by Evelyn Jock
The Diocese of Sandakan launched CHARIS on 26 February 2023 at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan. The launching was carried out and graced by Rev. Fr. Arthur John, the Spiritual Director of CHARIS, in the presence of CHARIS leaders from the parishes of St. Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan, Holy Trinity Tawau, Our Lady of Fatima, Beluran, St. Martin Telupid, St. Dominic Lahad Datu and Paitan Mission. Fr. Arthur thanked all the different parishes for their presence and participation and entrusted that they return to their respective districts and explain the meaning of CHARIS to their members. He also thanked the Coordinator of CHARIS Malaysia, Anthony Lim, who witnessed the launching. Anthony was elected as Coordinator of CHARIS Malaysia from amongst the leaders of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) from the 9 Dioceses of Malaysia. The formation of CHARIS Malaysia was endorsed on 13 August 2020 at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia. It was the first time that a national body was able to serve the needs of the CCR in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The launching of CHARIS Sandakan marked the conclusion of the Workshop on the Explanation and Launching of CHARIS which was initiated on 24 February 2023, at 7.30pm. It was a 1½ day workshop with Anthony Lim as its facilitator and organised by the CCR Diocese of Sandakan headed by its Coordinator Adaris Sintan. All the different language groups in Sandakan, that is, Star of Yahweh Covenant Community, CCR (BM) and the Chinese CCR group participated in praise and worship to welcome all the members of CCR from the other parishes on the first day. A total of 139 participants registered for the Workshop. The workshop turned out to be a success and was completed with 3 sessions of briefings by Anthony Lim, group discussions, presentation, praise and workshop on the second day, 25 February 2023.
In the first session, Anthony briefed the participants on the History of CCR which came into existence in 1967 and was subsequently endorsed by Pope St Paul VI. Since its endorsement by Pope St. Paul VI and all the succeeding popes, the CCR has spread far and wide globally. The CCR enters into its 57th year of existence in the world whilst Sabah celebrates its 49th year since its inception in 1974. Sabah’s CCR was started by 9 youths under the guidance of the late Fr. Tobias Chi.
During the second session of the workshop, Anthony explained the expectations of Pope Francis when he launched CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service) on 9 June 2019). CHARIS is a service which is meant to assist all the CCR groups around the world. Pope Francis called all CHARIS members to share the graces that they received in the baptism of the Holy Spirit with everyone in the church; serve the unity of the body of Christ, the church and community of believers; and to serve the poor and those in greatest need.
Anthony encouraged the participants to establish a vision to stay focused towards the Vision of God. He reiterated that the CHARIS groups do not exist on their own but that God has renewed them within the framework of the Diocese of Sandakan. The CHARIS vision should not contradict the vision of the Sandakan Diocese which is “Christ-centered community, serving one another with love”. Anthony reminded that all leaders of CHARIS are required to be clear and passionate about the Vision of the Sandakan Diocese as well as the Vision of CHARIS and that the prayer groups and communities are maintained and on track. He encouraged that all CHARIS groups should commission at least 2 youths below the age of 30 as these youths are the ones that will continue the mission of CHARIS Sandakan.
