Author Archives: Ken Wong

TAWAU – Fourteen children from the English and Bahasa Malaysia Children Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) of Holy Trinity Church here, accompanied by their facilitators, went to St Jude Semporna on 11 March 2018 for their 4th annual Lenten Visit.

Franciscan Sister Mary Martha Jonik, the spiritual adviser, was pleased  to accompany the group as a sign of support and encouragement.

Michael, the PPC chairman of St Jude together with Maria, the Sunday School animator, with 50 other members, comprising teachers, children and youth, were on hand to warmly welcome the team from Holy Trinity.

After the opening prayer by Sr Martha, the two groups introduced themselves.  The sister then gave a session on the meaning and observance of Lent.

This was followed by a time of singing and games.

The visitors then distributed some goody bags to the St Jude children while St Jude prepared some refreshments.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PHOENIX, Ariz – An upcoming online workshop hosted by the Catholic women’s ministry Blessed Is She will be discussing the topic of infertility and miscarriage.

The workshop, “Love and Longing: A Conversation on Infertility and Miscarriage,” will be led by Katie Waldow, a wife, youth minister, and blogger, and Molly Walter, a Catholic convert, wife, and mother.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, over 12 percent of US women ages 15-44 struggle with infertility and more than 7 million of the same age group have sought infertility services.

Additionally, around 15-20 percent of all pregnancies within the US end in a miscarriage, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

The upcoming class on miscarriage and infertility is free for Blessed Is She members and $15.00 for non-members. It will take place the evening of 5 April 2018.

Blessed Is She is a Catholic ministry founded by Jenna Guizar in the Diocese of Phoenix and which has been endorsed by Bishop Thomas Olmsted. The ministry is focused on building community for women while also “deepening a life of prayer starting with daily Scripture devotionals and supportive sisterhood,” according to their mission statement.

Blessed Is She also offers daily devotionals, merchandise, a blog, and various workshops, resources and retreats. – CNA/EWTN News, 2 Apr 2018

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TAWAU – The Family Life Ministry of Holy Trinity Parish here held a one-day seminar for eight young couples on 17 Mar 2018 at the church basement room.

The couples have been married from five to seven years.

The course based on Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love) was conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

The seminar aimed to make couples more aware of the current challenges affecting family life and to strengthen their marriage bond so that they can manage their marriage with courage and confidence.

The inputs were divided into awareness and formation sessions.

The awareness session touched on family and current issues affecting the family: internet, individualism, and communication (AL chapter 2) while the formation session dealt with parenting, children’s education, love and forgiveness (AL chapter 4), and marriage spirituality (chapter 9)

The awareness session was jointly facilitated by Francis Clement and Petrus Bernadus. Both sessions began with group discussion / sharing on their real challenges experienced during their marriage.

Some pointers touched on addiction, misunderstanding, isolation, suspicion, hidden relationship, health issues, communication, poor parenting and safety.

Part 2 of the Awareness Session was presented by Petrus Bernadus on the culture of individualism.

Marriage is built from two people and not as an individual. The presence of their children will make the home more alive and meaningful.

Pointers gathered from real life experiences caused by individualism in the family include the hardening of hearts, detachment, stress and hurt, dominance, pride, insecurity and poor communication.

The Formation Sessions were handled by Franciscan Sister Julita Joseph (marriage spirituality), Mario Domingo (love and forgiveness in marriage), and Julita Kantod (parenting).

The following were the gist of the sessions;

• love in the marriage conquers every imperfection that may arise in the family
• Christ-centred family will not be easily shaken by the outside world when it is strengthened by the power of Christ’s light
• parenting is an opportunity to raise up God’s children according to God’s plan and that is to help the children encounter Christ.

In winding up the seminar, Kantod, chairperson of the Family Life Ministry, encouraged the participants to learn and observe how other senior couples live their married life, not to be ashamed to seek for advice, guidance or support from them in order to sustain their marriages.

The Seminar ended with a prayer for the family.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Happy Easter!

Whenever we say this greeting to someone or a group of people, are we really convinced that Jesus is alive, present and with us?

Easter is not merely a recollection of what Jesus had gone through — his suffering, death and resurrection — it is an opportunity for us to renew and affirm our confidence in God’s constant love which has saved us from the power of sin.

