by Evelyn Jock
St. Joseph’s Church, Sandakan was restored and rededicated with a Mass of Rededication of the Altar and Church on 19 December 2021. Adjacent to the church stands the new 2068 sq ft Catechetical Hall which was finally completed with the issuance of an Occupational Certificate.
A handing over ceremony by the St. Joseph’s Church Building Project Committee under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr Isaac Pang and Committee members was held on 9 August 2022 in the Catechetical Hall. A total of 50 guests made of St. Mary’s clergy, religious sister, parish ministry leaders, church benefactors, designers and contractors witnessed the handing over of the completed St. Joseph’s church and catechetical hall to the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. David A. Garaman. The Occupational Certificate of the Catechetical Hall was officially hung on the wall of the hall by both Fr. David and Mr Isaac Pang.
In his address, Rev. Fr. David gave thanks to God for, by Him and in His time, the St. Joseph’s building project was successfully completed. Fr. David extended his gratefulness to Mr Isaac Pang, his technical team, the contractors and volunteers who have worked tirelessly in making the project become a reality. He also thanked all the benefactors from within the local community of the Cathedral parish as well as those from outside, for their continued support, prayers, contribution, and generosity throughout the construction period. Fr. David recalled the words of His Excellency Cardinal Tagle on the occasion of the Dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, Bahrain. He said “Let us be reminded, that, while the construction of a building comes to an end, but, the construction of the church as a community never ends.”
Together with the people of God, Fr. David pledged that St. Joseph’s Church and Catechetical Hall shall be a place filled with warmth and welcome, a loving environment with strong bond, as well as a place which will continue to build up the church as a community of believers. Through this, the community will be living witnesses of the faith which is truly a faith of peace, love and harmony.