Category Archives: Sept 2018

St Catherine Inanam’s Christian Family Life committee successfully organized a one-day formation program on Amoris Laetitia, which attracted 288 participants from St Catherine Church, Good Shepherd Manggatal and Holy Family Telipok on 11 August 2018.

Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) is a post-Synodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis on the family. It was signed on 19 March 2016 on the Solemnity of St Joseph, and brings together the results of the two Synods on the family convoked by Pope Francis in 2014 and 2015.

The program is based on the 325-page book consisting of nine articles, and was facilitated by Fr Michael Modoit, the spiritual adviser for the Archdiocese Christian Family Life Commission. Despite time constraints, the facilitator managed to summarize the core messages from the book followed by lively interaction with the participants.

The formation program was officiated by Fr Mitchelly Kiun and closed by Fr David Sham, rector of St Catherine Church.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

SULIT: The idea of the Pride Hostel Sulit Paitan to cater to girls and boys who have completed their primary education to continue their secondary schooling was inspired by a nun’s dream.

Franciscan Sister Dorothy Laudi dreamt about having a hostel to accommodate those students who were schooled at the eight mission kindergartens ran by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) in and around Paitan.

These students live in the remote regions of the sub-district of Paitan, roughly a three-hour’s boat ride from their villages to the one and only government secondary school in Paitan, SMK Simpangan Paitan. In order to reach school by 7:00 am, they need to start off from their house by 4:00 am. Besides, transportation costs for each person per boat ride is not within their means, which is at RM6 per ride or RM45 per month.

Pride Hostel, located in Kampung Sulit, Paitan is a single-storey concrete building raised on 18ft I-beam pillars, consisting of two dormitory rooms upstairs partitioned for male and female, and kitchen, dining hall and utilities downstairs.  The construction of the building began in 2015. Fully sponsored by Sabah Credit Corporation, the RM350,000 hostel can accommodate 40 girls and 40 boys of secondary school age.

The completed hostel was handed over officially in a simple ceremony on 3 August 2018 by Sabah Credit Corporation CEO Datuk Vincent Pung to FSIC Mother General Sr Frances Mani, in the presence of former Mother General Sr Grace Deosing, hostel caretaker Sr Hilary Laudi, Daniel Kong, Sergius Ramday, and members from the Sabah Credit entourage.

At the time of handing over, the hostel has taken in 14 boys and six girls who come under the care and supervision of Sr Dorothy and Sr Hilary. The students come from no less than 45 km radius within Pekan Paitan. Most of the students were from our FSIC kindergartens located in their respective villages.

There is an existing government-owned school hostel but it cannot accommodate all the students who are in need of accommodation. With the hostel facilities concretized by FSIC in partnership with Sabah Credit, eligible students have no excuse not to further their academic studies in secondary school. Furthermore, the location of the Pride Hostel is within a 20-min boat ride and walk to SMK Simpangan Paitan and the hostel provides boat transfer.

Sr Dorothy expressed the hope that retired teachers would volunteer to come to Sulit to give tuition to those students who need strengthening particularly in their Mathematics and English Language during the school breaks. Presently, the boarders are assisted in their studies by a diploma graduate Ms Royze Rudy and Form Six student Ms Erna Germanus who opted to go back to their roots for the betterment of their peers from the remote. They also act as cook and warden, one for the male boarders and one for the female boarders, for which they are paid.  As and when the need arises, they assist in the disciplining of the students.

The social involvement of Sabah Credit Corporation in the sponsorship of a hostel for students made a difference in the lives of the poor and marginalized. The generous act of lending a hand to others must impact society as it opens the hearts of the young and teaches them to be more compassionate and active in reaching out to others in need, regardless of geographical location.

With the hostel fully operational, sourcing for funds to manage the hostel becomes a dire need. The monthly expenses to feed the boarders, to pay workers’ salaries, and other expenditure run up to a minimum of RM7,000. Contributions to FSIC for the running of the Pride Hostel are most welcome.  Person to contact is Sr Frances Mani, Loreto Convent @ 013-8586567 or 088-711991 / 727977.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KOLOPIS: Fr Wilfred Atin announced the creation of two more additional zones, Maang and Labak, to the existing nine zones under the care of the Penampang parish of St Michael at her 8th Family Day celebration hosted by St Theresa of Child Jesus Church, Kolopis Zone on 26 July 2018.

