PENAMPANG – The Indonesian migrants were urged to form the Christian Catholic Family of Indonesia (Keluarga Kristian Katolik Indonesia or K3I) in Penampang.

Father Wiandigool Runsab, assistant pastor of St Michael Parish here, advised the Indonesian migrants in his speech after the Mass marking World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2017 at St Michael parish here on 17 Sept 2017.

This will enable them to be integrated into the local parishes for their pastoral needs while maintaining their livelihood within their own culture.

“Forming this community in every zone under this parish is essential in order that your community can participate and receive every right as Catholics… such as baptism, Eucharistic celebrations,  serving as wardens and other services,” Fr Runsab said.

The priest also urged the community to attend church services regularly and to join parish activities so as to journey together with the local people in mutual respect.

The community can also serve as a platform to voice out their problems such as employment discrimination or abuse of power by employers to the proper channel for action.

After Mass,  all adjourned to the parish hall for an entertainment programme comprising a fellowship meal, traditional songs and dances, organised by the Human Development Committee or KPI (Kemajuan Pembangunan Insan).

About 300 attendees, mostly from the migrant community, turned up for the celebration. – SOCCOM Penampang

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TAWAU – Sandakan Diocese marked its 10th anniversary with the launching of its Diocesan Vision and Mission Statements as well as its Diocesan Pastoral Plan at Holy Trinity Church here on 18 Oct 2017.

In his message, Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom said, “This Vision and Mission comes from the people and it is for the people.  I hope each and every one of us will embrace it and make it as our own, a compass towards achieving our dream church that we have envisioned.”

The Vision focuses on the diocese being a “Christ-centred community serving one another with love” spelt out in its mission of nurturing active church participation, fostering spirit of unity in diversity and family values, enhancing living the Gospel values through a deeper understanding of the church social teaching, intensifying faith formation and promoting priestly and religious vocations.

The Vision and Mission, Bp Gitom said, “implies a common direction and a common goal to be achieved… Achieving a vision is a slow and gradual process just as growing in faith in a lifelong process.  It requires the participation of all of us, and all of us must be dedicated, committed, determined, and have a strong sense of responsibility to serve the Lord and one another.”

The launching took place after the Mass in the presence of Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau and Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei.

The launching ended with the recitation of the Diocesan Prayer and the distribution of copies of the Pastoral Plan to all the prelates and parish representatives.

Over a thousand people including priests and religious from the three dioceses took part in the anniversary celebration.

The day before, Oct 17, Cardinal Fernandez gave a session on BECs – he initiated BECs in his archdiocese 40 years ago while Pilis Malim, head of Focus Committee,  briefed those present on the seven-year process involving all the BECS  in the formulation of the Pastoral Plan.

In the evening, over 700 participated in the Thanksgiving Dinner held at the Promenade Hotel opposite the church which saw the participation of the different parishes in presenting stage performances.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SANDAKAN – Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu said the Feast of St Matthew paved the way for the AMOS Conference to look at migrant ministry as a vocation.  He delivered this insight in his opening homily at the third AMOS Conference hosted by Sandakan Diocese on 21-23 Sept 2017 at the Sandakan Pastoral Centre here.

One hundred and fifty participants, comprising two bishops, 11 priests, six religious from the three arch/dioceses of Sabah and Miri gathered for the conference themed “The Church: Advocate for the vulnerable and voiceless.”

Matthew was considered an outcast for supporting the Roman Empire in his role as a tax collector,  Abp Wong said.  But he was called by the Lord to follow Him.

“Those involved in migrant ministry might also be viewed negatively for reaching out to foreigners,” said the KK prelate.

He continued, “But when they responded to serve the vulnerable and voiceless, they are, in fact, doing the will of God, who says, “I was a stranger and you made me welcome.” (Mt 25:35b)

Both Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan and Kletus Muyuk, head of Sandakan Diocesan Human Development Commission, provided an overview of the conference.

They spelt out the two conference objectives: (a) To deepen the understanding of migration and to strengthen the spirit of service to the migrants, and (b) To increase inter-diocesan cooperation in pastoral care to migrants.

To achieve these, the organising team has incorporated a session on the legal aspect of migration and a session on collaboration.

