KK prelate calls on faithful to nurture a merciful attitude

TELIPOK – Archbishop John Wong called on all parishioners in the archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu to nurture the character and attitude of being merciful in everything they do in life as a way to realise this year’s Kaamatan theme “Culture of Mercy, Foundation of Faith.”

In conjunction with the Jubilee Year of Mercy which began 8 Dec  2015, Archbishop Wong reminded the parishioners that indeed God wants to pour out His mercy on them and through them, on others. He called them to make this attitude of being merciful, a culture of life.

About 3000 people from the three arch/dioceses attended the 17th Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Kaamatan festival, 2 May 2016, at Holy Family Telipok.  The Kaamatan is held once in two years.

“Kaamatan is a thanksgiving celebration in which we realise that without God, our harvest from the works of our hands will not be multiplied,” said Archbishop Wong.

The Kaamatan began with a Eucharistic celebration.  In his homily, Abp Wong said, “In this Eucharistic Celebration, let’s offer praise and thanks to God the Father and ask for His blessings to be poured upon us this year and years to come.”

Taking from the first reading, the Book of Deuteronomy, he pointed out that the Jews who were freed from slavery, protected and blessed with provisions by God should be thankful, humble and live in obedience to Him.

He continued, “As Christians, we too, ought to give thanks for every experience in life. Although sometimes we fall sick or bear many problems, we believe that God is always with us.”

The prelate called on the parishioners to nurture the ‘give thanks’ attitude and make it a culture of life. He added that as Eucharistic people, “our lives are indeed marked with thanksgiving.”

Present at the Kaamatan festival was the guest of honour, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino.

He was in Kota Kinabalu for a two-day visit. Present also were clergy from  the arch/dioceses, Korean priests who serve within the archdiocese, religious sisters from various congregations, representatives from other Christian denominations, representatives from Full Gospel Businessman Malaysia, representative from Faith Comes By Hearing International USA, members of the Kadazan Dusun Audio Bible Recording Project, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Malaysia Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, and Inanam Assemblyman Dr Roland Chia.

After the Mass, all adjourned for lunch at the parish hall; various traditional foods were also served at the traditional huts.

Holy Family parish, Telipok with collaboration from St Catherine Inanam and Good Shepherd Manggatal were given the mandate to host this year’s Kaamatan under the care of Fr Bruno Yasun.

Parish priest Fr David Sham, together with Telipok organising chairman Petrus Maximus Kota led the nuncio and the archbishop to ‘walkabout’ the traditional huts to meet the parishioners and also to taste the Kadazan Dusun ethnic delicacies.

Prior to the walkabout, Abp Marino and Abp Wong were invited on stage to be garlanded, and to officiate the cake-cutting ceremony. While on stage, Abp Wong, as head of the KK Archdiocese, announced St Peter Claver Ranau to be the next host for the 18th Kaamatan Festival in 2018 under the care of Fr Nicholas Stephen.

One of the highlights of the festival was the launching of the Kadazan Dusun Audio Bible. The Kadazan Dusun Audio Bible Recording Project commenced in April 2014 with the collaboration of Faith Comes By Hearing Ministry in USA. – Linda Edward