Fr Raju celebrates 14 years as priest

PENAMPANG –  Fr Johnny Raju, an assistant parish priest at Stella Maris Church, Tanjung Aru, celebrated his 14^th anniversary of his ordination with his fellow priests, family members and friends at his home at Kg Nosoob Baru here on 28 July 2016.

Fr Johnny, who received his early education at St Anthony’s Primary School and St Michael’s Secondary School in Penampang, was ordained at the Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) in Kota Kinabalu on 20 July 2002.

Archbishop John Wong led a group of fellow priests to attend the anniversary dinner, including Fr Federick Raymond who was ordained on the same day as Fr Johnny.

Among other priests present to wish Fr Johnny happy anniversary were Fr Rhobby Mojolou and Fr Maxmilianno Hontor from SHC; Fr Dr Charles Chiew from the Diocese of Keningau; Fr Rayner Bisius, director, Initiation Year Formation House; and Fr Mattheus Augustine Luta who is on holiday from his studies in Rome.

Among parishes Fr Johnny, 51, has served since his ordination 14 years ago, were: the SHC in Kota Kinabalu; St Paul’s Church, Dontozidon; and the Holy Trinity Parish in Tawau.

Currently, aside from being an assistant parish priest at the Stella Maris Church in Tanjung Aru, he is also a visiting priest for the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Labuan.

Fr Johnny is also one of the hospital chaplains in Kota Kinabalu and actively engaged in the Prison Service.

He received his training for the priesthood at the Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Seminary in Rome.