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| Thursday, 18-Dec-2008 01:13 |
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Christmas Celebration at Dataran MPS, Sandakan
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Bishop & Fr. Thomas on stage for the Opening
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Choir from St. Mary
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Part of the crowd
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Part of the crowd
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Santa handing out goodies
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| Wednesday, 10-Dec-2008 10:26 |
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China offers Concert for the Pope
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China Philharmonic Orchestra plays Mozart at the Vatican
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Conductor Yee Lung指挥余龙 Soprano Lan Rao,at right looks on
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Paul VI Concert Hall
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指挥余龙
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Soprano Lan Rao, right, foreground,knees before the Pope
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China Philharmonic Orchestra plays Mozart at the Vatican on May 7 2008 in honor of Pope Benedict XVI.教宗本篤十六世
I was able to watch the entire concert on Phoenix TV sometime in July 2008 and I could tell the audience were in awe of the performance by the visitors. The rendition of the Chinese folk song 茉莉花 was simply beautiful and captivated the audience who repaid with thunderous applause.
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY -- The China Philharmonic Orchestra performed for Pope Benedict in a landmark concert Wednesday that could indicate warming relations between Beijing and the Vatican.
Benedict called it a "truly unique event" and offered a "thank you" in Chinese at the end of the hour-long concert.
He praised music as a bridge between cultures and peoples and expressed greetings "to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games." The pontiff said he wanted to reach out "to your entire people" and that he had a "special thought" for Chinese Catholics loyal to the papacy.
Benedict, a classical music lover, sat in an embroidered ivory velvet chair and listened intently to Mozart's "Requiem." He applauded at the end.
"This is a glorious moment that will be cherished long in our memories," conductor Yu Long 余龙said in brief remarks to the Pope and guests before the concert began. "I hope tonight's performance will help spread a message of peace and love."
Ties between the Vatican and China's communist government have been strained for decades.
"Music is beyond any religion, culture, language, and I would say music is the language of God because language is understanding each other," the conductor told The Associated Press in an interview before the evening concert in the Paul VI auditorium.
He said he wanted to send a message to the Chinese people about the value of understanding western culture, and added: "especially I hope the whole world can also understand us."
Yu led the 75-member orchestra in the "Requiem" and a Chinese folk song, "Jasmine Flower."
The orchestra was accompanied by the 70-member Shanghai Opera House chorus.
"I am especially honoured to perform at the Vatican and for the Pope," he said, calling it a "double honour" because Benedict is a Mozart expert.
Benedict has made the improvement of relations with Beijing a priority of his papacy.
China's officially atheist Communist party cut ties with the Vatican in 1951 and the two sides have not restored formal ties.
Beijing objects to the Vatican's tradition of having the Pope name his own bishops, calling it interference in China.
China appoints bishops for the state-sanctioned Catholic church. Still, many of the country's estimated 12 million Catholics worship in congregations outside the state-approved church.
It wasn't clear if the event would move the Vatican and China toward reconciliation, but Vatican official Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone was quoted by Italian news agencies as saying Wednesday that the concert was a sign of hope for improvement.
Although they have no diplomatic ties, China's ambassador to Italy attended the concert.
It is not the first time that classical music has served a diplomatic purpose. In February, the New York Philharmonic played in North Korea.
The Chinese orchestra played for the Italian Senate in 2004 but did not stop at the Vatican then. Still, Yu called that performance a first step toward performing for the Vatican.
"I'm not in politics but everybody feels that music can bring peace and love to peoples," he said, speaking in English at a hotel near Rome.
Yu, who studied in Berlin, said earlier that he planned to greet Benedict in the pontiff's native German.
Before the concert, violinist Chan Zhao said she was "very honoured, very moved and a little bit nervous."
The orchestra will also perform in Venice, Italy, and Vienna, Austria.