Presently, St Michael Parish encompasses  Penampang, Limbanak, Sugud, Kolopis, Minintod, Sukang-Madpai, Kinarut, Terian-Tiku and Timpangoh-Sugud zones.

Fr Atin added that the Archdiocese has also mandated Putatan to form its own Catholic Community, which will come under the  pastoral care of St Augustine Church, Kinarut zone, being the nearest.

The Family Day event kicked off with a Mass, presided by Archbishop John Wong.  At the event, the prelate reminded the faithful of the importance of preserving their mother tongues (Kadazan, Dusun, Chinese).

He urged them to liberally use their mother tongues at home and in the faith community, especially among the young, and not just for use during Church services, and cautioned them not to replace them with the national language.

Archbishop Wong reiterated that efforts must be made to promote their use as the medium of communication in the various activities and programs to avoid them from being diminished as time passes by. He added the faithful must be proud of their own dialects and to honor them as precious gifts for their particular race and culture.

Earlier, the week-long celebration had also organized a Kadazan Hymns Choir competition.

Divine Mercy Church, Maang has been selected as next year’s host for the Family Day event.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Race and religion are included in the national identity card. The religious choices and practices of Muslims are subject to most restrictions. Other religions are not allowed to proselytise. Mixed couples have three choices: convert, leave the country or live together outside marriage.

KUALA LUMPUR: The deterioration of religious freedom in Malaysia worries not only the country’s Christians and other minorities, but also Muslims who make up about 62 per cent of the its population, this according to a study published by Églises d’Asie.

According to the press agency of the Society for Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP), the new government’s political inertia is feeding the uncertainty.

In Malaysia, the national identity card of everyone above 12 years of age includes references to race and religion. The notions of Malay supremacy and Muslim supremacy (Ketuanan Melayu and Ketuanan Islam) are closely linked since ethnic Malays are legally required to be Muslim.

However, this means that Muslims’ religious choices and practices are severely restricted. They cannot practise religion as they see fit. They can be prosecuted for not fasting or for refusing to pray, whilst women are under increasing pressure to wear the Islamic veil.

Shia Islam and other non-Sunni sects are banned. Those who offer alternative interpretations to Sunni Islam can prosecuted. Other religions are not allowed to proselytise.

Muslims cannot convert to other religions and anyone who marries a Muslim must embrace Islam. Mixed couples have three choices: convert, leave the country or live together outside marriage.

Agencies such as the Department for Islamic Advancement of Malaysia (JAKIM) monitor the country’s religious life.

Since Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister with Anwar Ibrahim as Education Minister, things have gotten worse.

The 92-year-old Mahathir is expected to yield the leadership of the ruling coalition to Anwar Ibrahim in the near future; thus, all hope for major reforms in favour of religious freedom is bound to fade.

The appointment of Mujahid Yusof Rawa as minister for Religious Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department had raised some hope.

Rawa was once in charge of inter-faith relations for the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and is now a member of the more moderate AMANAH party; however, he recently supported the introduction of new legislation that would punish insulting religion or race with up to seven years in jail or a fine of 100,000 ringgits (almost US$ 25,000). These bills, and the one on religious and racial hatred, will soon go before Parliament.

According to official statistics, 9 per cent of the Malaysian population is Christian. About half of all Christians are Catholic, but the government does not differentiate between Churches.

In theory, the Constitution guarantees religious groups the right to manage their own affairs. However, this right has often been breached; for example, over the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims. In 2014, the High Court rejected a Christian request for the right to use the term, which means “God” in the Malay edition of the Bible.

Similarly, the rights of non-Muslims are often subordinated to Islamic law (Sharia), which is enforced by courts in cases involving both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Almost 75 per cent of Malaysian Christians live in eastern Malaysia (Borneo) and 65 per cent of them are Orang Asli (indigenous). Christians are the most organised non-Muslim group. For this reason, they are monitored by the state and subject to its pressures.

