SANDAKAN – The parish of St Mary’s Cathedral celebrated its 131st anniversary with a 5-day program Aug leading to the commemoration of its founding Aug 17.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Taize prayers and catechesis sessions on Mother Mary were some of the activities organized for the event.
KOTA KINABALU – Ecumenical delegation from Heilbronn Germany paid its 8th official visit to Sabah in August 2014.
Heilbronn is a city in the state of Baden WÜrttemberg at the southwest of Germany. It is part of the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. On 8th August, six Catholics and six Protestants arrived at Kota Kinabalu for a two-weeks’ visit. This is the 8th official ecumenical delegation to come here since the signing of the Sabah-Heilbronn Ecumenical Partnership (SHEP) agreement in 1990.
SANDAKAN – At the Conference of Catholic Women of East Malaysia, participants were told that women are indispensable because they are placed exactly in a position to evangelise.
Their position in the family, community, parish and the diocese facilitates them in that role and together with their spouse, they are the first catechists and teachers to their children.
SANDAKAN – Twelve members of the Catholic Campus Ministry of Melaka-Johor Diocese (Majodi) embarked on a 10-day mission trip to the Paitan Missionary Area of Sandakan 22-31 Jul 22-31. The mission field trip was led by Sharon Lee, the Coordinator of the Campus Ministry and accompanied by their Spiritual Director, Fr Matthew Bun, the Parish Priest of St Elizabeth’s Church, Kota Tinggi.
On the last day, the team took a 4-hour drive to reach Sandakan. They joined the bi-monthly diocesan staff mass, which was presided by Bishop Julius Gitom and concelebrated by Fr Matthew, at the Chapel of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre the next day.
SANDAKAN – Four hundred parishioners gathered at St Mary’s parish hall on the Feast of Assumption Aug 15 to witness the official launching of the Marian Rosary Corridor of about 700 meters at the Marian Mount, graced by Bishop Julius Gitom.
Exactly a year ago, during the Feast of Assumption, on Aug 15, 2013, Bishop Julius declared St Mary’s Cathedral as the Diocesan Pilgrimage Center. The clergy and lay leaders responded positively and worked tirelessly towards putting in place the Rosary Corridor, in time for the annual Rosary Rally 2014.
SANDAKAN – Fr Sunny Chung, assistant parish priest of the Cathedral Parish, celebrated his 4th sacerdotal anniversary at St Mary’s Cathedral Aug 10. This special day was marked with him accompanying the parish priest in blessing and officiating the opening of the Marian Bookshop which was located at the ground floor of the parish building before proceeding to the Cathedral for his Thanksgiving Mass. Fr Sunny presided over the mass, assisted by Fr Thomas Makajil and Fr Phillip Muji.
TAWAU – In conjunction with Bible Sunday, Holy Trinity Parish Tawau held a parish-level biblical event called “A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.“
More than 400 parishioners participated in this half-day momentous event which was jointly organized by the Parish Bible Apostolate in collaboration with other ministries. It was conducted at the Parish Hall compound beginning from 8.30 am to 12.00 noon.
The journey began with a presentation of slide show on Holy Land in three languages, each at different time. After viewing the slides, each participant would get their passport chopped at the various stations. Groups were then assigned to these stations to recreate the setting of holy places most frequented by pilgrims as in Jerusalem. Participants would be awarded a certificate upon completion of the journey.
TELUPID – Bishop Julius Gitom sealed the contract for the construction and completion of the proposed St Martin’s Pastoral Centre Jul 12.
Sunny Ng, signed on behalf of Syarikat Lintas Permai Enterprise of Sandakan, who was the successful bidder for the contract.
SANDAKAN – The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) conducted a 3-day Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) at St Mary’s Cathedral Jun 25-28. The seminar was open to all parishioners who are seeking for a personal renewal to deepen their relationship with Christ, and who wish to become a part of a community where they could be supported in their Christian life.
SANDAKAN – Eleven members of the Regional Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei convened at the Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral Centre for a three-day annual meeting on 23-25 June 2014.