Category Archives: Nov 2017

LIMBANAK – The pastoral leaders of St Aloysius’ Church Limbanak Penampang learnt of the inaugural Christian education forum held at Sacred Heart Parish Centre, Kota Kinabalu which was attended by some 400 participants on 13 May 2017 through Catholic Sabah.

Challenges highlighted at the forum, such as “funding for kindergartens” and “fear of school heads to practise and uphold the ethos, character and traditions of mission schools” are not unfamiliar at Tadika Suriaku and SK St Aloysius both in Limbanak, and have been discussed extensively during many meetings.

Archbishop John Wong and Father Wilfred Atin, parish priest of St Michael Penampang, were in Limbanak on 4 Oct 2017 on the occasion of the blessing of a newly constructed columbarium when the Board of Governors of Tadika Suriaku and SK St Aloysius took the opportunity to bring them to tour the church and the school complexes.

During this impromptu session with the students and teachers, the archbishop and rector were briefed on the development of the schools which enabled them to have a better appreciation of the teachers’ passion and commitment in the mission schools.

The teachers and students were thrilled by the unassuming archbishop and rector who spent time with them unhurriedly.

Those who were present shared how they could actually feel the atmosphere of a truly Catholic school alive. – Blasius Binjua

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

MATALOKO, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) – The 5th biennial Tripartite Pastoral Gathering to discuss issues on pastoral care for Indonesian migrants working or residing in Sabah took place at Khemah Tabor here on 2-5 Oct 2017.

In his opening remarks, Romo Eduardo Raja Pr, the organising chair from the Archdiocese of Ende, explained that this fifth pastoral gathering was part of the tripartite partnership between the sending dioceses in Flores, the transit diocese in north-east Kalimantan and the receiving dioceses in Sabah. It has been established since the first encounter in 2011 between the bishops of Sandakan and Tanjong Selur. Since then more dioceses have joined in.

The three dioceses in Sabah sent a contingent of 10 delegates (four from Kota Kinabalu, four from Sandakan and two from Keningau). There were 44 local delegates from the three Flores dioceses of  Ende, Larantuka and Ruteng. Tanjong Selur in north-east Kalimantan has two representatives while for the first time there were representatives from the Diocese of Denpasar. Two observers from the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia were also present.

In line with the call of Pope Francis to care for one another, especially for the weak and vulnerable, the Tripartite Pastoral Gathering has chosen the theme “Becoming a Church that is increasing her concerns about Migrants and Itinerants.” The theme was in line with the Holy Father’s call to be “a Church that is bruised, hurt and dirty because it has been out on the street to serve.”

The gathering expounded on the issues related to migration, reviewed the agreements spelt out in the previous gatherings, and added on new areas of co-operation; all these with the aim to enhance the tripartite partnership on pastoral care to migrants in the dioceses involved.

Among the recommendations by delegates for the consideration of the sending, transit and receiving dioceses are: (a) to establish migrant parishes and migrant desks, (b) to initiate economic empowerment of migrant families, (c) to intensify catechesis on safe, dignified and legal migration, and (d) a set up a half-way house and advocacy work by the transit diocese.

As for the receiving dioceses in Sabah (Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Keningau), aside from the need to establish migrant desks to facilitate pastoral care to migrants, other proposed recommendations are to train more catechists among locals and migrants to be pastoral caregivers, to pay special attention to the third generation migrants by networking with relevant authorities such as the Indonesian Consulate, to strengthen networking and cooperation with the sending and transit dioceses, and to collate data on the profile of the migrants.

The recommendations in the form of a Final Statement serve as a committed effort to address the problems faced by migrants in the receiving dioceses, which among others are the shortage of pastoral personnel for migrants, conversion to other faiths, decline in faith, discriminations, counterfeiting documents either for church or official uses, undocumented, issues related to homebound journey (either alive or dead), and health issues among distressed migrants.

The gathering concluded with the closing Eucharist, which was presided by Msgr Gilbert Engan of Keningau – AHDC

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PAITAN – Had it not been the selfless and tireless efforts of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC), many of the children of hard-core families in the remote sub-districts of Paitan-Beluran, Sonsogon Magandai-Kota Marudu and Pensiangan-Keningau would not be sent to school.

These are some of the remotest areas in Sabah with a high level of hard-core poor families.  They are accessible by roads but some villages are only accessible by boats.

Schooling here is not a priority even though education is free.  Parents would rather spend their meagre income on food and other necessities and avoid sending the children to schools because of the high transportation costs.  The pupils at the FSIC-run kindergartens are transported by car or by boat from their riverine houses to the centres.

