Group photo
By Julita Kantod
June 30 2022
THE 10th World Meeting of Families held locally, which was co-organised by the Arch/dioceses of Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Sandakan Jun 22-26 concluded with a closing Mass at noon Jun 26.
Throughout the program held every evening beginning Jun 22 broadcast live over social media, as well as physically from Jun 25-26, participants were ‘fed’ with several catecheses associated with the family.
The catechesis presenters were generous in sharing and imparting their knowledge and experience, evident especially when couples were invited to share their testimonies.
An estimated 120 delegates representing three Dioceses comprising parents, couples, youth, children and aspirants from the FSIC congregation were present physically to celebrate the two-day hybrid Family Meeting at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC) and an untold number joining via social media as well.
Eva and Ceasar Siruno
The first catechesis for the day entitled “Marriage is a Vocation” was shared by couple Ceasar and Eva Siruno. They touched on how the marriage bond emerged and how the love between husband and wife enabled them to respond to family life, the presence of children and their journey as husband and wife, and as mother and father.
The couple acknowledged that God’s plan to unite the couple is beyond human understanding. Everything happens in a way that is not always in accordance to what we want, said the couple. “It is out of God’s plan and will that things happen; therefore, we should trust Him for it is always for our own good.”
God’s plan is the best, because through the grace of the sacrament of marriage we receive joy, difficulties, fatigue and suffering, in which we are being transformed when we accept and bravely face it with God’s help, underscored the speakers
They added, at times we seem unable to lift the burden but when couples complement each other in their marriage journey, this is where the beauty of the call to marriage is revealed.
Ceasar and Eva emphasized that parents are living examples of patience, love, forgiveness and peace. In this atmosphere, couples are then able to thrive in a normal and calm environment. The call to marriage, just like the call to the banquet with God in Heaven, must therefore be respected, lived, loved and protected.
Group sharing session
Small group sharing followed with guided questions for the participants. After the session ended, the writer interviewed and recorded some statements from participants as follows:
Married man Charles Tikun – 42 years of marriage
“There is no immediate knowledge or school for Christian marriage and what it is about. I got married by pronouncing the words “I love you” only. We understand what marriage is through observation of our parents and relatives, and especially from the journey of our lives as husband and wife, and parents to our children. Indeed, this call to marriage exists by the grace of God for those who seek the meaning of the call itself – so cherish this call”.
Youth: Joelle Majanil – 23 years old
“Everyone has their own calling, whether it is marriage or a spiritual calling, and how do we know if God is calling us depends on one’s personality. For me, to know if the call is truly from God, I should have a close relationship with Him. Through faith and trust, and always spending time with God, I will know if the voice comes from God when He speaks.”
Married woman Linda Lajanti – 65 years old , 46 year of marriage, with six children and seven grandchildren.
“Marriage indeed is a vocation; it is a journey that is irreplaceable. Embrace it and live it up to the fullest, for surely God is always with us.”
John Tan Family
John Tan: 23 years of marriage with five children
“The most challenging part in marriage is to have good communication between husband and wife and family. Communication seems to be needed only when things rise up. My family and I are so blessed to be able to participate in this event. We learnt a lot about the meaning of communion and unity in family. To sustain, to protect one’s family, one must have courage, understanding, and most of all, love for God and family. We must admit that we are still struggling in this calling to holiness in marriage and family life. Hence, we need the grace of God to grow and to love.
The second catechesis entitled ‘Call to Holiness’ was delivered by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom of Sandakan through a pre-recorded sharing.
Bishop Julius began his catechesis by sharing a document issued by Pope Francis entitled ‘Call to Holiness’.
He helped participants to understand “What is the real call of the family”. The Sandakan prelate underlined that “every family is a great gift from God, and is called to holiness”.
He explained, the holiness of a family does not come naturally, but occurs because of the presence of God in the family.
Marriage is indeed the path to holiness, stated the prelate. He gave an example, the experience of grief in life’s journey as husband and wife gives the couple the opportunity to know Christ personally. Spouses will see Christ if they look for Him in their simple daily interaction.
To be holy is a commitment born from the heart in each of us and guided by the Holy Spirit through our relationship with God, added the prelate. “We are all called to holiness regardless of status.”
In sum, Bishop Julius said, simple, humble deeds carried out in sincerity, patience and meekness indicate that we are responding to Christ’s call to love, and to be a sign of holiness.
Archbishop John Wong
Unveiling the meaning of the WMOF Icon
For the final catechesis, KK prelate Archbishop John Wong unveiled the meaning of the WMOF Icon, the official image of the 10th WMOF by inviting all delegates to reflect on it.
God wants us to experience the beauty of marriage love; the sacramental oneness – the Trinitarian Oneness that keeps no secret between each other, that know and love each other intimately, living in communion and in peace.
The image of the WMOF symbolizes the mystery of the Trinitarian love and is part of our individual calling. The covering of the veil represents our weaknesses in carrying out our calling. If we fail to live up our marriage vow, our covenant or our commitment, the Trinitarian love is unable to shine through as is depicted by the blurry image of the couple.
The clear image, which is opposite of the blurred image, symbolizes the love of Christ towards the church, in the husband and wife living to the fullest their call. Couples are called to be faithful to their vow and to love each other as Christ loves the church and is faithful to her.
The six jars of water at Cana are tasteless, which symbolize the life of a depleted married life that experiences cold war, lifelessness, flavourlessness as couples forget their marriage vows. However, with God in the midst of the married life, the water can be turned into the best wine – the wine of kindness, generosity, gentleness, understanding and acceptance.
The pouring of wine in the icon symbolizes the grace of God, which symbolizes the sort of wine and graces we need from God. Pouring it onto our spouse is therefore doing the will of God in marriage.
Following the reflection was a quiet time accorded to participants for their personal reflection as they were invited to observe the image and relate it to their family life or relationship with their spouse.
In concluding the session, Archbishop John Wong exhorted “Even though the five-day program ended, it is in fact the beginning of the transformation of the domestic church; therefore, practise what you have learned!”
He then invited all participants to pray the official prayer of the WMOF 2022.
Sketch
Family Fiesta
The day ended with fellowship and dinner for all the families in attendance. They came with their local dishes specific to their dioceses and parishes. The sharing of food as being in communion with one another and as being one big family of God was the dominant or characteristic feature of the WMOF event.
The three dioceses each presented items for the entertainment of the crowd. The children gave a delightful surprise with their sketches based on the theme ‘Please, Thank You and Sorry’. Two couples delivered their personal sharing on their family and encounter with the Lord. Dances of praise and thanksgiving also added to the joy for the family fiesta night.
Closing Mass
The 10th WMOF concluded with Eucharistic celebration at 9 am, Sunday Jun 26, presided by Fr Michael Modoit and concelebrated by Fr Stainley Matakim.
Fr Michael, in his homily, touched on the responsibilities of families. “Answer God’s call to build a happy and holy family, sustained by God’s grace”.
He continued, we are to follow Christ, so make your love well and alive, within spouses, family, community and neighbours.
Lift up your marriage vow, your covenant and let the Trinitarian love shine in you. Make God’s love known, directed Fr Michael as he concluded.
Sr Suzana Guntabid, head of Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Family Life Commission, expressed her gratitude and thanks to all participants for their commitment in attending this event.
The organizing team
