Author Archives: Ken Wong

PENAMPANG – St Paul Dontozidon here launched a Christmas musical album and pledge card in aid of the Nagasiba church building fund on 24 Nov 2017.

Archbishop John Wong launched the CD entitled Monohuod Kumaa Toinsanan (Give Back to Everyone) at the Ocean Treasure Restaurant Penampang.

Five hundred pieces were produced by AGRE Records with musical arrangement by Sri Kolopis Music.  Another 500 will be produced at a later date.

The album features 15 songs sung by St Paul Dontozidon Choir and soloists including Franciscan Sister Dora Obod.

Over 300 people including Fr Max Hontor attended the launching organised by the St Paul Nagasiba Fundraising Committee headed by Carfester J Mokujin.

The CD is available at RM25 at the Dontozidon parish office at 088-714359.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SIBU – The Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers Committee (MCYMC) met in September 2017 at the Sibu Diocese Pastoral Centre.

After their meeting, they presented the following to the young Catholics of Malaysia:

1. All campus students and young working adults migrating from one (arch)diocese to another (arch)diocese are invited to “Check-in” with MCYMC via the ASAYO KL website: http://beliakl.catholicyouth.my/. This will ensure that you will receive pastoral care no matter where you go in the country. We also invite international students who are studying in Malaysia to do the same.

2. In line with the invitation of the Holy Father in preparation for the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, every young person between the ages of 15 to 39 are invited to respond to the survey via the #talk2francisMY. You are also invited to respond to the questionnaire presented by the Synod of Bishops Secretariat. Submission for your responses ends December 2017.

“Jesus looks at you and invites you to go with him. Dear young people, have you noticed this look towards you? Have you heard this voice?…  The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and your criticism.” — Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Young People on the occasion of the presentation of the preparatory document of the 15th ordinary general assembly of the synod of bishops.

3. The Biblical Commission and the Youth Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei met in a joint meeting to discuss the Bible and the young people. From the deliberations and sharings among the arch/ dioceses, there is a call to all young people to increase their usage of the Bible in their everyday life and ministries.

4. The Asian Youth Ministers met after the 7th Asian Youth Day in Jogjakarta, from 6-9 August 2017. During this meeting, Youth ministers reflected on Amoris Laetitia, where all were further invited to be more aware of what is happening in our families today whereby Christian values have slowly been forgotten and how these have affected our young people today.

5. The next Malaysian Catholic Campus Students Day will be held in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu in the year 2019. Look out for updates from your respective (Arch)Dioceses in the coming months.

6. World Youth Day 2019 Panama.  The WYD 2019 Malaysian coordinating office will be the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. However, pilgrims who are interested should contact their respective (arch)diocesan representatives/ coordinators as reflected in the poster that is currently in circulation.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

RANAU – A Bahasa Malaysia version of a book written by Sister Emmanuel Maillard of the Children of Medjugorje (COM) was launched at St Peter Claver here 0n 5 Nov 2017.

Entitled Anak-Anakku, Bantu Menangkan Hatiku, (Children, Help My Heart to Triumph), the book centres on the three seers in the Fatima Apparitions in Portugal in 1917.

The translation was done by three sisters, Shera Laura, Sarah Lounira and Sandra Leonora, under the guidance of their uncle,  Clarence G Dol.  The sisters are currently studying at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

At the launching, Father Nicholas Stephen said that after 100 years, the message of Fatima is even more relevant today.

“The message of Fatima is to pray the Rosary every day for the peace of our world and our families, as all families today are constantly threatened … by Satan’s forces …” he said.

Fr Nicholas said that in 2016 during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Sr Emmanuel came to SPCR for the second time and presented him with a book she wrote about the experiences of Lucia Santos, Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

He added that Sr Emmanuel insisted on a BM translation of the book so that Christians in Sabah could understand the message of Mary to the world through the eyes of children and adolescents.

Limited copies of the book are distributed within the church by Soccom SPCR.  Part of the proceeds will go to the SPCR Kasih Bonda Kindergarten building fund which is due for construction in January 2018.

Those who are interested to get a copy can contact Zebius at 013-8803876. – clarence g dol

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR – The inauguration of the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican chancery) at Taman U-Thant here took place on 23 Nov 2017.

