SARIKEI — St Anthony Church, Sarikei 144th Anniversary (1881-2025), a living synodality in Action ! WOW ! WOW St Anthony ! WOW SARE Heaven rejoiced with the Catholics of Sarikei !
Among them in the Kingdom of Heaven, Fr Edmund Dunn, smile at this Works of Wonder in this beautiful land of the Mighty Rejang Basin, WOW! (Fr Edmund Dunn was the First Mill Hill Missionary Priest, who landed at Sare on September, 1881, 144 years ago)
His Lordship Bishop of Sibu Joseph Hii, the Main celebrant of the Mass called this grace filled event, “All in One Celebration”!
Concelebrated with him were Archbishop of Kuching, His Grace Simon Poh and Rector of St Anthony Church, Rev Fr James Ting.
The Grandiose celebration also saw the rare presence of the first Bishop of Sibu, Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su, now 86 years old, who participated in a wheelchair to witness this beautiful celebration. He is indeed a living WOW !
The “All in one celebration” was abundantly blessed with the presence of three (3) Bishops and 14 priests. They were Assistant Priest of St Anthony Church, Fr Fabian Kong, Fr Simon Lau from Bintangor, Fr Alphonsus Tang from Kapit, Fr Paul Ling from St Peter College seminary, Fr Johanaz Ling from Dalat, Fr David Lau from St Teresa, Fr Gilbert from Keningau Diocese, Fr Edward Raymond from the Neo Catechumenal Way, Fr Blaise Forbi, Fr Ravi Pulagam from Kanowit, Capuchin Fr Raphael Samosir, Fr Olivier Lomboto from Kanowit and Fr Michael Mandagiri .
In his homily, Bishop Joseph Hii gave thanks to God for granting and entrusting Rev Fr James Ting with the leadership, strength and courage to carry out this Work of Wonders.
His Lordship said, “In-spite of the covid 19 pandemic, Fr James Ting had persevered throughout the journey over the past eight years. Under his leadership, he had brought together a community of people of Sarikei to work on this beautiful works of wonder.”
At the back of the White T-shirt worn by parishioners were illustrated 9 WOWs;
1) St Anthony Heritage Centre (1940)
2) Frontage annexation of St Anthony Church
3) House of Emmaus
4) Tomb of Jesus
5) Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
6) WOW Signage
7) Wisma Katolik
8) Taman Logo
9) Heritage Cross
“Wow! You make our Dreams come True at this night of “MALAM SEGULAI SEJALAI.” Fr James Ting’s first words of acclamation during his speech on this Grandiose “All in one Celebration”.
The Catholic Community has grown from a “mustard seed into a big tree where birds and insects can perch and rest,” espounded the Rector of St Anthony Church.
“”MALAM SEGULAI SEJALAI” invites us to recall and appreciate the Hand of God in everything – in small and memorable events and happenings of St Anthony Parish.”
Rector James Ting also gave thanks to a long list of people who had contributed to this reality. They include amongst others, all parishioners, young as well as seniors, financial support of wealthy individuals and companies, support from government via assistance such as RTP, MRP, UNIFOR, architect, engineers, contractors, supervisors and workers. He also gave special thanks to the Organising Chairman Fr Fabian Kong and his team for coordinating, leading and guiding throughout the preparation of this thanksgiving event.
The event was filled with various cultural dances, performances by parishioners notably young children and teenagers.
Thereafter there were sumptuous food and drinks provided for all the community brothers sisters estimated at more than 1500.
WOW! St Anthony Church of Sarikei was truly a living Synodality in action !
