Our Lady Comfort of the Afflicted celebrates her 1st Anniversary

The Legion of Mary, Our Lady Comfort of the Afflicted praesidium, St. Ann’s Parish, celebrated its 1st anniversary on 30 November 2008. In his welcoming speech, Br. President, Br. Johnny Lim explained that the praesidium’s first meeting was on 10 February 2007 at his house with 10 members. It has now grown to 27 active members and 16 auxiliary members.
Br. President thanked the tribunes, Br. Vincent Sayang and Br. Henry Garan for their guidance and support throughout its first year of existence. He also thanked the Rector of St Ann Parish for his continuous support and also for providing a place where the praesidium conducts its weekly meetings.
Fr. Gerard Victor OFM, Rector of St. Ann’s Parish and also Spiritual Director of the praesidium commended the members on their commitment and constant effort in bringing the word and the love of God to those who are in need. He also encouraged the members to continue to play an active role in the various ministries in the church.

St Ann Parish awarded First Prize for Natural Beauty and Environment Competition 2008

In line with the 2008 Natural Beauty and Environment Competition organized by the Padawan City Council, St Ann Parish emerged as Champion for the Church category. Fr Gerard together with Mr. Robert Josem (Parish Council chairman) and some parishioners went to SMK Padawan on 23 October 2008 to collect the prize money, Certificate and trophy.

This award reflects a true commitment and dedication by the parishoners involved in the gotong-royong and Mr. Simon Junal (Parish Gardener & Landscape) to make St Ann a place of worship and welcome for the parishioners and others visiting the parish.

Animal Blessing

In line with the Franciscan tradition of Animal Blessing, a paraliturgy was organized on 5th October 2008 at St Ann Baruk. A number of parishioners came to partake in the ceremony and are slowly becoming familiar with regard to the “giftedness” of animals in their lives.

Confirmation Mass at St Ann Baruk

Archbishop John Ha presided at the Confirmation Mass on 21 September 2008 at 9 am. A total of 318 candidates were confirmed and Bishop Ha was assisted by the two parish friars.

St Ann Feast Day 2008

The parish of St Ann celebrated her Ruby anniversary on 27 July 2008. Archbishop John Ha presided at the Eucharist together with the friars of the Custody Council of Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei. The highlights of the celebration were the launch of the Gift coupon in aid of the new St Ann Complex, the “Longest Hand Print Banner” project and the visit of 50 parishioners, mostly from St Mary of the Angels.

What was unique for this year’s celebration was the twin-celebrations of the Ruby Anniversary of St Ann (Diocese) and the 50th Anniversary of the Franciscan Presence in Singapore. The visitors from Singapore joined in the festive celebrations and were truly touched by the encounter with the local people.

Corpus Christi cum Pre-Gawai Mass at Upper Padawan Area

About 500 parishoners from various kampungs of St Michael Sub-Parish, Teng Bukap turned up for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi cum Pre-Gawai mass on 25th May 2008 at the community hall. The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Friar Gerard Victor OFM.

The highlight of the celebration included traditional dances accompanied by gong instruments and lively hymns sung by the choir from Kampung Sira. There was a short procession to the nearby “Gua Baju”, followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This event continues to remind the people of God’s love, presence and providence for his people on their faith journey

HISTORICAL MOMENT FOR COMMUNITY AT KG SAMPUN KELILI

The community at Kampung Sampun Kelili, Samarahan witnessed the Rite of Welcome ceremony on 19 April 2008. This was a historical and proud moment for the community where 26 catechumens participated in the Rite.

Even though the ceremony was celebrated in a simple manner but this event marks the progress and growth within the community. Prior to the Rite of Welcome, there were a lot of ground preparations done to ensure that the candidates were ready for the event.

After the Eucharist, there was a meal fellowship, prepared by the community, where there was opportunity to mingle with the members in the community so as to get to know them better and also support them in their faith journey.

FRANCISCAN CROWN AT TAMAN GREENWOOD

During the month of the Rosary in May, a decision was made by the Rector to recite the Franciscan crown at the different Tamans, under St Ann Parish. This was to build a closer rapport with the parishoners in the various Tamans at the grass root level.

The Rosary month kicked off with Taman Greenwood. The parishoners organised the prayers among themselves and took turns to lead the Rosary. There was a meal fellowship after the Rosary and then we had a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Mother's Day.

This was the first time where the Rosary devotion was held at the level of Taman and a good number of parishoners turned up for the event.