中国爱乐乐团在梵蒂冈成功首演
5月7日，中国爱乐乐团及上海歌剧院合唱团联袂在梵蒂冈保罗六世音乐大厅举行专场演出，中国驻意大利大使孙玉玺、罗马教皇本笃十六世、在意华人华侨以及梵、意各界近6000人观看了音乐会。
国际在线报道 (记者 贾延宁)：中国爱乐乐团及上海歌剧院合唱团7日晚联袂在梵蒂冈保罗六世音乐大厅举行专场演出。中国乐团首次在梵蒂冈的专场演出获得了巨大成功。
出席音乐会的罗马教皇本笃十六世在致辞中表示，这场音乐会使人们进一步了解了中华民族的历史、价值和高尚的抱负。音乐成为不同民族和文化碰撞、了解的载体。他同时向所有中国人民致意，并祝北京奥运会取得圆满成功。
中国爱乐乐团和上海歌剧院合唱团倾情演绎了莫扎特的《安魂曲》和中国民乐《茉莉花》。中国艺术家们的精湛演绎多次博得全场观众的热烈掌声。演出结束后，外方友人纷纷向中方人士表示热烈祝贺，认为此次演出具有划时代的意义。
中国驻意大利大使孙玉玺、罗马教皇本笃十六世、在意华人华侨以及梵、意各界近6000人观看了音乐会。
责编：张曦健
Pope Benedict's speech at the concert
各位先生，各位女士，
各位朋友，
一个新的和高水平的音乐盛会让我们又再度在保禄六世礼堂这里见面。这个音乐盛会为我，及为我们全体，都带来重大的价值和意义：因为这次的音乐会是中 国爱乐乐团及上海歌剧院的合唱团为我们举办及演出，事实上，这个音乐会在某程度上，让我们接触到中国社会活泼轻快的现实。对一份如此称心悦意的礼物，我感 谢爱乐乐团及合唱团，并向哪些筹划组织的人士，和各位演出的艺术家祝贺，他们以高超的技巧，细腻和优美的演绎，演出了一个属于人类艺术遗产一部份的音乐作 品。在这群如此出色的艺术家身上，我们可以看到他们所代表的，伟大的中国文化及音乐传统，而他们的演绎也帮助我们更了解一个民族的历史，包括这民族的价值 及高尚抱负。我衷心感谢这份礼物！除了向这次音乐会的筹办者和艺术家致谢外，我也向所有的合作人士致谢，他们透过不同方式，让这作品得以顺利演出，其中某 些句子真的很独特。
还有怎么可以不提及，这个由中国艺术家演出的音乐会选了莫扎特的杰作，将他们的音乐天赋和西方的音乐结合起来？对这个挑战，指挥家余龙先生，他的乐 团，负责独唱部份的声乐家及上海歌剧院的合唱团，都成功地克服了。音乐，或更普遍地说艺术，可以成为不同民族和文化的相遇和互相认识及尊重的特别媒介物； 是一件所有人都垂手可得，用作欣赏艺术的普世性语言的工具。
我还想强调另一点，很高兴注意到你们的乐团及合唱团对欧洲宗教音乐的兴趣。这事实正好说明，正因为音乐诠释人类灵魂的普遍性感受，而其中的宗教感受 更是超越每一个个别文化的疆界，所以就算在不同文化的世界中，一样可以品尝及欣赏如刚演出的莫扎特的「安魂曲」这首灵性极致表现的作品。
最后，我想就今天晚上我们相聚的这个地方讲一句话。这里是教宗接待他的客人和跟一切到来探访他的人见面的大礼堂。它有如一扇开向世界的窗，是一个常 常有来自地球每一个角落的人在此相会的地方，每一位都带着个人的历史及各自的文化，每一位都获得尊重和真心的接待。今天晚上，接待你们的同时，各位中国艺 术家，教宗意欲在想象中接待你们整个民族，尤其是想念着你们哪些分享在耶稣内的信仰的同胞，他们以一种特别的灵性关系，和伯多禄的继承人结合在一起。「安 魂曲」正是因这信仰而写成，作为对哪位仁慈和公正的天主的祈祷，它是普世人文主义的表达，亦正是这一点触动所有人的心。
最后，在再次感谢你们这份极受欢迎的礼物的同时，透过你们，我向所有中国居民致候，奥林匹克世运会即将到来，他们都正在准备自己以生活这件对整个人类具有重大价值的事件。
感谢大家并祝愿大家一切顺利！
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| Monday, 1-Dec-2008 01:56 |
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| Tuesday, 25-Nov-2008 15:39 |
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Celine Dion's new song: My Love
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This is simply awesome. Listen and relax.
The youngest of fourteen children born to Adhémar Dion and Thérèse Tanguay both of French Canadian descent. Céline Dion was raised a Roman Catholic in a impoverished family, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record.
