St Mark’s church launches fundraiser for parish status

St Mark’s Church, Kuching, seeks community support to become a parish by raising RM20 million for its development. According to the Rector of St Mark’s Church and Sacred Heart Church, Fr Felix Au, the development of the parish is divided into four phases.

The first phase will consist of constructing the parish office and rectory. The second phase will cover the construction of a four-1/2-storey classroom block for meetings and Sunday School. Phase three will see the construction of a multi-purpose activity hall, while the final phase is the extension of the existing church for worship.

The church will start with a fundraising dinner at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre on April 15, 2023, followed by a Fun Run on May 1, 2023. The run consists of two categories—5km and 3km. Participants are encouraged to raise at least RM100, which will entitle them to a commemorative cap. As this is a Fun Run, it offers no prizes.

St Mark’s Church will also carry out various fundraising activities, namely St Mark’s Pledge forms, whereby donors will make monthly contributions over three years and St Mark’s Fiesta Sale. The church has been under the pastoral care of Sacred Heart Parish, Kota Sentosa, and serves one of the fast-growing Catholic communities in Kuching. It was officially declared open in 1999, and every Sunday, over 2,000 Catholics attend Mass at St Mark’s Church.

Fr Felix Au said the church needs the Catholic community and public to be involved in raising funds for the development of the parish. He added that participation and donations are essential to making the dream of the church to become a parish a reality. Community members can make donations to St Mark’s Church Batu Kawa Development Fund, with account number Malayan Banking Berhad 561033138377.

The church’s fundraising initiative has received positive responses from the Catholic community and the public. Many are interested in participating in the Fun Run and donating towards the fundraising project. The church’s committee has expressed gratitude to all who have donated and supported the church’s mission of becoming a parish.

St Mark’s Church has been a significant part of the Catholic community in Kuching for over two decades. The church organises numerous outreach programs to cater to the community’s needs. These programs range from providing aid and shelter to the poor and needy to offering educational services for children.

With the growing population in the area, St Mark’s Church is facing the challenge of accommodating the ever-increasing number of Catholics in the region. To address this challenge, the church has proposed a development plan to transform it into a parish.

Source: The Herald Malaysia Online.