Ground Blessing for St Vincent de Paul’s Chapel at Kpg Chupak

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Kampung Chupak, a Bidayuh village at Mile 24, old Serian Road, famous for paddy cultivation in Kuching Division. My visit was to join the local Catholic Community for the Ground Blessing Mass and Ceremony for St Vincent de Paul’s Chapel.

The journey started at 7.30 AM from the Friary at 10th Mile and we made a short stop at Siburan Bazaar, Mile 19 where we had our breakfast. I accompanied the Rector of St. Ann’s Parish, Friar Gerard Victor, OFM and Mr. Francis Satim, the Chairman of the parish Family Life Ministry for the trip.

We arrived at the village at about 8.30AM. On hand to welcome us was Mr. Anthony Aton, the representative of the community and the person instrumental in the formation of the Catholic Community at Kampung Chupak.
Many other visitors from kampung Peraya, Kampung Sira, Kampung Simpok and other areas also came to show their support for the community at Kampung Chupak. Notable were Deacon Desmond, Catechist Emily Ayu, and Catechist Stephen Jawum.

The celebration of the Mass, the first ever for the village, was at the Village Community Hall in view of the large number of visitors. The members of the parish youth ministry from the Chapel of St Martin de Porres of Kampung Sira rendered marvelous support during the Mass with the music, commentator and readers.

In his homily, Friar Gerard Victor offered words to ponder when he said, "God gives us gifts and talents so help one another.” He expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the villages who have pledged their support in cash and kinds to help build the chapel. The villages that had pledged their support were Kampung Simpok, Kampung Peraya, Kampung Sira, Kampung Mesaan, Kampung Tijirak and Kampung Seratau. For this, he said there was reason to celebrate. He said, “Let us to-day celebrate with the community in Kampung Chupak as witnesses of Christ. It is indeed a happy day for the Archdiocese of Kuching.”

Immediately after the Mass, the congregation witnessed a simple but meaningful ceremony- the handing over of the land for the Chapel by the owner, Mr. Jirud anak Nayup to Friar Gerard Victor, the Rector of St. Ann’s Parish. Both parties signed and exchanged the agreement documents. After that, Mr. Richard Lubiam of Kampung Sira and Mr. Juni of kampong Simpok, as Chairman of their respective village handed over the donations to the representative of the new Chapel.

We made our way to the site for the proposed Chapel, about 250 meters away from the Community Hall, for the ground blessing ceremony. A slight drizzle during the blessing did not trouble us in any way and for some they came well prepared with umbrellas.

After that, we had a hearty fellowship meal before bidding good-bye.

Robert Josem