“Year of Soil and Reconciliation – Interconnectedness with All Creation” launched in Sibu

By Sibu Soccom

SIBU — The Bishop of Sibu, Right Reverend Bishop Joseph Hii launched the “Year of Soil and Reconciliation – Interconnectedness with All Creation” in light of the “Joy of the Gospel” (Evangeli Gaudium) on 2 January 2023 during the Launching Mass which was held at 4:00pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu.

Celebrating with Bishop Joseph Hii during the Mass were Chancellor Rev Fr Alphonsus Tang, Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Rector Fr Philip Hu, St Mary of Divine Mercy’s Church’s Rector Fr Paul Chee, SHC Assistant Parish Priest Fr Cruzito Manding and Fr Oniz Kihokolho. In attendance were various Parishes’ representatives from the Diocese of Sibu and the people of God.

The Diocese of Sibu has journeyed in Synodality and persevered into its 7th Year of the decade of Creation Justice, which began its journey in year 2017 with the theme Creation Justice – Evangelization in Union with Creation.

This was followed by The Joy of Love – Let’s begin from home in 2018. Followed by Freedom – Rejoice and be glad: Call to Holiness in 2019. Then, Water and Baptism – Gift to all Creation in 2020, Air and Confirmation – Breath of Life in all Creation in 2021 and Food and Eucharist in 2022.

In his homily, Bishop Hii urged the people of God to bring Peace to the world. To do this we need to be at peace with ourselves, at peace with creation and at peace with God.

The launching Mass was followed by “Walk for Peace” in conjunction with the World Day of Peace.

A letter from His Lordship Bishop Joseph Hii and prayer cards in 4 different languages were given to the parishioners that came from the Diocese of Sibu.