Category Archives: May 2018

PENAMPANG  – The Episcopal Commission for Creation Justice (CJC), formerly called the Commission of Justice and Peace, under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei gathers at least once a year, and comprises  representatives from the arch/dioceses of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor-Melaka, Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Sandakan and Brunei Vicariate.

KK Archdiocese hosted the gathering on 23-27 Apr 2018 at Vianney Home Dontozidon.

Present at the gathering were Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu Diocese (president); Fatherr Bernard Arputhasamy of KL Archdiocese (chairman), and representatives from the arch/dioceses of Penang, Johor-Melaka, Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Kota Kinabalu, with an observer from Singapore.

During the meeting, the CJC representatives prayed, reflected, shared, brainstormed, and planned.  Among the plans for the months ahead are Train the Trainers workshops to develop facilitators to spearhead and drive the process within their respective dioceses.

Creation Justice Commission (CJC) seeks to bring about the social and ecological transformation advocated by Pope Francis in his encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (LS).

If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs.  By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously. – Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ mi Signore: Encyclical Letter on Care for Our Common Home (2015, no 11)

Laudato Si’ has become “the way forward” for the Church and the world at large to be ecologically revolutionised in caring for creation, in protecting  Mother Earth.

Pope Paul VI saw “the urgent need for a radical change in the conduct of humanity” in referring to the ecological concern in 1971 “Due to an ill-considered exploitation of nature, humanity runs the risk of destroying it and becoming in turn a victim of its degradation.” – Pope Paul VI in Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action), 80th anniversary of the publication of Rerum Novarum (1971, No 21)

Creation (or Ecological) Justice is justice for all creation.  It is recognising that all creation is infused with the Spirit of God, our Creator, and that all living creatures have the right to live with dignity. It acknowledges that we, humans, are creatures too, are meant to live as one with all other creation, and to carry a special responsibility to care for and love our created brothers and sisters, from the poor and marginalised in society to the moss in the forest and the fish in the oceans.

With its vision of “people living in oneness with all creation, upholding creation justice”, the CJC employs various strategies, which can be carried out collectively by the regional commission or by individual dioceses, to carry out its mission of “advancing creation justice and resilience”.

The key strategies are 1) to build leadership and capacity to spearhead and drive the process; 2) to raise awareness through ecological education; 3) to build the ecological movement and ecological models of dialogue, interaction, development, and governance; and 4) to establish ecological focal points of hope and resilience.

Capacity-sharing opportunities can be provided for people to “reduce and stop” harmful ecological practices, and “start and sustain” good ecological practices, eg reducing using of fossil fuel, stopping polluting, stopping deforestation, reusing resources, growing home gardens, etc.

The Roman Catholic Church acknowledges the global climate crisis as a real threat to all life on Earth, mainly caused by human actions.  The climate crisis is a wake-up call that “things are now reaching a breaking point” (LS 61) and that we need to change the way we live in order to protect humankind from self-destruction (LS 79).  The pope calls us to an “ecological conversion” (LS 217).  He asks us to “hear both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor” (LS 49).

Supported by CJC’s framework, dioceses are urged to lead by example, in walking the talk by stopping all our activities/practices destructive to people and planet.  Small “eco-circles” can be formed all over the dioceses/parishes, comprising of people willing to embrace the ecological way of life.

An example of ecological focal point in a diocese is a demonstration experiential learning site to showcase a productive, climate-resilient, and sustainable living ecological system.  The site could serve as a formation centre, and provide Laudato Si’, resilience, justice, and agro-ecology orientation programmes.

Other eco-focal points could be eco-hubs for information/resources/services; disaster risk reduction centres; consumer-farmer eco-markets; and others.

Dioceses can help to identify communities/parishes/Catholic schools or centres, willing to become ‘model’ sites to showcase ecological and resilience principles and practices on a small scale.

In a plea to all people of goodwill, not just Catholics, Bishop Hii urged, “Look at creation and earth, the common home that we share, as sacred for God is its Creator.  Be responsible stewards to look after Mother Earth as our common home.”

