By Fr. Galvin Richard Ngumbang
KUCHING — (19 June 2026) Priests from across the Catholic dioceses of Sarawak gathered at Sibu Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Kemuyang from 8 – 12 June and St Peter’s College, Kuching, from 15–19 June for their Annual Priests’ Retreat, a time of prayer, reflection, fraternity, and spiritual renewal.
The retreat was preached by Fr Joseph Raj, OFM, of the St Thomas the Apostle Franciscan Province, India. To ensure the continued pastoral care of the faithful, the annual retreat was conducted in two locations, Sibu and Kuching, allowing priests to participate while maintaining parish ministry throughout Sarawak.
Centred on the theme of joy in priestly life and ministry, the retreat invited the Clergy to rediscover the joy of their vocation through prayer, reconciliation, healing, and deeper communion with Christ. The Retreat Master reminded the priests that authentic Christian joy is rooted not in success or the absence of suffering, but in a living relationship with God and faithful service to His people.
Throughout the week, reflections explored how priests can become sources of joy within their parish communities through compassionate presence, prayerful celebration of the Eucharist, hopeful preaching, spiritual fatherhood, and attentive pastoral care. Special emphasis was given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a path to priestly holiness and the renewal of zeal in ministry.
The retreat also encouraged priests to foster unity within the presbyterium by avoiding attitudes and behaviours that harm communion, including judgment, gossip, unnecessary arguments, and unhealthy competition. Participants were challenged to cultivate gratitude, forgiveness, humility, and genuine concern for one another.
In concluding the retreat, the Retreat Master invited the clergy to return to the joy of their first calling and to remain faithful shepherds who bring hope and healing to the People of God. The final reflection highlighted that priestly joy flows not from achievements, but from belonging to Christ and remaining close to Him in prayer and the Eucharist.
 Priests from across the Catholic dioceses of Sarawak gathered at Sibu Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Kemuyang from 8 – 12 June...){kind=link}