Good Friday ~ Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Article by DS and photos by

 courtesy of Edon M and Gina

Sandakan : On Good Friday, 18th April, some 700 parishioners attended the outdoor station of the cross. They gathered in front of the Cathedral as early as 9.00 am and walked up the Hill Road leading to the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, stopping at every station to pray and meditate on Christ carrying the cross until His crucifixion. It all leads to the final station, a 10 ft cross placed at the top of the little hill a little below St Mary's Convent.

The Good Friday Service in Bahasa Malaysia began at 1.00 pm at St May's Cathedral, drawing a huge crowd of more than 3,000 people while the same service in English at 5.00 pm attracted some 2,000 people. The Bahasa Malaysia service was celebrated by Fr Philip Muji while the English service was celebrated by Bishop Julius.

The service commenced with the solemn entrance. The narration of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ  was taken from the Gospel according to John 18 : 1 - 19 : 42. Bishop Julius, in his homily said that on hearing the narrative about the crucifixion of Jesus, we may be convinced that those involved in the death of Jesus must be the greatest of all crooks in the world. If we were there at that time would we be better off than those people and the chances are that we would be merely onlookers or bystanders. Or worse if we were Jesus followers we would be like the twelve disciples who went into hiding after Jesus was arrested.

Bishop Julius said that Christ could have been crucified at any place, at any time as long as people would not care, as long as we have no courage to stand up to uphold justice and be honest. Jesus could be crucified in our midst even at this moment, in our home, in our church. There are many examples where human rights or justice are being violated in the world today. 

Our consolation is that God has send his son into the world, not to condemn the world but to save the world. Inspite of our sinfulness, God does not reject us. And it is from the Cross that God expresses his deepest love for us human beings. Christ offers his whole life as a sacrificial lamb for our sins so that we can acquire divine life. Today, together with millions of believers throughout the world we come to venerate Jesus on the Cross.

As we gazed at his crucified appearance, perhaps we may feel the beauty of his love. Therefore let us approach him today with humble admission of our unworthiness and in a state of humble submission we may pray to him, ‘Lord, may your love take hold of me a sinner and give me the courage to be a more faithful follower and guide me in my daily life so that I may have the strength to accept my personal crosses as I try to be a more faithful disciple than I have been before.'

After the veneration of the cross, parishioners left in silence.

Holy Thursday in HTC Tawau

Article by Julita and photos by

courtesy of SOCCOM, Tawau

Tawau : Having participated in the solemn procession during Palm Sunday, another mystery of Christ's wonderful teaching and command is his humility, symbolized and celebrated during HolyThursday (MaundyThursday) or the The Lord’s Supper.  The church inaugurates the Sacred Triduum which commemorates the last moment of Christ's earthly life. 

The three great teaching that Christ descended to his disciples on this celebration were the Institutions of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper and directed his twelve disciples to 'Do this in memory of me.' Christ offered his body and blood to his disciples that they might consume them and commanded them and their successors as a memorial in the action of the priesthood. Among the commands 'to love one another is the greatest.'

The Holy Mass on 17th April, was presided over by Fr. David A. Garaman and con celebrated by Msgr. Nicholas Ong, attended by some 1000 or more parishioners. In his homily, Fr David said, 'We have professed the Christian faith. We have to live the same kind of life as Christ lived. We are to live up our faith and for that we must always be ready to follow Christ.' 

Fr David went on to say, 'The washing of feet tonight has a very deep meaning. It has a great impact on us. Christ did this to his disciples so that we may share in his mission; to wash one other's feet regardless of race,  colour and background . We are called to serve others with humility and a pure heart. In  that way we may become true witness of a humble servant to our family, church and to the community.' 

After the homily, Fr David performed the symbolic washing of the feet of the 12 extra-ordinary ministers of holy communion.

The Blessed Sacrament was then transferred to the Church Basement Hall for adoration till midnight.

Bishop Julius Celebrates Holy Thursday At St Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan

Article by Dallius LL, photos

by courtesy of Edon Mujim

Sandakan: The faithful of St. Mary's Cathedral entered into their holiest season in the Catholic calendar, the Sacred Easter Triduum Liturgies, the three great days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. It marks the end of forty days of Lent and the beginning of a three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Easter Triduum begins with the Vigil of Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) which was celebrated on 17th April at 7.30 pm with an attendance of close to 2000 parishioners.

Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan presided over the mass and during his bi-lingual English and Bahasa Malaysia homily called upon the parishioners to reflect on why we gathered this evening to observe this Mass.  The prelate explained that the coming of us on Holy Thursday is to celebrate, to commemorate and to remember the institution of the Eucharist. God has established a covenant with us because of His love for us and has taken in human appearance through Jesus Christ himself. Jesus has set an example for us and he was slained in order to give life and continues to communicate his love to us through the Eucharist, the center and heart of the Catholic faith. We believe with conviction that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, giving us life and empowering us.

He also brought to the attention of parishioners the incident where Jesus was washing his disciple’s feet. Bishop Julius said, “He wandered, what was the feeling of Jesus when it was Judas turn for the feet washing, knowing well this is the very person who is going to betray him, and yet Jesus still washes his feet. And what was the feeling of Judas when Jesus was washing his feet, knowing well too that he is about to turn his friend and his teacher to the authorities”. 

The prelate related how difficult it is for us to give even the sign of peace to the other person who hurts us even though sitting on the same pew.  In spite of this difficulty, Jesus reminds us in his last instruction to the disciples to love and to serve one another. And to be Jesus disciples we must keep this instruction and become brothers and sisters to one another in this Church.

He then invited  the parishioners to reflect on Judas and posed a question as who are the Judases in our lives. In one time or another, the prelate said, “We are Judas ourselves, we have also turned away from God. We must have the courage to come back to the Lord and asked Him to wash our feet as well as washing others feet”. He concluded, “Let us not decline the Lord's invitation and follow Him in His humble service”.

Following the homily, Bishop Julius washed the feet of 12 parishioners as a symbolic gesture of love, service and humility imitating Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples. 

After Holy Communion, the Altar was stripped, and the Blessed Sacrament transferred to the Altar of Repose in a solemn procession. Thereafter the faithful spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacramentf until midnight.

HTC Tawau Celebrates Palm Sunday

Article by Julita and photos

by courtesy of SOCCOM Tawau

Tawau : Some 2000 faithful attended Palm Sunday celebration on the 13th April 2014.  The event began at 8 am at the frontage of the Parish Hall. The blessing of palm leaves preceded the proclamation of the word commemorating the history of Jesus victorious entry into Jerusalem. After a brief reflection on the reading, the faithful walked in procession into the church. The celebration in Bahasa Malaysia was presided over by Msgr Nicholas Ong, the rector.

The sunset mass for Palm Sunday in English on 12th April was presided over by Fr. David Garaman. In   his homily he shared on the history of God’s salvation for humankind by freeing them from the slavery of sin through his sacrifice on the wooden Cross, his life, his body, his blood.and his love The faithful were then invited to reflect on the deeper meaning of the Gospel narrated during the mass.

RETRET UNTUK PARA PILIHAN (IKD) KATEDRAL ST MARY SANDAKAN

Oleh Sdri Lena Petrus, Komiti Pembimbing IKD, Katedral St Mary dan

Sr. Veronica Kandaung fsic, Komisi Kateketikal Keuskupan Sandakan

Sandakan : Satu retret selama dua hari, 4hb dan 5hb April 2014 bertemakan 'Kamu Adalah Garam Dan Dunia' telah diadakan untuk para pilihan (calon baptis) di Pusat Retret Keuskupan Sandakan, Ulu Dusun. Retret tersebut yang dihadiri seramai 22 calon, merupakan suatu aktiviti / program kateketikal yang disediakan dan dilaksanakan setiap tahun untuk para calon baptis sebelum mereka dibaptis menjadi Kristian Katolik.

Program ini dilaksanakan dengan harapan dapat membantu setiap peserta dalam perjalanan iman mereka untuk dibaptis pada Paskah nanti. Beberapa sesi telah diatur dan dikendalikan sendiri oleh Fr Thomas Makajil, rektor Katedral St Mary, Sister Veronica Kandaung fsic, Koordinator Komisi Kateketikal Keuskupan dan Sdra George Bell Lawadin dari Pejabat Pastoral Keuskupan Sandakan.  

Objektif retret tersebut adalah;

● Membantu setiap peserta untuk membuat persiapan rohani / iman sebelum pembaptisan. 

●  Agar mereka juga dapat belajar mendengar sabda Tuhan melalui setiap sesi yang disampaikan, merenung dan berdoa dalam hati masing-masing.

