<----2012 --- 2010--->
Two years ago, on 26-8-2010, I visited Fr. Raymond Pereira who has just assumed the post of the Parish Priest of the 75 years old Church of St. Theresa. (See old posting St Theresa Church)
He was then busy renovating the 75 years old rundown church and making plan for a new multipurpose complex on a piece of land at the back of the church.
St. Theresa was formerly a chapel under the administration of St. Aloysius Church, Mantin.
Fr. Raymond is the first appointed resident Parish Priest when the chapel was elevated to a parish on February 1, 2010.
The church renovation was completed in time for its Feast day and Diamond Jubilee double celebrations on October 1, 2010.
The construction of the complex started soon after the double celebrations and was completed in 2011 under the able and experienced leadership of Fr. Raymond.
Fr. Raymond was a former Parish Priest of the Church of Divine Mercy in Shah Alan which he has built from scratch, and completed in 2005 after overcoming many obstacles and difficulties including legal tussles with the state government and local authorities.
The Nilai community was rather happy with the historical old church renovated, and a new multipurpose complex completed. Fr. Raymond, after all the hardwork of building structures and facilities, was looking forward to focus his pastoral priority to "building people" and "communion of people".
On Jan 1, 2011 at about 11:30 am, a short-circuit caused fire at the back store room destroyed the sacristy and altar section of the church of St Theresa. Fr. Raymond and the community were sad and heart broken.
“We are now homeless. We have no place to worship,” “We are thankful to God that no one was hurt...our people are in a state of shock...” These sentences summed up the feeling of Fr. Raymond then.
Mass has to be celebrated at the Nilai community hall because the new complex has not yet been issued with a Certificate of Fitness (CF).
Glory be to God, the CF was obtained in April 2012.
Today, 2 years later, I visited Fr. Raymond with my wife and parents in law at the new complex which is aptly named St. Theresa Pastoral Center.
He greeted us warmly.
In his calm and enthusiastic voice, he shared with us many stories of his community, his parish and most of all, the building of the complex and the ordeal after the fire.
No sadness but joy, no giving up but working harder. Fr. Raymond took the challenges and hardship in stride. He gave thanks unceasingly and praises to God, and to St. Theresa for her intercession, for all graces he received during this difficult times. He thanked all benefactors, donors, parishioners and friends, near and far, for their generosity in cash and in kind.
The community of St. Theresa are now on their feet again, stronger and taller!
Later he brought us for a tour of the Center.
1. First floor - is used as a church for masses and worship.
2. Second floor - Class rooms, meeting rooms, AV rooms and dormitory.
3. Third floor - Dormitory, function and activity rooms.
I was impressed by its user friendly facilities especially the toilets and bathing area, and the ramp for physical handicapped and elderly users.
The center has been letting out to groups and community for stay-in retreat,seminar and formation. From its booking diary, it shows the center is well-received by groups from KL and PJ areas.
The official opening and blessing of the Center by Archbishop Murphy Pakiam is schedule on 9/9/2012.
Donations towards the building of a new church are most welcomed and solicited. For further information or making contribution：
Please contact St. Theresa Pastoral Center New Telephone No: 06- 7940160.
Being a small and rural community, they need your help!
**Fr Raymond is the Spiritual Director of the KL Regia, the highest council of Legion of Mary in Peninsular Malaysia. He speaks English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.
