St Simon Likas marks parish feast day with launching of fundraising for Catholic Centre

LIKAS – St Simon’s Church here marked its 33rd anniversary with the launching of the fundraising for the Catholic Centre on 29 Oct 2017.

The occasion was the pastoral visit of Archbishop John Wong on its patronal feast day – St Simon the Zealot, Apostle and Martyr.

Concelebrating the Mass with Abp Wong were Archbishop Emeritus John Lee and Father Cosmas Lee, the rector.

As in past years, the prelate administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 29 candidates and First Eucharist to 31 children.

To the confirmands (rite of passage to spiritual adulthood), Abp Wong warned them of three enemies they have encountered and will encounter: lack of self-acceptance, worldliness (greed for worldly possessions), and temptation to do evil.

After Mass, all adjourned to the parish hall for the reception and the launching of the fundraising for the Catholic Centre.

Instead of the usual speech, Fr Lee explained the need for a new Catholic Centre, which he said was not a new idea but one that was mooted 20 years ago.

The parish has been tasked to contribute about half a million Ringgit toward the building project which will be sited at the former Shan Tao Primary School at Jalan Sang Kancil 3 near the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Fr Lee said there will be three fundraisers: food fair/bazaar on Feb 4, a monthly third collection and personal pledges.

However, he reminded the parishioners that part of the proceeds from any common fundraisers will go toward the building projects of the two schools under the parish: St James Primary School Hall (20%) and an IT block for SM Shan Tao (30%).

In his brief address before he declared the fundraising launch, Abp Wong urged the parents of the first communicants to help them “fall in love” with Jesus so that they will become his disciples and be sent by him to others.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu