Lee (right) presents a RM100,000-cheque to Bishop Richard.
The existing cathedral built 40 years ago.
Bishop Richard (sixth left), flanked by Chin (on his right) and Lee, and other supporters enjoy the performances at the dinner.
These are among the 2,500 parishioners at the dinner.
A Melanau dance number – Tartan Alu-alu – being played on stage to entertain the diners.
Drama and dance by Chinese Sunday school children.
An artist’s impression of the new cathedral.
An artist’s impression of the columbarium to store urns.
An outline plan of the proposed Wisma St Joseph and the cathedral.
MIRI: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Miri is hoping to have Wisma St Joseph by 2021 to meet the increasing Catholic
population and the need of a columbarium - a resting place for the cremated remains.
Diocesan bishop Bishop Richard Ng said the columbarium would be the second one for the church in Sarawak after the first one proposed at St Peter’s Church in Padungan, Kuching.
He said the proposed Wisma St Joseph was in tandem with the development of Miri City, the rapid rural-urban migration and also one that befitted Miri as a Diocesan centre.
Miri Diocese forms 53 per cent of Sarawak – stretching from Belaga District in Kapit Division to Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions with a population of 97,000 Miri alone has 12,000 Catholics.
The needs for Wisma St Joseph
Bishop Richard said the complex would be the most substantial development project of the diocese in its 40 years’ history (since 1973).
There are 5 project components: a new cathedral; relocation of SK St Joseph to a new site; refurbishing of the old school into a pastoral centre, new church in Permyjaya and renovation of the old bishop’s house.
Why is it important to have the cathedral?
It signifies the house of God, where those who seek God can encounter Him. The Mother Church of the diocese, unifying all the other churches in the diocese, the church of the bishop, head of the local church and the visible presence of the church in society.
“It is also to meet the increasing Catholic population as each year 300- 400 adults are baptised as new members, not to mention babies born to Catholics so every year we have some 1,000 new members and the church is growing,” the bishop said.
The old cathedral built in 1973 could only cater for 500 people. It was enough in those days but now due to the rural-urban migration, many Catholics are living in the city and thus the cathedral is very congested.
“Despite having five mass services on weekend, the cathedral is always packed and parishioners have to sit outside and even under the hot sun. It is very embarrassing.”
Bishop Richard said renovating the current cathedral was not cost effective as it sits on 1.7-acre land. Thus the need to pull down the present cathedral.
Parking too is another big headache despite the Miri City Council (MCC) having made available a multi-storey car park in the vicinity.
Facilities available in the new cathedral would include a seating capacity for 2,000 worshippers, gallery, day chapel, adoration room, columbarium on ground and first floors, funeral parlour, basement car park, offices, meeting rooms, multi-purpose hall, gift shop and canteen, grotto, garden and priests’ residence.
“It will be a high-roof cathedral with a gallery (mezzanine) floor. We hope it will serve the people for many good years to come. The basement and the parking space on the ground floor can accommodate 200 cars.
“As for the columbarium, it will cater for at least a few thousands since it is on two floors. There is no crematorium,” the bishop added.
Costing and fundraising
In view of the substantial amount to be raised the bishop is calling on parishioners and other caring members of the public including the government and the relevant authorities to assist in funding the project.
He said the new cathedral alone is estimated to cost RM20 – RM25 million with construction to start in 2019 when at least RM15 million or 70 per cent of the total cost is raised.
“We need to raise RM5 million each year from 2016 to 2019. We have collected RM3.4 million from our first fundraising dinner in Bintulu this year,” he said at the recent fundraising cum Easter dinner held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here.
At the dinner RM1.5 million was raised which include RM100,000 in minor rural project (MRP) grant from the then assistant minister of communications and Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Among the 2,500-odd parishioners present and donating to the worthy cause were tformer minister of green technology and water Tan Sri Peter Chin and his former political secretary Datuk Sebastian Ting.
Businessman Tan Sri Yee Ming Seng, Mayor Lawrence Lai, priests from St Dominic Church, The Rosary Taman Tunku and Good Shepherd Marudi, and Franciscan sisters were also present at the dinner.
There was also an auction of bricks and pillars for the project where one family pledged RM100,000, while the rest of the fund came from the sales of dinner tickets and pledges from diners.
Bishop Richard said various activities would be held in the next five years to raise fund for the building of the complex.
Among them are lump sum donation, monthly pledges, monthly second collection in church, sponsoring of building materials, sponsoring of specific items like pews, meeting rooms, sound system, grotto and garden, fundraising dinners, food fairs and sales of items, jogathons, concert and spiritual support.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build.” Psalm 127:1. Pray for the success of the project, offer up Rosaries and other spiritual exercises.”
The bishop said other components of the project would also cost millions, for example, the SK St Joseph will take about RM7 million to build and the new church at Permyjaya catering for 1,000 parishioners would cost about RM3 million.
Meanwhile, those wanting to donate can write a cheque in favour of: ‘The Bishop of Miri – Wisma St Joseph’ to Public Bank account No 3199675833. For enquiries call +60142778308 or email to [email protected]