Fr Terans Thadeus celebrates his first Mass at St Joseph Church Papar Jul 16
By William Charles Mindus
July 19 2022
PAPAR – July 16, 2022 also marked a historic moment for the newly ordained priest Fr Terans Thadeus as he presided the English Sunset Mass for the first time at St Joseph Church Papar.
The Mass, which took place on the evening of the day that Fr Terans was ordained, was concelebrated by parish priest Fr Thomas Yip and assistant priest Fr Rayner Bisius, and assisted by Deacon Peter Chung.
Present during the Sunset Mass was Sr Juanah Saliun (FSIC) and her novices, members of the Papar Parish Pastoral Council members, and teachers from SMK St Joseph Papar led by their principal Mdm Jenith Mahibol.
Fr Terans preached in his homily the story of Mary and Martha. He highlighted two key points “to serve” and “to listen” based on Martha who serves and Mary who refuses to serve but listen. Which one is important? Both are important; without listening we would not know how to serve; we might serve wrongly. We might serve our own intention. Without serving, the listening will not be put into action.
He invited the people to reflect “How are we going to listen to God’s voice in us, and how are we going to put what we hear into action? How are we going to serve according to what He asks of us to do?”
Fr Terans Thadeus with the parish priests and the PPC of St Joseph Papar parish after his first Mass
After Mass, Parish Pastoral Council chairman, Johnny Sitamin congratulated Fr Terans on his sacerdotal ordination by Archbishop John Wong in the morning at the Holy Rosary Church Limbahau.
Sitamin underlined “Your presiding the Sunset Mass this evening surely gives us the enthusiasm to continue praying and to strive for the hope that one day there will be youth from this parish who will be receptive to the priesthood vocation.”
He pledged, “We, the parishioners in this parish, will constantly pray that God would bestow happiness and wisdom upon you to continue serving with His merciful love, no matter where you may be assigned.
“Priestly ministry is surely full of challenges but through prayers they can be overcome,” he assured Fr Terans.
He concluded with a reminder to Fr Terans of the core of his calling with the hymn “Lord, make me a channel of your peace, where there is hatred let me bring your love”.
In his turn, Fr Terans thanked parish priest Fr Thomas Yip for the first Mass invitation. He also acknowledged the presence of the teachers of SMK St Joseph and thanked them for their teaching and guidance.
He recalled that even though his formation parish is Limbahau, he also frequented church activities at both Limbahau and Papar parishes, and later at St Stephen chapel Kayau (under Limbahau parish) where his family has settled down.
All adjourned to a fellowship and dinner in Fr Terans’ honour. Cake cutting and stage presentations by the parish choirs and novices from FSIC at the Mother of Mercy open hall added to the joy of the celebration.