Assessing the situation induced by the poverty-stricken living conditions of families in these remote regions, and the plight of children being robbed of their right to education, the FSICs decided that here is a situation in which they could help to plant a seed of hope in these children with their pre-school education centres.

In 2005, Sisters Dorothy and Hilary Laudi were assigned to Paitan-Beluran.

Sr Dorothy, who has just completed studies in Early Childhood Education, saw the need to set up a kindergarten at Kg Dalamas Paitan because there were many children aged 4-6 not in school.

The first private kindergarten was set up in Kg Dalamas with 32 children.  Within days, the news of it spread in and around Paitan that a kindergarten has been set up, and people from other villages also requested to have one at their respective villages.

In 2006, another six kindergartens were opened in Paitan at Kg Sulit, Kg Rakanan, Kg Lakang, Kg Tawanan, Kg Batangon Darat, and Kg Lubang Buaya.

Kg Sonsogon Magandai, the furthest outstation in Kota Marudu district, needed one and it was set up in 2009.

In 2016, another kindergarten was set up at Kg Koiboton in Paitan.  In the same year, the Sisters set up a kindergarten at Kg Tinanduk Nabawan.  Another one is slotted to be set up in Pensiangan Proper in the near future.

Through the help of the FSICs and their benefactors, some of these children have gone on to enrol at the nearest primary school in their respective areas.

In fact, the first batch of kindergarten pupils of Kg Dalamas Paitan have now registered for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (GCE ‘O’ level equivalent) examination in November 2017.

The kindergartners pay no school fees nor buy any books.  All, including the basic food and drink during break time, are provided.  It takes roughly RM30,000 a year to maintain each centre and more than RM300,000 yearly for all existing ten kindergartens.

The FSIC-run kindergartens, which are non-profit making and recognised by the Ministry of Education, are funded entirely by the generosity of kind-hearted individuals, corporates, and FSIC benefactors, though they have received a small grant from the Government in the past.

According to Sr Dorothy, in spite of these efforts, it is truly sad to see that there are still many more children who cannot continue their primary education because their parents cannot afford to pay for the car or river transportation costs.  Their parents are earning barely enough for their daily subsistence working as labourers in the oil palm plantations owned by mega companies or farmers in their own land.

Sr Dorothy has identified more children living in the deeper remote areas of Sabah that should not be robbed of their right to education but for financial constraints.  She urges all government and private organisations, as well as donors to join forces to ensure that all children receive their right to education.

Those who wish to know more about the FSIC kindergarten mission and would like to lend a helping hand can contact Sister Dorothy @ 013 547 7525, Sister Grace Deosing @ 013 875 3713, or the FSIC Office, Loreto Convent @ 088 711991 (Sr Francisca Wong), or to write to fsicsabah@yahoo.com. – exclusive interview with sr dorothy laudi by catholic sabah

Article reproduced from Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu

PETALING JAYA: In just the first hour alone, more than a hundred parishioners had already streamed to the Marian Exhibition at the Rooftop of Costantini Community Centre in St Ignatius Church (SIC). The event was opened by SIC Parish Priest, Fr Andrew Wong CDD and Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Lawrence Ng CDD at 10.00am on Sunday Oct 8. Also at the opening were Fr Martin Then CDD and Bro Joseph Lim CDD, together with event organisers comprising ministries and BECs. The exhibition was held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the apparitions in a mountainous region in the middle of Portugal, known as Fatima, where the Mother of God appeared six times to three young children.

Anchored by the theme Mother Mary is in the Heart of Every Disciple, the event showcased the four Marian Dogmas (Perpetual Virginity, Mother of God, Immaculate Conception and Assumption) and 12 apparitions of which nine have been approved by the Catholic Church. Visitors were able to attend talks on various Marian topics, view video screenings and movies, hand in prayer petitions, pray the rosary as a community and take in the beautiful decorations, artwork and figurines.

Various groups started to visit the exhibition, including a delegation of 40 from the Chinese Apostolate of St Joseph Church in Plentong, Johor, on Oct 15. Another group of 20, included six priests from Hualien Diocese, Taiwan, whom Fr Francis Ng CDD, Fr Stephen Ng CDD and Fr Augustine Lee (Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Church, Bentong, Pahang) were happy to meet. There were also 40 residents and caregivers from the Little Sisters of the Poor, more than 20 residents from Sri Seronok Retirement Village, as well as parishioners from the Church of the Holy Rosary, Kuala Lumpur.