For the Apostles and the disciples of Jesus who met Him after His resurrection from death, the experience of joy rejuvenated their lives. Before the resurrection, they were afraid but the encounter with the Risen Jesus made them joyful and they fearlessly spoke about Jesus everywhere and in whatever the situation. It was because of their confidence and faith in the risen Jesus that the apostles and disciples could live a life marked by love, community, and witnessing (Acts.2: 42-47; 4: 32-36).

As disciples and followers of Jesus in the present time, how can we live a lifestyle that reflects love (John 13:35), community and witnessing? In my reflection on the celebration of Easter, I remember Jesus’ Prayer to God the Father at the Last Supper. Jesus prayed for three important areas of life for His followers and disciples before He left them. I believe that this is Jesus’ desire for us which we need to use as our guide in our daily lives.

The first thing Jesus prayed for was the unity between us, which is like his union with the Father so that the world would believe that He is the messenger of the Father (John 17: 11,21,23). But the spirit of unity will not be upon us if we do not have a personal union with Jesus. The willingness and desire to unite can only grow from our union with Jesus (John 15: 4-5). He is the only source of our unity and faithfulness in our families and communities.

The second thing Jesus prayed for was that His disciples be protected from evil (John 17:15). We are fully aware that in our desire to follow and live faithfully to Jesus and His words we are constantly experiencing temporal and misleading pleasures such as taking drugs, watching pornographic images and drinking alcohol excessively. There are times when we fall into the devil’s trap. It is not enough that we are baptised, ordained to the Priesthood, living a vow in marriage or religious life. We need to build a consistent relationship with Jesus, our source of strength and wisdom. We need to be on constant guard, so that we do not become a victim of sin and be deceived by the evil one, (John 8:44).

The third thing Jesus prayed for us was that we should live in holiness by His word (Jn.17: 17). We will live in holiness if we believe and are faithful to Jesus, the Word of God who becomes human and lives among us (John 1:14).

The important thing in our daily journey of faith is our unity with the Risen Jesus. We need to learn from the experiences of the two followers of Jesus who, on their journey to Emmaus, learnt to know and experience the Risen Jesus through the Word of God, the breaking of the bread and the Community life (Luke 24: 13-36). Let us use these channels to get to know, love and serve the Risen Jesus in our daily lives.

May we continue to be enlightened by the presence and wisdom of the Risen Jesus, so that we live in unity, faithfulness and holiness. The lifestyle which Jesus prayed for us is paramount, so that the world would believe that Jesus is the saviour, the messenger of God the Father (John 17:21).

Happy Easter!

+ Rt Rev Datuk Cornelius Piong 
Bishop of Keningau

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

In his Easter message, Archbishop Julian Leow writes on the power of Easter — the Risen Lord — who grants us the graces to experience faith, hope and love. He urges us to be an Easter people, bringing renewal and transformation to all we meet.

See below for full text of his message

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, “We are an Easter people and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!” The great St Augustine of Hippo wrote these words more than 1700 years ago and these words have resonated to people through the ages down to our own time and remains as relevant today as ever.

Being an Easter people means that resurrection is part of our life experience. Easter is about life, new life, about Jesus risen from the dead, giving us hope when things feel hopeless, courage when we want to run away, confidence when we are vulnerable and strength in the face of adversity. Easter calls us to look for life among the living with grateful and joyful hearts. Easter calls us to move beyond the tomb and to share the good news of the Resurrection with one another. Easter calls us to courageously follow Jesus Christ, the risen one, and to boldly proclaim that out of darkness and suffering comes new life.

The power of Easter is the power of the Risen Lord, who grants us the graces to know and experience faith, hope, love, forgiveness, unity, peace, glory, and ultimately God Himself. The Resurrection of Jesus is the very foundation of our faith and it is like a lighthouse, beaming forth the light of hope. Hope is one of the three pivotal virtues we live by — faith, hope and love. Faith is what enables us to believe in our God; Love is the bond which keeps us close to God, but it is Hope that helps us to keep believing and keep loving when darkness descends or the cross becomes too heavy.

Whatever the circumstances — there is unfathomable hope. There is hope for those on the peripheries of society; hope for governments and leaders; hope for the Church; hope for you and for me striving to lead a holy life (cf. Jeremiah 29.11). The message of Easter is equally relevant to us as a nation. It should give us the assurance that we are able to overcome the adversities that we face in our country. As a nation, we must and can eradicate poverty. We must and can put an end to the destruction of our environment. The message of Easter must encourage us to put an end to all moral ills; it is time to turn our backs on dishonesty, bribery and corruption, violence and vengeance.

