Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 13: The annual feast of Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, was celebrated with great devotion and religious fervour on Sunday, September 13.

Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, vicar of Mangaluru City Zone and parish priest of St Theresa Church, led the solemn festive Eucharistic celebration and delivered the homily.

Reflecting on the significance of the Holy Cross, Fr Richard said the cross is a symbol of patience, forgiveness, compassion and self-sacrifice for the salvation of others. He explained that during the time of Jesus Christ, crucifixion was considered a severe punishment for blasphemy and other grave offences, and death on the cross was viewed as humiliating.

However, Jesus Christ, who was without sin, willingly accepted death on the cross for the redemption of humanity and thereby gave the cross its sacred significance. For Christians, the cross has since become a symbol of hope and a source of strength, he said.

Fr Clifford Fernandes, parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration along with Fr Denzil Lobo, Fr Lloyd D'Souza, Fr Jovin Sequeira, Fr Rajesh Rosario, Fr Leo Lasrado, Fr Ronson Pinto, Fr Wilson Tauro, Fr Noel and Fr Melvin D'Cunha.

Church vice-president Ruth Lobo, secretary Anil D'Sa, commission coordinators Wilfred and Maxim D'Souza, and Mangaluru diocese public relations officer Roy Castelino were present.