Parishioners of the Parish of Divine Mercy (Khnach Romeas) in Koh Ream Village, Khnachormeas Commune, Bavel District, Battambang Province, gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for their new church building on June 9.
The Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, Enrique Figaredo, presided over the ceremony on the site where the new structure will be constructed.
In his homily, Msgr. Enrique said that God doesn’t need a church building because He needs us, but we need a church to be close to Him and come together to talk about His kindness.
52-year-old parishioner Ms. La Sokha shared how they would transfer the altar to higher ground during the rainy season to celebrate the Holy Mass.
“When we heard that we will have a new church, all were very happy because we were no longer cramped, no longer flooded, and it was no longer difficult to carry the altar up and down,” she said.
The church’s present structure was built in 2002 from wood with a thatched roof and can accommodate 50-60 people.
According to the parish priest, Father Manoj Kumar Ekka, SJ, he solicited financial aid from local and foreign friends to construct the new church.
The parish has already received almost $100,000, and half of that came from donations from abroad.
The campaign to get donations is still ongoing.
Local Catholics also donated various materials for the church.
Father Ekka also said, “When there is a comfortable place, it guides us to feel good because the church is a place of relationship with God, a conversation with God, and especially prayer is to be at peace.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony, the faithful had a little procession on the site where the new church would be built.
Salt was scattered on the ground, and candles were lit on the site, symbolizing the role and duties of Catholics.
A former priest in charge of the community, Father Tumlop Sophal, explained that Catholics must be salted, live and apply the Word of God, and be the light of God to bring others to know God.
Father Ekka said the construction would be completed in six to eight months. The new church is 10 meters wide and 30 meters long and can accommodate 300 to 400 people.
Divine Mercy Parish is located in the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang.
A Catholic family from Battambang founded the community, which moved to Chomnom parish and later to Khnach Romeas before the 1930s.