The next gathering is scheduled for November 2018. – CS

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

TANJUNG ARU: Stella Maris parish here initiated a ‘Rice Bowl’ project during Lent, which was well participated by parishioners, who contributed either in kind or cash.

The goods were distributed to Holy Family in Purak, Woori Jib Potuki, Assumption of Our Lady Sugud, Bukit Harapan Manggatal, IY Formation House, Good Shepherd Crisis Centre, Seri Mengasih Tanjung Aru, Franciscan Pre-Novitiate and Generalate, and needy families in the parish and in the vicinity of Tanjung Aru.

The Rice Bowl was initiated by the altar servers and youths, supported by the sacristans.

During Lent, the parishioners broadened their awareness that Lenten practices are not only prayers and fasting, but also in almsgiving.  Contributing a rice bowl a day to feed the hungry gave them a sense of joy and accomplishment: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.  I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Mt 25:35–36)

The Rice Bowl team during their visits also got to know and understand better those in need.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

VATICAN CITY – Following a meeting between the Council of Cardinals and Pope Francis on 19 May 2018, the Vatican announced that Bl Pope Paul VI and Bl Oscar Romero will be canonised together on 14 Oct 2018.

During an ordinary consistory on Saturday, Francis decreed that the two blesseds will be canonised alongside four others: Bl Francesco Spinelli, a diocesan priest and founder of the Institute of the Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament; Bl Vincenzo Romano, a diocesan priest from Torre de Greco in Italy; Bl Maria Caterina Kasper, a German nun and founder of the Institute of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ; and Nazaria Ignazia of Saint Teresa of Jesus, founder of the Congregation of the Misioneras Cruzadas de la Iglesia Sisters.

As expected, the canonisations will take place during the 2018 Synod of Bishops on the topic of young people, the faith and vocational discernment, which is set to take place on 3-28 Oct 2018.

The Vatican had announced March 7 that Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero would be canonised following the recognition of a second miracle through their intercession.

Born Giovanni Montini in 1897 in the town of Concesio, Italy, the future Pope Paul VI was ordained a priest at the age of 22. He served as Archbishop of Milan prior to his election as Bishop of Rome in 1963.

As pope, he oversaw much of the Second Vatican Council, which had been opened by Pope St John XXIII, and in 1969 promulgated a new Roman Missal. He died in 1978, and was beatified by Pope Francis on 19 Oct 2014.

Pope Francis himself unofficially confirmed the news of Paul VI’s canonisation during his annual meeting with the priests of Rome Feb 17.

Apart from his role in the council, Paul VI is most widely know for his landmark encyclical Humanae Vitae, which was published in 1968 and reaffirmed the Church’s teaching against contraception in wake of the sexual revolution. This year marks the 50th anniversary the historic encyclical.

Both miracles attributed to Paul VI’s intercession involve the healing of an unborn child.

Bl Oscar Romero, who was beatified by Pope Francis on 23 May 2015, in El Salvador, was the archbishop of the nation’s capital city of San Salvador. He was shot while celebrating Mass on 24 March 1980, during the birth of a civil war between leftist guerrilla forces and the dictatorial government of the right.

An outspoken critic of the violence and injustices being committed at the time, Romero was declared a martyr who was killed in hatred of the faith for his vocal defense of human rights. – Hannah Brockhaus, CNA/EWTN News

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – Deacon David Gasikol will be ordained to the priesthood on 11 Aug 2018 at the Holy Spirit Church Sook by Bishop Cornelius Piong at 10 am.  The news was confirmed by the deacon himself on 22 May 2018.  The 32-year-old deacon will be the first priest from Sook.

Sook is a small town and district located in the Interior Division of Sabah. It serves as a timber and agricultural town as well as a transit town for motorists travelling from Keningau to Tawau via the Keningau-Sook-Sapulut-Kalabakan-Tawau road.

