News: Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 15: The annual feast of Our Lady of Assumption was celebrated with religious fervour on Wednesday August 15 at Kalmady Stella Maris Church. Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza celebrated the festal holy mass along with dean of Udupi deanery Fr Fred Mascarenhas, dean of Kallianpur deanery Fr Stany B Lobo, parish priest Fr Alban D'Souza, and priests from the across Udupi district.
Speaking on religious faith and Mother Mary's life in his homily, the bishop said, "Today the holy Catholic Church is celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Assumption. Together with that, we Indians are celebrating our Independence Day too."
"Our real test is how we live in society when we have good family values, good education, good name and fame, and wealth. Real independence is when we use make use of our freedom to do good work and serve others. Mother Mary is a role model for all of us. If we follow her example we can enjoy this life gifted by god. Each individual has to be a role model for others," he said.
"In family, elders should imbibe spiritual faith and then pass it on to their children while giving them good guidance," he added.
""We are bound to one or the other social dependency. We have to think for a minute whether we are really enjoying independence," said the bishop.
The novenas to Our Lady of Vailankanni were held at the pilgrimage centre from Monday August 6 to Tuesday August 14 regularly at 4 pm.
Fr Alban D'Souza is the present parish priest of Kalmady, assisted by parish council vice-president Louis Lobo, and secretary Precilla Alva.
On the occasion, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza released the parish bulletin 'Kalmadicho Daryro Sukur' (Kalmady’s Star of the Seas).
On Sunday August 12, a grand ‘Hore Kannike’ procession from Adi Udupi to the Church was held.
More than 3,500 devotees gathered for the holy mass in the evening which was celebrated in Konkani. After the mass, a fellowship meal was arranged for all devotees by the Church.
Fr Alban D'Souza, parish priest of Kalmady, vice-president of the parish pastoral council Louis Lobo, and secretary of the parish pastoral council Precilla Alva welcomed the bishop.