Mass and Humanitarian Aid Bring Consolation to Isolated, Flood-Hit Indonesian Parish

The Catholic Diocese of Sibolga, located in North Sumatra Province, carried out a pastoral and humanitarian outreach to the flood-affected Catholic community of St. Lucia Station in Parjalihotan Village, on January 18, bringing renewed hope to the faithful and reminding them that the Church has not forgotten them.

The initiative, led by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Sibolga, Fr. Purwosuranto, OSC, included the distribution of basic food assistance, school supplies, and free medical check-ups. The activities were held at the St. Lucia Station Chapel and at the home of a local parishioner, Mrs. Ramisa Nduru.

Eucharistic Celebration amid Simplicity and Hope

Fr. Purwosuranto, OSC also presided over a simple yet deeply moving Eucharistic celebration at the modest chapel of St. Lucia Station. The church building had previously been submerged under nearly two meters of thick mud when the Parjalihotan River overflowed during severe flooding.

Despite very limited facilities—using only a loudspeaker—the Mass, celebrated in the Nias language, was vibrant and heartfelt. Having served on Nias Island for over 11 years, Fr. Purwosuranto delivered the homily and liturgy in Nias, occasionally incorporating Indonesian for guests from outside the village.

Among those present were Ms. Vivi Ashali of the Lions Club Jakarta Askara Buwana (District 307 A1), a Catholic philanthropist; members of the Humanitarian Service Community (KBKK) led by Dr. Irene Setiadi; Mathias Hariyadi of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA); and the OSF Sisters of Sibolga from Pandan City, Central Tapanuli Regency.

Humanitarian Mission and Aid Distribution

Preparations began a day earlier, with Fr. Purwosuranto coordinating the mission with Fr. Agus of Pandan Parish. The journey to St. Lucia Station—about a one-hour drive from Pandan City—required careful logistical planning.

Donated goods were gathered at the courtyard of the OSF San Damiano Convent in Pandan. It took about 45 minutes to load four vehicles with rice, cooking oil, toiletries, and other basic necessities.

The mission also included school supplies and jackets donated by alumni of the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) Class of 1989, entrusted by a senior Indonesian Army general together with his classmates.

“I was entrusted with donations from the alumni of the 1989 Military Academy class for the faithful of St. Lucia Station—especially school supplies for children and warm clothing,” said Fr. Purwosuranto, OSC, during the distribution in Parjalihotan.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, children and youth received school supplies and jackets, while adult parishioners were given packages containing rice, cooking oil, toiletries, and buckets, sparking visible joy throughout the community.

Free Medical Services for Residents

Dr. Irene Setiadi provided free medical check-ups and medicines, assisted by KBKK members Lulu Angkasa, Grace Ekanegara, and Mrs. Lugi from Medan.

“Most patients here suffer from high blood pressure,” noted Dr. Setiadi, founder of KBKK 25 years ago and a physician who previously lived in Germany for 12 years.

The entire social service program lasted nearly three hours, beginning with the Eucharistic celebration, followed by the distribution of aid and medical consultations.

Isolated Community after Devastating Floods

Parjalihotan remains largely isolated following the destruction of the Rambin Parjalihotan Suspension Bridge, the only access route to Pinangsori. The bridge was swept away by a flash flood on November 25, 2025.

During the disaster, floodwaters mixed with thick mud submerged the village to a height of more than 2.5 meters, destroying livelihoods and infrastructure. With the bridge gone, residents now rely on makeshift rafts made from plastic drums and wooden planks, pulled manually by ropes, to cross the river.

Gratitude from the Faithful

“All the faithful of St. Lucia Station are deeply grateful to the donors—the Indonesian Army alumni of the 1989 class, the OSF Sisters of Sibolga, KBKK Jakarta, and our visitors from Askara Buwana and RVA,” said Lydia Lahagu, a Parjalihotan resident currently working in Pandan.

“We were especially happy to celebrate the Eucharist in our Nias language with Fr. Purwosuranto and to receive this charitable visit,” she added.