Church of the Sacred Heart, Kampar

John and I went on a pilgrimage to St. Jude's Church at Gopeng last month that included a visit to this lovely Church of the Sacred Heart in Kampar, Perak.

It is located in the old Kampar town, near the clock tower. This Catholic Church was in fact our first stop when we reached Kampar around 10.30 am. Of course, it was closed at that time on a Saturday morning. So, our tour leader, George Yeow contacted our Assistant Parish Priest to liaise with his counterpart in Kampar and have the Church opened that we may pay homage to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

A beautiful gothic-designed 101-years old Church that celebrated its Centenary or 100th anniversary, last June 20 2008. My first impression was it looked like a sugary castle in a fairyland, painted in lovely sweet pink, white and cream. Simply awesome! And, the Church's compound is unusually vast.

While waiting, most of us from the group of 26 pilgrims, especially the ladies, were busy picking up the prickly fruits that were literally littered by the beautiful and huge trees shading the Church's grounds. They can be used as fancy ornaments on Christmas tree. Just clean, dry and give them a splash of colour or leave as is. Wondering what the tree's ID is...do you know?

Needn't wait too long though. Within less than 20 minutes, a few of the Church's parishioners came to greet us and opened its right-wing doors and we trooped in to worship, pray and sing hymns to Our Lord Jesus.

Inside, the Church is as lovely, cool and welcoming! A beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is seen at the right wing of the Church.



We prayed this in the Church :

Prayer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

"Behold I am with you all days, even to the end of the world."
These are your very own words, and You have kept your promise.

My Lord Jesus Christ,
your love for us is so great
that You remain day and night in this Sacrament,
awaiting, calling and welcoming all who visits you.
I believe, You are truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar.
I adore You from the bottom of my heart and
I thank You for the many graces that You have given to me.
I also wish to express my gratitude to You
for giving Yourself to me in this Sacrament.
I appreciate Your kindness in giving Your most holy Mother, Mary
as our advocate and our refuge of sinners.

I salute, Your Most Sacred Heart for 3 main reasons:
first, in thanksgiving for this great gift;
secondly, to make amends to You for the outrages and
indifferences that You have suffered in this Sacrament;
thirdly, I intend to adore You in any place
where You are present in this Sacrament.

My Lord Jesus,
I love you with my whole heart.
I apologise for my past offences to Your infinite goodness.
I intend by Your grace never to offend you again.
Despite my unworthiness and miserable state,
I consecrate my total self to you without reserve.
I surrender to You my entire will, my desires
and all that I possess.
I place in Your hands to complete freedom,
to dispose and plan for me as You please.
All that I sincerely desire is Your love, the final perseverance
and the perfect accomplishment of Your holy will.

I recommend to You all the souls in purgatory,
and all poor sinners
and those who are devoted to You.
Amen.

(another version of this prayer and many more prayers can be found at Catholic Online)

Having spent some time in silent adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament, we continued with a few more hymns before hitting the road for lunch at the food court in the old town of Kampar nearby.

Sharing below two of the many hymns sung that day :

God Will Make A Way (a youtube presentation to sing along)
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness
He lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

In Moments Like This (enjoy a youtube presentation here)
In moments like this
I sing out a song
I sing out a love song to Jesus
In moments like this
I lift up my hands
I lift up my hands to The Lord

Singing I love you Lord,
Singing I love you Lord,
Singing I love you Lord,
I love You.

Church of the Sacred Heart (1908)
21, Jalan Iskandar
31900 Kampar
Perak
(Tel: 605-4661484)