Friday 1 June 2018

Pesta Keamatan & Gawai 2018


Pesta Keamatan & Gawai on Feast of Corpus Christi

Kota Bharu, 1 June 2018


COMBINED CULTURAL CELEBRATION

The cultural celebration started after mass and began with an opening prayer and short welcoming speech by Fr Francis. This was followed by several more dances. 

The youths, comprising different cultures, put together their talents to perform the special Kadazan dance, the Sumazau, a heritage from Sabah. 

The local parishioners, too, learnt the movement of Kadazan dance also known as Sumazau, and danced to a Kadazan song sung by the M.C, Primus. a Sabahan parishioner.


They also had fun participating in the games organised for the occasion after lunch and enjoyed singing their popular harvest festival songs. 

The effort to dress up did not go to waste as there was a 'Best dressed Person' competition', with the winners being crowned as the best-dressed male, female and 'junior'  for the event.



The celebration was a big success. It was beautiful to see our brothers and sisters from Sabah / Sarawak and the local parishioners come together to celebrate and to take part in the various activities. 

At the close of the programme, a representative from the East Malaysians thanked all who had come to join in this celebration. He also thanked the team who organised the event and gave thanks to Almighty God and Mother Mary

Photos courtesy of Jenny Teoh, Anne Yeo and Joseph Wang
Report by
Anne Yeo
Fr. Francis welcoming speech




The winners of the 'Best Dressed Participant' Competition



Posters for the Pesta Keamatan and Gawai 2018
The Organizing Team with our 'hero'
The youths who took part in the Dance presentation



The Youth Participants of the dances



The M.C. and solo Kadazan Singer Mr. Primus

The Winners!  and the Presentation of prizes by Fr. Francis





Beautiful People!

Particpants and Spectators Dancing to  Kadazan music

Dancing the 'Bamboo' Dance requires timing and precision



Serena Jonius and her firends dancing in time and with precision!

Parishioners taking part in some of the game events

Traditional game of Bowling with Coconut balls!

Joshua Ong, rolling the coconut bowling ball...

Installation of Altar Servers on Feast of Corpus Christi


FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Kota Bharu, 1 June 2018
The Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary celebrated Kaamatan & Gawai festival on the Feast of Corpus Christi with Mass and fellowship on 1 June 2018. Most of the East Malaysians were from Kem  Desa Pahlawan and the Universities /colleges based in Kelantan. They came dressed in their splendid traditional attire for the celebration. 

This celebration was held to help parishioners appreciate their presence and their contribution to the church, as well as to make them feel at home because they couldn’t celebrate it in their hometown.

The celebration began with a ‘Sumazau’ dance by the East Malaysians in procession into the church. The Mass was celebrated with Kadazan and Iban hymns. Installation of Altar Servers were held during mass presided by Fr Francis Andrew.

Eight Altar Servers made their vows and were commissioned to serve the Lord truthfully and faithfully at his altar. Their parents came in front to vest them after they were blessed by Fr Francis. A mission cross was then given to each one of them to remind them of their tasks. 

   After the Eucharistic celebration, the congregation, with Fr Francis carrying the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, walked in procession within the church compound. Along the way, hymns were sung by the congregation. The procession ended with Benediction. 

Report by Anne Yeo




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The Altar servers taking their vows during the Installation 



Fr. Francis praying  for the newly Installed Altar Servers









Distributing Mission Crosses to the altar servers

Mr. and Mrs. John Martin praying for their son, Nicholas 



'Dayak Warrior' flanked by Wardens Philip Tiau and Charlie Choo (in Kadazan costume) leading the procession




The Blessed Sacrament following in procession









The newly installed Servers with Fr. Francis

Photo of the Installed alter servers with their proud parents & Fr. Francis