THE COAT OF ARMS of the Archbishop of Kuching
INTRODUCTION
The standard Coat of Arms of a Metropolitan Archbishop comprises a wide brimmed green hat
called galero, with 10 tassel on each side, a two-barred processional cross, a shield, a palium
and a motto scroll.
The icons on the shield depend on each archbishop and these have personal meanings for
him. The motto focuses on his ministry as a shepherd for the flock entrusted to him.
GALERO WITH TASSELS
This is the symbol of the office of an Archishop. I have chosen a galero with a "figure-of-eight"
knot. It is one of the basic knots that I have learnt from St. Joseph's School 9th Kuching
Company Scouts.
My Venture Scout Unit has taught me to be courageous, resourceful, to embroce values of
sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, cooperation and teamwork, with the aim of making the
world a better place for all people: "Do a good turn daily", "Always leave a place better than
you found it".
TWO-BARRED PROCESSIONAL CROSS
This is placed behind the shield. It relates to the processional cross and the jurisdiction it
symbolises. Besides being just a symbol of Chrstiannity, the cross is to honour and remember
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I have chosen the Cross with the five wounds of the crucified Christ on the cross- head, heart,
hands and feet. "By His holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard and protect us.
Amen."
SHIELD WITH MOTTO SCROLL
The shield forms the central part of the amorial bearings. It symbolises the need to rely always
on the armour of God, carrying the shield of faith so that it can be used to put out the burning
arrows of the evil one.
The badge profile is that of St. Joseph's School, where I studied for 13 years (1970-1982).
The seed of my Catholic faith was planted in Primary One and eventually, I was baptised while
in Form 4. The shield’s green profile represents my gratitude to the La Salle Brothers and
teachers who have educated me, and especially those who have instructed me in the Catholic
Faith.
CHALICE
The Chalice is composed using the Chinese character 聖 (Holy) symbolising the Holy Eucharist
as "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Catechism of the Catholic Church n.1324).
This also represents my cultural root.
BARUK
The baruk is a traditional Bidayuh community house, where the whole village gathers to meet,
discuss and worship. The local Catholic Church has used the baruk design in tabernacles and
Church buildings as it symbolises Vatican Council II's concept of Church as a community of
Faith.
The baruk icon represents the indigenous communities in the Archdiocese of Kuching.
This baruk design is based on the Tabernacle in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching, with seven
steps representing the Seven Sacraments.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral has been very central to my life and ministry. I was baptised, confirmed,
received my First Communion and served as an Altar Server there. Eventually, I was ordained
and have served for the past five years as Parish Priest of the Cathedral.
JUG WITH WATER
This symbolises the foot washing and ministry of Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). The water inside the jug
also stands for the waters of Baptism through which we become children of God.
BIBLE WITH TEXT 1 PETER 5:1-11
The scriptural text are the words of the apostle Peter, who is my Patron Saint. In these verses,
he speaks to me as a brother bishop and also to those who will be ministering with me.
In all that we do, we offer with humble and grateful heart to our God, “to Him be the glory and
power forever and ever”.
BACKGROUND COLOURS
Yellow, red & black: These are the colours on the State Flag. Together with the baruk, these
represent the local Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Kuching, rooted in the cultures and
in the State of Sarawak. "Negeriku, Tanah Airku Sarawak".
Yellow & white: These are Vatican colours and they represent my loyalty to the Holy Father,
who has appointed me as Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Kuching.
PALLIUM
A circular strip of white wool, about two and one-half inches wide from which two short bands,
made of the same material, hang down over the chest and the back, ending with black silk
pendants, is decorated with six crosses of black taffeta, four placed in the circle and the
two others in the hanging bands.
The four crosses symbolise the cardinal virtues of justice, fortitude, tempererance and
prudence. The two hanging bands symbolise the active life of Martha and contemplative one of
Mary. It is displayed below the shield.
Besides indicating a superior episcopal authority and dignity, it is also a symbol of communion
with the Church. Placed on the shoulders of the prelate, it symbolises the profound humility of
the saviour and the erring sheep that the Good Shepherd places on his shoulders to bring back
to the flock.
MOTTO
The Motto is my vision statement. "Pastor Cordis Christi" (in Latin) is taken from Jeremiah 3:15,
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart”. It is a calling to respond to the Lord to feed his
sheep (John 2 1:15-17) and to become a “shepherd of the heart of Christ”.
Most Rev. Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng
Archbishop of Kuching
Parish Pastoral Councils respond to the call of the Second Vatican Council for the co-responsible leadership of priests and people in the total mission of the parish. They are structures of participation that have the potential to transform the life of a parish; priests and people work together in the power of the Holy Spirit and renew the church as they co-ordinate and harness the efforts of parishioners who live and share the Good News of Christ in the local community.
16th Parish Pastoral Council (For profiles, click here)
President: Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng
Vice President: Rev. Fr. Mark Bonchol
Assistant Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai
Office Bearers
Chairman: Aloysius Lai
Vice Chairman: Paul Wong
Honorary Secretary: Bernadine Sammy
Assistant Secretary: Julian Jong
Ex-Officio
Religious Sister: Sr. Rowena Patrick, SSFS
Parish Admin. & Accounts: Charmaine Foong
Members
1. Ambrose Cheng
2. Cornelius Wong
3. Ewincy Rebin
4. Francesca Lau
5. Jessica Ting
6. John Edward
7. Kenny Simon
8. Lawrence Jamblee
9. Nelly Chin
10. Paulus Lawrence Gulih
11. Ralph Balan
St. Joseph's Parish Office
Address:
Parish Office
St. Joseph's Cathedral,
Batu 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 184,
93702 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Tel: 082-423424 / 423425 (O), 082-233805 (Fax)
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/6082423424
Administrator Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Front Office Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office Hours:
SJC Counselling Centre
Ground Floor,
St. Joseph’s Parish Centre,
Batu 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Office hours
Monday - Friday : 8:00 am - 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday : 8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Weekend & Public Holidays : Counselling service is available by appointment only
Telephone : 082-258046
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Confidentiality is assured. We provide counselling service, trauma therapy, spiritual guidance and other general pastoral care.
‘‘Love offering” will be collected after every session.
CATHOLIC FUNERAL & BURIAL SERVICE
The Catholic Mutual Benefit Society of the Archdiocese of Kuching provides advice and assistance in the spirit of Christian love and support to bereaved families at the time of death. Their services include providing advice regarding Christian rituals, cemetery plots, caskets, transportation, arrangement for funeral masses, wake prayers for the dead, etc. For more information regarding membership or in time of need, you may contact the following:-
On-call 24 hours: Christopher Chin (Hp: 019-8563438)
Office: Beatrice Mary Goh (Tel: 082-244493)
Parish Migrant Apostolate: 012-8581470 / 012-8090767
St. Joseph's Parish Gift Shop: 082-243936
Archdiocesan Library & History Gallery
Level 1, A.C.C.P.C.,
Batu 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Tel: 082-420802 (O)
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 12:00 noon
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sat: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon
(Closed on Sundays, Public Holidays & Church Holy Days of Obligation)
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop
Ground Floor (Outside, at the corner), A.C.C.P.C.,
Batu 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Catholic Welfare Services Council Sarawak
Ground Floor (Outside, beside S.S.V.P. Thrift Shop), A.C.C.P.C.,
Batu 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Tel: 082-241407 (O)
Opening Hours:
118, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 940,
93718 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.
Parish Priest / Rector
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng (黄伟乾神父)
Assistant Priest
Rev. Fr. Mark Noel Bonchol
Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai
Parish Administration
(082-423424 / 082-423425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Charmaine Foong (Parish Admin. & Accounts)
Aidwina Aidan Wing (Admin. Executive)
#Christine Yeo (Volunteer)
Front Office
(082-423424 / 082-423425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Lily Eng Li Li (Supervisor)
Annie Ak Sabal
Joanna Ak Colin Anyai
Back Office
(082-423424 / 082-423425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Agnes Chai Lily
#Martha Liu (P/T)
Parish Accounts
(082-423424 / 082-423425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Felicia Kho
Aubery Ak Anthony
Booking of Rooms / Facilities
(082-423424 / 082-423425, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Aubery Ak Anthony
Household
Maria Moifah Ak Minok
Linda Ak Ginip
Sacristy
Florence Jihen
Monica Manja Ak Nesew
Catechetical Office, 1st Floor, Catechetical Block
(082-412650, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Sarah Marimuthu (Coordinator, Faith Formation)
Ronita Ak Romeo
Angeline Corry Ak Banti
SJC Counselling Centre, Ground Floor, St. Joseph’s Parish Centre
(082-258046, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Kimberly Wee (018-3539799)
Nelly Chin (018-2529899)
Parish Library & History Gallery, Level 1, A.C.C.P.C.
(082-420802)
Irene Siaw
Property Management Outsourced Team
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Kevin Chin (Building Manager)
VISION
We journey together as a “new way of being Church”
with Mary, Mother of God,
to reveal Jesus Christ in us and
to make Him known, loved and served by all,
in the realities and uncertainties of life, particularly through:
- caring for Mother Earth as our common home,
- ensuring the sanctity of family life,
- comforting the afflicted,
- giving voice to the voiceless, and
- building bridges to people of other faiths.
_______________________________________________________
VISI
Kita berjalan bersama-sama sebagai “cara baharu menjadi Gereja,”
bersama dengan Maria, Bunda Allah,
untuk menampakkan Yesus Kristus dalam diri kita dan
menjadikanNya dikenali, disayangi dan dilayani oleh semua,
dalam keadaan realiti dan ketidaktentuan hidup, terutamanya melalui:
- memulihara Bumi Tercinta sebagai kediaman bersama,
- memastikan kesucian hidup kekeluargaan,
- menghiburkan mereka yang menderita,
- membela mereka yang tidak terdaya bersuara, dan
- menjalinkan hubungan silaturahim dengan umat berlainan agama.
_______________________________________________________
愿景
我们与天主之母玛利亚同行,
成为“教会的新途径”,
为彰显在我们中的耶稣基督,让众人认识,爱慕及事奉,
在现实与变化漠测的生活中,特别藉着:
- 关注大地为我们共同的家园,
- 维护家庭生活的神圣,
- 给受苦的人安慰,
- 给无能发言的人声音,和
- 在不同信仰的人中建立桥梁。