Author Archives: Ken Wong

SANDAKAN – Parishioners of St Mary’s Cathedral here prepared themselves for feast day celebration through a series of spiritual activities.

It began with a novena of Masses on 4-12 Aug 2017 at the cathedral including a Mass for the sick, the poor, the needy and the suffering of the parish.

The organisers were delighted with the increased average attendance of around 800 people per night, with different intentions per Mass.

Formation talks and Marian catechesis based on the theme for the 134th Parish Day: My Soul Magnifies the Lord (Lk 1:46) conducted in Chinese by seminarian Raymond Lee, BM by Father Stanley William and English by Father David Garaman.

On the ninth day, a rosary rally was held – a 12-hour rosary recitation by the parish groups, communities, and ministries.  It started five years ago.  Held outdoors along the Rosary Corridor, it was halted temporarily at 10:00 am at the peak of the Marian Mount to give way for an outdoor Mass and solemn blessing of the opening of the Meditation Hut cum Chapel for visitors.

Bishop Julius Gitom officiated the rite of blessing before presiding at the Mass.

The rosary recitation continued after the Mass until the last group recitation concluded at the cathedral half an hour before Sunset Mass.

The cathedral parish celebrated its feast day on Aug 13. – newsupdatedospo.blogspot.my

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PAPAR – Over 200 East Malaysian Catholic Women gathered for their 9th conference at the Pace Bene Retreat Centre here on 26-30 Aug 2017.

The 234 women came from the three arch/dioceses of Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Sandakan in Sabah and from the three arch/dioceses of Kuching, Miri and Sibu in Sarawak.

The conference, themed Challenges of the Catholic Family in the Present Time, kicked off with the opening Mass presided by Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, and concelebrated with Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau and Father Claudius Andrew of Keningau on Saturday, Aug 26.

The opening ceremony took place after dinner.

After the welcoming speeches by Mdm Anita Tunggolou, head of the KK Women Commission cum organising chairperson, and by Abp Wong,  the prelate beat the gong nine times to mark the opening of the conference followed by the inevitable cake-cutting ceremony and stage performances by the delegates.

A day of recollection followed, facilitated by Abp Wong, on Sunday, Aug 28.

On Monday morning, Aug 29, Anthony Lim of Kota Kinabalu and his team facilitated three sessions on the theme.

In the afternoon, the heads and chairpersons met and shared on their respective ministries.  They also came out with a mission statement at the end of the day.

On the last day, Tuesday, Aug 30, the women visited the nearby Holy Family Residence for Senior Citizens and celebrated the Eucharist at Holy Rosary Church Limbahau.

Some 1000 people including Abp Emeritus John Lee and Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan gathered for the closing ceremony and dinner at Putera Theatre Ballroom at Bukit Padang with stage presentations by the different delegations.

In her speech, Tunggolou said the theme of the 9th conference was aptly chosen because the family is the “foundation of society and we need to look deeply into ensuring that our families are deeply rooted in the faith as crisis of different types are presently springing up everywhere in the world and families are faced with so many trials and challenges in life.”

Recognition Awards were given to ten recipients who have attended all the conferences held so far: six from Kuching, three from KK and one from Sandakan.

Tokens of appreciation were also given to Abp Emeritus Lee and Bp Gitom for their encouragement and spiritual support down the years.

As Kuching will host the 10th conference in 2020, the host banner was handed over to Mdm Mildred Yii by Tunggolou.

The idea of Catholic Women of East Malaysia coming together was mooted by then Father John Ha of Kuching (now retired archbishop) and Mdm Anita Tunggolou, head of the KK Women’s League Commission.

With the backing of then Bishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu (now retired archbishop), the first conference was held on 12-16 June 1993 in the KK Diocese with the objective of establishing and fostering good relationships and understanding among the women of the two states through gathering in prayer and sharing of ideas.

The conference would be held on a rotational basis in the participating dioceses every three years.

In its 25th year now, the conference was held in 1993 (KK), 1996 (Kuching), 1999 (Sibu), 2002 (KK), 2005 (Keningau), 2008 (Kuching), 2011 (Sibu), 2014 (Sandakan).

