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Author Archives: Ken Wong
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Children participate in one of the action songs, Children’s Holy Spirit Day Camp, 6-8 June 2017, SHPC.
KOTA KINABALU – This year’s Children’s Holy Spirit Day Camp drew 117 participants from Primary 2 to 6.
Organised by the Royal Ambassadors Children’s Ministry of the Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community (LJCCC), it was held on 6-8 June 2017 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre here with the theme Lights, Camera, Action!
The camp started with a time of lively Praise & Worship and an introduction to the camp theme. It was followed by a fun-filled and exciting Transformer Mission Race. The first day of camp ended with a camp fire.
Day two of the camp began with a lively & spirit-filled praise & worship led by the RA Youth. Then the children broke into different groups for sharings & workshops on God’s love, Holy Spirit and New Life in Christ. In the evening, there was a special session for the parents while the children had a prayer and healing prayer session
The final day of the camp also commenced with a lively Praise & Worship led by the RA Youth. After that, the children were led into repentance through prayer stations and praying over for empowerment of the Holy Spirit. To give thanks for God’s blessings throughout the camp, a Mass was celebrated by Archbishop John Wong. The camp concluded with a concert of dance and songs performed by the camp participants. – Bernard Liew
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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Attendees hold lighted candles as they follow in their mind the song “Go Light Your World,” SHPC, 24 June 2017.
KOTA KINABALU – Members of the different youth groups/ministries showcased their talents at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Family Night Concert and Dinner at the parish centre here on 24 June 2017.
The event took place after the Sunset Mass presided by Archbishop John Wong. Joining him at the altar were retired Archbishop John Lee and Father Joshua Liew.
Around 700 people including the religious sisters and pastoral council chairman Jason Joenoi turned up for the dinner and concert.
The event was marked by a variety of performances including testimonies by a young altar boy in English, a youth in BM and another in Mandarin, on how the parish has touched their lives and why they remain in the parish.
A surprise number was the cake-cutting by 83-year-old Abp Lee, to mark his 30th episcopal anniversary (June 26).
Among the highlights were the rendition of “Amazing Grace” by assistant pastor Father Joshua Liew and his band, and the medley choral performance by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
The event ended with the lighting of candles of all those present for the song presentation of Christopher Rice’s “Go Light Your World” (1995) before the closing prayer and blessing by Abp Wong.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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A group of children participate in one of the action song performances, SHPC, 25 Jan 2017.
KOTA KINABALU – The children concert enlivened the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Family Carnival held at the parish centre here on 25 June 2017.
It marked the end of the weeklong programme of activities marking the parish feast day starting June 19.
The children concert catered to kindergarten and primary school children and their families. The first part consisted of three action song and dance (in BM, English, Mandarin) whereby the parishioners were all invited to join the children in singing and dancing.
The second part showcased the talents of the participating children in singing, dancing, playing musical instruments either solo or as a group. There were almost 200 participants.
The gift for each participant was a red sling bag with the parish feast day logo printed on it, presented to them by Archbishop John Wong.
From 7 am to 2 pm, parishioners patronised the different food stalls operated by the various parish groups, ministries or communities of both the cathedral parish and its subparish of Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang.
Father Joshua Liew officiated the blessing of the stalls followed by the sprinkling of holy water with Father Max Hontor.
Children had fun playing with the two inflatables located at the sides of the hall.
The youth had a needle threading game and a quiz on the seven sacraments, the ten commandments, the church hierarchical offices, and the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit (CCC).
The senior parishioners had their coffee corner located on the right wing of the parish centre with free food from the parish. After donating his blood at the Blood Donation Campaign, Abp Wong took time to chat with the seniors from the first and second Masses.
Of course, grand prizes such as flat Panasonic tv screen, washing machine, bicycle, etc awaited the winners of the three sets of lucky draws. The flat tv screen was won by Somphon of CMI.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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The jubilarian (seated) flanked by Fr Lawrence Chua (L), Abp Wong (R), priests, religious, and his family members at the cake-cutting and toasting ceremony, 27 June 2017, KK.
KOTA KINABALU – Retired Archbishop John Lee expressed his joy at the sight of so many people coming to thank God with him for his 30 years as bishop.
He expressed this at the end of the anniversary Mass he concelebrated with Archbishop John Wong at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu on 26 June 2017.
