2nd INTER-FAITH GATHERING & WORLD PEACE PRAYER DAY
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| Leaders from the various Religious Communities at the Interfaith Gathering & World Peace Prayer |
In conjunction with World Interfaith Harmony Week (1 - 7 February 2013), an Interfaith Gathering & World Peace Prayer Day was held in Kota Bharu on Friday, 1st February 2013 About eighty participants from various religious communities gathered to pray for peace at Fatima Hall, Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary, Kota Bharu. Organized by the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fatima, and sponsored by MCCBCHST(Kelantan Branch), this event was the second time that representatives from the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Christian faith came together to pray for world peace. The event kicked off with a minute of silent prayer. The Fatima Youth Choir beautifully sang the opening song “Where Peace begins”(Theme song for World Peace Festival Malaysia 2008 first sung by Jaclyn Victor and Daniel Lee) bringing home the message that we are ‘One family under God’. Representatives from each religious community were then invited to lead the gathering in their prayer for peace, praying in their own languages. In conclusion, as a sign of unity, all participants joined in a prayer for peace for our nation The highlight of the event was the World Peace Flag Ceremony. As the MC called out the name of each state of Malaysia, the flag bearer stepped forward, waving the state flag while participants repeated invocations for peace in each state, in the nation and the world. “May peace prevail in Malaysia! May peace prevail on earth!”.Finally, as participants exchanged the sign of peace with one another, the choir sang the concluding song ‘Satu Suara”. Participants were then treated to a sumptuous high tea. It was a most memorable experience for the participants present .
Report by
Joseph Wang
PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY 2012
Friday 21st December 2012 (10.30 am – 1.00 pm)
This year’s Christmas party saw the whole parish,
especially the youth taking an active part in all aspects of the party.
Decorations, games, singing, acting, dancing, registration, organizing – all
were involved wholeheartedly, bringing fun, games and an overall sense of
belonging to the parish. The participation was in line with the theme for the
event: “Celebrating our Faith in Christ.” Ably animated by our MC, Francis Lai,
set the ball rolling for young participants with a tricky Christmas Quiz. The
party began with an opening prayer by Sr. Regina. The Youth Choir then rendered
lively carols and swinging in rhythm as they entertained the audience. The
children were delighted at the entrance of Santa and Satarina who were mobbed
by the youngsters and their parents carrying toddlers!
A Nativity sketch by the parish youth brought the
nativity scene to mind followed by a special cultural dance by the Kem Desa
Children. The audience were entertained with more dancing, by the youth,
Gangnam style from KPop currently very popular with the younger generation. The
adults were not to be left out, as Kem Desa dancers showed their talents
dressed up completely in western style, with cowboy hats. Next, it was game
time! Games for all age categories kept the participants on edge as they
contested against each other. Soon it was lunch time as the hungry participant
s and audience were treated to a variety of food: ice-cream, fried chicken, yam
rice and beehoon with other sumptuous side dishes being served.
Throughout the party, the mood of the party was not
dampened by the intermittent rain with the joyful participation of
parishioners, young and old. Only one surprise went unfulfilled due to the
rain– Santa and Santarina were supposed to arrive on two horses, but due to the
rain, this had to be cancelled at the last minute.
A vote of thanks to the organizing committee under
the able leadership of Gerard Yeo and the BEC’s coordinators, Marianne Lim and
Mary Martin for a job well done and especially to KCYS youth, without whom the
party would not have achieved its objective – to help parishioners celebrate
and belong!
Reported by
Joseph Wang
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