Retret bermula dengan acara Jalan Salib yang dipimpin oleh Sr Veronica fsic. Ianya disusuli dengan sesi pertama bertajuk 'Doa' yang disampaikan oleh Fr Thomas. Doa bererti mengarahkan hati kepada Allah. Ketika seseorang berdoa, ia masuk dalam hubungan yang hidup dengan Allah. (Youcat # 469)

Hari kedua, 5hb April dimulakan dengan doa pagi dipimpin oleh sdri Lena Petrus. Sr Veronica fsic dalam sesi kedua, menyampaikan tajuk 'Pengertian Pra-Paskah' fokus kepada tiga tunggak utama iaitu berdoa, berpuasa juga beramal. Masa pra paskah adalah masa pertumbuhan jiwa dan iman kita. Segala perubahan hidup berpaksikan kepada niat dan usaha.

Sesi ketiga juga dikendalikan oleh Sr Veronica fsic berhubung dengan renungan dan masa berdoa. Sdra George Bell Lawadin menyampaikan sesi keempat berkaitan dengan 'Peringkat Kehidupan Manusia' Kisah pertobatan dan hidup Santo Ignatius Loyola memberi inspirasi bahawa tujuan hidup manusia memampukan kita untuk lebih memahami hidup kerana Tuhan sentiasa berada disisi kita. 

Sesi terakhir, disampaikan oleh Sr Veronica fsic ialah pelbagai pelayanan yang tersedia ada di Paroki Katedral St Mary, Sandakan. Peserta dipelawa untuk menyertai mana-mana pelayanan sesuai dengan karunia masing-masing, pemberian Tuhan. Kita hendaklah bersatu membangunkan tubuh Kristus dengan berpartisipasi dalam rumahNya.

Secara keseluruhannya retret berjalan dengan baik mengikut aturcara yang telah disediakan. Semua peserta menunjukkan komitment yang baik semasa retret berjalan. Setiap topik yang disampaikan dalam setiap sesi dapat diterima oleh peserta dengan baik. Ini dapat dilihat dari respon positif yang ditunjukkan oleh mereka semua.

Retret diakhiri dengan doa dan lagu penutup yang juga dipimpin oleh Sr. Veronica fsic. Para peserta kemudiannya bergotong royong mengemas dan membersihkan tempat retret sebelum jamuan petang. Semoga peserta dapat mengalami hidup kekudusan dan semakin menyerupai Kristus serta mampu menghasilkan buah, buah yang banyak.

世界青年日

山打根堂区2014第29届世界青年日庆祝活动

《神贫的人是有福的，因为天国是他们的》

（山打根讯）前教宗约翰保禄二世所定下的世界青年日，同时也落在每年的圣枝主日。今年的庆祝活动定在圣玛丽主教座堂的堂区活动中心，早上11点开始，可是由于巫语弥撒庆典稍微迟了，所以世界青年日活动在中午12点才开始。当天，有18位华文组的青年出席这项庆典。

    吃过了丰富的午餐之后，活动开始了。首先大家先来唱歌赞美主耶稣，并配合逗趣的动作，令大家破除冰墙，也可以顺便消化午餐。接着，便来个大合照。大家都使出浑身解数，誓要摆出各自最的好看的姿势拍照。

    接着便是Sunny钟胜利神父的小讲座，给大家稍微讲解世界青年日的由来与点滴。2010年第28届的世界青年日是在巴西的里约热内卢庆祝。现任教宗方济格的宣言鼓励现代的青年要敢敢追随耶稣，因为只有耶稣才是真理、生命和道路，只有祂才能领我们到天国里去。经过了一番双语的讲解之后，青年们也了解了世界青年日的由来和意义。

    之后，则是大家一起玩游戏的时间。无论是少年或是青年都玩得不亦乐乎。大家都合理的完成任务，势必要得到最终的胜利。就好比如我们大家都要效法耶稣的楷模，做到最好一样，让别人认出我们是基督的子民。

  时光飞逝，各项活动在下午3点30分结束了。青年们也依依不舍地回家。通过这一次的活动，华文组的青年有机会认识其他组的青年，大家彼此有个接触的机会，让自己的视野更加广阔，重新认识自己和身边的朋友，当然还有最重要的主耶稣。如何让自己能够更加接近天主，是每位教友必修的功课，特别是青年，因为他们更加容易受到诱惑，而迷失了自己。所以，通过类似世界青年日的活动，可以让青年更加接近天主。希望接下来每一年的世界青年日的活动，能够有更加多的青年参与，并从中获益。

DYA First Recollection and Meeting for the Year 2014

DS / st

LAHAD DATU : Members of the Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA) team converged for their recollection and meeting, held once every three months. The recollection and meeting was held from 4th to 6th April 2014 at Bukit Silam, Lahad Datu. Out of the 18 members, 15 made it to the gathering.  It's time to take stock of our achievements and setbacks. It is also a time for us to be refreshed, recharged and renewed as a child of God. Building up relationship bond among members is an integral part of the gathering.

