SH fiesta programme has something for everyone

KOTA KINABALU – The Sacred Heart Cathedral Fiesta programme has something for everyone.

The weeklong programme is scheduled for 19-25 June 2017.  Preparing for it will be the block rosary in the homes and taman Masses on all Fridays starting May 5 (1 taman), May 12 (4 tamans), May 19 (5 tamans), May 26 (5 tamans), June 9 (5 tamans) and June 16 (5 tamans).

In its fourth year now, the parish fiesta is aimed to help all parishioners to grow in oneness in mind and spirit as a parish family.  To this end, a special prayer has been composed for it.

A triduum of prayers will be held on the first three days  – Mon-Wed, June 19-21 – at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel from 7 am – 12 noon.  Parish groups (by language) will take turns to adore the Lord in the exposed Blessed Sacrament: Mon (BM); Tue (CH); and Wed (EN).  Benediction will be held at 11:45 am followed by Mass at 12:15 pm.  Talks related to the Feast of the Sacred Heart will be held in the evening at 7:30 pm: Mon (EN), Tue (CH) and Wed (BM).  The 6 am morning Mass will be on as usual.

Friendly soccer matches will be held on Wed June 21 at Penampang Stadium A, 4 pm – 5 pm.  Each team (SHC, CMI, St Paul Dontozidon, OLQP Kobusak, Aspirants/IY, Clergy) will play for 10 minutes (5 minutes in first half and 5 minutes in second half).

Another event for sports buffs is friendly badminton matches for all: veterans (ages 45-50), youth (12-17), others (18-45) in the following categories: individual, team, mixed double.  Registration begins on Apr 23.  Preliminary rounds are held every Sunday starting Apr 23.  The final rounds are held on Friday, June 23 from 2 pm to 5 pm.  All matches are held at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.

The trilingual Eucharistic celebration at 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 22, will be the highlight of the weeklong celebration as it is the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, titular feast of the cathedral.  The clergy will prepare themselves for this celebration with a recollection in the morning.

The sick and the elderly of the parish will have their own Mass on Friday, June 23, at 10 am at the cathedral.  It will be followed by the anointing of the sick and concluded with a fellowship at the parish centre.

For movie buffs, a movie night will be held on Friday, June 23, at 7:30 pm at the parish centre.  A movie on family life will be screened.

The youths are not forgotten – they will organise the family night and dinner on Saturday, June 24 – based on the theme The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his Name (Lk 1:49). It will be a night to remember with cultural dances,  songs, and testimonies in different languages by the different parish groups and communities.  There will also be a surprise number.

The culmination of the weeklong celebration will be the parish family carnival on Sunday, June 25.  Parishioners are encouraged not just to enjoy the day but also to give back something in return in the form of a blood donation drive in front of G1, parish centre foyer after the 7 am Mass.

In addition, parishioners will get the opportunity to sample international dishes – Kadazandusun, Indonesian, Filipino, Korean, Western and others.  Not only that, there will also be a acultural show displaying the various types of cultural attire and explanation of their significance.

Moreover, parishioners can avail of the free professional advice/services of lawyers, doctors, and nurses at the different booths set up for them.  There will also be a special children booth.

Senior parishioners (60 years above) will have a designated coffee corner for them in gratitude for their past services and contributions to the parish.

Children will not only be performing on stage, but they will also take part in a bible quiz.  Younger ones will get the opportunity to play with inflatables.

Events on carnival day will intersperse with lucky draws.

Indeed, the organisers hope that parishioners will benefit from all the events drawn up and move towards becoming a parish family in heart and spirit.