Soccom’s YoM message reaches outstation parishes

Kota Kinabalu – Members of the Social Communications Commission of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu (SOCCOM ADKK) visited two parishes during this year’s season of Lent with the purpose of communicating the Gospel message of God’s mercy to the people.

They were at St. Pius X, Church, Bundu Tuhan, and the St. Peter’s Church in Kudat  on April 5, and April 12 respectively, to carry out its Year of Mercy (YoM) programme there.

The Jubilee Year of Mercy, from 8 Dec 2015 to 20 Nov 2016, was proclaimed by Pope Francis as a special time for believers to grow stronger and more effective in giving witness to the mercy shown by God the Father.

Fr Thomas Madanan, the Commission’s Spiritual Advisor, who led the Soccom team in conducting the YoM programme, told the gatherings that for Christians, seeking God’s mercy and showing mercy to others is an endeavour of a lifetime.

That was the reason why, he said, that the Commission has decided to continue with its special YoM programme, despite the fact that the Jubilee Year had ended in November 2016, in order to convey to the people of God at the parish level on, “What Mercy Means to Me and My Family”.

This year, the Soccom ADKK members joining Fr Thomas in presenting the programme were Sr. Bibianah Dunsia,fsp, Ruben Sario, Gideon Abel and Joseph Leong, who jointly gave the catechesis, based on the Gospel message on Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), and to give personal witness on the mercy of God shown to them in their life.

The speakers invited the parishioners of the two churches to be reconciled with each other in their respective family by way of forgiveness and other acts of mercy, particularly during the season of Lent.

By way of its special YoM programme, Soccom ADKK continues with its mission to spread the Gospel message not only in writing but by word of mouth as well, personally sharing the good news of love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

They have organized the programme also as part of its outreach to parishes in the Archdiocese updating them on latest activities of the Commission and encouraging them to establish new or strengthening the existing social communications or publicity committee.

The programme was conducted in both churches on a Friday following the Station of the Cross and a Holy Mass. It received full support from the parish priest Fr Michael Modoit at Bundu Tuhan, the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Joseph Akiu,   together with  the parishioners (around 150 people) who stayed back to listen to the talk.

Meanwhile, at the St Peter’s Church, Kudat , among those who attended were about 50 parishioners including 39 youth who were having a weekend camp in the parish to prepare them for the World Youth Day celebration on Palm Sunday in union with youths throughout the world. Some members of PPCs were also there. Likewise , dinner was served at the parish hall just before the talk.

Previous occasions when the Soccom YoM event was held were at: the Holy Rosary Church, Limbahau (Nov 11, 2016); the Holy Nativity Church, Terawi (April 28, 2017); St Catherine’s Church, Inanam (Aug 18, 2017); St Joseph Husband of Mary, Kiulu (Mar 2, 2018), and St John’s Church, Tuaran (Mar 9, 2018). – kkdiocese.net