By Evisdateh Paul
A Vocation Awareness Seminar was successfully held at St Peter Damian’s Church in Kampung Seromah, on April 18. A total of 94 participants, comprising youth and parents, were present. Facilitating the program were Fr Abel Madisang, Deacon Addie Frank, as well as 13 seminarians from St Peter’s College Seminary in Kuching, Sarawak.
The program was organised by the Serembu zone of St Stephen’s Parish (Bau), on the initiative of seminarian Freddoline Ahsiong and seminarian Dennis Raj who is currently undergoing pastoral training there. The main objective of the program was to raise awareness and provide exposure to the faithful particularly youths and parents regarding different vocations in life. The participation of a child as young as nine years highlighted the importance of nurturing vocation awareness from an early age.
Throughout the program, various sessions were conducted. Among them was a talk titled What is a vocation? delivered by Fr Abel, who is also a lecturer and spiritual father at St Peter’s College Seminary. In addition, several seminarians shared their personal experiences in responding to their vocation, followed by a question-and answer session that allowed participants to engage more deeply.
The program also provided exposure to the diocesan priesthood and life in a formation house, namely the seminary, thus helping participants to better understand the process of discernment.
The seminar concluded with a Mass, presided by Fr Abel. In the homily delivered by Deacon Addie, he emphasised that although there are various forms of vocation in the Christian life, the primary vocation of every Christian is to holiness. The presence of the parish priest, Fr Peter Liston, during the Mass, clearly demonstrated his support for the program.
It is hoped that this program will help the young people present realise that every person is called by God, and in turn encourage participants to respond to His call with openness and courage. May such efforts continue in the future for the development and growth of the Church. – Herald Malaysia
