Jesus Caritas Church celebrates 40th anniversary

Jul 01, 2015

By Bernard Anthony
The Church of Jesus Caritas celebrated its 40th anniversary recently (1975-2015). It was doubly special for its parishioners, as they also celebrated their parish feastday of Corpus Christi, with the theme Be holy For I Am Holy.

The celebrations culminated in a long candlelight procession of the Blessed Sacrament, around the vicinity of the parish. On returning to the church grounds, Fr Micheal conducted the Benediction. Dinner fellowship was held at the parish canteen area for everyone.

Many came, despite the earlier heavy downpour, for the 6.00pm Mass. The Mass in English and Mandarin was presided over by Fr Ignatius Huan.

Fr Huan preached the homily in English on Growing In Holiness-Unity. He also gave a detailed explanation of the Mass and the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. Resident priest, Fr Philip Chua translated the homily in Mandarin.

Fr Huan said that God created us and wants to help us grow in holiness. How do we grow in holiness? By showing our gratitude to God and being happy with Him. Jesus gave us His own formula: to be happy is to be in communion with Him. This feast reminds us to be in Communion with Christ and with each other. He invited the congregation to reflect on the theme, Unity with Christ and with the Church — the Body of Christ. As Christ prayed to the Father for the Church saying, ‘May they be one just as I and You are One,’ He pleads for unity among His disciples.

Fr Huan added that a divided house cannot stand, a divided Church or people will just collapse. Jesus gave us His Body and Blood, He gave Himself to His disciples, to be in communion with Him and with one another. Bread made from many grains becomes one loaf; wine made from many grapes becomes one wine. Jesus chose these as symbols of unity. We are reminded that we come, not as individuals, but as a people of God. “We are the Body of Christ and each one of you reminds us of our communion with one another,” he said.

Fr Huan said we listen to what God is saying during the Readings. He explained the significance of each part of the Mass, from the entrance procession to the Recessional, and how we, the people of God must participate fully and how we must respond.

In ending, Fr Huan called on the assembly to be committed to Christ and the Catholic Church — reaffirmation and fidelity of each one to the Church as a people of God. That’s why we don’t give communion to non-Catholics.

After Mass, a short video was shown on the history of the parish, including the priests who had served there. The Church was built by the late Fr Peter Decroocq MEP, who was also the first parish priest. He chose to name the Church Jesus Caritas. Caritas is Latin for Charity/Love, thus focusing on the love of God. Today, the thriving parish has some 4,000 parishioners.

Preachers for the feast, beside Fr Huan and Fr Chua, were Fr Clement Lim and Fr Augustine Lee. Parish priest Fr Michael Chua said that Fr Surain Durai Raj had gone beyond his line of duty to put in place all the necessary arrangements for the parish feast celebrations.

Fr Michael thanked all the committee members, BECs, leaders and volunteers who had worked tirelessly to make the feast day and 40th anniversary celebrations so meaningful. He also thanked God for all His blessings and called upon everyone to seek the Lord, as the parish and its parishioners continue to grow in holiness.