70th ANNIVERSARY and PARISH FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS

 

Thursday, 8^th October 2020 7.00 pm

            The Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary Kota Bharu celebrated her 70^th Anniversary this evening beginning with Rosary and Novena at 7.00 pm. The Eucharist was celebrated by  Fr. Francis Andrew as our invited Main celebrant, Rt. Rev. Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur had to cancel his plans due to the CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Orders).The theme for tonight’s celebration was “Prayerful like Mary."

            Fr. Francis reminded us that Mary, who said Yes’ to her call by God to be the mother of Jesus, our Saviour was prayerful always. She asked the 3 children at Fatima to pray the rosary constantly.

            After the mass, all parishioners prayed the rosary led by Billy Teoh. Fr. Francis blessed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and  concluded with Benediction.  Speeches by the PPC Vice-chairman, Mr. Joseph Wang who spoke on behalf of PPC Chairman, Mr. Gerard Yeo and the parish priest, Fr. Francis Andrew.

            Our thanks to Fr. Francis for his faithfulness and conviction to hold this year’s 70^th Anniversary Celebrations despite the Pandemic.  And thank you to every member of the Parish Feast day committee who gave their best to make this year’s celebration a joyful and successful one.

            In conjunction with the celebrations, a special edition of the 70th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine entitled " Our 70 Years of Gratitude" has been published. The brainchild of Fr. Francis Andrew, it was the culmination of many months of hard work by the Editorial team headed by Joseph Wang. Containing a bit of everything on the parish, from its history to the present, it presents an almost complete record of the parish structures, organizations, events and activities carried out through the last 70 years, not forgetting the FMM sisters. Messages from Cardinal Soter Fernandez, Apostoplic Nuncio, Bishop Sebastian Francis, former parish priests, sharings by former FMM sisters, and former parishioners give readers a vivid impression of their personal experience of the parish.

            Former parishioners  may order a copy of the above magazine from the editor. (please pm/ whatsapp +60126567175)

The 70th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

The main banner showing the past and present history of the parish 

The altar was set up on special stage in Fatima Hall

Beautifully decorated Altar by the Flower Ladies 

Beautifully decorated statue of Our Lady of Fatima

Main poster of the celebration

Participants of the First Day Triduum mass at Fatima Hall.

Fr. Francis Andrew reading the Gospel

Beautiful willow tree with decorative lights

Trees in the Fatima field lighted up beautifully.

SPECIAL MASS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

 

Thursday, 8^th October 2020 11.00 am

This morning, a special mass was held for the senior citizens of the parish. About 20 senior parishioners were present to celebrate the eucharist which most of them were attending for the first time after almost 6 months of hibernation due to the Pandemic.

Fr. Francis celebrated the mass for them in conjunction with  World Senior Citizens’ Day. We remember and  wish to thank all our senior citizens who have given their time and talents to build up the younger generation and enrich the church. May they continue to be present and to be a source of wisdom for us,

Rosalind Wong commentator for the Senior Citizens' Mass

Sr. Enid Lopez, first Lector and Psalmist

Josephine Foong, 2nd Lector in BM

Fr. Francis, reading the Gospel

Fr. Francis blessing the food prepared for the senior citizens after mass.

THE SANCTUARY

(an FMM sister  takes a deeper look at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima as sanctuary)

Every parish has its own character and this is determined by its setting, its leaders and most important of all, its families, its people.

Our Lady of Fatima beautifully decorated for our 70th Anniversary in Fatima Hall

In the smaller parishes of the East Coast, fraternity has a better chance to flourish. Kota Bharu is no exception.

Coming into the compound from the crazy thundering traffic of Jalan Kuala Krai,  you find yourself driving into a sanctuary of green grass, feathery palms and fir trees. The scenario is restful and peaceful.

Move in further, and you will see weeping willow, marguerites, periwinkles and ixoras adding grace and humble colour to the spacious surroundings of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary. Alongside the Church is Fatima Hall,  forming one building in sisterly accompaniment.

Sanctuaries are usually hidden away and unnoticed. It can take some time to notice the dynamics before you discover the sanctuary of kindness and family spirit that is so quietly present in this parish. 

There is a nucleus of families that make up the core of this church. They are most likely the offspring of the collection of families that grouped around the first parish priests and the earliest fmms (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) in the 1960's.  I use the word nucleus because it is this group of families that keep in touch with the other catholic families on the outskirts of Kota Bharu such as in Tumpat or Pasir Mas, people you don't often see around because of distance and transport constraints but if one of them falls ill or dies, this core group will be present at the house, ready to comfort or serve. These links are very old and deep.

Visitors from the West Coast of Malaysia, and many young students mostly from Sabah and Sarawak from the many campuses around Kota Bharu are encouraged to discover in this church, friendship and a place to belong. The students had a definite role to play: they help to animate the weekend masses, Friday after Friday (before the Pandemic). They became an integral part of the Body. (of Christ)

" The Lord is present in His Sanctuary! Let us praise the Lord"

by Sr. Enid Lopez, fmm

The Beautiful Fatima Sanctuary 

                                         Newly landscapped garden at the entrance to Fatima Hall

Beautifully decorated altar by the Flower ladies for the Parish Feast day 2020 for the 70th Anniversary

The Willow tree lighted up at night