LJCCC welcomes 47 new members on 34th anniversary

KOTA KINABALU  – The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC) welcomed 47 new members into its fold on its 34th anniversary celebration on 30 July 2017 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here.

“God continues to show His faithfulness on our anniversary celebration and through the people He brings into the community and confirming those whom He has called,” said Anthony Lim, LJCCC presiding elder.

Lim reminded the community of their identity and affirmed that “God wants to be our God, and He calls us to be His people.”

He called on the community to accept those whom God gives to the community, “We thank and praise God for all the people He adds to the community today.”

LJCCC marked the occasion with a signing-in ceremony for three categories, namely, the Associates, the Underway, and the Full Covenant, coming from the three-language pastoral units (English, Chinese and BM), before Mass presided by Father Maxmilliano Hontor at the cathedral.

Fr Max, in his homily, spoke of the “hidden treasure and the pearl of great price,” referring to the Matthean Gospel, and asked the community “What is your real treasure? Have you found it yet, or are you still searching for it? What is your reaction in finding it? Are you happy, filled with joy, or are you dissatisfied?”

He underscored that the Kingdom of God is offered to us, at times in the forgiving of an enemy, of one another in community living; at other times, in giving our time to a needy person; thus embodying that the Kingdom of God is to be found in the living out of the community lifestyle in all its fullness.

Altogether 47 participated in the “signing in” ceremony, comprising 10 Associates, 7 Underway and 4 Full Covenant from the English unit; 5 Associates and 1 Full Covenant for the Chinese unit; and 5 Associates, 7 Underway and 8 Full Covenant from the BM unit.

In signing in, the Associates indicate that they would like to answer the call of the Lord by following the Covenant lifestyle. Those taking the Underway commitment indicate that they have decided to take a step closer to follow the Lord in the Covenant way, while the Full Covenant makes a full commitment to live the covenant lifestyle, and observing the constitution of the community.

Following the ceremony and Mass, all adjourned to a high tea fellowship at the hall. About two hundred members were present, including children of all ages. – CS