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5:00p.m.(Myanmar)

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Updated in March 2024

HISTORY OF ST. JUDE’S CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The official history of St. Jude’s Catholic Christian Church began in 1957 when Archbishop Victor Bazin (M.E.P) established as a Parish, with Rev. Fr. Silos as the first Priest In-charge in 1957.

But the real history of our parish can be said to have begun on the 6th of September 1949, at the Lease of Town Lands according to the Rule 51A of the rules under the U. B. Land and Revenue Regulation, 1889 and Rule 29 of the Rules under the L. B. Town and Village Lands Act, 1898, with the purchase of the plot of land No.72 and 73, currently No. 11 and 9 which became Free Grant as the Catholic Mission Land on the 8th of September 1959.

The second Priest In-charge was Rev. Fr. Courtot (1959-1964). During his visit abroad (1960-1961), Rev. Fr. Louis Sachu also a French priest, looked after the parish. In 1959, St. Francis Xavier’s Sisters Congregation was assigned to St. Jude’s Parish.  Rev. Fr. Pettiovet Petiot became the first resident Parish Priest (July 1964- November 1966). He resided on the top floor of St. Francis Xavier’s School which is now B.E.M.S (2) Yankin, Maggin Street. His Grace Archbishop Victor Bazin became the Priest In-charge from 1966 to 1970. Rev.Fr. S.S. Arul from 1970 to 1972 and from 1972 to 1973, Rev. Fr. P. Singa Rayer was the Priest In-charge.

Rev. Fr. Reginald P.U. Salgado who grew up and was raised in this parish, received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and became the first Priest of his own parish and was the Parish Priest from the 5th of May 1973 to the 2nd of April 1974. In 1974, Rev. Fr. Stephanus took responsibility as Parish Priest only for a few months.  From 1974 to 1989, Rev. Fr. Edwin David took charge as the Parish Priest. During his tenure, he purchased 2 plots of land; N0. 13A (25 ft x100 ft) and No. 7 (50 ft x 100 ft), Thamardi Street, Kyaukone, Yankin to extend the church compound.

He constructed the “Our Lady of Sorrows” shrine and cemented the entire ground. He constructed the Belfry, fenced the church compound and extended the space of the Altar as well as the East and West wings of the church. He installed a new Crucifix and additional pews in the church.

From (1989-1993) Rev. Fr. Benedict Tun Mg became the Parish Priest and he was succeeded by Rev.Fr. Camillus for the period (1994-1995).  In 1995, Rev. Fr. Victor Nyan Myint was installed as the Parish Priest up to the year 2006. During his tenure, he carried out the following activities.

            - Built a temporary parish hall with new Generator,

            -Installation of step-up transformer and wiring in the church,

            -Laying Foundation stone of the parish hall on 28thOct 2004 together with    

            Archbishop Charles Bo

            -Construction of a tar road in front of St. Jude’s Church

            -Reclamation of the land of St. Joseph’s Chapel on Pho Yazar Road

Rev. Fr. Edward San Thein became the Parish Priest in 2006. During his tenure he carried out all the necessary repairs and maintenance and built the “Our Lady of Lourdes” Grotto.

Later on, Rev. Fr. Nereus Maung Maung was assigned as Parish Priest from 2007 to 2018. He constructed the Adoration Chapel.

With the arrival of Rev. Fr. Dominic Thet Tin on the 6th of April 2018 in replacement of  the outgoing pastor Rev. Fr. Nereus Maung Maung, we began a new chapter of our history of the Catholic Christian Church of St. Jude. From day one of his arrival to our parish, he dedicated himself without rest for the integral transformation and development of the parish.  He successfully completed the following.

            -Installation of the 3-phase 200KVA transformer

            -Reconstruction and relocation of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto      

-Renovation of the Adoration Chapel

            -Installation of the new tiles on the Church Square Floor

            -Repairing of the church extension Roofing

            -Construction of a new fencing and the entrance gate of the church with stainless

            steel and bricks

            -Replacing a damaged crucifix with a new one in the church

            -Gilding the tabernacle with gold leaves

            -General repair and renovation of the inside and outside of the Church, Clergy  

            House and Church premises: including painting Parish’s offices, installation of PA

            system and CCTV, W/Cs, landscaping in the compound and in front of the church

            -Installation of cassette type Air Cons and Air Coolers in the church as well as in

            the parish hall and meeting hall

            -New window curtains were installed in the parish hall, dining hall and meeting

            room

            -Restoration of Sacred Images respectfully in the church

            -Systematic formation of all the parish associations with unique uniform

-Concrete pavement for car parking both sides of the road in front of the church.

The interior of the church is now richly decorated with exquisite glass windows, wooden chairs and cushioned-kneelers for the congregation, together with the modern technology such as: microphones, lightings, air coolers, fans, flat TV screens and CCTV cameras.

Parish Associations such as Parish Pastoral Council, Catholic Women's Group, Youth, Choir, Lectors, Altar boys, Pontifical Mission Society for Holy Childhood, Legion of Mary, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Martin de Porres, Rosary prayer groups collaboratively work with the Parish Priest for any church functions.  Apart from the Eucharistic celebrations, Baptisms or Christenings, First Holy Communion, Sacrament of Confirmation, Christmas & New Year Masses, Lenten & Easter services, Catechism classes, meetings, dinner parties, weddings, funerals, memorial services, anniversaries and other commemorative functions are also celebrated in this church and its premises. 

There has been and continues to be a growing number of young families with infants, toddlers, and young children attending Mass regularly. The well-kept physical space, the precautions taken on COVID-19 by sanitizing the church pews and its premises, the beautiful flower arrangements, the Choir and the regular maintenance of the premises added great value and have drawn many faithful to worship activities and has grown to about 496 parishioners.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, live steaming Eucharistic Celebrations, Holy Hour, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the Holy Rosary were offered and uploaded on Facebook and YouTube media channels. Online/virtual prayer meetings, birthday greetings, memorial services for the deceased were arranged in order to strengthen and nourish the spiritual life of the faithful.

Morning Mass timings for weekdays are at 6:00 am and on Sundays at 6:00 am, 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. The Feast Day for Saint Jude and Saint Simon, the Apostles is October 28th with a 9-day novena prior to the Feast Day.  Many faithful from different parishes visit the church because of their great devotion to Saint Jude and many reported a powerful intercession, leading to the title, "The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despaired."  The 60^th anniversary of the church was inaugurated in the year 2017 and the church will be celebrating another remarkable milestone at its 70^th anniversary.

Human formation programs and faith formation programs are conducted throughout the year. The parish programs motivate the greater involvement of parishioners of all ages in their social life of the parish. It ensures to build a foundation for the future especially for the youth and the families. The majority of them have a strong faith and great devotion through participation in the Liturgy, Sacraments and prayer.

Parish Priest finds new and creative ways of fostering an authentically Synodal experience among the lay faithful.  Therefore, the church is able to serve its parishioners and perform community outreach to those in need.

St. Jude’s Catholic Christian Church today stands as a glorious monument, considered to be one of the most significant and magnificent places of worship in the Archdiocese of Yangon, journeying together, and walking forward with one another in the Synodal Spirituality.