A BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA, KOTA
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| First Church (now Parish House) built in 1950 by Fr. Guittat |
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| Fr. Tavennac built the new church in 1964-85 |
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| First Bishop of Penang, Rt. Rev. Francis Chan |
By Joseph Wang
Our Lady of Fatima
of the Holy Rosary was the name given to this Church first built in 1950 by
Rev. Fr. Louis Guittat. This year,
we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary
of our existence. The parish outgrew the first church (foto in b/w) and a new church was built in 1965 (the
present church) by Fr.Jean Tavennec.
The first official resident Parish Priest was a Jesuit, Fr. Joliet, followed by Fr.
Maurice Surmon who was here from 1953 - 1957 and again for a second term from 1978 - 1985.
The history of the OLF church can be traced through the
priests who have served here, among them, Fr.
Casset, Fr. Robert Chan and Fr. Michel de Gigord, the young, articulate
French priest who was really attached to the young people of the parish. The
youths, under his guidance, were creative and put up a memorable musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in 1976.
Fr. Surmon was instrumental in organising the various BEC's or area groups. He used to visit the various outstations of Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kuala Krai to say mass once a month. He had a further outreach to the Vietnamese refugees at Pulau Bidong.
Fr. Surmon was instrumental in organising the various BEC's or area groups. He used to visit the various outstations of Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kuala Krai to say mass once a month. He had a further outreach to the Vietnamese refugees at Pulau Bidong.
In 1985, Fr. Marshall
Fernandez was parish administrator for a year, coming from Sungei Petani
for the weekend masses. We were blessed with a resident Parish Priest, Fr. Bennedict Nieukey from 1986 - 1990.
During his tenure here, the church was renovated with a new ceiling and a light
coloured backdrop. He strengthened the BEC's and brought the Marriage Encounter (ME) to KB in 1988
and 89. The ME brought the married couples and families closer together. A
monthly Parish newsletter was published starting in August 1986 with a regular message from the Parish Priest and News
around the parish.
Fr. Anthony Chong took over from 1990 -
1999 and the church was fully air-conditioned, donated by several parishioners.
The side extension of the Church was enlarged and improved for holding various
functions and activities. The RCIA
first took off in 1993 with Sr. Caroline
Gan organising the sessions and we had 5 graduates in the first class, among
them Matthew Teoh and Adeline Tan(Anne Mary's sister). During this period, the RPP (Renewed Parish Project) which was
at that time, the Diocesan Option, was launched to organise our BEC's and
parish events. One of the annual events of the parish from 1970's -1990's was
the Annual Parish Outing - we used
to hold picnics at different venues - Semerak beach, Bukit Keluang, Jeram Pasu,
Jeram Linang, Bukit Bakar etc.
Fr. Francis XavierSelvarajoo was here in 1999 as assistant to Fr. Augustine Wong, the next parish priest and he managed to train members of the liturgical committee through his weekly course, LOAF. Fr. Augustine Wong (1999-2001) is remembered for his creative liturgical celebrations. He had a special devotion to Mary, and encouraged devotions and processions in honour of our Lady on feastdays.
Fr. Nelson Joseph succeeded Fr Wong and he is remembered for banning the handphone during mass. He was also creative in his own way and single-handedly repainted the whole church(with some help from parishioners) the present hedges facing the road was planted by him.
Fr. Francis XavierSelvarajoo was here in 1999 as assistant to Fr. Augustine Wong, the next parish priest and he managed to train members of the liturgical committee through his weekly course, LOAF. Fr. Augustine Wong (1999-2001) is remembered for his creative liturgical celebrations. He had a special devotion to Mary, and encouraged devotions and processions in honour of our Lady on feastdays.
Fr. Nelson Joseph succeeded Fr Wong and he is remembered for banning the handphone during mass. He was also creative in his own way and single-handedly repainted the whole church(with some help from parishioners) the present hedges facing the road was planted by him.
Fr. Michael
Dass, the tall, bespectacled
and soft-spoken parish priest was instrumental in further uniting the parish
and helping the parish to grow. He organised the very popular Thursdays' Bingo
Night - and other activities. He was a favourite of the altar boys who competed
to be servers and during this period, 2003-2004. We were blessed with many
active parishioners who came forward to offer their services. The Charismatic
Prayer Group and the Church band was formed with new musical instruments, LCD
projector and laptop donated by parishioners.
Fr. Chong
served a second term from 2005-2008.
In April 2008, he went on sabbaticcal leave and Fr. Robert Daniel took over as parish administrator and in March
2009, he was installed as parish priest.