Archbishop Angelo Becciu, who represented Pope Francis, said the new chancery was made possible with the support from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia and “those convinced of the importance of establishing the permanent site of the Apostolic Nunciature in Malaysia.”

“To all, I express His Holiness’ heartfelt gratitude.  This structure symbolises the friendly ties between Malaysia and the Holy See,” Abp Becciu said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who represented the Government, said the opening of the permanent site proved that Malaysia’s relations with the Holy See were improving.

In his speech, Merican said: “Malaysia has a thriving Catholic community which, along with other existing religious communities in Malaysia, is free to profess and practise its religion.  Our Prime Minister and Government have always been committed to safeguarding the welfare of every religious community in the country, including the Catholic faithful.”

He also said the Govern­ment took a positive step in setting up diplomatic relations with the Holy See, which culminated in Tan Sri Bernard Dompok being posted as Malaysia’s first resident ambassador to the Vatican in March 2016.

Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino said he hoped that excellent relations between both sides would continue to grow.

Most of the region’s arch/bishops were present including Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau, Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu, and Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei.

Also present was Ambassador of Malaysia to the Holy See Bernard Giluk Dompok.

The property was purchased on 1 Oct 2014, three years after the Holy See and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on 27 July 2011, subsequent to the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak in the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.

It is located in the Ampang area in Kuala Lumpur, the zone where other diplomatic representations are found, not far from St John’s Cathedral.

The nunciature was blessed by Abp Becciu the next day, Friday, Nov 24, during a concelebrated Mass with the local arch/bishops.

In his homily Abp Becciu said: “In our ministry as Bishops, we too experience the power of God’s grace working through our own weakness, as we strive in humility to be a rock for those whom we serve.”

He reminded the prelates that they are called to be “a visible sign of God’s rock-like presence in the universal Church and in each of your particular Churches. If there are times when we want to protest our weakness to Christ, as Peter did, we must trust in the Lord’s unshakable promise to be with us always, to strengthen us in our mission as heralds of the Gospel and as shepherds of God’s faithful people. His promise will never fail.”

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – A former aspirant returned to celebrate Mass with staff and aspirants at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre here on 23 Nov 2017.

Father Joshua Liew, who entered as an aspirant in 2007, celebrated the last Mass for 2017 for the staff working in the various commissions and offices.

After a year of aspirancy, Liew entered Initiation Year in 2008 and continued his formation at St Peter’s College Kuching in 2009.  He finished his studies and was ordained priest on 3 May 2016.  In January 2018 he replaces Father Wilfred Atin as director of the Aspirants Formation House at the CAC.

In his homily, he urged the staff and aspirants to recognise the time of the Lord’s visitation through their work or studies.

After Mass, all adjourned to the dining hall for a fellowship lunch.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – The staff and aspirants of the Kota Kinabalu Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC) here underwent a refreshing centring prayer experience on 23 Nov 2017.

Guided by La Salle Brother Peter Foo who has been teaching this since 1981, the staff learnt about this ancient form of prayer: entering into silence where God speaks and heals.

They learnt to get in touch with their subconscious which is active in the first seven years of life, when most of the inner programmes are set, and how to slowly change their bad behaviours they have observed in themselves.

The objective of this form of prayer is to ultimately let God lead them to transformation but they must make time for it, 20 minutes being the optimum time for beginners, any time any place.

Two other ways they learnt were the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) – tapping the meridian points on one’s body – and the Ho’oponopono Mantra of Dr Ihaleakala Hew Len – healing others by healing oneself through repentance (I’m sorry), forgiveness (please forgive me), gratitude (thank you), and love (I love you).

The session ended with Br Foo promising to have a follow-up session after three months.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PLENTONG:  In a circular dated 30 Oct 2017, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has decided to give dispensation from abstinence from meat and fasting on 16 Feb 2018 in view of the Lunar New Year, a decision made during its meeting in January 2017.

The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Feb 16, the Friday after Ash Wednesday (Feb 14).

Ash Wednesday ushers in the penitential season of Lent and is one of the two days when fasting (21-60 years old) and abstinence (14 yrs and above) are required.  All Fridays are days of abstinence throughout the year unless they are solemnities.

The circular was signed by Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang, currently the president of the bishops’ conference.—

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

LIMBANAK – Archbishop John Wong urged the 299 newly confirmed to go and bear fruit in being true witnesses of Christ.

