退省會 ( Recollection)

(山打根訊)山打根圣瑪莉主教座堂華文協調委員會成功于2016年5月1日舉辦

小組退省會。此退省會于教區活動中心進行，共有廿人參与，分為三組，每組各由

兩位華協常務帶領。退省會的主題為“一個基督徒的生活”。

享用過美味的早餐后，大家都精力充沛地歌唱讚美上主，拉開退省會的序幕，“一個基督徒的生活”。

作為一個基督徒，我們必須活得像基督；作為一個基督徒，應遵行七個生活准則：

一、忠于工作，誠懇待人；

二、深信基督化家庭是健全社會的基礎；

三、正視社會不公平現象，培養個人的正感和承擔感；

四、划出收入的一部分去幫助他人；

五、每天怀着感恩的心祈禱、讀圣經和自我反省；

六、獻上自己，作為圣洁而悅樂上主的祭品；

七、加入團体以一起發掘信仰的廣度和深度。

休息片刻，陳儀鳴兄弟再以吉他伴奏帶領大家歌唱讚美。講題第二段：黃士南兄弟再次告訴大家應該時常以天主為中心；不斷地慕道；自律（每隔一兩個月就去告解）；十一奉獻；多多閱讀宗教書刊。

午餐后進入第三次歌唱讚美，大家都好投入地唱著呢!接下來就是分組討論，討論現今的教會團体所面對的問題和解決方案。然后便是期待已久的游戲時間，一、過河：每組五人各派五張紙，大家要同心協力、想盡辦法地用手上的紙張“過河”，各組紛紛上演“八仙過河，各顯神通”。二：萬里長城：組員們要設法把隨身物品排成一條“長龍”就算勝出。大家玩游戲的投入表情和歡樂的樣子都被攝影師一一拍下。

游戲后，享受下午茶稍作休息，再進行分享各組的討論結果。最后由盧姵伶姐妹做總結。結束祈禱后，2016年華協退省會圓滿結束。感謝讚美主!

文：陳樂瑤

圖：黄士南/陈仪鸣

LOCAL PILGRIMAGE : ENTERING THE HOLY DOOR OF MERCY

BY JULITA KANTOD
Sandakan : The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year of Mercy, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. ( Misericodiae Vultus #14) In response to the call of the Holy Father, some 30 members of the Sandakan Diocesan Family Life Commission and Parish Family Life Ministry of St Mary's Cathedral Parish Sandakan, St Martin's Parish Telupid and Holy Trinity Parish, Tawau embarked on a local pilgrimage to St Mary's Cathedral on 29th and 30th April 2016. 

The Pilgrimage was aimed at :

• Creating an impetus for self conversion to embrace God's mercy (MS #14)
• Promoting and enhancing relationship bond between members of the commission and ministry
• Providing an opportunity for members to gain spiritual exposure and experience of the pilgrimage in the local setting

On the evening, 29th April, Pilis Malim, Chairman of the Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council presented an insight into the early history and background of the Catholic mission in Sandakan. The history covers the pre and post war era. He also briefed on the development of the Marian Rosary Corridor and the proposed Stations of the Cross. The two projects when fully completed will be the added features of the Cathedral as a pilgrimage centre. The slide presentation was informative and inspiring.

The main event of the pilgrimage began at 7.00 am, 30^th April, where some 70 pilgrims inclusive of local parishioners gathered at the frontage of St. Mary's Cathedral, preparing to cross the threshold of the Holy Door. Fr Stanley William Matakim led the prayer service followed with the solemn entrance to the Cathedral through the Holy Door.

It was a touching moment where pilgrims reflected on the mercy of God and in hunger for forgiveness of sin. It was also an opportunity to be with the Lord in deep silence, nourishing the soul, calming the mind and reflecting on one's life journey.

The next part of the pilgrimage was the climb to the summit of the Marian Hill ( Marian Rosary Corridor). Before the walk-up, Dominic Sintar, the Chairman of the Marian Hill briefed the pilgrims on the safety precautions along the way to the top of the Hill at the front of the Diocesan Worship Centre. A few nurses from St. Joseph's Divine Mercy group participated in the walk.

It was indeed an amazing and wonderful experience. The recitation of the Holy Rosary amidst the natural forest environment accompanied by the sounds of insects and birds made the climb peaceful, refreshing and solemn. Each one of the participants reached the summit with joy.

Fr Stanley,  presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the summit of the hill. In his homily, Fr Stanley touched on the beauty of being concerned towards others as one Diocese as well as one parish. He said, 'we need to be more tolerant, cooperative and assist one another as brothers and sisters in the one big family in order to build up our parish.'

Julita Kantod, the Chairperson of the Family Life Commission took the opportunity to encourage each participant to be aware of the family mission. She said, 'We cannot live by our own self. As family we have an important mission to bring other families to Christ. Being indifferent is not what we should be but rather, to be involved in the journey as one big family so that we can protect and sustain our faith, share it with others. Salvation is not for one person but as a whole we are to help each other, pray for each other.'

BAZAAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 133RD ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL PARISH DAY

By DS and photos by 
Airene and Kelvins Kong

Sandakan : St Mary's Cathedral is all set to celebrate its 3-day celebration of the 133rd Parish Day from 12th - 14th August. A few activities have been drawn up to celebrate the important feast. There will be an exhibition on the history of the parish, the cathedral, its mission, the progress and development of the 50-odd ministries / communities. 

