Looking back at 2017

KOTA KINABALU – The year 2017 was an eventful year both at local and universal church levels.  Below are some of the highlights of the year.

Universal
April 28-29: Papal visit to Egypt
May 12-13: Papal visit to Fatima, Portugal. Canonisation of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the three seers of the Fatima Apparitions in 1917. Centenary of the Fatima Apparitions.
June 4: Golden anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Sept 6-11: Papal visit to Colombia
Nov 19: Inaugural World Day of the Poor
Nov 26-Dec 2: Papal visit to Myanmar & Bangladesh

Local
Jan 21: First Profession of Franciscan Novices Raani Duanis and Celadiana Jikulis, Purak Papar
Feb 4: Silver jubilee celebration of Franciscan Sisters Christella Lim, Suzana Guntabid, Terecia Loukang, Lounah Pulis, Carmen Cordova, Joan Michael, SHC.
Feb 11: Diamond jubilee (60 yrs) of Franciscan Sister Regina Majakil
Feb 14: Blessing of Emmaus Home Hostel for outstation visitors Karamunsing
Feb 14: Blessing of St Pio chapel Kg Labak Kinarut
Feb 20: Site blessing for the extension of the Franciscan Stella Maris Home for senior and infirm sisters Tg Aru
Feb 26: Blessing of St Damian Chapel Kg Dambai Papar
Mar 20: Most Rev Simon Poh installed as 3rd archbishop of Kuching
Mar 27: Ruby Jubilee (40 yrs) of Bp Cornelius Piong of Keningau
May 13: Inaugural Christian Education Forum SHPC Karamunsing
June 4: Solemn profession of Augustinian Sister Florence Suimin, UK
June 12-July 17: Inaugural BM training course for catechists BTRC
June 13: Silver jubilee (25 yrs) of Father Aloysius Fidelis
June 26: Pearl (30 yrs) episcopal anniversary of Abp Emeritus John Lee
June 30: Silver anniversary of the Association of Pauline Cooperators Sabah
July 7-9: Inaugural Family Life Consultation BTRC
July 22: Launching of new Catholic Centre Building Project SHPC Karamunsing
July 23: Inaugural ASSISS mobile clinic mission Kg Timpangoh Sugud
Aug 15: Golden jubilee of Franciscan Sisters Rita Chew & Imelda Angang
Aug 17: Golden anniversary of Catholic Women’s League Tanjung Aru
Aug 18: Rededication of St Michael Penampang
Sept 1: Priestly ordination of Jesuit Deacon Leslie Joseph Bingkasan, Inanam
Sept 9: Solemn profession of Franciscan Friars Aiden Peter Jr & Cruzender Alex, SHC
Sept 16: 20 years of KK Archdiocesan Vision and Mission
Oct 4: Diamond jubilee of Franciscan Sisters Stella Chin, Regina Majakil, Rosalind Thien, Ignatia Gomez
Oct 16: Launching of Sandakan Diocesan Vision and Mission in Tawau
Oct 21: Blessing of Church of Divine Mercy KKIP
Nov 23: Offical opening of Vatican Chancery in Kuala Lumpur
Dec 1: 60 years of Catholic Sabah
Dec 2: Launching of new Social Communications Commission logo
Dec 4-7: FSIC 10th General Chapter: election of Sr Frances Mani as superior general and her councillors
Dec 13: Site blessing & groundbreaking for Catholic Centre Karamunsing
Dec 17: Ruby jubilee of Franciscan Sister Martha Jonik

Called to Eternal Life
Feb 13: Mill Hill Brother Benedict Snoeren, 87
Mar 7: Franciscan Sister Diana Eing, 51
June 20: Infant Jesus Sister Eugneie Fernandez, 73
Aug 31: Mill Hill Father Terry Burke, 73
Sept 4: Father Fundes Motiung, 52
Sept 26: Franciscan Sister Alphonsus Low, 79