New chapel blessed and opened in Sabah

Apr 10, 2021

KEMABONG, Sabah:  Kampung Mailo, Kemabong had its new chapel blessed recently, with Bishop Cornelius Piong officiating the rite of blessing and opening.

The rite of blessing of Christ the King Church was marked by sprinkling of the closed door with holy water and incensing. It was followed by the ribbon cutting and opening of the main chapel door. Inside the chapel, the prelate blessed the water to be used for the blessing of the walls and surroundings of the chapel before Mass began.

Christ the King Church was completed at the end of Nov 2020 with financial assistance from the government and developed by Datuk Victor Paul, the contractor, replacing the old church building which is now used as a church hall.

The bishop called on the parishioners to likewise change their perception of the church by instill ing in their hearts the idea that the church is actually ourselves who form the domestic church starting from the family, to form children to have faith which is able to resist whatever distractions and evil influences from outside. In a sparkling moment, his jovial manner told the people present to be “Mailo” in following Jesus. The word Mailo which means “stubborn” in the Murut Tahol language, should be emulated from a positive angle which is, our stubbornness to remain faithful to Christ the King, by not being easily threatened by evil powers, said the bishop.

In addition, the bishop urged the people to use the opportunity  of Lent to form a relationship with God, through compassion and humility, by always acknowledging and realising that we need God’s mercy.

The bishop also reminded the people to avoid being arrogant because the prayers of the arrogant will not be heard by God. The facilities of the church building should be used for the purpose of worship as well as adding to and enhancing the relationship with God and one another.

Meanwhile, parish priest Fr Ronny Alfred Luni in his speech said, “Hopefully the blessing of the third church building in Mission Kemabong will be a stepping stone to be more committed and effective in building the kingdom of God in Tenom and Kemabong.’

MPM chairman Tony Madan said, “worn out while preparing for this meaningful event finally turns into joy when we do it for God”.