"My Love"
My love, we have seen it all
The Endless confession,The rise and fall
As fragile as a child
Lately I'm sorry I can't hold a smile
But I stand tall to get by
No matter how hard I try to hide
Did you know I take the time for you
Did you know that I would see you through
Did you know that I would play the part
I must've made it clear right from the start
My love, can you give me strength
Somehow I forgot how to ease my pain
I know I'm right where I belong
Something from nothing never proved me wrong
But I stand tall to get by
No matter how hard I try to hide
Did you know I take the time for you
Did you know that I would see you through
Did you know that I would play the part
I must've made it clear right from the start
I would shade my whole life with you
Would you do the same for me
I would give all I am to you
Would you do the same for me
And I will stand tall to get by
No matter how hard I try to hide
Could you see I've been brave
Did you notice all my mistakes
There were times I could feel you read my mind
Did you know I take the time for you
Did you know that I would see you through
Did you know that I would play the part
I know I made it clear right from the start
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| Saturday, 15-Nov-2008 06:10 |
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堂区华文团体往乌鲁杜顺圣保禄堂朝圣 Pilgrimage to St Paul's church
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2.00pm Gathering at the car park
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Forming a circle outside the church
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十一月十五日, 下午两点 .堂区华文团体往乌鲁杜顺圣保禄堂朝圣
Nov 15, 2008. The local Chinese church community became the first group to make the pilgrimage to St. Paul's church in Ulu Dusun after Bishop Julius had declared open the pilgrimage site earlier on 19 October 2008.
About a hundred parishioners joined in the celebration which started at 2.00 p.m. The mass began at the car park outside the church with briefings from the celebrant, Fr. Paul Lo on the origin of pilgrimage and the declaration by Pope Benedict that the year 2008 has been dedicated to the Jubilee of Apostle Paul.
After the readings taken from the Acts of the Apostles, Fr. Paul Lo led the congregation for a procession down the hill and up the steep steps back to the church.
In his homily, Fr. Paul Lo said the significance of the celebration is our ability to follow the role model of the Apostle Paul; whose great love for Jesus that he suffered persecutions and imprisonments. Yet all these did not deter him from spreading the good news to the point that he finally died for Christ.
He talked about lukewarm Christians. “When I mentioned lukewarm Christians, you will think that those who come to church once a year during Christmas fall into this category. No, I mean those of you who come to church half hearted, serving simply for the sake of serving. You may be in the choir, serving as a lector or as a warden helping in the collection. You must be serving with all the zeal like St. Paul,” he said.
Before the end of the mass, Fr. Paul Lo made another appeal to the Chinese communities. He mentioned about the success of another denominational church which has attracted a large following of Chinese youths and adults. “It is not their pastor alone; it is the collective works of the whole church; living out their faith that speaks volume for Jesus.” He throws the challenge to everyone that Sandakan is the core base of the Chinese community in the diocese. It must set an example for the other parishes like Lahad Datu and Tawau. They are looking forward to Sandakan as the leader in the development of the Church. “There are still a lot of people who do not know God, who you expect to preach to them?” he said, falling short of saying if expect the bishop or the parish priest to preach to the Chinese.
David Chung, on behalf of the Chinese Community of St. Mary presented a donation to the representative of the local church. Another donation was from a representative of St. Mark’s church.
The mass ended with a prayer in front of the statue of St. Paul.
Please refer to the photos on the fotopages and also from Youtube posted on the website.
If you have any comments on the homily/appeal of Fr. Paul Lo on ways and means to improve or introduce meaningful reforms to the Chinese Coordinating Committee, you are welcome to post them on the comment section of the website or Youtube. Thank You.
山打根華文教友往烏魯杜順聖保祿聖堂朝聖
逾百位來自山打根聖瑪莉主教座堂及聖瑪谷堂的華文教友在羅志康神父的帶領下于11月15日前往郊區烏魯杜順聖保祿聖堂朝聖。這是自余廉主教在上月中宣佈該堂為山打根教區聖保祿年朝聖中心以來前往朝聖的第一組朝聖團。該朝聖中心備設朝聖簽名冊，前往朝聖的教友將獲頒朝聖證書一份。
當天下午2時，朝聖教友齊聚教堂外廣場聆聽聖言邁開朝聖之旅，在羅神父簡短説明朝聖意義后，眾教友在朝聖步行中齊唱朝聖歌繞道步入教堂舉行朝聖彌撒。神父在講道中說，一位熱心的教友不應只是個墨守主日安逸于服務崗位的教友，他該也是能將彌撒中派遣禮的意義生活出來，不然將成另類冷淡教友！真正的基督徒猶如聖保祿宗徒，以基督的精神、聖神的動力，滿腔熱火宣揚主福音。教友要效法聖保祿宗徒的服務精神，從他的言行中汲取力量，把教會牧靈重任視為己任，吃苦耐勞、慷慨犧牲，以實踐領洗時已賦予我們的傳教使命。
在彌撒結束前，神父帶領眾教友向聖保祿聖像頌念聖保祿宗徒祈禱詞及為教宗的意向祈禱。短短兩小時的朝聖活動，以及神父一番令人深思的説話，讓參與者在心靈與精神上皆獲益處，愛火重燃，學習聖保祿宗徒的傳教精神
Part 1 video
Part 2 video
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| Sunday, 26-Oct-2008 23:34 |
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1st Anniversary of Sandakan Diocese
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priests from the various parishes
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Fr. John Wong, originated from Sandakan. Now serving in KK
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| Sunday, 19-Oct-2008 11:39 |
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Opening Mass for Pilgrimage Centre - Year of Saint Paul
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Opening Mass of Pilgrimage centreVideo Part 1
Church of St Paul, Ulu Dusun,Sandakan 19 Oct 2008
Mission Sunday, Opening of Pilgrimage Centre, First Holy Communion for 26 young people, the Bishop's 51st Birthday and First Anniversary of the Diocese all packed into one celebration. The church was packed with a good number of visiting parishioners from St. Mary too. The beating of the gongs and the beautiful songs from the choir gave added jubilation to the occasion, Lunch was served after mass all from the skillful hands of local generous community.  
