The three-day online Vocation Seminar and Retreat Oct 29-31bring together 12 participants from across KK Archdiocese
By Sem Sylvester Wong
Nov 5 2021
KOTA KINABALU – The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu held a virtual Vocation Seminar and Retreat from Oct 29-31 for the first time in the Archdiocese’s history. It attracted 12 participants who responded from across the Archdiocese.
The three-day online program was conducted in Bahasa Melayu. It began with a virtual Eucharistic Celebration presided by KK prelate, Archbishop John Wong on the first day, and concelebrated by Fr Mattheus Luta and Fr Isidore Gilbert. Fathers Mattheus and Isidore, rectors of Initiation Year and Aspirant Formation respectively, were responsible for the setting up of the virtual program.
The program consisted of vocation sharing and promotion by seminarians in the year of Aspirancy, Initiation, College General Penang and St Peter’s College Kuching. Talks were given by both Fr Mattheus and Fr Isidore while group sharing was facilitated by the four seminarians who are now doing their pastorals awaiting their Diaconate ordination: Seminarian Lasius Gantis, Peter Chung, Sylvester Wong and Terans Thadeus. Time was also allotted for Adoration and prayer to help the participants to pray and discern about their call.
Interaction with the participants was provided through group sharing and Q&A where participants were given opportunity to ask any questions pertaining the call to priesthood.
At the close of the event, Archbishop Wong encouraged the participants to be bold and courageous in responding to God’s call without delay.
The participants appreciated the efforts of the Archdiocese in initiating and organizing the online vocation seminar and retreat amidst the pandemic. Many of them have gained new insight and inspiration that would help them to discern their calling.
What participants say
The seminar sheds light on vocation calling through guidance, talks and sharings. To all youth out there, there’s no “too late” or “too early” in God’s vocabulary. You are the now of God. Muster up your courage and harden not your heart towards the call. ~ Ayprino Axell
Be realistic, be human, be who you are. Seminar dan retreat ini membawa saya satu norma hidup yang baru dan lebih berani. (The seminar and retreat has given me a way of life that is new and more courageous.) ~ Rayner Benjamin
Melangkah, melihat, mempelajari dan melakukan. Saya harus rela mahu dibentuk dan mempunyai keinginan untuk mahu melayani orang lain dengan penuh kasih. (Take a step, look, learn and do. I am willing to be formed and have the desire to serve others with love.) ~ Joehbeey Majimin
I have come to realize and understand what ‘vocation’ means. Indeed there is a need for more “frontliners” for the church, especially the priests. Let us not stop praying for the priests and the religious for their role as “frontliners”. To the youth: if you feel called to the priesthood and religious life, don’t be afraid to say “yes” so as to serve others for the glory of the Lord. ~ Cassey Julian
The seminar has made the vocation calling, the process of becoming a priest, and the lifestyle of priesthood clearer. They were presented in detail and all the questions and doubts have been answered well in the Q&A session. ~ Jerold Juanis
I am proud to be one of the participants to join the first-ever virtual vocation seminar and retreat. It must be quite different from the face-to-face meeting, but as long we are passionate about vocation, whether it is via virtual or face-to-face, everything will turn out well. ~ Aaron Ryandell
I experienced the unconditional love of God for me during the retreat, which has touched my heart, opened my eyes, and ears to listen, to feel and to seek more about the God’s call for my life. ~ Aureus Edmilson
The seminar cum retreat has helped me to widen my perspective on the daily lives of the seminarians. ~ Cleve Ryan
The words ‘Don’t be afraid for I am with you’ have opened my heart to say ‘yes’ to serve Jesus and the community because God’s plan is beautiful and is a joy if we trust and believe in him. ~ Rayner Raphael
I have come with no expectations but to listen and to experience what is being presented to me, not knowing how my heart would be overwhelmed and stirred by God. – Rex Yohanes
