30 attend Limbahau basic journalism seminar

LIMBAHAU – Thirty parishioners from St Joseph Papar and Holy Rosary Limbahau attended a two-day basic journalism seminar at Fr Augustine Amandus Hall here on 25-26 Feb 2017.

The youngest participant, Adrian Edgar Alexander, 13, from SMK St Joseph Papar, was one of the volunteers who assisted the parish social communications committee in covering the closing of the Jubilee Year in November 2016 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu.

In his address to the participants after the certificate presentation, Archbishop John Wong said that though not all will become writers as others may be good photographers, he hoped that there will be more contributions on parish activities through Catholic Sabah.

He acknowledged the role of the organising committee headed by Father Thomas Madanan in conducting the various sessions.

The sessions began after a Bible enthronement followed by a brief catechesis by Father Thomas Yip, the parish rector.

The second day focused on conducting interviews through practical exercises.

Fr Madanan, in his summary, used three artefacts to symbolise the mission of SOCCOM writers: the anchor – Jesus himself is the strong base of our mission; the canon – spiritual warfare;  and the weighing scales — symbol of justice and fairness in our writing.

Joseph Leong, chairman of Archdiocesan Social Communications Commission, was present throughout the two-day training programme, giving the organisers support and encouragement.

In his letter of appreciation to the members of the organising committee, Leong congratulated them, saying, ”We are very impressed and appreciative of this positive and prompt action taken by the local SOCCOM in passing what you have learnt to writers at the parish level.”