Author Archives: Ken Wong

PAPAR – Parishioners commemorated 54^th Malaysia Day with Holy Mass and flag-hoisting ceremony on 16 Sept 2017 at St Joseph’s Church here.

In his homily, Father Rayner Bisius read the National Day message from the Christian Federation of Malaysian (CFM) dated  28 Aug 2017 urging Malaysians to rise above petty self-interests.

This message is relevant to the current situation wherein both Papar and Limbahau Parishes are embarking on a critical pastoral programme Keluarga, KKD dan Gereja Ku (KKG) as a measure of tackling one of the three pastoral issues highlighted at the 2015 PAX Assembly.

Without a doubt one of the more serious threats is apathy. Fr Bisius said that no matter how many spiritual engagements, concerts, seminars, youth camps or countless retreats one has attended, all these would be meaningless if one does not pick up and carry one’s cross and use these spiritual activities to help others who are in need.

After Mass, all proceed to a simple flag hoisting ceremony outside accompanied by the SMK St Joseph Brass Band where everyone sang the National and Sabah State Anthems. – William Charles Mindus (SOCCOM Papar-Limbahau)

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR – Merdeka, merdeka, merdeka, merdeka, merdeka, merdeka, merdeka! Tunku Abdul Rahman shouted in joy and triumph on 31 August 1957.  Now, 60 years have passed and the people are still filled with the same spirit of merdeka joy and jubilation in celebrating the birth of  Malaya.

This year, the nation celebrated merdeka in a very unique way by calling religious leaders of all faiths to play an active role at Dataran Merdeka. A contingent of all faiths, comprising some 100 members was formed. Special thanks to the Unity Department of the PM’s office under the leadership of Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, the minister of unity and national integration.

After practices at different locations and at the Dataran, the march past finally took place on Merdeka morning.

In this contingent, there were representatives from the Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Taoist and Bahai faiths.

There were two Catholic priests, three nuns, a pastor, lay Catholics and a few youths in the Christian group. Thanks to the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) for coordinating the Christian group for the march. The atmosphere was very conducive for everyone to interact and promote peace and harmony.

Pastor Juining of the Anglican Church had this to say, “This historical march has enabled all of us to build bridges and be agents of peace and harmony.”

Ms Chong Hui Jun, Buddhist youth, expressed deep love and reverence in working and walking together with people of all faiths here.

“We are all now flowers of one garden,” said Mrs Mariamah from the Hindu group.

Overall, this year’s Merdeka celebrations, especially the march past and the presence of church leaders like Archbishop Julian Leow, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam and hundreds of Christians with their pastors, was truly a remarkable experience for all to go on building the nation through dialogue and bridge building in daily life.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

(Sesi pendaftaran Unite Camp 4.0)

”Kerana Allah Yang Mahakuasa melakukan hal-hal besar padaku. Sucilah Nama-Nya.”(Lukas 1:49), telah menjadi tema bagi program Unite Camp 4.0 kali ini yang berlangsung di paroki Katedral St. Mary Sandakan pada 31.8.2017-3.9.2017. Unite Camp kali ini lebih membawa semua peserta untuk lebih mengenali Bonda Maria. Seramai 95 peserta tidak  termasuk tim pelaksana yang telah  melibatkan diri dalam  program Unite Camp siri Ke-4 ini. Peserta-peserta kali ini datang dari setiap gereja dan paroki seperti Katedral St. Mary Sandakan, St. Mark Sandakan, St Martin Telupid, Our Lady Of Fatima Beluran, St Immanuel, Jaya Bakti, St Joseph, Nangoh, St Paul, Ulu Dusun, St Petrus, Sandakan, St Dominic, Lahad Datu, Holy Trinity, Tawau dan St Stephen, Tass Tawau.

