Parit Buntar parish has a new hall

Dec 26, 2014

By John Pritto Rayapan
The Parit Buntar Catholic Hall was officially opened by Bishop Sebastian Francis in a short ceremony on Dec 13.

Before the ceremony, Bishop Sebastian celebrated the sunset Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Good Health. During the celebration, he stressed on how to bring about evangelization into community. Every one of us is sent forth into the world to witness and proclaim the good news. We are called to evangelize the world and put an end to terrorism, corruption and injustice, thus bringing good news of hope, peace, love and joy into every heart. The Pope, bishops, clergy, laity and all are called to work together under one Holy Spirit to evangelize and spread God’s word in the world. Bishop Emeritus Anthony Selvanayagam, parish administrator Fr Michael Thoo and Fr Arulnathan Joseph concelebrated.

In his speech, Bishop Sebastian thanked the building and finance committies from the Diocese of Penang, the local government, the local political parties, the parishioners, the previous parish priests who have served and contributed their services, consultants, contractors, local and foreign workers and wellwishers who have helped to complete the construction of this hall.

The hall, which cost RM2.2M, is at the former SJK (T) St Mary. It is fully furnished with a PA system and air conditioning, and consists of a major hall with badminton courts on the ground floor, VIP Room, office and a store. The first floor consists of a Conference Hall which can accommodate 80 people and a small meeting room. This hall is also equipped with an easily accessible toilet for the disabled, as well as wheelchair ramps and disabled parking lots. It will be open for booking from January 2015 onwards.

After the ceremony, a fellowship dinner was held in the hall to entertain the guests and parishioners.