BAU — The St James Bitikie Church community in Tanjung Poting, Singai came out in full force to witness the blessing and official opening of their new Church by Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh on 24 September 2023.
Among the 1,000 parishioners who filled the Church, both inside and outside, were 435 confirmands, their godparents, catechists, and their families.
The new Church, built at a cost of approximately RM1.3 million, received RM700,000 funding from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR).
On completion of the new St James, the Church organised a soft opening and blessing by St Stephen’s Parish Rector, Fr Peter Liston on 5 June this year, five years after construction began in 2018. The building is fully air-conditioned and has a seating capacity of about 800.
Archbishop Simon Poh performed the official opening of the Church by hitting the gong, putting his signature on the wall plaque, and cutting a ribbon before entering the Church and blessing it and the congregation.
To administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to the 435 candidates, the prelate was assisted by Fr Paul Herry and Fr Ramon Borja, SDB and they also concelebrated the Sunday Mass.
