MIRI: The Orang Ulu Catholic community in the city yesterday organised a family day to raise funds for the proposed Wisma St Joseph – St Joseph Cathedral expansion project.
The family day organising chairman Peter Ding Kalang disclosed that the event was also a platform for the Orang Ulu Catholic community coming from various longhouses and villages in the interior of Baram to get together.
“As part of the big Catholic family, it is our duty and obligation to help and raise funds (for the project) which is currently still short,” Peter said, adding that the expansion will cost RM25 million and so far there is only RM13 million available.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau at the closing of the family day event said; “Your activity today is 75 per cent about the future. It is certainly not about the past and not even very much about today. We continuously have to make decisions about the future. You have made a decision to hold this meaningful event in an effort to build a bigger church to cater for the ever growing Catholic community.”
Dennis commended the Orang Ulu community—Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Bisaya—for making the effort to contribute the best they could for spiritual development and nation-building.
“We are able to be here in Miri City, able to earn our living, raise a family and certainly live a more comfortable life as compared with our ancestors or forefathers. Giving back is more than an obligation — it is a privilege.”
Commending the organising committee which included Kayan-Kenyah Mass Committee 2017-2018 and Kayan-Kenyah Youth members for successfully organising the family day, the assemblyman said the community are aware of the need for more project funds which motivated them to put their heads together and plan for the event.
At the family day, Dennis who rendered two Iban numbers—‘Bujang Lelengau’ and ‘Berkikis Bulu Betis’—raised RM665 for the project fund and pledge RM10,000 under his minor rural project (MRP) fund.
Also present were Rev Monsignor Francis Kuleh and political secretary to Chief Minister Charles Balang Seling.