600K church extension

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online Felix Chaudhary, September 13, 2011

From Rabi with love ... a group of Rabi dancers perform at the opening of the extenson to the Mt St Mary's Church in Nadi. Picture: Jai Prasad

 

Three years of blood, sweat and tears culminated with a celebration and opening of the Nadi Catholic Community's $600,000 church extension yesterday.

The initiative was the brainchild of parish priest, Father Ipolito Teburea SM.

The initiative was driven by the need to build a bigger worship centre to cater for a growing number of faithful which often spilled onto the outer flanks of the previous structure.

Archbishop of Suva, His Grace Petero Mataca officiated at the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the opening of the building yesterday, Fr Ipolito thanked the Nadi Catholic community and paid special tribute to local musician Freddy Kado for spearheading fundraising efforts, which included dinner-dances and talent quests held during the church's annual bazaar in Martintar.

"Without the involvement of the community and especially people like Freddy and Hanisi Kado, this dream could not have become a reality," he said, while addressing hundreds of faithful who turned up to witness the event.

The opening of the new church was celebrated with meke, dances and entertainment by local band, Divine.

The original structure was built more than three decades ago.