Church of Divine Mercy, Penang

Divine Mercy
Church of Divine Mercy (Christian Community Centre)
Country	Malaysia
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	http://www.cdm.my/
Administration
Diocese	Penang
Division	Penang Island
Clergy
Priest(s)	Fr. Bernard Paul and Fr. Andrew Stephen

The Church of Divine Mercy is a church located in Sungai Ara, Penang, Malaysia. The church was established in July 2005. It is the latest church completed in the Diocese of Penang and also a Christian Community Centre.

History

The Catholic population in the southern Penang Island was increasing fast. In 1989, a parishioner of Holy Spirit Cathedral donated a piece of land to the diocese. He wished to build a Christian Community Centre, to promote ecumenism. In 1996, the Bishop of Penang Antony Selvanayagam held a meeting to discuss plans on the construction of the church.

The then parish priest has also proposed a building plans but things did not go on well. In 2002, Msgr Stephen Liew, a former parish priest, formed a building committee under the advise of bishop. The site plan was submitted in 2004 and building plan in May 2005. In November 2004, the cathedral held a poll and listed a few names to decide an appopriate name for the church. The name 'Divine Mercy was chosen by most parishioners, and therefore the church was named after Divine Mercy. The Church of Divine Mercy was officially launched and established in July 2005 by former parish priests, Fr. Francis Anthony and Fr. Henry Rajoo.

In total, the church and Christian Community Centre costed RM 8,000,000. Many fundraising drives were held, including a lucky draw, food carnival, a grand dinner and various coffee mornings. Parishioners too donated much money, outstationers also contributed a lot. In 28 November 2007, the groundbreaking ceremony was held, with Bishop Antony Selvanayagam and former parish priests Fr. Francis Anthony and Fr. Henry Rajoo in attendance. In 15 March 2010, the topping up ceremony was held with a mass.

In July 2010, the church was finally completed. The church was the first in 41 years to be constructed with the previous churches being constructed in 1969 (Holy Spirit Cathedral and Risen Christ Church). ^[1]. Masses started in 22 August 2010 at the completed church building. On 29 September 2010, Bishop Antony Selvanayagam officiate the opening of the church. Also present were the former parish priests Fr. Francis Anthony, Fr. Henry Rajoo and 8 other priests from Penang Island. About 1,500 Catholics gather for the opening ceremony, which was much anticipated by the people. ^[2]. On 1 January 2011, the Church of Divine Mercy was officially elevated to parish status.

Current status

Currently, the Church of Divine Mercy caters to about 2,500 Catholics residing in the Bayan Lepas area. The church capacity is 900 people. The Christian Community Centre has a hall, meeting rooms and classrooms to cater for talks and sessions and also a priests residence. Currently there are no parish priests, but the administrators of the church are Fr. Bernard Paul and Fr. Stephen Andrew, who are also the parish priests of the cathedral.

Mass Times

With effective from 1 January 2011

Friday Mass
6:00pm English

Sunday Masses
9:00am English and Bahasa Melayu
6:00pm English

References

1. ^ "New Catholic church in 41 years". http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/8/24/north/6899713&sec=north. Retrieved 2010-10-10. 
2. ^ "A truly divine start". http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/10/5/north/7132480&sec=north. Retrieved 2010-10-10. 

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Penang
• Holy Spirit Cathedral, Penang

External links

• Holy Spirit Cathedral Website
• Penang Diocese Official Website