Sook Mission, formerly known as Murut Mission (Tulid), had a Catholic population of 13,846 (2011) with 46 outstations and 68 catechists (paid and voluntary).

The Good News spread there in the 1950s through Mill Hill Father Roetenberg.  The first church was built in Kg Tulid in 1969.  From there the faith spread to Pensiangan under Mill Hill Father Peter de Wit.  In 1990 the name was changed from Murut Mission to Mission Sook under Father Erik Jerome.

On the present site, the Church of St Peter was built in 1986 but in 2003 the name was changed to Holy Spirit Sook as there is another church dedicated to St Peter in Kuala Penyu.

On 5 May 2003 during the 10th diocesan triple  celebration in Sook, Bishop Cornelius Piong announced that Sook has been raised from mission status to that of a full parish with Father Benedict Daulis as rector and Father Phillip Muji as his assistant.

The parish and its 47 outstations are currently served by Father Claudius Andrew and Father Harry Dorisoh.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – A conference for men organised by Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council drew 24 participants on 19 May 2018.

Held at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre here, the bilingual conference (BM/Eng) themed Be Strong and Courageous (Jos 1:9) was held with the objectives of helping Catholic men to stand firm in the faith in the face of challenges in life; to remain faithful to God and His Church; to have the will to continue following the Lord; to make the necessary changes or sacrifices to ‘stand firm in the faith’ and serve God; and to transform one’s will to God’s will.

After the opening Mass and address by Father Paul Lo, three input sessions were given a) I Dare You (Geoffrey Goh); b) Show Me What You Got (Marc Majaing); c) I Will (BG Chin) with one workshop on ‘God is Enough’ and an open sharing session.

The conference ended with a praise fest.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Over 270 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on Pentecost Day, 20 May 2018.

The 274 confirmands came from the four-language classes: English (SHC 90, CMI 31), Chinese 53, BM (Sunday School 46, RCIA 51), Sign Language 3.

In his homily, Archbishop John Wong warned the confirmands of the three enemies they have encountered and will continue to encounter: a) the lack of self-acceptance; b) the world (worldly values); and c) the devil; but told them that it is only through the help of the Holy Spirit that they will be able to withstand these enemies.

After the confirmands had renewed their Baptismal promises, he conferred the Sacrament on them, assisted by Father Paul Lo, Father Maxmillianno Hontor, and Father Joshua Liew, to whom he delegated the power to confer the sacrament for that occasion only.  Deacon Russell Lawrine was on hand to assist at the altar.

After the Mass, the confirmands with their godparents, parents or other family members adjourned to the parish hall for a time of fellowship.  They were joined by the 200 neophytes (baptised during the Easter Vigil Mar 31 or Easter Sunday Apr 1).

Jason Joenoi, chairman of the parish pastoral council, welcomed them and invited them to join the different groups, communities, and ministries for their spiritual growth.

In his address, Abp Wong gave them his signature 12 Words in four phrases of three words: 1. Read the Word; 2. Receive the Sacraments; 3. Obey the Commandments; and 4. Share the Word.

After dinner, representatives from the Chinese and BM neophytes entertained those present with stage performances before the neophytes and confirmands received their gifts and certificates from the parish.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Over 85 members of the Legion of Mary (LOM) attended a half-day recollection organised by the LOM Kota Kinabalu Comitium on 19 May 2018 at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre here.

Father Paul Lo, adviser to the lay movements in the archdiocese, facilitated the recollection.

He gave two talks: Mary as Disciple and Mary as Model of the Church.

The recollection is part of the activities of the Legion of Mary founded by Frank Duff in Ireland in 1921.  It came to North Borneo in 1950 through Mill Hill Father Desmond McLindon.  Its objective is to glorify God through the sanctification of the members by prayer and active cooperation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in advancing the reign of God through Mary.

Among the other spiritual activities are the Acies (where the members renew their consecration to Mary) on or near March 25 (Annunciation) and the Annual General Reunion on or near Dec 8 (Immaculate Conception).

