Author Archives: Ken Wong

KENINGAU : Perayaan Ekaristi bersempena dengan Pesta Pengangkatan Bonda Maria telah diadakan di sebuah gereja outstasi. Perayaan ini disempurnakan oleh Rev. Fr. Rudolf  bertempat di Gereja St. Yohanes Penginjil Panui. Perayaan yang diadakan pada 15 Ogos 2017 ini dimeriahkan dengan kehadiran anggota Legion of Mary (LOM) dan umat sekitar KUK Panui di Zon Magatang.

Perayaan dimulakan dengan Doa Rosari yang dipimpin oleh anggota LOM pada jam 6.00 di hadapan grotto. Selepas Doa Rosari, perarakan mengangkat patung Bonda Maria masuk ke dalam gereja. Perarakan diiringi oleh para Flower Girls dan Flower Boys diikuti dengan ahli-ahli LOM yang membawa lilin.

Fr. Rudolf memberi pesan kepada umat di KUK Panui agar perayaan yang melibatkan tradisi gereja terus diamalkan. Pengangkatan Bonda Maria naik ke syurga merupakan salah satu tradisi gereja yang seharusnya dirayakan menandakan penghormatan dan kesyukuran terhadap Bonda Maria.

Malaysia marked the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) with a 2-day renewal programme themed Spreading The Fire.

The event began on August 31, 2017 at 1pm and ended the next day, September 1, 2017 at the Church of the Holy Family, Kajang.

The renewal programme attracted more than 2500 Malaysians from various language groups in line with the Peninsular Malaysia Service Team’s objective to promote unity among the churches in Malaysia. In the opening address, Episcopal Advisor, R. Rev Dato’ Sebastian Francis said a strong sign of the Spirit in Charismatic Renewal is the search for unity in the Body of Christ.

“You charismatics have a special grace to pray and work for Christian Unity, so that the current grace may pass through all Christian Churches. Christian unity is the work of the Holy Spirit and we must pray together to achieve it,” he said.

He also added that the Holy Spirit is a bridge builder. “The Holy Spirit moves where He wills. He is not confined by doctrine, church or denomination. He is a source of unity, not division. He builds bridges, not walls,” he said.

Organising Chairman Michael Anthony, in his opening address hoped, that the fire we received during Baptism and Confirmation be rekindled to set the whole earth on fire to fulfil the desire of our Lord who started the fire on Pentecost 2000 years ago.

“As we celebrate this jubilee, may many more youth, adults, seniors and elderly be filled with the Holy Spirit, focus their eyes on Jesus and turn away from the evil of this world,” he said.

Anthony also shared about his discovery of the Holy Spirit back in 1996 when a preacher from India gave a session organised by the Malacca Charismatic prayer group.

“He was going on and on about this Spirit of God. Today, after 20 years, I feel so blessed and amazed to see the work of the Holy Spirit and that He has chosen me to be an instrument to lead this Golden Jubilee celebration in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

Three sessions were organised during the two day programme — Bear Witness to the Christian Faith through CCR, Fellowship with each other through the Holy Spirit in Communion and Service to One Another through CCR.

In conclusion, Bishop Sebastian Francis urged all charismatics to continue to spread the fire after being renewed by the Spirit over the past two days.

“I hope the churches in Malaysia will continue to burn brighter and stronger with the fire of the Holy Spirit from here on,” he said.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PENSIANGAN – Nineteen students from Catholic Students Society (CSS) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, Johor Bahru made a mission trip to Pensiangan Sabah on 30 June – 14 July 2017.

The group is also known as GIFT (Growing in Faith Together).

The main aim was to support the construction of kindergarten at Tanjung Harapan, Pensiangan and building of water closet for kindergarten at Kampung Tinanduk, Pensiangan.

The group arrived at Katedral St Francis Xavier June 30 and stayed at the pastoral guesthouse.  Upon arrival, team leader Rayvinshie briefed them and they met the project superviser Adrian B Lasimbang.

The group split into two teams with one in Tanjung Harapan and another one in Kg Tinanduk. After morning Mass July 1, they started their journey from Keningau. Arriving in Pensiangan in the evening they settled down at St Michael Chapel.

They received a warm welcome from the villages and feasted on a variety of ‘lauk kampung’ made by the villagers.

