The church of Sacred Heart, Adra was established in 1918 under the Archdiocese of Calcutta. With the establishment of the hierarchy in India in 1886, the Vicariate Apostolic became the Archdiocese of Calcutta and His Grace, Mgr. Paul Goethals, its first Archbishop. In 1918, when the church of Adra was born, His Grace, Mgr. Brice Meuleman was Archbishop of Calcutta Archdiocese. (First P.P) Emile Courtin was entrusted to serve the people of Adra church.
The successors of Fr. Courtin who enthusiastically served the parishioners were dynamic, unique and burning with missionary zeal. The parish was then a centre of 'family and friends' gatherings. The church had a Parochial Hall where several festivities and functions were held like Lotto, Jumble Sale, Christmas Dance, bulgar and milk powder distribution etc. The church building as it stands today was erected in 1928 during the term of Fr. Jules Van Butsele S.J.
The parish continued to be under the Archdiocese of Calcutta till 1962 when the Diocese of Jamshedpur was created. It was during His Grace, Archbishop Vivian Deyer of the Bombay diocesan clergy that the 2nd Division of the Archdiocese of Calcutta was prepared and realized which resulted in the erection of three new dioceses, Jamshedpur, Darjeeling and Dumka. Calcutta Diocese lost Purulia district to Jamshedpur diocese and Sacred Heart Parish, Adra came under it. Jamshedpur was then under His Grace, Archbishop Lawrence Trevoe Picachy. However, as narrated by Rev. Fr. Francis Gomes ,an ex-Vicar General of the Calcutta Archdiocese and now retired and staying at St. Thomas Church Presbytery, Kolkata, it was not until 1975 when Sacred Heart Church started receiving the services of Jamshedpur diocese priests. Rev. Fr. Rapheal De Sa was officiating as the Parish Priest until then and he used to commute between Adra and Calcutta occasionally.
Ever since, Adra Parish has grown in community and commitment under the Diocesan missionary priests who now enthusiastically carry the torch their predecessors handed to them across this century. Together with the Parish and Asst. Parish priests it is our challenge, it is our opportunity, it is our blessing to lead the Parish into its Second Century with as much vision, optimism and commitment as was exhibited by those who began its First Century.
Sunday Mass
Sunday- 7:00 am (Hindi Mass) 8:30 am (English Mass)
Weekday Masses
Monday to Saturday- 6:00 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
First Friday of every month during adoration- 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction
First Friday of the month, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
What is Baptism?
“Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213)
Through Baptism, God enables us to participate in his life in Jesus Christ and makes us his children. It is through this sacrament that we receive the Holy Spirit and become members of the People of God, of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. Baptism becomes our commitment to grow in this new life and to strive to acquire spiritual maturity. By baptism, God purifies us from sin.
Parental Responsibilities
When an adult is baptized, Baptism follows a rigorous period of instruction. In contrast, when a child is baptized, the Baptism precedes instruction. In light of this, the Church requires that parents give the assurance that upon the child’s Baptism, the child will be given every benefit of Christian and Catholic upbringing. The primary responsibility of raising a child in the ways of faith rests with the parents. This obligation begins with Baptism and extends all the way into adulthood.
Godparent Responsibilities
Godparents should be chosen by parents primarily to be good religious examples to their child and not because the wish to bestow a family or social honor. The role of godparents is to help their godchild lead a Catholic Christian life. Godparents will be asked to assist parents in teaching the child about their Catholic Christian faith and as representatives of that community give witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
The godparents should be present at the baptism to profess their faith as representatives of the child’s extended spiritual family and of the whole Church. During the liturgy, they declare their readiness to help the parents “in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers.”
Godparents for the Sacrament of Baptism must be Catholics who have received the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation and lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
Who can be a godparent?
* Must be at least sixteen years old.
* Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing in the Catholic Church.
* Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
* If married, they must have been married in the Catholic Church by a Catholic priest.
What is Baptism?
“Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213)
Through Baptism, God enables us to participate in his life in Jesus Christ and makes us his children. It is through this sacrament that we receive the Holy Spirit and become members of the People of God, of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. Baptism becomes our commitment to grow in this new life and to strive to acquire spiritual maturity. By baptism, God purifies us from sin.
Parental Responsibilities
When an adult is baptized, Baptism follows a rigorous period of instruction. In contrast, when a child is baptized, the Baptism precedes instruction. In light of this, the Church requires that parents give the assurance that upon the child’s Baptism, the child will be given every benefit of Christian and Catholic upbringing. The primary responsibility of raising a child in the ways of faith rests with the parents. This obligation begins with Baptism and extends all the way into adulthood.
