Chapel of St James celebrates 100th anniversary
The Chapel of St James marked its 100th anniversary on October 19 with a grand opening Mass that drew around 700 parishioners and guests from near and far. The celebration included the blessing of its recently renovated building.
Nov 01, 2024
MERLIMAU, Melaka: The Chapel of St James marked its 100th anniversary on October 19 with a grand opening Mass that drew around 700 parishioners and guests from near and far. The celebration included the blessing of its recently renovated building.
Bishop Bernard Paul served as the main celebrant during the ceremony. He was joined by current chapel administrator, Fr M. Alexuchelvam, former administrator Fr M. Devadasan, and other clergy members, including Fr Michael Goh SJ from Melaka, Fr Jason Wong from Muar, and Fr James Rajendran from Skudai.
The blessing ceremony commenced at 7.00pm at the chapel’s main entrance, where Bishop Bernard led the prayers. Fr Deva had the honour of ringing the chapel’s bell, followed by the sprinkling of holy water to bless both the chapel and the congregation. Sacristan James Saverimuthu then unlocked the main door, allowing the faithful and clergy to enter for the Centennial and Confirmation Mass of seven young individuals. Tents were set up in the chapel’s grounds to accommodate the large crowd.
In his homily, Bishop Bernard emphasised that the blessing of the renovated chapel represents not just a physical transformation but also a spiritual one, inviting God’s presence among the congregation. He reflected on the chapel’s origins, noting that it began in a home before its establishment in 1924 and has undergone several renovations over the years.
“Now that the Chapel is 100 years old, its future depends on you,” Bishop Bernard remarked. “Without the love of God and the Word of God, the Church cannot thrive.”
He underscored the importance of caring for the poor and living out one’s faith through good works, warning that without such actions, the heart can wither, even if the body remains intact. He called on the congregation to follow Jesus, carry their crosses, and avoid seeking positions or titles.
After Mass, Clement Paul, the Tamil Group Coordinator, welcomed attendees and invited everyone to a dinner fellowship. Fr Deva expressed gratitude to Bishop Bernard for presiding over the celebration, as well as to the priests and parishioners for their presence. He reflected on the significance of the centennial celebration of St James’ Chapel, urging everyone to create lasting memories while honouring their rich history and looking forward to their faith journey ahead, encapsulated by the celebration's theme, “All Praises to God.”
Fr Deva also acknowledged the organising committee for their efforts in making the event meaningful and prayerful. He expressed gratitude to Bishop Bernard for facilitating the completion of the renovation and thanked all parishioners for their support in various forms.
Currently, the Catholic community in Merlimau consists of 120 Tamil-speaking families and 30 Mandarin-speaking families. Fr Deva, who served as the chapel’s administrator from February 2019 to July 2024, played a key role in unifying parishioners and encouraging lapsed Catholics to return to worship post-COVID-19. He oversaw improvements to the chapel's amenities, including the renovation of the parochial hall and canteen area in 2013.
The latest renovation of the chapel building, which began in June 2024, cost RM194,000, with parishioners contributing RM150,000. The chapel now features a new roof, ceiling, fans, lighting, doors, windows, tiled flooring, and fresh paint. Notably, two parishioners donated a new tabernacle from India and a statue of St James the Great, which was blessed by Bishop Bernard.
Fr Deva acknowledged the efforts of past priests who served the community over the last century, particularly highlighting the arrival of Tamil-speaking families from the estates in 1978, which fostered a sense of unity among worshippers.
Following the celebration, attendees gathered in the chapel grounds for dinner, sponsored by the chapel, where commemorative fridge magnets were distributed. A photo area featuring decorations and the theme “100” was set up for guests to capture memories of the occasion.
Looking ahead, a subscription dinner for the 100th Anniversary of the Chapel of St James is scheduled for December 7, at SJK(C) Merlimau Hall, where a centennial magazine will also be distributed
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