Author Archives: Ken Wong

Christmas Mass Schedule

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The groundbreaking ceremony marking the commencement of the construction of the new Catholic Centre here took place on 13 Dec 2017.

Archbishop John Wong officiated the rite of blessing of the site, assisted by Father Cosmas Lee, the project supervisor.

After the blessing, the archbishop proceeded to do the groundbreaking by using an excavator, assisted by John Voo, the contractor for the demolition and site preparation works.

On hand to witness the ceremony were some 35 representatives from the clergy, religious, parishes, consultants, and the building and fundraising committees.

The demolition began on Nov 29 and is scheduled to be completed by 9 Jan 2018.

An open tender for the piling works has been called for and the piling will begin sometime in January 2018.

The building project is scheduled to be completed within 16 months, probably by mid-2019.

At the press conference held after the ceremony,  Fr Lee as well as Willie Wong, head of the fundraising committee, said funding for the project is from the Catholic Community organised into 21 parishes, from state and federal grants, and from generous individuals.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SANDAKAN – Members of the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community brought early Christmas joy to the less fortunate on 10 Dec 2017.

“It also helps us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ by showing our charity to people in genuine need. Though this advent action is just a small act of kindness, it adds up a great difference for vulnerable people,” said SYCC elder Philip Mosinoh.

As the members came bringing the goodies and some clothing donations to their homes,  the joy and happiness clearly shown on the children’s faces. When they were asked why they are so happy, spontaneously and joyfully they said in Malay, “Sebab Hari Krismas” (Because it is Christmas). – S Cordova, sandakan newsupdate

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Parishioners here marked the 12th priestly anniversary of Father Paul Lo at different times.

While morning Massgoers at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here organised a breakfast for him on Thursday, 7 Dec 2017, those in the Church of Mary Immaculate gave him an early lunch on Sunday, Dec 10, the actual day of his anniversary.

On both occasions, Fr Lo thanked the organisers for their kind gestures and asked them to continue to pray for him and his ministry.

Archbishop John Wong was present on both occasions to affirm the 44-year-old priest who took up his post as assistant pastor at the cathedral parish on Sept 1 this year.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Let us pray for all affected by the flood in Kota Belud and for the rain to cease. It has been raining non-stop since 11 Dec 2017.  Kota Belud is located roughly at the midpoint of the federal highway connecting Kota Kinabalu and Kudat.  The parish is St Edmund Parish under the pastoral care of Father Ambrose Atang and Father Florian Marcus.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish here organised a fun-filled faith formation camp for Chinese-speaking students aged 6-18 on 4-9 Dec 2017.

In its fourth year, the morning camp organised by the Chinese community was held at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.

The 150 participants were divided into age groups for the learning activities.

For the primary school pupils, they learnt about the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mary, the 12 Apostles and they had a field trip to the KKIP Divine Mercy Church.

For the teens, they had sessions on the different vocations in life: priesthood, religious life, single life, marriage as well as a handicraft workshop on the gift of self.  They had field trips to the Aspirants Formation House Penampang and to the Daughters of St Paul Convent Karamunsing.  They also toured the archdiocesan offices.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Ten staff members of the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre Penampang – Group 4 – carried out their Advent visit to a migrant community on 11 Dec 2017.

They visited the Indonesian migrant community at Kg Sinulihan Inanam, around 30-minute drive from the state capital.

The staff were divided into three squads: one to conduct activities for the children, and the other two to visit the families around the village, particularly the sick and the homebound.

Many of the families come from Kg Larantuka Flores and Toraja Sumatra.  Some of them found work in the factories in the vicinity.  Most of them live in rented wooden houses in the village, with rentals ranging from RM170.00 to RM200.00 per month.

The Catholics in the village are under the pastoral care of Peter Boli, a catechist serving at Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing.

The staff distributed gifts and foodstuff to the children and families and enjoyed a fellowship lunch with those present at Boli’s house.

The other three groups will make their visits in other areas on the following dates: Group 1 to visit Kg Kolopis & Kg Babagon on Dec 19; Group 2 to visit the palliative care patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital as well as the sister of Abp Emeritus John Lee in Manggatal on Dec 12; and Group 3 to visit four families in Kg Sugud Penampang  on Dec 12.

The staff have decided to make this an annual programme during the Year of Mercy in 2016.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

BUKIT PADANG – The Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) here celebrated its annual fiesta with a light spirit in spite of the inclement weather on 9 Dec 2017.

Archbishop John Wong presided at the Mandarin Mass concelebrated with Abp Emeritus John Lee.

The Mass was preceded by an entrance procession with the wardens carrying the statue of the Blessed Mother from the chapel to the main church.

Over 200 people took part in the fellowship meal at the canteen after the Mass.

Invited guests included representives from Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing, St Simon Likas, St Paul Dontozidon, Our Lady Queen of Peace Kobusak, and some religious sisters.

The Boys Brigade was on hand to entertain the diners with some carols.

Earlier, over 60 people turned up for the triduum of prayer held in preparation for the fiesta Dec 6-8 at CMI.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

LIKAS – St Simon here hosted the annual reunion of the Legion of Mary on 9 Dec 2017 at its parish hall.

The Annual General Reunion (AGR) is one of the activities decreed by the Legion in which all members come together for prayer and fellowship on a day nearest to Dec 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

The spirit of Mary is a spirit of joy. It is the spirit of the Magnificat, the Legion Anthem. How are they going to recruit new members if they are not genuinely happy and joyful? How are they going to convince people of the Good News if they go around as if they were overwhelmed with bad news? Saints are not glum and neither are apostolic men and women.

Father Cosmas Lee welcomed some 80 participants from the different praesidia in the archdiocese and encouraged them to enjoy their fellowship.

Organised by the Kota Kinabalu Comitium, the event featured prayer (rosary, catena) led by Good Shepherd Sister Teresa Chye, games, lucky draws, and dancing.

It ended with lunch for all.

The KK Chinese Curia has its own AGR at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing on Dec 10.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The Korean religious institute Societas Sancti Trinitas (Clerical Society of the Most Holy Trinity) of Mirinae South Korea has accepted three local vocations as postulants.

The trio – Chaistten James of Penampang, 28; Walter Martin of Kiulu, 28; and Jefson Richard of Sook, 20 – left for South Korea for their formation on 10 Dec 2017.

Initial formation entails a two-year postulancy and a two-year novitiate before first profession, and three years of juniorate before final profession, after which the candidates will either opt to be ordained or remain as Brothers.

The institute runs Woori Jib (Tokou Hamin=Our Home), St Francis Xavier Home Potuki for children at Kg Patikar Jalan Papar-Penampang since 2016 under  Father Leo Choi Sangki.

The home, run and financed by the Clerical Society was the brainchild of Fr Leo Choi Sangki, who saw the need to build a home for needy orphans in the state after serving the Korean community here in the last ten years or so. He is the spiritual director, project consultant and architect of Hamin Tokou Sabah projects.

The home is named after St Francis Xavier, the patron of the missions, and Father Francis Xavier Tjeong, who founded the society in 1976.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu