By Seminarian Lincoln Lee
TATAU (26 Jan 2025) — St Peter’s Church, Tatau, marked a historic milestone by celebrating Chinese New Year for the first time, in conjunction with Word of God Sunday. In a parish predominantly made up of Iban parishioners, the celebration provided a wonderful opportunity to embrace and share in the cultural traditions of the Chinese community.
The celebration began with a unique Eucharistic Celebration, where Word of God Sunday was highlighted through an Iban Ngajat entrance procession and a similar procession for the Book of the Gospels before the Liturgy of the Word. This blend of cultural elements underscored the rich diversity within the parish.
Following the Mass, the congregation gathered for the Chinese New Year celebration, which featured a traditional fan dance performed by the Parish’s youth. The excitement continued with the much-anticipated distribution of ang pows to the children, presented by Parish Priest, Rev Fr Alex Anantharaj, CMF, and Seminarian Bro Lincoln Lee.
The festivities concluded with the lighting of firecrackers at the Church entrance, while Mandarin oranges and packet drinks were shared with all parishioners.
“This celebration was a way to recognise and appreciate the presence of our Chinese parishioners,” said Fr Alex. “It was also a great opportunity for our Iban children to experience and learn about another culture.”
Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman, Linggoh Masam, expressed hope that similar celebrations will continue in the future, fostering greater unity and cultural appreciation within the parish.