On July 2 morning,  a team left for Kg Tinanduk from Tanjung Harapan while the other team stayed behind.  After 30 minutes of boat ride, they arrived safely at Kg Tinanduk led by Lasimbang.  The team spent the week doing construction and working with kids. They spent most of their time outside completing the toilet construction, digging a manhole,  painting and drawing of the kindergarten side walls. A visit by Franciscan Sister Dorothy also helped and inspired them to keep working.

In Tanjung Harapan, the team did the renovation of the kindergarten by replacing the wooden floor with new planks and cleaning the kindergarten.

They also replaced the ceiling of the pastor’s house. Tuition was given to Form 3 students every evening and a motivational talk was given to the students of SMK Pensiangan.

Throughout the week, the team developed a strong, working relationship with the villagers – not just with the younger generation but also with the elders. Besides work, the team had time to visit a waterfall and enjoy it.

The members hoped to visit the place again in the future.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – Keningau Diocese will begin the last lap of preparation for its diocesan silver jubilee with a day of reparation on 15 Sept 2017.

In his pastoral letter issued for the forthcoming celebration, Bishop Cornelius Piong writes: I would like to invite all the faithful …the entire diocesan community to have a day of reparation or sogit as our expression of peace with our Lord Jesus whom we have hurt and our fellow believers.

The day scheduled, the bishop adds,  is Sept 15 in conjunction with the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, at 6 pm, and “we can fill it with fasting, praying the Rosary, Mass and moments of silence.”

This is because, he continues, “For over 24 years walking together as the People of God in Keningau Diocese, we realise and admit that we, as individuals and as a community, have done wrong to God and our neighbours.”

The prelate explains further: We, as priests, religious, wives and husbands, are aware of our sins against God, to whom we have made our promises of loyalty.  These sins have also affected adversely our community.

The letter, posted Sept 6 on the diocesan website, reminds the faithful of the silver jubilee theme: The Family centred on Christ with a culture of worshipping God, strong faith and social responsibility.

It points out the need to be alert and aware of the tricks of the devil in that “societal values that emphasise success, efficiency, status and power” can be used by the devil to influence “our leadership and service styles without our awareness.”

The bishop says that the spirit of humility can only be inculcated through time spent with Jesus in the Eucharist, adoration and prayer, in listening and reflecting on His Word and in sensitivity to His Presence in the family and community.  “Only our union with Jesus will enable us to carry out our commitment – whether as married couples, religious, clergy – with joy (cf Jn 15:11),” he exhorts.

The Keninagu Diocese was erected on 6 May 1993 with Msgr Cornelius Piong as bishop.  The silver jubilee celebration of the diocese, as well as the bishop’s 25 years of episcopal ministry, is scheduled for 5 May 2018.  The year-long preparation for the double celebration was launched by Bishop Piong on May 6 this year in Toboh Tambunan.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) Parish here organised a three-in-one celebration for its pastors on 10 Sept 2017 at its parish centre.

The gathering consisted of bidding farewell to Father Mitchelly Kiun (transferred to St Catherine Inanam on Sept 1), welcoming his replacement Father Paul Lo (transferred from St Catherine Inanam on Sept 1), and celebrating in advance the 7th episcopal ordination anniversary of Archbishop John Wong (the actual date falls on Oct 1).

Around 600 people from both SHC and sub-parish of Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) turned up for the event.

Among those present were Archbishop Emeritus John Lee, Father Mattheus Luta, Father Joshua Liew, Father Max Hontor,  the religious, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) members and Parish Finance Council (PCF) members.

In his welcoming remarks, Jason Joenoi, SHC PPC chairman, welcomed those present and expressed his hope that the parish will organise more such gatherings in the future.

On the other hand, Clarice Moiji, CMI PPC chairperson, thanked Fr Kiun for services rendered to CMI whenever there was a need and expressed her hope of closer collaboration with Fr Lo.

In turn, Abp Wong also thanked the organisers for organising the event and the people for turning up in support of their pastors.

After his speech, the honouree cut his anniversary cake, flanked by the priests, the religious, and PPC chairpersons.

After dinner, both Fr Lo and Fr Kiun were given time to express their sentiments.

