MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHURCH – TIRUPATTUR
The Parish
The Parish to Mary Help of Christians was entrusted to the Salesians in perpetuity in 1940. At present, the Parish Comprises 750 Catholic families, divided into 25 anbiams which are grouped into 4 zones. Mass is offered every Sunday in the 2 sub-stations of Sagaya Nagar and Bommikuppam. There is a Parish Council which meets regularly. In addition there are the Associations of the Salesians co-operators (46 members, among whom 29 have made the Promise), the Young Salesians Cooperators (14), St. Vincent de Paul (16), the Legion of Mary (24), the Evangelization Group (18), the Altar Boys’ Group (25 each in Sagaya Nagar and in the Main Parish Centre), the Youth Group (90), the Christian Workers’ Association (27), each with their won youth wing, regular meetings and activities. Other groups include, the youth choir, the Educational Committee, the Political Awareness Group, the Cultural Group, the Job Placement and Career Guidance Group, among others. Special attention is given to spreading devotion to Mary help of Christians through the monthly novena in her honour, and the solemnization of the 24th of every month. More than 400 children, from Stds. 1 to 12th, attend the Sunday Catechism classes conducted by the parish in 4 different centres. Animation, education and evangelization are in the main objectives of this parish Community, with priority to poor youth residing in slum areas. The laity offer a lot of cooperation and are zealous in spreading the Word of God, especially during the Lent and Advent Seasons. The parish is also a fertile place for religious and priestly vocations, having given quite a few of its sons and daughters to the service of the Lord. However, there are also some areas that need to be attended to the overcoming of the gap between the well-to-do and poor parishioners, the active functioning of the anbiam, the faith formation of the adults, the regulation of marriages, and the care for the youth.
The ITI
The Parish also runs the Auxilium Technical Training Centre, which offers ITI courses in 3 trades: Electrical (35 students), Welding (14 Students) and Wireman (31 students) recognized by the NCVT, New Delhi. Among these are 15 young Catholic boys. The staff comprises 7 qualified trainers. Apart from the regular courses, other short-term courses like diploma in mobile phone servicing, motor-coil winding and servicing of electronic washing machines are also offered. Catechism classes are taken by Salesian twice a week. The Correspondent addresses the students regularly once a week and also meets them personally for orientation talks. Special First Friday mass, daily assembly with spiritual and moral talks, counseling, etc., help these youngsters to from their minds well. The absence of Qualified Salesian staff in the past has brought down the prestige of the Auxilium Training Centre. In addition, in recent years, it has been quite difficult to fill up the ITI courses to capacity. The ITI needs to go in for production in welding and for contract work in electrical wiring so as to give the trainees sufficient work experience and to bring in much needed income.
Hostel
Forty of the ITI students are given hostel facilities. The Community meets their expenses to a great extent. Regular spiritual assistance by way of Holy Mass, goodnight talks, Sunday Eucharistic Adoration, and rosary, all help them to grow with a religious fervour.
Semi-Boarding
In addition, the parish runs a semi-boarding for about 90 poor students from the slum areas, who frequent various schools in the neighborhood, but are provided meals, study and recreation in the Parish Premises. They too are given spiritual assistance by way of Holy Mass, talks and special animation programmes every month.
CFCA & Evening Study Centres
The Parish offers 33 children a benefit from the CFCA scheme at the Provincial level. To teachers and a full-time Assistant Sub-Project Coordinator assist them. The Salesian Community runs 4 CFCA Evening Study centres in Valluvar Nagar (113 children and 2 teachers), Bosco Nagar (45 children and 1 teacher), Olipuram (45 children and 1 teacher) and the main parish centre. The Salesian parish community works in harmony with lay collaborators towards a 100% literacy drive in and around Tirupattur. Many of these children are also financially assisted to complete their basic education.
Small – Savings Scheme
Every Sunday, after the Catechism classes, 131 children put in Rs. 5 or Rs. 10, in a small savings scheme, which doubles their total savings at the end of the year. This is reserved for deserving children regular for the Sunday Catechism for the exclusive use of their education. The Parish priest and the Salesian Cooperators and directly in incharge of the scheme.
Self-Help Groups
In order to uplift the socio-economic status of the people in the neighbourhood, 15 Self-Help Groups were formed, each group with about 15 members. These groups are part of the Province programme Project coordinated by Fr. Andrew of the Sacred Heart College. The Groups are given training in various handicraft and small-sale industries, which helps them earn their livelihood.
mhcstpt@donboscochennai.org
Mary Help of Christians Church
Railway Station Road
TIRUPATTUR - 635 601 - Vellore Dist.
Cell – 94443 07460