Visits from groups continued on Oct 19 with 25 parishioners from the Church of Jesus Caritas (JCC), Kepong, and eight from the Church of St Aloysius, Mantin, Negeri Sembilan. Another JCC group who visited on Oct 21 got a bonus as they were able to catch up with Fr Lucas Ng CDD who was their Assistant Parish Priest for a short while. Fr Ng had just returned from the Vatican as part of a delegation of Congregatio Discipulorum Domini (CDD) priests who met His Holiness Pope Francis, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of CDD by Cardinal Celso Costantini in 1927 and the start of the process for his beatification. On the same day, the SIC Single Adult Ministry (SAM), Family Life Ministry (FLM) and a Bahasa Malaysia group led rosary prayers. FLM Singers also added a musical touch with renditions of various Marian hymns.

Several priests enhanced the exhibition by giving talks. They included Fr Michael Chua who spoke about the Role of Mary in the Life of the Church and as First Disciple, Fr VA Michael who shared about Mother Mary and celebrated the 6 pm Mass on Oct 15. Fr Then and Fr Stephen Ng gave a talk in Mandarin titled Mother Mary Navigates Us to Jesus Christ and Guadalupe respectively. Amongst the visitors on the final two days were Archbishop Julian Leow and Fr Mari Arokiam.

Fr Wong declared the exhibition closed at a Thanksgiving Mass at 6.00pm Oct 30. He hoped that attendees know more about Mother Mary now through this event. Central to its success were the dedication and hard work put in by committee members, volunteers from various SIC ministries and BECs, and donors.

About 7,000 visitors attended the three-week exhibition. Visitors came from as far as Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, and locally from Johore, Malacca, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu. Many commendations were received including one for bringing Mother Mary to the parishioners and another for beautiful, informative and interesting displays. The exhibition has indeed touched many in various ways.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KUALA LUMPUR (Herald Malaysia): Malaysians from all religions and walks of life came together to help those who were affected by the recent storm in the north.

The volunteers from different religious organisations came forward to help with cleaning the affected arears, offering shelter, providing food as well as other essentials in the aftermath of one of the worst floods in recent history which affected almost all of Penang, Kedah and Perak.

Thousands of Penangites, affected by Saturday’s floods, are grateful to all Malaysians for the nonstop aid and assistance rendered.

Senior citizens were the main victims following the massive floods in Penang, as they were easily overpowered by surging flood waters.

Since many were evacuated to temporary flood relief centres on Sunday, all forms of aid have been pouring in, continuously.

Initially, living lives as strangers, many have warmed up to their new neighbours and have bonded, thanks to their time at the centres.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

“I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” (Is 66:9). Indeed, many experienced emotional pain at some point during this eight-week video-talk programme by Jeff Cavins entitled Walking Towards Eternity Series 2 (WTE2) because it involved “Engaging the Struggles Of Your Heart.”

While WTE1 held last year dared the participants to “Walk the Walk” of Jesus in love, WTE2 dealt with how to engage our heartfelt struggles such as our inordinate Appetites, Shame, Envy, Anger, Fear, Loneliness and Hopelessness – and emerge stronger “wholly” – in mind, heart, and actions. Awareness of the transformative nature of God’s love is the fundamental bedrock that can liberate us from the tyranny of these sinful habits and emotions.

Session one: “Living on Purpose” provided an overview with its focus on how we live is what matters most. The purpose of life? We may recall that even Sigmund Freud is known to have said that “… only religion can answer the question of the purpose of life …” For us Catholics, Corinthians 8:28 teaches us, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

In truth, none of us can say that we don’t have problems coping with any of these struggles. This realisation made the programme relatable, practicable and therapeutic. Participants felt they gained insights, strength and comfort from sharing their struggles with group members. Many noted that they had matured spiritually because, through sharing and praying together, they had grown in their love relationship with God.

Participants like Karen Koong, Bernadette Tang, Juliana Joseph and Alice Lee experienced a heightened sense of awareness to live out what they had learned by inviting God and His Word to help them deal with these very real problems. Li Mei shared that this journey “… allowed God to show me my weaknesses and allowed God’s healing grace and love into my life.”

Vital questions led participants into the heart of Scripture for tips and guidelines to engage these struggles in a healthy manner. We learned that not all struggles are bad in themselves. For example, there is a healthy shame and an unhealthy shame; no, we shouldn’t be ‘shameless’ either! Similarly, there is healthy and unhealthy fear, etc. We learned that God, through His words of wisdom, inspiration and instruction, figures in all our struggles to provide the grace to help us cope. The Good Book is a great teacher! Are we good learners? The programme concluded with a short healing prayer service by the coordinator, Bernard Capel. He shared several scripture verses intimating the importance to be blessed “wholly” by the grace of God (cf.1 Thess 5:23). This means that our entire being should “get a grip on grace,” with no part of our being to be deprived of God’s healing grace (cf.Heb 12:15) to live life to the full (cf.John 10:10).