The 83-year-old prelate said that the people’s participation in the Mass meant more to him than any other function as they joined him in celebrating God’s faithfulness.
He said that he is ready to sing his Nunc dimittis – the song of Simeon at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (cf Lk 2:29-32) – as he has done his part and has handed all responsibilities to his successor John Wong.
In his homily, Abp Wong said that he saw the jubilarian as a man of total commitment and dedication, giving his all to the diocese as a bishop.
Among those who came for the impromptu celebration were family members, their extended families, friends, and members of the Chinese community (groups, ministries).
After Mass, all adjourned to the right wing of the parish centre for some refreshments.
A day later, the jubilarian reiterated his joy over the people’s presence at the subscription dinner held in his honour on June 27 at Sri Tanjung Kota Kinabalu. He said he did not expect so many to come.
Over 600 people turned up for the occasion, including his seminary classmate, Father Lawrence Chua of Kuching, whom he said had helped him much in his studies then.
The jubilarian’s grand nephews and nieces stole the diners’ hearts away with their musical and Hakka recital performances.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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VATICAN CITY – On 27 June 2017, Pope Francis marked the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a bishop, celebrating Mass with members of the College of Cardinals in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
Commenting on the day’s readings, the Holy Father remarked that the patriarch Abraham “was more or less our age” when he heard the Lord’s call. But he rejected the charge that the hierarchy is “the ‘gerontocracy’ of the Church.” Rather, he said, “we are grandfathers, to whom our grandchildren look.” He went on to say that as grandfathers, bishops and cardinals “are called to dream and to pass on our dream to today’s youth.”
Speaking in his capacity as dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano offered the best wishes of the College to the Pope, assuring him of the cardinals’ prayers and allegiance. – CWN
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
June 2017
SH new members encouraged to join parish groups and ministries for ongoing faith formation
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RCIA facilitator Charles Tibok sits with some of his students, SHPC, 11 June 2017.
KOTA KINABALU – All the newly baptised (Easter) and confirmed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here were encouraged to join any of the parish groups, ministries or communities for their ongoing faith formation, Bible study/reading, and receiving the sacraments frequently.
Both Archbishop John Wong and Parish Pastoral Council chairman Jason Joenoi gave this encouragement in their respective speeches at the fellowship night on 11 June 2017 at the parish centre.
The 196 newly baptised (adults and children) received their certificates while the 300 confirmands (adolescents) received their gifts – the latter will receive their certificates at yearend.
The function was also graced by Abp Emeritus John Lee and all the assistant pastors were present to help distribute the certificates and gifts.
The new members were accompanied by their family members, sponsors and godparents.
Earlier in the day, Abp Wong and his assistants administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the 300 candidates who came from their respective language classes (Chinese, English, BM), including 13 from CMI.
Aside from receiving the gifts and certificates, the new members responded by giving three presentations in skits and choral singing.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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Participants pose for remembrance, ACCPC Kuching, 14 June 2017.
KUCHING – Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese led the sharing of online resources among the dioceses during the Regional Commission on Social Communications (RCSC) meeting on 12-14 June 2017.
Participants came from Kuala Lumpur (KL), Kota Kinabalu (KK), Kuching Archdioceses and from the dioceses of Sandakan, Miri, Melaka-Johor, Penang and from the Brunei Vicariate. There were no representatives from Keningau, Sibu and Singapore.
Before the opening Mass, Archbishop Simon Poh welcomed the participants to Kuching for their annual meeting and then left for another function.
Bishop Cornelius Sim, the episcopal president, presided over the opening Mass at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre. Joining him at the altar were Fathers Thomas Madanan (KK), Robert Leong (Brunei), Felix Au (Kuching), and Peter Anthoney (KL).
In his keynote address based on the pope’s World Day of Communications message (Communicating Hope and Trust in Our Time), Bishop Sim called on the members to use the Jesus lens to see peoples and events as “compassion is colour blind,” and to have more human-interest stories in their media reports and posts.
The participants listened to three talks pertaining to Islamisation Strategies and Media Usage (Father Felix Au), Youth and Social Media (Ralph Balan), and Laudato Si (Margaret Chan), with group discussion on the last two topics.
