HOLY LAND AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Julita, SOCCOM Tawau

Tawau : 13th July 2014 was the 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time which was also Bible Sunday. In conjunction with the occasion, Holy Trinity Parish Tawau held a parish-level biblical event called “ A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.“

This half-day momentous event was jointly organized by the Parish Bible Apostolate in collaboration with other ministries. It was conducted at the Parish Hall compound beginning from 8.30 am to 12.00 noon.

The journey began with a  presentation of slide show on Holy Land in three languages, each at different time. After viewing the show, each participant would get their passport chopped at the various stations. Participants would be awarded a certificate upon completion of the journey.

The objectives of the event were to give the participants the inspiration, understanding, and unique experience for those who are unable to make their dream to Holy Land . It was also a good opportunity for everyone to reflect on the Word of God especially those related to Holy Places in the history of salvation.

Groups were assigned at the various stations to recreate the setting as what  it was in Jerusalem and in holy places most frequented by pilgrims.

More than 400 parishioners participated in the  journey to the Holy Land covering 10 stations;

01. The Shepherd's Field
02. Mary’s Well
03. Jesus Boat or The Galilean Boat
04. Wedding at Cana
05. Mount of Temptation
06. River Jordan
07. Garden of Gethsemane
08. The Place of the Transfiguration
09. Calvary
10. Beatitudes

Participants who managed to complete their journey will be awarded with  a certificate of participation issued by the organizing committee.

Children from the Sunday classes, accompanied  by their class teachers were most entertained .

The activity is not only a memorable occasion but indeed it gave everyone a blessed opportunity to know Christ and the wonders of the Catholic inheritance. It also strengthened their faith with a hope that through such experience one may know the root of the Catholic faith and its way to salvation.

2nd National Campus Student Gathering

DS/st

Photos by Lucy and Dinah

Port Dickson : The 2nd National Campus Student Gathering was held in Champagnat Youth Centre (Marist Brothers), Port Dickson. It was a two-night and three-day meeting, beginning 4th to 6th July 2014. 

14 campus students, 15 full time youth ministers, 1 priest, 2 religious sisters and 1 permanent deacon from across the country gathered for the event. They put their heads together to plan on the upcoming national event, the first Malaysian Catholic Campus Students Day (MCCSD).

MCCSD is the outcome of the discussion of the 1st Natonal Campus Student Gathering in Pace Bene, Papar last year. The students had identified the common trends encountered by the Catholic campus students in Malaysia which include among others;

1. Weak foundation in the Catholic faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.
2. Cultural shock, making them susceptible to the values of the world.
3. Proselytization - Conversion to other religions and other denominations.
4. Struggle to cope with relationship and sexuality matters.
5. Restricted use of campus facilities for religious gathering. 

After a day of reflection and discussion, the students came out with the theme, Be Witnesses of Christ in Your Campus Life - Called, Chosen and Sent, based on Acts 22:15 "Because you are to be His witness before all humanity, testifying to what you have seen and heard." 

The objectives 

1. To experience a personal and intimate mystical encounter with Jesus.
2. To hold faith formation programs using YouCat / Apologetics to equip students for ecumenical and inter-religious dialogues sessions.
3. To create awareness among students on their religious rights in their respective campuses based on AUKU, colleges / university constitutions and the Malaysian Constitution.
4.  To build network between campuses to share ideas and concerns.

The 1st MCCSD will be held at the Archdiocesan Curia and St Joseph's Cathedral Pastoral Center, Archdiocese of Kuching on 14th to 20th July 2015. The number of participants has been set at 200 and is based on the number of colleges/universities in the diocese.

Max from Institut Perguruan Malaysia - Tawau.

The next meeting is set on the 10th to 12th April 2014 at the Archdiocese of Kuching. 

"For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" - Eph 2:10

A New Hall For St Martin's Church, Telupid

By DS

Telupid : Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, the Bishop of Sandakan sealed the contract for the construction and completion of the proposed St Martin's Pastoral Centre on Saturday, 12th July 2014. Mr. Sunny Ng, signed on behalf of Syarikat Lintas Permai Enterprise of Sandakan, the successful bidder for the contract.

