By Peter Tan
SRI AMAN — The Catholic community of Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) Parish gathered for a beautiful evening of prayer and celebration on 1 May 2025, marking two special occasions: the opening of the May Rosary devotion and the 42nd priesthood anniversary of beloved parish priest, Rev Fr Joseph Chai.
Multilingual Rosary at the Shrine of Mother Mary
As the clock struck 6.00 pm, faithful from across Simanggang assembled at the Shrine of Mother Mary to begin the month-long devotion to Our Lady. The Rosary was recited in five languages – Iban, Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, and Bidayuh – reflecting the rich diversity of the parish community. The harmonious blend of voices under the evening sky created a profound sense of unity in faith.
Evening Mass Honoring St Joseph the Worker
The prayerful atmosphere continued with the celebration of Evening Mass, presided over by Fr Joseph Chai. The liturgy honored St Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of labourers, whose quiet faithfulness and dedication to his vocation inspired all. In his homily, Fr Joseph emphasised the importance of offering our daily work to God, just as St Joseph did in his carpentry.
Potluck Dinner Celebrating 42 Years of Priesthood
Following Mass, parishioners gathered at the Catholic Centre for a festive potluck dinner to celebrate Fr Joseph’s 42 years of priestly service (ordained 3 May 1983). The hall was filled with laughter, gratitude, and delicious homemade dishes, as young and old alike shared stories of how Fr Joseph had touched their lives through his ministry.
In a heartfelt moment, Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Mr Colin Robert Lanuk presented Fr Joseph with an ang pao (red envelope) on behalf of the community. “This small token represents our deep appreciation for your 42 years of faithful service, especially your 6 years guiding OLQP,” Mr Colin said, as the priest humbly accepted the gift.
A Blessed Evening
As the celebration concluded, Fr Joseph thanked the community with tears in his eyes: “You have been God’s greatest gift to my priesthood. Let us continue walking together in faith.” The evening perfectly blended devotion to Mary, imitation of St Joseph’s virtues, and gratitude for the gift of priestly ministry.
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