A DREAM rooted in faith, unity and service is steadily taking shape in the heart of Sungai Ara as the Church of Divine Mercy pushes forward with plans to build a multipurpose community centre aimed at serving not only parishioners, but the wider community as well.
Adjacent to the existing church building, the upcoming facility is envisioned as far more than just bricks and mortar.
For parish priest Rev Father Michael Raymond OFM. Cap, the project represents “a centre of hope”, a vibrant sanctuary where people from all walks of life can gather, connect and grow together.
“This multipurpose community centre is not just an extension of this building. It is more than an extension,” he told Buletin Mutiara during an interview at the church earlier today.
“It is a sanctuary and a space where people, not only from the parish, but from the surrounding community too, can come together.
“It goes beyond religion, beyond faith, creed or race. It is a place where relationships can be strengthened and where people can share life together,” he added.
Located within the rapidly expanding township of Sungai Ara in Bayan Lepas, the project comes at a time when the area is experiencing swift urban growth, with new residential developments continuously emerging.
Fr Michael said the church saw an urgent need for communal spaces that could foster human connection amid the fast-paced development.
“Sungai Ara is blooming. Every other day, you see new apartment blocks and buildings coming up.
“People need space. They need avenues where they can come together, share life and build relationships,” he said.
The planned centre will feature a versatile hall spanning more than 5,000 sqft, capable of accommodating a wide range of activities including badminton, pickleball, community events, weddings, seminars, educational programmes and social gatherings.
According to parish pastoral council chairman Zeckry Aaron Chan, the lack of proper indoor community spaces in Sungai Ara further reinforced the need for the project.
“If you look at Sungai Ara currently, you do not really have a proper indoor hall for the community.
“So we are looking at versatility, how this space can serve different functions and meet the needs of the people here,” he said.
Beyond recreational activities, the centre is also expected to host talks, workshops and outreach programmes for the wider public.
The church has already been actively organising community-centred initiatives such as scam awareness talks, blood donation drives, interfaith dialogues and discussions involving persons with disabilities and their families.
Fr Michael stressed that the project was intentionally designed as a community facility rather than a purely religious institution.
“That is why we call it a community multipurpose centre.
“If people from the mosque, temple or any other organisation wish to use the space, they are most welcome.
“It is truly meant to engage with the community,” he said.
However, turning the ambitious vision into reality has not come without challenges.
The estimated cost of the project currently stands between RM11 million and RM11.5 million, with about RM3.4 million raised so far.
This leaves the church facing a funding shortfall of approximately RM7.6 million.
Despite the hurdles, Fr Michael said the response from parishioners and supporters has been deeply encouraging.
Among the latest fundraising initiatives is the “Buy a Brick” campaign, where supporters contribute RM10 per symbolic brick towards the construction.
“The response has been very welcoming and very positive.
“We are also moving this beyond the parish because we do not want to strain our parishioners alone.
“We are reaching out to other churches, organisations, families and benefactors who believe in the purpose of this project,” he further stated.
Other fundraising efforts include a planned golf tournament next year, a major fundraising dinner, as well as recycling and resale initiatives led by parish groups such as Friends of Creation.
“There are many people helping quietly behind the scenes in their own little ways,” Fr Michael said.
“It may seem small, but every contribution matters.”
Construction progress has also been affected by rising material costs and global economic uncertainties linked to ongoing international conflicts.
Still, the church remains optimistic.
Based on current projections, the building is expected to be completed by March 2028.
“We may need to pause certain things at times depending on costs and circumstances, but if possible, we do not want to delay because delaying will only increase costs further,” said Zeckry.
The journey towards realising the project also involved years of negotiations over the land status.
Fr Michael explained that discussions with the local council and state government began long before his arrival at the parish in 2020, shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic period.
Initially, the land lease arrangement posed uncertainties for the church, making it difficult to proceed confidently with a multimillion-ringgit development.
Following years of discussions and appeals, the church eventually secured a 99-year lease with the option to purchase the land.
The acquisition price was also successfully reduced from RM5.8 million to RM2.9 million.
Fr Michael expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Penang government and the local council (Penang Island City Council) for their support throughout the process.
“They were very open and flexible during discussions.
“They understood the potential of this project and the vision we have for the wider community,” he said.
To further strengthen public participation and foster a sense of ownership, the church will also organise a special workshop for parishioners on May 24 to discuss the future direction and use of the community centre.
“What is important is ownership,” Fr Michael said.
“This project does not belong only to the fundraising committee or the building committee. It belongs to the whole parish community.
“We want everyone to understand the purpose of this vision and ask themselves: ‘What can I contribute?’
“It can be as simple as saying a prayer or as generous as sponsoring a room.
“I believe it is the small beginnings that lead to greater things.
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,” Fr Michael further expressed his belief.
Fr Michael also acknowledged and thanked CDM’s first parish priest, Rev Father Martin Andrews Arlando, who pioneered the idea of the new community centre during his stint there after being appointed to a different church in 2020.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En