By St Ann’s Parish
KOTA PADAWAN — St Ann’s Catholic Church in Kota Padawan recently hosted a series of deeply spiritual and community-centred events in honour of St Anne. The celebration included a nine-day novena from 17–25 July 2024, followed by a three-day Triduum Mass from 23–25 July.
The grand St Anne’s Feast Day celebration began on 26 July and continued until 28 July 2024, featuring a Feast Day sale with 100 stalls. The events concluded with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Archbishop Simon Poh on 4 August 2024. This series of events highlighted the Church’s dedication to faith, tradition, and community.
Nine-Day Novena: A Spiritual Prelude
The nine-day novena served as the spiritual foundation for the entire celebration. Each evening, parishioners gathered to pray, reflect, and seek St Anne’s intercession. The novena was structured around different themes such as family, healing, faith, and perseverance, each resonating deeply with the life and virtues of St Anne.
The novena, a time-honoured Catholic tradition, symbolises perseverance and devotion. At St Ann’s Catholic Church, it was a period for the faithful to unite in prayer, seeking the intercession of St Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus. The daily Mass was celebrated following the novena prayers.
During these days, special intentions were offered for personal needs, the well-being of the community, and strength in faith. The novena provided a time for parishioners to deepen their relationship with God and prepare their hearts for the upcoming celebrations.
Triduum Mass: Deepening Devotion
Following the novena, the Triduum Mass was held over three days, starting on the seventh day of the novena, with each day bringing a unique focus and deepening the parish’s devotion.
The first Triduum Mass, held after the novena prayer and adoration, was a Youth Mass focusing on reconciliation and encouraging the faithful to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The second Triduum Mass celebrated the Eucharist with a special emphasis on Christ’s presence, accompanied by the Stations of the Cross prayer. The third Triduum Mass was celebrated after the novena and Divine Mercy prayer, followed by a procession of the St Anne statue with the recitation of the Rosary.
The statue of St Anne was carried in a grand procession, demonstrating the community’s devotion and spreading the celebratory spirit among the parishioners.
St Anne’s Feast Day: A Joyous Celebration
The highlight of the event was St Anne’s Feast Day, which began with a solemn High Mass. The church was beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere was one of reverence and joy. The homily celebrated St Anne’s virtues and her role as a model of faith, encouraging the faithful to emulate her patience, piety, and perseverance despite her old age.
After the Mass, the Church grounds transformed into a vibrant festival. Booths offering delicious food, games for children, and various activities created a carnival-like atmosphere, and competitions were held. The competitions involved different age categories, including Bible-based public speaking, Leafy Flower competition, Zumba, and a St Ann’s Got Talent competition.
All these activities enlivened the Feast Day celebration. Traditional music and dance performances showcased the community’s cultural heritage, creating a sense of joy and fellowship throughout the event.
The 100 food booths, set up by various ministries and villages, attracted a large number of parishioners eager to join in.
Thanksgiving Mass with Archbishop Simon Poh
The celebration reached its pinnacle with a Thanksgiving Mass on 4 August, presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh. His presence was a significant honour for the parish, adding a special dimension to the festivities. The Thanksgiving Mass was also a remarkable moment for the Prayer Leaders (Ketua Sembahyang) to renew their vows and for the installation of new leaders. A total of 359 prayer leaders renewed their vows during the Mass.
Archbishop Poh’s homily emphasised gratitude, unity, and the importance of community. He acknowledged the efforts of the parishioners and clergy in organising such a meaningful series of events and encouraged everyone to continue living out their faith with the same enthusiasm and dedication.
The Thanksgiving Mass was a fitting conclusion, bringing together all the prayers, reflections, and celebrations of the previous days into a collective offering of thanks to God. The Archbishop’s blessing was a moment of spiritual enrichment for all present, reinforcing their commitment to their faith and community.
Conclusion
The nine-day novena, Triduum Mass, St Anne’s Feast Day, and Thanksgiving Mass at St Ann’s Catholic Church were more than just a series of events; they were a profound journey of faith, reflection, and community bonding.
Each step—from the daily prayers of the novena to the joyous celebration of the feast day, and the culmination with Archbishop Simon Poh’s Thanksgiving Mass—highlighted the parish’s dedication to their faith and traditions.
This celebration not only honoured St Anne but also strengthened the community’s spiritual bonds, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated. As the echoes of the hymns and laughter fade, the spirit of this journey remains, inspiring the faithful to continue living out the virtues of St Anne in their daily lives.
St Ann’s Catholic Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, tradition, and community.
