Category Archives: Nov 2017

KOTA KINABALU – The Daughters of St Paul (FSPs) organised the second Pauline Family Day at its convent compound at Jalan Sang Kancil here on 26 Nov 2017.

The media centre was opened on this one Sunday of the year (last Sunday of November) to serve the people who came to patronise the various food stalls set up by the Pauline Sisters and the Association of Pauline Cooperators.

Normally the media centre is closed on Sundays as the Sisters go out to the different parishes for book missions.

Aside from cooked food and pickles, there were also vegetables, fruits, plants and second-hand clothes for sale.

The patrons also enjoyed their free cup of coffee or juice and cake to mark the 46th death anniversary of their Founder, Bl James Alberione, who died on 26 Nov 1971.

The first Pauline Family Day was held on 27 Nov 2016 at the same premises.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

RANAU – The candlelight procession marking the closing of the centenary of the Fatima Apparitions at St Peter Claver (SPCR) here drew over 3ooo people on 25 Nov 2017.

After Sunset Mass, Father Nicholas Stephen crowned the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and garlanded her with a rosary, a scapular and a sash with KadazanDusun design before the procession.

Despite the unpredictable weather, the procession went around Ranau town area before returning to the church.  The procession closed with the offering of flowers to Mother Mary outside the church.

SPCR has become a popular pilgrimage site since the Year of Mercy in 2016 when it was one of the four ‘Holy Doors” in Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese under the pastoral leadership of Fr Stephen, Father Francis Tsen, and Father Florian Marcus.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU – Kota Kinabalu prelate called on parish pastoral leaders to pool resources together to reach out to less involved parishioners on 25 Nov 2017.

Archbishop John Wong made the call during the annual gathering of heads and their assistants of the 70-odd groups, communities, and ministries of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Karamunsing and its sub-parish of Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang.

In a brief speech, the prelate said the many groups of the parish (English, Chinese and BM) can be a source of strength when they pool their resources together in reaching out to the 70 percent of uninvolved parishioners.  The parish has around 2,000 families under its pastoral care.

Around 150 people attended the gathering after the Sunset Mass marking the Solemnity of Christ the King and the 36th Dedication Anniversary of the cathedral.

Abp Wong presided at the Mass, concelebrating with him were Abp Emeritus John Lee, Father Paul Lo, and Father Max Hontor.

Before the rite of dismissal, a video clip launching the 16 Days of Prayer for the Nation entitled Orange the World: Saying No to Violence against Women and Children produced jointly by the Malaysian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Malaysian Council of Churches, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, and the Good Shepherd Services was screened.

The 16 Days of Activism runs from Nov 25 through Dec 10.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – St Paul Dontozidon here launched a Christmas musical album and pledge card in aid of the Nagasiba church building fund on 24 Nov 2017.

Archbishop John Wong launched the CD entitled Monohuod Kumaa Toinsanan (Give Back to Everyone) at the Ocean Treasure Restaurant Penampang.

Five hundred pieces were produced by AGRE Records with musical arrangement by Sri Kolopis Music.  Another 500 will be produced at a later date.

The album features 15 songs sung by St Paul Dontozidon Choir and soloists including Franciscan Sister Dora Obod.

Over 300 people including Fr Max Hontor attended the launching organised by the St Paul Nagasiba Fundraising Committee headed by Carfester J Mokujin.

The CD is available at RM25 at the Dontozidon parish office at 088-714359.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

SIBU – The Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers Committee (MCYMC) met in September 2017 at the Sibu Diocese Pastoral Centre.

After their meeting, they presented the following to the young Catholics of Malaysia:

1. All campus students and young working adults migrating from one (arch)diocese to another (arch)diocese are invited to “Check-in” with MCYMC via the ASAYO KL website: http://beliakl.catholicyouth.my/. This will ensure that you will receive pastoral care no matter where you go in the country. We also invite international students who are studying in Malaysia to do the same.

2. In line with the invitation of the Holy Father in preparation for the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, every young person between the ages of 15 to 39 are invited to respond to the survey via the #talk2francisMY. You are also invited to respond to the questionnaire presented by the Synod of Bishops Secretariat. Submission for your responses ends December 2017.

“Jesus looks at you and invites you to go with him. Dear young people, have you noticed this look towards you? Have you heard this voice?…  The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and your criticism.” — Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Young People on the occasion of the presentation of the preparatory document of the 15th ordinary general assembly of the synod of bishops.

3. The Biblical Commission and the Youth Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei met in a joint meeting to discuss the Bible and the young people. From the deliberations and sharings among the arch/ dioceses, there is a call to all young people to increase their usage of the Bible in their everyday life and ministries.

4. The Asian Youth Ministers met after the 7th Asian Youth Day in Jogjakarta, from 6-9 August 2017. During this meeting, Youth ministers reflected on Amoris Laetitia, where all were further invited to be more aware of what is happening in our families today whereby Christian values have slowly been forgotten and how these have affected our young people today.

5. The next Malaysian Catholic Campus Students Day will be held in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu in the year 2019. Look out for updates from your respective (Arch)Dioceses in the coming months.

6. World Youth Day 2019 Panama.  The WYD 2019 Malaysian coordinating office will be the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. However, pilgrims who are interested should contact their respective (arch)diocesan representatives/ coordinators as reflected in the poster that is currently in circulation.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

RANAU – A Bahasa Malaysia version of a book written by Sister Emmanuel Maillard of the Children of Medjugorje (COM) was launched at St Peter Claver here 0n 5 Nov 2017.

