Author Archives: Ken Wong

SANDAKAN – Fifty-one newly baptised members of St Mary Cathedral here were told to be bearers of good news at a welcoming dinner at the parish hall on 4 June 2017.

In welcoming them, Bishop Julius Gitom said, “Your baptism does not end here; rather your commissioning to go forth as part of this faith community, to bring the good news of peace and love to others, is just the beginning of your faith journey!”

This year the cathedral parish received 23 adults and seven children from the Bahasa-speaking community, 14 from the Chinese and five adults and two children from the English speaking community. They have all undergone the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) programme for about a year.

The event began with the newly baptised entering the hall,  holding lighted candles, to the accompaniment of a sung hymn ‘Walk in the Light’ by the parishioners who had turned up to support them.

Lionel Randasan, catechetical committee head, thanked everybody for coming in support of the new members, and the organising committee for their tireless efforts in organising the event.

In his speech,  he said, “Practise what you believe, and journey together in faith with the brothers and sisters in the church.”

In his turn, Bishop Gitom expressed his gratitude to the Catechetical Committees, the RCIA facilitators and Sunday School teachers for their dedicated service in the ministry.

He reminded them that it is “the Holy Spirit who is at work in touching the hearts of the neophytes to commit themselves to the Lord” so that no one would take the credit for God’s work.

Quoting St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, ‘Nobody can say Jesus is Lord….unless the Lord touches his heart’  (cf 1 Cor 12:3), the bishop acknowledged that there is nothing anyone could do unless the Lord touches their hearts.

“I thank the neophytes for responding to the Lord’s invitation,” he said, affirming the newly baptised.

He concluded by encouraging the new members to join the many ministries and communities in the church and to channel their God-given talents in serving the church.

During the dinner, some of the newly baptised shared their personal testimonies. – Dalius LL

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TAWAU – Members of the Holy Trinity Social Communications Committee (SOCCOM) were exhorted to give “good news” to the people.

The exhortation was given by Msgr Nicholas Ong at the Mass marking the 51st World Communication Day on 27 May 2017 at Holy Trinity Church here.

He quoted from Pope Francis’ message for the occasion:

 “I would like, then, to contribute to the search for an open and creative style of communication that never seek to glamourise evil but instead to concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach on the part of its recipients. I ask everyone to offer the people of our time storylines that are at heart ‘good news.’”

Echoing the sentiments of the Holy Father, Msgr Ong said “You must share good news everywhere through your words, actions and the media. The world today offers constant bad news:  war, killing, murder, suicide bomber, terrorism and so on.  But don’t forget that we are children of the Good News, that is, Jesus Christ Himself.”

He added, “So share your good news with others; of the love, mercy and forgiveness which you have experienced from God. Let the world know and acknowledge that this “good news” offers hope and affirmation.  Without God’s love, guidance and protection, we will be without hope.”

SOCCOM members took an active part in the liturgy as presenters of gifts, readers and commentator.

Msgr Ong introduced the SOCCOM members to the parishioners before the Dismissal of Mass, and expressed his gratitude for their hard work and contribution in the dissemination of faith through various forms of media, as well as updating the documentation of parish activities.

SOCCOM Holy Trinity provides voluntary service, including photography, for all church events.  The photos are documented and kept in the archives of the parish so that the history of the church could be preserved. Reports of events are channelled to church-based bulletins and websites such as the Diocese of Sandakan News Update (DOSPO), Catholic Sabah and The Herald. – Julita Kantod

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TAWAU – The pastor of Holy Trinity Church here said the faithful have been gifted with faith in the Holy Trinity.

“We are all blessed for God has gifted us with the faith of believing in the most controversial statement by most religions,” Msgr Nicholas Ong said in his homily on Trinity Sunday, 11 June 2017.

Msgr Ong explained, “Our faith teaches us very clearly that The Holy Trinity is the mystery of love, communion and peace, which is visible in the person of Christ, our God and Saviour.”

He continued,  “By His suffering, death and resurrection, God is with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. By God’s grace and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we are indeed in communion with God. You do not see the full meaning of the Trinity but you experience it around us.”

The pastor urged the parishioners to share the mystery of the Trinity to others, the mystery that is tangible in “the unity and communion that we build with the people around us.”

Referring to the Vision and Mission of the Diocese, Msgr Ong stressed the importance of unity in diversity, and the need to journey together to achieve the Vision as “One Big Family” of God, which was also the theme for this year’s parish feast day celebration.

After Mass, all adjourned to the parish hall for fellowship, which was spiced up with some cultural presentations by the various groups.

The gathering, which was attended by over a thousand parishioners, also included a short sharing on the Vision and Mission of the Diocese presented by Mario (on the Vision statement) and Julita (on the Mission statement).

The presentation of the Vision and Mission Statement was to enhance the awareness and understanding of the parishioners of its existence and purpose, as well as their role in making the Vision and Mission a success.

In spite of the inclement weather, parishioners gathered from far and near, from the various communities, groups, ministries and the nearby chapels. The participation of St Clement Brantian and St Thomas Bombalai from Kalabakan, and St Jude from Semporna added to the number and merriment of the event.

Msgr Nicholas Ong expressed his gratitude to all parishioners for their effort and unity in celebrating the parish feast day and in fully participating in the liturgy by the various groups. The different colourful costumes were a symbol of the unity, understanding and friendship that exist among the faithful.

There was the usual anniversary cake cutting ceremony, followed by lunch and then games for the families. The parish event ended with a closing prayer by Franciscan Sister Martha. – Julita Kantod

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU  – As part of their programme marking the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests (WDPSP), the Kota Kinabalu clergy took time in the morning to reflect on their priestly ministry on 22 June 2017 at Vianney Home Dontozidon.

The day of prayer was instituted by Pople John Paul II in 2002.  The Feast of the Sacred Heart was chosen because it celebrates God’s merciful love, and that becomes tangible for priests in the Eucharistic Mystery, which they celebrate daily, and in the sacramental pardon which they administer and receive.

Father Peter Abas facilitated the reflection.  He challenged the participants to look into their own priestly ministry – whether they feel the joy, peace and happiness in being a priest, a bishop, while reflecting on the confession of Pope Francis that he not only likes to be pope, but he also “enjoys being a priest in a parish, the rector of a faculty and also a parish priest — I like both callings very much. I also enjoy doing Sunday school, children’s Mass…. I like this. Always, being a priest is something that I have always enjoyed very much.”

Fr Abas also urged them to look for Christ in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

In the evening, at the homily during the concelebrated Eucharist with the faithful at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing, Father Cosmas Lee tied up the reflection with the meaning of holiness for the priest.

“To be sanctified, to be made holy, is to have the heart of God, which is the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the one who is not a hireling that would run away in the face of trial, of inconvenience, danger, but one who would give his life for his sheep,” he said.

Fr Lee concluded his homily with a plea for prayers for the priests.

“Please pray for your shepherds, your priests.  May they be graced to know that to be good shepherds, there is nothing more important than to be holy, and to be holy is to have the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he said. – CS

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU  – “Never before has the unconditional love of the Sacred Heart been as relevant as it is today!” according to Father Cosmas Lee.

Spoken like the prophet of hope, Fr Lee delivered a message of hope derived simply from the “symbol of God’s love” found in what Jesus has done for humanity in His Sacred Heart, quoting Matthew 11:29:   “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your soul.”

Fr Lee was the homilist at the titular feast day Mass of the Sacred Heart Cathedral on 22 June 2017, which also marked the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.

The Mass was presided by Archbishop John Wong, and joining him at the altar were Archbishop Emeritus John Lee and 29 priests from the archdiocese, and over a thousand parishioners who turned up at Mass for the dual purpose of celebrating the feast day as well as to support their priests and bishops with prayers and affection.

“Theologians are saying that amid chaos,” said Fr Lee, “it is necessary to capture the transcendent in a symbol that is relevant for you; in other words, to capture the unconditional love of God in a symbol that is relevant for me.”

The “chaos” referred to the “lust for knowledge” that is the result of living in the information-centred society of the World Wide Web and the internet, and this “info-mania” has produced an unbelievable amount of information and data that could be stored in a small silicon chip and called forth at will.

“We can no longer see the forest for the trees,” lamented the homilist, “the sheer volume of all of this information has made this the age of the digest, the logo and the symbol.”

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the symbol of the fidelity of the love of God” Fr Lee underscored as he reminded all that “God loves us unconditionally with a love we cannot earn or ever be worthy of.”

“And He loves us for ourselves, not as we should be, or possibly could be, but as we are with all of our physical warts, psychological quirks and spiritual infidelities,” he added.

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, the homilist attempted to explain, in biblical language, that the “heart” indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell.

“In the Heart of the Redeemer, we adore God’s love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practising devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life.” (Benedict XVI, Angelus 5 June 2005, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

The priest went on: “Jesus was divine, the Son of God. He was also human, the son of Mary. He spoke with divine authority but he spoke in human language. He spoke in the simple language of ordinary people of his day about the things they were most familiar with…. And when he wanted to tell us of God’s love for us, he used the heart, the human symbol of love. He told us that we should learn of him that He was meek and humble of heart and we would find rest for our souls.”

