Lenten beach clean-up brings together 12 parishes

Apr 12, 2025

By Melina Yeoh
One hundred and four participants from 12 parishes of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur joined a beach cleaning activity at Pantai Kelanang on March 29.

Organised by the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry, the beach cleaning is part of the Archdiocese Office of Human Development (AOHD)’s Lenten Campaign for this year as we collaborate with Klang District parishioners to be stewards of creation by keeping our beaches pristine and clear of rubbish.

More than half of the participants comprised of catechism students from various parishes including Church of St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya, Chapel of our Lady of Good Health, Assam Jawa, Kuala Selangor and Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Banting. They were joined by several catechists, youth leaders, AOHD representatives, Creation Justice Ministry coordinators from various parishes and other beach enthusiasts.

Dr Gary Liew, AOHD director, started with an opening prayer and followed with a safety briefing before participants were divided into groups for the beach cleaning. Participants were advised not to feed the monkeys and dogs and to stay with their group for safety purpose.

The group picked up rubber shoes and sandals, rags, empty glass bottles, plastic PET bottles, plastic containers and bags, and broken plastic pails among others. 161.1 kg of plastics, 15 kg of glass and 250 cigarette butts were collected in addition to general trash.

Dato Seri Ann Marianthony, Creation Justice Ministry coordinator of the Church of our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, thanked everyone for helping to clean the beaches in the Klang district and welcomes more of such initiatives in the future.

Angeline Das, catechist at Sts Peter and Paul parish said her confirmation students were happy to do their part for the environment and also log in a few hours of CSR work.

The group had lunch at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul. It was a perfect setting before they departed as they were able to appreciate the picturesque church, set amidst nature, with a flowing river in the backyard.