A Memorable Celebration of Diversity
In a beautiful display of interfaith friendship, St. Yusup’s Church, Semarang, hosted a community Iftar on March 14, 2026. Initiated by the St. Joseph Church Department of Community Services, the event focused on building bridges and celebrating brotherhood with our Muslim brothers and sisters during Ramadan.
Collaborate to Serve
This event was a true cross-departmental effort at St. Joseph’s Church of Semarang. While spearheaded by the Ministry and Community Affairs Division, it was bolstered by the Community Service and Ministries. A diverse team of volunteers—including the Youth (OMK), teens, altar servers (PIR & PPA), lectors, and the media team—worked together to bring the vision to life, demonstrating the power of collaborative service.
The gathering welcomed thirty children and two chaplains from the Ikhlasul Amal Orphanage in Semarang. Distinguished guests included the Head of East Semarang District, representatives from the Interfaith Forum (FKUB) and the Indonesian Islamic Propagation Institute (LDII), and members of the Parish Council.
The event began at 3:30 PM in the Van Lith Room. Following a warm welcome from the MC, Parish Priest Father Benedictus Cahyo Christanto, S.J., opened the event with a message of unity. This was followed by heartfelt remarks from Mr. H. Abdul Jawad (Chair of East Semarang FKUB), and Mr. Usman (Head of the Ikhlasul Amal Orphanage).
Fun Games for All
Once the speeches concluded, the guests and committee members bonded over several interactive games. The first task—building a pyramid out of paper cups—required teamwork and patience. Despite the hunger and thirst that come with fasting, the children participated with incredible enthusiasm. The three fastest groups were rewarded with snack towers for their efforts.
We then moved on to a game called “Escape the Trap.” Unlike the first round, the committee decided to surprise the participants by awarding the “prize” to the very last person to exit the rope circle. This “prize” was a gentle dab of baby powder on the cheek—a sweet, humorous touch that highlighted the sense of family and fun shared by everyone.
Listening and Sharing the Love
After enjoying various games, guests listened to a sermon by KH. Abdul Qodir, which was well-received. Mr. Akbar Ali Nurdin, Head of East Semarang District, also shared a few words. The event, filled with joy from games and messages of love, made the iftar special. The attendees prayed together to mark the end of today’s fast before enjoying snacks in a cheerful atmosphere. Following the snacks, guests and committee members moved to the Suradibrata Room for dinner and further conversation, sharing a warm meal together.
The experience of this event created a memorable and positive atmosphere, with guests leaving the Church smiling and happy, taking home specially prepared souvenirs. This joint activity aimed to strengthen the spirit of fraternity, care, and tolerance among religious communities around St. Joseph’s Church of Gedangan and within the larger Catholic community. The evening’s joy emphasized that differences could bring people closer, rather than divide them, fostering friendships. The hope is that this spirit of togetherness and tolerance will inspire future community initiatives.
