A GLIMPSE OF THE YESTERYEARS OF CATECHETICAL COMMISSION…
“One cannot speak about the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu without looking at the beginning of the Catholic Church in Sabah.” (DOPP ch.1, 1.2). The early beginnings had been the work of and must be credited to the Mill Hill Missionaries who left their home, comfort, security and safety and offered their lives in order to sow the seed of the Catholic faith. Today there are still men and women who know that their mission is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by the witness of their lives while still others voluntarily offer their skills, time, energy and other resources particularly in the area of catechetics.
In 1979, there appears in the reports of commissions to PAX GENERAL ASSEMBLY the nature and role of the PAX CATECHETICAL COMMISSION. It says, “Its role is to ‘resound’ the Word of God through planned and organized activities which make Divine Revelation known and which aim at awakening and developing faith.
In short, its aim is IMPARTING and DEVELOPING a CHRISTIAN LIFE consciously lived; such a life renders glory to God and man finds there his salvation.” 1982 report says, “The Commission was formed to serve and to care for the ever-growing needs of the local Church in Sabah.”
This has been the concern and focus of the Commission ever since, through:
1. Awareness Seminars / Camps
2. Faith Deepening Seminars and Sessions
3. Catechetical Renewal Programmes
4. Catechetical Seminars and Courses
5. Religious Knowledge by Correspondence
6. Adult Catechesis
7. A Week-Long RCIA Experience
8. Retreats and Recollections
9. Organised Teachers Day Celebration
10. Children’s Liturgy of the Word
11. Animation/Formation Programmes
12. Revitalizing Sunday School, RCIA/CIC, Catechists
13. Printing of books suitable for Sabahans in the field of Catechetics
14. Dialogue on MCC Curriculum
15. Others
The target groups have been the:
a. Catholic Teachers
b. Catholic Students from Teachers Training Centres (Gaya/Kent College)
c. Catholic Students (Primary & Secondary Schools)
d. Parents (of children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation)
e. Faith Educators (Sunday School and RCIA/IKD Facilitators)
In Grateful Appreciation:
A vote of thanks and appreciation is hereby recorded to one and all particularly to those who have dedicated untiringly their efforts and valuable service and contributions to the Diocese in the area of Catechetics.
Year 1977 – 1994
Bro. Charles O’Leary, fsc, Fr. Thomas Makajil, Fr. Tobias Chi, Fr. Cosmas Lee, Fr. Louis Kessels, Bro. Justin Mobilik, fsc, Bro. Herbertus Gompuk, fsc, Sr. M. Cecilia Liew, fsic, Sr. M. Stella Chin, fsic, Sr. M. Bernard, fsic, Sr. M. Genevieve Nicholas, fsic, Sr. M. Imelda Angang, fsic, Sr. M. Jane Sandalun, fsic, Sr. Grace Deosing, fsic, Sr. Cecelia Liew, rgs, Mr. Clement Kasimir, Mr. John Tham, Mr. Siow Siew Sing, Mr. John Lainsin, Datin J. Yee, Mrs. Sue Jayasuria, Ms. Caroline Jerome, Bro. Egbertus H. Severinus, fsc, Ms. Theresa Gumpodo, Mr. Edwin Tai, Mr. Albert Thien, Mr. Fidelis Sipangkui, Sr. Rosalie Lojiu, fsp.
“God Bless You All”
REVITALIZING THE COMMISSION ON CATECHETICS…
In September 1997, after a lapse of two and a half years or so, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Datuk John Lee appointed Sr. Grace Deosing, fsic, to head the Commission on Catechetics.
In his first address to the new Commission Team, His Lordship Bishop John Lee gave a brief history of the Commission and expressed his hope that the new Commission Team will come up with something concrete to re-organise the Commission. He also encouraged members not to feel inadequate for the important thing is the willingness to devote their time and look into the catechetical matters together.
The setting up of the Diocesan Catechetical Office proved to be a great help in the work of coordinating the parishes in the area of catechetics. All parishes have set up their Catechetical Committee and having close contact with the Diocesan Catechetical Office.
The Concern and Focus ever since…programmes, activities and events:
1. Setting up Team of the Commission on Catechetics (CCKK) and Diocesan Catechetical Office (DCO)
2. Strengthening Parish Catechetical Committees
3. Strengthening ties between CCKK and Parish Catechetical Committees
4. First Gathering cum Fellowship of Sunday School and RCIA/IKD facilitators
5. Gathering and up-dating of Catechetical information/records
6. Standardising Catechetical Materials and Programmes
7. Participating in the First National Catechetical Conference – Johor Bahru
8. First Diocesan Catechetical Conference – KDCA/Golfview
9. Visits to Parishes
10. Faith formation programmes for catechists
11. Participating in the Malaysian Catechetical Commission (MCC) Meeting
12. Parish Catechetical Coordinators Meetings
13. Catechetical Seminars
14. Retreat for CCKK Team
15. CCKK Team Discernment Weekend
16. Jubilee of Catechists Year 2000 (JKT 2000)
17. Seminar on the Catechism of the Catholic Church I
18. RCIA Workshop
19. Seminar on the Catechism of the Catholic Church II
20. Pre-Catechumenate Weekend Experience
21. SJD Exhibitions, Sacred Heart Parish Centre
22. Ongoing Faith Formation Programmes for Catechists
23. Panelist in finalizing as well as translating into Bahasa Melayu the contents of “Learner’s Book” for students and “Guide for Catechist”, to be published by Malaysian Catechetical Commission
24. Second Diocesan Catechetical Conference
25. Others
Commission on Catechetics Team Members, 1997 – 2004
Sr. Grace Deosing, fsic (Coordinator)
First Batch:
Stephen Lee, Joseph Lee, Aloysia G. Moguil, Helena Fong, Martina Voo, Stella Yong, Neil Mah, Hermes Sikajat, Melvin Ejot, Matthew Liow, Richard Angkis, Levita Michael.
Second Batch:
Levita Michael, Terisah Antonih, Beatrice Foo, Catherine Wan, Jennifer Anjek, Stephen Kuin, Hermes Sikajat, Neil Mah, Matthew Liow, Richard Angkis, Melvin Ejot, John Ansim, and Sr. Dariah Ajap, fsic & Sr. Calista Saliun, fsic (joined–2nd September 2002)
Third Batch:
Fr. Ambrose Atang (Spiritual Adviser), Sr. Dariah Ajap, fsic, Sr. Calista Saliun, fsic, Levita Michael, Beatrice Foo, Catherine Wan, Jennifer Anjek, Stephen Kuin, Hermes Sikajat, Neil Mah, Richard Angkis, Melvin Ejot, Melissa Angus, Aloysia G. Moguil.
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