The candidates were conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation by Abp Wong on 10 Oct 2017 at St Aloysius Church here.

Reminding them that they have received the most important gift in their life, he encouraged them to make good use of the gift they have received to grow deeper in their faith, and be awakened to a sense of belonging by participating actively in their respective parish or outstation community.

The church was packed to capacity to accommodate additional faithful who came especially to witness the confirmation of candidates who could not receive the sacrament due to flash floods on Sept 29 at St Michael’s Church.

The candidates came from zones encompassing Penampang, Kinarut, Limbanak, Sugud, Kolopis and Sukang-Madpai.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PAPAR – Some of the Papar and Limbahau delegates to the recent AMOS-3 conference shared on how the conference has broadened their minds on the migrant ministry.

Present at the 21-23 Sept 2017 conference in Sandakan were five delegates from Papar and six from Limbahau.

Papar has a significant population of migrant parishioners mainly from Indonesia and some from the Philippines.

William Charles Mindus spoke about the importance of eradicating negative perception towards migrants.

He lamented that because the migrants are being perceived as a threat, they are, in many instances, being alienated in pastoral activities.

“We need to soften our hearts and open the eyes of our heart to imitate Jesus Christ in His humility and mercy towards the poor and marginalised,” said Mindus.

Recalling that Mary, Joseph and Jesus were once migrants in the land of the Gentiles, and so did the early missionaries in foreign land, “we need to remind ourselves of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church on how to treat others fairly and justly, especially migrants irrespective of their racial and religious backgrounds,” he added.

Mindus also reminded lay and church leaders to foster solidarity and inclusiveness in all aspects of the Church ministries: choir, youth, warden, women’s league, BECs (KKD), etc instead of reserving the migrant brothers and sisters to serve only during Migrant Sunday or on special occasions.

Mary Jimit shared that prior to AMOS-3 she was somewhat blurred on what AMOS is all about, and even unsure of her role in the PHDC.

AMOS-3 helped her to realise God’s calling and enable her to grasp the objective and the vast scope of migrant ministry.  She opined that the conference had instilled an awareness within her to touch others through the migrant ministry, and so to begin to ‘walk the talk’ the social teaching of the Church.

She hoped to serve in the PHDC more from an understanding of it as Christ’s mission, not only in the migrant ministry, but also in other pastoral ministries as well.

Imelda Hayon reckoned that AMOS is part of her personal struggle as a Catholic serving in St Joseph Church.

She expressed her hope that the ministry members would serve in unity and share with others what they have learnt and experienced during the conference.

Sylvester Joseph commented that this conference was his second exposure, and shared that AMOS has created awareness in him in the migrant ministry, and to accept the migrant brothers and sisters as part of the church community.

He hoped that both parishes could always collaborate and contribute toward unity in migrant ministry and PHDC-related activities.

Though Limbahau parish rarely sees a high influx of migrant parishioners compared to Papar parish, he still envisioned the need to develop the migrant ministry by involving the migrant members in various pastoral activities such as rosary prayers and the BECs.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KEUSKUPAN SANDAKAN – Setiap tahun Tim Komisi Kerasulan Belia Keuskupan Sandakan akan mengadakan program ‘turun padang’ sekali dalam setahun untuk melawat,  mengadakan program dan beramah mesra dengan para belia setempat. Lawatan ini merupakan satu program kerjasama dengan Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki diseluruh Keuskupan Sandakan termasuk Misi Paitan.

Pada tahun ini, program ‘turun padang’ mempunyai misi yang penting iaitu membantu Bapa Suci Paus Fransiskus untuk mengumpul seberapa banyak suara-suara para belia menerusi pengisian borang soal selidik melalui pautan archkl.org/talk2francismy. Suara – suara belia ini akan dikumpulkan bersama dengan suara – suara belia seluruh dunia untuk dijadikan ‘kompas’ bagi Bapa Suci dan para Uskup seluruh dunia dalam Synod on Youth yang akan diadakan pada October 2018 di Roma.