The message of Easter must help us to turn our efforts to healing the wounds of division, reconciling broken families and reuniting communities.

This year, Easter comes in the midst of the general election campaign where many politicians, old and new, are encouraging us to trust them. Easter, politics and trust — can they go together? Yes! Because the Resurrection of Jesus, amazing as it seems to be, is about our human transformation that leads us to the fullness of life in God. It is about healing that which is wounded; it is about forgiving that which is wrong; it is about upholding justice and uplifting the oppressed and downtrodden and above all, it is about trusting that there is a better way for us to live together as Malaysians.

The resurrection of Jesus is God’s response to polarity, divisiveness, racial and religious enmity. As the Easter people of today, let us continue to trust the message that changes lives. Let us work for understanding, dialogue and mutual respect between people of different faiths and in our own communities. Let us pray for our nation and for our politicians that they would be guided towards working for a fair, just and harmonious society in which the gifts and contributions of all people can flourish, and the tares of alienation and extremism find no soil in which to take root.

May we all be renewed and transformed this Easter. May we in turn renew and transform others. May we bring light in the darkness and hope where there is none. May we be the Easter people and proclaim that ‘Alleluia is our song’.

May you — in your families, in your religious communities, in parishes and throughout the archdiocese, find joy and peace this Easter. May the joy and light of the Risen Christ fill your lives and families with many spiritual blessings and graces. Blessed Easter.

Yours affectionately,

+ Most Rev Julian Leow Beng Kim, D.D. 
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KOTA KINABALU – The Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese received with joy over a thousand new members this Easter either at the Easter Vigil, 31 March 2018 and on Easter Sunday morning, Apr 1.

With few exceptions, the elect in the different parishes received the preparatory rites on Holy Saturday morning Mar 31.  Some received the sacraments at the Easter Vigil while others received theirs on Easter Sunday.

The children were given anointing after baptism while the adults received Confirmation and Holy Communion.

Among the neophytes were some who were accepted into full communion with the Catholic Church.

During the Easter Vigil at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing, Archbishop John Wong led the congregation to welcome the 59 neophytes into the parish community.  Concelebrating with him were Abp Emeritus John Lee and Father Simon Lim of Singapore.

The Vigil comprised four parts (1) Service of the Light – the people gathered at the parish centre foyer for the blessing of new fire, the lighting of the new paschal candle and the procession with lighted candles (from the paschal candle) into the darkened cathedral.  When all had entered the church, the Exsultet was partly sung and partly proclaimed by Deacon Russell Lawrine.

(2)  Liturgy of the Word.  Three Old Testament readings were proclaimed before the Gloria was sung followed by a New Testament reading and the Gospel according to Mark.

(3) Baptismal Liturgy which began after the homily.  Baptism was administered either by immersion or infusion by the deacon.  While waiting for the neophytes to return from changing into their baptismal garments, the faithful renewed the promise of baptismal faith together with those who entered into full communion with the church.  The children were anointed with chrism while the adults were conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation by Abp Wong and Abp Emeritus John Lee.

(4) Liturgy of the Eucharist.  The bread and wine together with other gifts were brought forward by the newly baptised.  At Communion time, the newly baptised received Holy Communion under both kinds.

The next day at the 7 am Chinese Mass, Abp Wong had no assistant so he had to baptise the 39 elect himself while at the 10:45 am BM Mass there were around 84 elect, some of whom he baptised (men) and the others by Deacon Russell.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – As in previous years, thousands turned up in churches to observe the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, 30 March 2018.  All churches across the archdiocese as well as the world over had the service at 3:00 pm and some had the service at a later time, according to pastoral need.  A collection was made for the upkeep of the Holy Land.

Good Friday is the second of the Easter Triduum. The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery.  The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The celebration of the Lord’s Passion consists of three parts, namely, the Liturgy of the Word, the veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

In this celebration of the passion and death of the Lord, the faithful listen to the words of scripture and strive to understand the true meaning of his sufferings and the mind that was in him.  Then they pray with his spirit for the needs of the whole world.  They worship the cross as a symbol of his triumph.  Then they enter into sacramental communion (the hosts are consecrated on Holy Thursday) with him who is their Saviour and Life.

According to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the liturgy applies to Jesus’ descent into the night of death the words of Psalm 23/24: “Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, O ancient doors!”  The gates of death are closed, no one can return from there.  There is no key for those iron doors.  But Christ has the key.  His cross opens wide the gates of death, the stern doors.  They are barred no longer.  His cross, his radical love, is the key that opens them.  The love of the One who, though God, became man in order to die, this love has the power to open those doors.  This love is stronger than death.

