by Mathìas Hariyadi
In a spirit of faith and unity, Catholics from across the Jakarta Archdiocese gathered at the Our Lady of Akita Prayer Garden in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK)-2 to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025.
This special event was initiated by Kabar Baik, a new Catholic media platform founded by Father Yustinus Sulistiadi, a local diocesan priest of Jakarta Archdiocese.
Kabar Baik was established in mid 2024 to inspire Catholic journalists to share the Vatican’s key messages and Pope Francis' teachings to a wider audience.
As part of this mission, Father Sulistiadi invited Catholics from various parishes to take part in a solemn Eucharistic celebration, despite the initial cloudy and rainy weather. The congregation remained enthusiastic, embracing the moment of spiritual reflection.
A solemn celebration led by 5 priests
The mass was presided over by five priests:
Father Yustinus Sulistiadi – Founder of Kabar Baik.
Father Rochadi – Cilangkap Parish Church.
Father Riki Baruwarsa – St. John Paul II’s Major Seminary.
Father Bambang Rudianto – Jesus’ Friends Student House Depok
Father Lucky Nikasius – Chief priest of PIK-1’s Regina Caeli Parish Church.
The gathering was an opportunity for Catholics to reflect on their faith and embrace the spirit of renewal that the Jubilee Year represents.
Embracing the Jubilee Year with hope
In his opening remarks, Father Sulistiadi encouraged the faithful to welcome the Jubilee Year with a renewed spirit of hope.
He emphasized that this Eucharistic celebration was the beginning of a deeper journey to understand, live, and spread Pope Francis’ pastoral messages.
“There are three key messages from Pope Francis’ pastoral visit to Indonesia last 3-6 September 2024 that we should take to heart,” the priest shared.
“One of them is the importance of building strong, fraternal relationships with people of different faiths.”
He explained that interfaith humanitarian initiatives have been a long-standing effort, starting with Cultura di Vita in 2007 and continuing with Ikon Kebudayaan Nusantara (IKN) last year.
The latest movement is the launch of Kabar Baik, an evangelization platform aimed at spreading messages of faith and goodwill through its website: www.kabar.baik-id.
Speaking with Dominus.Est today, PIK-2’s Managing Director of the Our Lady of Akita Mr. Edison Jingga warmly welcome Kabar Baik’s initiative to promote the Jubilee Year’s spirit of hope.
“PIK2’s management intentionally build this worship place as a public facility for those who want to perform devotional activities to St. Mary, mother of Jesus. Since its initial soft opening last 2023, more and more Catholics around the country have come to visit this Our Lady of Akita. Also, a group of Catholics from China has always came to visit this shrine every year,” explains Mr Jingga.
Fr. Yustinus Sulistiadi, the initiator and founder of Kabar Baik and the Kabar Baik music ensemble.
Pope Francis' three key messages
Kabar Baik collaborates with Catholic journalists from diverse backgrounds to amplify Pope Francis’ teachings. “Fundamental cause of this movement is the fact that the Universal Catholic Church today is shaped by Pope Francis' vision, concerns, and hopes for the world,” said Father Sulistiadi.
He outlined three key messages from the Pope’s visit to Indonesia last year”
Caring for Our Common Home – The Earth is facing serious threats from air pollution, deforestation, and environmental degradation. The Pope urges everyone to take responsibility in protecting nature.
Advancing Social Justice – The Church has a crucial role in promoting human dignity, equality, and justice in society.
Fostering Interfaith Dialogue – Strengthening friendships and understanding among people of different religions is essential for peace and harmony.
Post-Mass discussions and reflections
Following the eucharistic celebration, the event continued with two engaging discussions:
Catholic Journalism with AsiaNews’s Mathias Hariyadi, the founder of Indonesian Catholic online media outlet Sesawi.Net.
Holistic Health with Johan Gazali.
Attendees expressed their appreciation for the event. “Celebrating the Jubilee Year at Our Lady of Akita Prayer Garden has been an incredible experience,” said Mrs. Sularso from St. Bernadette’s Pinang Ciledug Parish Church.
“The location is beautiful and Father Bambang Rudi’s homily about Our Lady of Akita was deeply touching.”
The celebration was further enriched by performances from the Kabar Baik music ensemble, a choir from Tarakanita Pluit High School, and a heartfelt saxophone duet by Didik SSS and his daughter Calista.
A meaningful beginning for the Jubilee Year
Saturday’s social gathering is more than just a spiritual celebration— it is a public call for any Catholics to act to deepen their faith, engage in social and environmental responsibility, and strengthen interfaith relationships.
Through Kabar Baik and other initiatives, the spirit of the Jubilee Year will continue to inspire and guide the Catholic community in Jakarta and beyond.
Photo credit: Stefanus Budi Handoyo (Titch TV/Sesawi.Net)
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