by Evelyn Jock
“Present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life” (Rom 6:13)
Local boy, aged 32 years, from Kg. Pisang, Jalan Sapi, Nangoh was ordained to the Order of Deacon by Rt. Rev. Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan, in the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan on 24 November 2024. Ricki’s ordination coincided with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Priests and parishioners from the various parishes of Sandakan Diocese, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Telupid, Beluran, Ulu Dusun, Paitan and Sandakan were present to witness this auspicious day.
Deacon Ricki Boy Hasim, was born on 23 October 1992 to a Catholic family and has 1 elder sister and 2 younger brothers. He was baptised at St. Peter, Pamol, received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation in St. Martin, Telupid. He comes from Kg. Penimbanan Baru, Jalan Sapi, Nangoh. His schooling years started in 1997-2011 at various schools, beginning from Tadika Pamol, SK. Pamol, SK. Ulu Sapi, SMK. Ulu Sapi and SMK. Telupid. Growing up as a young man, Ricki was not a regular Churchgoer and was not involved in any ministry, however, his parents who were staunched Catholics continued to show him the joy of Jesus’ love. After Form 6 in SMK. Telupid (2011), Ricki landed himself a job in an oil palm plantation and was a Training Field Assistant for 4 years with Wilmar Plantation in Terusan 1 Estate.
The path to his vocation to the priesthood was way back in 2012. He recalled he was touched when the late Rev. Fr. Jasery Emmanuel Gabuk celebrated mass in 2 different chapels of St. Martin’s Parish and hearing confessions despite being very exhausted. Ricki called his calling a weird daydream. When he told his family that he wanted to become a priest, his parents were in total acceptance, especially his mother who was joyfully thankful but, his father was a bit skeptical.
Ricki joined the seminary as Aspirant CDC at Aspirant Formation House in Kota Kinabalu (2016). The following year in 2017, he underwent his Initiation Year at St. Peter College in Kinabalu and he continued his Philosophy Year at the College General in Penang (2018-2019). He received his Theology Year training at St. Peter College in Kuching, Sarawak (2020-2024). During his seminarian years, he encountered some challenges where he witnessed that in his batch of seminarians, he was the only one left and the first to be ordained. Deacon Ricki’s pastoral training has brought him to St. Dominic, Lahad Datu (1 month-2018 and 1 month-2019); Holy Trinity, Tawau (1 month-2020); St. Stephen in Bau, Sarawak (1 month-2021); Holy Trinity, Tawau (4 months-2022); Our Lady of Fatima, Beluran (4 months-2023); St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan (1 month-2024) and St. Dominic, Lahad Datu (current).
On 20 November 2024, Ricki received the Rites of Admission to Candidacy as Deacon from Bishop Julius, during the daily mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral whereby he expressed his intention publicly to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a deacon and later as a priest. As he approached his ordination day, he has no other expectations except to know, understand and perform the Ordination Rites perfectly.
Bishop Julius mentioned that the Ordination on 24 November 2024, was a day of grace for the Diocese of Sandakan, because God has given her another servant of God. Ordination is not a graduation but a confirmation that one is called to serve. He called on the people to pray and support Deacon Ricki so that he will continue to say ‘Yes’ to be a priest. He thanked Ricki’s family and all those who had played a part in his formation. The presence of the parishioners from the various parishes of the Sandakan Diocese indicated that the people are walking together as a synodal church. He praised and thanked the Lord for He is the one who enables us to be a Church and has given us a gift in the person of Deacon Ricki. After the ordination, a potluck dinner fellowship was held at the St. Mary’s Parish Hall where parishioners come together to celebrate the ordination of Deacon Ricki.
Deacon Ricki wills that the Holy Spirit guides him to continue on with his vocation. His message to those considering the priesthood vocation, is that, despite their lives experiences, they must never deny that little invitation or calling from God.