Evelyn Jock
Sabah Regional Pastoral Assembly, a synodal gathering of three dioceses, which was unprecedentedly held at the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. Representatives from Sandakan, Keningau and Kota Kinabalu, including bishops, priests, religious sisters and laity gathered to address a shared mission. From the gathering, the delegates meet under the context of spiritual conversations, to listen to one another and contributing ideas towards the mission which culminated with the establishment of 9 missions. The highlight on Day 3 of the assembly was where the Dioceses of Sandakan and Keningau took the Perjalanan Salib to be launched at their respective Cathedrals. The launching of the Perjalanan Salib shall be on 18 May 2025 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan.
On the first day when the delegates from the various parishes of each dioceses registered for the event, the air was a hive of activity, anticipation and people connecting with one another. The celebration of the Eucharist at the Sacred Heart Cathedral started the assembly and it was overwhelming to watch the gathering of Bishops, clergies and deacons praying as clergies and as a Church. 3 masses were held for three days respectively and each day was presided by Bishops of the 3 dioceses. Rt. Rev. Bishop Cornelius Piong, Bishop of the Diocese of Keningau, exclaimed there has never been to a gathering of this kind which is an extraordinary experience. Since the 1950s, we have seen much growth in the Catholic Church. The clergies are walking together, listening to each other and in communion with one another. A church with the concept of synodal church is good as it fosters a united church with a caring attitude for one another. The use of handphone has distorted the minds of people, children have no care for their parent, and people have developed an uncaring attitude. The prelate stated that if we wish to have a synodal church, we need to get to know and love God through his words and prayers.
Energizer session from the Seminarians.
Fr. Clarence Devadass on his session “Kerohanian Sinodaliti”
Holy Hour
In the words of Rt. Rev Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, the Holy Spirit brought everyone to the Assembly. He recalled the late Pope Francis, the good shepherd. Although God has taken a shepherd, He will always replace them with another shepherd. Our God is loyal to his people and he will never leave us alone without a leader. We should be thankful to Him, because he has given us Pope Leo XIV. Bishop Julius reminded that we should listen to one another without interruptions. How do we listen to one another in this noisy world. Are we like the clubs that say, ‘For members only’? In our church, there is no exclusivity, anyone who follows Christ, can enter paradise for this is our mission. We are the sheep that must collectively be committed and united to act and serve our church.
Friar Gerald shared the fruits of the spiritual conversation.
His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop John Wong, reminded everyone that we are still in the season of Easter and informed that all the readings were from the Acts of the Apostles. He related how the apostles lived their lives and how they managed to grow and shape the world, and that it was the Holy Spirit that guided them. The holy spirit is right there with us and is in every parishes to help the Catholic faith grow and build up the community as well as transform the churches. He urged all the delegates to be in communion with one another, participate and served the church with a mission. He reminded that if we are one with Jesus just as He and His father are one, then we too, must be in communion with one another, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to the organising committee for organising a historical get together of all three dioceses.
Delegates from Sandakan Diocese
Participants from Sandakan Diocese and their sharing.
Participating as a delegate during the assembly was a first for me as a Deacon and it has allowed me to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and made me reflect on my vocation. My role in the assembly was to facilitate and guide a group through the spiritual conversations, listening intently to one another. What stood out at the assembly was a strong belief in the Holy Spirit and to actively step out and fulfil God’s will. Deacon Ricki Boy Hasim
The Sabah Regional Pastoral Assembly was spiritually enriching and an eye-opening experience. I served as a facilitator for my group, guiding the discussions and ensuring active participation from everyone. The strong sense of unity and collaboration among the participants, the deep and sincere spiritual conversations shared and the openness of the people to listen, reflect, and journey together in faith, stood out most for me. Marshall Owen
Gerard Chong
My experience with the SRPA was truly an opportunity for new knowledge, as it was my first time participating in such a large event involving three dioceses. It was indeed meaningful to understand the current challenges faced by our Church. My role in SRPA was as a facilitator, and it was also my first time serving in this capacity. I am grateful to the Ministry of the Laity (MOT) for organizing the workshop on 27 April 2025, which prepared me to facilitate the group — guided by the Holy Spirit. What stood out for me during the assembly were the people and the spiritual conversations. We listened to the pastoral needs of the three dioceses and observed that the number of Catholics is increasing. As disciples of the Lord, we must come together as a community and walk in unity for the betterment of the Church in our state, Sabah. Let us continue to pray for the Church, our priests, and for one another. Amen.
Francine Freddy
“My experience at the Sabah Regional Pastoral Assembly was both meaningful and humbling. As a secretary, I had the privilege of witnessing the deep sense of unity and collaboration among clergy, religious, and laity. One moment that deeply inspired me was the video presentation on the history of the formation of the three dioceses in Sabah. It reminded us—especially the young people—of the importance of preserving the Church’s rich heritage and recognizing the struggles of our seminarians and priests during the anti-Semitism era.
I was also particularly touched by Fr Clarence’s session on synodality, which helped me understand more clearly what it means to journey together as Church. His sharing on the three key documents issued by Pope Francis—Amoris Laetitia (family), Fratelli Tutti (social friendship), and Laudato Si’ (ecology)—was eye-opening and helped me see how the Church is called to respond to real issues in the world today. The assembly renewed my hope and commitment to walk together in faith, listening to the Spirit and to one another.”
Andrew Onggip
The assembly was a huge success in which 3 Diocese met (SRPA) together for the first time, to listen, work and to learn to discern as a team. Synodality should start from the mind set and way of thinking. Changes must come from within and help from the Holy Spirit. What stood out for me was the spiritual conversations. As expressed at the assembly, it embodies an invitation to renew the way we live, to be in communion and work together for the church’s mission. True transformation begins with listening to the spirit and then to our brothers and sisters. Though demanding, it is a source of hope for a more synodal Church, closer to the needs of the world and more faithful to its evangelical vocation. A path of HOPE!