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

WASHINGTON – Catholic dioceses and charities are quickly organising to help in the aftermath of a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall with heavy rains and winds of 130 miles per hour late Aug 25, 2017 into the Rockport, Texas area, northeast of Corpus Christi. The National Weather Service said in a tweet Aug 27 that the rainfall expected after the hurricane and storm are over “are beyond anything experienced before.”

The hurricane, named Harvey, is said to be the strongest one to hit the United States in more than a decade and perhaps the strongest one to make landfall in Texas.

Catholic Charities USA, as well as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services, announced early on Aug 26 that they’re mobilising to help an as-yet-unknown number of persons affected by the hurricane. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has a list of charities helping with the disaster listed on its website at https://txcatholic.org/harvey.

Authorities reported at least five casualties as of Aug 27, but because of safety issues, not many emergency teams have been yet able to respond to the aftermath and much of the damage is unknown. Texas Gov Greg Abbott declared the state a disaster area, which will allow federal money to help in reconstruction. Catholic groups said they want to help with the immediate needs of the communities affected.

“We will be sending in rapid-response teams to help our impacted St Vincent de Paul councils and we are coordinating nationally with the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta and (Catholic Charities USA),” said Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, CEO of the Society of St Vincent de Paul USA.

Cardinal Daniel N DiNardo, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, on Aug 27 urged “all people of goodwill to closely monitor future calls for assistance for victims and survivors in the days ahead.”

The cardinal also is the head of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, one of the hardest-hit areas.

“Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast in a catastrophic and devastating way this weekend, bringing with it severe flooding and high winds which have taken human life, caused countless injuries, and severely damaged homes and property throughout the region,” said the cardinal in an Aug 27 news release. “The effects of this storm continue to put people in harm’s way, with horrific scenes playing out all around, such as those of people trapped on their rooftops as water continues to rise around them. Many dioceses of the church in the United States have been affected; many others will be as the storm continues.”

He asked for prayers but also for assistance for those affected. One of the first to pledge help was the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, where Bishop Daniel E Flores authorised a second collection to be taken up at the diocese’s local churches on the weekend of Aug 26-27 to send to Catholic Charities in nearby Corpus Christi and “other places hardest hit by loss of power, storm damage, flooding.”

Though the brunt of the hurricane’s winds has passed and Harvey was downgraded to a tropical storm hours after landfall, heavy rains and “catastrophic flooding” are expected for days, said the National Hurricane Center.

In an Aug 26 statement published by the Galveston-Houston archdiocese, Cardinal DiNardo said powerful winds and heavy rainfall have already impacted many lives and homes throughout the region, and many in the southern counties of his archdiocese have already suffered substantial property damage and losses

In Houston, the country’s fourth largest city with 6.6 million residents, many struggled seeking safety in flooded residential streets, which are expected to get up to 50 inches of rainfall by the time the rain stops sometime at the end of August.

Up to 250,000 have been reported without power in Texas, a number that’s expected to rise.

San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said in a statement that the archdiocese pledged its support to recovery efforts that will start after the rain and wind subside.

In his statement, Cardinal DiNardo asked for prayers for emergency personnel and volunteers who are out and about in dangerous conditions and also “for those residing in our archdiocese, in Texas and along the Gulf Coast, be safe and may God have mercy on those affected by Hurricane Harvey.” – CNS

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

MIRI – Around 250 faithful attended the blessing of the new Sts Peter and Paul Chapel at Kg Nelayan Upper Kuala Bakam here on 30 July 2017.

Bishop Richard Ng officiated the rite of blessing before Mass was celebrated.  After the Mass, all adjourned outside for a dinner fellowship.

The faithful were from the Melanau community who make up six percent of the 2.63 million (2015)  population in Sarawak.

Originally from Mukah (the 10th Administrative Division as launched in March 2002), the Melanaus traditionally lived in tall houses. Nowadays, they have adopted a Malay lifestyle, living in kampong-type settlements. Traditionally, Melanaus were fishermen and still today, they are reputed as some of the finest boat-builders and craftsmen.