Video Part II
The photoblog of Raymond Jim ....sorry! been busy lately, more update to come...A picture says a thousand words Hope this blog will give you some ideas of what is happening in the diocese. I hope the diocese would publish a monthly/quarterly newspapers for the benefit of people who do not have access to the internet....give me your feedback, thanks
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| Saturday, 18-Oct-2008 12:00 |
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First Holy Communion - St. Mary's Cathedral
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St. Mary's Cathedral,Sandakan 18 Oct 2008
32 young people received their First Holy Communion during the sunset Mass.
Until quite recent years, First Holy Communion was celebrated on a Saturday morning exclusively for the young people. It was rather unique as the parents and other family members coming together to celebrate their young family member attaining the age worthy to receive the Blessed Sacrament. With all the 3 language group coming together, the number of First Holy Communion recipients was considerably large. It is to be noted also that the parents as well as grand parents came dressed up for the important occasion. At the end of the mass, the children would adjourn to the parish hall for a tea party.
Today's First Holy Communion celebrated within the sunset mass rendered the important occasion losing much of its exclusiveness and significance. I don't see parents dressed up or any father wearing a tie. Sadly,the occasion was celebrated with such simplicity.
My daughter Ramona will always remember her first holy communion because I wore a tie complete with suite. I want her to know that it is a very important day of her life when she receives Jesus for the first time. We talk about the importance of first impression. And that is precisely the message I want to put through to her on that important day. Elsewhere in the world, receiving the sacrament for the first time is a grand occasion. The church must put strong emphasis on the Blessed Sacrament and make that important day an everlasting impression on the minds of the young children.
In her book "Pilgrim in the Parish" (a spirituality for Lay ministers) Virginia Finn, a former chaplain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; assistant to the Dean at the Weston School of Theology where her ministry includes facilitating spiritual development for lay students wrote:
In perhaps the most poignant moment of the film "Tender Mercies", Robert Duvall, a faded country folk singer, tells the daughter from whom he is estranged that he doesn't remember a hymn she claims he sang to her as a child. When she leaves the house, Duvall turns to the window, and in its diffused light quietly sings the hymn about Jesus going down to the water to be baptised " in the usual way " and God blessing his Son by sending his love on the "wings of a dove."
We are touched by his sadness because he cannot be open to the intimacy his daughter craved and indirectly invited, but we also, too easily perhaps, identify with the way Duvall shies away from what might bond them into something inseparable. Intimacy with others scares some of us; intimacy with God alarms some of us. The Church can provide all the means available in this world for encouraging intimacy with God, but the Church can't make it happen. The ingredients necessary for that are two: the Holy Spirit and an open welcome within the believer's heart. In the words of St. Basil the Great: "Through the Spirit we become intimate with God."
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| Sunday, 12-Oct-2008 09:40 |
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Only 4 people turned up for Gotong Royong today
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The Gotong Royong today draws only 4 people.Sad
Started from 8.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Where have all the Flowers (Young men) gone?
a beautiful song we used to sing in the 60 & 70s,
come sing with us next time. 
I leave you with this video, where is the spirit of St. Mary since Fr. Tobias Chi left Sandakan.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
words and music by Pete Seeger
performed by Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
©1961 (Renewed) Fall River Music Inc
All Rights Reserved.
[code][youtube]![]() [youtube]
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| Sunday, 28-Sep-2008 16:19 |
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26 Sunday 2nd Reading
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Philippians 2:1-11
.....he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross
But God raised him High
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings
in the heavens, on the earth and in the underworld
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.
Such is the greatness of God rightly proclaimed by Saint Paul. This is the
reading that is proclaimed by people leading praise and worship over and
over again in praising the Mightiness of God the Father
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