By Felicia Aguan
KOTA SENTOSA — Every year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a reminder of God’s infinite love revealed through the pierced Heart of Christ. For Sacred Heart Parish, Kota Sentosa, this celebration holds even greater significance as it marks the parish’s patronal feast—a time of thanksgiving, renewal and unity for the entire parish community.
This year’s celebration, held from 9 to 13 June 2026, was especially meaningful as it took place during the parish’s hosting of Perjalanan SALIB, allowing the faithful to contemplate the inseparable mystery of Christ’s sacrificial love on the Cross and His compassionate Heart that continues to embrace humanity with mercy and hope. Through the Triduum, the faithful were invited not only to participate in a series of liturgical celebrations but also to embark on a spiritual journey, preparing their hearts to encounter Christ more deeply.
The Triduum began on 9 June with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Rev Fr Stanley Goh. In his homily, Fr Stanley invited the congregation to reflect on the purpose of God’s love through simple yet profound examples drawn from daily life. Comparing an umbrella that fulfils its purpose only when it is opened and a lamp that serves only when it gives light, he reminded the faithful that God’s love was never meant to remain hidden within one’s heart. Rather, it is a gift to be shared generously through acts of kindness, forgiveness and compassion.
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Pope Francis, Fr Stanley reflected that the devotion to the Sacred Heart is not merely a private expression of piety but an invitation to experience the living love of Christ and to allow that love to transform one’s life. He encouraged parishioners to become visible witnesses of God’s mercy through simple acts of charity within their families, workplaces and communities. Even in moments of misunderstanding or rejection, Christians are called to continue reflecting the compassionate Heart of Jesus, whose love never ceases.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the congregation remained in prayer during Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, entrusting their families, ministries and personal intentions to the Lord. The evening concluded with fellowship among parishioners, reflecting the joy of a community gathered in Christ.
The second day of the Triduum on 10 June was celebrated by Rev Fr Aloysius Dirgahayu, who reflected on the significance of the Church and the Cross as enduring signs of God’s presence among His people. He reminded the faithful that the Church is not merely a physical building but a living community united by faith in the crucified and risen Christ.
Reflecting on the history of salvation, Fr Aloysius emphasised that the Cross stands as the ultimate sign of hope and reconciliation. Through Christ’s sacrifice, humanity is restored to communion with God, and believers are called to become instruments of unity within their own communities. As Sacred Heart Parish prepared to celebrate its patronal feast, he encouraged everyone to renew their commitment to building a welcoming and Christ-centred parish where love, forgiveness and mutual support flourish.
The evening continued with a vibrant session of Praise and Worship, organised by the Parish Youth Ministry together with Rev Fr Aloysius Bayu. Through uplifting songs, Scripture and moments of spontaneous prayer, young people led the congregation into a joyful encounter with Christ, demonstrating the important role of youth in the life and mission of the Church. Their enthusiasm reflected the vitality of a parish where different generations journey together in faith.
The final day of the Triduum on 11 June was celebrated by Rev Fr Felix Au, whose homily explored the rich spiritual significance of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He explained that this devotion emerged as a response to the harsh image of God promoted during the Jansenist movement in seventeenth-century France. Through the revelation of the Sacred Heart, the Church came to contemplate anew the compassionate and merciful face of Christ, whose Heart remains open to every person seeking forgiveness and healing.
Fr Felix reminded the faithful that Jesus experienced the full reality of human life. He knew joy and sorrow, friendship and rejection, compassion and suffering. The image of the Sacred Heart, crowned with thorns and burning with divine love, reveals not only Christ’s suffering but also His unwavering desire to draw humanity into communion with God. The Heart of Jesus continues to beat with love for every person, calling believers to become instruments of mercy in a world often marked by division and indifference.
Following the Mass, parishioners participated in a solemn Procession of the Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, led by the Perjalanan SALIB Cross, which had been journeying through the worshipping communities of Sacred Heart Parish. The procession became a powerful public witness of faith, uniting parishioners in prayer as they honoured Christ, whose Sacred Heart continues to accompany His people on their pilgrimage of faith.
