Indonesian church choir sings at St Anne celebration

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Those attending the celebration of St Anne here on Saturday night were accompanied by a choir from Indonesia which lent a poignant musical note to the celebrations.
Led by Father Redemptus Simamora, the 83 member Magnificant Choir Team from Medan, Indonesia, mesmerised the more than 100,000 strong crowd.
Choir members, aged between 11 to 35, sung Christian hymns, traditional music, and modern songs during the 10pm performance.
Redemptus said he began the choir in 1998 and they have practised for eight months for this performance.
"It is a blessing to be able to join the believers here in this celebration," he said.
Pilgrims and devotees came from near and far to St Anne's Church to mark the culmination of the 10 day St Anne Feast and Novena.
The celebration started with a mass led by Penang Bishop Sebastian Francis before a candlelight procession around the church grounds.
Among them was Matthew Hardings, 42, from Kuala Lumpur, who has been faithfully attending the celebration for 15 years.
"I bring my family here almost every year but sometimes I will celebrate in Klang, it is definitely a different atmosphere here," he said.
His children Isaiah, 8, and Emily, 7, both enjoyed making the trip down to Penang.
"I hope to be like them one day, I am motivated to join the choir team in my school," said Isaiah after the choir performance.
Punitaj Ruth, 43, who has been attending for more than 20 years said she always prayed for a peaceful life, healthy body, and her children to study well.
A pilgrim, who wished only to be known as Hui, said she never fails to attend the celebration.
"I prayed for my sickness to be healed, and I was healed, it's a miracle," she said without elaborating.
Lim Mei Qi, 25, bought a candle and lit it up during the candlelight procession.
"I believe my faith sets me free and my prayers will be heard," she added.