KOTA KINABALU (CS) – 170 participants converged for the Fellowship of Malaysian Covenant Community gathering at Kota Kinabalu on 4-6 Jul 2014, making it the largest participation since its inception two years ago.
Archbishop John Wong graced the FMCC Fellowship gathering with the Opening Eucharist and participated in the welcoming dinner on the first night, Jul 4.
BUNDU TUHAN – The Youth Ministry of the Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community, known as the Royal Ambassadors Youth (RAY), organized their annual Holy Spirit Camp, which is the 12th edition this year, at Bundu Tuhan Retreat Center Jun 13-15. Throughout the years in our ministry, we had the privilege of witnessing lives of teenagers being changed by God Himself, and this year, God once again proved Himself to be a God who is unfailing and alive. Here are some testimonies given by those who attended the camp. All praise and honor be to God alone! – Contributed by Aline Lim
KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral here organised weeklong activities for its parish feast day.
For those who made the effort to partake in Sacred Heart Cathedral’s week-long parish feast thanksgiving, from 23-29 Jun 2014, surely it can only be surmised as a delightful and joyous experience. To those who opted to give it a miss for whatever reason, it is only their loss. Would it not have been even greater if every single parishioner turned up to partake in the assortment of programmes that was thoughtfully laid out?
KG TERIAN – It was a historic day for the Catholic communities of the remote villages of Terian and Buayan, located about 36km from St Michael Church, Penampang, when Archbishop John Wong made his first pastoral visit there on 2-3 July 2014. It was a visit that was met with great excitement and anticipation by the villagers as well as the visiting group.
KOTA KINABALU – In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Sanctification of Priests which Pope John Paul II has established for the Church to observe on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart on 27 Jun 2014, the clergy of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu together with Archbishop John Wong took themselves off for a half-day recollection at the Vianney Home, and a Eucharistic Celebration in the evening which coincided with the celebration of the Sacred Heart Feast Day.
RANAU (CS) – The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu is truly blessed as the local Church celebrated the 4th sacerdotal ordination for this year with the ordination of Deacon Jack Johimi Sigam to the priesthood at St Peter Claver Ranau on 28 Jun 2014.
INANAM (CS) – June 15 was a day of great rejoicing for the faith community of St Catherine Church, Inanam as they witnessed the ordination of Fr Maxmilliano Benhor Hontor, who hails from Kg Inanam Laut, Inanam.
The joy was immense as Fr Maximilliano was the second priest to be ordained from the parish, the first being Fr Patrick Jerome, after a void of 23 years.
Archbishop John Wong, the minister of the sacrament was joined at the altar by Archbishop Emeritus John Lee and clergy from the arch/dioceses of Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Keningau.
KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Maktab Nasional bid farewell to its principal, Winnie Voo Nyuk Yung, 61 at a farewell ceremony in the complex premises on 26 May 2014, which was attended by Archbishop John Wong who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Msgr Primus Jouil, Chairman of the Board of Governors. At the same time, Archbishop John Wong announced her successor, Alexander Funk who is the current Vice Principal.
Since its founding 29 years ago, Maktab Nasional has evolved over the years and has successfully become an alternative to public school for many students. Being the only Church-owned education institution, the Church has always maintained the belief that access to education shall be made available to the greatest number of the populace regardless of their position in the social strata. Towards this commitment, the Board of Trustees for Maktab Nasional is registered under the status of a non-profit organization.
Meanwhile, Alexander Funk Yun Leong, 42, who hails from Sandakan, has assumed his new appointment in June 2014. Believing in the ethos and the vision and mission of his old alma mater, he has gone back to help build it to be one of the finest, if not the best, institution in this region.
With a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in TESOL from the London Teachers Training College followed by a Master degree in Education (TESL), he started his teaching career in 2005 specializing in English as a second language, English for Science and Technology and Literature in English. He has also served in various administrative capacities including head of the English department, Senior Assistant for Academics and Vice Principal.
In fidelity to his faith he endeavours to serve the Church, going beyond being just a nominal Catholic with the offering of time and service. He is married to Sandra Wong Pei Khyun and is blessed with a daughter and a son.