Three new lecturers join IY staff

KOTA KINABALU – Three new lecturers joined the teaching staff of the Initiation Year (IY), St Peter’s College here for year 2017.

This was announced at the opening of the academic year on 6 Feb 2017 at the IY Formation House by Father Rayner Bisius, director of the IY.

They are Father Cosmas Lee (Introduction to Liturgy), Archbishop John Wong ( replaces Father Jalius Sading on spirituality), and Franciscan Sister Juanah Saliun (replaces Sister Dariah Ajap on catechetics).

The event kicked off with Mass presided by Abp Wong with six concelebrants: Fathers Bisius, Wilfred Atin (director of aspirants), Paul Lo (Gospel of Mark), Rhobby Mojolou, Joshua Liew and Max Hontor, the last three being former students of IY-KK.

After the Mass, all adjourned to the open covered square for dinner and a short programme by the IY students.

Father Bisius welcomed those present and said he was happy with the increase of IY students from three in 2016 to nine this year.

The theme for 2017, the director said, is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:14, For the love of Christ urges on, and he expressed the hope that the students will experience the love and mercy of God in the course of the year.

He then had the students introduced themselves.  Four of the IY students are from KK Archdiocese (Bonnyface Dangku, Bundu Tuhan; Scany Polycarp, Kota Marudu; Andrewsius Jumil, Bundu Tuhan; Yoseph J Matias, Manggatal); three from Keningau Diocese (Nelbart Peter, Sook; Wendell Wong, Tenom; Paddelyne Pius @ Francis, Keningau), one from Sandakan Diocese (Ricki Boy Hasim, Telupid), and one from Kuching Archdiocese (Dannie Luis Romanus, Lundu).

In his turn, Father Atin introduced the aspirants one by one.  Of the 16 first year aspirants, nine are from KK Archdiocese (Evisdateh Paul, Kiulu; Heldy Amin, Kiulu; Ronald Primus, Limbahau; Xavier Maurice, Limbahau; Walter Pukin, Ranau; Walter Manjamin, Ranau; Desmond Kong, Duvanson; RosterLexton Solaiman, Bundu Tuhan; Adrian Linus, Limbanak); four from Keningau Diocese (Albady Markus, Sook; Smileton Pius, Keningau; Timothy Galisan, Keningau; Brywinedren Dodon, Beaufort);  two from Sandakan Diocese (Adderly Benjamin, Sandakan; Jonathan Seah; Sandakan), and one from Sibu Diocese (Stephen Suhaili).

The four second year aspirants are Freddy Nicholas (Papar), Jeremia Domingo (KK), Hilary Gadius (Keningau), and Jescie Petrus (Sandakan).

In his brief address, Abp Wong thanked all those present and wished the formands a fruitful year ahead with the help of the formators and support groups.  He reminded those present that the formative journey takes not just one year but seven years.