Sacred Heart Cathedral charts course for growth at PPA

Dec 01, 2024

By Angila Yong
Over 100 ministry members and parishioners of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus convened for the Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) on November 17 at St. James’ Hall. To accommodate this important gathering, the 12.30pm Mass was cancelled, as the hall currently serves as a temporary place of worship while the church undergoes renovations that began after Easter this year.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus serves a vibrant community comprising English and Mandarin-speaking parishioners, as well as members of the Filipino community, reflecting its rich diversity and unity in faith.

Fr Simon Yong SJ, parish priest of the Cathedral since 2018, is marking his third Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA), having previously participated in 2019 and 2022.

In his opening address, Fr Simon expressed heartfelt appreciation for the parish community, emphasising the collaborative nature of parish leadership. “A parish priest is only as good as the people are. While a parish priest may provide leadership, it is the people who provide the strength. A good leader cannot do much if he does not have the support of the people,” he remarked.

He also extended special thanks to those who have worked closely with him over the years, particularly acknowledging his assistant parish priest, Fr. Paul Sia, who joined the parish in 2023. “His wholehearted support for the programmes of the Cathedral has been instrumental to the achievement of our goals,” Fr Simon noted.

He concluded by encouraging the congregation with a call to action: “A parish can only progress when there is an infusion of new blood to take over leadership.” He challenged those present to bring in 50 new individuals to join as active collaborators in the parish's mission.

Prior to the PPA, questionnaires were distributed to gather feedback from parishioners and ministry members. While most respondents appeared well-informed about parish activities, many admitted to having limited familiarity with the concept of Synodality.

During the open forum, several concerns were raised, including the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the implications of the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone, and the limited time many parishioners can dedicate to Church activities, often only a few hours or less.

Catechism heads from both the English and Mandarin-speaking communities highlighted challenges such as inconsistent attendance of children between the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation, and the lack of parental involvement, with some parents dropping off their children for classes but not attending Mass themselves. Additionally, there were calls to address the needs of the elderly and youths facing transportation difficulties in attending Mass.

Key highlights of the parish’s plans for 2025 include the Rededication of the Cathedral on the Anniversary of its Dedication, the return of the Corpus Christi procession — cancelled this year due to renovations — and the celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary Alacoque, coinciding with the cathedral’s feast day.

In 2025, the parish will also celebrate the 25th sacerdotal anniversary of Fr Simon and embark on a Parish Pilgrimage to Penang as part of the Jubilee Year. This year’s pilgrimage saw 200 parishioners travelling in five buses to churches in North Johor. The smaller churches and chapels visited were delighted to witness their spaces filled to capacity, creating a vibrant and memorable experience for both the pilgrims and local communities.

Bishop Bernard Paul expressed joy at witnessing the unity among parishioners and their outreach to the poor, noting the cathedral’s efforts in sharing food parcels with other parishes during times of need. He emphasised that a Synodal Church embodies communion, with the most significant transformation beginning within. He was particularly heartened to see this spirit alive at the cathedral, where all language groups are journeying together in harmony.

He acknowledged the shifting demographics of the elderly and anticipating more Singaporeans relocating to the area as their children enrol in local schools. Emphasising the importance of preparing for the future, he stressed the need for leadership to establish succession plans involving the younger generation. This call aligned with the parish priest’s appeal to welcome fresh talent into the parish community.