Sharing by
Parish SOCCOM and Migrant Ministry,
Holy Trinity, Tawau
(27th October 2022)
Migration searching for ‘greener pastures’ is as old as the Bible itself, to look for a better life. Today, Tawau has been a melting pot of many from the Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, China, and Asian regions from as early as the 1950s. Many forefathers migrated here and contributed much to the economy of this region, particularly Tawau. Thus, the Parish of Holy Trinity Tawau is no different from any corner of the world.
A month ago (25th September 2022), we celebrated the 108TH WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES with the theme, “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees”. These migrants have assimilated into society and contributed significantly to the growth of the Catholic faith and the whole state. If one attends Mass, one will see how their culture has enriched our gathering with music and liturgy. Questions arose as we searched for their faces, WHO IS A MIGRANT AMONGST US? We are all migrants, pilgrims on an economic journey and of faith.
Tawau recently celebrated this day, emphasising educating ourselves and a new arrival to our parish. Mass attendance was packed, with many wearing their colourful costumes.
The Indonesian consul pays its teachers’ salaries, and Tawau Parish provides free use of classrooms/buildings. Indeed the church has taken a step in providing free education through the Community Learning Centre (CLC). It has been thriving for more than 11 years, with more than 300 students comprised of pupils from primary one to form three doing Indonesian text. Those who pass in their form three can further their studies in Indonesia.
Descendants of these migrants are so interwoven in the local community that many attend Chinese schools and speak fluent Mandarin. It is these migrants that keep the parish active, and their support is essential to the ‘live’ of the Holy Trinity. Without them, we will not survive another 100 years as we have done. So, who needs migrants for growth? WE DO!
p.s. Migrants are also those from outside Tawau, like Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Lahad Datu.
Migrant Sunday Mass 2022 at Holy Trinity Church, Tawau
Fellowship at Holy Trinity’s Parish Hall, Tawau
