Author Archives: Ken Wong

KOTA KINABALU – This year’s Emmaus Youth Camp drew 33 participants from 17 parishes in the archdiocese.

The camp, held 7-20 Jan 2018, is for school leavers around 17-19 years old, with 11 boys and 22 girls.

It is organised by the Parish Youth Ministry Team in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Youth Commission with 16 volunteers from the previous year.

The base camp is at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing while the exposure site is at Kg Lubok under St Joseph Husband of Mary Parish Kiulu.

The objective of the annual event is threefold: to strengthen the identity of the participants as Catholic youths, to help them live out their Catholic faith in today’s world, and to heighten their awareness and sense of responsibility towards society.

Talks include self-discovery (Roney Alfred of Keningau), Salvation History (Roselinah Francis of Keningau), Gift of Life (Rudian Sinangkuhan), Youth Spirituality & Nationalism (Sr Anita James fsic), Local Church History (Neil Mah), Personal Grooming & Resume Writing (Suzane Dennis), Social Teaching of the Church (Sr Dora Obod fsic), and KITA (Campus Ministry Team & Anne Baltazar).

The talks are held in the morning with reflection, sharing, and creative activity in the afternoons.

The exposure on Jan 12-13 is to help the participants to get to know the local culture and lifestyle of the people there as well as its youth ministry.

Apart from the sessions and exposure, the young people have also to take part in doing household chores like cleaning the toilets, meal preparation, washing the dishes, sweeping and cleaning the surroundings and composting.

Other activities include daily Mass attendance, day of recollection, recreation and physical exercise.

The highlight of the camp will be the Emmaus Family Night on Jan 19 where the parents of the participants, representatives from the exposure site, the alumni, respective parish TPBP and benefactors are invited to join in the fellowship.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Over 20 staff members of the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC) Penampang attended a fire drill and demo on 10 Jan 2018 at their premises.

Three staff of the Penampang Fire Brigade came to enlighten the attendees on the common causes of fire breakouts in the home or in any building and what to do in case of a breakout.

They were also taught the importance of having arrow marks on the walls leading to an emergency exit in case of fire breakouts.

After the talk, they went outside for the demonstration on how to use the fire extinguisher – each attendee had a turn in using it.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Some 38 members and collaborators of the Pauline Family gathered for a simple Christmas and New Year celebration on 8 Jan 2018 at the Daughters of St Paul Convent here.

It was an evening of a simple potluck fellowship, games, and exchange of gifts.

It was also a way of expressing thanks to all those who have helped and collaborated in the Pauline Mission in the past year.

Currently, three out of the ten institutes founded by Blessed James Alberione between 1914 and 1960 are present in the KK Archdiocese – Daughters of St Paul, Association of Pauline Cooperators, and the Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG: The following priests have new pastoral assignments effective 1 Jan 2018 given by Bishop Julius Gitom:

Father David Garaman has been appointed rector of St Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan with Father Christopher Ireneus as his assistant.

Father Stanley Matakim has been assigned as assistant pastor at St Martin Telupid while Father Sunny Chung goes to Holy Trinity Tawau to assist Msgr Nicholas Ong.

Father Phillip Muji has been appointed rector at the youngest parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Beluran.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Sandakan: St. Mary Cathedral Sandakan celebrated Mass of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church on every 1st of January, on which is also a Mass of celebration of the first day of New Year 2018. The Church also observes the World Day of Peace on this day.

Today also marked the first day of Fr. David Garaman officially assumed duty as the new rector of St. Mary Parish which was well attended by St. Mary’s parishioners. In his homily, Fr. David started with the explanation of the importance of this feast and Mother Mary’s role in the mystery of salvation to all Christian. When talking on the New Year resolution, he opined that mostly the failure in keeping one’s resolution was because we did not consult God first. He advised that the first thing we should do is to resolve in strengthening our relationship and walk with God and let Jesus live and lead us in our lives. He then posed the question whether everyone has this resolution as their commitment and priority in lives?

He pointed out that the Vision and Mission statements of the diocese, “Christ-centered community, serving one another with love”, is a good start and guideline towards one’s commitment in having a good relationship with God in our journey of faith for this year. Fr. David said that it is not enough that every Sunday we recite the Vision and Mission prayer only but we have to act upon it and work it out in building the relationship with God, in building the church and in journeying together in faith. He called upon all to commit themselves as a family in realising the Vision and Mission of diocese.

After the Mass, everyone took the opportunity to exchange New Year greetings with one another and with Fr. David.

Article reproduced from Diocese of Sandakan

BUNDU TUHAN – Over 200 representatives of the Catholic Women’s League participated in the 32nd Annual Assembly at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre here on 29 Nov – 2 Dec 2017.

Two hundred and fourteen women from across the archdiocese took part in the event themed “Women of the Bible.”

The programme was a two-day retreat guided by Father Paul Lo, which concluded with the General Meeting on the last day.

In his opening speech, Archbishop John Wong advised the delegates to take the retreat seriously, reflecting on the words that they would hear during the retreat.

He hoped that the women would emulate the lives of the different women in the Bible in their role as mothers of families, and that they would be filled with the Spirit and be more committed in their service to the Lord.

