tmd – Page 28 – Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Fr Coogan celebrates 90th birthday

KOTA KINABALU – Father Brian Coogan is back this time round, to celebrate his 90th birthday at the encouragement of his old boys on Feb 6, 2014. Beloved of his students who have been tirelessly working to bring him back at any opportune moment, he has yet to disappoint them to their delight.

Sharp as ever his memory, though he begged to differ in his still workable Hakka “ Ngai how lau!” (I am really very old), he obliged Catholic Sabah regaling his days when he first arrived the shores of Borneo as a freshly ordained young priest of 23 years of age.

Fr Mitchelly shares his vocation story

I had no idea that I would be called but for God’s plan. He has an ultimate plan for me that I know not of but if I follow His guidance, I would get to it. The Lord is my shepherd … he leads me beside still waters; (Ps 23:1, 3)

He guided me through my mother. I owe it to my mother, whose simple faith and commitment to bring her children to faith that God sees fit today to reward her in my ordination to the presbyterate.

Fr Rhobby shares his vocational journey

Ever since I could remember from a young age, the attraction to the priesthood has always been there.

But I thought God’s call would be something spectacular, like those in the Scriptures. I was naively waiting for it. Will it come in a dream, or an apparition, or a vision? I was in fact blindly looking for my own sign to confirm that God was really calling.

How much more spectacular could that sign be when over and over again it was right there before my eyes were it not for my blindness!

Priestly ordinations bring a ray of hope

KOTA KINABALU – It was a week of great joy and thanksgiving for the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu as two young men were ordained into the priesthood.

The Sacerdotal ordination of Fr Rhobby Aaron Mojolou took place in his home parish of St Michael’s Feb 24, 2014, followed by the ordination of Fr Mitchelly Kiun two days later at his home parish of Sacred Heart Cathedral. This brings the number of priests in the archdiocese to 37. It also marks the first sacerdotal ordination presided by Archbishop John Wong as the ordinary of the archdiocese.

Pope Francis writes a letter to families

“Dear families,

With this letter, I wish, as it were, to come into your homes to speak about an event which will take place at the Vatican this coming October. It is the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which is being convened to discuss the theme of “pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization”. Indeed, in our day the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel by confronting the new and urgent pastoral needs facing the family.

29th World Youth Day message focuses on the first beatitude

VATICAN CITY, Feb 06, (Zenit.org) - The Holy See today published Pope Francis’ message for the 29th World Youth Day (WYD), which will take place on Palm Sunday, April 13. The theme for this year’s event is based on an…

Pope’s Lenten message emphasises generosity

VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 (VIS) – “He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” is the title of the Holy Father's Message for Lent 2014. The title is drawn from the Second Letter of St. Paul…

Sandakan hosts 43rd RBC Meeting

SANDAKAN – 10 members of the Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Regional Biblical Commission convened at the Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral Centre for their 43rd annual meeting.

The 3-day event was held Feb 11-13, 2014. Archbishop John Ha of Kuching Archdiocese, who is the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and who is also the President of the Regional Biblical Commission, presided over the meeting.

HTC ushers in Lunar New Year with Mass

TAWAU - Holy Trinity Parish Tawau ushered in the Chinese Lunar New Year with a Thanksgiving Mass Jan 31, attended by some 400 Chinese parishioners together with parishioners from the different communities. The Mass was presided over by the rector,…

Shan Tao Kindergarten celebrates Chap Goh Mei

KOTA KINABALU – Chap Goh Mei has been a yearly traditional celebration to conclude the Lunar New Year for the children and parents with their teachers of Shan Tao Kindergarten.

It is a time that is usually looked forward to with great excitement and anticipation by both the children and teachers. Challenged to display their knowledge and skills, the children worked hard to put together their performances, songs and artwork, ably guided by their teachers.