Marian Hill DevCom realises the impossible

SANDAKAN – The Marian Hill Development Committee (MHDC) met up for an informal get-together Jul 5 at the parish canteen. Turning up for the occasion were about 80 people comprising of members and their family, and chairpersons of other ministry and community groups. Also present to lend support were Bishop Julius Gitom, Fr Thomas Makajil, and Fr Sunny Chung.

The informal dinner fellowship, aimed at building relationship. was also to establish a support system to realize the Marian Hill project.

The MHDC formed two years ago, is a group of volunteers from St Mary’s Parish with diverse backgrounds and talents pooled together for the project. Their main task was to implement the physical development of Marian Hill to ensure infrastructures are in place for people to pray in solitude. Ever since St Mary’s Cathedral was declared a pilgrimage center in 2013, MHDC has been tirelessly getting the infrastructures done for the convenience of visitors. The committee has since been spending their Sunday afternoons engaged in gotong-royong to beautify the Marian Hill.

The PPC Chairman Pilis Malim recalled the idea of the pilgrimage center transpired over a casual coffee session to discuss the first Rosary Rally way back in 2013. It eventually developed into the Marian Hill project which is the brainchild of Bishop Julius then. He shared that though the task seemed to be impossible at first but through diligent work it became as what St Francis Assisi said, “that initially we do what is necessary, then we do what is possible but eventually without realizing it that we have done the impossible.”

It was a blessing the day Edward Mosigi approached him that he would like to contribute to the Church in whatever means he could. He was then assigned to spearhead the development of Marian Hil. He hoped that more individuals would come forward to render their service as he quoted President Kennedy’s famous saying (with a slight modification), “Ask not what the church can do for you but asked what you can do for the church.”

Fr Thomas Makajil remembered vividly when Edward came to offer himself to help the church in beautification and landscape work. He was delighted that God sent someone with the right gift to assist the church in making its surrounding more conducive.

Bishop Julius opined that the evening was fitting to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of the volunteers towards making the Marian Hill dream a reality. He is indebted to the team and especially to Pilis Malim who went all out to acquire the approval of the land for a lease of 30 years designated for the Marian corridor. The prelate also expressed his concern that the corridor might become a jungle again if it is not being fully utilized.

He added that the project was made possible because of the generous hearts and hands of volunteers and commended them for what they had done. They have set a fine example.

Although the Marian Hill Development Committee is lacking in resources but this does not hinder them to move forward. They welcome more individuals who have a passion for nature and environment to join them. They also welcome any generous assistance in kind, talent, energy and ideas. – DOSPO, Dalius LL