Fr Rayner Bisius has just completed a 2-year study in Sacramental Theology in Rome and returned to Sabah to take up pastoral assignment in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.  He is presently appointed as Chaplain to the Carmelite Monastery and Rector of the Initiation Year Formation House  while at the same time he will be assisting the parish priest at St Catherine Inanam.  On being approached by CS to share his experience in Rome, he graciously obliged.  

In June 2012, I was sent to Rome to take up a 2-year course in Sacramental Theology at the San Anselmo University, which is privately owned by the Benedictine Congregation.

While in Rome, I stayed in the International College of San Paolo together with 200 student-priests from all over the world. As Italian was the main language, it presented a huge barrier for me.  With God’s grace, I was able to complete my 2-year course.

KG GOSUSU, Kota Marudu – The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC) assisted in the birth of a new mission outpost in 2011.

Kg Gosusu is a very remote pagan village, half-way between Kota Marudu and Kudat. With fine weather, it takes about 45 minutes by 4WD to reach the village from the road junction.

Alpheus Loinsang, a catechist and full-time lay worker of the Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC), started to visit Kg Gosusu in 2011 and felt the call to bring the Good News to this village. The majority of the people there are pagans. In February 2013 he began to share and preach the Good News to the villagers.  Some existing Christians in the village were a testament to other Christian attempts to convert the pagans some years back.

It is by God’s grace that we are gathered here today, to continue raising our “Mamangkis” as Anak Negeri of this land. We thank God for the unity of the churches in voicing out our common concerns. Indeed we are at the crossroad of many internal and external challenges to us as a multiracial and multi-religious society, and as a Christian community.

Threats from external forces invading our borders and threats from the huge presence of illegal immigrants have constantly reminded us of our vulnerability. However, many a time, our fears and cries are not seriously taken heed of by those in authorities.

Internally, our nation is confronted with unprecedented threat to our Christian faith. Attack on our religious beliefs and practices, even the language we use in our Bible, literatures and worship are under siege.

LIMBAHAU:  Over two hundred Anak Negeri Christians from all churches gathered in the Dewan Fr Amandus, Holy Rosary Church Limbahau, Papar on Aug 8-9 for the “Mamangkis” gathering.

Pastor Esther Golingi of Maranatha church, the overall head of PAN, was present together with other church leaders from Kota Kinabalu and neighbouring districts.