By Evisdateh Paul
BAU — A Vocation Awareness Seminar was successfully held at St. Peter Damian’s Church in Kampung Seromah, on 18 April. A total of 94 participants, comprising youths and parents, was present. Facilatiting the progamme were Rev. Fr. Abel Madisang,Deacon Addie Frank,aswell as 13 seminarians from St. Peter’s College Seminary in Kuching, Sarawak.
The programme was organised by the Serembu zone of St. Stephen’s Parish (Bau), on the initiative of Seminarian Freddoline Ahsiong and Seminarian Dennis Raj who is currently under going pastoral training there. The main objective of the programme was to raise awareness and provide exposure to the faithful particularly youth sand parents regarding different vocations in life. The participation of a child as young as nine years highlighted the importance of nurturing vocation awareness from an early age.
Throughout the programme, various sessions were conducted. Among them was a talk titled “What is a vocation?” delivered by Fr. Abel, who is also a lecturer and spiritual father at St. Peter’s College Seminary. In addition, several seminarians shared their personal experiences in responding to their vocation, followed by a question-and-answer session that allowed participants to engage more deeply.
The programme also provided exposure to the diocesan priesthood and life in a formation house, namely the seminary, thus helping participants to better understand the process of discernment.
The seminar concluded with a Mass, presided by Fr Abel. In the homily delivered by Deacon Addie, he emphasised that although there are various forms of vocation in the Christian life, the primary vocation of every Christian isto holiness. The presence of the parish priest, Rev Fr Peter Liston, during the Mass, clearly demonstrated his support for the programme.
It is hoped that this programme will help the young people present realise that every person is called by God, and in turn encourage participants to respond to His call with openness and courage. May such efforts continue in the future for the development and growth of the Church.