Romo Lukas of Larantuka Diocese gave an input on “Advocating Human Dignity: Basis for Pastoral Care to Migrants.”  In his talk covering the issue of migration and its pastoral care from social, historical, biblical and ecclesial perspectives, Lukas quoted the UN Charter on Human Rights and some church documents, specifically Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi, to support his view that ministry to migrants is, in fact, advocating their dignity as “imago Dei,” persons created in the image of God.

However, the reality of pastoral care to migrants is not easy. Bishop Julius shared the complexity of the matter the next day. Many a time there is a choice to be made: which comes first – pastoral or legal? He said given the immense presence of migrants in Sandakan diocese, pastoral care to them is not an option but part and parcel of building the local Church there.

Jellferlyne Joseph, a programme officer at Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS), supported Bishop Julius in her personal testimony of working for migrants. She used to be against them. But over the years in PKGS, she realised that migrants, too, are humans who need livelihood, education and security. She learnt to see God in the faces of the migrants and saw her service as a vocation.

In spite of the complexity in migration issue, if it is done in a peaceful, legal and dignified way, there should no fear. This was assured by Bapak Konsul Krishna Djelani of Tawau and Elsie Primus who spoke as a magistrate of the Kota Kinabalu High Court.

Both highlighted the relevant Immigration Acts that determine the legality of migration in both countries. Many heard for the first time how such laws could actually facilitate a person to cross national boundaries in a dignified way if he/she abides by them closely. No doubt there are syndicates who exploit the process for economic or political gains. But that should not prevent a migrant from violating the laws.

The session was followed by Q & A from the floor. Many asked about matters related to marriage between locals and migrants, on labour law, documentation issues, statelessness and status of fourth generation migrants. However, answers to such complex matters could not be dealt with satisfactorily in a short time.

In the afternoon Romo Lukas shared from the perspective of a “Sending Church” – why people of Flores choose to migrate, how the local churches prepare and help the families who are left behind. He felt that the frequent exchange of information and collaboration between the two sides (Flores and Sabah) would further ease the burden encountered by the migrants, especially in living their faith in a foreign land.

Reports from the three arch/dioceses were then briefly tabled to provide a glimpse on what the local churches have done in ministering to the migrants. It was clear that the responses varied from diocese to diocese, from locality to locality.

Msgr Gilbert Engan who represented Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau admitted that his presence might be providential. He sensed the urgent need for the three arch/dioceses in Sabah to collaborate as migrants are mobile. Without common pastoral policies, they might look for a locality where reception of the sacrament of matrimony is lax.

The final session facilitated by Dominic Lim was aimed to get the Sabah dioceses to move together as “Receiving Church.” Participants were divided into groups to propose concrete ways based on items agreed in the Tripartite Pastoral Gatherings in 2013 and 2015. The proposals would be screened through by the Organising Team before a Final Statement could be issued from the AMOS-3 Conference for the attention of pastoral institutes and agents in Sabah.

Bishop Julius, in his farewell remarks, hoped that AMOS-3 has instilled a deeper sense of commitment among the participants. Though there might still be uncertainties among them, especially those who were there for the first time, he believed that at least the sessions have convinced them that defending the vulnerable and voiceless is very much the mission of the Church.

AMOS-1 was hosted by KK Archdiocese in February 2011 at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre while Keningau Diocese hosted AMOS-2 at the Tatal Retreat Centre Keningau in February 2013. – AHDC

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KENINGAU – Two hundred and eighty catechists attended the biennial retreat and conference on 31 Aug-2 Sept 2017 at the Tatal Retreat Centre here.

In his talk, Bishop Cornelius Piong, episcopal president of the Malaysian Catechetical Commission, told the participants in no uncertain terms that “Christ is the source of our joy especially in our service as a catechist.  Therefore, we need to strengthen our spiritual life by having a close relationship with Christ, and be faithful in our prayer life in spite of all the challenges in the world.”

The theme chosen “Christ our Joy” was based on the theme for Catechetical Sunday 2017.

The retreat cum conference is organised once in two years by the KK Archdiocesan Catechetical Commission for the spiritual renewal and recommitment of all catechists in the archdiocese.  The retreat also serves to instil a spirit of unity and good relations among the catechists who come from the different parishes in the archdiocese.

Accompanying the participants were Franciscan Sister Dariah Ajap, head of the commission, and Father Nicholas Stephen, spiritual adviser.

