Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

The Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea is a Roman Catholic church in Singapore and comes under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Singapore. The church is located at Yishun Street 22.

History

The church had its humble beginnings in the Naval Base area, in August 1949. This is now the area around Sembawang Road. Religious services started at an old Japanese language school which was left over from World War II. The school was located in Jalan Kedai, off Canberra Road.

Fr. Dominic Vendargon, (Aug 29, 1909 – Aug 3, 2005) was appointed by the then Bishop of Malacca & Singapore, Bishop Michel Olçomendy, M.E.P., to formulate a self-sufficient parish. In August 1950, Fr. Vendargon was succeeded by Fr. Albert Fortier (Apr 24, 1911- Jan 13, 1998). Fr. Fortier conducted everything, from Masses, marriages and all other rites, at the Japanese school.

By 1952, the old school had become so rundown and unsafe that the British Colonial authorities advised Fr. Fortier to build a new church. Fr. Fortier found a plot of land in Jalan Sendudok which was part of the British Naval Base. The British Colonial authorities approved the site for a 21 year lease. The building of the church was completed in 1953.

Fr. Fortier was succeeded by Fr. I. Fernandez, for the next 10 years, followed by Fr. Bernard Binet from 1964 to 1968. Fr. Albert Fortier returned to assume the role of Parish Priest in July 1968. Fr Fortier served in the church until his retirement on 31 December 1986. Fr. Amiotte-Suchet Louis (Aug 29, 1917- Oct 17, 1998) was appointed to take over from the duties of Fr. Fortier.

On 26 August 1987, the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was informed by the authorities that "the premises and the land are scheduled to be cleared by 31 December 1987 and you are hereby notified to move out by this date".[1]

The present site for the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was bought by the Archdiocese of Singapore on 6 March 1989. The church was officially blessed by the Archbishop of Singapore, Gregory Yong, on 30 May 1992.

Organisation

The Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea currently has 3 priests administering to a parish population of 5680. These priests are:

• Parish Priest Reverend Father John Joseph Fenelon
• Reverend Father Noel Chin
• Reverend Father Luke Fong

The church has the following ministries:

• • Catechists
  • Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
  • Legion of Mary
  • St. Vincent De Paul Society (SVDP)
  • Christian Women's League
  • Natural Family Planning
  • Sacristy Family
  • Choirs
  • Altar Servers
  • Youth Ministry
  • Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
  • Churchwardens
  • Lectors
  • Charismatic Group
  • Ministry of Sick
  • Church Decorations
  • Elders Group
  • Library
  • Bookshop
  • Canteen
  • Chinese-speaking Apostolate
  • Indian-speaking Apostolate
  • Filipino Apostolate

• Neighbourhood Christian Community (NCC)
  • Zone 100
  • Zone 200
  • Zone 300
  • Zone 400
  • Zone 600
  • Zone 700
  • Zone 800 / Sembawang/Others

References

• Singapore, Veritas, (2007-02-28). "Our Church's History". www.veritas.org.sg. http://www.veritas.org.sg/olss/history1.html. Retrieved 2007-02-28.