St Mary’s Parish Cathedral, Sandakan
By DOSPO
Nov 9 2022
BISHOP Julius Dusin Gitom performed the Sacraments of Initiation for Sandakan Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) candidates Aug 14. Here are some sharings from the neophytes.
“God is always there for me” – Erica Simon
When I was introduced to the Catholic Church, I proceeded to join the RCIA session where I felt my faith in God grew. It was not an easy path for the last nine months in the RCIA process. I am very grateful to the facilitators, the new friends I met in RCIA, and especially to my sponsor. We met every week in the sessions and the facilitators guided us through their experiences which have helped me in my faith. I come to realize that God has always been there for me.
After my baptism, I feel more comfortable attending church regularly. Before that, my heart felt so empty. Now, whenever I attend Church for Mass, I can feel the presence of God with me.
I am a happier and become more understanding now. I pray and ask God daily for His guidance in everything I do. God bless.
My RCIA journey – Vinnie Yapp
It has been a life-changing journey where I find peace in God’s love. I first learned about Jesus Christ when I was in kindergarten and was taught about Jesus through the scriptures and have wanted to be closed to Him ever since.
It seems like the time has not come and I have been playing ‘hide and seek’ for years. In my search for purpose and meaning in life, I felt I was missing something. I come across Catholicism through a friend and this has led me to discover Catholic values, beliefs, and traditions. That’s when my journey in faith through RCIA began.
My RCIA journey of nine months was educational, enlightening, and truly a meaningful experience. I had the feeling that everything was being arranged for me. The feeling of God’s calling to me was really strong. During the pandemic period, it was a challenging moment but with God’s blessing, I finally made it to the sacraments of full initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. Through baptism, I was born to a new life in Christ, and receiving the ‘body and blood’ of Christ reminded me of God’s love and sacrifice for me.
Life is a journey, not a destination. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16. I have finally found my missing ‘puzzle’ in my life. I felt content with my new transformation and my relationship with God is closer now.
Special thanks to the RCIA facilitators for their guidance, care and thoughtfulness during my session. Their selfless sacrifice and the love of God had truly inspired and guided us through this RCIA journey. God Bless.
“I felt lost but God never left me” – Vinna Tan
Firstly, I give thanks to God that he has not left me when I felt lost in my life.
From young, I just followed my mother’s religion which is Buddhism, however I was much closer to my auntie’s neighbour who is a Christian and who treated me as a family of their own. I always followed them to church on Sundays and even attended Sunday School for a short period of time. It was from there that I came to learn about Christianity.
As a teenager, I did not have very good guidance from anyone. I lost my way in life and lost touch with Christianity as well as God.
Now as an adult, I finally decided to go to church recalling the earlier experience I had in my younger days. I remembered my aunt’s neighbour who had shown me the good qualities of being a Christian. I was introduced to the RCIA sessions through a friend. I hope to become a Catholic in order to find a sense of belonging and be closer to God.
When I decided to join the RCIA, I knew that it was not easy to follow the ways of God. I must give thanks to the facilitators, my new friends in the session, and also Fr David who has guided me along this journey of faith.
When others questioned my needs to join and become a Catholic, I would always say that God is always with me. I just have to pray, talk to God and He would always listen and help me. On my part I need to open my eyes, ears and my heart to be able to listen to Him.
I also believe that I must accept what God has planned for me in my life, learn to be patient, not lose my temper easily and help others who are in need. Throughout my life ahead, I will always face challenges but I know now that I must remember to pray, listen, share and ask whenever I do not understand anything. God bless.