L-R : Fr Jasery, Bishop Julius, Sunny Ng, Henry Wong and Albert Matusin

The signing ceremony were witnessed by Fr Jasery Emmanuel Gabuk, the rector of St Martin's Parish, Henry Wong, Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Council, Roger Enty, Deputy Chairman of the Building Committee and his Committee members.

The Centre, measuring 70 feet by 100 feet has a seating capacity of some 700 people. It has provisions for future extension of a mini auditorium on the left and other utility rooms on the right of the building, measuring 20 feet by 70 feet each.

Signing as witnesses

The contract sum of the said job (main building) is RM800,000 (RM Eight Hundred Thousand Only) and is expected to be completed six months from the date of possession of site. The total amount, including extensions and external work would come to some RM1.1 million.

The local community has been busy soliciting for funds through the various BECs and generous individual members. Members of the community are committed to raise RM500,000.

The old hall was taken down in 2011. After a lapse of some three years, the new hall is eventually to be constructed. 

Fr Jasery said, "The amount to be raised is definitely enormous. It 's tough but not impossible. We need to pray. He will prepare a way for us but as a community we need to find the way together. Never surrender before we begin."

L-R : Henry Wong, Bishop Julius, Sunny Ng and Fr Jasery

Bishop Julius urged all parties to work hard in realizing the targeted amount so that the hall could be built as scheduled. The prelate went on to say, "The hall belongs to all. Therefore the fund raising should not be looked upon as a burden but a responsibility."

ACARA PEMBUKAAN SAMBUTAN HARI PAROKI ST DOMINIC, LAHAD DATU

Gambar dan artikel oleh SOCCOM SDC Lahad Datu.

Lahad Datu : Perayaan Hari Paroki sememangnya merupakan saat yang dinanti-nantikan oleh semua umat di paroki masing-masing, begitu juga dengan Paroki St Dominic Lahad Datu. Paroki Lahad Datu kini sibuk dengan persiapan sempena Hari Paroki yang bakal berlangsung pada bulan depan bertemakan “Bersaksilah atas namaKu”. Pelbagai aktiviti telah dirancang dan bakal dilaksanakan seawal bulan Julai sehingga 30 Ogos 2014.

“Hari KKD" berlangsung pada Sabtu, 5hb Julai 2014, dimulakan dengan Pentakhtaan Alkitab pada petang itu. Program disusuli dengan pameran setiap KKD di Paroki St.Dominic dengan gambar-gambar aktiviti masing-masing. Antaranya adalah gambar wajah-wajah ceria ahli ketika mewartakan Khabar Gembira kelahiran Yesus semasa karoling dan Doa Rosari pada bulan Rosari dan Bunda Maria. Mereka juga memperkenalkan Santo Penaung masing-masing dengan pameran gambar dan artikel Santo tersebut.

Aktiviti ini sekaligus telah mencungkil bakat para umat di Paroki ini. Masing-masing muncul dengan pelbagai idea dan kreativiti. Pameran ini bertujuan untuk mengeratkan hubungan sesama KKD dan juga mempergiatkan lagi keterlibatan umat dalam pelayanan dan bersatu dalam satu gereja dan satu paroki. Tanpa disedari kini Paroki St.Dominic telah mencapai usia 62 tahun pada tahun ini.

Pada hari kedua, Ahad 6 Julai, selain pameran antara KKD diteruskan, Komiti Tukad juga turut mengadakan pertandingan melukis dan mewarna bagi kanak-kanak untuk mengasah bakat yang mereka miliki. Terdapat 3 kategori dalam pertandingan melukis iaitu;  Kategori A: 7 – 9 tahun,  Kategori B: 10 – 12 tahun dan Kategori C: 13 – 15 tahun

Selain dari itu, Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki turut mengadakan sukaneka antara KKD yang meliputi 5 acara, antaranya;

1.       Run with me + Tube race

2.       Boling kelapa

3.       Balloon train

4.       Battle of the brain dan

5.       Tarik tali

Pada hari yang panas terik itu, para peserta masih bersemangat sebagai satu gereja mengikuti aktiviti tersebut. Sukaneka ini terbuka kepada semua peringkat umur. Pelbagai karenah dapat dilihat sepanjang aktiviti berlangsung. Penyampaian hadiah untuk pemenang acara sukaneka ini akan disampaikan pada Hari Paroki, Ogos nanti.

