Fr Mark cutting his anniversary cake accompanied by fellow clergy on 20 December 2022. From left to right: Fr Galvin Ngumbang, Fr Larry Tan SJ, Archbishop Simon Poh, Fr Mark Bonchol, Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, Fr Alvin Ng SJ, Fr Benard Bujang. (All photos: todaycat/Shannon Wei)
By Shannon Wei
Jan 20 2023
KUCHING — On 20 December 2022, the parish pastoral council of St Joseph’s Cathedral (SJC) took the opportunity to celebrate Fr Mark Bonchol’s first sacerdotal ordination anniversary with a Thanksgiving dinner at the Sarawak Club. Fr Mark was ordained at a time when the Covid-19 restrictions were in force nationwide and there was no way for the parish to celebrate with him earlier on (his diaconate on 25 March 2021 and subsequently, his priestly ordination on 8 December 2021).
The celebration was attended by Archbishop Simon Poh, Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, SJC priests, Fr Alvin Ng SJ, members of the parish council, SJC staff together with their respective spouses, and a handful of invited guests.
In his address, Archbishop Simon Poh congratulated Fr Mark and also expressed his gratitude to all brother priests, SJC staff and councillors (including their respective spouses) for their full support. On behalf of the parish council, he also took the opportunity to specially thank some volunteers for their unfailing support and invaluable contribution “behind-the-scenes” over the years. (Special mention in no particular order: Dr Chan Lek Lim, Christine Yeo, Christopher Tan, Colin Wei, Cynthia Chan, Francesca Lau and Kevin Chin.) – Today’s catholic