The retreat kicked off with Opening Mass presided by Bishop Piong.  Besides assisting the catechists to reflect on the theme, he also led the Eucharistic Adoration in the evening.

Father Rudolf Joannes of Keningau Diocese facilitated the inputs on the second day, in which he challenged the catechists to reflect on themselves, their uniqueness, strengths and limitations.  He helped them to discover how they could improve themselves, their families and communities as a whole.  The reflection enlightened and inspired the participants as they listened, and identified solutions to the numerous problems relating to their pastoral ministry as catechists.

In conjunction with the universal celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima this year, Fr Stephen shared on the role of Mother Mary in the salvation history, and screened a video of the centenary celebration.

In the evening, Fr Stephen organised a rosary procession carrying the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the retreat centre to the chapel at kg Tuarid, Tatal.   About 500 Catholic faithful in the vicinity of the kampung joined in the procession.  It took another two hours to walk back to the retreat centre.

On the third and last day, Fr Stephen presented the pastoral thrust of the archdiocese – Go Inward, Go Smaller, Go Outward to counter the challenges of globalisation, secularisation and Islamisation faced by the families and church today.  This was followed by parish-based group sharing to discuss these issues and to plan concrete actions to counter these challenges within a year’s time frame.

The retreat concluded with the commissioning of the catechists. – catecomkk@yahoo.com

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TANJUNG ARU – Stella Maris parish here held an inaugural assembly to formulate the vision and mission for the parish on 26 Aug 2017.

The assembly consisted of 72 delegates representing 30 parish ministries and groups.

The assembly began with Bible enthronement by Father Peter Abas.

Dominic Lim enlightened the parishioners on the importance of a parish vision.  He emphasised that the process of formulation among the parishioners is important.  The ‘why and how’ that would arise from the formulation would give a clearer direction for the parish and her future leaders.

This was followed by ten small discussion groups who came up with a first draft which later was clustered by five main groups to further crystalise the vision.

With the intervention of the Holy Spirit, the main groups consented unanimously to the proposed Vision.

Fr Abas was confident that the parishioners of Stella Maris could formulate a well-defined vision led by the Holy Spirit. He said the next move is to work on the mission once the vision is approved by the parish priest.  The mission session would be held on  30 Sept 2017.

INANAM – St Catherine here welcomed back Father Mitchelly Kiun in his new assignment as assistant pastor of the parish effective  Sept 1 with a simple welcoming cum farewell fellowship at the St Catherine Hall on  20 Aug 2017.

The three-in-one event, organised by St Catherine, Holy Family Telipok and Good Shepherd Manggatal, was also to say farewell to Father Paul Lo who replaces him at Sacred Heart Cathedral on the same day.

Two years ago, Fr Kiun served in the parish with Father Sunny Chung.  Fr Chung is currently serving the Diocese of Sandakan on ‘loan.’  When they were transferred out, their responsibilities were taken over by Fr Lo and Fr Rayner Bisius.

Earlier, Fr Bisius was posted to St Joseph Papar on July 7 and has been replaced by Father Mattheus Luta.

Over 600 parishioners turned up for the occasion.  Some had to stand outside the hall.

The parishioners took the occasion to also celebrate Fr Luta’s 7th priestly anniversary graced by the presence of parish priest Father David Sham – Michael Guntili

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Beatrice Beth Baikan, who holds a doctoral degree in Turfgrass Science/Golf Course Environmental Management from Cornell University USA, writes on her journey with her cousin, the late Father Fundes Motiung, who died on 4 Sept 2017.

It was on Easter Monday of 2000, that I had the first of many conversations with my beloved little cousin brother, the late Father Fundes Motiung, regarding his state of health, the beginning of his journey of silent sufferings and pains.

It was customary for him to drop by my office whenever he was in Donggongon as he was now serving in the Penampang Parish. Though we had just reconnected several months earlier after years of going our separate ways during our college years and my long absence from Sabah due to my college years, the bond of our family’s closeness was never broken and we instantly reconnected as if we were never separated, reminiscing our childhood.

“Beth, I am dying” he said as he slumped on the chair in front of me.  I looked at this handsome young cousin of mine who was just ordained priest barely two years, right in the eye and asked him, “Why are you talking about death? Are you tired of living?”  He cast his eyes down and with a serious tone, he said, “Beth, I am ill and I am dying.” “What’s wrong?” I asked as I sensed the seriousness of his voice. “The doctor said that my white blood cell is very high” he said resignedly, and has confirmed that he has leukemia.