CELEBRATION OF MOTHER'S DAY

The Children Liturgy group of St. Ann celebrated Mother's Day in a simple yet visible manner. Led by Teresa Jita and her team, they started their project of wrapping single stalk Carnation flowers on Wednesday evening and worked through to Saturday afternoon.

Immediately after the 9.30 morning mass, the children gathered at strategic points to distribute the flowers to the mothers present. It was certainly a small effort to show their appreciation of all mothers who continue to play an important role in the life of the family.

ARMED FORCES MASS AT ST ANN

On 18 April 2008, 626 personnel from the Region Two Military Headquarters attended a Eucharistic celebration, celebrated by Fr Gerard Victor at St Ann Baruk (Kota Padawan), in line with their 75th Anniversary celebration.

This celebration is aimed at fostering close relationship among the personnel - who come from the various Christian denominations - in Kuching. According to Lt Col Selvaraj, he mentioned that this event was also to strengthen their faith in God so that they can discharge their duties better. There are also plans to hold special prayer services in other churches like Bau, Lundu and Serian.

After the Mass, there was a reception on the church's grounds, for the service men and women to mingle with one another.

SUNSET MASS/MANDARIN MASS

The timing of the Sunset Mass at St Ann has been changed from 7.30 pm to 6.30 pm with effect from 29 March 2008. A survey was done much earlier to find the response from the grass root level and the parishoners were happy to bring forward the timing of the Sunset mass to 6.30 pm.

Because of the availability of 2-Mandarin speaking priests on the parish, a decision was made in January 2008 to have the Mandarin mass so as to serve the Chinese community in Kota Padawan area. Both Fr Moses Yap and Joseph Lee take turns to help out with the Mandarin mass on Sundays at 5.30pm.

On 17th February 2007, the Ladies Guild of St Ann conducted the traditional Way of the Crosss, up Mt Sentah. The group gathered at the foot of the mountain, in the morning, and then made regular stops along the way.

It was a wonderful experience where the Ladies Guild from different kampungs took turn to lead the prayer and also carry a 5-foot wooden cross.

After reaching at the top of the mountain, the group rested awhile before celebrating the Eucharist. As usual, there was fellowship after the Mass and many felt good about the experience and hoped that there are more planned in the coming months.

VISIT TO HOLY SPIRIT, SUB-PARISH LUNDU

Some members of the St Ann’s Liturgical committee paid a fraternal visit to the Sub-parish in Lundu on 26 December 2007. The visit began in the morning where the members, together with their families, drove down in a convoy to Lundu.

They were welcomed by the committee members of the Holy Spirit Sub-parish of Lundu and had a short tea-break, where friendship was again renewed with each other. The group from the Sub-parish had earlier visited the Liturgical Committee members of St Ann Parish.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Friar Gerard, followed by a sumptuous lunch cooked by the Ladies Guild of the Sub-parish. It was an enjoyable affair and there were plans to arrange for more fraternal visits in the near future to other parishes.

Children Christmas Party at Teng Bukap

There was a pre-Christmas mass celebrated by Friar Gerard at Teng Bukap on 23rd Dec 2007 at 9.00am, followed by the eagerly waited Children Christmas Party. There were about 200 children present for the event.

Ms Maslinda together with other youths from Kampong Sira, organized the party for children. The children certainly enjoyed themselves with action songs, Christmas drama and games. The event ended with the giving of Christmas presents to the children by 2 youths dressed up like Santa Claus.

Life as Catechist

Working in the Lord’s Vineyard

Going to kampungs regularly to meet with people from all walks of life - young, old, rich or poor alike. People are eagerly waiting to see us and welcome us to their kampungs and homes. Sharing our faith and listening to them are the joys of being a catechist, though we also encounter challenges at times.

Meeting people from young to old is always full of joy and peace because our goal is to bring people closer to God and to help them experience God more deeply and intimately in their life.

New Team at St Ann Parish

Handing and taking over of Rector at St Ann.

The new parish team was installed by Archbishop John Ha at St Ann Baruk on 6 December 2007, that consist of Friar Gerard Victor as Rector and Friar Joseph Lee and Moses Yap as Assistants. There was a Welcome-Farewell event later in the evening. The parish welcomed friar Joseph Lee, who returned from his studies in Taiwan, and bid farewell to friar Joseph Goh, who will be going for his further studies in the United States.

In conjunction with the event there was also the launching of the Iban VCD by Jennario and Jenny Tan from Golden Pearl, in aid of the new St Ann Complex. We began the ceremony with the striking of the gong by Friar Gerard Victor followed by singing of songs from the VCD album. The huge crowd that came to witness the event certainly enjoyed the event with the occassional dancing and music.