Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: The parish clergy, along with the parish pastoral council and parishioners of St Lawrence Church & Shrine, Bondel, are delighted to invite devotees, well-wishers, and donors to join the momentous triple celebrations marking the centenary of the parish, the inauguration and blessing of the renovated church, and the blessing of St Lawrence Shrine.

The main celebrations will commence on Monday, November 18, at 3 pm, with the blessing of the renovated church, followed by a solemn Mass celebrated by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. The inauguration will be presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore, while Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, will bless the St Lawrence Shrine.

A formal function will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the church premises, with participants sharing joyful moments, followed by a communal meal at the St Lawrence English Medium School ground. Throughout the week, special programs under the leadership of parish priest Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza will commemorate the parish's heritage and faith, culminating on Sunday, November 24, with the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations and a visual depiction of the life of St Lawrence.

The parish extends a warm invitation to all to join in these significant events and receive blessings from St Lawrence, the miracle worker.

Centenary Celebration Program Schedule:

• Nov 10, Sunday: Procession of the main church cross and the image of the Blessed Redeemer from Pachanadi Junction to Bondel Church at 4:00 p.m.
• Nov 15, Friday | 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Special prayer and adoration led by the Mother Home Group, Kannur.
• Nov 16, Saturday | 4:00 p.m.: Hore Kanike procession in honor of St Lawrence, starting from Mount Carmel Central School, Maryhill, Mangalore.
• Nov 17, Sunday: Preparations for the centenary celebration.
• Nov 18, Monday | 3:00 p.m.: Inauguration and blessing of the renovated church, followed by a solemn Mass, formal function, and solidarity dinner.
• Nov 19, Tuesday | 10:30 a.m.: First novena Mass of St Lawrence after the church and shrine blessings.
• Nov 20, Wednesday | 5:00 p.m.: Mass for the departed souls of parishioners.
• Nov 21, Thursday | 4:00 p.m.: Special Mass for priests and religious, followed by a gathering.
• Nov 22, Friday | 5:00 p.m.: Mass for donors, benefactors, and volunteers.
• Nov 23, Saturday | 5:00 p.m.: Mass for the elderly and the sick of the parish.
• Nov 24, Sunday | 4:30 p.m.: Eucharistic procession and thanksgiving Mass with a special sermon, followed by a visual depiction of the life of St Lawrence at 6:30 p.m., concluding the weeklong celebration.

All are invited to be part of this historic celebration and share in the joy and blessings.