Perhaps unexpectedly, a tale of faith and community intertwines within the vibrant streets of Jagakarsa. This is the story of Paroki Ratu Rosari Jagakarsa. It is a Catholic parish in South Jakarta. Paroki Ratu Rosari Jagakarsa falls under the South Jakarta Deanery I. It is part of the Archdiocese of Jakarta. The church is dedicated to Ratu Rosari. Ratu Rosari is a title of Mary associated with Catholic devotion. The Missionary Family of the Holy Spirit or MSF oversees the church’s pastoral care.
Interestingly, Paroki Jagakarsa does not yet have a main church building even with its parish status. Religious activities occur at Kapel Desa Putera. They also take place at Kapel Bahtera Kasih. Additionally, services are held at Gereja Santo Petrus in Universitas Pancasila.
Let’s journey back to the origins of Paroki Jagakarsa. It was formed from Gereja Keluarga Kudus. Gereja Keluarga Kudus is located in Pasar Minggu. The aim was to reach Catholics in the Jagakarsa area.
Bishop Leo Soekoto S.J. officially established Paroki Jagakarsa. This happened through a signed decree on May 5 1994. Ratu Rosari became the patron saint of the parish. On that same day, the church established an administrative foundation. It was called Pengurus Gereja and Dana Papa Roma Katolik Gereja Ratu Rosari.
The construction of the Paroki Ratu Rosari church building faced opposition. But construction eventually began. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 16 2023. Archbishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo led the ceremony. He also designated the locations for the chapel and the new church building.
Presently, Paroki Jagakarsa conducts its services in three locations. These are Kapel Desa Putera, Kapel Bahtera Kasih, and Gereja Santo Petrus. All liturgies are held in Indonesian.
Kapel Desa Putera is in the Desa Putera Orphanage Complex. The Vincentius Jakarta Association manages this orphanage. The Bruder Budi Mulia or BM run it. The Kapel Desa Putera was founded in 1950. It features facilities such as the Goa Maria Ratu Rosari.
Kapel Bahtera Kasih is in the Marinir Cilandak KKO Complex. Several Christian denominations use this chapel. These include GPIB Markus and GPdI Horeb.
Universitas Pancasila provides religious facilities for six recognized religions in Indonesia. This includes Gereja Katolik Santo Petrus Universitas Pancasila. The church building opened on December 22 2021. Siswono Yudo Husodo and Edie Toet Hendratno attended the opening. Albertus Magnus Adiyarto Sumardjono and Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo were also present. Santo Petrus was chosen as the church’s patron saint. He was one of Jesus’s twelve apostles. He was also an early Church leader.
Paroki Jagakarsa’s vision includes empowerment. It seeks to empower the community through parish-based initiatives. It aims to foster fellowship among different beliefs. It involves itself in society’s joys and anxieties. It strives for a better life for all especially the marginalized.
So, as you stand here, remember the journey of Paroki Ratu Rosari Jagakarsa. It’s a testament to faith, resilience, and community spirit in Jakarta.