By Fr Adrian Kho
LUNDU — On 7 June at 4.30pm, the parish of Holy Spirit rejoiced to witness the ordination to the Diaconate of one of its very own, in the person of Bro Dannie Luis anak Romanus. Deacon Dannie is from the Selako community and hails from Kampung Sebiris, Lundu.
The presider for the Diaconate Ordination was Archbishop Simon Poh himself, con-celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, together with priests and a deacon. The ceremony was also witnessed by members of the faithful mostly from the parish itself.
This was the first-time an ordination ceremony was held within the confines of the new Holy Spirit Church, which is a relatively small Church. To cater for the huge crowd that came, chairs and tv-screens were prepared for the faithful who were unable to find a seat in the Church, to follow and participate in the ceremony in the car-park area, beneath the Church itself.
Following the ordination ceremony, a potluck fellowship was held below the Church. Parishioners from all the 23 kampung churches brought various kinds of dishes to be shared to celebrate the joyous occasion. The fellowship was graced by a few entertainment items showcasing the culture of the Selako community.
The next day was Pentecost Sunday, and it was also the feast day of the parish. The newly ordained deacon gave his first homily at the Pentecost Mass celebrated by Archbishop Simon. It was indeed a blessing to celebrate the feast of the parish with this gift of a new deacon coming from the parish community itself.
Dannie Luis – Seminary background
Dannie Luis entered College General Penang for his English Year in 2014. In 2016, he was at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching and St Theresa’s Church, Serian for exposure.
2017: Initiation Year at St Peter’s College, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
2018-2019: Philosophy Year at College General, Penang.
2018-2024: Pastoral immersion (1-4 months each) at Holy Spirit Church, Lundu; St Theresa’s Church, Serian; St Stephen’s Church, Bau; St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching; Sacred Heart Church, Kota Sentosa; Holy Trinity Church, Kenyalang.
2020-2024 (May): Theology Year at St Peter’s College (SPC) Kuching, Sarawak.
2021: installed as a Lector.
2022: installed as an Acolyte.
2024 (15 June): Pastoral immersion at St Theresa’s Parish, Serian after graduation from SPC.
After his ordination on 7 June, Deacon Dannie Luis has remained to serve at St Theresa’s Parish, Serian.
