Sacred Heart & St. Teresa of Child Jesus, Paignton

Introduction

Sacred Heart & Saint Teresa of Child Jesus in Paignton was blessed and opened in 1931 by Bishop John Barrett. The church was built as the first shrine to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus in the West Country. The sanctuary has an octagonal vaulted apse. Father Gunning was parish priest from 1932 to 1944, during which Sacred Heart School and the Presbytery were built. The Stations of the Cross are Austrian, hand-carved, and were purchased as a memorial to a priest.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is Romanesque in character, built entirely of brick, with a nave 69ft long by 28ft wide and seating for 260. The tower is about 90ft high and contains a bell chamber; the gallery houses an organ loft and choir. The interior walls are finished in cream-coloured plaster.

Music and liturgy

Infant Baptisms are typically celebrated on a Saturday afternoon or by appointment. For Catholics baptized as infants and who have received appropriate religious education, the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated with members of the neighbouring Parish, The Assumption of Our Lady, Torquay. First Holy Communion is celebrated for children after being prepared on the first Holy Communion programme (Dynamic Catholic) in association with the primary school, The Sacred Heart RC Primary School. Advent or Lenten penitential services are held, as seen in the parish calendar. The gallery, besides providing accommodation for the choir, will seat about 70 people.

Parish life

The parish supports hunger and homelessness ministries, including the 'Night Shelter'. The parish supports Hosanna House and the Children's Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT).

Sacraments and pastoral care

Adult Baptisms are celebrated in conjunction with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and primarily at the Easter Vigil. Notice of Marriage celebrations at the Sacred Heart must be scheduled six months prior, and marriage preparation in conjunction with SmartLoving.org is required.

For those unable to receive Holy Communion at Mass, the parish priest, assisted by extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, makes home visits. The Sacred Heart Faith Formation through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is led by a parish priest. RCIA classes are held on Wednesday evenings through Autumn, Winter, and Spring in the Parish Hall.

The parish's charitable outreach is led by its Justice and Charity team and funded by the parish 'Matthew 25 Fund'. The parish hosts a seminarian on extended pastoral placement who assists with serving Mass, helping at the school, visiting the sick and elderly, and assisting the chaplaincy team in the hospital.

Visiting

Infant Baptism Preparation Class is by appointment. For people over the age of seven who are un-baptized, baptized in another Faith tradition, or baptized Catholics without religious education, Confirmation may be received during the Easter Vigil after completing RCIA preparation.