Berikut merupakan perjalanan program yang telah dijalankan bermula pada 14 Oktober sehingga 12 November 2017 :

Aktiviti Ice breaking, mengajak para belia untuk beramah mesra antara sesama

Antara program – program yang ketengahkan adalah sesi Flashback 2017, Synod on Youth, Belia Merantau dan program – program peringkat Keuskupan yang akan diadakan pada tahun 2018.

Dalam sesi Flashback 2017, para belia dibawa untuk mengimbas kembali program – program keuskupan sepanjang tahun 2017. Sesi ini membantu para belia untuk mendapat maklumat bahawa ada program – program yang dianjurkan khusus bagi pemimpin belia dan belia yang berpotensi menjadi pemimpin, belia lepasan sekolah, pelajar kampus dan belia – belia yang berumur 15 tahun sehingga 45 tahun dan setiap program ini mempunyai pengisian yang boleh membantu perkembangan kerohanian dan keperibadian mereka.

Selain itu sesi Belia Merantau merupakan sesi pendedahan bagi semua belia khususnya yang akan bekerja dan belajar di luar Keuskupan Sandakan. Mereka amat digalakkan dan diingatkan untuk selalu berhubung dengan Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki masing – masing untuk mendapatkan maklumat dan mengisi borang yang terdapat di pautan beliakl.catholicyouth.my. Ini bertujuan agar para belia mengetahui bahawa Gereja sangat prihatin dan ingin supaya mereka dijaga dan sentiasa mendapat sokongan apabila mereka melanjutkan pelajaran terutama apabila berada jauh dari keluarga dan di luar Sabah.

Beberapa orang antara ahli tim Kerasulan Belia Keuskupan yang membantu untuk memberikan sesi

Sesi utama dalam program turun padang ini adalah Synod On Youth. Sebelum mengisi borang soal kaji selidik yang telah disediakan, mereka terlebih dahulu dikongsikan dengan sedikit makluman mengenai Synod of Bishopdan kenapa Synod on Youth. Synod on Youth yang bertemakan Orang Muda, Iman dan Penghayatan Panggilan merupakan satu ungkapan penjagaan pastoral Gereja untuk orang muda. Tujuannya adalah untuk menemani orang muda dalam perjalanan menuju kematangan melalui proses DISCERNMENT. Agar mereka dapat menemui perancangan untuk kehidupan mereka dan menyedarinya dengan penuh sukacita serta terbuka untuk bertemu dengan Tuhan dan peribadi, serta penyertaan aktif dalam memperbaharui Gereja dan masyarakat. Maka itulah suara – suara belia di seluruh dunia diperlukan agar boleh di bawa ke Sinod Para Uskup, untuk berbincang dan merenung penjagaan pastoral yang terbaik untuk belia di zaman ini.

Pengisian borang kaji selidik secara online dan secara bertulis

Diakhir program, para belia disajikan dengan program – program peringkat Keuskupan yang akan diadakan pada tahun 2018. Antaranya adalah Youth Leader’s Camp (YLC) 6, YouthPrepLink (YPL) 8, Catholic Campus Students’ Gathering (CCSG) dan Temasya Belia Katolik Keuskupan Sandakan yang pertama.

Pihak Komisi Kerasulan Belia Keuskupan ingin mengambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Rev. Fr. Sunny Chung, Sr. Lilian Unsoh, fsic dan semua ahli Tim Komisi Kerasulan Belia Keuskupan, Tim Kerasulan Belia Paroki dan Tim Kerasulan Belia Katolik kerana sokongan mereka dalam program ini.

Bersama para belia Paroki Beluran  – Our Lady Of Fatima

Program tim DYA ‘turun padang’ diselit dalam program SPYCAMP, St Paul, Ulu Dusun – Paroki Beluran –

Bersama para belia Paroki Sandakan – Katedral St. Mary

Bersama para belia Paroki Sandakan – St. Mark dan St Peter

Bersama para belia St. Francis Of Assisi, Kampung Sukang, Misi Paitan

Program Tim DYA ‘turun padang’ telah dijadikan sebagai Program Youth Monthly Gathering (YMG) di Paroki Tawau dan merupakan penganjuran siri ke 51. Tahniah!

Bersama para belia Paroki Lahad Datu – St Nicholas Tampenau, Our Lady of Pillar Silam dan St Dominic, Lahad Datu

Bersama para belia Paroki St. Martin, Telupid

Article reproduced from Dicocese of Sandakan