(Pengacara pada hari pertama: Anna Teresa Peter Amandus)

( Penerangan mengenai Unite Camp 4.0 yang disampaikan oleh Saudari Anna Teresa & ice breaking bersama peserta unite camp 4.0)

 

(Gimik Pembukaan Unite Camp 4.0 dengan melepaskan belon berbentuk rosary ke udara)

(Doa pembukaan oleh Rev Fr Sunny Chung)

 

(Sedikit penerangan mengenai gimik pembukaan Unite camp 4.0 yang disampaikan oleh Sr.Lilian Unsoh, fcic kepada semua peserta)

(Sepanjang Gimik Pembukaan Unite Camp 4.0)

(Perarakan masuk kedalam dewan bersama statue Mother Mary selepas acara melepaskan belon  sambil menyanyikan lagu Ave Maria )

Selepas  itu, sedikit ucapan alu-aluan oleh coordinator  unite camp kali ini iaitu Saudari Carnivalyn Arbah dan juga dari Saudara Micheal Lai bagi mewakili Saudara Pilis Malim yang tidak dapat menghadirkan diri pada waktu itu.

(Misa Pembukaan yang dirayakan oleh Rev Fr David Garaman dan Rev Fr Sunny Chung)

Dalam homili Rev Fr Sunny Chung, telah  menyeru  kepada peserta-peserta Unite Camp 4.0 kali ini agar menanamkan  sikap dalam diri iaitu sentiasa tidak berhenti bersyukur kerana masih diberikan peluang dan masa untuk melihat kembali diri sendiri apabila berada di hadapan Tuhan. Beliau juga membawa peserta agar merenung semula apa yang mereka ingin cari dalam  program kali ini. Selain itu, Rev Fr Sunny Chung  juga menyatakan  bahawa “Perayaan Misa Kudus adalah puncak kerohanian kita”, oleh itu beliau berharap agar semua peserta unite camp 4.0 haruslah bersungguh-sungguh dalam penyertaan program kali ini dan mengenal Bonda Maria dengan lebih dalam lagi serta mendapat sesuatu yang baru dari program ini.

(Sesi reflksi diri sepanjang  satu  hari unite camp berjalan dalam kumpulan masing-masing yang disampaikan oleh saudari Anna Teresa)

(Ice Breaking dan lakonan oleh tim social tentang”halangan-halangan mengikuti camp belia)

Gambar beramai-ramai dan diakhiri dengan doa malam.

 

Article reproduced from Diocese center of Sandakan

KOTA KINABALU – A birthday celebration was held in advance for two senior priests at a local restaurant here on 17 Sept 2017.

Around 90 people gathered for the dinner organised for Father Felix Chung’s 80th birthday (Sept 22) and Father Francis Tsen’s 76th birthday (Sept 20) at the Mayflower Restaurant Jalan Bundusan.

It was a simple but joyful occasion with Frank Tham and team rendering some spiritual songs as befitting the occasion.

Born in Papar in 1937, Fr Chung was ordained on 14 Dec 1969 at Stella Maris Tg Aru.  He has endeared himself to many parishioners by his availability to serve them in times of bereavement and by his generosity towards the poor in the rural areas.

Fr Tsen was born in Tuaran in 1941.  He was ordained three years earlier than Chung on 9 Jan 1966 at Sacred Heart Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).  His speciality is in Sacred Scriptures. He has been serving in Ranau since 2010.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

 

 

KOTA KINABALU – The Sacred Heart Parish Human Development Committee (SHPHDC) organised a food carnival for the migrant communities here on 17 Sept 2017.

It was in conjunction with the parish celebration of Migrant Sunday.  However, the Mass will be celebrated on Oct 1 at 10:45 am.

Taking part in the 7 am – 2 pm carnival at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Basement Carpark were members from the Filipino, Indonesian and Korean communities as well as from the Catholic Nurses Guild.

Among the activities were Bible Quiz for children and adults, messages for Archbishop Wong’s 7th episcopal anniversary (Oct 1), used clothing, handicrafts, and their national traditional food.

The day closed with a concert by the Nununkan community from 2 pm to 5 pm.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu marked the 20th anniversary of the launching of its Vision and Mission quietly over the weekend of 16-17 Sept 2017.

