Tawau : Jesuit priest Fr. Peter Kim returned to Tawau for a week long visit during the 1st week of Advent.

Born in Sandakan, Fr. Kim had his primary school education at Holy Trinity School, before he returned to Sandakan for his secondary education at St. Mary.

He related how at Holy Trinity, he was put in a class together with boys of various ages due to the disruption of education by the Japanese occupation. He recalled one of his school mates was Joseph Pairin, a former chief minister of Sabah, and that the late Fr Yong was one of his teachers.

Meeting Phillip Lo, a former classmate


He met up with a few of his former school mates, sharing reminiscence of the old days.
Those who came for his week long daily masses were treated with his usual insightful homilies.

The Bible sharing groups were also fortunate to have his spiritual input that week.

Coincidentally, the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the co-founder of the Society of Jesus, was celebrated during his visit, on 3rd Dec. He was able to share with us St. Francis’ foreign missions to India, Malacca and Japan, as well as the story of how his attempts to evangelize China were sabotaged.

Fr Peter Kim in his homily

With the national service trainees

With Fr Phillip Muji
In his homily for the 2nd week of Advent, Fr. Kim told the congregation the deeper meaning of Advent. He said Jesus’ second coming is all due to God’s love for us. In return, we should have love for God, for one another and for ourselves. In this regard, he exhorted us to love the planet earth God has given us, protecting its species, rainforests and minimize climate change.

An authority on the principles and mechanism of the parish councils and author of the book “Parish Councils on Mission” (Benih Publisher Kuala Lumpur 1991), he gave invaluable comments to a few parish counselors on how we might want to move in our young Diocese of Sandakan. Justify Full

With Dr Marcus at Balung River Resort

Met by Mr Aru, manager of Balung River Resort

With a degree in botany from the University of Adelaide, Fr Kim was still very much attracted to plants. He visited River Balung Resort with its good collection of vegetation, both indigenous and foreign.

Presently doing his ministry in Myanmar, Fr Kim does not know when his next trip back to Tawau might be, but did indicate humorously that if invited, that should not be a problem.


Marcus Chin