The large, rural parish of Zumalai is to finally get a new Church, a gift from the government of Timor-Leste.
Carmelite Parish Priest, Fr Manuel Almeida Da Costa, announced that work had begun on digging the foundations of the new Church on 1 August. The Church will cost US$1.2 million and is expected to be completed in June 2016.
A new Church is a long-held dream for the people of Zumalai. It was one of the first things metnioned by village leaders in their initial meeting with Fr Wayne Stanhope and Fr David Hofman in August 2001 when the Australian Carmelites took responsibility for Timor-Leste.
The new Church includes offices for parish administration and sacramental preparation as well as a choir loft and seating for 650 people.
The existing Church will be demolished together with the huts currently being used by construction workers and a smaller building for parish meetngs will be constructed next to the new Church.
