BUKIT MERTAJAM: Organisers of the annual St Anne’s Feast has themed the seventh day of the 10-day celebration as “Mission to Save Mother Earth”.

St Anne’s Church Bukit Mertajam assistant priest Father Leo Elias said pilgrims are also encouraged to observe a vegetarian diet on July 25.

“This is our small way of getting the pilgrims to stay healthy while creating awareness on our carbon footprint and the environment.

“We will be serving vegetarian meals on that day from 6pm to 10pm at the church hall under the Pilgrims’ Free Meals project,” he said.

“In line with the Catholic Diocese of Penang’s Year of Mission theme this year, our feast is themed – Call To Mission – to encourage Christians to serve others.

“As such, each of the 10-day novena and mass will carry different mission-based sub-themes, such as ‘Mission to the Poor and Margi­na­lised’, ‘Mission to the Migrants’; and ‘Mission to Unite Humanity’,” he said.

Father Leo also said about 120 volunteers under the Go Clean, Go Green squad as well as hired cleaners would collect, segregate the recyclables and send organic waste for composting to the church’s organic garden.

He said all polyfoam utensils are strictly banned while reusable cups will be used to serve drinks.

“This year, pilgrims are also encouraged to bring their own cutlery. Our Creative Justice Ministry members will be selling reusable cutlery kits at RM10 each,” he said.

The highlight of the celebration, he said, would be the grand candlelight procession on July 27 at 9.30pm after the 8pm open-air mass by Penang Bishop Datuk Sebastian Francis followed by a high praise concert by youth group Eternal Praise from Kuala Lumpur.

For live streaming of the mass on July 27, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/liveOnlinePenang or check out the church’s Facebook at St Anne’s Sanctuary BM.

Those keen on donating towards the pilgrims’ free meals project, can contact the church at 04-538 6405 or email to stannebukitmertajam@gmail.com.

News source: The Star