Commissioning of the 16th Kuching Company Boys’ Brigade at St Joseph’s Cathedral

By Lt Rita Ling

KUCHING — Based on the twin pillars of CHRISTIAN FAITH and DISCIPLINE, The Boys’ Brigade (BB) seeks to provide a meaningful and enjoyable programme that balances the four areas of your life: EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL.

St Joseph’s Cathedral was proud to launch another advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among the children and youths of today with the blessings on the establishment of the 16th Kuching Company, The Boys’ Brigade of Malaysia commissioned by our Assistant Parish Priest; Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang, during the Sunset Mass on 26 November 2022.

It was first initiated by Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching at the end of 2019 but due to the pandemic in 2020 and MCO happenings, it was postponed till April 2022 when the Archbishop gave his blessing for the setting-up of the Second Active Catholic Boys’ Brigade in Sarawak, sponsored by St Joseph’s Cathedral. Therefore, in May 2022, Captain Desmond Chan did a recruitment drive in search of officers and helpers and did the training.

On 30 July 2022, our very first parade was held at St Augustine’s room at the Cathedral’s old parish centre. It began with four officers: 

1. Captain Desmond Chan; with 35 years of experience and knowledge in the Boys’ Brigade; from 1987–present. He was from the second Kuching Company Boys’ Brigade at Trinity Methodist Church.
2. Chaplain Jerome Lim, OCDS; Professed Secular Carmelite from the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS), teaching Religious Education and Bible Knowledge in St Joseph’s Private Secondary School, Kuching, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion, Burial Minister and Coordinator of Chinese Marriage Preparation Course. 
3. Lieutenant Rita Ling; an experienced teacher in both teaching English to speakers of other languages and Early Childhood Education previously in International Tuition School, The English Language Centre and a Trainer/PIC to Franchisees in Smart Reader Worldwide.
4. Lieutenant Florence Chin; specialised in the Early Childhood Education and Care Industry and educator and as a Kindergarten Operator.

Our FIRST three new members were Isaac Marcus Lim, St Joseph’s Private School; Ryan Law, SJK St Paul and Jayden Anthony, SK Catholic English School. We have 17 members as of November 2022: Pre-Junior (4), Junior (7) and Senior (6). 

There are currently five Catholic Boys’ Brigade Companies in Malaysia, with the other three in Sabah. The 11th Kuching Company Boys’ Brigade is at Blessed Sacrament Church and ours is the 16th Kuching Company Boys’ Brigade.

BB OBJECTIVE: The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among members and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Character.

BB MOTTO: SURE & STEDFAST (Hebrews 6:19)

St Joseph’s Cathedral is proud to introduce our newly commissioned 16th Kuching Company, the Boys’ Brigade of our St Joseph’s Cathedral parish. We welcome all boys and youths to our recruitment drive as follows:

1. Pre-Junior; aged 7-8 years old
2. Junior; aged 9-12 years old
3. Seniors; aged 12/13-19 years old

We also welcome young or working adults who are interested in becoming an Officer/Helper.

Our WEEKLY PARADE is conducted on SATURDAY, Time: 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm. PLACE: St Augustine’s Room, Parish Centre at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching.

For further information, please contact Captain Desmond Chan at 019-8168229.