By St Ann Parishioner
KOTA PADAWAN — Zone Family Day & St Ann Feast Day Celebration was successfully held on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the Multifunction Hall, Kampung Simpok. The event began with the Solemn Mass for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated by Fr Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM, Rector of St Ann Parish, Kota Padawan. The hall was filled to capacity with parishioners from Zone Simpok, reflecting the strong spirit of unity and faith within the community.
During his homily, Fr Don Don reminded the faithful that every Catholic is called to imitate the lives of Saints Peter and Paul, who faithfully served the Lord with unwavering trust despite facing many challenges. He encouraged everyone to remain steadfast in their faith and to continue supporting the mission of building the new St Peter and Paul Church Kampung Simpok. Although the project requires substantial financial resources, he emphasised that every contribution, regardless of its size, is valuable. With continuous support, generosity, and God’s blessings, the dream of building St Peter and Paul Church Kampung Simpok can become a reality.
Following the Mass, the official opening ceremony of the Zone Family Day 2026 was held. The celebration was made even more meaningful as the parish community also took the opportunity to celebrate the 50th Birthday of Fr Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM. The ceremony included welcoming speeches, a cake-cutting ceremony, and the official launch of the Zone Family Day, creating a joyful and memorable atmosphere for everyone present.
After the opening ceremony, parishioners enjoyed a lively food fair featuring numerous booths offering a wide variety of local delicacies and traditional dishes. The event was filled with the warmth of community fellowship as families and volunteers worked together in food preparation and sales, while visitors enjoyed the vibrant and festive environment.
The programme continued with the symbolic closing of the Gawai celebration through the traditional “Gulung Tikar” ceremony, officiated by Rector Fr Don Don Ramerez, KK Kampung Simpok, Vincent Tambang, YB Datuk Willie Mongin together with the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and the Rector of St Ann Parish. This meaningful ceremony marked the conclusion of the Gawai festive season and highlighted the parish’s appreciation of local cultural traditions.
The afternoon session featured a variety of telematches, family games, stage performances, lucky draws, and entertainment, attracting enthusiastic participation from parishioners of all ages. The activities strengthened family bonds while fostering friendship and unity among members of the parish community.
One of the highlights of the Family Day was the fundraising lucky draw in support of the construction of the new St Peter and Paul Church Kampung Simpok. Excitement reached its peak during the Grand Prize draw, with the Perodua Axia serving as the top prize. The attractive prizes encouraged many parishioners to purchase lucky draw tickets, contributing significantly to the Church building fund.
The event concluded with a special musical performance, “Golden Voices,” by Fr Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM, whose songs added joy and celebration to the occasion. As the programme came to an end at around 4.00 p.m., participants gathered for a final session of dancing and fellowship, ending the Family Day on a joyful and memorable note.
Overall, the Zone Family Day & St Ann Feast Day Celebration 2026 was a great success. It strengthened the bonds of faith, friendship, and community among parishioners while raising awareness and support for the construction of the new St Peter Church. The event reflected the spirit of unity, generosity, and gratitude, leaving everyone with joyful memories and renewed hope for the future.
