Archbishop John Wong presided Mass for Sr Bernadette’s 50th religious anniversary
By Catherine Wan
Feb 18 2021
KOTA KINABALU – On 15 February 2021, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Carmelite community gathered in the Chapel of the Carmel of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and St Therese of the Child Jesus to celebrate the memorable and joyful occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Sr Bernadette of Immaculate Conception. The Mass was presided by Archbishop John Wong and concelebrated by Fr Mattheus Luta.
Sr Bernadette, 72, entered Carmel at the age of 21. She made her first profession on 15 February 1971. Born on 24 March 1948 in Kg Kopimpinan, Papar, she was the eldest child of the late Joseph Tay Kheng Chau and the late Militia Mojilis. She has 10 siblings (including one adopted brother). According to her younger sister Flora, she received the calling to the religious vocation at 16 but was too young to be accepted into religious life.
The prelate remarked that Sr Bernadette has discovered the treasure in the cloistered community life, which has sustained all these long years. The community thanked God for enabling her to renew the gift of self, so that she may give herself more and more to the service of God for His Glory and the work of salvation.
Referring to the prophet Isaiah 62:5 who declared that “as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you”, Archbishop described God’s relationship with Sr Bernadette; which draws an appropriate response from her as reflected in Psalm 102 “My soul, give thanks to the Lord and bless His Holy Name”.
A family photo of Sr Bernadatte (back row, second from right) taken when she was 21 years old before the admission into the Carmel Order.
Following the homily, Sr Bernadette renewed her vows of obedience, chastity and poverty before Mother Prioress.
After the Mass, president of KK Carmelite Community Celestine Jinu thanked Sr Bernadette for her faithful service to the Church. All present were invited to join the community for a simple breakfast fellowship outside the chapel.
The whole community of Carmel shared the joy of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Sr Bernadette and in the renewing of her service to the Lord, and wished her good health.
