KK cathedral parish celebrates Mass for migrants

KOTA KINABALU – The Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish here celebrated the Mass for Migrants in conjunction with the local observance of Migrant Sunday on 1 Oct 2017.

The Mass was in BM while the songs, readings, and Prayer of the Father were done in the different languages – BM, English, Kadazan, Filipino, Indonesian, Korean, Bidayuh, Iban, Timorese.

Indonesian and Filipino flags were carried at the entrance procession, indicating the two largest migrant communities in the archdiocese.

Archbishop John Wong presided at the Mass concelebrated with Korean priest, Father Lorenzo Lee, a retired priest on holiday here.

In a brief address after the Mass, Abp Wong said, “We are all migrants – people on the move – as the Church terms it and therefore we are all brothers and sisters.”

In conjunction with his seventh episcopal anniversary, the Human Development Committee presented to the prelate a garland and a scrapbook of well-wishes from the people.

After the Mass, all adjourned to the right wing of the parish centre for a fellowship meal.

Earlier, the prelate celebrated the Solemnity of St Therese of Lisieux (Oct 1) with the Carmelite community at the Carmelite Chapel Kota Kinabalu.  St Therese is a co-patroness of the Carmelite Monastery here, the other being Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16).

In an impromptu interview on the occasion of his seventh episcopal anniversary, Abp Wong said that he has learnt to trust God more deeply – in situations when all seem hopeless, God will open a door.