By Sibu Soccom
SIBU (16 April 2025) — “Always give your best to our mother Church!” His Lordship Bishop Joseph Hii in his homily of the Chrism Mass tonight at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu encouraged his people with this courageous word.
He thanked his priests who had come from across all the parishes of the Diocese of Sibu to renew their priestly promises.
The powerful and moving liturgy had brought together 24 priests from across the vast area of the central region of the Rejang Basin in a beautiful testimony of unity and prayer.
Priests who were present during the Mass were Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su, Msgr Michael Lee, Fr Alphonsus Tang, Fr James Ting, Fr Joseph Sebastian, Fr Andrew Tan, Fr Philip Hu, Fr Paul Chee, Fr Paul Ling, Fr Richard Lau, Fr Simon Lau, Fr David Ho, Fr David Lau, Fr Fabian Kong, Fr Ivan Fang, Fr Edward Raymond, Fr Raphael Samosir, Fr Francis Go, Fr Michael Gemanga, Fr George Omuto, Fr Blaise Forbi, Fr Johanez Ling, Fr Ravi Pulagam, and Fr Olivier Lomboto.
His Lordship also thanked his people who had come to pray for their Priests, inspite of the heavy rain, that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, so that they may lead the people to Christ, the source of salvation.
He also asked that his people pray for him, that he may be faithful to the Apostolic office entrusted to him and that he may be made a more perfect image of Christ.
Thereafter, the congregation of about 1500 witnessed the blessing of the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and consecration of the Chrism oil.
His Lordship also reminded all present that the Church celebrates this Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrims of Hope, together with Year of Sister Mother Earth and Holy Order.
Holy Order is a sacrament in the Catholic Church that ordains men as deacons, priests, or bishops, equipping them with the authority and grace to perform sacred duties. It’s a sacrament of apostolic ministry, ensuring the continuation of Christ’s mission through the ordained clergy.
“Priests are gifts of God to the mother Church so that God’s Grace and sacrament continue to flow to his people. Mother Church needs priests to ‘redo’ what Christ has done”.
Let us give thanks to our Lord and mother Church for this great gift of the Priesthood. Let us keep the priests in our prayers as they go about everyday, serving God’s people selflessly, giving their very best to the mother Church.