The Parish Food & Funfair which
aimed at further uniting the parish was successfully held on 17 July 2009. The 2nd Parish Event was a Parish Outing & Picnic at Jeram
Linag Waterfalls on 11 September 2009
This year, 2010 the parish is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. The year kicked off with monthly get-togethers to make OLFKB known to people of Kelantan. We had the Epiphany Nite, CNY celebrations and in April, Easter Fellowship organized by the Kem Desa Pahlawan.
This year, 2010 the parish is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. The year kicked off with monthly get-togethers to make OLFKB known to people of Kelantan. We had the Epiphany Nite, CNY celebrations and in April, Easter Fellowship organized by the Kem Desa Pahlawan.
Physically, the
exterior and interior of the Church have undergone many new renovations with new plaster ceilings and lighting, a new
stainless steel gate and concrete fence, a new roof and new facade with the
statue of Our Lady lighted up at night. A new altar and lectern, hewn from original
tree-trunks stand proudly at the sanctuary. A new open-hall big enough to hold future
gatherings is being built to replace the side-extention.
On 20 August 2010, the 60th Anniversary Gala Nite was held successfully at
Grand Riverview Hotel bringing together over a thousand people. The
celebrations culminated in a grand celebration at the Parish Feast Day on 8
October 2010 when the new Fatima
Open Hall was officially opened by his Lordship, Bishop Antony Selvanayagam.
Our history would not be complete without acknowledging
the presence and support of our dear FMM
sisters who started their convent and kindergarten in the 60's and continue
their mission hand-in-hand, together with the parish of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary, Kota Bharu.
May God continue to bless this parish with more fervent and active members.
October 2010
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
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May God continue to bless this parish with more fervent and active members.
October 2010
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
1950 – 1980
-by Fr. M. Surmon
The Catholic Church in Peninsular Malaysia
The Catholic Community in Kelantan was a tiny part of the Diocese of Malacca-Singapore until 1955. The first Catholic Priest who arrived in Malacca in 1511 was a Portuguese Franciscan. The first school was opened in 1548 by Francis Xavier. The Priests of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP) came to Malaysia in 1779. The first Church to be built was the Church of the Assumption, now Cathedral, in Penang in 1786. The College General in Penang for the formation of local priests, had started in Ayuthia in Siam (Thailand ) in 1665and moved to Penang in 1807.In 1955, the Diocese of Malacca-Singapore was divided into three portions, namely, the Arch-diocese of Singapore and the two dioceses of Kuala Lumpur and Penang . In 1972, the Diocese of Kuala Lumpur was itself divided into two sections of Kuala Lumpur (comprising the four states of Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Terengganu) and the diocese of Malacca-Johore (comprising the two named states.)
The Catholic Church in Kelantan
Since 1955, the State of Kelantan has been a part of the Diocese of Penang which also includes the states of Penang , Kedah and Perak. Up to 1949, the Catholic Community living in Kelantan was being looked after by priests coming all the way from Kuala Lumpur , Kuantan and even Kedah through the Siamese jungles and mountains. When a small church was built in Kuantan (State of Pahang ) in 1949, the state of Kelantan became one of its outstations as was the whole State of Terengganu . Kuantan is 235 miles (376 km) south of Kota Bharu but only 135 miles (216 km) from Kuala Terengganu.
Founding of the Church in Kota
In 1950, a small Church (today the Parish House) was built in Kota Bharu, two miles from the town on the way to Kuala Krai, by Rev. Fr. Guitatt, a visiting priest from Kuantan. The first residing priest appeared in 1951 in the person of a Jesuit priest, Fr. Andre Joliet Since 1951, Kota Bharu has constantly enjoyed the presence and the ministry of one and sometimes two residing priests. After Joliet there were Father M. Surmon, then Fathers J. Tavennec, P. Shyu, Robert Chan, J. Caset and Fr. Michelle De Gigord.
Founding of the FMM Mission
In March 1962, the first Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) came to Kelantan and soon a kindergarten and a hostel for young working girls were started under their guidance and leadership.
New Church Building
In 1965, a new church was built by Fr. J. Tavennec and the old building become the new priest's house, as the FMM sisters had been given the first priest's house as convent
The Parish of Kota
In 1980, the Catholic Community of about 600 members makes up a very active group in the midst of about 8 thousand Chinese, 2 thousand Indians and almost 9 hundred thousand Muslims. About 400 live in Kota Bharu town, whereas the other 200 are to be found in the main outstations of Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Pasir Puteh.
The Parish Council of Kota Bharu has been actively involved since October 1973; whereas the Parish Council of Kuala Krai (about 20 families) came into existence in May 1978.
