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On
23rd, June 2001, St.Peter’s Kudat
youth and some parishioners, led by
Sr. Maltilda, made their visit to Tambunan
Parish and Keningau Diocese.
We
started early at 3.30 a.m. when it was still
cold and dark outside. We slept all the way
through our bus journey and stopped for
breakfast when
we reached Tambunan.
It
was 11.00 am when we finally arrived at St.
Francis Xaviour Cathedral, Keningau. Bishop
Corneleous Peon and the youth were there to
welcome us.
We
assembled in the Hall as a start of the
welcoming ceremony. Margaret Lee, the youth
leader from Kudat gave her speech, followed by
the Bishop, who was then being presented with a
gift.
The
Kudat pilgrims then proceeded to the chapel for
group prayer, led by
Sr. Matilda. After the prayer, we proceeded to
Bishop’s house, as invited by him.
The
Bishop’s house was in the middle of a
paradise, surrounded by tall trees, green grass
and pretty flowers, far from the madding crowd.
We
were especially enchanted while walking down the
steps near the house, to see a chapel, huts and
a few fishponds at the bottom of the steps.
Needless to say we murdered the scenery around
with shots after shots from our cameras for this
unforgettable pleasure. After lingering there
for more than an hour, we bid Bishop Corneleos
Peon farewell and proceeded to town for a quick
lunch .We also shopped and sightseeing around
the town.
After
that, we went back to St. Francis Xaviour Hall
for a much-needed
rest, in the visitors’ room upstairs.
Much
later in the afternoon, Some of us had the time
to look round the diocese. There is the Diocesan
Pastoral Centre
(the Pusat Latihan Kathegist is in this
building). Near by are the Primary and Secondary
Schools; the Kindergartens, the staff quarters,
the rectory and St. Francis Xaviour Cathedral.
In
the evening, we attended Novena and Sunset Mass.
After
Sunset Mass, the Kudat visitors were warmly
treated to a fellowship and dinner evening by
their Keningau host.
The
programme for the evening were a variety of
charismatic songs and animated dancing steps and
action, participated by all present in the hall,
led by the
Keningau and Kudat youths. It was late
when we bid each other farewell.
The
Kudat group then journeyed to Tambunan and that
night, we stayed in Cliffendy Wences’ house.
The
next morning, we were on the go again! First we
had our early breakfast then we attended Holy
Mass at the Holy Cross, Taboh Church. I noticed
that we had to walk down to the altar in the
middle as the surrounding benches are on higher
ground. So the priest can see the congregation
well and vice versa.
After
the Holy Mass, the Kudat pilgrims visited the
Orphanage just next to the Church.
The
head of the Children Home, Taboh, Sr. Clare,
told us in a speech, the background of the 45
children who are housed in two large dormitories
in the building. These children are aged from
three to thirteen. Some of them are orphans;
some are from broken-marriage families; some
have paralysed or mental parents who cannot look
after them; some live far away from the schools.
There are five voluntary girl helpers and on man
helper to look after the welfare of these
orphans. The man helper acts as driver, security
guard, music teacher and pianist.
After
the speech, the talented children sang and
danced for us visitors.
They sang songs to tell us that they yearn to
have parents like ordinary kids. Their songs
convey a message to the outside world to help,
support and understand them as children of God.
They wanted very much our love and attention as
they are deprived of both.
Besides
singing, these orphans also danced well in
Sumajau and joket, a sign that they are well
trained by their music teacher. Their young and
innocent voices moved us and saying good-bye to
them was yet another tearful event.
In
Tambunan resort Centre, we had our packed lunch.
After lunch, we crossed the hanging bridge to
the lake where we enjoyed fish feeding and
canoe-paddling.
After
that we made for home, stopping only at Gunung
Emas Resort Centre for a short see-look.
It
was late n the evening when we reached home,
exhausted but enriched with yet another
experience in life!
By
Agatha Lai
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