Many parishes also had the concluding Way of the Cross in the morning, though some had it integrated with a Passion Play performance.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Over a thousand Elect receive the preparation rites on Holy Saturday, 31 Mar 2018, before their baptism at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday in Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese.

At the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing, over 200 Elect – adults and children – received the ephphetha rite (opening of the ears and mouth) in order that they may hear the word of God and profess it for their salvation.

The elect then returned or recited the Creed: it prepared the elect for the profession of faith they will make immediately before they are baptised.  It also instructed them in their duty to proclaim the message of the Gospel.

The anointing with the oil of catechumens below the throat symbolises the elect’s need for God’s help and strength so that, undeterred by the bonds of the past and overcoming the opposition of the devil, they will forthrightly take the step of professing their faith and will hold fast to it unfalteringly throughout their lives.

The oil used for this rite was blessed by the archbishop at the Chrism Mass on Mar 22.

The elect were reminded to continue their fast until they have received the sacraments at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass.

Before the dismissal, Archbishop John Wong encouraged the elect to attend the postbaptismal catechesis (mystagogy), especially the Walk to Emmaus programme on May 12-14, and to join one or two of the many groups and communities for ongoing faith formation and growth.

After the dismissal, the English-speaking and Chinese-speaking elect went to the cathedral for a rehearsal for the night ceremony while the BM-speaking had their rehearsal on Mar 25.

The ministers for the rites were Abp John Wong (English, chapel), Father Max Hontor (BM, cathedral, elect included those under St Paul Dontozidon), and Father Paul Lo (Mandarin, parish centre).

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – In his Easter message released in March 2018, Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau focuses on the three things Jesus desired for his disciples.

These three things – unity, protection from evil, holiness – are recorded in the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John’s Gospel.

The first is that the disciples may be one: that they may be one, even as we are one (Jn 17:11); that they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me (17:21); that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (17:23).

The bishop says that the church will not be one and united if the faithful do not prioritise and work on being one with Jesus.  The motivation and desire for unity in family and community can only come from being one with Jesus (Jn 15:4-5) because He alone is the source of unity and faithfulness.

The second thing the bishop highlighted is the prayer for protection from the evil one (Jn 17:15).  This is because of the human tendency to fall into temptation, the lure of the evil one.

“It is not enough to be baptised, to be ordained as priest, to pronounce the vow of fidelity in marriage and in consecrated life,” the bishop said.

He added, there is a need to consistently build up a close relationship with Jesus , to be vigilant so as not be a victim of the devil’s lies (Jn 8:44).

The third is an appeal to live in holiness through the Word (Jn 17:17).

“We, too, will live in holiness if we believe and remain faithful to Jesus who is the Word made flesh and live among us” (Jn 1:14).

The bishop ended his message with the following appeal:

May we continue to be permeated with the presence and wisdom of Jesus who is risen so that we can live in oneness, faithfulness and holiness.  The lifestyle that Jesus is praying for us is important, so that the world may believe that Jesus is the Saviour sent by God the Father (Jn 17:21).

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart English youth group led by Aline Lim reenacted the Passion Play during the combined Way of the Cross on the grounds of Sacred Heart Cathedral here on Good Friday, 30 Mar 2018.

Eleven members took part in the play directed by Aline Lim with Walter Lajanty as Jesus and
Kimberley Tamayo as Mary.

The parish youth groups (English, Chinese, and BM) take turns to organise the Passion Play annually.  Last year’s play was staged by the BM youth group Efata.

Archbishop John Wong led the opening prayer of the devotion while the 14 stations were read consecutively in English (Deacon Russell Lawrine), BM (Richard Angkis), and Chinese (Catherine Wan) in the presence of around 1000 faithful.

Abp Wong also led the 15th station (Resurrection) before the final prayers for the pope’s intentions and imparting his blessing.

In his closing remarks, the prelate reminded those present to come early for the Good Friday service either at 3 pm (English) or 6 pm (BM).

Meanwhile, the BM Catechetical groups – RCIA, Confirmation, First Communicants – took the opportunity to recollect themselves after the Way of the Cross at the parish centre.  The recollection ended with the viewing of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

On the same day, devotees of the Divine Mercy began their novena to prepare for the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration on Apr 8.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu