Kampung Long Sungei Dua, Baram is another 20 minutes boat ride from Long Lama jetty to the 70-door Kayan longhouse out of which 42 doors are Catholics (60%).
Upon arrival at river bank Kampung Long Sungei Dua on Saturday 22nd June 2019, Tuah Kampung Jacob Lawai and some 120 parishioners performed "welcoming" traditional Kayan dances and music gongs, sanang and tabau Orang Ulu musical instruments to welcome Right Reverend Bishop Richard Ng and Fr. Lazarus Swinie where both together celebrated sunset Mass Feast of Corpus Christi at Our Lady of the Assumption Church situated on top of the hill.
Tuah Kampung Jacob Lawai mentioned Kampung Long Sungei Dua was blessed by the late Bishop Anthony Dennis Galvin early 70s at the time the church was an old building covered with zinc rooftop and walls with simple plywoods to prevent animals entering the building.
A committee was formed early 80s to plan and build a new church to cope with the fast growing number of Catholics. The new church was built and completed in 1984 located at the current church on top of the hill.
Our Lady of the Assumption Church was refurbished in preparation for an opening ceremony officially blessed by Fr. Philip Chua on 10th June 2005 when he was serving in Long Lama. The church was chosen the host for paschal convention for section Baram Tengah in 2011. The Mass for Jubilee 45 years Kampung Long Sungei Dua, Baram was celebrated with Fr. Andy Lee at the time when Long Lama was under Church of Holy Family Parish, Lapok.
After sunset Mass, the community continue entertained the invited guests performing traditional dances, music and presentation of gifts and backlane memory of Kampung Long Sungei Dua, Baram when evangelization began preaching the Catholic Faith to the Kayan community.
On Sunday 23rd June 2019, Right Reverend Bishop Richard Ng and Fr. Lazarus Swinie celebrated morning Mass the Solemnity of Corpus Christi at Blessed Sacrament Church, Long Lama with some 400 parishioners. The church was packed inside with some 50 pax standing outside the church main entrance.
His Lordship Bishop Richard Ng administered Sacrament of Confirmation to 10 students during the Mass. The confirmants 7 girls and 3 boys come from SMK Long Lama secondary school.
After the Mass service, Right Reverend Bishop Richard Ng and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau were invited to participate in the Ngiling Tikai ceremony together with Fr. Lazarus and all the leaders tuah kampung and tuah rumah.
Ngiling Tikai ritual is a very old tradition practised by the Dayak community to mark the end of the Gawai Harvest Festival celebration. In the Iban language, Ngiling means rolling and Tikai means mat, thus Ngiling Tikai means rolling up the mat.
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Long Lama serves 22 longhouses mainly Kenyah, Kayan and Iban not counting the schools, plantations and camps.
Fr. Lazarus Swinie was installed Rector of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Long Lama on 21st January 2018. Prior to his transfer to Miri Diocese, he was Rector of Holy Spirit, Lundu, Kuching for 6 years. After his Ordination in 2001, he served in St Theresa Parish, Serian for 6 years before going to Rome 2 years to study Theology of Spirituality. Fr. Lazarus has served 18 years as a priest.
His Lordship Bishop Richard Ng returned to Miri after lunch hours to celebrate Mass at St Joseph Cathedral Solemnity of the Most Holy and Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. A great number of parishioners participated in the Corpus Christi Procession after the Mass.
Arrival at Kampung Long Sungei Dua, Baram by boat
Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Sungei Dua built on top of the hill
Sunset Mass Feast of Corpus Christi
Bishop signing the plaque Our Lady of the Assumption Church
Bishop cutting birthday cake & Presentation of gifts and performance entertainment at Sungei Dua
Bishop Richard and Fr. Lazarus celebrating Sunday Mass Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Bishop administered Sacrament of Confirmation to 10 students
Welcoming guests to Ngiling Tikai ceremony
