News prepared by: TBK2 Multimedia and Publicity Team
After months of preparation, of forming and organising team, planning schedules, accommodations, food and other logistics, the 2nd Sandakan Diocesan Youth Festival (TK2) finally took off from 28 August 2023 until 1 September 2023. A turnout of 294 participants, consisting of 197 youth, 71 team members of the organizing committee and 26 volunteers from 5 parishes and 1 mission throughout the Diocese of Sandakan participated in this youth gathering. A contingent of youth came from St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Holy Trinity Tawau, St. Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu, St. Martin Parish, Telupid, Our Lady of Fatima, Beluran and Paitan Mission.
During the opening mass on 28 August 2023 presided by his Lordship, Bishop Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of the Sandakan Diocese, he encouraged the participants to be like Mary who have a sound mind and went in haste indicating her desire to serve others. He added that the spirit of urgency must be inculcated in each one in order to always be ready to serve one another. TBK2 was officially declared opened after the mass with the lighting of the torch within the grounds of St. Joseph’s Church. A Welcoming Night convened at the St. Joseph’s Hall in St. Cecilia Convent Secondary School.
The Youth Festival which is a 5-day event is encapsulated by the following activities:- Briefings by local speaker; 1) Holy & Modern; 2) I am and Image of God; 3) Daily Service vs Daily Routine, and 4) To be Called and Answered; daily Masses, counselling session, confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On the 4th day, a Vigil Night was held at 3 am. Due to the heavy downpour that night, the vigil procession was held at the St. Joseph hall in St. Cecilia instead of the school field as planned. A forum titled, ‘Role Of The Young’ gave the youth the chance to question the guest speakers during the Question and Answer sessions, about their faith. Later these youth presented a pantomime showcasing the activities that they will go through in the Exposure session. The Exposure session was carried out in different locations where the participants were exposed to community and welfare activities. They performed activities such as cleaning of church compounds, cemeteries, buildings, visit to the Cheshire Home and even animal care centres. Some were moved and appreciated the feelings of caring for God’s creation. On the 4th evening of TBK2, a Youth Talent Show was held with engaging performances from all the 5 contingents. Performances on cultural plays and dances such as Dikir Barat, were part of the programme.
Day 5, the last day was closed with Holy Mass in St. Joseph’s Church celebrated by Rev. Fr. Simon J. Kontou, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral. He exclaimed that anyone who believes Jesus is the way, the truth and the life will continue to remain a Catholic. He also stated that a person may desire many things which will lead to two situations; himself as getting closer to God or vice versa. Fr. Simon entrusted the young people to continue to know God, know each other’s desires, and do things that can bring them closer to God. After mass, the icon of Virgin Mary and the TBK Torch was brought forward and handed over to the Assistant Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Tawau, Rev. Fr. Dafrinn Diwol, as host of the next TBK3 youth gathering. TBK2 may have come to an end but certainly it has forged a close rapport and created a dynamic friendship amongst the young people. It has also strengthened their confidence and self esteem with the hope that they may become missionaries as witnesses of God.
