KUCHING: A historic moment awaits the city this Christmas Eve, as the newly completed St. Peter’s Church in Padungan will host its first-ever midnight mass on December 24, marking a significant milestone for the local community.
Father Vincent Chin, the rector of St. Peter’s Church, shared with joy that this Christmas Eve mass will not only celebrate the Birth of Christ but will also serve as a soft launch for the newly built church. The official consecration is slated for June 29, 2025, coinciding with the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul.
“This has been a long journey, and after five challenging years, we are pleased to finally welcome everyone to this new house of the Lord,” said Father Chin. “This church is now a landmark in Kuching, a symbol of faith and unity for our community.”
The night will begin with a special Christmas Eve carolling session at 11 PM, leading up to the midnight mass at 12 AM. The church will also open its doors to visitors from December 26, with visits available daily, subject to guidelines.
Christmas Day celebrations will continue with a morning mass at 7:30 AM, which includes the installation of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and an evening mass at 5:30 PM. Regular weekday masses will take place at the Day Chapel from Tuesday to Friday at 7:30 PM, while Saturday sunset masses will be at 6 PM, and Sunday masses will be at 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Confessions will be available before sunset and Sunday masses.
Although the church is nearly finished, Father Chin highlighted that additional funds are still required to complete the full construction. He expressed confidence that, with the continued support and generosity from the community, the church will stand proudly as a lasting landmark for generations to come.
In an exciting development, Archbishop Simon Poh has also designated St. Peter’s Church as one of the pilgrimage centres for the Holy Year 2025, as announced by Pope Francis. Detailed guidelines for pilgrims will soon be available on the church’s official website.
