St John Britto’s Church celebrates a joyous Golden Jubilee

Feb 28, 2019

By Aaron Lim
The Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Church of St John Britto (City Parish) from January 31 to February 4, was commemorated with much joy and thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness for these past 50 years.

Themed Baptised and Sent… Our Mission Continues, the triduum held from January 31 to February 2, culminated with the Golden Jubilee celebrations on February 3 and a thanksgiving Mass on the actual feastday of St John Britto on February 4.

The feastday programme kickstarted on January 31, the first day of the triduum, with a flag raising by main preacher Fr Kulanthai Selvan, who is a Claretian missionary from India.

Msgr Aloysius Tan welcomed and introduced Fr Kulanthai to the community. He is currently based in Sarawak ministering to the Bidayuh community.

A tree planting ceremony was held thereafter by parish pastors Msgr Tan and Fr Maiccal Sinnappan to mark the church’s 50th anniversary.

The youths animated Mass and received special blessings. Fr Kulanthai reminded the congregation to “remain united in Christ in all that they do.”

The second day of triduum on February 1 focused on the sick and suffering, wth Fr Kulanthai and Fr Maiccal ministering a special anointing.

“Draw strength from Christ, and He will give you the strength to bear the cross as you face life’s challenges,” said Fr Kulanthai in his homily.

Family and BECs were the highlight for the third day of the triduum, February 2, which also coincided with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

The blessing of candles was held at the shrine of St John Britto outside the church.

Fr Kulanthai preached on the phrase “new life.”

“After you bear the cross, you will have new life, and this new life will empower you to share this message of new life to others,” he said, urging the people to continue the work of building God’s Kingdom in the Church.

The Jubilee celebrations on February 3 saw a large crowd of parishioners. It began with a special kolattam performance by the youths.

Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Penang, Rt. Rev Datuk Sebastian Francis, with Msgr Tan, Fr Maiccal, Fr Kulanthai, Fr Arul Mariadass OFM Cap, Fr Joachim Robert and Fr Francis Anthony concelebrating.

In his homily, Bishop Sebastian paid tribute to the late Msgr I.J. Aloysius who was instrumental in establishing the church in 1969, the late Fr Arsene Rigottier as its first parish priest, and Fr Dominic Santhiyagu who renovated the church and saw its rededication in 2014.

“The story began in Portugal, when a brave young man named John de Britto set out for his mission in India. He died a martyr. Today his legacy lives on in this church of which he is the patron saint,” he said, while telling the story of St John Britto.

Bishop Sebastian also encouraged all present to be missionaries especially in the Extraordinary Missionary Year, by emulating the example of St John Britto in sharing the Good News with others.

Speeches were delivered by organising chairman John Dass and Msgr Tan. Both of them thanked the parishioners for working tirelessly to ensure a meaningful celebration for all.

Each parishioner was given a commemorative souvenir and treated to a sumptuous dinner after Mass.

The celebrations concluded on February 4, the actual feast day with a thanksgiving Mass and a flag lowering ceremony by Fr Maiccal.