Author Archives: Grace Liew

By William Charles Mindus

Sixty-six members of parish human development committees across the three arch/dioceses in Sabah participated in the training of trainers for migrant ministry on 2-3 Mar 2018.

The training, held at the retreat centre here, was organised by the KK Archdiocesan Human Development Commission (AHDC).

The programme began with the Bible Enthronement by Father Benedict Runsab and a recap on AMOS-3 and its action plan by Dominic Lim, coordinator of AHDC-KK.

In his homily on Mar 3,  Father Ambrose Atang, AHDC spiritual adviser, reminded the participants of the pastoral spiral SEE-JUDGE-ACT in all their dealings. Based on the Gospel reading on the parable of the prodigal son, he helped them to view migrants with the merciful eyes of the Father.

The main session began with the first presentation by magistrate Elsie Primus on the rights of migrant workers based on the East Malaysian Labour Ordinance. These include applicability of Employment Act 1955, Sabah Labour Ordinance [Cap.67 and 2004], Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1952 pertaining to among others; remuneration (salary and wages), leave, termination, women’s rights, children labour, complaint filing procedures, insurance coverage and other rights.

In addition, Primus also briefly explained the importance of understanding and adhering to the Minimum Salary Directives 2016 (Perintah Gaji Minimum 2016), the Employee Provident Act 1951 and Social Security Act (Perkeso), Employment Injury Scheme, Employment Insurance System, Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and Industrial Relationship Act 1967.

The Q&A after her talk touched on many issues cited by the participants, especially on the rights and duties of both the employee/labourer and employer, as most are unaware of the legal protection laws covering migrant labour employment and its existence.

The second session focused on the topic of alternative approach to application of Birth Identification Documentation presented by Jellferlyne Joseph from Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS).

Her talk was based on the Human Rights Declaration 1948 (Article 13: Rights for a Citizenship) and Convention of the Rights of Children (Article 7 and 8: Rights of children to have a Name and Citizenship) as enshrined by the United Nations and the steps taken by PKGS to assist migrant children (currently only available for Indonesian Migrants) in obtaining birth certificate through the assistance of the consulate office.

This will ensure that the children do not add towards the statistics of ‘stateless children’ and on the humanitarian perspective enable them to acquire proper education and necessary skills for their future endeavours in life.

Franciscan Sister Anita Lintanga touched on pastoral approaches towards migrants including visiting, organising and networking with them. She quoted from Erga migrantes caritas Christi (Love of Christ towards Migrants).  Citing Pope Francis’ message, the pastoral approach can be summed up in four words: welcoming, protecting, integrating and promoting the cause of migrants.

To drive across her point, a brief sketch role-play was presented by the Migrant Committee of AHDC. It highlighted the common real-case scenario of challenges encountered in migrant ministry.

Two participants, Imelda from Papar and Zilpah from Kota Kinabalu, shared their stories.  Both have high hopes that the local Church will continue to meet the pastoral needs of the migrants.

Before the training ended, Lim presented some of the follow-up actions which were identified, discussed and agreed upon in AMOS-3 and the 5^th Triparte Pastoral Gathering at Ende, Flores last October.

Among them were data collection on Indonesian migrants, migrant serving migrant as catechists, MoU with Flores dioceses, and the care for the 3^rd generation migrants. To carry out these, a team headed by Bishop Julius Gitom was set up on 22 February 2018 to spearhead and monitor the follow-up actions. The team comprises Human Development Commission members from the three arch/dioceses.

Fr Atang, in his concluding remarks, said that systematic approach to pastoral care for migrants in the local Church has seen incremental changes over the years. He personally found fulfilment in his priestly ministry when he began to be involved in migrant work. He encouraged the participants to work closely with their pastors.

In a way,  the migrant ministry is beginning to see its fruits in Sabah, beginning with AMOS-1 (Bundu Tuhan/Feb 2011), AMOS-2 (Keningau/Feb 2013) and AMOS-3 (Sandakan/Sept 2017).

The Triparte Pastoral Gatherings between the Sending Diocese of Flores, Transit Diocese of Tanjong Selor and the three arch/dioceses in Sabah as Receiving Church have enhanced greater cooperation and collaboration in the pastoral care for migrants.—(SOCCOM Papar)

 

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: Seminarians Russell Lawrine and Gilbert Marcus publically declared their intention to pursue Holy Orders and were officially accepted as candidates for ordination during the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders at the 6 am Friday Morning Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Wong at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on 9 Mar 2018.

Both will be ordained deacons at the cathedral by Abp Wong on Sunday Mar 11 at 5 pm.

