St Catherine launches Kaamatan Festival

INANAM – Over 700 parishioners turned up for the joyous celebration of St Catherine Kaamatan Festival, which was launched by Father David Sham at St Catherine Hall on 1 May 2017.

Members of the Pastoral Council led by chairman, Paul Augustine, as well as church communities from the various chapels came in full support for the parish Kaamatan event.

The festivities began with the Thanksgiving Mass to thank God for his bountiful blessings, which was presided by Fr David and concelebrated with Father Paul Lo and Father Rayner Bisius.

Among those present were Patrick Lakuman, chairman of the Pastoral Council for Good Shepherd Manggatal, Datuk Eric Majimbun MP for Sepanggar, and the current State Assemblymen for Inanam Dr Roland Chia.

The last Kaamatan festival held at the St Catherine Hall was five years ago.  Traditionally, the host for the annual festive celebration is rotated among the various chapels. Next year the Kaamatan festival is slated to be held at St Simon Chapel, Pulau Pinampang,  one of the parish outstation chapels.

After the Kaamatan Thanksgiving Mass, Fr David kicked off the festive programme, beginning with the traditional tapai drunk through the bamboo “suki,”  followed by cake cutting. Other activities included the Sugandoi competition, best local dish competition, best tapai competition, stories telling and Bible reading in local dialect by children below the age of 12.

Another item that was much anticipated were the lucky draws.  More than 50 lucky winners walked away with prizes that day.  The happy and boisterous event lasted till late in the evening. – Michael Guntili