Our Lady of Lourdes Church starts countdown to its 90th anniversary

Recently, Fr Frederick Joseph, the Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) launched the parish’s 90th anniversary (1928 - 2018) in a ceremony in front of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Some 1,600 parishioners witnessed the event. Also present were Fr Kenneth Gopal OCD, Fr Joseph Nguyen, Deacon AP Thomas and Deacon Vincent Thomas.

Mar 18, 2017

By Bernard Anthony
Recently, Fr Frederick Joseph, the Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) launched the parish’s 90th anniversary (1928 - 2018) in a ceremony in front of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Some 1,600 parishioners witnessed the event. Also present were Fr Kenneth Gopal OCD, Fr Joseph Nguyen, Deacon AP Thomas and Deacon Vincent Thomas.

Fr Frederick, together with Deacon AP Thomas and three senior parishioners, cut the ribbon to release the balloons with a huge banner showing the Blessed Virgin Mary’s first apparition to St Bernadette Soubirous on Feb 11, 1858, in Lourdes, France.

In his speech, Fr Frederick expressed his gratitude to those who had gathered for the launch. He highlighted that the parish today has a diversity of nationalities. Beginning with a parish of under 100 faithful in 1928, today the parishioners total 6,000. Fr Frederick said the parish welcomes all of them — brothers and sisters from Myanmar, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and even as far as the African continent. There are also Catholics from Sabah and Sarawak, aside from the local parishioners.

“This clearly speaks of the diversity and the coming together as one to praise and worship God. Also, Mother Mary, the patron of this parish, has been instrumental in encouraging us on this journey,” added Fr Frederick.

He said that many had contributed immensely towards the growth of this parish, with their children and even grand children following in their footsteps. This is what family and good parenting are all about and it is the very foundation of our Church.

Fr Frederick ended by exhorting the parishioners to continue on this journey of building and growing together as we let Mother Mary guide and lead us on this journey of faith.

After the launch, 60 senior parishioners (aged 75 years and above) each received a special souvenir from Fr Frederick, as a token of appreciation in recognition of their long service and dedication to the parish.

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