Sandakan youths urged to uphold virtues

Sep 14, 2019

SANDAKAN: “I am the servant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38) was the theme of the first Temasya Belia Keuskupan or Youth Festival Diocese of Sandakan (TBK) August 12-16, 2019.

The five-day programme was held at St Mary’s Cathedral.

The first day began with the registration of the 314 participants, including visitors and 111 organisers. The participants, after completing, the registration and briefings took the opportunity to climb Mary’s Hill and pray the Rosary there. On the first day, after praying at Mary’s Hill, all the participants and the faithful of all races celebrated the Eucharistic Mass presided by Fr Dafrinn Diwol.

During the Welcoming Concert after the Mass, TBK was launched by a gimmick torch run set off by Fr Dafrinn Diwol, Fr Sunny Chung, Fr Christopher Ireneus and Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom .

The TBK officially began with the torch lighting by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, followed by a variety of ethnic and modern performances introducing each contingent. There were also praise and worship songs and action songs, including the TBK theme songs.

Five catechesis sessions including on Mary were presented during TBK. For these sessions, the youths were divided into four agebased groups and Chinese youth groups.

These catechesis sessions were led by participants with the aim of getting to know Our Lady. They highlighted Mary as a teenager who bravely responded and was faithful in her mission of bringing Christ into the world. Her example inspired participants to follow in her footsteps, to pray with her intercessions and to radiate Christ through their lives, deeds and words.

The youths were divided into 11 groups for missions in different places. Among those visited were the Disabled Children’s Education Park, Sri Harapan Senior Citizens’ Association, Sandakan Hospice Association, The Sandakan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), CLC Community Learning Centre, Lighthouse Garden Complex (Skills Training Centre for the Blind), Stateless School, Ruth Camba @ Kg Lembaga, Elpedia Ricablanca, Crossing Sibuga PPRT and Cathedral of St Mary.

The participants helped to clean and paint certain areas, planted trees, promoted products of The Treasure Shop to raise funds for the Disabled Children’s Training Park, fed and bathed dogs, cleaned drains and did other things – some had never experienced this kind of work before!

“Mari Kita Bertemasya” was a sport event held at the Sandakan Town Field. The Sports meet was graced by Fr David A. Garage, who burst the TBK Balloons using a Sarawakian Blower.

The youth groups were given saints’ names.

On the last night, the youths participated in praise and worship, and enjoyed the performances by the Beluran Parish Kitchen Band. Youths from Tanjung Selor presented their dance and song while the Paitan Mission was proud to present their Musical Drama, I Am A Mission.

There was also a tribute to the organisers in the form of a song by Diocese Youth Coordinator, Anna Teresa Peter Amandus. The night ended with the TBK theme song and a greeting of peace.

The last day of TBK concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration preisded by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom. He acknowledged all the individuals involved in the TBK and urged the other youths to keep the faith wherever they go by upholding the four virtues: Dignity, Belief, Faith and Commitment. — Newsdospo