St Mary’s Cathedral celebrates with 3 silver jubilarians

SANDAKAN – St Mary’s Cathedral celebrated Sr Appollonia Gumpu’s 25 years of Religious Profession at the Cathedral Jun 20, with the theme ‘My soul glorifies the Lord.’

Twenty-five years ago, Sr Appollonia made her first profession in 1989 at the Loreto Covent, Novitiate, Kota Kinabalu. Sharing silver jubilee honors were Sr Appollonia’s peers, Sr Cecilia Wong and Sr Dorothy Aaron who came all the way from Kota Kinabalu for the joyous celebration.

About 600 people consisting of relatives, friends and the local community turned up to share the joy.  Also present were Mother General Sr Grace Deosing and 13 other Franciscan Sisters, the Good Shepherd Sisters and the St Gabriel Brothers. The Thanksgiving Eucharist was presided by Fr Thomas Makajil.  With him at the altar were Fr Phillip Muji and Fr Sunny Chung.

In his homily, Fr Thomas reminded that everything we have comes from Him, and an opportune time for Sr Appollonia and her fellow jubilarians to reflect on the many blessings that God has showered upon them as they continue to journey to serve the Lord as  religious in His vineyard.

Sr Appollonia’s chosen theme taken from Mary’s Magnificat, which is a hymn of grateful praise and expresses the intimate dispositions of Mary’s heart, is a fitting reminder to continuously acknowledge the goodness, love and mercy of God through thanksgiving and praise.

In his speech, Fr Makajil encouraged the silver jubilarians to strive to be better for their next 25 years, to strive to be perfect as the Father is perfect.

On behalf of Bishop Julius, he extended his appreciation to Sr Appollonia for her active role in the many ministries she is involved in the diocese. – Dospo, DS