Whom shall I send? … Here am I, send me

Edward Yahan:   I come from a Catholic family of St Martin’s parish, Telupid.   I am the oldest of 6 siblings.

     My parents and other family members have always encouraged me to join vocation seminars, which I have from time to time.

     Looking back, I recalled the few occasions when Fr Marcellinus Pongking, who was serving in St Martin then, invited me to join him for pastoral visits to the kampong.  It was from there that the seed of vocation to the priesthood was planted.  After his transfer to Lahad Datu, Fr Marcellinus was replaced by Fr Jasery Gabuk, who further strengthened my vocation call with his encouragement and pastoral advice.

     Besides attending vocation seminars now and then, I also took a one-year period to seriously consider the call of vocation to the priesthood. 

     It was at the recent vocation roadshow at Telupid Jan 3-5, 2014 that I have the courage to say “yes” to God’s call for me and subsequently at the vocation seminar at Bundu Tuhan Jan 17-19, I was accepted for one-year aspirancy at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC).

Jusirinus Satin:   I come from St Peter Claver parish, Ranau.  I have served as chairman of the Youth Service Team for Nunuk Regang zone.   

     My involvement with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, led by catechist Peter Sumping, has also deepened my faith.  The program/activity, known as C.R.O.S.S. (Care, Reach, Serve, Sacrifice), has further enlightened my faith experience.

The initial stirring of a response to the vocation calling began at the vocation seminar held at Bundu Tuhan in 2009.  However, after following the activities organized by the FSIC Sisters and seminarians for the vocation roadshow at Telupid this year Jan 3-5, I found the courage to respond to the call of vocation to the priesthood and now I have been accepted for one-year aspirancy at CAC for the duration of 2014.

I hope the vocation roadshow program will continue to be made available to assist youths, who may experience God calling them to vocation but lack the courage, to make the final decision.