Novena Church reopens after three years

Nov 02, 2017

By Christopher Khoo
Novena Church aims to be a shrine and a home where “all can find peace and prayer, hope and healing, life and love.”

So said rector Fr Peter Wee at the church’s first Saturday novena devotion on Sept 29. The church reopened the previous day after a major overhaul which cost $54 million (RM167.26 million) and lasted three years.

The seating capacity has now almost doubled, from 800 to 1,500, said Fr Simon Tan, the priest in charge of the project. There is also more standing room after a carpark was converted to a plaza.

A three-storey building housing a 200-seat auditorium and multi-purpose hall has also been constructed to replace a previous building that was termite-infested.

Before the upgrading, the church drew about 15,000 visitors across its 10 Saturday services, with hundreds spilling outside.

Novena Church as a shrine is open to all, including non-Christians, to find “refuge” and to experience the gift of Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help, Fr Wee said during the 8.00am Novena service.

It also aims to be a “home”, he said. “Precisely, we want everyone here in Singapore and elsewhere in the region, when they come, to be at home.”

The previous evening, thousands descended upon the church to attend its first Mass, celebrating the Feast of the Archangels.

“To hear the church bells after three years is awesome,” said Redemptorist Fr Patrick Massang, in his opening address.

Fr Wee, in his homily, welcomed the congregation.

“Welcome … to the new house of God. May our Blessed Mother and St Alphonsus be our constant companions, assisting everyone of us into the fullness of God,” he said. --Catholic News/Agencies