The Sandakan Diocesan Youth Commission was officially established on Saturday 3rd October 2009 and held its inaugural meeting on the same day presided by His Lordship Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom at the Diocesan Meeting Room, Church Hill Road, Sandakan.

The members are all youth leaders experienced in youth ministry drawn from all the parishes in the diocese.

In his welcoming address he reminded the youth not to be tied down with activities but to be focused on faith and personal formation. In the course of seeking for self glory and glamour, competing for recognition and falling to pride, power and privilege, youth may be separated from the main stream of the Church. He asked them to be always linked to the Church through working closely with other ministries and through involvement in BECs.

He added that the existence of youth groups is vital to the life of the Church. It is in the process of participating in faith and personal formation program that young people are drawn into a deeper and more faithful understanding of Christ and His Church. He hoped that the Youth Commission will be able to formulate youth programs in order to draw young people to be an integral part of the life, mission and work of the Church.

Bishop Julius then announced the line-up of the Diocesan Youth Commission;

Spiritual Director Rev Fr Paul Lo

Spiritual Assistant Sr Lilian Unsoh fsic

Coordinator Anna Theresa Peter Amandus (St Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan)

Members:

  • Airene Gumanas (St Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan)
  • Lukas Loli (St Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan)
  • Betram Lansing (St Martin’s Church Telupid)
  • Angeline Said (St Martin’s Church Telupid)
  • Yusvina Lasmin (St Dominic’s Church Lahad Datu)
  • Victoria Yam (St Dominic’s Church Lahad Datu)
  • Arturo Teneros (St Dominic’s Church Lahad Datu)
  • Felsa May Bontilao (Holy Trinity Church Tawau)
  • Esther Alim Albert (Holy Trinity Church Tawau)
  • Gabriel Yosep (Holy Trinity Church Tawau)

A presentation on the analysis of the strength and weaknesses of the youth gave them an opportunity to explore ways to better prepare themselves to face the challenges of faith.

Anna Theresa Peter Amandus, the newly appointed coordinator has this to say. ‘I want to thank Bishop for the confidence given me to lead. It’s an honour. I hope we can walk side by side, closely knitted in the journey of faith’.

Felsa May from HTC Tawau shared that members should be united and committed to the challenges in building up a strong and effective youth body.

Fr Paul Lo proposed that youth program should be stimulating and faith filled and suggested an annual youth retreat and assembly be held for a start.