Assisting the prelate were Father Paul Lo (who called the candidates by name) and Father Joshua Liew.—kkdiocese.net

 

 

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR (Herald Malaysia): The Church offers us the Lenten practices of prayer, almsgiving and fasting which Pope Francis calls a “soothing remedy.” Prayer allows us to eradicate “secret lies” and “self-deception,” and we find “the consolation God offers,” he says. Almsgiving frees us from greed; it helps us regard others as brothers and sisters. “How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us!” he says. Fasting “weakens our tendency to violence,” reviving “our desire to obey God,” who alone can satisfy our hunger.

For the fifth straight year, our Holy Father invited dioceses, parishes and communities to join him in participating in the initiative entitled 24 Hours for the Lord. This programme, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, was aimed at placing the Sacrament of Reconciliation once again at the centre of the pastoral activity of the Church.

This year, inspired by the words of Psalm 130:4, “With you is forgiveness”, the 24 hours with the Lord took place from Friday, March 9 to Saturday, March 10.

The Pope reminds us that although the flame of charity may die in our hearts, it never dies in God’s. After “Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession,” he says that the “new fire” of the Easter Vigil, the light of Christ will enable us to listen to God’s word and nourish ourselves on the Eucharist, making our hearts “more ardent in faith, hope and love.”

“In each diocese, at least one church remains open for twenty-four consecutive hours, offering an opportunity for both Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession.” (Pope Francis, 2018 Lenten Message)

During this season of Lent, Pope Francis tells us, “Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.”

In Rome, Pope Francis opened the initiative by presiding at a penitential celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, March 9. Following the conclusion of this service, a number of churches throughout the City of Rome remained open for 24 hours, with confessors available and Eucharistic Adoration.

And this year for the first time, the initiative was also held in prisons in Italy.

It was the same for Malaysia too.

In Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese, the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist was open for prayer for the whole day.

Each week in March, some of our priests visit the prisons to preach the Word and hears confessions.

There are also some priests who bring the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the migrants.

In the Penang Diocese, the initiative took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Sebastian Francis, in his letter to the clergy, religious and laity, had encouraged them to either join or organise one on their own.

In Malacca Johore Diocese, almost all the parishes organised the 24 hours for the Lord.

The Kuching Archdiocese organised the 24 hours for the Lord at the Cathedral of St Joseph. There was the Eucharistic Adoration with the Sacrament of Reconciliation

It was the same for the Diocese of Sibu, where it was held at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
In Miri Diocese, it will be held at the Carmelite Chapel from March 23 at 12.00 noon with Opening Mass and will end on Saturday, March 24 at 12.00 noon with Closing Mass.

In Sabah, the Diocese of Sandakan held it at the Cathedral of St Mary. The emphasis was on reconciliation, Stations of the Cross, various prayers and quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament.

For the Diocese of Keningau, as part of their preparation for their silver jubilee, confessions are held everyday and there is a 15-hour adoration every Wednesday at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Rumah Retret Keuskupan Keningau in Tatal.

Other than the confessions at parishes during the season of Lent, Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese did not organise the 24 hours for the Lord. However, confessions will be offered to parents with infants and senior citizens at Sacred Heart Cathedral from March 19-21 from 8.30 am – 10.00 am.

 

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KUALA LUMPUR: Below are the details of the Chrism Masses to be celebrated in all the Arch/Dioceses of Malaysia:

Mar 20 : Church of the Risen Christ, Air Itam (Penang Diocese) at 8.00pm

Mar 21 : Sacred Heart Cathedral (Sibu Diocese) at 7.15pm
St Ignatius Church (KL Archdiocese) at 7.30pm
St Joseph’s Cathedral (Miri Diocese) at 7.30pm
Church of the Immaculate Conception (Malacca Johore Diocese) at 8.00pm

Mar 22 : Sacred Heart Cathedral (Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese) at 7.30pm

Mar 23 : St Mary’s Cathedral (Sandakan Diocese) at 7.30pm

Mar 27 : Cathedral of St Francis Xavier (Keningau Diocese) at 6.00pm

Mar 28 : St Joseph’s Cathedral (Kuching Archdiocese) at 7.30pm

Traditionally held on Holy Thursday morning (in some dioceses it may be on any day), the bishop, joined by the priests of the diocese, gather at the Cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass.

This Mass manifests the unity of the priests with their Bishop.

Here, the bishop blesses three oils — the Oil of Catechumens (oleum catechumenorum or oleum sanctorum), the Oil of the Sick (oleum infirmorum) and Holy Chrism (sacrum chrisma) — which will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese for the year. Whenever the Holy Oils are used in a diocese, the ministry of the Bishop, who consecrated them, is symbolically present.

 

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online