Msgr Nicholas celebrates his last Holy Mass in Ranau after eight years serving
By Clarence Dol
Oct 12 2022
RANAU – Well-known priest who gave hope to thousands of people here during the earthquake in 2015, is transferred to another parish after serving eight eventful years in the district.
Former St Peter Claver Ranau (SPCR) parish priest, Fr Nicholas Stephen who was recently elevated to Monsignor, bid his farewell to the faith community in Ranau Oct 10, before moving on to serve at his new parish in Papar.
Msgr Nicholas thanked members of the Parish Pastoral Council (MPP) who have walked together with him during the pandemic up till the present moment, helping the priests to carry out the vision and mission of our parish and diocese.
“This year the Pope encourages every parish all over the world to have the character of a synod, walking together, and listening to each other.
“All this works if we are together and give ourselves to be used by God for our church and parish to be made a synodal church. Hopefully, the synodal process will enable us to mature as Christians,” he said.
Msgr Nicholas also thanked everyone who participated in the service of the church through various groups and committees, especially for the last eight years that he had been the rector at the parish.
“I want to apologise for my mistakes, faults and weaknesses over the years. I have done my best, and although I am a priest, I am also a weak human being who has many weaknesses.
“Pray for me, so that I can continue to serve and shine wherever I am. I am very happy to be able to serve you even with all my limitations and weaknesses.
“Let the St Peter Claver Feast we celebrated recently make us realise that we live in a big family, as a living Catholic Christian community, which has a living and merciful God,” he said.
Msgr Nicholas stepped into the limelight especially following the 2015 earthquake that struck the district, when he appealed for help on behalf of the affected people here, which resulted in non-stop assistance being delivered and placed at the church’s compound.
This assistance had benefited countless individuals regardless of religion, race and background. The incident also marked the revival of the Christian faith, especially Catholicism across the district.
Msgr Nicholas (middle) with the Ranau MPP team after his last Holy Mass
