UPCOMING DIOCESAN 3RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

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Lawatan muhibbah umat dari Penampang dan Tuaran ke Katedral St Mary Sandakan

Album kenangan sempena lawatan umat paroki Penampang dan Tuaran ke Katedral St. Mary  Sandakan
 dengan Bapa Uskup Julius dan Fr. Thomas Makajil.

Sandakan – Seramai 72 peserta dari Paroki St John Tuaran dan Paroki St. Michael Penampang telah mengadakan kunjungan ke Paroki Katedral St Mary Sandakan pada 28 dan 29 Ogos 2010 yang lalu. 


Rombongan tersebut diketuai oleh Winifred dan Rita Makajil di samping mereka mempromosikan Buku Tahun Para Paderi dan CD nyanyian mazmur sahutan pembacaan   yang dinyanyikan oleh belia Tuaran.

A Dialogue on Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers

A group photo with Ibu Zani, Bapa Hendro, Asrarudin, Carla and Tumiur

Sandakan : Some 100 Indonesian migrant workers (Tenaga Kerja Indonesia), mostly from Flores Island of  Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Indonesia attended an open dialogue on 'Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers' yesterday, 19th September 2010 at  St Mark's Church, 20 kilometers from the town centre.

Ibu Zani responding to some questions posed by the migrants

Ibu Zani Murnia, Counselor of the Indonesian Embassy, Kuala Lumpur, Bapa Hendro, the Counsel of the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau, his assistant Asrarudin Salam and Carla June Natan were the key members of the panel discussion. 

Panel members and the audience

 The event was made possible through the kind arrangement of Carla June Natan, the Program Coordinator of the Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers (CIMW), a protestant faith base organization, based in Jakarta ,assisted by Tumiur Harianja working in collaboration with the St Mary's Cathedral  Parish Pastoral Council led by John Baptis.

Questions raised by some of the migrants 

 The panel discussion touched on a wide range of issues encountered by the migrants who are mainly engaged in the agricultural, poultry, industrial and service sectors.Among the issues raised by the migrants were;

• Education for their children who are not able to seek entry into Malaysian schools.
• Limited access to health care for their dependents
• Payment of levy
• Process of passports renewal and
• Updates of the current affairs of Indonesia

Bapa Hendro gave very clear answers to all the questions raised and cited that the main focus of the Consulate is to serve and protect the welfare of the Indonesian migrant workers. He also said that there is a possibility of setting up a 'Community learning centre' for the migrants' children in Sandakan as long as the number warrants such establishment. There are already six such centres in operation in Sabah.

Bapa Hendro

Asrarudin Salam

It would be good if every migrant could be free of problem by adhering to the requirement of the sending country and the receiving country. Should there be problem, it ought to be solved at their community level, otherwise consult their employer and if no solution is reached, then  bring it up to the Consulate.

Ibu Zani Murnia

Ibu Zani called upon on Indonesian migrant workers to follow and adhere to the laws of the host country of Malaysia. She also disclosed the 'one-day' policy practiced by the Embassy and that includes the consulate in Sabah for passport renewal. She encouraged the migrants to go through the proper process to obtain proper documents so that they could work and live here legally. Such effort could reduce the number of illegal immigrants from Indonesia.

Carla June Natan

Carla June Natan felt that such dialogue ought to be held regularly so that solutions to  problems faced by the migrants could be expedited. It would be ideal if a set schedule be prepared for such visits.

She added, 'I am pleased to see the close rapport of the Indonesian authority and its citizens, working as migrant workers in Sabah. I appreciate the care and concern shown by the said authority.'

John Baptis

John Baptis, in his closing remark extended his appreciation to Carla and Tumiur of CIMW, Ibu Zani, Bapa Hendro and Asrarudin for the invaluable service extended to the members of the 'Keluarga Besar Katolik Indonesia'.  The collaboration between the churches gives rise to the promotion of ecumenism..' He then led the closing prayer and after which a group photograph was taken as a remembrance of the said event.  

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2nd Day of the Pilgrimage Tour with Bishop Julius as Spiritual Director

Rome : The second day of the pilgrimage tour started off with the tour to the Santa Maria Basilica.

The church is dedicated to the assumption of Mother Mary.

Immediately after that, the group proceeded to the Cathedral of Rome where members climbed the 28 steps of staircase with a prayer offered at every step of the staircase. The centre staircase is for those who are able to climb up on their knees and the staircase on the left is for those who are to climb with the usual way. The climb is for penance of each individual.