I felt a deep pang of pain in my heart and I was lost for words to comfort him at that moment. All I could say was a promise to journey with him in his pain and sufferings and in whatever I could do.

“I don’t know why God put you through this but there must be a reason… I will journey with you in this. You will not bear this alone,” I promised him.

It saddened me that a young priest who wanted to dedicate his life to the service of the Lord was given such a heavy cross to bear before he could see the fruit of his service. Having been just ordained priest, he was at the beginning of his prime years; how could this happen to this young vibrant priest? I wondered.

The Church and the Bishop, in their wisdom, decided that it was best for Fr Fundes to get treatment in Rome where medical facilities were advance and medical specialists in the disease were readily available. Hence he left for his year-long treatment in Rome.  But a year later after he began treatment, he was told to try a new drug for leukemia in Singapore.

So he returned to Sabah and began his arduous travel to Singapore on a monthly basis for his treatment while carrying out his pastoral duty in Sabah.  His frequent travels to Singapore were not without glitch as there were many instances of fainting and collapsing due to his weakening body.

Despite all the pains and sufferings that he was going through, he soldiered on tirelessly to minister the flock God has entrusted him. He soldiered on preaching the Gospel of Christ and bringing the lost back to Christ. In the four years after returning from Rome and while undergoing treatment in Singapore and administering the medication on himself, he never complained.  He never slacked in his priestly duties. He carried on his pastoral duties silently and obediently, always uniting his sufferings to the wounds of Christ and accepting wherever he was posted, even forgetting that he was ill.

He never showed his sufferings and pain to others but carried on his pastoral duties with zeal and love for the people and the Eucharist.  When it comes to pastoral duties, there was no arguing with him.  He was determined to carry on, whether he was in pain or not. He spoke passionately of his vow of obedience.

But as the years went by, the pain at times became too much and unbearable, and he was getting weaker and weaker.

A week before we gathered to celebrate his 40th birthday in 2005, he pulled a chair in front of me and said “Beth, please help me find a cure. It’s too painful and I can’t bear the pricks of the needles anymore – there is no part of my body that has not been pricked by the needle and I can’t bear the pain.  Please Beth, help me.”

I was determined to bring him for treatment in the USA and was preparing for the trip.  But the trip to the USA wasn’t to be as just two days later, on his birthday, he collapsed while celebrating a wedding Mass at Stella Maris.

He was only a few days in the ward and with streams of people and parishioners coming to see him, he contracted a lung infection and turned for the worst with serious case of pneumonia that he was then admitted to the intensive care unit.  It was the most critical stage of his health and he wasn’t able to breathe.  Families, friends and parishioners were keeping vigils for him; thousands of faithful were united in prayer for his healing but his condition was getting more and more critical.  By the third day in the ICU, the doctor asked us to prepare for the worst.

Receiving the news that Fr Fundes was out of danger was one of the greatest miracles that I have witnessed of how God, in His great mercy and compassion, heard and answered the fervent and united prayers of all the faithful to give him reprieve from his sufferings.

Eight days later, he was discharged.  Though he continued to go for treatment in Singapore and taking his medication on a daily basis, his health continued to improve to a bearable level that he was able to soldier on in his priestly mission…never complaining, always joyful, always loving his duties.

For the next ten years, he often joked that his body had now turned to chemical due to the medicine he has to take on a daily basis.

As his health continued to improve, I retreated back to my own chores, only journeying with him from behind the scene, knowing that he would know where to find me when he needed to.  Journeying with him also meant that I must let other people who equally love and care about him the chances to care for him.

On 30 Oct 2016, Fr Fundes was re-admitted and I fell on my knees and prayed the same prayer I had prayed 12 years earlier before the Blessed Sacrament.  I pleaded with God to spare his life once again.

A week later, I flew back to be with him in the hospital.  It was the last heart to heart talk we had on his condition.  He talked about his readiness for death and that he had already accomplished what he set out to do.  Though, he said, he hoped that he would be able to do more, he was aware that it wasn’t going to be.  “Beth, it has been 16 years.  I am thankful that I live for 16 years with these sufferings,” he said.

