First meeting of the new PPC on 15 Aug in SHPC in the presence of the rector Fr Paul Lo and his assistants, Fr Russell and Fr Terans
By Catherine Wan
Sep 22 2023
KOTA KINABALU – Parish priest, Fr Paul Lo, urged the new PPC councillors to take up their role in helping the growth of the Church and to be faithful to their pastors as well as to the church’s teachings.
The new 17-member Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of Sacred Heart Cathedral were being commissioned to service for 2023-2026 during the English Sunset Mass by Fr Paul Lo on 26 Aug.
Fr Paul announced to the congregation present that Datuk Bernard Liew is the new PPC chairman of the parish cathedral and Ignatius Matayun as vice-chairman.
After his homily, the PPC councillors pledged their commitment to serve the church in front of the altar led by the Chairman; a prayer for the councillors was done together with the congregation and the presider then blessed them with the Holy Water.
The first meeting for the PPC nominated candidates was called on 15 Aug by Fr Paul. The rector reached a decision on the appointment of the office bearers and portfolio for all candidates. The rector and his assistants are the spiritual advisors for the respective portfolio.
The new Parish Pastoral Council year 2023-2026 for Sacred Heart Cathedral at the commissioning on 26 Aug 2023
The new PPC are as follows:
Datuk Bernard Liew – Chairman / Caritas
Ignatius Matayun – Vice-Chairman
Suzy Maiks – Secretary / Liturgical Coordinator
Alexander Wong – PFPN Coordinator
Carlos Cordova – Migrant Coordinator
Catherine Wan- Catholic Sabah
Charles Tibok – Catechetical Coordinator (Assistant)
Dennis Lo -Liturgical Coordinator (Assistant)
Douglas H Naun – Creation Justice Coordinator
Dr Eddy Liew – Family Life Coordinator (Assistant)
Gerald Dicky Lee – Catechetical Coordinator
Henry Ng – Chinese Community Head
Jarisah Gondikit – BM Community Head
Joanna Bernardette A Chong – Youth Coordinator / Asst Secretary
Priscilla Justin – SOCCOM Coordinator
Richard Valintinus – Family Life Coordinator
Rosalind Sulit- Social coordinator
Fr Paul said the election for new PPC was long overdue since 2020, delayed by the pandemic. The PPC service term was extended for two more years by Archbishop John Wong; until the recent nomination of PPC candidates held on 2-9 Jul. Thus, the list of 17 nominees was published on the Sunday bulletin on 6 Aug.
The following is an extract of the catechesis given to the PPC candidates after their nomination:
“The Church was founded to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of the Father, to make all men partakers in redemption and salvation, and through them to establish the right relationship of the entire world to Christ.
Every activity of the Mystical Body with this view goes by the name of “apostolate”; the Church exercises it through all its members, though in various ways.” (Apostolicam Actuositatem, Chp. I, No.2)
Pastoral Council contributes to the apostolate of the pastor, not of the laity. Pastoral Council is “pastoral” because it assists the apostolate of the pastor. Apostolate means “mission”. Pastoral apostolate means the “mission of the shepherd”.
Pastor consults his councilors because he seeks their wisdom. Parishioners often can see things that the pastor cannot see. By consulting them, he benefits from their knowledge, discernment, and insight.
Through membership on the Pastoral Council, parishioners participate in the apostolate of the pastor, by investigating some aspect of the parish reality, reflecting on it, and recommending to him their recommendations.”
