Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Feb 8: “The inauguration of the renovated St Antony church, Allipade and the residence of the priests will be held at 9.30 am on February, 13. Several programmes will be held from February 12-19 prior to the event,” said parish priest Fr Fredrick Monteiro.
Speaking at the Bantwal press club, he said that most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru will inaugurate the church and the residences and bless the occasion. “Calicut diocese chief priest most Rev Monsignor Dr Jenson Puttan Vitthil, Bantwal zone chief priest Fr Valerian D’ Souza, Sisters of St Joseph Clooney provincial superior Sr Annis Kallarakal, Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik, former minister B Ramanath Rai, member of Vidhan Parishat K Harish Kumar, Allipade Cluny convent superior Narsiza Sequeira will the guests of honour,” he said.
“Horekanike from all the religions will be held from Madankap church premises at 3.30 pm on Feb 12. Feb 14 will be the day of the religious. A Souharda Koota will be held in the evening. It will be followed by ‘Namaskara Mastre’ drama written by Devadas Kapikad. Feb 15 is the annual feast of St Antony. Feb 16 will be the day of the donors and workers. Feb 17 will be celebrated as the day of children and the youth. Feb 18 will be the day of Christian families. Feb 19 will be the community communion day. There will be a Konkani comedy show that evening,” he said.
Speciality of the renovated church
“The building is 85 feet high from ground level till the cross and has a ten feet tall statue of St Antony. The statues of saints who served in India and visited the country, the twenty mysteries of mother Mary’s rosary in coloured glass, ancient style wooden carving inside the church, pictures of 15 miracles of St Antony and 14 unique pictures of the stations of the cross can be found in the shape of a circle on both the sides of the gallery,” he said.
Church parish pastoral council vice president Navin Moras, secretary Kiran Noronha, coordinator Lawrence D’Souza, Leo Fernandes, Pravin Pinto, Benedict Walter, Melroy D’Souza, Madthini Sequeira and Denzil Noronha were present.