Entitled Anak-Anakku, Bantu Menangkan Hatiku, (Children, Help My Heart to Triumph), the book centres on the three seers in the Fatima Apparitions in Portugal in 1917.

The translation was done by three sisters, Shera Laura, Sarah Lounira and Sandra Leonora, under the guidance of their uncle,  Clarence G Dol.  The sisters are currently studying at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

At the launching, Father Nicholas Stephen said that after 100 years, the message of Fatima is even more relevant today.

“The message of Fatima is to pray the Rosary every day for the peace of our world and our families, as all families today are constantly threatened … by Satan’s forces …” he said.

Fr Nicholas said that in 2016 during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Sr Emmanuel came to SPCR for the second time and presented him with a book she wrote about the experiences of Lucia Santos, Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

He added that Sr Emmanuel insisted on a BM translation of the book so that Christians in Sabah could understand the message of Mary to the world through the eyes of children and adolescents.

Limited copies of the book are distributed within the church by Soccom SPCR.  Part of the proceeds will go to the SPCR Kasih Bonda Kindergarten building fund which is due for construction in January 2018.

Those who are interested to get a copy can contact Zebius at 013-8803876. – clarence g dol

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR – The inauguration of the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican chancery) at Taman U-Thant here took place on 23 Nov 2017.

Archbishop Angelo Becciu, who represented Pope Francis, said the new chancery was made possible with the support from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia and “those convinced of the importance of establishing the permanent site of the Apostolic Nunciature in Malaysia.”

“To all, I express His Holiness’ heartfelt gratitude.  This structure symbolises the friendly ties between Malaysia and the Holy See,” Abp Becciu said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who represented the Government, said the opening of the permanent site proved that Malaysia’s relations with the Holy See were improving.

In his speech, Merican said: “Malaysia has a thriving Catholic community which, along with other existing religious communities in Malaysia, is free to profess and practise its religion.  Our Prime Minister and Government have always been committed to safeguarding the welfare of every religious community in the country, including the Catholic faithful.”

He also said the Govern­ment took a positive step in setting up diplomatic relations with the Holy See, which culminated in Tan Sri Bernard Dompok being posted as Malaysia’s first resident ambassador to the Vatican in March 2016.

Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino said he hoped that excellent relations between both sides would continue to grow.

Most of the region’s arch/bishops were present including Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau, Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu, and Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei.

Also present was Ambassador of Malaysia to the Holy See Bernard Giluk Dompok.

The property was purchased on 1 Oct 2014, three years after the Holy See and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on 27 July 2011, subsequent to the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak in the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.

It is located in the Ampang area in Kuala Lumpur, the zone where other diplomatic representations are found, not far from St John’s Cathedral.

The nunciature was blessed by Abp Becciu the next day, Friday, Nov 24, during a concelebrated Mass with the local arch/bishops.

In his homily Abp Becciu said: “In our ministry as Bishops, we too experience the power of God’s grace working through our own weakness, as we strive in humility to be a rock for those whom we serve.”

He reminded the prelates that they are called to be “a visible sign of God’s rock-like presence in the universal Church and in each of your particular Churches. If there are times when we want to protest our weakness to Christ, as Peter did, we must trust in the Lord’s unshakable promise to be with us always, to strengthen us in our mission as heralds of the Gospel and as shepherds of God’s faithful people. His promise will never fail.”

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – A former aspirant returned to celebrate Mass with staff and aspirants at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre here on 23 Nov 2017.

Father Joshua Liew, who entered as an aspirant in 2007, celebrated the last Mass for 2017 for the staff working in the various commissions and offices.

After a year of aspirancy, Liew entered Initiation Year in 2008 and continued his formation at St Peter’s College Kuching in 2009.  He finished his studies and was ordained priest on 3 May 2016.  In January 2018 he replaces Father Wilfred Atin as director of the Aspirants Formation House at the CAC.

In his homily, he urged the staff and aspirants to recognise the time of the Lord’s visitation through their work or studies.

After Mass, all adjourned to the dining hall for a fellowship lunch.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PENAMPANG – The staff and aspirants of the Kota Kinabalu Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC) here underwent a refreshing centring prayer experience on 23 Nov 2017.

Guided by La Salle Brother Peter Foo who has been teaching this since 1981, the staff learnt about this ancient form of prayer: entering into silence where God speaks and heals.

They learnt to get in touch with their subconscious which is active in the first seven years of life, when most of the inner programmes are set, and how to slowly change their bad behaviours they have observed in themselves.

The objective of this form of prayer is to ultimately let God lead them to transformation but they must make time for it, 20 minutes being the optimum time for beginners, any time any place.

Two other ways they learnt were the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) – tapping the meridian points on one’s body – and the Ho’oponopono Mantra of Dr Ihaleakala Hew Len – healing others by healing oneself through repentance (I’m sorry), forgiveness (please forgive me), gratitude (thank you), and love (I love you).

The session ended with Br Foo promising to have a follow-up session after three months.

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PLENTONG:  In a circular dated 30 Oct 2017, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has decided to give dispensation from abstinence from meat and fasting on 16 Feb 2018 in view of the Lunar New Year, a decision made during its meeting in January 2017.

The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Feb 16, the Friday after Ash Wednesday (Feb 14).

Ash Wednesday ushers in the penitential season of Lent and is one of the two days when fasting (21-60 years old) and abstinence (14 yrs and above) are required.  All Fridays are days of abstinence throughout the year unless they are solemnities.

The circular was signed by Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang, currently the president of the bishops’ conference.—

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online