KUCHING: After two years of low-key celebration and a series of online masses due to the pandemic, congregations at churches are finally allowed with no limitation.
A check by New Sarawak Tribune during the Holy Week at St Ann Church, Kota Padawan found that it was a full house service and celebration, especially during Good Friday and Easter Virgil, where the church’s foyers were filled with churchgoers.
Gervas Rajau Peter, 25, a keyboardist, said that he was grateful to be able to serve in the church with his fellow choir members.
“For the Easter Virgil mass, all choir members were grouped together and I was nervous because this was one of the big masses celebrated in the liturgical calendar after the two years pause,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
For the song arrangement, Gervas said it couldn’t be done if it wasn’t for the help of the choir members who contributed ideas and everybody’s joint effort in practising every night.
“I was merely assisting but with the help of my fellow members, I was able to play the keyboard well despite making a minor mistake. Everything else went smoothly after that.
“I also dare to say this was one of the historical masses for the parishioners of St Ann with the church so full for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Meanwhile, another choir member, Peter Billy Margaret, 22, who served as a psalmist on Easter Virgil, said that it was a very touching and memorable experience since it had been a long time ever since the Holy Week was last celebrated physically in church.
“Previously, we were only allowed to celebrate Easter at home and attend online masses only.
“Now that all masses have shifted to the physical format, I’m more than excited to serve in the church.
“The sense of longing to be present in the church is finally fulfilled,” he said.
Peter also stated that since he was assigned as a psalmist, he had been attending every single choir practice to ensure that he was able to chant perfectly during the service.
“This is important for me to ensure that the chord used is suitable for my voice and vocal range.
“During the mass, I managed to control my nervousness in front of thousands of parishioners to make sure that the psalm was well-chanted.
“As a psalmist, I am able to spread the good news from the bible,” he added.