Mengenali KBP Melalui Program Youth Roadshow

Disediakan oleh: Philippa Philip

Gambar oleh: Hilda Kimsin

TAWAU : Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki (KBP) Holy Trinity Tawau telah menganjurkan satu lagi program belia yang dikenali “Youth Roadshow”. Program ini dijalankan selama 3 bulan yang merangkumi 5 fasa. Fasa pertama telahpun dijalankan pada 21hb dan 22hb Jun, selepas setiap Misa Kudus Bahasa Inggeris, Cina dan Bahasa Malaysia.

Program ini bertujuan untuk menyatukan belia dalam satu iman, harapan dan kasih disamping mengeratkan lagi hubungan sesama belia di paroki ini agar terus berjalan bersama sebagai KBP yang berpusatkan pada Yesus Kristus. Ia juga bertujuan untuk menyalurkan informasi terkini tentang aktiviti belia.

Kira-kira 400 orang  telah mengunjungi “Youth Roadshow" ini. Ia bukan sahaja mendapat kunjungan yang hangat daripada belia tetapi juga daripada para ibubapa yang menyokong dan memberi dorongan kepada anak-anak mereka untuk bergiat di dalam apa juga bentuk pelayanan di dalam gereja.

“Youth Roadshow” ini membakar semangat pengunjungnya terutama sekali belia di dalam aktiviti ‘Multiple Inteligence’ dengan bermain permainan maze, imbang bola, menyanyi dan menari untuk mengetengahkan lagi bakat-bakat belia.

Sudut ‘Photo Booth’ yang dihiasi secara kreatif pula menarik perhatian pengunjung untuk bergambar dengan memakai pakaian dan aksesori yang disediakan. Sudut ‘Express Corner’ adalah untuk para pengunjung meluahkan perasaan, memberi komen ataupun cadangan bagi tujuan penambahbaikan dalam apa juga aspek di Gereja Holy Trinity.

Sudut pameran juga menjadi salah satu tumpuan pengunjung yang mana hasil kerja seni kreatif belia ditunjukkan melalui susun atur gambar yang menarik. Pameran ini memuatkan gambar-gambar aktiviti belia seperti Youth Monthly Gathering (YMG), Sabah Youth Day 1-3, Youth PrepLink (YPL), Campus Ministry, Koir, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Pelayanan Altar, Komuniti Eklesial Dasar (KED) dan stasi luar.

Tayangan video korporat KBP pula memukau penonton melalui animasi video tersebut. Informasi dapat disampaikan secara lebih interaktif kepada pengunjung untuk mengenali KBP dengan jelas, cepat dan berkesan.

 Ramai pengunjung menyatakan rasa kegembiraan mereka terhadap program ini melalui survey dan evaluasi yang dibuat pada hari tersebut. Belia juga diberi risalah yang menarik untuk mengetahui ‘Apakah itu KBP?’ Bersama dengan risalah tersebut juga disertakan Borang Bancian Belia untuk diisi oleh semua belia Katolik di Paroki Holy Trinity Tawau.

 Sebelum pulang, para belia diberi sekeping penanda buku sebagai cendera kenangan dengan kata-kata inspirasi dan di belakang penanda buku tersebut terdapat Doa Belia Diosis Sandakan untuk didoakan setiap hari agar para belia di diosis ini akan terus bertumbuh di dalam iman dan cinta kasih Yesus.

Diharapkan fasa-fasa berikut dapat memberangsangkan lagi para belia lebih sedar akan pentingnya kesatuan dan keterlibatan di dalam pelayanan gereja yang juga merupakan suatu panggilan untuk hidup kudus.

YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER (ACTS 1:8)

By Dallius LL, SOCCOM Sandakan

Sandakan: A three-day Life in the Spirit Seminar was conducted by The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) at St. Marys Cathedral on 25^th, 26^th and 28^th June 2014. The seminar is opened to all parishioners who seek a personal renewal to deepen their personal relationship with Christ and who wish to become a part of a community where they can share their Christian life.

