By Sibu SOCCOM
SIBU — On 1 January 2025, Wednesday 2.00 pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, on the auspicious day of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Bishop Joseph Hii of the Diocese of Sibu launched the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”.
In his opening remark, he echoed Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Peace, “forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace”, reminding his people to recognise that we are “forgiven debtors”. We are pilgrims of hope “rediscovering the path of hope and peace in Jesus Christ”.
In his homily, Bishop Joseph Hii reminded the people of God that all graces have been given in Jesus Christ.
Jubilee Year serves as a reminder for pilgrims to rediscover the treasure of all that God has given to humanity through His Church. “Do not be obstacles to others to receive this grace.” He challenged his people, “be a channel so that others may receive the mercy of God through you, for we are forgiven debtors ourselves!”
Three pilgrimage centres have been designated in the Diocese of Sibu namely Sacred Heart Chapel, Bawan (1899), St Anthony’s Heritage Centre, Sarikei (1940) and St Teresa’s Oratory, Sibu (1960).
With him to celebrate the launch of this Jubilee Year of Hope were Vicar General Fr Michael Lee, Chancellor Fr Alphonsus Tang, Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Fr Philip Hu, Rector of St Mary of Divine Mercy, Fr Paul Chee, Rector of Sts Peter and Paul, Mukah, Fr Joseph Sebastian, Rector of Church the Christ the King, Fr Simon Lau, Assistant Rector of St Francis Xavier, Kanowit, Fr Ravi Pulagam, Assistant Rector of St Anthony, Sarikei, Fr Fabian Kong, Assistant Rector of St Peter’s College Seminary, Fr Paul Ling, Assistant Rector of St Bernard’s Church, Dalat, Fr Johanez Ling, Assistant Rector of St Teresa, Fr David Lau, Assistant Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Fr Raphael and Rector of St Francis Xavier, Kanowit, Fr George Odero Omuto, and Fr Olivier Lomboto.
In conjunction with the launch, as the President of Regional Episcopal Commissions for Creation Justice, he also launched its ninth year out of a decade of Creation Justice with the new theme, “Year of Sister Mother Earth and Holy Orders: Stewardship of All Creation (Culture of Care)”.
In his pastoral letter, he reminded all that we cannot “remain indifferent to the negative impacts resulting from our selfish lifestyles/wastefulness especially towards the poor and marginalised, as ‘God shows Himself to be the one who hears the cry of the poor, sees the misery of His people, and cares for those who are least and for the oppressed (Exodus 3:7; 22:20-26).’”
“Only by contributing to the restoration of God’s justice on this earth and not closing our ears to the cry of the poor can we advance towards the goal of peace and the dawn of a new and better world.”
He further emphasised that “We cannot exist without other Creation for we are all interconnected and interdependent on each other, from the very air that we breathe, water and all living beings, the smallest star in the galaxy to the smallest microorganism in the soil.”
Representatives from various parishes of the Diocese of Sibu were present to receive the promotional banners and books for the diocese-wide campaign to spread awareness of the Jubilee Year of Hope and “Year of Sister Mother Earth and Holy Orders: Stewardship of All Creation (Culture of Care)”.
He also gave thanks to all his sons in the Presbyterium to continue to serve humbly toward the people of God. He expounded that “true greatness is found in humbly serving others.” As scripture says, “to be great is to be servant of all” (Mk 10:43-44, Mt 20:26).
“We must learn to put the needs of others before our own, and becoming a loving neighbour to everyone including the whole of Creation. Our every word and gesture of mercy becomes a reflection of God’s love for them.”
The event saw rector Fr Philip Hu leading the leaders of Sacred Heart Cathedral, who made pledges to make Sacred Heart Cathedral an ecological parish.