Anita Tunggolou, chief coordinator of the Archdiocesan Catholic Women’s League, thanked the archbishop for his presence as well as for his continuous support of the organisation.

She also urged all members to give their full support to their respective parish priests and to be fully committed in carrying out their responsibilities to the best of their ability.

For the retreat proper, Fr Lo drew the delegates’ attention to the lives of the different women in the Bible, highlighting their courage, their prayer-filled life and their unwavering faith in the Lord.

Besides the inputs, time was given for personal reflection, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and confession.

The next part of the retreat was the business of the General Meeting, in which reports from the various Catholic Women’s Leagues were presented, followed by a Question and Answer session. – Anita Tunggolou/ACWL

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The Assunta Integrated Social Services Kota Kinabalu (ASSISS KK) held its first  Christmas gathering for the volunteers on 20 Dec 2017 at the right wing of Sacred Heart Parish Hall here.

Thirty volunteers turned up for the event. In keeping with the Christmas theme, carols singing kicked off the evening.

Patricia Ubing, ASSISS KK Chairman, in her speech, thanked the volunteers for giving their time to serve  the poor through the mobile clinic services.

The clinic is run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. The current clinic locations are at Kg Timpangoh Laut Sugud and Kg Kaiduan Papar. Other location sites would be added on.

The ASSISS KK core team did the cake cutting, followed by dinner. After dinner, there were games, exchange of  gifts among the attendees and lucky draws.

The fellowship ended with a closing prayer by Paul Isidore and the singing of the Prayer of St Francis. – Catherine Engsun

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

RANAU – The Christian Health Community Ranau (KKKR) brought early Christmas cheer to the staff of Ranau Hospital on 15 Dec 2017.

KKKR’s performance brought cheer to the staff who were not able to be with their loved ones to celebrate Christmas.

KKKR Chairman Dr Clarence D Sirisani said the activity also enabled patients, who had to be  detained in the hospital, to enjoy Christmas Day, regardless of race and religion.

“The activity also serves to bring the glad tidings of Christmas among the Christian community in every unit and to strengthen the relationship among the staff,” said Dr Clarence.

The carollers who entertained the patients, visitors and hospital staff were led by Dr Jason Hendrick, a Medical Officer at the Ranau Hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr Clarence who is also the Director of the Ranau Hospital invited the public to the Ranau Hospital Christmas Open House at the foyer on 12 Jan 2018, starting at 2:00 pm.

“We hold this celebration each year, not only in living our faith and hope as Christians, but also to forge closer ties with those of other faiths here,” he said. – Clarence Dol

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU  – Wesley, Dolores and Caesar got to their feet and  started rocking to the beat of Jingle Bell Rock, oblivious to the stares of those around.

Wesley, Dolores and Caesar were among the 36 “special friends” brought together with their parents and guardians, supporters and benefactors, for their annual pre-Christmas celebration at the basement of Sacred Heart Parish Centre here on 16 Dec 2017.

These ‘special friends,’ as they are known, belong to the Special Ministry for People with Developmental Mental Disabilities (SMPMD), under the care of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish.

Each year, faithful to their tradition, the SMPMD, led by Peter Siburat and spiritual adviser Sister Genevieve Nicholas, organised this much-looked-forward-to event.

The highlights were receiving the gifts and savouring the Christmas food spread.

Though they suffer from disabilities such as William syndrome, down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, stroke, speech and learning disorder, these ‘special friends’ mingled freely and made brief encounters with those present.

Currently ten regular ‘advocates’ take care of them weekly, preparing them for Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  Among other activities, SMPMD organise Advocate-Children sessions, Bible sharing, and interacting with other communities.

The SMPMD needs more volunteers to respond to be ‘advocates.’   ‘Advocate’ means committing and giving oneself to ‘one-to-one’ care. – CS

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TANJUNG ARU – The 11th KK Boys Brigade Company held their Coy Colours & Flags blessing and award presentation award presentation during the Sunset Mass on 18 Nov 2017 at Stella Maris here with members in full uniform.

Msgr Primus Jouil officiated the rite of blessing before the award presentation.

The  Brigade Award presentation began with the Guard of Honour led by Capt Neil Mah. Before badges were given out, there was a short explanation on the process they have gone through in order to get the badges.

A few members have been promoted into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCOs). Being an NCO is not only a reward and privilege, it is also a responsibility given to the youth to lead others responsibly, exemplary in conduct and speech, and pure and noble motives in service.

Among them are Jenny Hii to Staff Sergeant, Cleve Ryan to Sergeant, Jordan Chin and  Mickalson Veron to Corporal;  Imelda Chin, Nicole Lara, Isaac Ryan, and Joshua Tuining to Lance Corporal.  Pte Mea Devina was awarded the best squad for 2017.

From the Junior Section, Jr Leah Vivian was chosen to be the overall Junior squad leader, assisted by Jr Ryan Summers. For Squad Junior, leaders are Jr Vianny Hii, Jr Moira Tuining, Jr Cosmas and Jr Corinthians. – Jeremy Chin

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu