SANDAKAN – About 60 parishioners witnessed the installation of the statue of Mary Mar 7 at the Rosary Corridor of St Mary’s Cathedral.

The life-size solid concrete statue of about half a ton in weight was carried from the Rosary Monument at the base of the Mount and installed on a site near a spring water source. 

TAWAU – Some 300 parishioners gathered at Holy Trinity Parish Hall Feb 15 to bid Sr Aquinas Voon fsic a fond farewell and at the same time to extend a warm welcome to Sr Martha Jonik fsic and seminarian Walter Milter Mario.

Andrew Kiat, the PPC Chairman. in his welcoming speech, thanked God for the gift of Sr Aquinas  and for her wonderful service extended to the community especially on spiritual guidance and accompaniment. 

SANDAKAN – The Sandakan Diocesan Family Life Commission for the new term of 2015-17 held its first meeting cum Study Session on the Relatio Synodi document at the Diocesan Retreat Center, Ulu Dusun Feb 6-7.

13 members coming from across the diocese attended the meeting. Bishop Julius Gitom, who is also the Spiritual Director for Family Life Commission, was present to guide them through the document.

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.

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.

TAWAU – More than a thousand Filipino parishioners gathered to celebrate together with other communities the annual event of the Feast of Infant Jesus, marking its 17th year with the theme: Faith, Hope and Love,at Holy Trinity Church Jan 18 .  The feast is also known as Feast of Santo Nino De Cebu.  The image of the infant Jesus symbolizes hope and protection.

The bi-lingual Thanksgiving Mass in Bisaya and English was presided over by Fr Johnny Raju.

SANDAKAN – During the 3rd Sunday of Advent, at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Julius in his homily shared that doing little good deeds for the underprivileged are signs of us preparing for the Lord’s coming. Caroling definitely brings us the joy of Christmas but we must endeavor to move beyond that. We need to reach out to those who have less in life. That act of charity will bring deeper and greater joy to the less fortunate, a much meaningful Christmas.