SACRED HEART PARISH - POLUR
Sacred Heart Parish
In May 2004, the parish of St. Dominic Savio, Pulivanandal, was carved out from Sacred Heart Parish, Polur. At present, the Sacred Heart Parish comprises about 778 Catholic families, with a Catholic population of about 3197. Most of the people in the villages are poor, small farmers or landless labourers, illiterate and unskilled. The Parish is animated through the Parish Pastoral Council, which meets every month, and the 14 Anbiams. Unfortunately, the absence of the men folk and caste and status distinctions diminish the pastoral effectiveness of the Anbiams. Other associations, such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Salesian Co-operators, the St. Aloysius Youth Group, the Altar Children’s Association, the Parish Choir, the Madha Sabai and the Kolping Associations, are also quite active. A lay apostolate group (20 persons) regularly visit families and villages to conduct prayer services and even conventions. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, an all-night vigil service is conducted in the parish Church. Regular family visits and mass in the 16 sub-stations are also conducted. Sunday Catechism is held regularly for all school children of the parish, totalling 150 (70 boys and 80 girls) with the help of 4 Sisters, 4 lay teachers, 1 Catechist and 1 Salesian. The Parish feast is celebrated solemnly in the first week of July. The Parish employs 3 Catechists, 1 office staff and 6 domestic staff members.
The Parish also runs 2 elementary schools with the help of the FMA Sisters as Headmistresses: the Roman Catholic Mission (R.C.M.) Primary School with 177 students (12 Catholics) and the St. Joseph’s R.C.M. Elementary School with 349 students (82 Catholics). The children are given formation in faith and morals along with academic studies. Monthly First Friday Mass is also offered to them. The national festivals are well conducted to promote dialogue and culture. The children are encouraged to take part in sports and extra-curricular activities.
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (Tamil-medium), has 962 students on rolls, of which, 393 Catholics. The boys number 558 and the girls, 404. The teaching and non-teaching staff comprise 27 members, of which 18 men, 9 women including 5 office-staff members. Various groups function in the School: the Tamil and English Literary Associations, the Scouts and Girl Guides (25 each), the Junior Red Cross (60), the YCS and the YSM (50), the NSS (29), the Kutty Doctors (50), the Super Students (18), the Interact Club (50), the Red Ribbon Club (60), the Arts Club (50), etc. Catechism and Moral Science are taught daily. First Friday masses, the Way of the Cross in Lent, staff retreat, etc., are some of the means to inculcate a strong Catholic spirit in the staff and children. The school is divided into 4 Houses, with points for various activities and competitions organized by the School during the academic year. Since most of the students come from rural settings and are also first-generation learners, special care and attention should be given to slow learners, and those who show little interest in intellectual activity, so as to improve the quality of education imparted.
Boarding
The boarding is situated in the parish campus. Presently, there are 84 Catholic boys and 14 Hindu. Most of the boarders hail from poor families, with a lot of family problems and low self-confidence. They have daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Morning and Night Prayer, rosary and good night talks. Every Saturday, they have the opportunity to make their confession, and monthly recollection and the annual retreat are also conducted. Every Sunday special Catechism classes are conducted, and group masses are held once a week. Monthly commemorations of Our Lady and Don Bosco are also celebrated. The Rector meets them once a month in groups. While they are good in extra-curricular activities, most of them are weak in their academic studies. Special attention should be given to help them cope with their studies, and to build up their self-esteem. The boarding is now under the care of the Rector, assisted by the practical trainee and a lay person. A new boarding building with better facilities is under construction.
Neighbourhood Apostolate
The Parish runs 14 Evening Study Centres, with the collaboration of Village Integral Animation (VIA). The total number of students frequenting these centres are about 673 (332 boys and 341 girls), with 14 lay teachers assisting them.
The Farm
The farm situated about 6 kilometres from the parish centre is looked after by the Parish priest with the help of 2 families residing on the premises and some day labourers. A few cows, fish and some sheep are reared. Sugarcane, coconut trees and paddy are cultivated on the land, which brings about sufficient income to maintain the farm. A separate administrator to look after the farm would make it more productive.
shcpolur@donboscochennai.org
Sacred Heart Church
Polur - 606 803
T.V. Malai Dt.
Cell – 98401 22563