Godparent Responsibilities
Godparents should be chosen by parents primarily to be good religious examples to their child and not because the wish to bestow a family or social honor. The role of godparents is to help their godchild lead a Catholic Christian life. Godparents will be asked to assist parents in teaching the child about their Catholic Christian faith and as representatives of that community give witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
The godparents should be present at the baptism to profess their faith as representatives of the child’s extended spiritual family and of the whole Church. During the liturgy, they declare their readiness to help the parents “in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers.”
Godparents for the Sacrament of Baptism must be Catholics who have received the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation and lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
Who can be a godparent?
* Must be at least sixteen years old.
* Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing in the Catholic Church.
* Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
* If married, they must have been married in the Catholic Church by a Catholic priest.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith. It binds us as a community, but more importantly it unites us with Christ who promised to remain with us until the end of the age. The Eucharist is proof of Christ’s abiding presence among His people: The Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Our Lord. It is not a mere symbol. Due to the miracle of Transubstantiation the bread ceases to be bread and becomes the Body of Our Saviour at the moment the priest says the words of consecration. Whether we believe it or not the Eucharist IS the Body of Christ. Our faith is important; how many graces we can draw from this great sacrament depend on our faith and the reverence we show to the Eucharist.
Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
Confirmation for Adults
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. If you are baptized and have received your First Eucharist but have not yet been confirmed, you may want to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The goals preparing candidates for Confirmation are:
The sacrament of Reconciliation is known by many names including the sacrament of Confession and the sacrament of Penance. No matter the name, the sacrament focuses on our need to be healed spiritually so that we can experience a restored relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters in God's family.
Guide to making a good confession
It is very important that we examine our conscience daily. With total humility, we should open ourselves to be corrected by those close to us. "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Cor. 11, 31).
This examination should be done in the presence of God, listening to his voice within us. This will be the best way to prepare for confession. Following you will find some very helpful practices.
Examination of Conscience
It will be helpful for you to determine the areas in which you need to ask for God's forgiveness. A review of the Ten Commandments (God's written desire for the way in which we are to love Him and others) is suggested.
An essential part of the Sacrament of Confession is an Act of Contrition"
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you and I detest all my sins because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend you, my God who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to avoid the occasions of sin.
May your confession be the true source of grace which God has intended it to be for you. For this to be possible, it is necessary for you to be open to this grace and for you to make the necessary changes in your life as prompted by the Holy Spirit.
What is Marriage?
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Catechism of the Catholic Church N. 1601)
What are the requirements to get married?
To get married at the Church the couple must meet with the priest in person and book the ceremony.
Completion of the paperwork and Marriage Preparation Course is required for the celebration of the wedding.
To book a wedding time in the Church it is necessary to meet in person with the priest.
What is the Marriage Preparation Course?
Marriage Preparation Course offers couples the opportunity to develop a better understanding of Christian marriage; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. It is especially effective in helping couples to deal with the challenges of the early years of marriage.
“From the very beginning of the Church there were men and women who set out to follow Christ with greater liberty, and to imitate him more closely, by practicing the evangelical counsels. They led lives dedicated to God, each in his own way. Many of them, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, became hermits or founded religious families. These the Church, by virtue of her authority, gladly accepted and approved.”
‐ Article 918 Catechism of the Catholic Church
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles is exercised in the Church. It includes three degrees: the role of bishop, priest and deacon. The entire Church is a priestly people. However the ministerial priesthood confers a sacred power for the service of the faithful.
Anointing of the sick
The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive. A sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Sacrament’s Institution
Like all the sacraments, holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. The Catechism explains, “This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord” (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14-15).
The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520). These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for “this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’” (Matt. 8:17).
St. Mark refers to the sacrament when he recounts how Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, and “they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:13). In his epistle, James says, “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Js. 5:14-15).
The early Church Fathers recognized this sacrament’s role in the life of the Church. Around A.D. 250, Origen wrote that the penitent Christian “does not shrink from declaring his sin to a priest of the Lord and from seeking medicine... [of] which the apostle James says: ‘If then there is anyone sick, let him call the presbyters of the Church, and let them impose hands upon him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him’” (Homilies on Leviticus 2:4).
In the year 350, Bishop Serapion wrote, “We beseech you, Savior of all men, you that have all virtue and power, Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we pray that you send down from heaven the healing power of the only-begotten [Son] upon this oil, so that for those who are anointed . . . it may be effected for the casting out of every disease and every bodily infirmity . . . for good grace and remission of sins... ” (The Sacramentary of Serapion 29:1).
This sacrament confers a special grace on the Christian who is ill. It can be received each time a Christian falls seriously ill and if, after receiving it, his or her condition deteriorates further.
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