The KK Comitium has four curiae (72 presidia) in the archdiocese.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – Saint Michael Church here hosted the 21st Penampang parish-level Pesta Kaamatan on 19 May 2018.

It was the third time for St Michael as host since the parish-level celebration started in 1998 (first time) and the second time was in 2010.  The nine zones under the parish – Buayan, Kolopis, Kinarut, Limbanak, Minintod, Penampang, Sugud, Sukang Mabpai, and Terian  take turns to host the event.

The theme for this year was Encounter the face of Christ in purification of culture – also the theme for the celebration at archdiocesan level at St Peter Claver Ranau on May 29 at 9:30 am.

The theme was touched upon by Archbishop John Wong in his homily.  He challenged the faithful to go beyond their culture or race in revealing the face of Christ.

In his message in the souvenir magazine, Father Wilfred Atin wrote that the challenge for Christians (not just KDM) is to ‘sanctify’ the seemingly bad cultural practices (eg drinking) so that not only the “good aspects” of them be seen but also the “Christian values” of them.

Only when, he continued,  “we are able to bring people to notice Christian values in a particular culture then we are able to find the face of Christ in it.”

The celebration continued at the parish hall after Mass.

The clergy – Abp Wong, Father Aloysius Fidelis (past rector), Father Erik Jerome, and Father Wiandigool Runsab (present assistant pastor) took turns to beat the gong for a total number of 21 times to mark the occasion.

Then Fr Runsab announced that the 2019 host will be St Pio Labak Kinarut.  The Labak representative was vested with a woven hat and basket with rice grains (symbols of Kaamatan) by Lewis Juit, chairman of Penampang Zone Pastoral Committee.

There followed lunch, judging of traditional cooked food, stage choral singing, gong  beating contest, sumazau dance competition, and wrapped up with prize presentations to the winners.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PAPAR – This year St Kenneth Kelatuan hosted Papar Parish-level Kaamatan Festival on 12 May 2018.

The four zones of Kimanis, Bongawan, Lakut, and Dambai with St Joseph Church as the centre take turns to host the parish-level celebration.

The festival kicked off with a modest traditional procession entering the church for Mass at 10 am presided by Father Rayner Bisius.

In his welcoming speech, Wilfred Yundang, chairman of the organising committee, said that the festival is not merely a thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest but also a time to embrace, preserve, and sustain cultural values and traditions for future generations.

In his turn, Johnny Sitamin, chairman of Papar Parish Pastoral Council, said the theme is derived from the archdiocesan theme: Encountering the Face of Christ in the Purification of Culture.

He added that culture must be nurtured from childhood so that it would not be so easily polluted by negative cross-cultural influences or possibly face extinction in the waves of modernisation.

A healthy culture, Sitamin added, must be Christ-centred.

In his message, Fr Rayner gave thanks to God for Christ’s Resurrection has given hope to humanity and he prayed that the festival may bring unity, reconciliation, and joy to the parish community.

He said, “God gave us the KadazanDusun culture, with a unique and obvious introduction through our mother tongue.  Unless we nurture and preserve it in our children, family, and, in the generations to come, this culture will vanish into the age of time.”

The priest further reflected on the theme, inviting the faithful to look into and feel the presence of Christ in their family and community during the festive celebration in the hope of fostering joy and reconciliation to all, based on Christ’s message to his disciples, ‘Peace be with you!’ (Luke 24:36).

In his closing remarks, Fr Rayner read out the message of the parish priest, Father Thomas Yip, relaying his thanks and prayer for God’s blessing upon the parishioners for their efforts, support, contributions – be it financial, manpower, etc –  in ensuring this year’s celebration a fruitful one.

Thereafter, the priest prayed for God’s blessing upon the padi and crop seedlings for a bountiful harvest in the year ahead.

The congregation then proceeded to the Fr Aloysius Tung Hall for cultural performances and events such as traditional cuisine and traditional ‘Tapai’ competition, Kinomulok (children’s Kaamatan beauty queen contest), tugs of war final and lucky draws.

