On 10th October 2025, His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, graced the celebration of the 75th Anniversary Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Henry Rajoo, Rev. Fr. Victor Louis, Rev. Fr. David Lourdes, Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier.
Also in attendance was Sr. Elizabeth Tan, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) Regional Councillor, FMM Sisters Sr. Caroline Gan, Sr. Enid Lopez, Sr. Catherine Chong, Sr. Cecelia Soh, Sr. Jacqueline Pan, and FMM Sisters in Kota Bharu, Sr. Mary Anne Fletcher, Sr. Angela Wong, Sr. Regina Ho and Sr. Angelic de Souza and Sr. Florence Nemesius, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC). The church and surrounding area was filled with around 500 faithful including pilgrims from Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
The theme of the 75th celebration is ‘As Pilgrims of Hope.” Following the Mass, a 1.5 km procession into Kota Bharu town brought forward the spirit of unity and devotion as the participants journeyed in prayer and reflection.
On the 1st day of Eucharistic celebration Cardinal Sebastian reflected on the mystery of the Annunciation. He reminded the faithful that the story of Jesus began with Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God: “Let it be done to me according to your Word”. Cardinal drew a parallel to our own lives, noting that just as Joseph became the earthly father of Jesus, each of us has a story that began when our parents said ‘Yes’ to one another in love and commitment. Every child in this world is meant to be welcomed, loved and nourished.
However, Cardinal cautioned against the modern challenges that threaten the sanctity of life. He, spoke of artificial contraception which can prevent life even before it begins and warned against artificial intelligence when machines replace the human thought process. Both artificial contraception and artificial intelligence is geared towards manipulating life independent of God’s Will. Sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters come back quickly to- Mary’s Fiat-Yes to God’s Will. God is always waiting for your one word response- YES!
Cardinal Sebastian final day Eucharistic Celebration Mass homily began with the exhortation: LOVE, PEACE and HOPE to all. In Acts of the Apostles1:12-14, the apostles, Mother Mary and the believers gathered in the upper room devoted to prayer. We too as a community, gather at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima of the Holy Rosary, with the Kota Bharu parishioners, university students, army personnel and families from Sabah and Sarawak in prayer, a church that is alive and united in diversity. What an Amazing Grace! Isaiah 56:7 proclaims “My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations”.
For 75 years in Kota Bharu, we have walked with Our Lady of Fatima and as with Mary in the Gospel of Luke, she humbly accepted God's call, even though she did not know everything, especially her future. May Mary's "Yes" be a model of saying yes to God. May Our Lady of Fatima continue to accompany us, praying that the people here will always be strong in faith, united in love, and witnesses of Christ for generations to come. Amen.
In Sister Maureen Chiew, IJS, book, ‘History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Penang’ it states that the first church in Kota Bharu was built by Fr. Louis Guittat - MEP in 1950, which now serves as the presbytery. The current church was built by Fr. Jean Tavennec - MEP in 1965.
Sr Angela Wong-FMM, Administrator of the parish, said that “Today is truly a day of blessings. God is Good, all the time. Our beloved church has once again felt the tender love and maternal care of Mother Mary, whose presence has guided us through the decades. Since 1950, the FMM Sisters have journeyed forward in faith, mission and service. Now, after 75 years, we look ahead with hope toward the next 75 years. Let us continue to shine the Light of Christ—as faithful disciples in our families, our workplace, and throughout our cherished state of Kelantan.
We thank Cardinal Sebastian Francis, our priests, religious, and volunteers, as well as the State Government, the Royal Malaysia Police Force, the Kota Bharu Municipal Council, and RELA personnel for their support and security presence during the procession. Above all, we thank Mother Mary, and entrust our future to her gentle, unwavering care. God Bless us All.
By Christopher Kushi
