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Media Release
Udupi, Dec 30 : The 26th death anniversary of Fr Alfred Roche was observed at Holy Family Church, Brahmavar. Holy priest Fr Alfred Roche OFM Cap fondly known as Amcho Padryab, was the first person of the newly-carved Udupi diocese to be declared as 'Servant of God' by Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo on August 15, at the Holy Family Church Brahmavar.
Fr John Fernandes, the parish priest of Holy Family Church Brahmavar, presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebrations and Fr Ivan D Souza OFM Cap preached the Word of God, while Fr Vincent Furtado, former provincial, Fr Desmond Rebello, Fr Roshan Menezes, episcopal vicar, Diocese of Udupi, Fr Santa Lopez OFM Cap the vice-postulator, Fr Rohan Lobo, OFM Cap, Fr Patrick Crasta OFM Cap, Fr Reginald Furtado OFM Cap, Fr Charls Furtado OFM Cap, Fr Charles Saldana and other capuchin priest were present on the occasion.
In the homily, Fr Ivan D'Souza said, "Our families draw inspiration from the Holy Family of Jesus. Family is the basic structure of human life. All the good values that we imbibe today have come from our good family life. We read in the life of Father Alfred Roche the good family values. It’s because the saintly life of his parents.
Fr Rohan Lobo, the secretary of the commission on the occasion expressed his happiness regarding attending the commemoration mass in large numbers. Parishioners from Barkur, Kallianpur, Sasthan and even from Kasargod, Uttar Kannada where Fr Alfred Roche had served, attended the mass. He also expressed his gratitude to all the benefactors and donors.
On the occasion, a leaflet of prayer was released by Fr Desmond Rebello and the new calendar 2023 was released by Fr Patrick Crasta. Organizers distributed the new calendar 2023 free of cost to all who attended the holy mass.
A short prayer service was held in the adjacent cemetery in front of the burial place of Fr Alfred Roche. Fr Desmond Rebello led the prayer service.