Reaching out to those far away

Aug 06, 2015

TAWAU (Herald Malaysia): As part of their pastoral plan, the Family Life Ministry of the Holy Trinity Parish conducted an outreach programme in one of the furthest outstations under the Holy Trinity Church — St Mark Serudong Laut, Kalabakan, on July 25. St Mark Serudong Laut is located about 230 kilometres from the town centre. The surroundings are huge oil palm plantations and smallholdings. It takes some six hours for a round trip, on rough, hilly gravel roads. St Mark Serudong is visited once or twice a year by a priest.

Nine members of the Family Life Ministry set out at 5.30am and arrived at St Mark at 8.30am.

The Family Life Ministry took the challenge to share with the local parishioners on the Gift of Marriage. A few couples were prepared for the convalidation of their marriages.

Sixty parishioners, mostly Indonesian immigrants and a few locals, participated in the event. According to the elders, more than one hundred parishioners frequent St Mark’s Chapel. They long for pastoral visits by priests, religious and lay leaders.

The day’s programme covered the following topics:

--God’s plan on marriage by Petrus Bernadus
--Communication in marriage by Sabinah Masitol
--Economy in the Family by Sylvester Doket lIntimacy in marriage by Mario Domingo
--Marriage, family and natural family planning by Julita
--Briefing on marriage blessing by Melvin Lajanti

The outreach programme brought much awareness to the members of St Mark, Serudong Laut regarding marriage and family issues from the Catholic perspective. They had the opportunity, through group discussions, to look into the reality of their family life.

The visit was uplifting for all. They were grateful for the concern shown by members of the Family Life Ministry of Holy Trinity Church.

The event ended at 2.00pm with a closing prayer followed by a group photo session.