While the Melanaus are ethnically different from the Malays, their lifestyles and practices are quite similar. This is especially the case in the larger towns and cities.The Melanaus were believed to originally summon spirits in a practice verging on paganism. Today most of the Melanaus are Muslims whilst some have converted to Christianity (especially around Mukah & Dalat areas). However, some still celebrate traditional animist festivals such as the annual Kaul Festival in Mukah District.

In 1980 the population of Sarawak was 1,233,103. The Melanau numbered was 69,578, of whom 53,689 were Muslim; 8,486 were Christian; 1,749 were tribal; and 5,328 were registered as having no religion, which in practice means they adhered to tribal religion(but were probably all tribal), and 326 were listed as miscellaneous.

Few reliable historical records of the Melanau exist before the nineteenth century, although European travellers and map-makers placed names not unlike “Melanau” on the northwest coast of Borneo. There are also probable references to the Melanau even earlier in Chinese records. The Coastal Melanau and the Kajang groups in the interior relate that their ancestors migrated from central Borneo and founded a Kajang kingdom from which the Coastal Melanau broke away. The Coastal Melanau believe that much of their culture and many of their institutions are derived from the legendary empire of the folk hero Tugau, who was overthrown in a struggle with Brunei. Some historians suggest that these events occurred in the fourteenth century, others, as early as the seventh. In 1861 the Melanau coastal district was ceded to James Brooke, the rajah of Sarawak, by the sultan of Brunei. – dioceseofmiri.blogspot.my

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KENINGAU  : Misa senja sempena dengan pengangkatan Bonda Maria ke syurga dan Pesta Ulang Tahun St. Tarsisus yang juga merupakan santo penaung bagi pelayan altar telah diadakan. Misa ini telah diadakan pada 14 Ogos 2017 di Gereja KSFX.

Perayaan ini dimulakan dengan Doa Rosari di  Grotto KSFX. Kemudian perarakan mengangkat patung Bonda Maria masuk ke dalam gereja. Perarakan ini diiringi oleh ahli-ahli LOM yang membawa lilin serta flower girls dan flower boys. Misa Kudus sempena dengan perayaan ini disempurnakan oleh Rev. Fr. Bonaventure.

Pengangkatan Bonda Maria ke syurga mengingatkan kita bahawa destinasi terakhir perjalanan iman kita adalah di syurga. Dimana kematian itu bukanlah satu pengakhiran kepada sebuah kehidupan melainkan permulaan kepada kehidupan iman yang baru.

“Dalam gereja Katolik, kita diajak untuk menghormati Bonda Maria. Dengan menghormati Bonda Maria, kita secara langsung turut menghargai dan bersyukur akan pemberian Tuhan, PuteraNya” demikian homili yang disampaikan oleh Fr. Bonaventure. Beliau juga berpesan agar umat-umat Katolik meneladani dan mempunyai sikap seperti Bonda Maria, taat setia melayani Tuhan. Kerana ketaatan dan kesucian Bonda Maria, Dia dianugerahkan pengangkatan ke syurga tanpa melalui maut.

Dikesempatan perayaan Bonda Maria naik ke syurga ini, pesta ulang tahun St. Tarsisius, penaung bagi pelayan altar turut disambut. Sempena dengan pesta St. Tarsisius, para altar mendoakan doa St.Tarsisius dan kemudian diberkati oleh Fr. Bonaventure. Semoga pelayan altar terus taat dalam pelayaan mereka.

Selepas Misa Kudus, Fr. Bonaventure serta umat dijemput mengikuti jamuan kesyukuran secara potluck yang diadakan di Dewan KSFX.

Article reproduced from diocese of Keningau

Membakut : Le Talenta Night peringkat paroki Membakut telah diadakan. 6 kumpulan koir yang melibatkan 110 orang belia naungan paroki St. Patrick Mambakut telah menyertai pertandingan ini. Pertandingan ini telah diadakan pada 19 Ogos 2017 bertempat di Dewan St.Patrick. Dimeriahkan lagi dengan kehadiran umat yang datang memberikan sokongan.

