Author Archives: Ken Wong

KKIP, Telipok – The Chinese-speaking senior parishioners of Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) Karaminsing visited the newly blessed Church of the Divine Mercy here on 22 Oct 2017.

After the 7 am Chinese Mass at SHC, almost 90 senior parishioners gathered at the right wing of the parish centre for a quick breakfast before boarding three chartered buses for their trip to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) church.

The church was officially blessed and opened the day before (Oct 21) by Archbishop John Wong.

Led by Charlie and Catherine Chia of the Chinese unit of the SH Pastoral Care of the Aged Ministry, the group prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet before the huge mural of the Divine Mercy Image painted on the sanctuary wall.

A collection was made for the upkeep of the church and given to David Andrew of the catechetical ministry there. He briefed the visitors on the history of the church.

Later, the group left for their annual lunch (with games) at Wong Kok Restaurant Penampang.

The outing is part of the yearly activities organised by the pastoral care unit.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TELIPOK – The Catholic Church of the Divine Mercy, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) here was finally blessed and opened for public use after almost two years on 21 Oct 2017.

Archbishop John Wong officiated the rite of blessing in the presence of almost 1000 people including Archbishop Emeritus John Lee, present pastors Fathers David Sham, Mitchelly Kiun and Mattheus Luta, and past pastors Fathers Aloysius Fidelis, Ambrose Atang, Edward Raymond, Michael Modoit and Rayner Bisius.

The rite of opening was marked by ribbon-cutting before opening the sliding church door and unveiling the commemorative plaque at the church entrance by Abp Wong.

The prelate blessed the water before using it to sprinkle on the people present and the building including the chapel behind the church.  Mass then continued as usual.

After the Mass, speeches were given by Albert Lim, Telipok Parish Pastoral Council chairman; Fr Sham and Abp Wong.

In his speech, Fr Sham thanked all those involved in realising the project including Abp Emeritus Lee who mandated him to carry out the building project and the many donors in cash and kind including the state government and KKIP.

On his part, Abp Wong reminded the faithful of the task given to them to bring God’s mercy to all those around them as members of the pastoral community there.

After all the speeches, all adjourned outside for the reception and cake-cutting under makeshift tents and under intermittent showers.

Prior to its current name, the chapel was known as Our Lady of Fatima Chapel.  It was in the path of the KKIP Development Programme, a state government project that has been designated as the nucleus of growth for the state in 1994.  Occupying an area of 8,320 acres, the park falls within the Knowledge Corridor of Sabah, where the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and other training and research institutions are located.

KKIP offered to land swap (similar 3-acre land) with KK Archdiocese which was accepted. Abp Lee officiated the groundbreaking ceremony on 5 May 2012 and the church was renamed Catholic Church of the Divine Mercy KKIP.  Construction work began on 12 Dec 2012.

The final agreement with KKIP was signed on 1 Aug 2014.  The first Mass was celebrated on 25 Dec 2015.  However, the Occupation Certificate was only given on 12 May 2017 by KK City Hall.

The church is only the first phase of the building project that includes a presbytery, catechetical centre with a kindergarten (scheduled to begin in 2018), and a church hall.  Its landmark is the 25 ft tall statue of the Divine Mercy at the entrance to the church compound.

Sunday service (Liturgy of the Word with Communion Service) is at 8:00 am and if there is Mass, between 10 am and 2 pm (depends on the availability of the priest as all the three priests have to administer to the three main churches of St Catherine Inanam, Good Shepherd Manggatal, and Holy Family Telipok and their numerous outstation chapels).

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

MELAKA – The Malaysian Catechetical Commission (MCC) released the theme for next year’s Catechetical Sunday at its meeting held on 9-13 Oct 2017 at the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary here.

Nineteen delegates from the different arch/dioceses/vicariate in the Malaysia-Singapore- Brunei Region attended the meeting chaired by Jesuit Father Alvin Ho of Kuala Lumpur.  In attendance was Bishop Cornelius Piong, episcopal president of the commission.

