By Social Communication Team, Sibu
SIBU — The Mass on 1 January 2026 at St Teresa Church, Sungai Merah was celebrated at the Diocesan level by Bishop Joseph Hii, marking the Closing of the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope.
This solemn Eucharistic celebration coincided with the New Year Mass, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Launching of the Diocesan Year of Man and Holy Matrimony.
Faithful from across the Diocese gathered in thanksgiving and hope as the Church closed the Jubilee Year and began a new pastoral journey together.
In his homily, Bishop Joseph Hii reminded all lay faithful that the closing of the Jubilee does not mean the end of our pilgrimage. He encouraged everyone to continue their pilgrimage each day, reminding us that our life on earth is a journey towards our true homeland. We are pilgrims.
As we go about our daily work and encounters with others, the Bishop urged the faithful to live as pilgrims who bring the light of Christ to the people we meet, allowing our everyday lives to become a living witness of faith, hope, and love.
On this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Bishop Joseph Hii further called on the faithful to emulate Our Blessed Mother, becoming instruments who bring the peace of Christ to our families, communities, and the world around us.
After the Mass, the prayer card for the Diocesan Year of Man and Holy Matrimony, titled “Oneness in God’s Creation,” was distributed to representatives from the various parishes of the Diocese of Sibu, symbolising a shared commitment to live out this pastoral focus throughout the year.
The celebration marked not only the conclusion of the Jubilee Year but also a renewed call for the faithful to continue walking together as Pilgrims of Hope, carrying Christ’s light and peace into daily life.
