Sugud hosts 49th WCD

SUGUD – The Social Communications Commission of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu celebrated the 49th World Communications Day (WCD) at the Church of the Assumption, Sugud, which was hosted by combined youths of St Michael Parish Penampang, Holy Trinity Parish of Inobong and Holy Nativity Parish of Terawi.

The event started with the celebration of Holy Mass in Bahasa by Fr Thomas Madanan. In his homily, Madanan focused on the “Family” based on the message of the Holy Father and a video clip produced by the Social Communication Commission of Kuching. Among the points of his homily are that the family that prays together stays together, from cradle to grave, the family is a resource and should not be viewed as burdensome. The media can help broadcast these values in the face of the many challenges faced by families in general: homosexuality, same sex marriages, and abortions among many more.

Some 330 youths from the three parishes adjourned to the village hall to continue with the celebrations after Mass. The crowd at the hall was entertained to song and dance by the youth, followed by a simple but tasty lunch. This was followed by a short talk by Irene Obon, Head of the Archdiocesan Social Communications Commission on her faith journey in Soccom, and a review of St John’s Tuaran Social Communications experience by Gideon Mosito.

Obon praised the youth for their active participation in WCD and especially commended the youth co-coordinator of the event, Henry John, for his understanding of the salient points of WCD. The ability to connect and communicate is one of the tools of communication he informed. He also noted that love and unity in the family or among Christians is the trademark of Christianity.

Fr Fundes Motiung addressed the youths after lunch, noting in particular modern communication symbols and remarking that WCD is for everyone in the family, not just for the youth. The youth from the parishes later translated their understanding of the Holy Father’s message for the 49th WCD through three sketches. – ASCC, Irene Obon