SUNDAY JOYFUL SECONDARY SCHOOL

Sunday Joyful Secondary school runs every Sunday from 11.30 am to 12.30 noon. In 2007, we have classes from Form I to Form V and above, a total of 275 students and 17 facilitators.

From Form I to Form III there are syllabus to follow. Form III classes would be for those who are preparing for Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Form IV and V are follow up classes and would mostly be based on life experiences.

In Form V itself, the class is opened not only for Form V students but those who are in Form VI or waiting for their Form V results. We have students who came back for visits and so this class has formed an alumnae club.

All classes are encouraged to organize community or outreach programs.

Example in Form V, during previous years, they have organized Recycle projects, Cleaning of cars and a Bazaar. The money collected would be used for their various community projects such visiting of Holy Family in Papar, visiting other parishes example to Kudat Parish, Tuaran St. John Parish, Papar Parish and interact with youths, outreach program like to Kg. Dalamas Paitan, visit to St. Domaino. We initiated Lent visits to Cancer ward and Montfort training school as well. We also have fellowships once in every 3-4 months example like Christmas gifts exchange party, pot luck fellowship, reciting rosary at student’s home and Chinese New Year gathering. We organized  talks  like “Sex and Relationship” by Rev. Father Fundes, “All about Lent and Easter” by Gregory Juin and other talks related to youths’ needs. All these activities have been geared towards preparing them to face the outside world and at the same time to help them experience the Word of God by doing. These activities would also help to create a stronger bondage among one another in the class, and the students to know that they always have a friend in the parish to talk and rely on !

The Joyful Sunday School does not only impart religious knowledge but to help the students to understand why it is important for them to celebrate Mass, and what it meant to be a Catholic.

R.C.I.A = Christian Initiation of Adults
 

Historical Background  
At the urging and encouragement of our late Fr. Thomas Sham, the R.C.I.A  programme was implemented in Stella Maris Church  on January 1990.

It was spear-headed by Brother Datuk   Charles Oleary, fsc with the early pioneers being Sr. Germaine, Datuk James Sabinus, Mr. Raymond Tan, Mr. Jeremy Ting, Mr. Raymond Kunjan and Mrs. Mary Baxter.

The Co-ordinators  since the implementation of the R.C.I.A were / is as follows :-

1990 -   mid 2001           Brother Datuk  Charles Oleary, fsc
Mid 2001 -   mid 2005     Brother Edward Rayappan, sg.
Since mid  2005              Mr. Gregory Juin

Objective
To form non-baptized adults, non-confirmed  Catholics and Catholics seeking to deepen their faith  towards developing strong Catholic values.

Target group
Individuals as stated above who are > 16 years old encompassing families, men,   women and youth.

Since 1990 to year 2002, a total of 197 inquirers were  baptized during the Easter Vigil. The  updated records of neophytes baptized and confirmed during the Easter Vigil after year 2001/2002 intake  is as follows :-

Facilitators

Currently, the sessions are facilitated by 11 facilitators :-

• BahasaMalaysia session :  Mr. Gregory Juin, Brother Herbertus Gampok fsc, Mr. Martin Idang, Ms. Clare Ewan and Ms. Chuneilah Baidin

• English session :  Mr. Patrick Molie, Mr. Jeremy Ting, Mr. Augustine Wong, Mr. Robin Lomangkok, Mdm. Juvita Stevenson and Ms. Paulyne Imbayan

Programme
The R.C.I.A programme runs over a 15 month  period  whereby the inquirers undergo the initiation, journey  and deepening period.

During the said periods, the inquirers are inculcated with the Catholic doctrines and values, knowledge on how to use the bible, understanding and  “ living  out ”  the word of God.

Good Catholic values such as  respect for the gift of life,  love, care and  mutual respect for family members and the community, etc.  are strongly emphasized.

After receiving the sacraments, the neophytes are introduced to the various  parish ministries and are encouraged to participate actively to  build up the parish family and Catholic community.

Commencement of  the Annual Intake  :  one (1) week after Easter Sunday

Time    :  7 p.m. - 9.00 p.m on every Thursday

Venue :   St. Luke’s & St. Mark’s Conference Room, St. Thomas Catechetical Centre, Stella Maris Church

Who to contact :   Mr. Gregory Juin   ( H/P no: 013-8681166 )
Mr. Patrick Molie   ( H/P no: 013-8641995 )
Mdm. Juvita Stevenson ( H/P no: 016-8312398 )

Special Ministry for Wedding and funeral

The Special ministry was formed in 1999, which sang for Weddings, funerals and other liturgical functions where the main choir could not be present. From the formation, we hope to minister the love and touch of God and leading the congregation to worship, pray and encounter God better in the mass through songs and music.

Contact person:
Neil Mah - Choir Master (013-8798415),
Kay Amstrong - Coordinator (012-8205563,
Rose Jikunan - Asst. coordinator (013-8511735)