The meeting began with Mass on Oct 9, presided by Father Simon Yong SJ from the Diocese of Melaka- Johor and the meeting closed with a Mass presided by Bp Piong on Oct 13.

In his homily, the prelate encouraged all MCC members to move forward united in God, serving with Him so that we may serve as He served and be ready to face the challenges in the catechetical ministry in line with the theme for Catechetical Sunday 2018: “Christ, our Hope.”

The meeting deliberated on many issues and concerns. One of the deliberations was to discuss on the theme for Catechetical Sunday 2018: “Christ, Our Hope” (Heb.10:23). The theme was chosen in continuation with 2017 theme, “Christ, Our Joy.” And for this year, all are urged to be more hopeful in spite of all the challenges, sacrifices and persecution encountered. The reflection for this theme will be prepared by Father Michael Sia of Miri Diocese.

Other deliberations pertained to the outcome of the Malaysian Catechetical Series survey carried out within the year, the needs of the MCS, the formation of catechists at diocesan and national levels, the catechetical weekend camps, and the syllabus for RCIA process.

The last item on the agenda dealt with reports from the arch/diocesan catechetical commissions.

In his closing remarks, the chairman thanked everyone for their active participation at the meeting.

Sibu Diocese will host the next meeting on 27-31 Aug 2018. – sr dariah ajap fsic

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

In a recent exclusive interview with Catholic Sabah, Fedelis Motiung, the older brother of the late Father Fundes Motiung, shares about his brother’s priestly vision. At the interview, he was accompanied by daughters Michelle and Christie, who had been the constant companions to their uncle during this important part of his life’s journey.

“I will work for Christ until I drop!” said Fundes. Words spoken by him remain vivid in my memory.

That’s exactly what he was – the priestly servant of God. During his sabbatical leave from August 2017 onwards, he still offered himself to serve God, serve the bishop, and serve the people whenever his strength permitted him.

The changes in his appearance as a result of his cancer treatment could be a good reason for him to turn into a recluse, but not Fundes. His disfigured face did not bother him or how it affected others. “What is far more important is what is inside,” said Fr Fundes.

He constantly hammered home to anyone who would listen, the three virtues of faith, love, and charity which he strove to live by and passed them on.

Faith – During the critical periods of his relapses as his illness turned from acute to chronic, he knew that hundreds of people were praying for his healing.

He consistently repeated that he did not want people to pray for his healing, but to pray for his faith, “Your faith will heal you!” he insisted.

He was open to visions…during his first ICU treatment, he saw Jesus beside him, at the foot of his bed, and finally Jesus walking toward him and covering him with His own body, saying “Your suffering is my suffering.”

As soon as he was discharged, Fundes filled with faith continued with his mission to the lost, the lapsed, and in particular to families and youths. There was no idle time. In between his medical appointments and medications, he rode through his pain and moved relentlessly on.

His mission to families led him to minister to his own family members as he gathered them constantly to instill good family relationship and values. For the parish, he was constantly gathering small groups of families to bring awareness and good stewardship of families. He worked hard to bring back the rejects, the broken and lapsed members of the families.

During his second critical ICU treatment, he had another vision of Jesus showing him ‘heaven and hell.’ Heaven is the most beautiful and serene place that you would want to be, while hell is a dark and cold unwelcoming place.

After this vision, Fundes repeated with a troubled sense of urgency to family members and all who visited him: “Don’t go to hell, go to heaven! All can go to heaven. The only thing to stop us is our sins. All that we need to do is to go to Confession regularly and repent, and say the Our Father and the Rosary regularly. It is that easy to go to Heaven. Why would we want to go to Hell?”

Love – It is Love that drove him to reach out to the rejects, the broken and the lapsed.

Some have shared with me at the funeral that it is because of Fr Fundes, that they have come back to church.

Charity – He had given away his priestly allowance to those in need. At St Michael, he had formed a Charity for those in need. He firmly believed in God’s promise: “The more you give, the more you receive.”

