Media practitioners reflect on Pope’s message

Eighty-two media practitioners from Parish Social Communication Committees (SOCCOM) of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu gathered for a half-day reflection session recently.

May 26, 2023

By Linda Edward
Eighty-two media practitioners from Parish Social Communication Committees (SOCCOM) of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu gathered for a half-day reflection session recently.

This was in preparation to celebrate the 57th World Communications Day (WCD), May 21, in Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The reflection focused on the theme of Pope Francis’ message for WCD 2023 Speaking with the heart: The truth in love (Eph 4:15).

The Archdiocesan SOCCOM Commission facilitated the session with 24 points of reflection summarised from the full message, in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.

This was the first gathering for the Soccom members. Rueben Sario, Head of the Commission said the programme was a wonderful opportunity for the members to get to know each other.

“This is a multi-purpose event, primarily an opportunity for us to discern and discuss the Pope’s World Communications Day’s message and share it at our respective parishes.

In addition, it is an opportunity for us to share about the role and functions of Soccom. “This is the first step in fostering a close working relationship among ourselves and help each other in our mission of helping to communicate our Lord’s Word and love, said Sario.

To deepen the reflection, members were assigned into small groups and each produced a short sketch and explanation on social communication topics. The assignments brought out fruits of reflection in creative ways among the members.

Fr Thomas Madanan, Spiritual Advisor of the Commission, in his short address, said Soccom exists to evangelise and it is a mandate given to the members by the Church. He also emphasised on the role of St Joseph, Patron Saint of the Universal Church and a role model of a leader to give guidance to members of the Archdiocesan Soccom family as they work out the evangelisation mission.

The Commission has produced a simple booklet called ‘Celebrating St Joseph’. For the main WCD celebration May 21, each Parish Soccom was asked to produce their own Parish Soccom logo and a WCD poster based on the theme and message, to be presented during the offertory at Mass, and thereafter during the celebration in the Sacred Heart parish complex.

Archbishop John Wong presided over the Mass in Bahasa Malaysia at 11.00am.