik.

Suasana kekeluargaan romantik

Beberapa pasangan peserta yang sempat ditemuramah oleh SOCCOM Paroki; Ricky dan Freddeliza, Marksus Ng dan Rachel dan Alex Donald dan Imelda Martin merasa sangat gembira dan teruja setelah menyertai seminar ini kerana sebelum ini, mereka belum mendapat gambaran yang jelas mengenai Alam Perkahwinan, tetapi setelah menyertai seminar ini, banyak perkara atau pengetahuan yang boleh dijadikan panduan dan bekalan untuk memulakan alam Perkahwinan. Antara sesi-sesi yang sangat menarik perhatian salah satu dari pasangan tersebut adalah sesi “Merancang Keluarga Menurut Agama Katolik” (Bhg. 2 – BOM) kerana tiada pengetahuan langsung tentang perancangan Keluarga sebelum ini, tetapi selepas mendengar ceramah dari sesi ini, baru mendapat pengetahuan, ada proses yang lebih mudah, semulajadi dan selamat.

Hendaklah bergembira selalu

Dalam sesi penggulungan oleh Sdra. Pius Gorohom telah menyentuh tentang Liturgi Perkahwinan Katolik dan menyarankan kepada para peserta, supaya betul-betul bersedia dan bertanggung-jawab dalam semua aspek persiapan perkahwinan terutamanya dalam Misa Kudus Perkahwinan.

soccom smcat