Standing before God in the Opening Prayer
Sandakan : The Diocese of Sandakan through its Building Committee headed by John Pang had embarked on a massive project  (building proper, external work and fixtures) of some RM3.5 million ~ the Diocesan Pastoral cum Worship Centre, a secretariat tending to the pastoral needs of the people. Construction work had begun and the project is expected to complete by October 2011. 
The fund raising sub-committee of the project led by Anthony J Wong had worked out   a three-pronged approach in soliciting the said fund ;  Church and Diocese reserves, sponsorship of rooms / space and from the kind contribution of the parishioners across the four parishes.
Henry Wong, chairing the meeting
Henry Wong, Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Council entrusted to raise the RM1 million form the vast majority of the parishioners chaired a meeting Friday, December 10, 2010. Some 20  leaders of  the St Mary’s Cathedral Parish  representing  the Pastoral Council, Finance and Property Committee, Group and community leaders attended the meeting  at the Diocesan Conference Room.
He called upon the attendees to contribute generously, using their gifts and the many blessings received, to be co-workers in realizing the hallmark of the Diocese.
He said, ‘The Diocese is very much dependent upon her faithful, working together in God’s service, to build the Centre.’
Francis Tan of the Diocese Office, through a power point presentation touched on the background and history of the Diocese, general statistics, development and progress, implementation of pastoral activities, establishment of commissions, diocesan pastoral thrust through community building and the details of the Diocesan Pastoral cum Worship Centre.

 
Artist impression of the Centre



In their commitment to solicit funds for the said centre,  the Cathedral Parish will hold the folowing;

  • Third collection every first sunday of the month beginning January 2011
  • Jogathon in aid of the building fund on 2nd May 2011
  • Food and sale fair in conjunction with Parish Day sometime in August 2011
  • Ongoing pledge by individuals and groups
  • Song fest / flower sale / car wash / auction sale

Henry Wong will be visiting St Dominic’s Church Lahad Datu, Holy Trinity Church Tawau and St Martin’s Church Telupid soonest possible to promote the project and to garner  support.

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