A 'taize prayer' will be organized on 12th August and on 13th August, a 12-hour long rosary rally from 6.00 am - 6.00 pm will be held at the Cathedral. The outdoor mass, in front of the grotto will be celebrated immediately after the  rosary rally.

The big scale food and sale bazaar, to raise fund for the Cathedral Parish for physical development, formation programs and the Paitan Mission will be held on 14th August.

During the launching of the sale of bazaar coupons on Tuesday, 26th April at the Parish Hall, John Pang the Chairman of the Bazaar Main Organizing Team has this to say, 'Its time that we come together to raise fund for the improvement to our facilities at the Cathedral. Facilities must be upgraded from time to time so that it befits a sacred place of worship. As responsible faithful of the Diocese, we must chip in to assist Paitan Mission, a mission station with a resident priest in the person of Fr Thomas Makajil, our former Parish Priest.' 

He said that the bazaar is a platform for the people to come to commit to contribute to the well being of the Church. It is an occasion to build up our relationship bond and to enhance unity.

Bishop Julius, the Cathedral Parish Priest expressed his appreciation to the positive response from the leaders of the Cathedral Parish. More than 100 people attended the launching event; priests, religious sisters, ministry / community leaders from the Cathedral and sub parishes.

The prelate reminded the people that it is the responsibility of the faithful to help the Church move forward in all aspects. He said, 'When the Church is in need, who will help, if not us. We need to help ourselves always relying  on God's wisdom and guidance. It is you and me that make up the Church.'

Bishop Julius announced that 50% of the proceed will be channeled to Paitan Mission while the rest will be for the improvement of facilities in the Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese. Likewise, all other parishes will also have their fund raising projects to help fund the said mission, a mission owned by all.

After the briefing session on the rationale, mechanism, monitoring system, the bazaar proper and the commitment of the people, Bishop Julius officially launched the sale of the bazaar coupons.

'Lord, I Offer My Life' and 'Dia Buka Jalan'

Buying the coupons before the launching. Be a model to others.

Collecting the coupons for individual group / ministry / community

The Lord expects us to give cheerfully (2 Cor 9 : 7), regularly (1 Cor 16 : 2) and sacrificially (Mrk 12 : 41 - 44) In our encounter in life, we have received many blessings through His grace. When Christ in so many faces and in so many situations has helped us so often, how can we turn from Him in need? Many came forth to buy the coupons on their own capacity before the launching of the sale. As leaders of the Church, it is important to be exemplary models before we are comfortable to challenge others to give.

Main Organizing Team of the Parish Bazaar - 2016

BELIA LAHAD DATU MELALUI PROSES PERSIAPAN KE SYD-4

Oleh Mazdollyna, SOCCOM LD
Lahad Datu - Seramai 114 peserta telah melibatkan diri dalam Fasa 1 SYD pada 23-24 April di Borneo Paradise. Proram ini dianjur oleh Kerasulan Belia Paroki St. Dominic. Peserta-peserta terdiri belia-belia dari Paroki St. Dominic dan outstasi Felda, Kunak dan Madai.  

Para peserta bertolak pada sekitar pukul 2 petang dari Gereja St. Dominic dan perjalanan ke Borneo Paradise mengambil masa hampir sejam. Para peserta telah dibahagikan kepada 8 kumpulan bercampur dan ketua turut dilantik bagi setiap kumpulan terbabit.

Program ini mengandungi 4 sesi kesemuanya. Alfian Muering menyampaikan sesi pertama 'Mengenal Diri.' Sesi ini menguji para peserta sejauh mana mereka mengetahui tentang diri mereka. Para belia harus dibimbing menemukan identitinya dan mengambil bahagian dalam misi Gereja iaitu karya penyelamatan.

Marrianne mengendalikan sesi kedua iaitu Ajaran Gereja. Sesi ini menyentuh pengenalan hidup Santo Santa dan 7 Sakramen. Belia diajak untuk membaca dan merenung hidup kudus Santo Santa yang semasa hidupnya meneladani Kristus dan menyerah hidup mereka demi iman mereka kepada Kristus.

Sementara 7 Sakramen itu mempunyai hubungan erat antara kehidupan rohani dan jasmani. Sakramen yang adalah tanda-tanda, menguduskan tahap-tahap dalam hidup kerohanian kita.

Pada 24 April, para peserta telah memulakan hari indah itu dengan senaman Doa pagi yang dikendalikan oleh Udin Gabriel. 

Sr Evelyn Tivit fsic menyampaikan sesi seterusnya tentang 'Keluarga.' Sesi ini merujuk kepada hubungan para peserta dan keluarga. Keluarga sebagai 'Gereja Mini' penting dalam menanam nilai-nilai Kristiani. Ia merupakan tanda kehadiran Kristus baik di tengah anggota keluarga mahu pun di Komuniti. Maju mundur kehidupam menggereja ditentukan oleh sejauh mana setiap peribadi dididik dan dibentuk dalam keluarganya.

Manakala sesi terakhir iaitu tentang Sejarah Penyelamatan oleh Seminarian Walter Milter. Sesi tersebut menceritakan asal-usul penyelamatan dan sejarah manusia melalui Alkitab.

Sebelum bertolak pulang, para peserta turut diberi sedikit taklimat akan keperluan dan peraturan yang perlu dipatuhi sepanjang SYD4 di Gereja Holy Trinity Tawau pada 6 hingga 10 Jun nanti. Peserta bertolak pulang pada jam 2 petang.