Report by: Raymond Wong
Sandakan: In conjunction with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Catechetical Commission organized the “Jubilee for Catechist”. It is a recollection day on the theme “Showing Mercy and Choosing” or “Memperlihatkan Belaskasihan Dan Membuat Pilihan” for all catechists from the Diocese of Sandakan namely Tawau, Lahad datu, Telupid and Sandakan catechists. This recollection was held on 24th September at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Diocese of Sandakan.
A total of over 200 catechists coming from the various parishes including the new fellow catechists from the church of Lady of Fatima, Beluran which is now a new parish in our Diocese.
Father David, who happened to be on his study leave from Rome conducted the talks. In his talk, he described the theme based on the emblem of the Coat-of-arms of Pope Francis which is “Miserando Atque Eligendo” or “by having mercy and by choosing”. Likewise, the reflection was elegantly and awesomely elaborated from “The Calling of St Matthew” whereby one has to identify one’s calling upon gazing on the painting. It is a masterpiece by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, depicting the moment at which Jesus Christ inspires Matthew to follow him.
An opportunity was also given to one catechist from each parish to give their testimonies of their experiences while serving in the Sunday School or the RCIA sessions.
A procession from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre to the Cathedral, where all participants entered through the Holy Door of Mercy before the Holy Mass was then held.
Immediately after the Holy Mass, all participants adjourned back to the Diocese Centre for lunch before going back to their respective homes.