(See all pictures in Facebook)
Fr. Raymond, the old church and new Pastoral Center at the backMay God bless him good health, peace and joy in his priestly ministry
雷睿明神父，后为旧教堂及新的牧民中心
愿主祝福雷神父，司铎的生活，身体健康，平安及喜乐。
两年前，26-8-2010，我拜访了刚上任为汝来圣特肋莎（或圣德兰）(St. Theresa Church, Nilai) 教堂本堂的雷睿明神父。（参阅旧帖子圣特肋撒堂）
当时他正忙着装修这间75年历史，有点破落的小教堂，同时也正策划着在这教堂的后面一片空地上，兴建一间多用途的大楼。
圣特肋莎堂本来是由文丁圣类思堂管辖的一间小堂，但在2010年的二月一日，正式升级为一个堂区（汝来堂区），而雷神父则是第一位被委任的本堂神父。
教堂的装修工作及时的完成，使到该堂能够在十月一日，举行主保日及建堂75周年双庆。
在双庆过后不久，建设多元用途大楼的工程开始了。在这位能力足够，又有经验的雷神父负责下，大厦在2011年年底建成了。
雷神父是沙亚南耶稣救世主堂的前任本堂，也是他负责建成的一间教堂。雷神父经过了许多阻扰及困难，还须与州政府闹上公堂，及面对各地方政府部门的重重障碍，在2005年，把教堂建立起来。
在汝来，经过一番努力之后，老教堂装修好了，还相当的舒适，多用途大楼也完工了，就只等待地方政府发出入伙准证，是享受努力的成果的时候了。
谁知好事多磨。
2011年，1月一日元旦，大约早上十一点半左右，因为电线短路，教堂后面的储物室，因着电线短路，而引起大火，把储物室，祭衣房及祭台的屋顶烧毁了，整间教堂也一片狼藉，不能再使用了。
当时他正忙着装修这间75年历史，有点破落的小教堂，同时也正策划着在这教堂的后面一片空地上，兴建一间多用途的大楼。
圣特肋莎堂本来是由文丁圣类思堂管辖的一间小堂，但在2010年的二月一日，正式升级为一个堂区（汝来堂区），而雷神父则是第一位被委任的本堂神父。
教堂的装修工作及时的完成，使到该堂能够在十月一日，举行主保日及建堂75周年双庆。
在双庆过后不久，建设多元用途大楼的工程开始了。在这位能力足够，又有经验的雷神父负责下，大厦在2011年年底建成了。
雷神父是沙亚南耶稣救世主堂的前任本堂，也是他负责建成的一间教堂。雷神父经过了许多阻扰及困难，还须与州政府闹上公堂，及面对各地方政府部门的重重障碍，在2005年，把教堂建立起来。
在汝来，经过一番努力之后，老教堂装修好了，还相当的舒适，多用途大楼也完工了，就只等待地方政府发出入伙准证，是享受努力的成果的时候了。
谁知好事多磨。
2011年，1月一日元旦，大约早上十一点半左右，因为电线短路，教堂后面的储物室，因着电线短路，而引起大火，把储物室，祭衣房及祭台的屋顶烧毁了，整间教堂也一片狼藉，不能再使用了。
多用途大厦虽然建成了，但还没有领得使用准证，所以，不能使用，主日弥撒圣祭，只好在市镇的礼堂举行。
感谢主的恩赐，入伙准证在今年四月获得地方议会发出。
今天，两年之后，我及太太，还有岳父母，在汝来新的多用途大楼，现称为『圣特肋莎牧民中心』，拜访了雷神父。
他热情的欢迎我们的到来。
他没有抱怨，没有放弃，没有气馁，反而是非常积极的与我们分享了他的堂区，团体，建设新大楼的过程，及大火之后的各种体验。他非常的喜乐，也不断的感谢及赞美天主，也感谢圣德兰的转求，更没有忘记谢谢来自各地的恩人，赞助人，堂区教友及朋友的慷慨相助，捐助物资及金钱，也因如此，圣德兰堂区很快的从跌倒中，站了起来，更加坚强及壮大。
过后，他带领了我们参观了旧教堂及圣特肋莎牧民中心。
牧民中心目前的使用如下：
一楼 - 作为教堂，用来举行弥撒圣祭及各种朝拜活动。
二楼 - 课室，会议室，还有宿舍
三楼 - 宿舍及活动空间
我对这里的各种设施非常的赞赏，特别是男及女厕所，非常的足够，还有供残缺人士及长者使用的通道。
该中心也出租给各地的团体及组织，进行各种住宿的培训，避静等活动。根据登记部的资料，这中心相当受到来自八打灵及吉隆坡各组织的欢迎，目前已有很多组织预订了使用日期。
巴吉安总主教将在九月九日，为这牧民中心举行祝圣及开幕礼。
圣德拉教堂非常欢迎大家给予他们建立教堂基金的赞助和捐献。任何询问，可以联络圣特肋莎牧民中心的新电话号码： 06- 7940160.
圣特肋莎是个小堂口，他们需要你们的帮助。
** 雷神父是西马圣母军区域团指导神师，能说英语，华语及国语（马来语）
(更多照片Facebook)
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