TANJUNG ARU – The Eucharistic Adoration Ministry of Stella Maris organized a talk entitled “Be Near To God” at Stella Maris Church Jul 19, which was presented by Friar Francisco Jude Basnayake, OFM.
Friar Francisco is currently undergoing his priesthood formation in Singapore. Interestingly, his own faith has been formed in the parish of Stella Maris and his parents are both members of the Eucharistic Adoration Ministry.
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.
Few in Sabah will now remember Father Willem Roetenberg, but he was, together with Br. Ben Snoeren and Br John Hoekstra, the founder of Bundu Tuhan Mission station, a place that was his first love as a missionary priest and the place that he longed to return to for the rest of his life, but was not able to.
Fr Paul Lo has just completed a 4-year licentiate study in Rome and returned to Sabah to take up pastoral assignment in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. He has recently been assigned to assist in the parish of St Catherine Inanam effective mid-August. On being approached by CS to share his 4-year long experience, he graciously obliged.
I give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love towards me. After four and a half years’ (June 2005 to April 2010) pastoral assignment in St Mary’s Parish, Sandakan, the then Archbishop John Lee (now Emeritus) obtained a four-year scholarship (June 2010 to June 2014 from the Propaganda Fidei for me to do my licentiate study in Rome.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis’s message for the 100th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2014 was themed “Towards a Better World”.
“Our societies are experiencing, in an unprecedented way, processes of mutual interdependence and interaction on the global level. While not lacking problematic or negative elements, these processes are aimed at improving the living conditions of the human family, not only economically, but politically and culturally as well. Each individual is a part of humanity and, with the entire family of peoples, shares the hope of a better future. This consideration inspired the theme I have chosen for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees this year: Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World.
In conjunction with the local observance of Migrant Sunday on 28 September, 2014
The Holy Family in Exile
The exiled Holy Family of Nazareth, fleeing into Egypt, is the archetype of every refugee family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are for all times and all places, the models and protectors of every migrant, pilgrim and refugee of whatever kind who, whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, is forced to leave his native land, his beloved parents and relatives, his close friends, and to seek a foreign soil.(1)
BUNDU TUHAN – One hundred and fifteen young adults converged at the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre Jul 11-13 for a Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS), marking this 5th edition the largest participating group ever organized by the Sacred Heart Young Adults Prayer Group (SHYAPG).
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.
KOTA KINABALU (CS) – 170 participants converged for the Fellowship of Malaysian Covenant Community gathering at Kota Kinabalu on 4-6 Jul 2014, making it the largest participation since its inception two years ago.
Archbishop John Wong graced the FMCC Fellowship gathering with the Opening Eucharist and participated in the welcoming dinner on the first night, Jul 4.
BINTULU – Some 300 members of the Home Cell Groups attended a one-day recollection at Parkcity Everly Hotel Jul 5 to refresh themselves.
This was the 7th recollection and was conducted by Fr John Chia, from Limbang. He was assisted by Fr Michael Sia from Bintulu.
The theme chosen “I will make you the light” was taken from Prophet Isaiah 49:6.