Football tournament unites the young and old altar servers

Oct 07, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR (Herald Malaysia): As our nation celebrated the 53rd Malaysia Day on September 16, 2016, the Altar Servers of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, together with the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health, organised a football tournament with participants vying for St John Berchman’s Challenge Trophy. The venue chosen was the DBKL field in Kampung Pandan.

This idea was mooted by parish priest Fr Edwin Peter, to bring together all the previous altar servers who were either in college, working or married with the current servers of the parish.

He was inspired after witnessing a similar tournament held at St John Vianney Church. The main objective was to instill a spirit of togetherness and to encourage participation with a joyful attitude.

On that day, there were 80 plus present and former servers, together with their families and friends. A tent was erected with table and chairs and light refreshments which were all sponsored by generous parishioners. The game kicked off at about 9.45am after singing the Negara Ku, followed by a prayer and the participants’ Oath taking.

Though it was a day of fun and joy, there was still a spirit of competitiveness. Thanks to the chief referee, Clement Ambrose and his fellow referees for keeping all in check, and also to Alexius Slyvester who assisted in organising the players into their respective teams.

Organising chairman, Terrance John’s team got the highest points. However, it was the current server’s team, The Pandan Kek Team who won the challenge trophy. Each of its team players got to keep this trophy in his home for one week after which it will be displayed in the Parish Office. Each participant was presented with a Servers’ Participant Souvenir.

Fr Edwin thanked the altar servers’ chairperson, Maha, the sponsors and all those present for their faithful support in organising and ensuring that the event was a success. Hopefully, this tournament will be the start of something more, as the ladies/girls present at the tournament suggested a netball tournament for themselves.

In conclusion, it must be mentioned that all the servers, both current and former and their families and friends, enjoyed the games and everyone had a wonderful Malaysia Day.