THE CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES

Twenty-five years ago on February 19. 1982 the Cathedral was dedicated. So this year the on 19th Febrauay 2007 the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Johor Bahru as well as neighbouring parishes, celebrated the Cathedral's 25th anniversary of Dedication . As the event also fell on the first day of the Chineses Lunar New Year, the parishioners from, far amd near came decked in festive colours. The turn-out was more than expected (about 1,500) . The event also marked the conclusion fo the first official visit of the Apostolic Delegate to the Diocese. Five other Italian priests were also present.

Bags like the above were printed and distributed to commemorate this day....each parishioner was given a bag with oranges and an angpow... Tradition, tradition.

This tent is where the bishops and priests distributed the goodie bags and boy! What a 'crowd' and grandma chu with mumsie and Jane (the Philipino maid) 's support survive it all and got her goodie bag and angpow....

Wonder if mumsie's little ones remember Father Ignatius Huan who was one of the earlier parish priest..He came back to celebrate with us... Years ago when Linny was '?small' he came to visit us and when he was met at the door Linny exclaimed.....'Jesus' is here!!!....remember????

Managed to catch the warden dressed in Chinese cheongsam

and RED!!! TRADITION tradition !!!

Since the church was packed and as usual the 'Chus' arrived just 'in time'...we couldn't get to sit together...so Ko ko pop in here to prove that he too is in the clelebrations.. Being the 1st day of CNY mumsie traditonally will bring her whole family to church...(Girls mumsie misses you)

The 'offerings' brought in during the offertory of the mass....symbolic items such palm oil (representing the economic produce of Johor) Gula Melaka (representing Melaka) oranges, pineapples, (God's abundant blessings on his children) the eight treasures candy, nien kau, bread and wine (humankind's harvest from the earth ) And every year during CNY mass the lion comes..This year they added the 'baby lions' performed by the Chinese community of the cathedral

The lion paying respect @ the altar...

And then it danced around the altar

And the lion 'teaser'...is that what this fella is called???

And the 'musician' The Cathedral has 12 of this drums...Each

named after the appostles...12 appostles so 12 drums

This corner is for the deaf...they follow the mass via 'hand/sign language'

Wonder Linny and Jie-jie remember this lady Shirely How....the retired Convent Teacher...she was called to make a speech cos she is the Parish Pastoral Counsel Chairperson ......

. Many many priests celebrate mass that day...

And many many bishops..never before did mumsie attended a mass with so many VIPs...

More wardens in red cheongsams

This is Archbishop Salvatore from Rome. The theme of the clelbration was How lovely is your Dwelling Place.

See Daddy is there paying attention and not 'nodding'

And Danny Boy with Jane amongst the other 'aunties'

Grandma Chu...@ the 'oldie corner'

This must be the first time mumsie attended mass with so many celebrants

After mass all was invited for lunch but mumsie and family had to rush off...Daddy gotta go for work.