Double celebration at St Paul’s Church

Some 800 parishioners, both local and foreign, gathered at St Paul’s Church, on Sunday, August 31 to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day (August 17) and Malaysia’s Hari Merdeka (August 31).

Sep 25, 2014

ULU DUSUN (Herald Malaysia): Some 800 parishioners, both local and foreign, gathered at St Paul’s Church, on Sunday, August 31 to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day (August 17) and Malaysia’s Hari Merdeka (August 31). The double celebration began with the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Philip Muji, the assistant rector of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan.

In his homily, Fr Philip called upon the parishioners to emulate Christ in their daily life. Our God is a God of love, full of mercy and compassion. He forgives and he saves. Fr Philip also gave a brief insight into the life of St Maximilian Kolbe, a legacy of a marvellous example of love.

Jesus said, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.’ We are to submit to the will of God in everything we do which must be of the truth and of the right value.

He said that we are to be grateful for the freedom and peace we enjoy in our countries, both in Malaysia and Indonesia, brought about, through independence. However, the current development in Malaysia seems to be the spread of hatred and the practice of extremism which has somehow marred the scenario of our country.

Fr Philip urged the congregation to pray for the country and those in authority to act with wisdom, justice and fairness. He called upon the members to remain united in Christ as in John 17 : 21, ‘That they all may be one, as you, Father are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us.’

The ‘Warrior Dance’ by the Indonesian Catholic Community led Fr Philip and the parishioners to the Multi-Purpose Hall for the celebration proper, beginning with a pot-luck luncheon fellowship.

The event in the hall began with the combined choir singing the national anthems of both Malaysia and Indonesia, Negaraku and Indonesia Raya.

Both the local and the Indonesian Catholic communities presented a few lively and colourful traditional dances to the delight of the people.

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