Members of the BM Apostolate consist of Sabahans and Sarawakians who have made Penang their home. They have either come here to study, work or start a family. Usually, their first language is their mother tongue, e.g. Bahasa Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Dusun, etc. and their second language is Bahasa Malaysia. The group was formed to bring together people with common background and experience, to share their faith with each other, in a language familiar to them.

With a core team of about 15 people, the group’s objective is to share the word of God in Bahasa Malaysia, not only for the benefit of parishioners from East Malaysia but also the Indonesian migrant community who comes to CDM. Under the guidance and support of then Parish Priest, Fr. Martin Arlando, Bahasa Mass at CDM was introduced in 2015, at the frequency of once a month. The Mass brings a sense of familiarity to the Bahasa speaking group. It also serves as a reminder the importance of this language in uniting people from various ethnic groups, each with their own languages and culture, who sometimes are forgotten because they are the minority.

The Apostolate also aim to strengthen the faith of the parishioners through formations conducted in Bahasa Malaysia. In 2019, “Seminar Penguatan & Pemantapan Iman” and “Seminar Liturgi” were held in CDM and speakers, Sr. Florence Nemesius and Sr. Neomi Mejia (the order of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception) under the Penang Diocese Bahasa Malaysia Apostolate were invited to present the topics. This collaboration also means support is there for the Bahasa-speaking parishioners to grow in faith together, under the care of the Penang diocese.

The group is always open to individuals who are interested in joining the team and are willing to volunteer their services, especially as lectors, choir members, musician, projectionist, or even translator to assist to animate the mass. Bahasa Mass is scheduled to resume once a month in year 2021 after the MCO.