A 9-minute video was produced by the Archdiocesan Social Communications Commission to commemorate the event for screening at the end of the weekend Masses.

The Vision and Mission chart the pastoral direction for the Local Church. This Vision and Mission are part of the Diocesan Organisational Pastoral Plan (DOPP) which was launched by Bishop John Lee at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on 16 Sept 1997.

The Vision speaks of the ideal Church the archdiocese wants to be – a caring communion of Christ-centred communities journeying together in faith, hope and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the evangelising mission of building the Kingdom of God.

The Mission (Archdiocesan Prayer recited on Sundays) speaks of the steps that the people must take to achieve the Vision:

• an on-going personal and communal renewal;
• a life of prayer nourished by the sacraments;
• living the Word of God, guided by the teachings of the Church;
• unity in communities, respecting the values of the other faiths;
• responsible stewardship of the environment, as well as;
• promotion of justice and peace.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – The Sacred Heart Divine Mercy Apostolate celebrated 10 years of ministry at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on 16 Sept 2017.

Msgr Primus Jouil, vicar general, celebrated the thanksgiving Mass.  He gave permission to the establishment of the apostolate when he was the pastor of the cathedral ten years ago.

Over 400 devotees including those from the nearby parishes turned up for the event.

After the Mass, all adjourned to the parish centre for a fellowship programme.

A video detailing the ministry’s growth, development and outreach programmes was screened with video messages from Father Ronnie Luni of Membakut, Father Nicholas Stephen of Ranau, and Father Thomas Ambuttukuzhiyil of Kerala.

After the video show, Henry Liew, coordinator of the DM Apostolate, briefed the devotees on its growth and development, from a group of seven to around 7000 members statewide today.

Tokens of appreciation were presented to several couples and individuals who have helped in spreading the message of the Divine Mercy.

Lunch was then served followed by a short programme of entertainment.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish here celebrated 54th Malaysia Day with Mass and flag-raising ceremony on 16 Sept 2017.  Archbishop John Wong presided at the BM Mass, concelebrated with Father Max Hontor.  The Malaysian bishops’ message to “build bridges of peace, unity, and harmony between people of all races and religions” was read out in BM by Fr Hontor in lieu of the homily.  After Mass, all adjourned outside for the flag-raising ceremony.  The national flag was raised when the national anthem (Negaraku) was sung followed by the raising of the state and parish flags simultaneously when the Sabah Tanah Airku (state anthem) was sung.

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

The Triduum feast of St Augustine of Hippo was celebrated August 25-27 at the 112 year-old parish of the Chapel of St Augustine in Negeri Sembilan.

The feast culminated on August 27 with Fr Lawrence Ng CDD from Petaling Jaya presiding at the evening Mass. Fr George Harrison, parish administrator and Fr Andrew Kooi, assistant parish priest of the Church of the Visitation concelebrated. The church was packed with local parishioners who are mostly Hakka Catholics and visitors from Seremban and elsewhere.

Fr Ng proclaimed the Gospel (Matthew 16: 13-20) and preached the homily in Mandarin. “Who do you say I am?” was the question Jesus posed to His disciples. Fr Ng said that whatever the people said about Jesus is not important. What matters most is knowing Jesus personally.

We need to go deeper to know who Jesus really is to us. Fr Ng also said that the Church is not just a building, it is the people who are the Church, the Body of Christ. If a church is empty with no people in it, then there is no Church.

Fr Ng mentioned that we all must serve in the Church and not let the same people do everything. He gave an example of the lady who did the chanting of the psalms. People’s attitude is, if someone is good at something, he/she will be doing it all the time.

The chapel of St Augustine was built by Xiao Guan Jie, a devoted Catholic, in 1905. He built the chapel with a belfry which has become a landmark in this rural town of Titi. He was a visionary and an enterprising local Chinese community leader in the late 19th century. He also setup an Old Folks’ Home and a Chinese Primary School, now defunct.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online