Reported by DaliusLL
Tawau: “We pledge our willing service as members of the new Diocesan Education Commission for three years”, were said aloud in unison by the members of the Sandakan Diocesan Education Commission (DEC) in front of the Altar and witnessed by the parishioners attending sunset Mass on the 15th July 2023 in Holy Trinity Church Tawau. The commissioning was solemnised by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ong in the presence of Rev. Fr. Raymond Lee as their Spiritual Advisor.
Member of the Diocesan Education Commission – Commissioning Mass.
DEC members together with Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ong and Rev. Fr. Raymond Lee.
Earlier they have their first DEC meeting held in the church’s conference room. In hand, the DEC Chairperson, Madam Zenia Rose Gulitom welcomed the attendance of the members from St. Mary Cathedral Sandakan, St. Dominic Church Lahad Datu and Holy Trinity Church Tawau.
Meeting at Holy Trinity Meeting Room
Mdm. Zenia handed over the Secretary File to new Secretary of DEC, Mr. Gerard after meeting proper.
In his opening address, Fr. Raymond hoped that the members will share their experiences and wisdom with him as these will help him in giving his advice and opinion particularly pertaining to faith, morals, prayers and social teaching of the church.
He reminded the importance of DEC in encouraging Christian students to take up the Bible Knowledge subject in SPM in the mission school. This is not for academic reasons only, but the Bible knowledge will deepen their understanding of their faith. He said Bible knowledge subject is the identity of a mission school and he hoped that promoting this subject should be taken seriously. As a comparison, he shared that the older generation used to tell him of the glorious days of the olden mission schools in producing excellent students in education, sports and discipline, but sad to see today that the image of the mission schools has not been up to the standard of its past. In his note of encouragement, he thanked the members for their boldness in taking up the responsibility and commitment as a member of DEC. “Let us work together, work for the benefit of our students, for the improvement of our school, and work to defend what is left of the Christian identity in the school. Let us be committed, be strong and courageous, be faithful in our service”, he concluded.
Handing over of SPM Bible Knowledge Guidelines by Fr Raymond to SM Holy Trinity and SM St. Ursula, Tawau.
Dinner at Ocean Restaurant Tawau
In the evening, the members were then treated for dinner, with the attendance of all the priests and representatives of the mission schools, courtesy of the Holy Trinity DEC members headed by Mr Gerard Tan in a well-known restaurant in Tawau. During the dinner, the DEC members had also got the opportunity to share the joy of celebrating the birthday of Holy Trinity Rector Fr. David Garaman.
Holy Trinity Kindergarten School
SK Holy Trinity Tawau
The next day, the members were given the walk-about tour of the Catholic mission schools in Tawau, starting with the Holy Trinity Pre-School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Holy Trinity Secondary School and ended at St. Ursula Secondary School. The two-day programme gave the DEC members the opportunity to share and exchange views, suggestions and insights towards the betterment of the Mission schools.
SM Holy Trinity Tawau
SM Convent St Ursula Tawau