In addition to the Christian Federation of Malaysia (which includes the Council of Churches of Malaysia, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia), non-Muslims are represented by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).

The Glory of God International Covenant Community (GOGICC) met for a 3-day conference at Gaya Centre Hotel from 27 – 29 July 2018. Ninety people from eight different countries came together for the celebration of God’s faithfulness of 30 years of GOGICC.

With a theme from Romans  9:25-26 “I will call them, My People”, we have taken the opportunity to hear once more God’s call to us to be His people, His beloved, His sons and daughters!

During these days we have had the privilege to have different beautiful moments: times to get to know our own stories and become aware that each of us is a brush stroke in the bigger picture of the GOGICC; times to share meals and company, deepening of friendships and fraternity; times of praying together and of bonding with each other in the Covenant that makes us one people. Our diverse backgrounds, from many different countries, manifested the boundless love of Christ.

As host to the event, LiFE-ICPE Mission Sabah extended our hospitality with the opportunity to meet Archbishop John Wong who celebrated the Holy Eucharist with all present.

On this occasion, we were able to share the internationality of who we are through various symbols.

Following Mass, as it is a tradition in the GOGICC, we enjoyed an Agape meal, together with the Archbishop and other guests. Also present were the leaders of the Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community who are friends of the GOGICC, sharing the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities.

The 3-day conference was a close to the meetings of the ICPE Council, Directors, Coordinators and the GOGICC leaders’ meetings which were held since  16 July 2018.  Each day of gathering has been embraced in prayer:  praying the Liturgy of the Hours, times of intercessions, praying for each other and our communities, and praying over each other. All these culminated daily with the celebration of the Eucharist as a community of leaders, of all who we are and all that we will do as Missionary Disciples.

Days like these are times where we reflect on the past, not so much for the sake of reminiscing the past, but more so to realize God’s faithfulness and to dream new dreams for a new vision ahead. We have a God who journeys with us, accompanies us even when we are travelling in the wrong direction. This also gives us courage to take new steps forward knowing that the God who has been faithful in the past will continue to be faithful in the future.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PENAMPANG: A three-day seminar organised by the Catholic Family Apostolate Committee (KKK) of St Michael Parish here on the Theology of the Body (TOB) on 18 – 20 June 2018 attracted 260 participants.

The seminar, based on the first major teaching project of Pope John Paul II during his pontificate, was guided by Romo (Father) Bernadinus Realino Agung Priharhana of the Missionaries of the Holy Family, based in Jawa Province, Indonesia.

TOB is a biblical reflection on the meaning of human design as created by God, particularly as it concerns human sexuality, marital love and erotic desire.  Simply put, it means that our bodies somehow reveal the mystery of divine love in the world through the mystery of sexual difference and the call of the two to become one flesh.

Through this seminar, the organisers hope to promote the importance of the family institution in emphasising the primary vocation of the human body as self-gift.

The late pope, through TOB, offers a fresh new vision for human sexuality rooted in the ancient Scriptures and Tradition of the Church.  Focusing mainly on the Biblical teaching that we are made in the image of God, the Holy Father challenges us to accept the body as a true gift from God, a profound vision for understanding sexuality as a beautiful gift in God’s design, a gift that is meant to be a means for self-giving love.

Romo Bernadinus guided the participants with a three-part series of talks with Q&A sessions in between, which generated much interest in the audience.

Traditionally, he explained, the Church has recognised three such vocations: marriage, religious life, and the priesthood.   Through the Q&A, the speaker helped the participants to understand the processes to determine the call to the celibate life as in a religious or priestly calling.

Seen through the prism of the theology of the body, the priesthood not only reminds us of Christ’s love for his Bride, but, in a way similar to vowed religious, also reminds us of the ultimate spousal meaning of the body.  To put it simply, when priests or religious neglect the spousal understanding of their vocation and their virginal relationship to God in prayer, it becomes nearly impossible to remain faithful to their calling.

