SANDAKAN – The agreement for the management of St Mary’s Youth Centre, Sandakan between the Titular Superior of the Brothers of St Gabriel, Malaya and the Registered Trustee of the Diocese of Sandakan was officially sealed on 18th February 2014, by Bro Stephen Tee SG, representing the Brothers of St Gabriel, and Bishop Julius Gitom representing the Diocese of Sandakan.

Present to witness the event were Fr Thomas Makajil, the rector of St Mary’s Cathedral Parish, members of the Board of Governors and the Centre’s Management Committee.

With the agreement being formalized, St Mary’s Youth Centre located at Batu 2.5 Jalan Utara, Sandakan would be managed through the Monfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) as part of its extension programme for the care of youth.

The Brothers of St Gabriel and MYTC would implement residential care systems and programme activities. Apart from providing staff development programme, they are committed to build up the Centre conducive to learning, character formation with spiritual animation.

On the part of the Management Committee, they would see to funds necessary for the sustenance of operating the centre and to oversee the management of the centre.

Currently there are 19 boarders coming from across the diocese; 6 from the Paitan Missionary Area, 4 from Lahad Datu, 3 each from Tawau and Sandakan, 2 from Beluran and 1 from Telupid.   All boarders are enrolled in St Mary’s Secondary School, one of the 5 Catholic Mission Schools in Sandakan.

Michael Tan, the Chairman of the Centre’s Management Committee, announced that a prominent and esteemed company has pledged to donate a 14-seater van for the centre. It is expected to be delivered to the centre before the end of next month. – DOSPO