However, at the end of an intense eleven months, Fundes had to acknowledge that he could not fulfill his priestly duties anymore, that he had planted some seeds, and what would be next would be up to others after him. “I am ready to go…I am tired,” he acknowledged.

His final message to his beloved family members, friends and parishioners is 1) to be strong in their love and in their service for Jesus, God, and Church; 2) not to go back to where they were before; and 3) to move forward, for Jesus has promised that He will always be with us.

Aptly chosen by him, Fundes has left us words of comfort through the song entitled ‘Don’t cry for me’ by Libby Allen:

No need to fear
God spoke to me…my time has come
He made a way to bring me home
Don’t cry for me
My pain is gone forever
Don’t cry for me
My body’s been made whole
Don’t cry for me
We’ll soon be back together
Don’t cry for me
I’m well within my soul……
My soul lives on…to a better place
With all his glory, with all his grace

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TANJUNG ARU – One hundred and forty people attended a talk on the family by Redemptorist priest Fr Patrick Massang on 9 Sept 2017 at the Stella Maris parish hall here.

The attendees came from Sacred Heart Cathedral KK,  St Simon Likas, St Thomas Kepayan, Stella Maris Tg Aru, and Holy Family Terawi.

A nursery for young children was organised so that the parents could focus on the sessions based on the theme Legacy of the Holy Family.

Fr Massang covered topics related to the archdiocesan pastoral thrust of “Go Inward, Go Smaller, Go Outward” as a way to tackle the challenges generally faced by the parishes in the archdiocese.

Fr Massang spoke about himself, the “Go Inward” to know his talents particularly on art and music, and how they had helped him to recognise God’s call to the priestly vocation.

He then spoke about “Go Smaller” related to stories from “small beginnings,” about his own family and his own experiences as a son, a brother and a servant of God, and how he journeyed through life being supported by a loving mother. He was the 13th in a brood of 15 brothers and sisters.

“Go Outward” relates to how all these events and experiences are connected to his passion of being called by God to serve as His priest, and how God used him to reach out to people through his skills and talents.

He advised parents to be anchors for their children, while at the same time to know when to let go. He also cautioned that what they wish for their children may not be what the children aspire for their own lives. He encouraged parents to recognise the talents of their children, and to develop these talents by helping and walking them through the journey of growing up.

Fr Massang also emphasised family values such as remembering birthdays, Mothers’ day, learning to appreciate, expressions of love, praying together, making family prayers  a priority in the family agenda.

In just six hours, Fr Massang managed to cover topics on bullying, youths being the foundation of a parish, being Christ-centred parishioners, and how to pray communally and personally.

Since 2016, Stella Maris Parish has organised faith formation talks, beginning with the Women Faith Formation, and followed by one for men. – Teresa Alberto

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

INANAM – Divine Mercy Church KKIP which will be officially blessed and open by Archbishop John Wong on 21 Oct 2017 will operate its own tadika (kindergarten) next year.

A total of 60 students have enrolled so far for this new tadika. This was disclosed by Father David Sham, pastor of St Catherine Inanam.

Fr Sham informed the parishioners that there are altogether six tadikas in operation early this year. Out of the six, two come directly under the care of St Catherine Church, while three are under the sub-parish of Good Shepherd Manggatal and one under Holy Family Telipok.

At the fundraising dinner in aid of these tadikas on 3 Sept 2017 at the Port View Palace, Dewan Hakka Likas, Fr Sham said that out of the six tadikas, only Tadika Sinar Sukacita of St Catherine Church is self-financing with 117 students and five management staff.

The other tadikas can hardly pay for the teachers’ remunerations due to insufficient students. The plight of running the tadika runs deeper as many of the parents are unable to pay for their children’s school fees in full, which necessitates public support for these tadikas.

Fr Sham then urged the parents to give full support to the Catholic Mission Tadika as their children are the future of the church.

Over 1000 people attended the dinner including Abp Wong, priests, religious, and well-wishers from several companies and other individuals. – Michael Guntili

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

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