Concluding his homily, Fr Lee drove home the point “The Sacred Heart of Jesus is most relevant today because not only is this the information-centred society, but it is also an age of anxiety, fear, insecurity and despair.”

He pointed out:  “Every year millions suffer heart attacks. Heart failure is the leading cause of death today. Heart failure is also the most avoidable cause of death because long before the patient is rushed to the emergency room, trouble has been going on in the heart: in the fearful heart, the anxious heart, the discouraged heart, the lonely heart, the rejected heart, the angry heart, and the sinful heart. The root cause of all of this heart trouble is the failure to know and trust the meek and humble Sacred Heart of Jesus.” – CS

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KUCHING — In his address after the installation Mass on 20 March, Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, 70, whose resignation was announced on 4 March, shared the reason of his resignation from the Archbishop’s Office ahead of the canonical age of 75. Below is his speech that evening:

“With my successor found, the Most Reverend Simon Poh Hoon Seng, I am now able to retire with peace of mind and heart. I certainly feel a profound relief and joy deep within me. To me this sense of relief and joy are an affirmation that I have made the right decision to request the Holy Father’s approval for my resignation from the Archbishop’s Office ahead of the canonical age.

On hearing the official announcement of my “resignation”, many have asked “WHY?” I guess the term “resignation” which is the canonical term carries some negative connotations like ill health, inappropriate conduct, disillusionment. To clear the air, I now share my reason for my decision to request for early retirement.

The Holy Father’s acceptance of my request for stepping down prematurely from the Archbishop’s Office was announced on 4 March 2017, deliberately timed to coincide with my 70th birthday. My reason for this timing was that I thought the age of 70 would be readily accepted as grounds for early retirement.

Thinking back, I suppose I could say that at the rock bottom my reason for requesting for early retirement is my love for the Church, though this may not have been so explicit in my mind. I have been deeply inspired and encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI who resigned from the papacy a few years ago primarily because he had realised that in his condition then he would not able to lead the Church as effectively as the Church deserved.

Over the last few years, I have been increasingly feeling my age as it gradually manifested its symptoms – brevity of attention, frequent lapses of memory, quick mental exhaustion at meetings. In addition, I gradually felt worn out by challenges from within and from without myself personally as well as the Church. At times, I felt rather discouraged if not totally helpless. Administrative work also started to take its toll on me, so much so, that I began to feel it more as a burden than as a joyful ministry.

I felt that these gradually debilitating realities of mine must not be allowed to hamper the growth of the Archdiocese of Kuching. I saw the need for an Auxiliary Bishop – one who is obviously younger, but also more capable, more energetic, more resilient and even more charismatic than myself. I therefore took a considered decision to write to Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Holy See, to request for an Auxiliary. Bishop Simon was appointed and ordained in September 2015.

With him as my Auxiliary, I was able to share several administrative and pastoral responsibilities with Bishop Simon. In the process, I saw his aptitude and capability. I also looked at the other two Bishops (Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu and Bishop Richard Ng of Miri). Any one of these three Bishops could easily take over from me as the Archbishop of Kuching. Thus, in September last year, I confidently and courageously submitted another request to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples – this time for a successor. Acting on my request, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Joseph Marino, conducted an extensive consultation. The appointment of Bishop Simon as my successor resulted from this consultation.

Of course I am very glad that Bishop Simon has been appointed to succeed me. This is because he has been very actively involved in the pastoral care of the Archdiocese. As a result of this involvement of his, he truly knows the ins and outs of the Archdiocese. His appointment assures continuity as well as progress of the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Simon Poh has taken canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Kuching. To him I say, “Congratulations and thank you, Simon.” To all the Catholics of the Archdiocese, I say: “Archbishop Simon Poh is now your Archbishop. We thank God for him and I am sure you will give him full support and keep him in your prayers. May God make him the shepherd we need and deserve – a shepherd after Christ’s own heart.”

Article reproduced from Today's Catholic Online

A section of the group photo taken after Mass, St Peter Claver Ranau, 8 July 2017.

RANAU – Over 300 Catholic teachers were encouraged to be bold for change in line with the theme of the annual Archdiocesan Teachers Day: Christian Teachers Be Bold for Change on 8 July 2017.

The event was held at St Peter Claver Ranau.

Archbishop John Wong presided at the Mass.Joining him at the altar were Fathers Jalius Sading, Ambrose Atang, Nicholas Stephen, Florian Marcus and Mattheus Luta.

