Kota Padawan: A total of 22 couples from the parish of St. Ann attended the Bahasa Malaysia MEE course held at St. Lukas’ Centre, Kota Padawan, from 10nd to 12th of August 2012.
The course was organised by the Family Life Ministry of St. Ann’s parish and facilitated by the Archdiocesan MEE(BM) service team led by Monsignor William Sabang.
The course concluded with Holy Mass, concelebrated with Monsignor William Sabang and Friar Gerard Victor OFM, the rector of St. Ann’s parish.
Thereafter, the participants and their family members joined in the fellowship dinner, potluck style. Also present were all the 13 MEE graduates of 2010 and several others from the earlier batches. The parish council Chairman, Mr. Sebastian Ramek and Mr. Jose Geda, the former Secretary of the council were among those present who graduated in 2010. The presence of former MEE graduates and their families truly reflected the level of friendship and cooperation among the parishioners. In the words of Friar Gerard in his brief welcoming address reminded,” We are one family; we gather, we celebrate and we pray as a family. We do everything as one family.”
Monsignor Willian Sabang reckoned that the MEE course this time, having a record high attendance, was the most successful. He said, “I am happy because the Family Life Ministry is very strong here and I thanked the Franciscans for being able to inspire and mobilise the parishioners to serve. “ He also thanked the members of the MEE (BM) team, coming from various parishes in the Archdiocese, for their generosity to make time to share their experiences and invited the other graduates to do likewise.
The highlights of the evening were cutting of cake and sharing of testimonies by the 22 couples. Mr Harries Boyd@Mathew was deeply touched by the generosity of the MEE(BM) team and Family Life Ministry members, many of whom were well advance in their 60s and early 70s, and said, “I should be the one doing some of those works; setting chairs and tables, putting on the decorations and the likes. Tonight I and my wife want to offer ourselves to join this team to do our share.” This made the outcome of the MEE course most encouraging because Mr and Mrs John Dawi, graduates of 2010, had agreed to join the MEE(BM) service team. They are also currently active members of St. Ann’s Family Life Ministry. Truly, Monsignor William Sabang’s prayer had been duly answered.