The organisers took the positive attendance of the crowd throughout the three days as an indication of the desire of the faithful to understand deeper the teachings of the Church.  It motivated them to plan for more seminars in the future on related topics.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KOTA KINABALU: The hundred over delegates at a recently held Education Consultation Workshop in the city would not dispute that a clarion call has been sounded to recognize and realize that the largest mission field that faces us today is still the schools.

“The Role of Mission Schools in the Present School System” was the theme for the Education Consultation Workshop jointly organized by the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) and Sabah Council of Christian Mission Schools (SCCMS), held at All Saints Cathedral here on 7 July 2018 for school heads, boards of governors and mission authorities (the churches).

Altogether there are 100 mission schools in Sabah that are made up as follows: Anglican Mission (11), Basel Mission (15), Catholic Mission of Kota Kinabalu (43), Catholic Mission of Keningau (18), Catholic Mission of Sandakan (10) and Protestant Church of Sabah Mission (3).

Of the 174 delegates, 84 were school heads and senior assistants, 68 board of governors and 22 mission authorities representatives.  Church leaders who graced the event included Bishop Dr James Wong of BCCM, Rev Datuk Jerry Dusing of SIB Sabah, Neil Mah representing Archbishop John Wong of RC Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Pastor Chin Chi Kiong of Commission of Sabah Affairs (COSA) and Archdeacon Moses Chin of SCCMS.

In welcoming the delegates, Bishop Datuk Melter Tais, President of SCC affirmed that the mission schools are our Godly heritage and legacy. He recalled the audience to the Education Forum 2017 where various resolutions were adopted to reclaim the ethos, character and traditions of our mission schools. Foremost is “to restore the presence of God” in our schools. Next, is to strengthen the faith of the younger generation through Bible Knowledge and Christian Fellowship, and new programs are being put together to promote the holistic development of students who go through our mission schools.

The president noted that the educational landscape of our country has changed over time due to various policies implemented by the government. As such there is a need to revisit the role of our mission schools in the context of the present school system, hence the reason for the Education Consultation Workshop 2018.  It brings together the different stakeholders of our mission schools to engage in a dialogue of clarifying their roles as they revisit the vision for our mission schools, with the possibility of recasting of vision in order to stay relevant with the times.

The keynote address entitled “The Educational Development and Policies in Malaysia and Their Impact on Mission Schools” was delivered by Ms Moey Yoke Lai. She is the Chairperson of the Federation of Councils of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia (FCCMSM) which oversees the 437 mission schools in the country.

Moey pointed out several key issues that had impacted the mission schools, as follows: 1) The surrender of the control of the mission schools under the Aziz Report 1971 without any grant for maintaining the premises; 2) The reduction in non-bumiputra intake into the Teacher Training Institutions; 3) The maximum consultation with the Mission Authorities over the appointment of principals were not followed through; 4) The National Language Policy; and 5)The constant changing of the school curriculum.

Even with the above, Moey is utterly convinced that our mission schools have an important role in the present school system. She said that our mission schools’ emphasis on holistic education (academic excellence, co-curriculum participation and character formation) and its special character (Education for All and for Unity, Compassion for the Poor and Weak, Education that is Person-Centred, Discipline with Love, Prayer and Presence of God, Passion and Perseverance) have pursued the aspirations of the Rukun Negara and the National Philosophy of Education long before they were formulated.

In revisiting the Role of Mission Schools in the Present School System, Moey recommends that mission schools provide world class education, especially in English, at affordable prices. She also urged “We should provide character-first holistic education, focusing on the whole person. We should teach children the joys of learning and of respecting and appreciating God’s beauty. We should introduce students to the important aspect of religion and Christian virtues of discipline, diligence, charity, compassion and integrity.”

Other speakers included Sister Rita Chew of the KK Archdiocesan Education Commission who presented her paper on “The Role of Mission Authorities”, while Ms Yap Pak Shun of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia Central Education Board spoke on “The Role of School Management Boards”.

