Kuala Penyu hosts 23rd diocesan anniversary

KUALA PENYU – On 2 May 2016, in Kuala Penyu, Keningau Diocese celebrated three of their yearly events: the 23rd Anniversary of Keningau Diocese, 23rd Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Cornelius Piong and Diocesan Kaamatan celebration. St Peter Bundu parish, under the care of Fr Boniface Kimsin, hosted this year’s 3-in-1 celebration.

Present at the celebration with Bishop Piong were Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan Diocese, clergy and religious of Keningau Diocese, and parishioners from far and near parishes. Invited guests who came were Datuk John Ghani, Datuk Seri Panglima Wences Angang, Tuan Limus Jury, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin and several others.

At the Eucharistic Celebration, Bishop Piong called on the congregation to give thanks to God for His guidance for the last 23 years since the diocese was established. “As people of God, we must always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so as to achieve our goals and dreams,” said the prelate.

Recalling his early days after being elected as bishop in 1993, he said he didn’t know what the direction the diocese should head towards. For that, he remembered the Bible verse which says “the Holy Spirit will teach and lead those who are open to Him.”  He attested that the dependency and willingness to learn from the Holy Spirit has brought him, step by step, to journey in the faith with the people of the diocese.

Bishop Piong reminded the faithful that while celebrating their 23rd anniversary, to continue to live out the theme “A Christ-centred family, a Culture of Praising God, Maturing Faith and  Socially Responsible”.

“Without a close relationship with Jesus, there is no way we can sustain in our faith. The world is rapidly moving and beliefs of all kinds are coming up, without us realising it, and this could be bringing our faith far from Christ Himself. So we need the Holy Spirit. He unites, teaches, reminds, gives us courage, defends our faith and gives witness to others,”  said Bishop Piong.

Before adjourning for lunch after the Eucharistic celebration, the Bishop announced the next host for the 24th diocesan anniversary would be Holy Cross Church in Toboh, Tambunan.

Various performances were prepared for the occasion. Bishop and his guests also visited the traditional huts to taste the local delicacies. – Aldrin Benedict