By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 20: St. Peter’s Church in Padungan is set to welcome congregants and visitors to celebrate the joyous birth of Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas, with the first midnight mass on Dec 24 marking the soft launch of the new church.
The Christmas Eve mass will be held in English, starting with caroling at 11pm. Attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a seat, as doors will open at 10pm.
In a notice shared on social media, Rector Rev Fr Vincent Chin announced that the church will be consecrated on June 29, 2025, during the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
“After five challenging years and through the dedication of many, this new house of the Lord now stands proudly as a landmark in our city of Kuching.
“This Christmas marks its soft launch. Starting from the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, all masses will be celebrated in the new church. We will also begin welcoming visitors from 9am on Dec 26, subject to guidelines,” he said.
Although near completion, Fr Chin emphasised that the new St Peter’s Church still requires additional funds to cover the total building cost.
“With the concerted efforts and generosity of everyone, I am confident that we can all take pride in having played our respective roles in building this iconic church for future generations,” he said.
St. Peter’s Church has also been designated by Archbishop Simon Poh as one of the Pilgrimage Centres in the Archdiocese of Kuching for the Holy Year 2025, as declared by Pope Francis.
Detailed guidelines for pilgrims and pilgrimage groups will be made available on the church’s website in due course.
While some finishing work remains on the church, Fr Chin assured that this will not interfere with its spiritual use.
“I pray we will all deepen our relationship with our Lord through this carefully planned edifice of God.
“We look forward to celebrating this soft launch with everyone and invite all to be part of this exciting new chapter for St Peter’s Church. Together, let us build a stronger, faith-filled community. Christmas blessings to all. May this joyous season fill us with love and joy in our Lord Jesus Christ,” he added.
Visitors are advised to follow the guidelines set by Rela members to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Vehicle entry will be via Gates A and D only, with exit points at Gates B, C, and D.
St Peter’s Church can accommodate up to 308 cars; after this, the entry gates will be closed. Alternative parking is available at Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Chung Hua Primary School No. 3, Yun Phin Building, and nearby public car parks.
On Christmas Day, there will be a morning mass at 7.30am, which will include the installation of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and an evening mass at 5.30pm. — DayakDaily