Besides the Catholic Nurses Guild and Ladies Committee, a special mention must be given to the two teams which assure meaningful liturgical celebrations (one senior and one junior) and also to the Catechetical team which undertake most seriously the Christian education of our youth through weekly sessions of "Faith-Sharing"
Ecumenism with Other Christians
In the fifties., there were two other Christian groups in Kota Bharu, namely the Anglican and Presbyterian Church, the. latter called "Chinese Church
Main Challenges
Some of the main challenges up to 1980 were a floating Catholic population, a strong Islamic influence on the youth through schools, and a constant exodus of our youths after Form 5, attracted by the better prospects offered to them in Singapore or on the West Coast
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| Fr. Surmon distributing Holy Communion to parishioners |
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| View of the new church in the 60's (above) and 70's (below) |
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| Fr. Surmon with parishioners at Area Group Meetings (BEC) |
§ adapted from Triune Silver Jubilee 19.10.1980
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CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA 1981 - 1995
- by Joseph Wang
Changes in The Church
In 1981 , the area groups were first established and again revived around under the Parish Council and Fr. Surmon from 1983 to 1985. Fr. Surmon was also involved as Chaplain for the refugees at Pulau Bidong. The side apron of the church building was also extended and covered with a roof. The parish could now hold fellowship and pot-luck gatherings on feastdays.
In July 1985, a Parish Mission was conducted successfully by two Redemptorist priests, Fr. Patrick Ryan and Fr. Phillip Lai. They visited all the homes of parishioners and updated the census.
From August 1985 till March 1986, Fr. Surmon was on Sabatical and Fr. Marshall from Sungai Petani, travelled all the way every weekend to conduct services. He also started a Bible Class.
Fr. Benedict Nieukey took over as Parish Priest from 1986 - 1990. In June 1986, the church underwent renovations and was fitted with a new ceiling and a new light-cloured backdrop for the sanctuary.
In January 1991, Fr. Anthony Chong was installed by Bishop Anthony Selvanayagam as Parish Priest. Under Fr. Chong, the Parish House has been renovated as termites had begun to attack its wooden structure, the Church building has also been made more 'sound-proof (noise from the traffic has been reduced by insulation with gypsum boards) and several new fans have been added to make the church less stuffy.
In 1996, Fr. Anthony Chong undertook to air-condition the whole church with generous sponsors from parishioners. The Church was fitted with 7 air-conditioning units and the electrical wiring was replaced with a new one. The side apron of the church was also fitted with ceiling fans again through generous sponsors.
1996 also saw the launching of the Renewed Parish Project (RPP) which saw a more organized planning and celebration of 5-6 Parish Events with the aim of building up the community.
Changes in Life in The Parish: The Eleven Levels
Among the various levels (ideally there are 11 levels altogether), the following activities were carried out during this period:
Level 1. The Multitude: All parishioners
The Catholic population in the Kota Bharu Parish was estimated at around 600 in 1980. Since then, the figure has fluctuated with new arrivals and transfers while a number of families who have been here for quite some time have left the parish on transfer or retirement The present population stands around 500.
Level 2. The Area Communities
The Area Groups were first started sometime, between 1980 to 1981. However, meeting were irregular and attendance declined. Under Fr. Surmon and the Parish Council in 1983 to 1985, the area groups were revived, with regular monthly meetings. After the Parish Mission in July 1985, five area groups or communities were established: Taman Uda Murni, Telipot, Jalan Kuala Krai, Jalan Hamzah and Town Area held monthly meeting~ in the homes of parishioners. There was much fellowship and members got to know each other better. However, once again, area meetings and attendance declined from 1991- 1993. In August 1993, after the Parish Mission by Fr. Anthony Naden, the Area Groups were revived under the direction of the LC.T (Initial Coordinating Team). Due to the dwindling Catholic population these 5 areas have been reduced to three, ie. Town Area, Telipot and Jalan Kuala Krai.
Level 3. Families: Marriage Encounter
Fr. Ben, being involved in the M.E. at national level, as a much sought-after presenter, brought the M.E. weekend to Kota Bharu. The First M.E. Weekend was held at POP resort from 5th - 7th May 1988, which brought together 14 couples, 12 from Kelantan and 2 from Terengganu. The renewal of married and family life through the M.E. brought new life to the parish and The Second M.E. Weekend was held for another 14 couples from 16th - 18th March 1989.
