Catholic Women’s League Chairlady, Anita Tunggolou, handed a mock cheque of a sum of RM80,000 to Archbishop John Wong for the Seminarian Fund
By Anita Tunggolou
Dec 2 2021
KOTA KINABALU – The Catholic Women’s League of the Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHCCWL) celebrated their 50th Golden Anniversary Nov 24, with a Eucharistic Celebration and a low-key fellowship dinner.
Archbishop John Wong presided the 6pm Mass. In his homily, he congratulated the members of the CWL for their golden jubilee anniversary and was honoured to celebrate the Mass for them.
The prelate said he hoped that in the 50 years, the faith of the members has deepened and they have borne witness of Christ in their daily life as well as shared the joy of life, not only amongst the members but also with the people outside their community.
He hoped that the members’ endurance would continue, and advised them to ask God to help them to always be joyful and to share this joy with others.
In his usual simple manner, the prelate gave the members three points to ponder on this important milestone occasion: i) Thank the Lord for enabling them to organize the 50th Anniversary and for the opportunity to rejoice in this special event, ii) To have sincere gratitude to be able to do a fantastic job and to be able to be very committed, and iii) To seek God’s blessings, and to accumulate His blessings without seeking any worldly recognition.
Archbishop John Wong presided the Eucharistic Celebration for CWL at the cathedral Nov 24
He also thanked them for being a very hardworking, reliable and committed group, always giving their service wholeheartedly to the Church, at the parish and Archdiocesan levels.
At the fellowship dinner at the parish centre, chairlady Anita Tunggolou thanked the Archbishop, chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council Jason Joenoi, and all present for joining the auspicious celebration.
She especially recorded her appreciation to the Archbishop, Archbishop Emeritus John Lee, rector Fr Paul Lo and all past rectors of the Sacred Heart Cathedral for their prayers and support to the CWL.
Formed in Nov 16, 1971, the Sacred Heart Cathedral CWL has grown to more than 130 members now.
“We have grown tremendously over the years in many aspects of our life. We have stood the tests of times and have experienced many ups and downs, many tears have been shed but there have also been many moments of laughter and joy.
“We have weathered together through thick and thin, and have managed to overcome innumerable difficulties and challenges,” said Anita.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic came, the CWL was a very vibrant group in the Cathedral parish.
“We are looking after the Church flowers, running the weekly Sunday canteen sales, catering for Church functions, catering for the priests’ meeting, having our weekly prayer gatherings, organizing the Annual Lucky Draw in aid of the Seminarian Fund, sponsoring ten big sacks of Superwhite Flour to the Carmelite Convent to make the Communion hosts, organizing the Annual Lenten Reflection and the Annual Day of Recollection as well as participating in all the Archdiocesan and Regional CWL retreats, conferences and other activities,” said Anita summarizing the CWL journey over the span of fifty years.
With the onset of the pandemic, they are still on the move albeit rather slowly as most activities have to be put on hold.
“However, we manage to continue the weekly flower arrangements for the Cathedral, sponsor the monthly Superwhite Flour to the Carmelite Convent, organize the CWL Lucky Draw in aid of the Seminarian Fund although we could now only organize one Draw in two years.
“We are also committed to the daily praying of the Rosary and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory,” added Anita.
The celebration adjourned with a dinner reception at the Parish Hall
Meanwhile, Joenoi congratulated the CWL and thanked the group for their hard work, always rendering service to the parish. He pointed out that the CWL has done a lot for the parish and has always been a very reliable group.
In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary, Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Women’s League donated a sum of RM80,000 to the Seminarian Fund this year.
