Concurrent family seminar held in Papar and Dambai

PAPAR – The parish family seminar entitled Keluarga, KKD dan Gereja Ku or KKG-Ku (Family, BEC and My Church) was held concurrently at St Joseph here and at St Damian Chapel Dambai on 24 Feb 2018.

The ongoing seminar is part of the parish outreach in response to the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Pastoral Thrust of Go Inward, Go Smaller, and Go Outward.

While St Joseph Papar had a lukewarm reception, St Damian Dambai received a better family turnout.

The one-day seminar was divided into four parts; a) The Meaning of a Catholic Family, b) Family Challenges, c) Family Communication and d) Peace and Reconciliation.

The sessions were followed by workshops, the outcome of which was presented to the assembly.

Most of the group findings identified the key issues related to the three challenges arising from family and community apathetic attitudes and secularisation from social media’s influences and addiction.

In addition, the church doctrine and social teachings oversight and neglect in mission schools’ educational programmes and community pastoral outreach activities also indirectly open the way for Islamisation to enter.

KKG-Ku was initiated by Papar and Limbahau Parishes on 25 June 2016 as a measure in tackling the three pastoral challenges (Apathy, Secularism and Islamisation) identified by the PAX Assembly held in Pace Bene in Nov 2015.

The first phase began with the Zone Pastoral Assembly with representatives from  Kelatuan, Kimanis, Bongawan, Lakut, Dambai and St Joseph Church as the central zone.

Kimanis zone kick-started the programme on 25 Nov 2017 with seminars held at St Peter Belatik, St Anne Penampang Baru and St Clement Kinolosodon.

Next phase saw St Michael Mandahan, St Adrian Pamaladan, St Macarius Sumbiling, St Jude Ulu Lumagar and St Cyril Talantang (Bongawan Zone) holding the seminar on 20 Jan 2018.

St Kenneth Kelatuan and St Luke Lakut had their seminars on Feb 3 while St Francis of Assisi Segian (the last chapel) will organise the seminar on Mar 20. – William Charles Mindus (SOCCOM Papar)