Finally, we wrote and offered up our personal struggles by placing our prayers at the foot of the Cross, indicating that we were now prepared to “Walk Towards Eternity” renewed by His healing grace!

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

JOHOR BAHRU (Herald Malaysia): The Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission, at the service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei (CBCMSB) has produced the new English translation of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony according to the Second Typical Edition 2013, of which, recognitio was granted by the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. (Prot 491/14 29May 2015).

Our Conference, at its January 2017 meeting, has decided that this English translation will enter into use throughout all Arch/dioceses in our region from December 3, 2017 (1st Sunday of Advent). From that date forward, no other English translation of the order of celebrating matrimony may be used.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia (CDAM) organised a Charity Dinner and Dance at the Subang Gold Club on Oct 28.

Once again the Catholic doctors put down their stethoscopes to do charity work in conjunction with its 35th Anniversary celebration. This event was to raise funds for the poor and marginalised, regardless of race or religious affiliation.

A group of doctors, led by Dr Freddie Loh, the organising Chairman, targeted an amount of RM50,000 to be raised.

Around 300 guests attended and enjoyed the sumptuous meal, the goody bags and lucky draw. The performance by stand-up comedian Dr Jason Leong, and Zarsadias Brothers provided the entertainment.

This event was graced by Archbishop Julian Leow, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Packiam and Fr Lawrence Andrew SJ.

The President of the Asian Federation of Catholic Doctors Association (AFCMA) / the President of the Philippines Catholic Guild, Dr Manuel Po and wife Dr. Nita Po also attended.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

“Welcome to this celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. The Church triumphant asks all the saints in heaven to pray for us here on earth, to journey towards heaven to be like the saints.”

Archbishop Julian Leow said this at the 7.30pm Mass on November 1, 2017 at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Parish priest, Fr Edwin Peter concelebrated the multi-lingual Mass, which was presided by the prelate, with 900 parishioners present.

The Gospel on the Beatitudes, (Matthew 5: 1-12), was proclaimed by Fr Edwin.

In his homily, preached in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, Archbishop Leow asked the assembly, “What is this Solemnity?

What is the Church’s purpose in giving us this All Saints feast?” He said the purpose is so that we all can become saints for God; that we will know where our permanent (eternal) home is, which is in heaven, our final destination.

“Where we are going depends on our choices. We should transform our lives and conduct for the better while we are alive. Once we breathe our last, we cannot change.”

Archbishop Julian Leow added that we need to follow the Beatitudes in the Gospel. Despite our many challenges in life, we must follow Jesus, keep the Commandments and observe Church laws to be able to live with God in heaven one day.

“What we choose while on earth will determine where we go; either to heaven, hell or purgatory, where we will undergo cleansing.”

He continued that, as we celebrate the saints, the Church in heaven, on November 2, (All Souls’ Day), we remember the souls in purgatory and pray for them. The prelate said if the souls are in hell, there is no point in praying for them as they are far away from God. During All Souls’ Day, we pray for the souls in purgatory so that they will undergo the process of cleansing.

“As the Church on earth, we must pray for those souls in purgatory, as well as for those in the world, so that they will be transformed.”

After Mass, Fr Edwin thanked the prelate for coming to celebrate the Mass.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

An Outreach Programme was held recently for some 50 Orang Asli from Kg Sg Bil and Kg Sg Lembing, more than 20KM from Tanjung Malim in Perak.

It was held in the parish hall of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Present were parish priest, Fr Andrew Stephen, PPC Chairperson Edmund Yeo, and lay leader Liza Tan and a group of Catholics from Kuala Lumpur.

The event commenced in the afternoon, with a Prayer Session in Bahasa Malaysia and a short Reflection. Everyone joined in the prayers and the two hymns in Bahasa Malaysia.

Fr Andrew welcomed and thanked the KL Group for assisting in organising the outreach. This was followed with a short address by the representative from the KL Group. Twenty five Rosaries and 70 Prayer Booklets in Bahasa Malaysia were blessed by Fr Andrew and later distributed to the Orang Asli, to help them in their personal prayers.

Edmund also shared about the history of Kg Sg Bil and Kg Sg Lembing, the Orang Asli communities that belong to the Tanjung Malim parish and his encounter with them, to all those present.

The KL Group also sang the Song of A Young Prophet, as everyone went round to exchange the sign of peace with one another. Several indoor games and a colouring competition were held.

After the Closing Prayer, all adjourned to the church grounds for tea fellowship. 500 kgs of provisions were distributed to the poor Orang Asli in the Outreach.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online