Of interest was the visit to the Archdiocesan Gallery on the history of Christianity in Sarawak with Fr Au as guide before the talks on youth and social media and on Laudato Si.
The first day ended with the viewing of “Wonder Woman” at Viva City Mall, with its many Christian themes relevant to the communications ministry.
On the second day, Karen Arukesamy shared on Signis Malaysia Journalism Desk and encouraged the representatives to apply for Signis funding. The groups then presented the summary of their discussions and plans of action.
The election of office bearers 2017-2019 took place before lunch. The assembly unanimously retained Father Madanan as chairman, elected Sister Anna Yap fsp (KK) as deputy chairperson, Ignatius Krishnan (KL) as secretary, and Joyce Ting (Kuching) as assistant secretary.
After lunch, each arch/diocese/organisation presented its report on the various activities carried out.
After presenting his report, Krishnan offered his expertise and online resources to the other participants so that together they can harness the communications media for evangelisation.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Sim proposed the icon of the Samaritan Woman representing those looking for living water which has been entrusted to the Church. He said Catholic media can bring seekers to the font of the living water in the digital world.
The bishop also thanked the participants for their presentations and said this year’s meeting was an eye-opening event, enabling them to move forward to the next level. He called on the new office bearers to find ways to meet together (either through video conferencing or another way) to plan for the next meeting.
He then thanked the outgoing office bearers – Fr Madanan, Frank Saing and Clement Josos- for their services and welcomed the new office bearers.
The Brunei prelate also expressed his thanks to Kuching SOCCOM headed by Stella Chin for hosting the event.
The meeting ended with a closing Mass presided by Abp Poh and a fellowship dinner at the Sarawak Club.
The next meeting will be hosted by Keningau Diocese on 18-21 June 2018.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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Fr Mojolou carries the monstrance as the procession moves from the cathedral to the parish centre, Corpus Christi, 17 June 2017, SHC.
KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral here celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) with a candlelight procession on 17 June 2017.
The procession started after the post-Communion prayer from the cathedral to the parish centre via the back lane through the two kindergartens. Benediction was given by Father Rhobby Mojolou after a period of silent adoration.
Joining Fr Mojolou were Father Max Hontor, the extraordinary ministers of holy Communion (EMCs) who have just renewed their commitment to serve for another year after the homily, the LJCCC choir, and all the faithful present for the Sunset Mass.
Of the 32 EMCs, 13 serve during the cathedral’s Sunset Mass, 13 the Sunday Morning Mass, and six at the Morning Mass at the Carmelite Chapel. Those serving in the Chinese and BM Masses would renew their commitment the next day at the 7 am Chinese Mass and 10:45 am BM Mass respectively. Those serving in Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang would renew their commitment at the 9 am Mass.
Before Second World War (1939-1945), the Corpus Christi Procession was a grand annual affair and an open witness of the faith in many mission stations. Everyone took part in it. The religious, nurses, boy scouts and girl guides, students, groups, each dressed in their uniforms, would take part in the solemn procession. This was replicated in the 1950s and 1960s.
Now in most churches, the procession is confined only to church premises.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu
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Family members join Fr Max to pose for the camera, SH canteen, 18 June 2017.
KOTA KINABALU – Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish marked its assistant pastor’s priestly anniversary with a simple dinner per request of the honouree on 18 June 2017.
Over 200 people turned up for Father Maxmillianno Hontor’s third priestly anniversary dinner at the parish canteen including members of his family.
It was organised by the social committee of the parish pastoral council.
In his welcoming remarks, Jason Joenoi, PPC chairman, explained that the event was held at the canteen at the request of Fr Max himself.
The occasion was graced by Archbishop John Wong and the other three assistant pastors – Fathers Rhobby Mojolou, Mitchelly Kiun and Joshua Liew.
In his brief speech, Fr Max thanked the organising committee and all those present for commemorating his anniversary. He asked them to continue praying for him as they journey together as a parish family.
Born in 1977, the honouree was ordained priest on 15 June 2014 in Inanam by Abp Wong. He is the second priest from Inanam; the first is Fr Patrick Erik Jerome who is serving at St Peter’s College Kuching. In September this year, another son of Inanam, Deacon Leslie Bingkasan will be ordained a Jesuit priest at St Catherine Inanam.
Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu