Meeting and formation for communications commission

May 08, 2014

SANDAKAN: The 13 members of the Diocesan Social Communications Commission (DSCC) had its inaugural meeting and first formation session on April 26-27 at the Diocesan Retreat Centre, Ulu Dusun. It was well attended by representatives from all the four parishes, namely Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Telupid.

The meeting started off with a welcoming address by Francis Tan (Executive Secretary of the Diocese) as Bishop Julius was away, followed by the introduction of the Commission members coming from the four parishes.

Most had a vibrant year with related activities carried out especially on news coverage of church events. It was also resolved that a Workshop on Basic Writing Skills and Photography Techniques will be organized this year to assist potential writers and photographers.

The theme for 2014 World Communication Day (1 June 2014) is Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter. It was proposed that all Parish SOCCOM to carry out relevant and interesting programmes in their respective parishes to create awareness on the role of social communication in evangelization.

The proposed guidelines for the Commission were tabled and deliberated at length. Commission members are to study and amend (if any) the said guidelines to be re-tabled for adoption at the next meeting.

The formation session for commission members began at 7.30pm, facilitated by Francis Tan. The sharing was on Church and Communication, and the importance of promoting usage of the various means of social communication in reaching out to the community and drawing them to Jesus Christ.

The session resumed on April 27 with the reading of Pope Francis’ message for the 48th World Communications Day. Members discussed in detail the content of the message and proposed ways to respond.

Members were commissioned during the morning Mass on the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, presided over by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom at St Paul’s Church, Ulu Dusun. Members pledged before God, in the presence of the Bishop and the congregation their willingness and commmitment to service, and to use digital communications to preach the Good News to the entire world. May the newly commissioned members be guided by the Holy Spirit to serve with courage and zeal.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October at St Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu.