Over a thousand turn up to share FSIC jubilarians’ joy

KOTA KINABALU – Over a thousand people turned up to share the jubilee joy of six Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on 21 Apr 2018.

The six sisters were golden jubilarian Sister Cabrini Mobilik, 69; ruby jubilarian Sister Grace Deosing, 65;  silver jubilarians Calista Saliun, 49;  Dariah Ajap, 51;  Julita Joseph,  50;  and Mary How, 49.

The people comprising the jubilarians’ family members, fellow religious sisters, members of other religious institutes, friends and benefactors of the congregation from within and outside the archdiocese.

Archbishop John Wong presided at the jubilee Mass concelebrated with Abp Emeritus John Lee, Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau, Bishop Julius Gitom of Sandakan, Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei, and nine priests from both KK and Keningau.

In his message, Abp Wong said: “I believe the six jubilarians have in various ways tried to help their congregation fulfill this mission (Christ Known to All).  One thing is necessary, namely, to live in conformity to Christ.”

Speaking on behalf of her fellow jubilarians, Sr Dariah thanked all those who have helped in their journey of faith in the religious life.

In her message, Sister Frances Mani, superior general of the congregation, said: “Your spiritual journey has been long, winding, and a mixture of joys and anxieties.  You believe Jesus himself has inspired you to follow him and you have remained faithful to your religious call and to the mission entrusted to you.”

After the Mass, all adjourned to the parish hall for a fellowship lunch and entertainment programme.

Born in Kobusak-Nosoob, Florence Mobilik, the eldest girl born to KK Vincent Mobilik Ubuh Sadangkat and Christina Sipanggol (Joeman), entered the congregation in 1966 and became known as Sr Cabrini of the Blessed Trinity.  She took her first vows in 1968 and made her final profession in 1973.  She is the younger sister of Brother Justin, the first Sabahan La Salle Brother.

Born also in Kobusak-Nosoob, Lenoin Stephanie aka Sr Grace Deosing of Jesus,  is the fourth child of Petrus Deosing Masayuh and Boilin Molinjang, in a brood of five boys and two girls.  She entered the congregation in 1976, made her first profession in 1978 and took her final vows in 1983. She is the immediate past superior general of the congregation (2006-2017).

Born in Bundu Tuhan, Calista Saliun aka Sr Calista of the Holy Eucharist is the fourth child in a brood of 12 born to James Saliun and Easter Endam.  She entered the congregation in 1989, took her first vows in 1993 and made her final profession in 1998.  She is the immediate past directress of novices (2006-2017) and is now a general councillor.  Her younger sister, Juanah, is also a member of the same congregation and is now the directress of novices.

Hailing from Tambunan, Dariah Ajap or Sr Dariah of the Child Jesus is the fifth child in a brood of five boys and four girls born to Abraham Ajap Sasi and Beatrice Ibih Lagan.  She entered the Franciscan Order in 1990, made her first profession in 1993 and took her final vows in 1998.  She has headed the commission of catechetics since 2002 and is currently a member of the congregation’s general government (2017-2023).  She is related to Fr Rudolf Joannes, Fr Phillip Muji, and the two Anggie siblings, Sr Liza fsic, and Sr Laura fsp, and Sr Lucynia Jeprin fsic.

Sr Mary How of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hails from Bundusan Penampang.  She is the youngest in a brood of six boys and two girls born to Francis How and Catherine Ting.  She entered the convent in 1989, took her first vows in 1993 and made her final profession in 1998.  She has been stationed at the Terengganu-Pahang Mission since 2015.

Born in Tuaran, the fourth member of the silver quartet is Sr Julita Joseph of the Holy Eucharist, the third child in a brood of two boys and four girls born to Joseph Saindi and Martina Kunou..  Like Calista and Mary, she entered the congregation in 1989, made her first profession in 1993 and took her final vows in 1998.  She is currently assigned in Tawau.

Consecrated life is born and reborn of an encounter with Jesus as he is: poor. chaste and obedience.  We journey along a double track: on the one hand, God’s loving initiative, from which everything starts and to which we must always return.  On the other, our own response, which is truly loving when it has no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ when it imitates Jesus in his poverty, chastity and obedience. (Pope Francis, homily, 22nd World Day for Consecrated Life, 2 Feb 2018).