2014 – Page 4 – Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Day 2014

Today vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ. For this reason, the mission ad gentes continues to be most urgent. All the members of the Church are called to participate in this mission, for the Church is missionary by her very nature: she was born “to go forth”. World Mission Day is a privileged moment when the faithful of various continents engage in prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity in support of the young Churches in mission lands. It is a celebration of grace and joy. A celebration of grace, because the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, offers wisdom and strength to those who are obedient to his action. A celebration of joy, because Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, sent to evangelize the world, supports and accompanies our missionary efforts. This joy of Jesus and missionary disciples leads me to propose a biblical icon, which we find in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 10:21-23) .

YLC Clubs meet in Lahad Datu and Telupid in September

SANDAKAN – Thirty youths from Tungku, Felda and Kunak participated the YLC Club 13-14 Sep 2014 at St Gabriel Tungku, Lahad Datu, while 20 youths from Telupid attended the YLC Club at St Martin’s Church, Telupid on Sep 27-28.

Youth Leaders’ Camp (YLC), designed for youth leaders in the Diocese of Sandakan, is usually held in the early part of the year.

A follow-up program called YLC Club, held twice a year, is meant for youth leaders who have attended previous YLC to meet up, listen and to share their experiences during their journey as youth leaders in the church.

Stella Maris organises Youth Evanglising Youth 2

TANJUNG ARU – Last year Stella Maris Parish launched for the first time a programme entitled ‘Youth Evanglising Youth’.

The objective of the Youth Evangelizing Youth programme is to let ‘youth evangelise youth’ and taking to heart the words of Pope Francis in his homily at WYD Rio Jul29, 2013 “the best instrument to evangelise young people is other young people”.

UMS seniors organise welcoming event for freshies

SANDAKAN – On Sunday, 21 Sep 2014, 50 Christian students who have just enrolled into University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Sandakan gathered for a welcoming event ~ ‘welcoming the juniors to the campus’ organised by the seniors.

Apart from extending our arms to welcome them, the program is also an assurance that they are not alone in the campus. They will have “brothers and sisters In Christ” (BASIC) to journey with them throughout their campus life in Sandakan.

Tawau to host SYD4

KOTA KINABALU – The Publicity & Documentation Team for SYD4 has put together some important facts prior to SYD4, which will take place at Holy Trinity Tawau in 2016, to bring to the awareness of youth in Sabah that SYD4 has been activated and progressive preparation is being laid down towards its official launching in February 2015.

What is SYD?

Sabah Youth Day or SYD is a huge program for the Catholic youth in Sabah. Similar to the World Youth Day, Sabah Youth Day is also organized every 4 years. The Catholic youth of the three arch/dioceses in Sabah, namely Keningau, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan are the main organizers.

Tawau hosts 100th World Migrants and Refugees Day

TAWAU – Tawau hosted the 100th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, themed ‘Towards a Better World’ at Diocesan level Sep 27-28.

The celebration began with a fellowship dinner after the Sunset Mass Sep 27.

Msgr Nicholas Ong, on behalf of Bishop Julius Gitom, graced the occasion. More than 500 faithful attended the event. Present for the occasion were representatives of the Parish Human Development Committee from St Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan and St Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu.

Cathedral parish hosts farewell dinner for outgoing rector

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Eight hundred parishioners gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral parish hall to say “goodbye” to Msgr Primus Jouil Sep 29, as he prepares to take up his new posting as rector of Stella Maris parish effective Oct 1. He has put in a total of 13 years of faithful service in the cathedral parish.

JWG Bible Class gives simple but sweet farewell to outgoing rector

TANJUNG ARU – On 21 Sep 2014, JWG Bible Class gave a simple but sweet and swift ‘farewell’ to Fr Fundes whom the students knew and loved since they were 4 years old! They gave Fr Fundes a t-shirt on which is printed the acronym of his name FUNDES describing him as Friendly, Understanding, Noble, Determined, Extraordinary and Swag! (slang word for awesome, fun, cool) A perfect description from the young ones!