Make Bible reading part of daily life, Catholics urged

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Anthony (second left) addressing Catholics before the blessing of the St Christopher Bookshop.

MIRI: Catholics should make Bible reading a part of their daily lives to enrich their spiritual life and as a guide in their daily pursuits.

In saying this, Miri Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese Rt Rev Anthony Lee Kok Hin added at the same time, they should also strive to enlighten others who have yet to know God.

“Today, we are giving free 1,000 copies of Al Kitab (Bible) to all those present here. I urge you not only to read it daily … but to also share the good news in the Bible with your friends and also those who have yet to know our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said when officiating at the opening of St Christopher Bookshop at MyyMall in Lutong yesterday.

Among those present was Father Andy Lee.

On the bookshop, the first ever in a shopping complex operated by the diocese, Anthony said it was named after the former St Christopher Church, located within the shopping mall complex area.

“We thanked MyyMall’s owner for agreeing to give us two lots in this complex for our bookshop, in lieu of the small piece of land we have here before. I hoped Catholics here will support it,” he said.

St Christopher Church was demolished and moved in 2000 to the current new and spacious Mater Dei Lutong Church.

The bookshop is located on the third floor of the shopping mall and it opens daily from 11am to 9pm.

Meanwhile, Albert Bangau who came with his family to the opening of the bookshop, said the opening is very timely.

“This bookshop is very timely to enable us to buy religious books and materials to enhance our spiritual development.

“With in depth knowledge on religion, we can get closer to God and this will help make us a better person and consequently create a better society and nation.

“We don’t want the people particularly the younger generation to keep blaming the government for the bad things that happen in the society,” Albert who is the senior assistant headmaster of SK Senadin added.

The opening of the bookshop is another milestone for Catholics in Miri diocese, as Anthony would be retiring after 36 years of service.

Taking over from him will be Rev Father Richard Ng and the Mass for the Episcopal Ordination will be held at 9am at the Miri Indoor Stadium on Jan 25.

Some seven archbishops and several bishops, priests, deacons, heads of several protestant denominations, politicians and about 6000 Catholics from all over the country, Singapore and Brunei are expected to attend the ordination.