As the three-day Triduum drew to a close, the faithful had journeyed through a profound spiritual preparation that centred on God’s love, the hope of the Cross and the mercy flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Each celebration built upon the previous one, inviting the parish community to move beyond devotion alone and to become living witnesses of Christ’s love through lives of faith, service and compassion.
The final day of the Triduum on 11 June was celebrated by Rev Fr Felix Au, whose homily explored the rich spiritual significance of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He explained that this devotion emerged as a response to the harsh image of God promoted during the Jansenist movement in seventeenth-century France. Through the revelation of the Sacred Heart, the Church came to contemplate anew the compassionate and merciful face of Christ, whose Heart remains open to every person seeking forgiveness and healing.
Fr Felix reminded the faithful that Jesus experienced the fullness of human life. He knew joy and sorrow, friendship and rejection, compassion and suffering. The image of the Sacred Heart, crowned with thorns and burning with divine love, reveals not only Christ’s suffering but also His unwavering desire to draw humanity into communion with God. The Heart of Jesus continues to beat with love for every person, calling believers to become instruments of mercy in a world often marked by division and indifference.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners participated in a solemn Procession of the Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, led by the Perjalanan SALIB Cross, which had been journeying throughout the worshipping communities of Sacred Heart Parish. The prayerful procession became a powerful witness of faith, beautifully linking the parish’s patronal feast with the wider mission of Perjalanan SALIB. As the faithful walked together in prayer behind the Cross and the Sacred Heart, they gave visible expression to the Church’s call to journey together in communion, carrying Christ’s love into every community.
The spiritual journey reached its joyful climax on 12 June, when Sacred Heart Parish celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the parish’s patronal feast. The celebration was made even more significant as it coincided with the Parish Gawai Thanksgiving Mass, bringing together the rich traditions of the Catholic faith and the spirit of thanksgiving deeply cherished within the local community.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Grace Archbishop Simon Poh, with Msgr William Sabang, Rev Fr Felix Au, Rev Fr Aloysius Dirgahayu, Rev Fr Lucas Ng and Rev Fr Joseph Raj as concelebrants. The presence of the Archbishop, clergy and a large congregation from across the parish reflected the unity and vitality of the Church as the faithful gathered to celebrate the love of Christ revealed through His Sacred Heart.
Reflecting on Jesus’ invitation to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,” Archbishop Simon reminded the faithful that Christ never asks His disciples to carry their burdens alone. He reflected that the yoke of Christ is a sign of His loving companionship, as the Lord walks beside His people through every joy, trial and suffering. The Archbishop further encouraged the congregation to allow the Heart of Jesus to shape their own hearts, so that they might become instruments of mercy, reconciliation and hope within their families, workplaces and communities.
He also reminded the faithful that the pierced Heart of Jesus continues to reveal God’s immeasurable love for humanity, inviting every Christian to respond with lives marked by compassion and self-giving love. On the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, he called upon the faithful to keep priests in their prayers, asking God to strengthen them in their vocation to shepherd His people according to the Heart of Christ.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners gathered in joyful fellowship, sharing the spirit of Gawai Thanksgiving in an atmosphere of gratitude, hospitality and unity. The celebration beautifully reflected the richness of Sarawak’s cultural heritage while remaining firmly centred on the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.
The spirit of celebration continued on 13 June with the Parish Thanksgiving Dinner held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC), Jalan Stampin, bringing together approximately 700 parishioners, clergy, religious and invited guests. More than a fellowship dinner, the gathering became a joyful expression of the communion that had been nurtured throughout the Triduum and Feast Day celebrations. It also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the dedicated service of priests, parish ministries, volunteers and benefactors whose generosity contributed to the success of the parish’s patronal celebration.
As the celebrations concluded, parishioners departed with renewed hearts and a deeper appreciation of the mystery they had celebrated. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus served not only as the patronal feast of Sacred Heart Parish but also as a renewed invitation to become a community rooted in Christ’s love, strengthened by the Eucharist and committed to living the Gospel through mercy, humility and compassionate service.
As Sacred Heart Parish continues its journey of faith, may the celebration of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus inspire every parishioner to become a living reflection of Christ’s love, bringing hope, reconciliation and compassion to all whom they encounter, so that the Heart of Jesus may continue to beat through the life and witness of His Church.
