The Boys' Brigade Officers Pay a Courtesy Call on Bishop Julius

L-R : Francis Tan, Warrant Officer Peter Ng, Bishop Julius, 

Captain Neil Mah, Lieutenant Godfrey Moey

Sandakan : Three officers of the Boys Brigade led by Captain Neil Mah, the Secretary of the Boys' Brigade, Sabah paid a courtesy call on Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan yesterday, 7th January 2016 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre.

Neil Mah briefed the prelate on the development of the Boys' Brigade in Sabah and explored on opportunities to establish the movement in the diocese.

The Boys' Brigade focus on the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among members and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian character.

Captain Neil Mah is a full-time officer of the BB of Kota Kinabalu Division and the Captain of the 11th Kota Kinabalu Company. Lieutenant Godfrey Moey is attached to the 4th Kota Kinabalu Company while Warrant Officer Peter Ng is with the 1st Sandakan Company.

The three officers are in town to attend the 2-day 14th Boys' Brigade Sabah State Council Annual General Meeting starting today, 8th January 2016. 

Sharing Experiences in Paitan Mission

Interview conducted by Dalius 

SOCCOM, St. Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral Parish SOCCOM took the opportunity to interview some of the nine-member team, comprising of the various ministries of the Cathedral, involved in the two-day outreach trip to the Paitan Missionary Area on 19th and 20th December.  Below are some of the recorded excerpts;

Pilis Malim ~ PPC Chairman of St Mary's Cathedal Parish

“This trip was planned on invitation by Fr. Thomas to join him and to lend support to the Catholic laity in Paitan for the Christmas celebration. Since St. Mary’s Cathedral is the mother church in the diocese, by right all lay leaders in the mother church should take the initiative to reach out to its sub-parishes and outstations. In doing so, it will promote a culture of solidarity.

The enthusiastic spirit of the local parishioners coming out to greet and have fellowship with the guests to celebrate Christmas is really encouraging. They took great effort to attend the celebration despite of transportation problems; some came by the river just to be here. They represented the various chapel stations and surrounding estates across the mission area.

My best experience is that all representatives from St Mary's Cathedral extended their full support to the organizing committee in Sukang. They put in every effort to make sure that our brothers and sisters in Christ would feel the warm welcome of the church, extending the love of Christ to each and all. 

One good experience I observed is that all of us slept very well on the wooden floor in the mission house despite some of us were first timer to the mission area and not use to living in remote places.”

Jerry Lo, Chairman St Mary's Primary and Secondary
School Board of Governors

“What motivated me to come to St. Francis Assisi, Sukang Paitan is because of the call to reach out to the under-privileged in this Extraordinary Year of Mercy and also in conjunction with the Christmas season. This is not my first visit to Sukang. I recalled that a few years back, I attended the official opening of this chapel and celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Paitan mission here. 

I will continue to serve and do my best in whatever capacity I can to assist the mission. What touches me is the hospitality of the community over here. They treat us like family and provide us good accommodation. This is the first time I stay overnight here and managed to sleep well despite of the strong snoring from our members.”

David Chung ~ Chairman, Finance Committee

“Apart from the rector’s invitation, I am here to support our Paitan mission and to spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ for the Christmas celebration. Actually, I am motivated to do missionary work after seeing my ex-classmate, who belong to the Basel Church and is now a Canadian resident, but actively doing missionary work in Pitas (about 90km from Sukang, Paitan). The great distance does not hinder one from engaging in missionary work.  What more for us, who are just a few hours’ drive away from the Mother church.”

Robert Tham ~  member of St Mary's Cathedral 
Marian Development Committee

“I came here because of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Holy Door of Mercy in Rome was declared open by our Holy Father while the Holy Door at the Cathedral was graced by our bishop. We are called to be more involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We are to be merciful like the Father, always prioritizing of others; the weak, the depressed, the marginalized and the poor.

It is our duty to share the love, the mercy and the joy of the gospel with our brothers and sisters in the Paitan mission. Throughout the whole year we are called to do our utmost to share with them the joy and love we received from Christ. This Holy Year of Mercy, has moved me to take part in the mission.”

Joseph Lee ~ member of St Mary's Cathedral
Canteen Committee

“This is my first time in Sukang, Paitan. I really enjoy the greenery and the views over here. I find this place a good place for one who seeks a quiet and peaceful environment. I encourage those seeking for peace of mind to come over here. Spend a few nights here and rest assured you will encounter comfort and peace with nature. The environment promises a blissful solitude; a quiet moment with God.” 

Celebrating Christmas With the People of Paitan Mission

Article by Dalius L.L. and 
photos by Bell and Dalius

 

Sandakan: Pilis Malim, the Chairman of St Mary's Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council led a 9-member team of various ministries to the Paitan Missionary Area in St. Francis Assisi Chapel, Sukang, 19th - 20th December 2015. 

Their coming to the mission station was to be engaged in hands-on mission action and witnessing, to be involved with corporal works of mercy. They were doing their part to reach out to the rural community. Apart from that they were there to render support to Fr. Thomas Makajil, the rector of the Cathedral who is also the priest responsible for the mission area. 

