KOTA KINABALU: This year’s St Simon Feast Day celebration saw a record number of First Holy Communicants with 51 candidates and 46 confirmands, on Nov 4.
The event started off with Mass at the main church where Archbishop John Wong led the celebration, which was concelebrated with Archbishop Emeritus John Lee, parish rector Fr Cosmas Lee and Fr Paul Lo.
The archbishop in his sermon highlighted the roles of a disciple and apostle and urged the parishioners and churchgoers to serve like Jesus did — a selfless service through the various ministries in the parish.
“What made this man — St Simon — willing to give his life to Jesus to the point of death?
“I believe St Simon was able to lay down his life for Jesus because Jesus was someone important and special for him.
“What about us? We are also called to be with Jesus and to go forth and share the Good News that God is love, God cares and He is here in this moment,” the archbishop said.
Meanwhile, at the hall, Parish Pastoral Council chairperson Anne Wong congratulated the First Holy Communicants and newly-confirmed. She also urged them to continue their faith journey through serving in the ministries or sub-ministries in the parish.
Speeches were also given by Archbishop John and Fr Cosmas, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony and the singing of the parish’s patron saint song, “Simon Our Patron”.
Fr Cosmas in his speech thanked all the invited guests for their attendance, and also expressed his gratitude to the archbishop emeritus for never failing to attend the parish’s feast day since it became a parish in 2008.
For the first time, the Boys Brigade, a new ministry at the parish, and under the guidance of Godfrey Moey presented a dance performance during brunch at the hall.
Among the invited guests included representatives from the various religious congregations in the State and parishes under the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese.
St Simon Catholic Church Likas 