Our Lady of Rosary Church – Oral Katcha, Andamans
Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church is a Parish, located at Oralkatcha, Baratang in the middle Andaman. The foundation stone of this Church was laid by Mr. Rashid Ahmed (Rangat) and blessed by the Regional Super Fr. Peter Gomes (SFX) on 31st Jan 1988.
A year later, Our Lady of Rosary Parish was inaugurated on 10th Dec,1989 by the Asst. Commissioner Sri. M. A. Alphonse (A & N Island) and blessed by His Lordship Most Rev. Alex Dias (SFX), the Former Bishop of Andaman and Nicobar Diocese.
After the long service of Pillar fathers, the former Bishop of Andaman & Nicobar His Lordship Most Rev. Alex Dias invited fathers from the Congregation of the Blessed sacrament to serve in the Parish. It was in the year 2016, June, Blessed Sacrament fathers arrived. In the same year, Fr. Joachim sss was appointed as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church and along with him there were two brothers namely Sanal and Navin as regents.
At present, the Parish has fourteen Substations located in the interior areas. Each substitution has a Catechist who leads Sunday prayer service and looks after the Church in the absence of the priest.
Activities in the Parish
There are many Associations (Sangh) in this Parish respectively; Catholic Association, women association, youth Association, Children Association, Logion of Mary( Maria Sena), SCC- small Cristian Community and Catholic General meeting (Aam Sobha).
Mahila association is held on every 3rd Sunday of the month and on every second Saturday, there is a special gathering of all the children in the Parish. There is also a meeting called Aam Sobha held twice a year, where all members of different groups come and participate discussing on any upcoming Parish celebration.
Special Ministry
There are three Tour Masses celebrated in the Substations in a year respectively Advent Tour Mass, Lenten Tour Mass and Monsoon Tour Mass. Through this Tour Mass, many of the old and sick staying in interior substation, have the advantage to make confessions and receive the Holy Eucharist. Besides that, Parish priest has the greater chance to meet the people and have meeting with them during the tour Masses. There is a special Mass called “Gami Missa”. This Mass is celebrated seven or nine days after someone’s death so as to remember the person. On every 1st Friday of the month communion is given to the old people who cannot come for the Mass within the Parish. On every 1st Friday of the month, Adoration is conducted in the evening in the parish itself and in one substation as well. Once a year recollection is conducted in the parish During the Lenten season for Children, Women, youth and men associations. Occasionally, Parish priest makes visitation to the sick in the hospital.
Social project
Every once a year a meeting is conducted for all denominations for prayer and healthy.
Police officers and doctors are called in the Parish to give some awareness on healthy leaving, regarding Pocso act.
Special Ministry
presently, Fr. Stephen Paul sss – Superior, PP & Treasurer and Fr. Sanal D’Mellow sss , community member
Address
Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church, Oralkatcha, Baratang
P.O. Middle Andaman – 744102
Fr. Stephen Paul SSS
Parish Priest, Administartor & Superior
Fr. Sanal D'Mellow SSS
Asst. Parish Priest