Church of St John the Baptist (1935)

250 Jalan Gereja, 31100 Sungai Siput North, Perak

 

Parish Priest : Rev. Michael Dass

 

Sunday Mass : 10.00 am

Chapel:
Chapel of St. Anthony, Chemor : 5.30 pm ( 2nd Sun English, 4th Sun Mandarin)

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Many Helped To Make The Parish Feast A Success.
Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Aug 05 2005
Church of St John the Baptist, Sg. Siput >>


(picture - the statue of St Anthony being carried in procession.)

CHEMOR: During the feast day celebration of St Anthony, parish priest Fr Anthony Pillai who had encouraged the parishioners to continue their efforts, thanked parishioners from the churches of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michael’s Church Ipoh, who had come for the monthly Mass, to help the community.

The Chinese Choir from OMPH church, and Chinese apostolate at St Michael’s Church, had come to help sing in Mandarin, and brought along an organ, and a new microphone system, to be placed permanently at the church.

"The Spirit of God is within us, to do good. That\'s why this church survives, and we come to be renewed in the Eucharist. If people ask about our service to others and this church, it is because God gives us joy in our lives, and shows that God is with us in times of happiness, or trials.

In the same way, we are to give life to others, and support them so every man and woman we meet can become saints like St Anthony," Fr Pillai said.

Paul Liew, is the oldest altar boy, perhaps in Perak, because he has served as one for 38 years. He and his wife, Christina Ng, 66, are also caretakers and live in the house behind the chapel. He helps set up the microphone, distribute the mass books and cleans the chapel. He formerly attended St Michael’s Church in Ipoh for nine years, but started helping out at St Anthony’s when his daughter married and moved to Chemor.

His daughter Marean is a teacher at a Chinese school, and brings along her non-Catholic husband, Ching Hun Boon, a staunch Bhuddist, and their two children, Geraldine, 8 and Jonathan, 4 to church.

The whole family participates in the Mass, and her husband cares for the children while she receives holy communion.

"The late Fr Julien encouraged us a lot to help bring the church up again. At one time, the church was almost left neglected, with no priest to care for us, and it was like that for a few years. Some of us went to church in Ipoh, others could not and just stayed at home. But we always wanted to revive our parish, and some priests, including Fr Maiccal Sinnapan, Fr Maurice Surmon encouraged us to keep praying and doing our part, when we requested a Chinese priest.

The Canossian Sisters who are in Sungai Siput also helped us, and encouraged us. We appreciated all their help," she said.

Grace Soosay David, brought along her son Joel, 9,  and disabled daughter, Rebecca, 7, and her brother\'s son, Dennis Alexander Xavier, 7, for the feastday Mass.

"I came to ask St Anthony’s prayers for my daughter, who cannot walk," said Grace, who previously attended St Michael\'s Church in Ipoh before moving to Chemor.

"The community here are so loving and care for us, and brought us to this chapel," she said.

The Mass, was celebrated in English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Tamil, with the Gospel readings and songs in Mandarin and English.

After Mass, the statue of St Anthony was carried around the chapel, while the rosary was said in the three main languages. Fellowship followed with all the parishioners and visitors joining in for a heartwarming meal.

Last changed: Aug 05 2005 at 10:55 AM

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