The members, joined another two other groups who were there a day earlier for their pastoral program. One group led by Sr. Appollonia Gumpu fsic comprising members of the Order of the Franciscan Secular (OFS) was there for their annual Christmas program. The other group of two seminarians and a Eucharistic Minister from Our Lady of Fatima Beluran led by Deacon Stanley William Matakim was for pastoral exposure on missionary work.  

The members spent their first day in informal discussion on subjects related to pastoral works of the church, issues pertaining to church physical development and planning for next year's pastoral programs. 

The next day, Sunday 20th December, they attended the Eucharistic celebration at the chapel presided over by Fr Thomas. In his homily, Fr Thomas said that the festive season of Christmas is always a joyful occasion for everyone. The birth of Christ is a beautiful moment for all for He has come to bring salvation. He is also called Emmanuel, 'God is with us.'

He reminded the people not to forget the actual reason for the season. In our busy schedule, preparing for the celebration, stay focus on Christ, who has come to be with us and to save us. Share the love of Christ with family members, friends and the community. Make this season meaningful; loving Him, sharing Him and making Him known.

 Peter Saimin, the full-time catechist serving the Paitan Mission

Willie Pius, Chairman of  the Pastoral Committee, Paitan Mission

Pilis Malim , Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of  St. Mary's Cathedral, Sandakan 

A presentation by the youth from St. Simon's Chapel  Rakanan, Paitan

Choir group from St. Clare Kg. Dalamas, Paitan

Presentation from the Sunday School children of  St. Francis Assisi, Sukang, Paitan

"Mamarayou Tokou Do Kinorohingan" by the youth from Kg. Dalamas, Paitan

Members of  the choir group of St. Francis Assisi Kg. Sukang, Paitan

One for the album with the parishioners of Paitan Mission

After the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners were entertained with performances from the various chapels in the mission area. The highlight was the distribution of Christmas goodies to some 300 children which were sponsored by a kind Samaritan from Sandakan and the St Mary's Cathedral Parish Catholic Women's Apostolate. After which, the parishioners adjourned for a luncheon fellowship.

Sandakan Christmas Celebration 2015 ~ 'Peace On Earth'

By DS and photos 

courtesy of G.Bell

The crowd that thronged Piazza Harbour Mall

Sandakan : The Sandakan Christmas Celebration is yet another attraction to the people of Sandakan. The district-level event, jointly organized by the Karamunting ADUN's Office, the Sandakan Municipal Council and the Sandakan Inter-Church was held at the Piazza Harbour Mall on Sunday 20th December 2015. More than 1,500 people thronged the said venue to witness the big and colourful celebration.

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ir James Wong, the President of the Municipal Council, congratulated the Organizing Committee for their commitment in realizing the event for the people of Sandakan. In his address to the people, he said, 'Do not take for granted the peace, stability and prosperity of the nation built over the years. Continue to nurture it so that the generations to come will be people of goodwill, sowing peace and upholding tolerance. This joint event is a clear indication that NGOs are playing their roles in maintaining and improving national unity, giving rise to harmonious relations among people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, religions and race.'

  

YB Tuan Charles Pang, the assemblyman for Karamunting, in gracing the occasion said that the Christmas season is a time for family members to spend quality time together enjoying the company of each other. However, he reminded the people that in moments of the festive joy, let us not forget the plight of the less fortunate, living in the periphery of society. Let us share our love with them, reaching out and touching them. He called on the people to renew their commitment to grow as a united people for the glory of our beloved nation, Malaysia.
Accompanied by the MPS President, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Church Leaders and local dignitaries, YB Tuan Charles lighted the Christmas tree, marking the start of the celebration, themed 'Peace On Earth.'

Energetic yet colourful dances by the young members of 

the Anglican Church at the start of the event

Rev. Canon Yong in his Christmas message cited the three criteria for a successful nation viz; excellent health care services, strong and solid economy and security. However, to maintain and sustain that 'success, ' we need to be grounded firmly in spirituality. Failing which, we may lose our peace within us, in the community, society and nation. The Prince of Peace came to grant us peace, a priceless gift for all mankind as in John 14:27, 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'' Canon Yong called on the people to build peace, peace with God, peace with oneself, peace with others as we celebrate Christmas and prepare to move towards yet another year, 2016.

Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, the Bishop of  the Catholic Diocese of  Sandakan in his thanksgiving speech said that Christmas is not purely feasting and merry making. He called on the people to gaze more attentively to the mercy of God by reaching out to those living in the fringes of society, the poor and the marginalized. As followers of Christ, we are constantly reminded to act in accordance with Luke 6 : 36, ‘Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.’ 

During this Christmas season, may we reflect and rediscover the works of mercy; feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick and visit the imprisoned. By doing all these, we would have done it to the Lord for in each of these ‘little ones,’ Christ himself is present. Our gift might not mean much, but to those in need, it makes a great difference. Make this season a meaningful one for us and those who are less fortunate. Do not keep the Christmas joy within but share it with our brothers and sisters who yearn for the light of Christ.

Irene Johnny, the MC from the Catholic Church

Presentations by members of the 

St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Sandakan

Presentations of souvenirs to participating churches