Church celebrates 133rd anniversary with Parish Feast

Some 600 Catholic faithful on Saturday evening gathered at the civic centre here to attend the Parish Feast to celebrate the 133rd anniversary of Holy

Oct 19, 2015

KAPIT: Some 600 Catholic faithful on Saturday evening gathered at the civic centre here to attend the Parish Feast to celebrate the 133rd anniversary of Holy Mary Immaculate Conception Church.

In thanking the organising committee for successfully organising the Parish Feast, church rector Revd Fr Mathews Olili, who presided over the celebration, said this year many activities had been carried out in the church. Among them, he said were the ‘gotong-royong’ to clear the church cemetery at Jalan Antaroh and youth

seminar, making it a fruitful year which showed that the parishioners were committed to serving the church.

“It’s pleasant and how wonderful, we all come together irrespective of race or position in society. As Christians, let us come together to share the good and bad experiences. Together we grow in the Kingdom of God. Let us ask for His grace, so that we continue to work in his unity to plant the seed of love and passion together,” he exhorted.

“Let us continue to work together to help each other in times of happiness and sorrow and to serve the Lord. Let us remember the theme of this year’s celebration. Let us ask for God’s grace so that we are more willing to work for God,” he added.

He welcomed parishioners from Kuching, represented by Kuching Divine Mercy, Kanowit who were led by Sister Audrey, Pakan, Julau, Skuau and Long Singgut who came to take part in the anniversary celebration.

Fr Mathews, who is fluent in Iban, English and Mandarin, enthralled the crowd when he spoke the three languages with ease and confidence.

“We do not only pray together as religious beings but we also live together in peace and harmony with each other and share each other’s company despite our diverse ethnic backgrounds,” he said and called on the church members to work closely with the priests to further enhance the development of the church.

Those present included assistant parish rector Fr Andrew Tan from Song, catechists Kenneth Kanyan and Edward Antas.

Meanwhile, Parish Council chairman David Chuo, who spoke earlier, thanked all the parishioners for their full support towards the church activities all this while.

“The theme of the celebration is ‘How Wonderful It Is, How Pleasant For God’s People To Live In Harmony’.

“Through this feast we’re gathering together regardless of race or social position for fellowship and companion. I call on you to deepen your spiritual growth in the Kingdom of God and we pray to God for His continued divine guidance to all faithful,” he said.

The Parish Feast, among others, was held to commemorate the 133 years of the church’s existence in Kapit.

Among the activities held during the evening were dance presentations by the various church groups (Divine Mercy, Marian Guild, wardens, Chinese Pastoral Group, Kenyah group and Sunday school), choir performance by the youth and Marian Guild, lucky draws and cutting of the Parish Feast anniversary cake. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of incentive awards to students who excelled in last year’s public examinations including those who graduated with diploma, Bachelor’s Degree or Masters.--Theborneopost.com