St Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, Kg Buayan
By JJ/Soccom, Penampang
Oct 15 2022
HEAD of Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese, Archbishop John Wong has urged the faithful to defend and not to forget their roots in his address after presiding the Eucharistic Celebration in conjunction with the blessing and opening of the newly built St Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, Kg Buayan Oct 4.
The Mass was concelebrated by parish priest Fr Wilfred Atin, and assistant priests, Fr Gilbert Marcus, Fr Lawrence Kim and Fr Andrew Kim.
The remote Buayan, Tiku and Terian are neighbouring villages located in the Ulu Papar region. They are categorized as one outstation zone under the purview of St Michael’s Penampang parish
To access to these rural areas from the nearest town, one needs to take a long and bumpy drive. This region is also known as to have the most challenging terrain especially during the monsoon season. It is dotted with numerous muddy potholes with multiple streams only accessible by powerful 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Young people performing traditional dance
‘I am amazed to see the young people performing traditional dance, and showcasing your beautiful identity, which must be treasured and preserved for the benefit of future generations to come,’ remarked the Archbishop during the welcoming ceremony.
Archbishop congratulated the people of Buayan for the wonderful gift of the newly completed and beautiful church.
He thanked all generous donors, especially Datuk Seri Victor Paul for the main infrastructure. Although he was unable to mention everybody by name, he promised to remember them in his prayers for their kind contributions.
Not forgetting the Penampang entourage who accompanied him for the visit to Buayan, he acknowledged their support in making this occasion a meaningful celebration.
Notably present was the ASSISS Mobile Clinic, a non-profit outreach community services to the poor under the auspices of the accredited Assunta Hospital based in Klang, Selangor.
Archbishop thanked the doctors, nurses and ASSISS members for their collaboration with the Archdiocese, and for being on hand to those who were in need of health and medical assistance.
Parish priest Fr Atin has earlier explained that the Mission has decided to relocate the church to a more centralized and gregarious area where the school and community centre are located.
On the renaming of the church from “St Patrick” to “St Pope John Paul II”, he informed that it was done to reflect the special significance upheld by the local people here.
The name “John” was meant to honour the Archbishop by inscribing remembrance for the same name ‘John’, who is no stranger to the community here after making multiple pastoral visits to these villages over a period of time.
The newly elected Chancellor also said that at the same time, the name “Paul” was to record a deep appreciation by the parish on behalf of the faithful in Penampang to Datuk Seri Victor Paul for his continuous contributions and support for the church infrastructures and maintenance.
Fr Atin also acknowledged the immeasurable support and assistance of the 4×4 Club members, especially in handling the hardship and challenges of transporting the building materials until the completion of the church project.
In his turn, zone leader Cat.Julius Molusi thanked all those who were involved in the guidance, stewardship and leadership of the parish that has made the community dream of a beautiful and comfortable church a reality.
He hoped that that the new church, besides being a comfortable and strategic place for worship for the local people, but will also enhance solidarity, peace and unity in the village.
Archbishop John Wong during the Sacraments of Baptism
During the Mass, three infants and six youths received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation, administered by the Archbishop.
After Mass dismissal, Archbishop John and the clergy were invited to plant multiple species of trees in the church compound as a symbolic ceremony to mark the historical day before adjourning to the PYD hall for fellowship. More than 300 people were in attendance that day.
