The Sacred Heart Church in West Bengal, a state in eastern India, celebrated its Parish feast and Golden Jubilee on June 25 in Thakurpur.
Several preparation initiatives were undertaken in the preceding year to honor this day with dignity, resulting in the execution of the daylong community program.
More than 1,000 believers attended this event. This solemn eucharistic celebration included two bishops, approximately sixty priests, and nuns.
In his homily, Bishop Shyamal Bose referenced the 1588 sinking of a French ship and the 1968 recovery of a ring from that ship.
"The ring's unique feature is an engraving of two hands holding a heart with the inscription 'More than this, and what can I give you," said the Bishop.
"Yes, this fiery proof of love is very relevant to the Great Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He explains it very simply. There is no greater gift than giving someone your heart," said Bishop Bose.
The special compliments were given on the occasion of the Episcopal Jubilee of former Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur diocese and the fourth Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of the present Bishop Shyamal Bose.
Bishop Salvadore Lobo said, "Today I am very happy and proud that the parish that started with a small mud house has become such a well-established parish, and this is the grace of God’s love for all of us."
At the end of this celebration, Bishop Shyamal said, today we realized how much this village's effort, self-sacrifice, cooperation, and development will be evaluated in the context of spiritual enrichment.
The splendor of the Sacred Heart Church dates back to the 1800s and has been preserved, thanks to the tireless work of numerous people near and far.
The Anglican Church founded the first Christian Mission in 1830. Heeverlin Saheb built the first chapel on these lands in 1836. A few years after the town's founding, a prominent Catholic family moved there.
Father Wautlers, a member of the Sacred Heart Church, purchased this 1.49-acre plot of land for Dharmatala. A school was initially established in one of the Catholic homes before being moved in 1921 to the mud chapel. The Sacred Heart Church contributes 500 rupees a year for upkeep and expansion.
The canonical erection of the Parish occurred in June 1971. Father Watteyne was the first Parish priest.
Thakurpur Church now has a church built in 1996; the presbytery on the Multipurpose hall was built in 1998.
Thakurpur Church continues to expand its dominion and enrich the lives of many, thanks to ongoing improvements, additions, and initiatives as it journeys on its mission towards strengthening the Christian faith. - With Inputs from the RVA Bengali Service
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