Call To Holiness

TAWAU(CS).- Living life as a servant of God is a wonderful and sacred call to those who have responded to the priestly vocation in their discernment of the precious gift of life that God has given to us. God has created us out of his love that we may know him and know his purpose of giving us his blessed breath the moment we were formed in our mother’s womb.

Fr David Aloysius Garaman, the assistant rector of Holy Trinity Parish, a young and energetic priest celebrated his 3rd Sacerdotal Anniversary of his priestly ordination Dec 29, together with some 300 parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish Tawau. The exact date of his ordination falls on Dec 31.

Msgr Nicholas Ong, the rector commended Fr. David Garaman for his enthusiasm in carrying out his pastoral concerns. Visiting the outstations and being actively involved with the Diocesan Youth Apostolate and also heading the Liturgical Commission are among the main involvement since ordination to the priesthood three years ago.

Ordained as a priest at St Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu 3 years ago, he shared, “My journey as a priest is a sacred calling and is filled with spiritual challenges. At times I wonder if I have fulfilled the pastoral needs of my parishioners. But one thing for sure is that God would never abandon me especially in meeting the pastoral needs and spiritual demand. We need to recognize our calling and be affirmed that God is indeed leading us into ministry. He continued, ‘As a priest, I need your support and prayers.’

He added, ‘I have always felt blessed with this call.’

He then took the opportunity to share his hope and faith that someday there would be more young people coming forward to respond to the invitation of the Lord to serve in His vineyard as priests. Priests or religious are considered the fruit of faith in any church that has grown in faith. The family plays a great role in lending support to young people who may have the calling to the priestly or religious vocation.

He ended his sharing with thanks and gratitude to all, and especially to Msgr Nicholas Ong for his guidance and patience in assisting him to live his priestly vocation fruitfully.  – Julita, SOCCOM Tawau