Orang Asli Christmas Gathering At St Michaels Church, Ipoh

Some of the Orang Asli servers at the Bahasa Malaysia mass. (back row from right) Fr Jude Miranda followed by Fr Stephen Liew. Hubert Thong is at extreme left in white shirt. 

Over one hundred and sixty out of close to 350 Orang Asli from Kampar, Cameron Highlands and Tapah attended an ‘Orang Asli Christmas Gathering’ held at St Michael's Church, Ipoh on December 11 2016.

The evening began with a Bahasa Malaysia mass held during the 5.30pm evening Sunday Mass and carried on with a dinner and concert held at the church hall later.

Another 200 Orang Asli from the Temenggor Dam area was unable to attend due to floods affecting their locations.

Co-organiser for the evening Hubert Thong said the Temenggor Orang Asli were supposed to attend but floods during this monsoon season had upset the plan.

Thong added that the Orang Asli Christmas gathering was annual event.

“For the last two years we held it at their villages. This year we decided to bring the congregation to St Michaels Church. 

"It is much easier to coordinate than to have to bring the celebration to their villages and it will give the Orang Asli an opportunity a change to have an outing away from their village”

Fr Jude Miranda concelebrated at the Bahasa Malaysia mass.

The mass had a strong Orang Asli presence

The evening began with a Bahasa Malaysia mass which was concelebrated by Fr Jude Miranda from Taiping Catholic Church and St Michaels Church Parish Priest Fr Stephen Liew.

Orang Asli presence in the mass was very strong with six youth from Kampar serving during the mass and additional youth participating in the offertory ceremony.

During the concert groups from St Michaels Church and Orang Asli did their presentations. 

After mass, the evening continued with a dinner and concert held at the Church hall.

Above, Sam Tet school band and below Orang Asli youth enjoying the evening.

It was a nice scene as the congregation that gathered together portrayed a lovely 1 Malaysia image with various races of Malaysia sitting together for a meal and participating as one big family in the evening activities.

The concert started with the Sam Tet School band's rendition of Christmas carols and an appropriate and popular Chinese tune ‘Pang Yau’ or Friend.

This was followed by presentations from the various groups from St Michaels Church and the Orang Asli with the audience urging them on by cheering and clapping.

At dinner, Christmas Carols with healthy servings. 

A Christmas to remember when whole families have a meal together. 

Young, innocent and happy faces. 

It was a wonderful night of joy where the congregation of St Michaels Church came together with Orang Asli community to help usher in the spirit of Christmas.

Merry Christmas 2016.

Merry Christmas.

JAG