Although in my most selfish heart I prayed and wrestled with God that he would be well again and stayed longer to continue to minister, but God knew and saw that he was tired and needed an eternal rest.

Even in the last few minutes of his life, I tried to wrestle with God, pleading Him to revive Fr Fundes, but deep within my heart, I heard Father [Fundes] say to me, “Beth, I can’t bear the pain anymore – no part of my body that has not been pricked with needles and I don’t want the needles anymore” and painfully and with aching heart, I watched him breathe his last.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Father James Chia writes from Buffalo, USA at the invitation of Catholic Sabah to share about Fr Fundes Motiung, whom he talked with in his visit to Kota Kinabalu in August 2017. Fr James Chia of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, also known as The Mercedarians, hails from Kota Kinabalu, was ordained in Philadelphia USA in 2012, and currently serves in the Diocese of Buffalo USA as parochial vicar.

BUFFALO, USA – In Matthew 16:24, we hear Jesus saying to His disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” As Christians, we are called followers of Christ. Following Jesus always involves the cross. When Fr Fundes picks up his cross and follows his Master, he also follows his Master all the way to the Cross, that is, Calvary. This is our journey too!

What I am sharing with you is not so much from my conversation with Fr Fundes about his sickness and suffering but rather, but a witness account of what Fundes spoke with his life and actions that evening on Aug 17 during the Stella Maris CWL Golden Jubilee Dinner.

Many might have read and can read about his achievements as a priest. My sharing is about my priest-friend named Fundes, in particular how he preached the Joy of the Gospel in the final months of his life focusing on the evening of Aug 17.

Fr Fundes was always very welcoming to me whenever I “revisited” Stella Maris during my vacation. He was a pastoral priest – one that has a merciful heart who always thinks of the salvation of souls in his priestly ministry when he administers to the souls Jesus sends him. He was not clerical but rather informal and approachable. He also had a good sense of humor!

Prior to going back to KK this vacation, I had wanted to visit him since I knew it would probably be our last meeting. So, when I arrived at the table for the CWL golden jubilee event, I saw Fundes and he recognised me when I spoke to him although he could not see me clearly. I sat next to him and we talked amid streams of teary-eyed faithful visiting him. That evening was a gift from God Who knows our heart.

During our conversation that evening, I said to him: “Fundes, in my opinion, if Jesus were to call you back to Himself and to the Father, you would go straight to heaven!” His humble response was: “That is what we all hope for.” This is to say as Christians, we all hope to go straight to Heaven when we die.

For most people when they are sick and near death, they would probably recluse themselves and disappear from the public.

However, not Fundes! He was living his life to the fullness amid his sickness and suffering. He was preaching the joy of the Gospel with his life. What he did that Aug 17 evening spoke so much louder than what he actually spoke. His appetite was good and he was not picky about what he ate. He was eating just like anyone else that evening.

Throughout the evening, Fr Fundes was jovial and he was the one consoling the teary-eyed parishioners who went to see him. I believe, that evening, Fr Fundes was thanking and appreciating all the gifts that our merciful God has given him. It was his – Fr Fundes’s – farewell gift to us!

That evening, there was a youth who is also an altar server at Stella Maris. He went to Fundes, knelt down, wrapped his hands around him and began to sob unceasingly. Fr Fundes embraced him and said to the young man: “It is OK bah! I am OK!” There, the man who was called to be the priest of Jesus was consoling one of his sheep who was deeply saddened by fact that his shepherd was dying. At the moment of this writing, I cannot stop seeing the image of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.

At the end of the Jubilee dinner, we parted ways. I took with me that image of Fr Fundes who was living his life to the fullness, carrying his cross and following his Master all the way to the cross (Calvary), and not giving up the cross designated by Jesus from all eternity. No doubt, it was a heavy cross but God also sent many Simons of Cyrene helping Fr Fundes carry his custom-made cross. Jesus was walking with Fr Fundes through the gift of the Holy Eucharist.

Fr Fundes showed that life is worth living and that our sufferings, when united with Jesus’ suffering, has values and can do wonders by God. The world we live in does not like suffering but Fr Fundes showed that our suffering is redemptive in nature.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

BUNDU TUHAN – One hundred and forty youth ministers were challenged to embrace the joy of the Gospel presented by Pope Francis to the Church as their way of mission at the 10th Archdiocesan Youth Consultation or KBK-10 (Konsultasi Belia Keuskupan), at the retreat centre here on30 Aug- 3 Sept 2017.

