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Wednesday, 2nd December 1981, was the glorious day of the solemn
opening and blessing of the new St. Peter's Church, Kudat.
That day, the weather was good. Kudat saw twelve priests and over
thousands Christians Celebrating this festive occasion.
Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, represented the government to declare
the church officially opened.
At 9 o'clock sharp, the church bells ran , a long procession was
slowly moving towards the church , led by seven colytes followed
by all the priests and 16 pretty flower girls Who carried the beautiful
flowers that were to be placed on and around the altar . Then came
the Master of Ceremony , Rev .Father P.J. de Wit , leading Bishop
Simon Fung together with his assistants Rev. Father Tobias Chi
and Rev. Father Purcell. The huge congregation stood orderly on the
large church square waiting for the ceremony to start.
First , the Bishop blessed the outside walls of the church , sprinkling
them with holy water .Then the Minister was invited to cut the ribbon
and declare the church officially opened. The Bishop then invited the
Parish Priest to whom the pastoral care of the church had been
committed , Father de Wit , to open the huge iron church doors ,
after which the Bishop and his Assistants entered the church
followed by the congregation .
When everybody was seated , a special ceremony was enacted ,
namely the handing Over of the new building to the Bishop , followed by
speeches by the chairman of St. Peter's Parish Council and the Minister.
It was then followed by the ceremonies of the blessing of the inside
walls of the church , the altar , the cross , the tabernacle , the baptismal
font and Our Lady Shrine .
Another highlight of the Mass was the offertory procession in which
representatives of the Parish Council , the Women Leagues , the Catholic
Youth and the Legion and also the flower girls presented their offertory gifts
to the smiling Bishop.
After Mass , a grand tea-party was held.
Around noon, a festive lunch was given to some 70 special guests, the
members of Parish Council ,Women's League and the youths .
It is a red letter day in the History of St. Peter's Church.
By
Agatha Lai
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