Catholic Sabah News – Page 129 – Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

UMS seniors organise welcoming event for freshies

SANDAKAN – On Sunday, 21 Sep 2014, 50 Christian students who have just enrolled into University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Sandakan gathered for a welcoming event ~ ‘welcoming the juniors to the campus’ organised by the seniors.

Apart from extending our arms to welcome them, the program is also an assurance that they are not alone in the campus. They will have “brothers and sisters In Christ” (BASIC) to journey with them throughout their campus life in Sandakan.

Tawau to host SYD4

KOTA KINABALU – The Publicity & Documentation Team for SYD4 has put together some important facts prior to SYD4, which will take place at Holy Trinity Tawau in 2016, to bring to the awareness of youth in Sabah that SYD4 has been activated and progressive preparation is being laid down towards its official launching in February 2015.

What is SYD?

Sabah Youth Day or SYD is a huge program for the Catholic youth in Sabah. Similar to the World Youth Day, Sabah Youth Day is also organized every 4 years. The Catholic youth of the three arch/dioceses in Sabah, namely Keningau, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan are the main organizers.

Tawau hosts 100th World Migrants and Refugees Day

TAWAU – Tawau hosted the 100th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, themed ‘Towards a Better World’ at Diocesan level Sep 27-28.

The celebration began with a fellowship dinner after the Sunset Mass Sep 27.

Msgr Nicholas Ong, on behalf of Bishop Julius Gitom, graced the occasion. More than 500 faithful attended the event. Present for the occasion were representatives of the Parish Human Development Committee from St Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan and St Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu.

Cathedral parish hosts farewell dinner for outgoing rector

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Eight hundred parishioners gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral parish hall to say “goodbye” to Msgr Primus Jouil Sep 29, as he prepares to take up his new posting as rector of Stella Maris parish effective Oct 1. He has put in a total of 13 years of faithful service in the cathedral parish.

JWG Bible Class gives simple but sweet farewell to outgoing rector

TANJUNG ARU – On 21 Sep 2014, JWG Bible Class gave a simple but sweet and swift ‘farewell’ to Fr Fundes whom the students knew and loved since they were 4 years old! They gave Fr Fundes a t-shirt on which is printed the acronym of his name FUNDES describing him as Friendly, Understanding, Noble, Determined, Extraordinary and Swag! (slang word for awesome, fun, cool) A perfect description from the young ones!

Over 60 church staff gather for a day of recollection

KOTA KINABALU – Over 60 church staff from nine parishes of the KK Archdiocese gathered for a day long recollection at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on 12 Sep 2014.

The recollection was guided by Fr John Prior from Flores, Indonesia.

Using Jeremiah 18:1-6 and a video clip entitled ‘The Art of the Potter’, he guided the participants to reflect life as clay in God’s hands.

Sabah churches move into new season

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah churches celebrated Malaysia Day this year by issuing an unprecedented declaration’ titled as the Kota Kinabalu Declaration claiming the promises of God for the nation as they move into a new season.

The 30-point declaration is the most significant Christian statement after the Kuching Declaration made by church leaders in 1989 over the Alkitab and Allah issue.

SVD priest facilitates annual clergy retreat

BUNDU TUHAN – Father John Prior of the Divine Word Society facilitated the annual clergy retreat at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre here on 15-18 Sept 2014.

Anything can distract a person from God; both in the physical and spiritual realm. Priestly life, though dedicated to serving and loving God, can also be affected. Priests are also distracted from the very source of their vocation because of their busy schedule, with many things to be done and many people to be served. This is the very reason that priests are in need of their annual retreat to listen to God’s Word and to support and encourage each other in their common vocation.