More than 50 adults and youth participated in the seminar which was conducted in English. It was held in the Parish hall and in the Chapel. A series of talks, praise and worship, group and personal sharing took place over the three-day period. The seminar provided opportunities for participants to explore the many faith topics, including the basic message of salvation, enhancing personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as understanding the potential and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The opening talk entitled Jesus the Saviour was presented by the Parish Priest, Fr. Thomas Makajil and the talk on The Lordship of Jesus was presented by the assistant Priest, Fr. Phillip Muji. The other topics on God Loves you, New Life and receiving God’s gift, Inner healing and service, Infilling of the Holy Spirit and Transformation and Growths were delivered by the Presiding Elders of the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community.

SYCC has been regularly conducting Life in The Spirit seminar in this Church to assist fellow Christians in rediscovering the power that Jesus gives his people through the Holy Spirit and to live together in love and peace with a deeper and more personal relationship with Him as their very own Lord and Saviour. Jesus has promised, “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) 

MOT of SYD 4 Makes Courtesy Calls and Site Visit

DS / st

Sandakan : Sabah Youth Day (SYD) is the coming together of Catholic youths from the three dioceses in Sabah. This five-day long experience enables the young people to celebrate the Catholic faith in the oneness of God. At the same time, the gathering aims to remind the youths that Jesus Himself is the Kingdom of God and it is a gift in a person, empowering them to become the agent of change in preaching the Gospel with joy. 

The 4th Sabah Youth Day (SYD 4) will focus more on the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) scheduled to be held in Holy Trinity Church, Tawau in 2016. The theme of the event ~ "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy" - Mt. 5:7 echoing the theme for the next World Youth Day in Poland, also in 2016. 

Anna Teresa  (4th left front row) and Bishop Julius (5th left front row)

"I am indeed happy to see what you have planned. It is an opportunity for us to share, to tell and create awareness among the young people concerning the Good News of the Lord. It is also a time for the youths from the other dioceses to come together, to learn and to understand more about the diversity of the various ethnics, cultures and customs that we have in the Diocese of Sandakan" - Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom. 

Sr Terry Loukang, the Co-ordinator of the KK Youth Office has this to say to the LOT ~  "You are needed to lead the way" 

The Main Organizing Team (MOT) visited Holy Trinity Church, the venue for SYD 4 on 9th June 2014. They had their first meeting with the Local Organizing Team (LOT) of Tawau and to see on hand the facilities and infrastructure available for the event.

L-R : Fr Johnny Raju, Anna, Msgr Ong and Sr Liza fsic

"I am giving you my assurance that the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) will always be with you throughout your journey towards SYD 4.  We give you full support for this program"  - Msgr. Nicholas Ong

A series of courtesy calls were made to the arch / bishops of participating arch / dioceses and the rector of the host parish of Holy Trinity, Tawau. The first courtesy call made, was on Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom of the Diocese of Sandakan at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Sandakan on 26th April 2014. The second courtesy call was on Msgr. Nicholas Ong, the rector of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau at the Basement Hall of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau on 10th June 2014. The team, made the next courtesy calls on Bishop Cornelius Piong of the Diocese of Keningau at the Tatal Retreat Center, Keningau on 18th June 2014 and Archbishop John Wong of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu at the Catholic Diocesan Center, Kota Kinabalu on 19th June 2014. 

"Catholic faith should be expressed through the Catholic Social Teaching. Many Catholics know only how to pray but are not committed to put the teachings into action or promoting justice for humanity. Therefore we should start from our own young people instilling in them that faith without action is in fact dead. Not only that, we should also emphasize on their genuine calling / motive in coming to SYD 4." - Bishop Cornelius Piong

During the courtesy calls, Anna Teresa Peter Amandus, the Director of the Sandakan Diocesan Youth Office and the Co-ordinator of SYD 4 introduced the members of the Main Organizing Team (MOT) followed by a briefing on the tentative program and groundwork in preparation of the event by Roselinah Francis of the Diocese of Keningau. It was a very fruitful encounter and we received not only full support but also assurance from the Arch / Bishops, parish priest and the Parish Pastoral Council who will journey with us towards SYD 4. 

Seated L-R : Fr Ronnie, Archbishop John Wong and Anna Teresa
Standing L-R : Sharon Tan, Roselinah, Doreen Peter and Sr Terry fsic,

"I encourage the team from each parish to come forth and join SYD 4. My hope for the young people is that they will be more serious about their life." - Archbishop John Wong