In another session to highlight “The Role of School Heads”, Moey related her personal experience beginning with a quote from 1 Timothy 3:1 that whoever aspires to be an overseer (a school head) desires a noble task.

She maintained that the ethos and performance of a mission school depends on the qualities and character of the head. She underlined “The formula for success as head is to live out your Christian life in practical ways that all can see you are different because you are walking in the footsteps of the Master, our Lord Jesus Christ.

“A School Head is responsible for everything that happens within the school. That means the academic curriculum, the co-curriculum, the physical environment, the conduct and welfare of the teachers, support staff and students, the relationships with the State Education Department, PIBG, Alumni, Board of Governors, Mission Authorities and the public,” elaborated Moey.

Parallel workshops were also held for the different stakeholder participants: Mission Authorities, School Management Boards and School Heads to clarify their roles in relation to the theme.

The workshop concluded with recommendations made to enhance the leadership roles of the Mission Authorities, School Management Boards and School Heads.  With the realization that there are 10,000 schools in the country today, with a population of 10.59 million young people from the age of 1 to 19 years old, the workshop delegation could not but help recognizing that there is indeed a need to claim back our Mission Schools and make them our mission field.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

The Divine Mercy apostolate at Stella Maris parish visited the Sabah Cheshire Home in Likas on 14 July 2018 as part of their Corporal Works of Mercy monthly activity.

Participating in the visitation were Sr Bernadine, Sr Aquinas, Caroline Teo, Linah Gonsilou, Angelie Tee, Rose Moly, Felicity chong, and Mararetha James.  They were led by Divine Mercy coordinator, Theresa Williams.

During the visit, the group was given a briefing on the services and facilities provided by the Home.  This was followed by a guided tour of the Home by the Program Coordinator, Suziah Wan.

For the visit, the group donated provisions for the daily consumption and usage of the residents such as Milo, coffee, milk powder, condensed milk, potatoes, fresh chicken, cooking oil, oyster sauce, soya sauce, onion, salt, floor cleaner, clorox, dishwashing liquid, softlan and pampers.

The group also had the opportunity to spend some quality time with the residents of the Home, as well as the dedicated staff whose wonderful work at the Home has left the visitors much impressed.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

In 2015, Pope Francis established September 1 as an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, inspired by the example of the Orthodox Churches who have observed this day since 1989. Since then, Christians all over the world come together every Sep 1 to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, uniting to save Mother Earth.

September 1 launches the start of the annual “Season of Creation” which will last until October 4 (Feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology in many traditions). Major Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican organizations join together during this Season to encourage the 2.2 billion Christians worldwide to pray and act on ecological issues during this time.

Christians or not, as people of faith and goodwill, we should be united in showing mercy to the earth as our common home and cherishing the world in which we live as a place for sharing and communion. – Pope Francis’ 1 September 2016 message

This year 2018, the theme for the Season is “Walking together”. We are invited to consider the Season as a shared journey to better care for creation.

Christian Churches are organizing and supporting hundreds of events worldwide during this Season of Creation, by collaborating through the ecumenical website seasonofcreation.org. Hundreds of prayer services across all continents have already been reported and many more are being planned, with lots of them being ecumenical in nature and with participation of local bishops and faith leaders. These actions are shining a light where it is desperately needed in the world today.

Will you join them?  Your action matters.  Help your community see the light of God’s love for creation. Whether it is a simple prayer service, hands-on clean-up, or a bold statement of advocacy, your Season of Creation event will be part of a big global movement to stand up for the sanctity of creation. But it won’t happen without you. Everyone’s personal commitment is essential.

The Episcopal Commission for Creation Justice in the different dioceses of Malaysia are focal points for celebrating this season through prayer and action. It’s not hard at all!  A complete celebration guide, training webinars, and a community of support are available through seasonofcreation.org. Register your Season of Creation events on the website so that everyone around the world will be able to be inspired and heartened by your events.

Let our parishes and communities commit in solidarity to pray for and with creation, change to a more selfless lifestyle, and advocate to protect our common home. Some suggested activities for the Season of Creation in Malaysia are given below – the list is by no means exhaustive. These may also be carried out at other times during the year.

a) Prayer

Hold Masses during the Season. Sample liturgies are available from https://seasonofcreation.com/worship-resources/liturgies/. Hold ecumenical prayer services, ecological recollections/retreats, a walk/procession for and with creation, a blessing of pets service, etc. A 3-hour Laudato Si’1 retreat template is available from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SYJ4n8ylJm4uiO-7raAvkEmgjC_Mt5xkGlq9_kX8qfM/edit.

b) Ecological education or advocacy actions

Examples include: gotong royong (clean-up); planting of local trees; composting; starting a kitchen garden; 6Rs workshop (Refuse-Reduce-Reuse-Repurpose-Recycle-Regenerate) including demos on making bags from old T-shirts, etc.; Laudato Si’ and climate change workshops/talks/walks; awareness campaigns; commitment rituals on becoming an ecological parish/BEC; stopping the use of pesticides or open burning on church grounds; starting a recycling centre; promoting the transition to a vegetarian diet; becoming tree guardians; ecological art or song competitions; advocacy campaigns on moving away from fossil fuels, stopping plastics/styrofoam, opposing deforestation, saving wildlife, saving rivers*, etc.

(*NGO CLEAR is organizing a clean-up day for River Moyog, Penampang on 15 September 2018  in preparation for the local observance of World River Day at the Pesta Rakit or Bamboo Raft Festival on 30 September 2018. Contact Winnie @ 013-8108822 for more info.)

c) Commitment to reducing our ecological footprint

Parishes, dioceses and organizations can commit to shrinking their ecological footprint by reducing their fossil fuel dependency to a minimum in the next 5 years through the following ways: reducing use of electricity from the national power grid (which comes mainly from coal) by say, 5-10% every 6 months; moving towards sustainable, renewable energy sources like solar; reducing new buildings and deforestation; refurbishing old buildings to become less pollutant and more energy efficient; using renewable building materials; moving towards green structures/buildings/compounds; etc. We also need to ensure that Church land, buildings, and investments are not directly or indirectly contributing to excessive greenhouse gas emissions and pollution through, for example, encouraging deforestation or the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in plantations; and supporting harmful industries like fossil fuels, ecologically harmful mega projects, cement, mining, industrial livestock, industrial agriculture including plantations, etc.

d) Joining the global movement for creation justice

Solidarity is strength. Form groups and partnerships to celebrate the Season of Creation starting this year and pray and take action all year through to “hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’ 49).

Visit the Global Catholic Climate Movement website and sign on as a member (https://catholicclimatemovement.global/). Also, sign the Laudato Si’ pledge at livelaudatosi.org as individuals, families or organizations. – Clare Westwood/ECCJ Penang Diocese

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

St Victor Chapel launched its new logo in conjunction with the feast of St Victor of Marseilles on 21 July 2018.

St Victor Chapel is one of the remote chapels under the parish of St Catherine Church Inanam.

The Mass, which was presided by Fr Mitchelly Kiun, was attended by more than 150 parishioners.

Fr Mitchelly Kiun called on the parishioners to emulate the courage of St Victor to defend his faith and becoming a martyr for the sake of his faith.

St Victor was a Christian officer in the emperor’s troops.  He served under Roman Emperor Maximian (286- 305). He was discovered as adhering to the Christian faith and publicly denounced the worship of idols.   For that, he was brought before the Roman prefects, Asterius and Eutychius, who later sent him to the emperor. He was dragged through the streets, racked, beaten and thrown into prison where he converted three guards, Alexander, Felician, and Longinus to Christianity. After the guards were beheaded, he was again tortured and commanded to offer incense to the statue of Jupiter.  With a kick of his foot he overthrew it.  The emperor chopped off his foot, and ordered that he be put to death by being ground under a millstone.  The millstone broke while Victor was still breathing, and the order was given for him to be beheaded.

His body was buried by Christians in a grotto hewn out of the rock.  Great miracles were wrought at St Victor’s tomb or by his intercession.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online