Putatan church is 25% completed

KOTA KINABALU – Members of the Church building committee of St Catherine Laboure Church, Putatan (originally named as St Catherine of Siena) made a courtesy call on Archbishop John Wong at his office Feb 19.  The group includes Fr Fundes Motiung, rector of Stella Maris Church, assistant rector, Fr Tony Mojiwat, chairman of the building committee, Stephen Sondoh, Dr Tan Jun Kwan and other church’s consultants, and the contractor.

Dr Tan gave a briefing, outlining the stages of development as well as giving an overview of the various facilities the church would comprise when completed.

The construction of the church, which was implemented in January 2013, is now at its 2nd level.  It is envisaged to be completed at the end of March.  This is translated to about 25% completion of the project.

It is also understood that approval has been received for a bridge to be constructed over the river between the township and the church site.  The committee would be meeting with JKR to spearhead its construction.

The church, which comprises of 3 levels, has been re-designed to accommodate the fast-growing Catholic community in Putatan and Lok Kawi due to the surge of development of new townships, industries and housing projects.  It is now estimated to cost RM7 million.

At the same time, Archbishop Wong was informed by the committee that fundraising projects are afoot to include a golf tournament and a fundraising dinner for this year, in addition to the ongoing church collection at Stella Maris and St Thomas as St Catherine Laboure Church is a sub-parish of Stella Maris.  This is to meet the shortfall of RM3.6 million needed to complete the project.

In closing the meeting, the Archbishop reiterated his gratefulness for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of the committee.  He assured them of his ongoing concern and assistance.

Sondoh said “Every single cent spent is guided by our Church finance & accounting procedures approved by the building committee, which is made up of professionals who are volunteers committed to implement the church project till completion.

He thanked all who have contributed in cash and in kind, especially parishioners of Stella Maris and St Thomas, for their generosity and support.  He hoped that more parishioners, particularly those residing in Putatan, to come forward to contribute, as well as to be challenged to take up his concept of asking for a donation of just  “5 bricks and a bag of cement”.

For those who want to help, they can forward their contribution to RTD St Catherine Church Putatan Maybank a/c 510189007514.  For further enquiries, please contact:  Stephen Sondoh: 013-8658333; Dominic Chong: 019-8959821 – Range Majikol