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KUCHING - The Home of Peace for the elderly, a project of the Catholic Welfare Services of Sarawak (CWS) was officially launched on 2 August during a Eucharistic celebration at the Carmelite Chapel concelebrated by Archbishop John Ha, Bishop Dominic Su of Sibu Diocese, Fr Nicholas Ng, Fr John Chong, Friar Arul Mariadass Friar Joseph Lee. It was attended by Parish Councillors and parishioners from all the 10 parishes of the Archdiocese. In his homily Archbishop John Ha explained the principle and biblical foundation for the Home of Peace which in short is enshrined in the fourth commandment of honouring our fathers and mothers. The Home must adhere strictly to Christian principle of caring for the destitute elderly who have no one to look after them. He advised that the Home must not replace the responsibility of children caring for their aged parents who can afford to pay. Although finance is important, once the Christian principle is sacrificed this project would lose its true purpose and meaning, he cautioned.

     After Holy Mass a multi-media presentation was given in the Archbishop’s Hall to enlighten parish councillors and parishioners on the project.    

    This is an outreach project of the Church to provide a home for the aged, in particular those that are poor, in an environment of faith,communal support and conducive caring facilities, with the aim of bringing them peace in their old age. It has three objectives:
- to educate society to esteem and value the elderly and counter the mentality which gives priority to immediate human usefulness and productivity.
- to propagate a faith that illuminates the mystery of death and brings serenity to old age, thereby to prolong the person’s capacity to enjoy life as God’s gift to us.
- to provide for the care of the elderly inspired not only by organizational efficiency but also by loving concern.

     The proposed development is situated on 5.35 acres of land at Jalan Landeh, 2.9 km from Kuching city.

     The building complex of the Home will consist of four hostel blocks for residents, a hostel block for staff, a dinning hall cum kitchen and store, an administrative and activity block, an infirmary, a chapel and a funeral parlour. It has a maximum capacity for 62 residents.

     The development inclusive of land is estimated at RM5.7 million and will be developed in two stages. The Home is expected to be completed in 2007.

     The Home is owned by the CWS and will be managed by a Board of Governors appointed by the Catholic Welfare Services Council comprising seven members, of whom three will be representatives of Catholic Welfare Services, two from the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak and two from the Archbishop’s Office. The day-to-day operation of the Home will be managed by the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak, subject to the Care Centre Act 1993 and Care Centres Regulation 1994.

The Home will provide:- 
- care, protection and rehabilitation
- counseling and guidance
- occupational therapy/physiotherapy
- religious support
- recreation
- nursing care
- respite care

     The Home will admit applicants who are aged destitutes, free from mental illness and infectious diseases and who have no family members or next of kin to look after them. Each application for admission will initially be assessed by the CWS Council before it is approved by the Board of Governors.

     In his address, Titus Chuo, Chairman of the CWS, emphasied that the Home of Peace is an outreach of the Church to the elderly. Hence the participation of all Catholics whether through material and financial contribution or moral and prayerful support is essential. The first fund raising activity for the project will be a dinner on 11 October at Dewan Suarah under the distinguised patronage of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak. Archbishop Emeritus Peter makes this emphatic appeal: “This is an enormous project. It will need a lot of funding, both for construction and maintenance. I appeal to all members of the Church, to our State Government, and to the general public for their generous support and contributions. May God bless all supporters and contributors and reward them in his own way and in his own good time.”

     All contributions by cheques or bank standing order should be made in favour of “Catholic Welfare Services” (SCB A/C No: 420-117939984)

Tax-exempted official receipts will be issued for all donations received.

For further information please contact:

Catholic Welfare Services at 
telephone No: 082-241407 or at 
No 118, Jalan Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak.

Contributed