Mayor Rico Waas Inaugurates Pastoral Building, Focusing on Nurturing the Future of Children

Mayor of Medan Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas inaugurated the Karya Pastoral Building of St. Yosep Parish in Gedung Johor on Jalan Karya Murni, Medan Johor, on Saturday (9/5). During the occasion, Rico stressed the importance of nurturing the younger generation as an investment in the nation’s future.

The inauguration of the Karya Pastoral Building of St. Yosef Parish was marked by the signing of the cornerstone by Medan Mayor Rico Waas, witnessed by the Archbishop and the Construction Committee.

In his speech, Rico stated that attention to children today is a determining factor in the quality of Indonesia in the future. He conveyed the message, “nurture children, nurture the nation,” as a reflection on the importance of building the character of the younger generation from an early age.

“If we want to see our nation in the future, we look at our children now. They are the ones who will hold the baton of leadership in Indonesia in 2045,” said Rico, accompanied by the Head of the Youth and Sports Education Office, Wandro Malau, Acting Head of General Administration Ridho Siregar, and the Head of Medan Johor Sub-District, Bachtiar Rivai.

Rico hopes that this Karya Pastoral Building will not only serve as a place of worship or meetings but will transform into a centre for training and creative activities for children to avoid the snares of drugs and juvenile delinquency.

“I hope that the Karya Pastoral Building will not only become a place of worship but can also serve as a place for training the younger generation to avoid negative activities,” said Rico.

Previously, the Chairman of the Construction Committee, P. Siregar, in his speech recalled the difficult times when Sunday school children had to learn under a tent behind the church. That condition was what sparked the enthusiasm to build more decent facilities.

“Initially, we set up a tent behind the church. That is where our children attended Sunday school. That was the main background,” recalled P. Siregar.

He explained that the laying of the first stone for the construction of this building took place on 6 February 2022 and was completed at the end of 2025.

“This building is the fruit of good cooperation with all the congregation in the parish. May this facility enhance pastoral and religious social services in our surroundings,” he said.

During the inauguration of the Karya Pastoral Building of St. Yosef Parish in Gedung Johor, Medan Mayor Rico Waas was presented with an ulos cloth by the committee as a token of thanks for his presence at the event.