|
The Association of Ex-Students of La Salle and Sacred Heart, Kota Kinabalu recently made a visit to Kudat town on 15th March 2003 to kick off its centenary celebrations. It is to celebrate Sacred Heart's 100 years and La Salle's 50 years in Sabah. Kudat as chosen as the kick-off destination because according to a letter written by a Mill Hill Father in 1903, a saw mill in Kudat supplied all the raw materials for the construction of Sacred Heart school. Therefore, it is meaningful for the alumni to start the celebrations there.
Most of us grouped together at our Vice President's house, La Sallian Herman Yee for breakfast before departing for Kudat. There were about over 20 of us in a convoy of cars driving up to Kudat lead by myself. We managed to arrive Kudat around 11.30am and immediately checked-in at Kudat Golf and Marina Resort. Our patron, Datuk Brother Charles had actually left early in the morning together with another La Sallian for a round of golf at Kudat Golf Club. After checking-in, we proceed to St. Peter's Church to pay a courtesy visit to Father Tobias Chi. However, upon arrival, Father Chi was not at home. This prompted us to leave for lunch instead.
After lunch, we proceed back to the hotel to gather together before leaving for Sempang Mengayau (The Tip of Borneo). The hotel was also kind enough to offer to transport us to our destination. We managed to reached Sempang Mengayau at about 3.00pm. Most of our members were very fascinated with the beautiful view of the sea. We took out our banner which read "Centenary Celebrations Kick-Off" and started taking lots of photos. We even sang our school rally at the tip!
After enjoying the view and complete all our photo-taking session, we proceeded back to the hotel and reach there about 4.30pm. Some of us went for a swim at the swimming pool and some of us went on the complimentary boat ride along Marudu Bay. By 5.45pm, most of us including Datuk Brother Charles got ready to attend the sunset mass at St. Peter's Church. During the mass, Father Chi was very kind to acknowledge our alumni's presence at Kudat and thanked us for attending the mass.
After the mass, the committee members invited Father Chi to join the alumni for dinner back at the hotel. Father Chi gladly accepted the offer and returned to the hotel together. Before the dinner started, the alumni also invited Father Chi to say grace. The executive committee members had a good chat with Father Chi during dinner and Father Chi was also happy that we made a visit to him as well as to the church. For the alumni, it is important that no matter where we travel to, we will always find time to fulfill our spiritual obligations.
After dinner, La Sallian Michael Chung presented Father Chi with a souvenir book of the La Salle Archives. This was followed by our alumni President, La Sallian Roland Cheng, who presented the alumni's t-shirt to Father Chi as a souvenir.
Before Father Chi left for home, we all thanked him for joining us for dinner as well as acknowledging us at the church. Most of us retired off quite late that night as most of us stayed by the pool side to chit chat.
The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we were offered to ride on the banana boat ride at the hotel's marina. This was very well accepted by our members especially our President and Vice President. Some of us went on the boat instead of the banana boat ride.
It was indeed an enjoyable trip for all of us and the alumni has assured that there would be more regular trips in the future to visit other destination. We thank Father Chi for his hospitality and kindness at the church as well as during dinner.
Contributed By
Julian M. V. Wong
Organizing Chairman for Centenary Celebration Kick-Off At Tip of Borneo
Web: http://www.lasallesacredheart.org
|
