DHDC members meet for study and formation

LAHAD DATU – The Diocesan Human Development Commission (DHDC), which was formed on Jan 18 this year, met for the second time for a study and formation session at St Dominic’s Church Dec 6-7. 12 members from the 4 parishes and the diocesan pastoral office attended the event.

Francis Tan, in the absence of the commission chairperson Sr Maria Dipal rgs, tabled the proposed year-long program for 2015. It encompasses the Catholic Social Teaching, AMOS – Migration Awareness, Leadership and Team Building, Facilitation Training Session and Lenten Campaign. The target groups would be the BEC and Commission members of the four parishes.

The Diocesan World Day for Migrants and Refugees themed ‘Towards a Better World’, which was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church Tawau Sep 28, has promoted the church as a welcoming church, extending her arms to all people, accepting everyone without distinction. The host for 2015, themed ‘Church without frontiers, Mother to all’ will be announced early next year.

The focus of the study and formation session on Dec 7 was on the 7 challenges from Pope Francis‘s Apostolic Exhortation, Joy of the Gospel. Two challenges were discussed at length, viz. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm (# 80) facilitated by Francis Tan, and Let us not allow ourselves be robbed of the joy of evangelization (# 83) facilitated by Shirley Dipal.

The rest of the challenges would be discussed in stages in future meetings. – DOSPO, DS