Le Talenta Night merupakan satu pertandingan koir anjuran Kerasulan Belia Katolik (KBK) St. Patrick. Dimana bakat penciptaan lirik dan melodi lagu dipertandingkan. Kumpulan koir ini diadili dari segi tempo yang diadili oleh saudara Becker Ray Benedict, dari paroki St. Peter Bundu Kuala Penyu, vokal diadili oleh saudari Diana Aegidius dari paroki St.Valentine Beaufort dan persembahan diadili oleh saudari Joanne Maria Koijin dari paroki St.Yohanes Sipitang. Pengadil-pengadil jemputan ini merupakan orang-orang yang berpengalaman luas dalam pengadilan koir dan pertandingan nyanyian.

Terdapat 2 kategori dalam penciptaan lirik dan melodi lagu. Lirik lagu yang bertemakan pra paska dan bertemakan sambutan Jubli Perak Keuskupan Keningau 2018. Penciptaan lagu ini diadili sendiri oleh Rev. Fr. Ronnie Luni, paderi penguasa paroki St.Patrick Membakut.

Disamping beliau merasmikan pertandingan, beliau berpesan dan berharap agar golongan belia menggunakan bakat yang ada sebaik-baiknya. Menurut beliau, anjuran Le Talenta Night adalah satu platform yang baik untuk para belia melibatkan diri dalam pelayanan Tuhan melalui bakat seni yang mereka miliki.

Kumpulan koir yang menggabungkan empat KKD berjaya menewaskan 5 lagi kumpulan koir untuk dinobatkan sebagai Johan Le Talenta Night Paroki St.Patrick Membakut 2017. Paduan suara belia-belia gabungan KKD St.Monica Bawan, KKD St.Martha Takapan, KKD Ganah, KKD St.Edward Ambinahaton/Kabuluan ternyata telah berjaya menarik perhatian para pengadil dan juga penonton yang hadir. Kemenangan tersebut lebih manis lagi apabila salah seorang ahli kumpulan tersebut Loreta Deborah menyapu bersih dua hadiah iaitu Lirik Terbaik Tema Pra-Paska dan Tema Jubli Perak. Pemenang ini akan mewakili paroki St.Patrick ke Pesta Koir Keuskupan Keningau yang akan diadakan di Dewan Gereja St.Peter, Bundu, Kuala Penyu pada 13-15 Oktober 2017.

Kumpulan koir KBK St. Philip Sinoko pula membawa pulang dua hadiah iaitu sebagai naib johan dan juga Persembahan Terbaik. Kumpulan koir gabungan KKD St.John Of The Cross Bandau, KKD St. Thomas dan KKD Bunda Maria Limadang dan KKD Kristus Raja Tahak telah meraih tempat ketiga.

Para hadirin turut dihiburkan dengan persembahan koir belia veteran (CYC) dan juga persembahan tarian sumazau. Lebih daripada 30 cabutan tiket bertuah turut diadakan bagi memeriahkan lagi pertandingan. Program pada malam tersebut selesai pada jam 10 malam dengan doa penutup yang dipimpin oleh Rev.Fr.Ronnie Luni. –KOMSOS St.Patrick Membakut

Article reproduced from diocese of Keningau

KOTA KINABALU — The Walk for Jesus, a biannual event organised jointly by the Prison Fellowship Malaysia and the Sabah Council of Churches, has brought Christians from all backgrounds to walk in unity while praying for the nation.

The theme for this year’s walk is ‘The Way Forward,’ and took place simultaneously at 17 towns across Sabah on 27 August 2017 beginning at 4 pm.

After a short praise and worship session, Bishop Melter Tais of the Anglican Diocese of Sabah thanked and encouraged 800-strong participants to pray for the country.

Mayor Yeo Boon Hai of Kota Kinabalu (KK) thanked the organisers and gave some words of encouragement to the participants before flagging off the walk at the Padang Merdeka.