Level 4. Specialised Groups:
(a) Youth
The youths of the parish were members of the CYM, Catholic Youth Movement which had been quite active since the 1970's. Their various activities included both physical and spiritual formation such as weekly games, study camps, carolling, fund-raising and service to the parish. Members also attended various camps and rallies at ECPC and Diocesan levels. In Nov 1989, 10 youths attended the Penang Diocesan Charismatic Youth Rally. Last year, 15 CYM members attended The ECPC Youth C-amp in Kuantan, conducted by Fr. Gerard and Fr. Maria with the theme, "Mu, Ku dan Yesus". Under their Youth Advisor, the CYM was revitalised in 1993 and has been very active since.
(b) Working Youth/Young Adults Movement (YAM)/ The Antioch
The older youths or working youths who were transferred lo Kota Bharu in 1978 decided to form a group of young adults to cater for their own special concerns and to offer their services to the parish. They formed the 'Young Adults Movement' and held weekly meetings, bible study sessions etc. However, it lasted only for a while, as members dwindled. Again, in June 1987, another group of young adults formed 'The Antioch' with their motto "Walking with Jesus", under Dr. Fabiola D' Cruz and Helen Tan. Again, as members went on transfers and other interests, the group was discontinued. At present, there are only the USM medical students and a number of local young adults.
Level 5. Pastoral Services:
(a) The Liturgical Committee
The Liturgical Committee has seen many changes. A large pool of volunteers have come forward to serve as lectors and commentators. Duty rosters are drawn up for a period of three months in advance and a coordinator appointed for each month. Some initial training were given in 1987, but mostly all have learnt through experience.
(b) Communion Ministers
Originally, 10 Communion Ministers were commissioned by Fr. Ben in 1988. Some initial training were given and they were installed on Holy Thursday. Since then, due to transfers, there are at present 7 serving Communion Ministers to assist in the distribution of communion.
(c) Wardens
"The wardens had a larger number of members and used to meet once a month. Members have decreased due to transfers and at the moment is being revived.
(d) CatecathicalTeam
Weekly catechism classes were held after mass on Fridays for preschool to Post Confirmation students. The "Living Our Faith" series are being used for primary School while the Bimbingan Agama Katholic is used for Secondary Schools. Special classes are held to prepare for First Holy Communion and for Confirmation which was held in 1988 and 1993.
In 1993, the Liturgy of the Word for Children was initiated and whenever possible, is held once a month to help children appreciate the message behind the weekly mass readings. The teachers take turns to prepare the celebration and to explain the readings.
(e) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA sessions were begun in March 1992 fortnightly by Sr. Caroline and Sr. Angeline Tan. Five enquirers together with their sponsors and Father Anthony Chong made the RCIA journey for almost a year, culminating in the baptism and confirmation of the 5 catechumens at Easter 1993. The RCIA process is meant to involve the whole parish, in welcoming, and supporting the new members of the church. In doing so, the parish participates and is transformed. This year, the RCIA is being revived by Sr. Assunta and Sr. Catherine for the benefit of a number of new enquirers and the parish
(f) Friends of the Poor
This group is involved in service to the needy, visiting the Old Folk's home and collecting old clothes and food for distribution. It was quite active from 1985 - 1990 but things have come to a standstill due to transfers and dwindling numbers. At the moment there are only 2 members left.
(g) Parish Prayer Group
The Parish Prayer Group used to meet on Tuesdays from 7.00 - 8.00 p.m. It began with about 15 - 20 members in 1986 but the numbers became less and less as members went on transfer and no new members were forthcoming. In 1990, the Prayer Group decided to discontinue its weekly prayer meetings.
(h) The Ladies Committee
It is the tradition of the parish to celebrate after mass on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas and Parish Feast Days. The Ladies Committee was formed to help organize these gatherings and to volunteer their services in cleaning up after the celebration. There were 3 groups under 3 different leaders which took their turn to organize the fellowship dinners (usually pot-luck).
Level 7. The Parish Council
3 consecutive Parish Councils served their 2-year terms under Fr. Ben, under the able leadership of Mr. Alex Poh. Monthly meetings were held and decisions made collectively. There was also an annual Day of Recollection for all Parish Council Members and their spouses. Subcommittees were appointed from time to time to organize special events such as the Annual Parish Outing, Parish Feast Day celebrations and the Annual Children's Christmas Party.
In September 1992, after the Parishioner's General Meeting, called by Fr. Anthony Chong, a core group was elected which formed the Central Coordinating Council (CCC) which later became the Initial Coordinating Team (ICT).
Level 9. Communications: The Parish Newsletter.
The first issue of the Parish Newsletter was published in August 1986. These monthly newsletters have served as a means of communication for the parish. It began with a single-sheet (2 printed pages) and moved on to 4 pages, with a message from the Parish Priest and served to record news, announcements of activities and events around the parish. Altogether, over 40 issues have been published and circulated.
• March 1995
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