The participants – school heads, principals, teachers – represented 43 primary and secondary mission schools, and 25 mission kindergartens across 10 zones in the archdiocese.

In her speech after the Mass, Franciscan Sister Rita Chew, head of the Education Commission, said the change is for the better in oneself, in the areas which need it, and in others.She also encouraged the teachers to join the teachers’ ministry, to make friends with one’s pastor and to leave their prints in the hearts of their students.

Both Fr Stephen (pastor of Ranau) and Abp Wong admitted in their respective speeches the challenge of teaching other people’s children but emphasised that teaching is a vocation, not just a career.

The prelate, however, concluded his address with his signature 12 Words: (1) Read the Word (2) Receive the Sacraments (3) Obey the Commandments and (4) Proclaim the Gospel.

At the fellowship meal held at St Benedict Hall after the Mass, 15 retired teachers from Ranau, Bundu Tuhan and Kota Belud Zones received certificates of appreciation for their services including Petrus Gungkat Atin, the father of Rev Wilfred Atin, and Franciscan Sister Caroline Duli.

The participants were entertained by song and traditional dance performances by some student groups.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Twenty-five university students received training on evangelisation from a group of Canadians here on 28 June – 5 July 2017.

It came about becauseStefanus Able of Keningau met this group of 15 Canadians at the last World Youth Day in Krakow Poland and invited them to Sabah.

It was held in KK as most of the students studying in Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Melaka were back for their holidays around that time.

The course took place at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre Karamunsing as well as at the Cana Cafe along Jalan Penampang.

One of the modules presented was the training on using e-tools to introduce Christ.They also learnt the basics of practical community service.

Aside from the main training programme, there were three nights of faith discoveries hosted by LifeLine Ministry at the parish centre.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Section of the Sandakan Cathedral parish pastoral assembly, 8 July 2017, St Mary Parish Hall.

SANDAKAN – St Mary’s Cathedral parish here held its inaugural pastoral assembly at its parish centre on 8 July 2017.

The soon-to-be-launched Diocesan Vision and Mission in October prompted the steering committee – parish pastoral council, finance committee, property and development committee – to organise the event.

Around 180 leaders from the various ministries, groups and communities of the parish attended the assembly, themed ‘The Lord Calls Us to be One’ (John 17:20).Also in attendance were the clergy, religious and observers from the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima Beluran and Paitan Mission.

The assembly began with Praise and Worship followed by Enthronement of the Bible, Proclamation of the Gospel and reflection by Father Christopher Ireneus.

In his keynote address, Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom touched on the purpose of the half-day assembly aimed at giving updated information on matters related to pastoral, finance and property of the parish.

The bishop pointed out that lack of information and communication will result in misunderstanding and unnecessary speculations among members in the parish.

He said the session was important and timely as a way forward towards a better, united and strong community of faith.

The bishop highlighted the fact that the assembly would be a starting point to inculcate the spirit of the soon-to-be launched Diocesan Vision: ‘Christ-centred community serving one another with love’ that can build a strong communion of communities of faith in the parish through;

The spirit of service, that all the different communities collaborate in bringing the Gospel values to all.
Having a missionary spirit whereby the different communities would actively cooperate in carrying out the mission of the church within the parish by promoting ongoing faith formation in every community and pastoral group in the parish.
Effective collaboration and cooperation among the communities, to remain in constant communication and openness within the parish community.
Father Thomas Makajil facilitated the session on being church and shared responsibility.Citing Christifideles Laici, he said the lay faithful are made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ through Baptism, and have their own mission to carry out in the world.

The participants were divided into nine groups for discussion on the realities that hinder them from being church and what they can contribute to making being church a reality.Three groups presented their findings and proposals.

In the second part, the assembly was briefed on the development and status of the pastoral, property and finance committees by their respective representatives.

John Liaw, diocesan finance adviser, presented the importance of internal control and good governance within the church.He urged the people to be wise and prudent in spending and be ready to face the tax law ruling by the government should it be imposed.

The assembly concluded with an open forum.Thirty-four questions were fielded but 70 percent of the questions touched on pastoral issues reflecting faith development in the parish.Participants were given the opportunity to propose suggestions and recommendations for further discernment and reconsideration.

In his closing remarks, the bishop thanked the participants, organisers, and speakers for their participation.He asked them to share the outcome of the assembly with members of their communities.

The assembly ended with a closing prayer by Father Stanley Matakim and lunch at the parish canteen. – newsupdatedospo.blogspot.my

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu