Monterado, July 20, 2021
New history was created in the pilgrimage of the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Pontianak and also the Union of Maria Montfortian of the Province of Indonesia. On this day, a new parish was formed in the western part of Borneo, precisely in the District of Monterado, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan Province. Present at this celebration is the Regent of Bengkayang, the Chairman of the Bengkayang DPRD, (House of Representatives) the Provincial of SMM Indonesia, the Archbishop of Pontianak, and hundreds of parishioners of St. Montfort Parish, Monterado.
A Brief History
St. Montfort Parish, Monterado was formerly known as St. Mikael Monterado, whose parent is the parish of St. Yosef, Samalantan. Before the arrival of the Montfortians, the pastoral care at this station was entirely handled by the priests who work in the of St. Yosef parish, Samalantan. Montfortian entered and worked in the area of the Pontianak Archdiocese at the request of Mgr. Agustinus Agus, Archbishop of Pontianak. The Society responded and answered the request which was marked by the sending of Father Stefanus Seli, SMM to St. Parish. Yosef Samalantan on January 18, 2020. He was assigned as a fellow father and lives in Samalantan Pastoral with RD. Indra Lubis, Pr, and RD. Surip, Pr.
To strengthen and facilitate pastoral work, SMM Indonesia sent Brother David Rabim, SMM in mid-August 2020 to undergo the Year of Pastoral Orientation at St. Yosef Parish, Samalantan. Father Stefanus Seli, SMM, and Brother David Rabim, SMM moved from Samalantan rectory to Monterado rectory on January 01, 2021. That date marked the beginning of the separation of missionary work and pastoral care between Samalantan and Monterado. The Montfortians who are pioneers of missionary work in Monterado are fully responsible for the sustainability of all pastoral services in all areas that are administratively in the territory of the District of Monterado. In addition, they were tasked with preparing for the transition of the St. Mikael Monterado became a Quasi parish and became a Parish.
February 7, 2021, St. Mikael Monterado changed his status to Quasi Parish. The Archbishop of Pontianak, Mgr. Agustinus Agus was present at the celebration and the name of his patron was changed from St. Michael became St. Montfort. Thus, the name of the new mission site is the Quasi Parish of St. Montfort Monterado. During the celebration, Mgr. Agus officially appointed Father Stefanus Seli, SMM as the quasi head priest of St. Parish. Montfort Monterado. During the celebration, the Archbishop of Pontianak asked for a suitable date for the celebration of the inauguration of a quasi-parish. At that time, Father Stef, SMM chose July 20, 2021, as the right time for the continuation of the inauguration celebration. The choice of date was based on historical events in the Society of Mary Montfortian because on that date, the Founding Father, July 20, 1947, by Pope Pius XII. The Monterado pastoral team received a new injection after the provincial leadership sent Deacon Hironimus Edison, SMM as a member of the Monterado pastoral team. Deacon Hiro arrives in Monterado on June 15, 2021.
Inauguration Celebration
The sky of Monterado today looks full of clouds. The bright morning sun from the eastern horizon stings directly into the skin of the body and makes everyone drenched in sweat. People from the stations in the parish of Monterado as well as guests began to arrive one by one at the Church. All gathered inside the church building and outside the churchyard while waiting for the presence of the Bengkayang Regent, the delegation from the Bengkayang’s DPRD (House of Representatives) and West Kalimantan Province, the Archbishop of Pontianak, the Provincial Father of SMM, and the head priest of the Monterado Parish who was getting ready at the Village Office. They talked about one thing or another while waiting for the start of the Eucharistic celebration with the title Thanksgiving Inauguration of the parish which will start at 09.00 WIB.
The Eucharistic Celebration led by Mgr. Agustinus Agus went smoothly and solemnly. Dozens of priests from the diocese and neighboring parishes as well as montfortians from Sintang were also present to enliven the celebration of the Eucharist which took place lively and magnificently. The choir also sang songs very lively and melodiously accompanied by lively music and dances. The celebration of the Eucharist lasts until 12.00. This celebration was also marked by the inauguration of the officers of the St. Parish Pastoral Council. Montfort Monterado for the period 2021-2024. A series of remarks took place during the Eucharistic Celebration. The chairman of the inauguration committee, the Provincial Father of SMM Indonesia, the Bishop, and the Bengkayang Regent were representatives who gave remarks based on their respective positions. The four of them emphasize the same thing, namely that with the inauguration of Monterado as a new parish, the faith, social, and moral life of the people will truly be formed and will be increasingly directed towards the identity of the baptism that has been received. Fr. Provincial specifically linked today's events to the moment of the canonization of St. Montfort, patron of the parish of Monterado for the holiness of St. Montfort is an example for all parishioners to follow. St. Parish Montfort Monterado has 18 stations and all of them are in the administrative area of the district of Monterado. That is, one parish serves one sub-district area. Fr. Provincial specifically linked today's events to the moment of the canonization of St. Montfort, patron of the parish of Monterado for the holiness of St. Montfort is an example for all parishioners to follow. St. Parish Montfort Monterado has 18 stations and all of them are in the administrative area of the district of Monterado. That is, one parish serves one sub-district area. Fr. Provincial specifically linked today's events to the moment of the canonization of St. Montfort, patron of the parish of Monterado for the holiness of St. Montfort is an example for all parishioners to follow. St. Parish Montfort Monterado has 18 stations and all of them are in the administrative area of the district of Monterado. That is, one parish serves one sub-district area.
The series of inauguration thanksgiving events were followed by a joint reception which took place in the church and rectory compound. The casual chat lasted until 16.00 WIB. Shaking fun together, singing, and casual talk became a series of events at the reception. All activities went smoothly because they were supported by the friendly atmosphere of the Monterado sky. Finally, proficiaat to all the people in Monterado, and congratulations to the Montfortians who are part of the pastoral team in this new parish. (Diakon Hironimus Edison, SMM).
