Pics: Jeevan D'Costa
Media Release
Brahmavar, Apr 3: The birth centenary of Fr Alfred Roche was celebrated at Holy Family Church, Brahmavar on Wednesday, April 3. Holy priest Fr Alfred Roche was born on 3rd of April 1924 at Pandeshwara Kudru a small island, belonging to St Peter’s Church, Barkur, in the Diocese of Mangalore (presently Diocese of Udupi).
To mark this birth centenary, a thanksgiving mass was celebrated by the faithful coming from various parishes of the diocese.
Fr Sunil K D'Souza, promoter of justice for the cause of beatification presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration.
Fr Chethan Lobo, the director of Assisi Press, Mangaluru preached the word of God on the theme 'Hope,' wherein he said,"The resurrected Jesus became a hope for the people who were broken, sick and visionless. Similarly, Fr Alfred Roche was a hope to the people of God then wherein he motivated the people in their spiritual and social life."
Capuchin priests from various friaries viz., Fr Patrick Crasta , Fr Santa Lopez, the vice postulator, Fr Charles Furtado, Fr Mark Saldana, Fr Lenson Lobo, Fr Ravi Rajesh Serrao, Fr Ivan, Fr Joachim D'Souza, Fr Roshan Menezes and Fr Rohan Lobo were present on the occasion.
Parishioners from Brahmavar, Sasthan, Barkur, Honnavar, Kallianpur attended the mass.
Fr Rohan Lobo expressed his gratitude to all the benefactors and donors.
On the occasion, the Novena booklet was released by Fr Patrick Crasta. Organizers distributed the Novena books 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 Santa Lopez led the prayer service.