The 2.4 km route started from Padang Merdeka to KK City and back to Padang Merdeka while praying for the civil leaders, the law enforcement officers, the police, army, for fair and just ruling and administration, for conversion of hearts, for good education system, for racial and religious harmony as well as for the unity of the churches to be the salt and light of the world.

The participants – young and old – enjoyed the walk in spite of the inclement weather.

The event ended with another short praise and worship session before Father Thomas Yip said the closing prayer.

Funds raised during the walk would be channeled to support the ministerial work of the Sabah Council of Churches, the activities of the Interchurch statewide, Pastors Fellowship of Kota Kinabalu, Commission of Sabah Affairs and Prison Fellowship Malaysia (Sabah).

PENAMPANG – The organising team of the Penampang Youth Day – 6 (PYS-6) gathered for a half-day pre-PYD-6 on 23 July 2017 at Tinopikon Notorus here.

PYD-6 is scheduled for Aug 31 – Sept 3.

Pre-PYD6 brought both main and local organising teams together for a session of get-to-know each other closely.

The session was held in a friendly and relaxed surrounding where they also deliberated on the PYD6 themes ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ and ‘I Want To Serve’ for better understanding.

One of the games prepared for PYD6 is treasure hunting. The organisers took the opportunity to test it out at Notorus for a better management of the games during the actual event. Approximately 500 youths are expected to join PYD6.

The participants of the youth day are expected to share with their fellow parish youths after PYD-6.

For more update, check out their official Instagram account – penampangyouthday2017 and Facebook page – Penampang YOUTH’s Day 6 “2017” – PYD6 – @pyd6.2017 with hashtag #donotbeafraid  and #iwanttoserve. – Wilson Stephen

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SANDAKAN: A half day faith formation talks were held on 19th August 2017 at the Parish Conference Room for all catechists in the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish. The target group is the Sunday School teachers and facilitators of the RCIA from the 3 language groups. A total number of 50 catechists from St. Peter Sg. Manila, St. Mark and St. Mary’s Parish attended the talks.The talk was conducted by Sister Martina, who is the Chairperson of the Diocesan Catechetical Commission.

The talks were divided into 3 sessions: Firstly, on the General Directory on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) followed by the Methodology and Structure where the area on the catechism, structure and time frame was given. The third session was on the 4 Pillars of the CCC where Sister Martina emphasized on the important points of each part: The Profession of Faith-The Creed, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery-The Sacraments, Life in Christ-The Commandments, and lastly, Christian Prayer-Our Father.

Group sharing was on methodology and structure where the Sunday School teachers and the RCIA facilitators gathered according to their language group to discuss and share on the subject. A report was then presented at the end of the session.

Article reproduced from  Diocese of Sandakan

SANDAKAN: After journeying for 11 weeks on the RCIA precatechumenate period, the inquirers were accepted into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens on 20^th Aug 2017 where the candidates will now be addressed as “catechumens”.

This year 2017, the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish has 65 candidates with 52 BM speaking candidates and the English and Chinese speaking having six candidates each. The Rite was conducted by Fr. Stanley in the BM Mass as delegated by the Bishop. The candidates were welcomed by Fr. Stanley in his opening address to the congregation.

The Rite commenced after the homily by Fr Stanley where the candidates with their respective sponsors came forward to the front of the church. At this Rite, they are asked to more fully embrace the Gospel message with the help of God, and are also signed with the Cross to show that they now belong to Christ, the Shepherd of souls. The Rite of signing on the forehead, eyes, ears, lips, heart and shoulders were also repeated by their respective sponsors.

Immediately after the signing, the handing over of the ‘Bible’ to the candidates was performed where each candidate received the bible which is the “Word of God” being presented to them.

The prayers of the faithful followed and the dismissal where all the candidates were allowed to return to their seats. This is just the first phase of their journey of initiation.  We encourage all parishioners to pray for these souls as well, as they continue in the initiation process over the coming months, and to reach out to them as fellow members of the Household of Christ.

Article reproduced from  Diocese of Sandakan