Katedral Church Ready to Accommodate 3,800 Congregations

Approaching Christmas celebration, various preparations are done by the Katedral Church which located on Jalan Katedral No. 7B, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta. Besides decorating the church with ornaments, tents are installed in the front and back of the church and as many as 3,800 seats are prepared for the congregations who will attend Christmas Mass.

The preparations have been done since two weeks ago and are 70 percent completion

“The preparations have been done since two weeks ago and are 70 percent completion,” told Head of Katedral Church Christmas Committee spokesman, Handes, Tuesday (12/23).

According to Handes, Christmas Mass on December 24 will be held three times, namely at 5 PM, 7.30 PM, and 10 PM. Then on December 25, there will be five Christmas Masses held at 6 AM, 7.30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, and 6 PM.

Police to Secure Christmas and New Year Celebration

“Especially for Christmas Mass on December 25 at 9 AM, it would be led by Jakarta Archbishop, Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo,” he informed.

For security, Handes told that his party put on standby 65 internal church personnel, who will be assisted by 170 policemen from Sawah Besar Sector Police. The amount will increase with additional men from the army and mass organizations.

While for the parking lots, they are located at Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia Post Office, and Santa Ursula Senior High School (SMA). But considering the limited amount of parking spaces, Handes urges the congregations not to bring cars individually.

“If bringing cars, bring others as well, it would be better. And also don’t carry big bags so you won’t be troubled, because each congregation will go through a detector machine,” he stated.