Seeing his wish for church come true
Published on: Wednesday, September 06, 2017
Penampang: Some things in life are difficult to explain and the final events in the life of late Father Fundes Motiung, 52, must rank among them.At 3pm on Saturday, the late Father Fundes received the final RM330,000 allocation from the RM800,000 promised by the Prime Minister for the beautification of the pre-war St Michael church, here. It was a task that late Father Fundes put all his energy into ever since he was assigned to the church here despite battling with leukaemia that required him to undergo hospital treatment, including in Singapore.
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The cheque was handed over by Datuk John Ambrose, who is also Penampang Umno Chief, to Wilfred Atin outside the St Michael's Church Parish Hall, witnessed by Father Fundes, Ernest Mojikon, KDCA Youth Council Chief, Mandela Ceaser Malakun and over 600 children who were having the first Catholic Youth Day retreat organised by Fr Fundes himself at the Parish Hall. Of the amount, RM30,000 was for the building of a Sunday school at St Bernard Church in Kg Terian. Another RM500,000 which was requested by Father Fundes to upgrade the road leading to St John was handed to the Penampang District Officer to be implemented.Ambrose said the RM830,000 was approved by the Prime Minister following the application by Father Fundes to upgrade the church as well as facilities for the convenience of churchgoers.As if aware of God's imminent plans for him, Fr Fundes, during the presentation, said: "The new Rector (resident priest) must continue his duty to serve more for the people and for the church of St Michael.
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"I have done what I could and others can improve from there."The following morning, Father Fundes had a fall while preparing to attend Mass at Stella Maris church where he had been the resident priest for many years.
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He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and complained of breathing difficulties at 9pm. Before noon the following morning, the Catholic faithful learnt of his sad passing."His demise two days after witnessing the handing over of the funds he personally applied was a shock to the Catholic community, especially in Penampang," said Ambrose, who was glad that he helped to fulfil the late Father Fundes' plans for the church, which is only one of two built in Sabah before World war Two using riverstones, a feature that made it a hit with tourists.The remains of Fr Fundes are now at St Michael's church until 10.00am Thursday. Thereafter, his body will be taken to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Sacred Heart where he will lay in state.The requiem mass will be presided by His Grace Archbishop John Wong at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday at 10am.He was born on November 19, 1965 at Kampung Kepayan. He was ordained a priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu on July 6, 1998.He served the Catholic Church in Sabah for a total of 19 years, with his last posting at St Michael's church.Prior to joining the priesthood, he served Sabah Bank (now Alliance Bank).The late Fr Fundes Facebook account was flooded with messages of condolences and photographs as word got out of his demise.It also spread like wildfire on social media.Fr Fundes' only regret was not being able to see the new church – St Catherine Laboure church at Kg Dimbaan, Putatan completed.Late last year he had confided to this writer that he had hoped to celebrate Easter Mass at the new church, but this was not to be. It is understood that lack of funds had delayed the completion of the church, which will now only be ready by next year.A birthday celebration with his one-time assistant Rector, Fr Wiandigool Runsab, last month.Those who knew the late priest described him as a selfless person."A faithful servant who is very clear of his mission to serve and love all people of God," remarked Joseph Leong, chairman of the ArchDiocese of Kota Kinabalu Social Communications."He truly fought a good fight of faith to the end.""God loves u more my father fundes motiung," wrote Renney Jessney Richaed on Facebook. "Rest in peace fr hensem."Most of those who commented on Fr Fundes passing had more or less the same message.Eddie, who confessed that he became more connected to the church when Fr Fundes became its Rector said: "He opened my heart to assist the people and do work in church. He encouraged me to get involved in charity work. The time with him was just too short."He said he was glad to share a meal with Fr Fundes which he had cooked for the PYD participants on Saturday. "God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission – I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons."Thomas summed it up all: "Despite his suffering and pain Fr Fundes never complained at all. He always wanted to get well as soon as possible so that he could resume his priestly duties. He did not want to give up the fight."With relatives and friends at a fellowship dinner to celebrate his 19th Sacerdotal Ordination anniversary in July 2017.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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