On the 2nd day, 5th April, during the recollection, members were asked to reflect on the last three months and to list out the ups and downs in life in a  creative way. We were asked to reflect not only on our spiritual life but also on our personal life as a child in the family, community, friend, co-worker, and team player. Beside that, we were also given a time to think of six (3 positive and 3 negative) epitaphs over our tomb. Epitaph is a short, concise sentence to be engraved on a person's tomb, which summarizes a salient trait of that person's life and character. Not only that, we were asked to count our blessings and write a thanksgiving letter to God.  It was a wonderful time for us to reflect and to have our time alone with God. Last but not least, we ended our recollection with affirmation and reconciliation among the team members. In the evening, we had our thanksgiving celebration. 

On the third day, 6th April, Fr. David Garaman, the Spiritual Advisor for DYA celebrated the mass together with us. It would be the last mass presided by Fr. David for the team as he would be leaving for studies in Rome this coming June. It was a touching moment for all of us.
In the 16th meeting, we talked about the second Catholic Campus Student Gathering which will be held on 6th - 8th June 2014 in Tawau and will be coordinated by Esther Albert. Apart from that, we also dwelled on Sabah Youth Day 4 (SYD4) which will be held in the Diocese of Sandakan in 2016. Anna, the coordinator for DYA and SYD4 invited all team members to be part of the Main Organizing Team (MOT) for SYD4.
It was a great time for all the team members and it was also a time to remind ourselves that we are not alone in this mission. May God bless us all and grant us the wisdom and strength in our mission. 

"Do not abandon old friends, for new ones cannot equal them. A new friend is like new wine; when it has aged, you can drink it with pleasure" - Sirach 9:10

Courtesy Call On Bishop Julius

BY DS

L-R : Francis Tan, Adam Jordan, Bishop Julius, Romo Nikolaus and Sr Lidwina rgs

Sandakan : A visiting priest, Romo Nikolaus Lawe Saban Pr from the Diocese of Larantuka, Flores Timur, Indonesia made a courtesy call on Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan at the Diocesan Meeting Room this morning, 15th April 2014. Accompanying Romo Nikolaus were Sr Lidwina Alyandu rgs of Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd and Adam Jordan, the secretary of the Indonesian Catholic Pastoral Committee.

This is his first visit to the Diocese and he is on a pastoral mission. Romo Nikolaus arrived two days ago, 13th April. He has visited the Indonesian migrant community in Bukit Garam and Segaliud. He will visit the community in Sakilan Desa later tonight. He is expected to stay till after Easter Triduum. During his short stay here, he expects to explore more of the situation of the community as regards to their faith life.

PALM SUNDAY MASS AT ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL

BY DALIUS LL

PHOTOS ~ EDON MUJIM

Sandakan: On this day 13th April 2014, around 1,000 faithful of St. Mary's Cathedral celebrated Palm Sunday as a remembrance of Jesus Christ’s victorious entry into the city of Jerusalem. The faithful assembled at the frontage of the Parish Hall compound at 6.00 pm holding palm branches and palm fronds to commemorate the said event. After the blessing of the palm branches and fronds, Fr Philip Muji proceeded to proclaim the Gospel reading. His homily touched on the victorious Passion of the Lord. Thereafter the faithful walked towards the Cathedral in procession singing 'Hosana..Hosana..in the Highest.'

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Thomas Makajil with Fr. Philip Muji as co celebrant.  In his homily, Fr. Thomas related how we and the whole nation are deeply saddened by the MH370 tragedy. At one point, everyone’s attention was focused on the last word uttered in the cockpit before it went missing. Without the black box, the investigators will not be able to verify what happened to the final moment of the flight.

The final / parting words uttered by a person before he expires encapsulates his life. Fr. Thomas drew the attention of the faithful to reflect on the final few words uttered by Jesus, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.  Normally, when we suffered, especially when the suffering was caused by others definitely we will response in a kind of revengeful action, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth but Jesus response is surprisingly the opposite way and he preaches even to love our enemies.  

Fr. Thomas concluded, that the last testament of Jesus before He dies on the cross continues to remind us of God’s forgiveness. Let us pray for the courage to be able to forgive as what Jesus has taught us in the Lord’s Prayer “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. 

The celebration of Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week for all Catholics which will climax in the Easter Triduum.