In the afternoon the group visited the Catacomb of San Callisto. This is the place just outside the city where 46 known martyrs and many unknown martyrs were buried here during the period of persecutions.Some of the early Popes who passed away were also buried under ground. A priest was the guide for this tour and all have to follow walking though narrow underground passages.

In the evening, Bishop Julius presided the sunset mass at one of the chapel in the Basilica.

Raymond Wong

Pilgrimage to Rome, Lourdes and Fatima

Bishop Julius standing in the middle ( in white short sleeve shirt ) with the group

Rome : The 45 members of the 13-day Rome, Lourdes and Fatima pilgrimage, with Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom DD, the Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan as the spiritual director, arrived here from Singapore, transit at Amsterdam early on Friday, 17th September 2010. 

The Vatican

They spent the morning, touring the Vatican and visited St Peter's Basilica  and St Paul's Outside the Wall.

In the afternoon the group gathered at the Basilica of St Peter where the prelate served mass at one of the chapel in the Basilica.

Raymond Wong

1st Sabah Catholic Women's Convention

Archbishop Datuk John Lee launching the Convention

Bundu Tuhan : The first Sabah Catholic Women’s Convention with its theme on ‘Women in Today’s World’ held at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre, was officially launched by Most Reverend Datuk John Lee, D.D. the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu on 6th September 2010.

Bishop Julius with the Sandakan delegates

A total of 238 participants coming from across the three arch/dioceses in Sabah attended the convention. The Diocese of Sandakan was represented by 62 members of the Catholic Apostolate of the various parishes led by Annie Rokneh, Chairperson of the Sandakan Diocesan Catholic Women’s Apostolate.

The Sandakan delegates posing with Sr Appollonia FSIC and Sr Liza FSIC

The idea of such convention was mooted in 1993 with the erection of the Diocese of Keningau, unfortunately the plan did not take off. It was only in late 2007, after the erection of the Diocese of Sandakan that members of the Catholic Women’s Apostolate/League began to feel a call to come together. Preparation work for the convention began early this year with the objective to strengthen the faith of the Catholic women in Sabah.

The convention logo with the map of Sabah as its background symbolizes the combination of the three arch/dioceses. Our Lady is the symbol of the Sabah Catholic women and the Cross leads the people to be Christ centered.

The logo of the convention reflects the spirit of communion among the Catholic women in the three arch/dioceses of Sabah. The spirit of communion is founded on the spirituality of our Lady, which brings us to real worship to Jesus Christ.

7th September, 2010

Rev. Fr. John Wong of KK Archdiocese presented three papers on “Why Am I Here”, “God’s Love of Us” and “New Person Responding to the Grace of God”. In winding up the day, Fr Wong showed the delegates a movie on Mother Teresa’s life, ‘In the Name of God’s Poor’ which consolidated his three talks.

8th September, 2010

Sr Grace Deosing, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception presented a paper on “Catholic Women and the Church”.

Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom D.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan who had just returned from Seoul, Korea after attending the Congress for Asian Catholic Laity, presented the 2nd paper of the day, “Catholic Women and the World”.

The final session of the day was a talk on “Women of Faith” presented by Fr Dr Charles Chiew of the Diocese of Keningau.

9th September, 2010

Bishop Julius joining in the singing

A panel discussion was held and the following were among the resolutions arrived at:

• The Sabah Catholic Women’s Convention will be held once in three years on a rotation basis among the three dioceses in Sabah i.e. the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, the Diocese of Keningau and the Diocese of Sandakan.

• The 2nd Sabah Catholic Women’s Convention will be held in the Diocese of Keningau in 2013 and the 3rd Convention will be held in the Diocese of Sandakan in 2016

• The theme of the 2nd Sabah Catholic Women’s Convention will be “Catholic Women and the Family”.

Presentations by the Sandakan delegates

10th September 2010

The concluding Eucharistic celebration was presided by Rt Rev Datuk Cornelius Piong, D.D. the Bishop of the Diocese of Keningau, con celebrated by Fr Dr Charles Chiew and Fr John Wong.

Cecelia Polo @ Cecelia D’Souza

REKOLEKSI PMG ST. DOMINIC, LAHAD DATU

Sr. Lilian bersama para pembimbing

LAHAD DATU – Pertemuan Minggu Gembira (PMG-BM) Paroki St.Dominic telah mengadakan rekoleksi pada 03-05hb September 2010 di Pusat Retret Keuskupan Sandakan, Ulu Dusun, Sandakan. Seramai 10 pembimbing yang terlibat dalam rekoleksi ini. Objektif rekoleksi ini adalah bagi memantapkan lagi pelayanan setiap pembimbing dan merapatkan talian persaudaraan seiman antara sesama.

