Church of the Sacred Heart, Singapore
| Church of the Sacred Heart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Singapore |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Singapore |
| Clergy | |
| Priest(s) |
Rev Fr Stephen Yim (Parish Priest), Rev Fr Paul Tong, Rev Fr Vincent Chee |
The Church of the Sacred Heart (Chinese: 圣心堂) is a Roman Catholic church in Singapore. It was founded in 1910 by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and is one of the oldest parishes in the Archdiocese. Following more than 50 illustrious years in service, parish priest Rev Fr Paul Tay retired in December 2014 and was succeeded by Rev Fr Stephen Yim, who now serves as the church's parish priest alongside Rev Fr Paul Tong and Rev Fr Vincent Chee.
The church's feast day is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which falls 19 days after Pentecost Sunday.
History
Founding
The Church of the Sacred Heart was built in 1906 by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and completed in 1910. The finances for the construction were largely donated by 3 wealthy Chinese benefactors, one of which was Mr Jacobe Low Kiok Chiang (1843–1911), the founder of the Bangkok and Singapore-based merchant firm, Kiam Hoa Heng. Mr Low was of Teochew descent and was born in Shantou, China. The Church was built mainly for a Cantonese congregation.
Improvements
The church was first renovated in 1969 and a 3-storey Parish Welfare Hall was established on 21 February 1971. Prior to the completion of the new Community Building in 2008, the top level was used for catechism classes, the second level was a canteen, while the ground level housed a small carpark.
In 2008, the church was renovated again by Parish priest Rev Fr Paul Tay. A 7½ storey community building which houses meeting, catechism and prayer rooms, priest offices, as well as a new cafeteria, was constructed to cater to the needs of the parishioners. A columbarium was also constructed directly behind the main church building. Previously, Fr Tay was also involved in the construction of a columbarium in the Church of St Theresa, as well as the establishment of the Church of the Holy Trinity which has since become the largest parish in Singapore.
Present
The Church's current address is 111 Tank Road, Singapore 238069. The church comprises a main church building, where masses are celebrated, a 3-storey Parish Welfare Hall, as well as a 7½ storey Community Building which sits on freehold land beside the Church. The land was vacant for many years but has now been put to good use.
On the first Sunday of each month, the Church's cafeteria gives out free food to the parishioners. This day is referred to by parishioners as agape (ἀγάπη), a Greek word defined in the English language as "love" or "charity", which is one of the three Theological virtues. There is also sometimes a band which plays country music.
Every weekend Mass, except for the Masses conducted in the first week of each month, there is a second collection for the Church Community Building Fund, on top of the collection of alms, which goes towards the monetary foundation of the community building. Every first Sunday of each month, the church money collected from the second collection goes towards the Society of St Vincent De Paul.
Recently, the church began serving meals to the poor daily, as part of a programme entitled DOULOS (δοῦλος), which means "servant" in Greek. Those who go to the church for food are also each given a loaf of bread after their meals. The location at which the religious bookshop used to be also has two beds to allow for the administration of Chinese Acupuncture, as the majority of the poor who visit the church are elderly and suffer from body pains. The bookshop has since relocated to the Community Building.
Community building
In 2008, a 7½ storey church community building was built to fulfil the needs of the parish community. Costing an estimated S$4.5 million, the building was constructed on freehold land and was completed in 2008 with a total floor area of 3,100 square metres. It was designed to blend in with the facade and structure of two existing shop-houses.
The building currently houses meeting, catechism and prayer rooms, a music studio, a cafeteria and refreshment area, priest offices, a religious bookshop, as well as carparks on the 1st, 4th and 5th storeys. Directly next to the multi-purpose hall, where the cafeteria is now located, is a chapel, which is now used for weekday Masses celebrated from Monday to Thursday. Masses on Friday, as well as special feast days that fall on weekdays continue to be celebrated in the main church building. These days include Holy Days of Obligation such as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and All Souls' Day, among others.
Following his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore in January 2011, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli briefly resided in the church's community building, which also acted as the Vatican Embassy in Singapore.
Organisation
Priests
The church currently has 3 priests administering the church of about 600 parishioners.
- Rev Fr Stephen Yim (Parish Priest)
- Rev Fr Paul Tong
- Rev Fr Vincent Chee
Prior to the appointment of Rev Fr Stephen Yim in December 2014, the church was led by parish priest Rev Fr Paul Tay, who was responsible for many of the church's largest projects including the community building as well as columbarium. Rev Fr Joseph Chao, who was also an assistant priest there, died in January 2006. He was a close friend of Rev Fr Paul Tong, with whom he had taken his master's degree in Sociology.
Ministries
The church has the following ministries:
- Catechetical Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
- Choir
- Lectors
- Wardens
Masses and services
Note: All masses & services are in English unless otherwise stated
| Mass/Service | Timing(s) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Novena | 5:15pm |
| Saturday Mass | 6:00pm |
| Sunday Mass | 9:00am 10:30am 12:00pm 5:30pm |
| Sunday Mass (Mandarin) | 8:00am |
| Weekday Mass (Chapel) | 7:00am 5:30pm |
| Thursday Family Rosary Devotion | 8:00pm (Holy Hour/Benediction on 1st Thursdays of each month) |
| Friday Divine Mercy Devotion | 3:00pm |
| Friday Sacred Heart Devotion | 5:30pm (Stations of the Cross on Good Friday & Fridays during Lent) |