The events in the church hall began with the traditional Mongomot ceremony (symbolic cutting of paddy stalks) followed by cake-cutting by Fr Rayner, PPC chairman, organising committee chairman and members.

After lunch, the priest joined the parishioners in visiting the numerous stalls set up by the four zones and outstation communities showcasing traditional food, drinks, songkotoun music performances.

The event wrapped up with prize presentations to the winners of the various traditional games, KD psalm singing and Manangon (story telling) in competitions held a week earlier on May 5. – William Charles Mindus (SOCCOM Papar)

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

The annual Episcopal Regional Commission for Family, Laity and Life (ERCFLL) meeting was held April 22 – 25 in Domus St Anne, hosted by Penang Diocese. A total of 35 delegates from Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore were present. Each delegation comprised a priest and a couple.

Archbishop John Wong, Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu and the president of the commission, in his welcome address on the morning of April 23, thanked the delegates for participating in this commission. He urged the delegates to open their hearts and spread the feeling of love of the family and laity. In this season of Easter, he stressed that the commission helps sustain the basic cell of the family and journeys together with the aim of building the Kingdom of God.

Commission Secretary Neil Mah from Kota Kinabalu reported that the commission will add in the word ‘Laity’ to its logo since the laity will encompass the people of faith in the community and, therefore, better explains the work of the commission.

The proceedings for April 22 focused on reports of the activities and programmes of the preceding year from May 2017 until April 2018. Most Arch/Dioceses worked hard to bring awareness of Amoris Laetitia, our Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation of 2016, to the parishioners.

Programmes discussed and deliberated on included the Retrouvaille Weekend — A Marriage Lifeline that has just had its inaugural weekend in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Another programme that was discussed was the inaugural Catholic Singles Dating Hub by the Penang Diocese. Many expressed their desire to have these two programmes introduced in their Dioceses.

Also reported were the Men’s Seminar: The Courageous Man specifically for men, Marital First Responders Workshop, Marriage Discernment Weekend, HLS Family programme, Marriage Enrichment Experience, Rosary Rally and Reconciliation, Pastoral Care-From Womb to Tomb, Renewal of Marriage Vows, Promoting God’s Plan for the Family, Being Authentic Gifts (BAGS), Launch of Courage & Encourage, Catholic Divorce Survival Guide Programme and a Family Prayer Packet.

It was a common consensus that, in the light of the number of marriages breaking down, proper Marriage preparation is of paramount importance. Although the modus operandi for the preparation for marriages varies, the delegates agreed that, sometimes, the time allocated for marriage preparation is short. Some cited that it takes nine years to prepare for priesthood and, in contrast, marriage preparation takes seven weeks and, sometimes, only a weekend. Therefore, it is encouraged that after the Marriage Preparation programme is over, there must be mentoring of these young couples by either those preparing them or by senior married couples. In the Archdiocese of Kuching, this is already compulsory.

On April 24, a talk “Understanding the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community” was presented by Bryan Crucis Shen, a former Singapore Air force pilot and now an accomplished Independent Lay Missionary. Commission members were taught the correct terms and terminology used in relation to LGBT. Bryan explained that gender identity development is influenced by the interactions and the environment in the family. Sometimes the conditions in the home, parental and sibling involvement factors, contribute to same sex attraction (SSA). He also explained the difference between being Gay and SSA. When an individual proclaims that he or she is gay, then it is very possible that this person may be in a same sex relationship. However, if a person has SSA, and is not in a same sexual relationship, then it is possible to help this person by personal counselling. Members were taught awareness of the issues impacting the family unit and the Church in relation to the onslaught of LGBT social challenge.

In the evening, the delegates visited Penang Island.

On the last day, Neil asked for suggestions on the theme for the conference next year. The proposals will be given to Archbishop John to decide.

The next ERCFLL meeting will be held in Kuching, Sarawak.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online