2014-4 – Page 2 – Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

Lenten season – an opportunity or a burden?

TAWAU – Reflecting on the meaning of Lent, some might say it is a season of fasting and abstinence, some might accept it as an ordinary moment whereas to others, it is the time to discern and struggle to be a better individual.

Continuous formation in feeding on spiritual food seems to be the perfect way to understand deeper the meaning of Lent. Acknowledging this need, another recollection was held mainly for members of the Parish Liturgical Committee, facilitators of the Children Liturgy of the Word and all lectors and commentators Mar 15. Some 40 participants attended the session.

Festival of love

TAWAU – The 40 days of Lent is an occasion for us to examine our faith and deepen our commitment to live the Christian life. Some 30 English Joyful Sunday School students of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau, 12 parents and facilitators made a visit to the Old Folks Home Mar 25 to experience more of Jesus.

Dialogue session on national unity

SANDAKAN – The National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) in collaboration with the Department of National Unity and Integration of the Prime Minister’s Department has undertaken a nationwide unity dialogue session with the public themed ‘Dialog Perpaduan : Suara Akar Umbi~Membina Bersama Bangsa Malaysia yang Bersatu Padu.’ The dialogue session was conducted in SMK Merparti, Sandakan on Sunday, Mar 9, and was attended by around 300 people on an invitation basis involving government departments and agencies, political parties, non-government and faith based organisations.

Becoming the “Elect” of God

KOTA KINABALU (CS) - At the heart of our Christian life is the understanding that each of us is called by God. We recall the words of Christ who said “You did not choose me, no, I chose you”. Not…

Remembering Him through sacrifice

SANDAKAN – More than 2,000 faithful thronged St Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season Mar 5.

The main Cathedral, both the left and right extended wings and the choir loft were fully occupied, with many more standing throughout the mass at the frontage. They came in full faith to celebrate Ash Wednesday, remembering Him through sacrifice.

Bishop Pedro Arigo pays courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong

KOTA KINABALU – Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, accompanied by 7 priests, 3 sisters and 3 church volunteers arrived at Kota Kinabalu 25 Feb 2014 for a four-day study tour. During his stay in Kota Kinabalu, he paid a courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong. The visitors were also able to participate in the ordination ceremony of Fr Michelly Kiun on Feb 26 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Karamunsing.

Putatan church is 25% completed

KOTA KINABALU – Members of the Church building committee of St Catherine Laboure Church, Putatan (originally named as St Catherine of Siena) made a courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong at his office Feb 19. The group includes Fr Fundes Motiung, rector of Stella Maris Church, assistant rector, Fr Tony Mojiwat, chairman of the building committee, Stephen Sondoh, Dr Tan Jun Kwan and other church’s consultants, and the contractor.

First Malaysian conferred knighthood by Pope Francis

ROME, Feb 27, 2014: The Holy Father today conferred the title Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Sylvester, Pope and Martyr, (one of the five Orders of Knighthood awarded directly by the Pope) on a Malaysian for his contributions to social communication.

Augustine Loorthusamy, the outgoing president of Signis (World Catholic Association for Communication), is the first Malaysian to receive this prestigious award from Pope Francis.

Over 700 celebrate inaugural IWD in KK Archdiocese

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Over 700 Catholic women gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) for the first time in Kota Kinabalu on 8 Mar 2014.

International Women’s Day, held globally on Mar 8 each year, celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. The first IWD was held in 1911.

Layman gives perspective on the marriage game

Catholics are being rather deliberately prodded toward frenzy by media coverage of Pope Francis’ desire for more effective pastoral care of those who are divorced and remarried. Here is an excerpt from Dr Jeff Mirus’ brief examination on the pastoral-doctrinal issue:

“A high-ranking Churchman has emphasised that the status of divorced and remarried Catholics ‘should be looked at with a merciful eye’, which means changing the pastoral practice which bars couples in this ‘status’ from receiving Communion.