The youth leaders comprising Parish Youth Pastoral Team (TPBP) and the Catholic Student Council (CSC) came from the various parishes in the KK Archdiocese. They were accompanied by the Franciscan Sisters and spiritual adviser Father Joshua Liew.

KBK is an annual event organised to achieve specific objectives utilising the Pastoral Cycle of “See-Judge-Act.”  This year, KBK aimed to refresh the spirit of the youth serving in youth ministries and to refocus their direction in this ministry.

Father Charles Chiew of Keningau Diocese, who facilitated the session on the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, said that the Joy of the Gospel teaches us how to live the Gospel in this generation, especially with issues that challenge the faith and beliefs of our young people. The Joy of the Gospel lays out the vision for a missionary youth ministry, and youth ministers are encouraged to first appropriate it in their life, family, parish, and campus ministry.

The consultation kicked off with the Opening Eucharist, which was presided by Archbishop John Wong. Referring to the theme adopted by KBK this year “The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is His Name” (Luke 1:49), borrowed from the World Youth Day in Panama 2019, Archbishop Wong urged the participants to model after Mary in self-giving in their service, as well as to appropriate Marian attitudes in their own lives.

The two days were spent to walk through the Pastoral Cycle of “See-Judge-Act” during the reporting from each TPBP and CSC on the issues they are facing in their respective ministries, and to see the movement of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Thrust (Go Inward, Go Small, Go Outward) in their ministry.

To start with, Fr Joshua facilitated a recollection to assist the participants to look inward into their personal relationship with God, reflecting on Who God is and how God has helped them in meeting the challenges of their lives. With this, they were enabled to appropriate the pastoral cycle of “Seeing”.

With the help of Jerald Joseph and Father Paul Lo, the participants were presented with a social analysis in Malaysia and a theological reflection of how the values in the Bible are able to help them face the challenges of their lives, social or otherwise.

According to the pastoral cycle of “Judging,” the youth ministers must be able to “judge” for themselves when challenged and to voice out and stand for truth, for the dignity and human rights of each person. Knowing their intrinsic value as children of God and the knowledge that nothing can separate them from the love of God would enable them to judge without fear.

To help them live out the pastoral cycle of “Acting,”  Dominic Lim encouraged the participants to live out their faith within the Church and through their participation in society, that is, “Going Outwards”

Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “If I say I am Catholic and go to Mass, but then don’t speak with my parents, help my grandparents or the poor, or go and see those who are sick; this does not prove my faith; there’s no point.”

Lim also said, “The Social Teaching of the Church or DOCAT explains to us the reasons why we are to be involved in the issues of society. The Christian Faith includes a social dimension. We are commissioned to be the light and salt of the world. If we do not ‘Go Outward,’ then our faith remains only as a private matter.”

Concluding his session, Lim urged the participants: “Let’s take DOCAT as an important guide to help us live out our faith in this society, in order to build a culture of love in this world.”

A Solidarity Night was held on the last evening as a platform for the youth leaders to interact and share, through their God-given talents, what they have learned and reflected throughout KBK.

The days in KBK began and ended with Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Night Prayer (Compline), as well as Angelus, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and personal reflection. Daily Mass was looked on as the main source of faith.

On the final day of KBK, a prayer with Mother Nature led the participants into the Presence of God in His creation. This has also brought about an awareness of our common responsibility to protect and preserve it.

As a gesture of commitment to take Mother Mary as the model in their lives and ministry, an image of Mother Mary and prayer cards printed with the KK Archdiocesan Youth Prayer were presented to each participant.

The organisers hoped that all youth in the archdiocese will pray this prayer as part of their journey towards World Youth Day in Panama 2019! – Archdiocesan Youth Commission

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Ashes and urn of the late Rev Fr Terry Burke MHM was brought back from Reading, United Kingdom to St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching, Sarawak on the 15th October 2017. Requiem Mass was celebrated on the 16th October 2017 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, followed by Committal Rites at the St Peter’s Padungan Columbarium.

Requiem Mass for the late Fr Terry Burke, MHM  video

Article reproduced from Archdiocese of Kuching