For entertainment, CMI English choir rendered two songs – (1) I will glory, (2) Upon this rock – while to the delight of those present, the following sang a song each:  Franciscan Sister Anita Lintanga (Lea Salonga’s The Journey), Fr Hontor (Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World), Fr Liew (Josh Groban’s You’re Still You) and Fr Kiun (Emil Chau’s Peng You) – the last with a backup from the youth.

The event closed with a prayer and blessing by Abp Wong.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KINARUT – Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) held its 12th Open House Carnival at its campus grounds in Kinarut on 10 Sept 2017.

As in previous years, it saw participation from all walks of life, young and old, coming from the nearby vicinities, Sandakan, and from as far as New Zealand.  It has become an annual event in the life of the training centre.

Sixty-five stalls were set up, selling rice, roasted pork/duck, porridge, fried chicken wings,  soft drinks, religious books and items, secondhand items for jumble sale, fruits, vegetables, canned goods, plants, metalworks, wooden works, and other edible and non-edible stuff.

Parishes in and around Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar and other areas had also contributed in helping Montfort with the sale of coupons in their respective communities.

The crowds were entertained by local entertainers such as Chris Gomez, dubbed as Elvis Presley of Sabah and others.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral here has the distinction to host the first solemn profession of two members of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) on 9 Sept 2017.

Some 400 people including visitors from Singapore and West Malaysia turned up to witness the solemn profession of religious vows by Friar Aiden Peter Jr and Friar Cruzender Alex.

Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau presided at the Eucharistic Celebration but Friar Philip Miscamble, Provincial Minister of Australia-New Zealand-Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, officiated the rite of solemn profession.

Joining them at the altar were Archbishop Emeritus John Lee, Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan, Friar John Wong Wai Long, Custos of Malaysia-Singapre-Brunei, Father Joshua Liew, Father Thomas Madanan, Fr Leslie Bingkasan sj and some of the friars.

The rite of profession started after the gospel proclamation.  Friar Wong called the names of the two candidates who declared their intentions to the provincial.

In his homily, the provincial linked the Franciscan Charism to the scriptural readings, encouraging the candidates to stay strong and faithful to their calling.

After the homily, the provincial examined the candidates on their readiness to consecrate themselves to God and to seek perfect charity according to the rule and constitutions of the Franciscan religious family.

At the end of the examination, the provincial confirmed the intentions of the candidates.

All knelt while the candidates prostrated themselves at the chanting of the Litany of the Saints.

After the litany, two professed members of the community went to the chair of the provincial and standing, acted as witnesses to the candidates who, one after the other, knelt before the provincial and read aloud the formula of profession prepared by themselves beforehand.

At the completion of the formula of profession, the provincial accepted the vows of the two.  When they have made their professions, the newly professed went to the altar to sign the document of profession, which was also signed by the provincial and the two witnesses.

The neo-professed knelt once more for the solemn prayer of blessing by the provincial.

The rite of profession concluded with the exchange of peace between the neo-professed and the Franciscan Friars.  The neo-professed now sat with the Friars at the left side of the sanctuary.

The Mass continued with the Prayer of the Faithful.

After the Mass and speeches by the neo-professed, Friar Wong and Abp Wong, all were invited to the parish centre for lunch and stage performances by various groups.

Born on 22 Sept 1984 in Tawau, Friar Aiden is third in a brood of three boys and two girls born to Peter Julian and the late Betty Okala.  He entered the congregation in Singapore in 2010 and made his first profession on 7 Jam 2012 there.  He will have a few months of ministry in Ranau after his solemn profession.

Friar Cruzender was born on 25 Oct 1978 in Kota Kinabalu, the second child in a brood of two boys and one girl born to Alex Muating and Nora Sinor.  Like Aiden, he entered the congregation in Singapore in 2009 and took his first vows in 2012 together with him.  He will have his pastoral ministry in Tuaran.

Currently, there are 10 Sabahans in the various stages of formation and one priest (Friar Francisco Basnayake – ordained last year at Stella Maris Tg Aru – now in Japan) among the OFM Malaysia-Singapre-Brunei.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Article reproduced from Archdiocese of Kuching

Article reproduced from St. Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching

About 750 parishioners participated in the Walkathon event this morning. The event has raised close to RM700,000 for the building of a new Cathedral! Bishop Richard Ng thanked the organisers and everyone for their support and contributions towards this event.

Article reproduced from Diocese of Miri