2015-03 – Page 3 – Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

St Catherine Laboure launches RM1-a-brick fundraising project

TANJUNG ARU – Stella Maris Parish launched the St Catherine Laboure RM1-a-brick fundraising project at the church parish hall in conjunction with the Carols by Candlelight, followed by a fully-sponsored dinner at the Fellowship Centre Dec 21 last year.

The idea of the RM1-a-brick was to enable any and every one to take up the challenge to be fully involved as a Church by their willingness to support no matter their financial standing. Your least contribution would cost you RM1 for a brick. With the completion of the Church, each one could literally say that their “bricks” have contributed to build up the Church!

Society of St Vincent de Paul updates on activities

SANDAKAN – The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau paid a courtesy call on Bishop Julius Gitom Feb 5 at the Diocesan Pastoral Office to brief him on the Society’s activities in the parish since its inception February last year.

Angela Teo, who heads the Society in Tawau, briefed Bishop Julius that it has 25 active members, who are diligently working to serve people in need. Members live out the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed with compassion and respect.

St Mary’s Cathedral celebrates WDCL

The Diocese of Sandakan celebrated World Day for Consecrated Life with Mass Feb 8 at St Mary’s Cathedral, which was presided by Fr Sunny Chung, and attended by religious Sisters and Brothers of FSIC, Good Shepherds, and Brothers of St Gabriel, and the local faithful.

In his homily, Fr Sunny Chung explained that consecrated life is defined by men and women who set out to follow Christ more closely, and lead lives dedicated to God by practising the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They become a sign in the Church of a more exacting way of Christian living in their strife for the perfection of charity in the service of the kingdom of God.

KK archdiocese celebrates WDCL

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – On February 2, 2015, the global Catholic Church celebrated the World Day for Consecrated Life. This is a day of special celebration and prayer by the Universal Church for men and women who have consecrated their lives to God.

Keningau prelate encourages religious to wake up the world

TOBOH – “Taking from the theme for Year of Consecrated Life “WAKE UP THE WORLD”, how do you bring awareness to your surroundings, your family, your KKD and your community? How do you bring them awareness if you yourself are not yet aware of your duty nor understand your role in your calling? Therefore, the first and most important thing is to go back to basics which is AWARENESS, PRAISE OF GOD, and LIVING YOUR CALL. This applies to all because the calling is not only to the religious or priest, but also to parents to be witnesses for Christ.”

Youths find identity in living the Catholic faith

SONY DSC KOTA KINABALU – Archdiocesan Youth Pastoral Team (AYPT) is instrumental in providing faith building activities for young people every year. Having organized the previous Emmaus Camp for teenagers last November, once again AYPT organized Emmaus Camp for youths for the sixth time, at CSG Centre Jan 11-24. The faith building camp was participated by 34 school leaver youths aged 18-20 years old from 11 different parishes around Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese.

Participant shares humbling experiences at Manila papal Mass

I still remember right after the Papal Mass, my friend asked me whether it’s a worthwhile experience. I admitted to him that I have some disappointments, but with a heavy heart, agreed that it is a worthwhile experience. I was disappointed at many different aspects, just because they didn’t meet up to my expectation.

But as I shared my disappointment with my family, they reminded me of how blessed I was even just by being there since many desire to be in my place at that time. Even for the next few days, we were constantly reminded of how blessed we are to be one of the ground-breaking 6 million faithful participating in a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Salesian priests visit the Archdiocese

Three priests of the Salesian Order (Don Bosco priests) in the persons of Fr Guillermo Basanes, Fr Villafuerte Noel Enrique and Fr Edwin Ulanday, arrived Jan 27 on a 5-day’s visit to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.

While here they paid a courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong. They also attended the thanksgiving dinner of the golden anniversary of Archbishop Emeritus John Lee organized by the Women’s League.

CWL pays tribute to mentor

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Good mentors are hard to come by. If you want a mentor to keep mentoring, showcase how their actions have paid-off. All of us are inspired when we see the fruits of our labors. Mentors are no different. Show them the results – it speaks volumes!

The Archdiocesan Catholic Women’s League (ACWL) of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu is a fruit of Archbishop Emeritus John Lee’s labour, no doubt! While the ACWL can never thank him enough, they hope it demonstrates to him that they are appreciative of his leadership, and above all, his role as their mentor, with a great turn-up at the grand dinner celebration, organized by the ACWL, in honour of his 50th anniversary of priestly service at the Putera Theatre Ballroom Jan 27. This was despite an earlier dinner celebration which saw more than a thousand attendees.

CRMS benefits from Symposium on Islamisation and Dialogue

PETALING JAYA – The Conference of Religious Major Superiors (CRMS) of Malaysia and Singapore held the first of their bi-annual meetings this year Jan 14-16 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Over the 3-day gathering, in a spirit of fraternity, 25 Superiors of the various religious congregations in both countries met to plan, discuss and share various concerns pertaining to their ministries and the Church.