Blessing, Ground Breaking and Signing Ceremony for the Diocesan Pastoral cum

Sandakan : The historic and auspicious solemn blessing, ground breaking and signing ceremony for the Diocesan Pastoral cum Worship Centre took off today, Monday 13^th September 2010 at 10.00 am witnessed by some 150 faithful from across the four parishes of the Diocese.

Bishop Julius welcoming the guest of honor, YB Datuk Edward Khoo

The new 3 storey of some 18,000 sq ft building will be constructed at the former St Mary’s Convent Primary School site, off Jalan Puncak, Sandakan. The completed centre will sit on an elevated plateau overlooking the town centre and the Sulu sea.

In the souvenir booklet, Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom D.D. expressed that the centre once completed will be the hallmark of the Diocese. It will serve as a diocesan secretariat tending to pastoral needs of the faithful. There will be ample space to house the bishop’s office, administrative and pastoral offices, all the commissions, residences for parish and visiting diocesan clergy, meeting and conferences facility, library and archive and a 200  capacity hall for formation seminars.

The prelate also shared that the building is not just another structure. It represents the spirit of solidarity prevailing among the faithful, the growing and vibrant Catholic community in the  Diocese of Sandakan.

Mr John Pang, the Chairman of the Diocesan Centre Building Committee in his opening address, expressed his sincere appreciation to Bishop Julius for the trust he had in him to spearhead the project.

He went on to say, ‘The task of building such a centre is not easy. However, with full unity and trusting in the Lord, nothing is impossible’.

He was particularly grateful to YB Datuk Edward Khoo, the assistant minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah for having kindly accepted the invitation as the guest of honor despite of his heavy schedule. He thanked the State Government for keeping the Catholic faithful at heart through the annual grant allocated to the Diocese.

YB Datuk Edward Khoo in his speech congratulated Bishop Julius and all the faithful for the bold step taken to construct a building of such magnitude costing some RM2.9 million. The building once completed will be the identity of the Catholic community in this eastern part of Sabah serving some 60,000 members.

He said, ‘The Government appreciates the effort of the Christians and all other religious bodies towards building and molding upright virtues among its members. This effort is important especially in a diverse society. Citizens of good moral value will be able to contribute to the peace, prosperity and progress of the nation’.

Bishop Julius blessing the site

YB Datuk Edward Khoo (3rd from left)  launching the ground breaking ceremony

Bishop Julius then performed the solemn blessing rite accompanied by a hymn sung by the Church choir followed by the symbolic launch of the ground breaking ceremony, the start of the micro pile drill by YB Datuk Edward Khoo.

YB Datuk Edward, Bishop Julius and John Pang released the three bunches of balloons, marking the significant occasion for the start of the building project proper.

Also present at the occasion were Ir James Wong, the President of the Sandakan Municipal Council, Heads of Government Departments, Mr. KK Lee, the building Consultant, John Ng, representative of STL Drilling Sdn Bhd  and local dignitaries.

The winning bid for the centre was submitted by City Construction Sdn Bhd and the construction is expected to take 12 months.

The agreement of the said project was officially sealed between Bishop Julius, the owner and  Mr Lou Chi Nam of City Construction Sdn Bhd, the main contractor, with William Liaw as the official witness, in Father Mulders’ Catechetical Centre. Also witnessing the signing ceremony were YB Datuk Edward, Ir James Wong, Ir KK Lee, John Pang and all committee members of the building committee.

Bishop Julius presenting a souvenir to YB Datuk Edward Khoo

The Diocese is grateful to the following who had contributed free professional and technical services towards the project 

• Ar Soh Kah Wai of Sabah Interdesign, Kota Kinabalu
• Ir KK Lee of KK Lee Consulting Engineer
• Mr Chan Soo Meng of Perunding SF Sdn Bhd, Sandakan
• Mr Richard Wong of Jurukur Kuantiti Konsultant, Kota Kinabalu
• Mr Raymond Wong of Ukur Maju Tanah Sdn Bhd, Sandakan

Alice Wong

Alice Wong, the Organizing Chairperson of the ceremony shared with joy that the event went on as planned. She commended the hard work and commitment of the committee and the many volunteers who have brought the occasion to a great happening.

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