St. Ann's Parish gearing up for 42nd Feastday

The parish of St. Ann will celebrate its 42nd anniversary on 25th July, 2010, the feastday of Saint Ann . The organising committee which had met twice will meet again on 23rd May to prepare for the biggest annual event in the parish.

This year the celebration will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the parish under the stewardship of Franciscan Friars (OFM).

The celebration will attract the parishioners from more than 50 mission stations coming down to worship at the Baruk, the praying hall at St. Ann. The huge crowd will fill up the Baruk and the compound well before the Mass begins at 9.00 AM. Because of limited space only about 2,500 chairs could be accommodated. Many of the worshippers will have to stand throughout the duration of the Mass. Based on past record we anticipate between 4,000 to 5,000 people.


At St. Lukas' Apostolic Centre, the parish sale will be held for two days, from 24th July starting at 2.00PM till 11.00 PM and on 25th July from 8.00 AM to 2.00PM. Here more than 80 stalls will become the attraction for the parishioners and visitors.


The variety of items available for sale is enormous and there will be something for everyone. Have your choice from an array of fruits and vegetables, local rice, handicrafts, processed and cooked food and drinks.


St. Lukas is such a perfect venue because of its proximity to St. Ann and vast compound and excellent facilities.

The celebration will culminate on 28th August with fellowship dinner at Siburan Multi-purpose Hall. The dinner will bring 1500 parishioners to have a fun filled evening.

We invite you to make a date with us at the three functions while supporting our fund-raising effort. You can support us directly by operating a stall, buying sale coupons and dinner tickets. But most important, be part of the congregation celebrating the thanksgiving Mass at St Ann' Baruk.




Some of the committee members enjoying dinner before the meeting.

A working visit to Holy Spirit Parish, Lundu

Members of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Board, mostly from Kuching, made a 90 km journey to Lundu Saturday morning, 28th February 2009 for the board meeting.

Mr. Joseph Godeng and I started the journey at 7.30 from my home at 3rd Mile and had a quick breakfast at the Red Dragon Café at Kampung Sebuluh, a favorite stop among travelers.

Archbishop John Ha was full of praise for the Rector, Reverend Fr. John Chong and the Parish Council for their hospitality and generosity in hosting the meeting.
Earlier in his welcoming address, Reverend Fr. John Chong informed that Holy Spirit parish, instituted in August 2008, has a population of 5,000 to 7,000 Catholics.





At the meeting, Reverend Fr. Simon Poh, Chairman of the Commission for Mission & Evangelisation informed that the Commission, in its effort to promote stewardship, has printed 1000 Eco-friendly bags for sale.



The Eco friendly bags can be used for shopping for grocery or files. Each bag aims to promote ecological consciousness by reducing the use of plastic bags and promote recycling. The bag has a distinctive Christian design that allows each Catholic user to witness to God the Creator Father who makes this beautiful world.

The bag is sold at RM 8.00 only. Get one for yourself this coming Sunday at your respective parish. (Pictures courtesy of Friar Joseph Lee OFM, St. Ann)

For more information please link to Christian Ecology.

A hectic Sunday that was

Yesterday, Sindo Minda and I went to the Holy Trinity Church at Kenyalang Park to attend the 7.30AM Mass. It was not my usual parish and I made the rare appearance there because of two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to meet my close friend, Mr. Albert Kon, a member of the Choir group, to pass him a bundle of the Gift Coupons for sale. He was gracious to accept 100 pieces. For the uninitiated, the Gift Coupon is a fund-raising project for St Ann's Church Building Fund. Secondly, by attending the 7.30AM Mass I would have enough time for breakfast before attending the Catholic Welfare Services (CWS) meeting at 10.00AM. The meeting was brief and it took only about an hour and a half compared to the usual two hours. In the evening, at 7.00PM, I chaired the first meeting of St Ann's Feast Day Committee 2009 meeting at St Ann's Parish. But this would be another story.

I would like to share the two issues discussed at the CWS meeting- (1) The Lenten Appeal and (2) Friends of HOPE

The Lenten Appeal
The Lenten Appeal is the fund-raising project organised by the CWS during the season of Lent in aid of the poor. Catholics are familiar with this because all the parishes are involved in this noble exercise. In the Archdiocese of Kuching, His Grace Archbishop John Ha explicitly made the appeal to everyone to share their blessings with the poor and the needy in our midst.

When you attend mass/service in the weeks to come please spare a few minutes of your time to get the Lenten Appeal Envelope and give freely all you can. The Lord tells us, “Whatever you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40).

Donations made to CWS are tax exempted.

Friends of HOPE
If you have read Today’s Catholic February 2009 Issue, you would have noted that the Home of Peace (HOPE), a caring and safe home for the elderly poor, situated along Landeh Road, Kota Padawan, was ready for occupancy. While CWS is glad that HOPE is now ready for its first batch of residents, it is also concern about the stream of donations for the maintenance and upkeep. To ensure that money is the least of its concern, CWS Council members are working hard to approach benefactors to register as Friends of HOPE. Become one of the Friends of HOPE by pledging RM500.00 per year. Please make it an effort for at least one year.

CWS may be contacted by phone and Fax, 082-241407. The Office is at
The Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre,
1st Floor, Lot 2500, Block 10, Jalan Stampin, KCLD
93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
P.O.Box 483, 93710 Kuching