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A sanctuary fulfilled: St Peter's Church in Padungan consecrated in faith and fellowship
A sanctuary fulfilled: St Peter's Church in Padungan consecrated in faith and fellowship

Borneo Post

time30-06-2025

  • General
  • Borneo Post

A sanctuary fulfilled: St Peter's Church in Padungan consecrated in faith and fellowship

Congregants fill the new St Peter's Church in Padungan, Kuching, during its Consecration Mass. KUCHING (June 30): A large crowd of faithful gathered yesterday night for the solemn Consecration Mass of the new St Peter's Church in Padungan, marking the formal dedication of the church as a sacred space for worship following years of planning, construction, and spiritual preparation The consecration ceremony was led by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, Datuk Dr Simon Poh, who described the new church as a testament to collective faith, humility, and trust in God, rather than a mere physical accomplishment. 'We like to look at this new church not so much as an achievement, but as each of us, despite our limitations, allowing the Lord to work through us,' he said in his sermon during the Mass. 'Through the love given, through what we call the 'crowdfunding' of people contributing a little here and there, and in our simple way trusting in God, it is He who enabled us to use all the gifts and talents to build this,' he said in his sermon during the Consecration Mass of the New St Peter's Church, Padungan here last night. The Mass began with the Blessing of Waters, which were used to anoint various parts of the church. The altar, pillars and other key elements were anointed with chrism, a consecrated oil, while incense was used to purify the church. Candles placed at the church's pillars were lit, representing Christ as the light of the world and the presence of God's grace. Incense was also used to purify the spaces of the church and to represent the prayers of the faithful rising to God. The liturgy featured scripture readings, solemn prayers for the church and its congregation, and culminated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, with the faithful receiving the sacrament from the newly consecrated altar. With this consecration, the new St Peter's Church, Padungan is now formally recognised as a permanent place of worship, prayer, and community for generations to come. Among those present were the church's rector, Rev Vincent Chin; former Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, Archbishop Emeritus Dato John Ha as well as invited guests and members of the congregation. Archbishop Simon Poh Consecration Mass Religious St Peter's Church

New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony
New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony

The Star

time28-06-2025

  • General
  • The Star

New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) entering the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh (right) and rector Rev Vincent Chin. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The newly opened Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan stands as a testament to Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier highlighted the church's location in the city centre, close to other religious houses of worship, as a reflection of the region's spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. "We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come," he said at the church's opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28). His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Abang Johari praised the collaborative spirit that brought the church to fruition, with the Catholic community working alongside friends and supporters from various faiths and backgrounds. He noted that the completion of the church demonstrated the power of a united community working towards a shared purpose and collective goodwill. "This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith," he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh described St Peter's Church as more than just a building, but a landmark of harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted the opening ceremony's diverse attendance, with people from different faiths contributing to peace and harmony. "So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. "Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project," he told reporters. The RM38mil church began construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations and received RM3mil from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) over three years, including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin explained that the building was inspired by the classical neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral. "In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood," he said. With a seating capacity for 1,000 people, the church's Gothic features include pointed spires, flying buttresses, arches, and stained glass windows. Chin noted that the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also mentioned that the tiles were produced by a local factory, while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist, and fittings by local artisans. "This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it," he said.

Week-long celebration to mark consecration of new St Peter's Church in Padungan
Week-long celebration to mark consecration of new St Peter's Church in Padungan

Borneo Post

time25-06-2025

  • General
  • Borneo Post

Week-long celebration to mark consecration of new St Peter's Church in Padungan

Chin (centre) shows an aerial photo of St Peter's Church and the surrounding parking areas. He is flanked by event organising committee members Brendan Chin and Sonia Soen. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 25): The new St Peter's Church in Padungan here is set to usher in a significant chapter in its history with a week-long consecration celebration from June 28 to July 5, marking its official debut as one of Kuching's latest architectural and spiritual landmarks. St Peter's Church Rector Rev Vincent Chin said the celebration will begin with the official opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28) where around 1,500 visitors are expected to be present. 'The ceremony will be officiated by a senior representative of the Sarawak government and witnessed by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Dr Simon Poh, government dignitaries, religious leaders, benefactors, and parishioners. 'We will also witness the formal handover of the new church building by contractor Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd to His Grace Archbishop Datuk Dr Simon Poh, followed by a commemorative coffee table book launch and a light reception,' he told a press conference at the church today. He said that the ceremony will feature music played by an 11-year-old pianist on the church's custom-built Allen digital organ, which was specially imported from the United States. Chin said on Sunday, Poh will preside over the consecration mass at 7pm. 'The liturgical service is expected to last up to three hours and we are honoured to have the Bishop of Penang Cardinal Sebastian Francis; Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Archbishop Julian Leow; Bishop of Melaka-Johor Diocese Bishop Bernard Paul; as well as Archbishop Emeritus Dato Sri Peter Chung and Archbishop Emeritus Datuk John Ha joining us during the service. 'St Peter's Church is more than a place of worship; it is a beacon of heritage, spirituality, and community for the city of Kuching. We are honoured to invite the faithful and the wider community to witness and be part of this milestone,' he said. The church will have a seating capacity of approximately 6,000, including the outdoor areas. 'Marquee tents have been set up to accommodate overflow guests, while the old church building will also be opened to provide additional seating. 'Live feed screens will be made available to ensure all attendees can follow the proceedings,' he added. In addition to the opening and consecration events, a series of special events and services will be held during the week namely the 4070 Celebration in honour of Chin's 40th anniversary of priestly ordination and his 70th birthday; Echoes of Love – An Evening of Music, a concert featuring local and visiting musical talents; eucharistic celebrations which will be conducted in various languages across the week; and sunset mass to be led by St Joseph's Cathedral. Due to the anticipated large turnout, particularly during the opening and consecration events, Chin strongly advised the public to park at designated public parking areas near the church. 'Parking within the church compound is limited to invited guests only. 'The public is encouraged to park at nearby areas such as Yun Phin Commercial Building, Bangunan Binamas & DUBS Carpark, Dewan Masyarakat Kuching, Hokkien Garden Carpark, Jalan Ang Cheng Ho Commercial Area, MBKS Building & MBKS Boulevard, Travillion Commercial Centre, Jalan Padungan Commercial Area, Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre, Song Kheng Hai Rugby Field, and Jubilee Ground Carpark. 'We also highly recommend carpooling and the use of e-hailing services to ease congestion and ensure a smoother arrival,' he stressed. He said for the consecration mass on Sunday, guests are to enter the church compound via designated entrances. 'For the general queue for seats at the tents, guests can enter from the gate next to Gate C and Gate B whereas invited guests are to enter from Gate D. 'Gates A and C will be closed during this event.' He also advised the public to use alternative routes in the vicinity in view of the anticipated high volume of traffic flow from noon onwards this coming Sunday. On a related matter, Chin said the construction of the church, which cost approximately RM38 million, is still short of RM1.5 million in funding. For the full programme of events and updates, visit St Peter's Church Padungan Vincent Chin

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