Honoring Christ's Sacred Heart in Kakinada

"Thank you...for the kind and loving prayers towards my mission. We had a good and grand celebration yesterday.  The ceremony, Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, started by exactly 6 pm in the  evening. Eleven priests were present for the Eucharist."

This was the first time so many priests gathered at this new mission for a function, wrote Fr. Varghese Kalapurakudy, about the June event that marked his first major celebration as pastor of his new mission, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kakinada.


Traditional Indian dancers led the procession toward the outdoor Mass. But "after first reading it was heavy rain," wrote Fr. Varghese, "so we all rushed in to the church. The church was fully packed. Many stood outside just because of no place inside."

Father wrote about the "church," but since the mission is so young, it still lacks a church building. People meet inside a multi-purpose hall and pray for the day when they will have their own church.

Storms threatened, as the Mass began.

Blessing the people:

"Bless all hearts that love thee."

After storms rolled in, parishioners ran for their "church,"
a multi-purpose hall.

 "After the Mass we had the inauguration of the newly-formed youth group. It was history made. Thirty members joined the group. For our meeting we had only 15, but God gave us another 15. So the name of the youth group is "Warriors of St. John."

Three people sponsored a meal for attendees and priests, on this special day for Sacred Heart Mission.

To everyone who keeps Fr. Varghese and his people in heart and mind, the missionary says, "Thank you for praying for my mission."

Volunteers helped beautify and decorate the mission
for their special feast.