Archbishop urges Christians to share their talents

KOTA KINABALU: The leader of the Catholic Church in the archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Archbishop John Wong, reminded the parishioners of St Simon Catholic Church Likas to contribute their God-given talents to the Church on its 30th anniversary celebration on Oct 26.The event, which also marked the Church's sixth year as a parish, was concelebrated with its rector Rev Fr Cosmas Lee.

Echoing Pope Francis' call to Christians to share their talents, the Archbishop urged the more than 1,200 crowd to take up the challenge.

"God has given you the graces, the talents, that are not given to another," he said to the parishioners and guests. "Use the talents, share the graces that you have received from God personally, individually."

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Archbishop Wong said although some do not know how to share their talents or may not know if they are capable, he told the people to have courage, and said: "Do not be afraid".

Earlier this month, Pope Francis in a message during his weekly general audience at St Peter's Square, in Rome, said that everyone has a special gift to offer the whole Church, "just make sure it is used to serve everyone and not to puff up one's own pride or to create division".

The pontiff warned that "there's trouble in store if these gifts become sources of envy, division or jealousy".

He said that the charisms that exist in the Church should not be a cause for "confusion or discomfort, they are all gifts that God gives the Christian community so that it can grow in harmony, in the faith and in His love as only one body, the body of Christ."

Fr Lee also reminded the parishioners to become anonymous servers, like the parish's Patron Saint, St Simon the Zealot.

Among the highlights of the event include 15 students who were confirmed at the parish and a total of 28 first Holy Communicants.

Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson Vera Chin said it has a new pastoral thrust: "To Serve With Zeal and Joy", to which the Archbishop lauded.

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Among those present were guests from other churches and religious brothers and sisters from various orders including Putri Karmel, Daughters of St Paul, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and the Good Shepherd Sisters. The Church became a parish on June 1, 2008.

CAPTION: The first Holy Communicants in a group photo with Archbishop Wong and Fr Lee.

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