Udupi: Kuntalnagar Church celebrates decennial with fitting ceremony

Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Jesny Studio, Dendoorkatte, Moodubelle

Udupi, Apr 15: The valedictory ceremony of the decennial celebrations of St Antony Church, Kuntalnagar here was held on Sunday April 14.

Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebrations along with Fr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi Diocese; Fr Jerome Monteiro, parish priest St Antony Church, Kuntalnagar; Fr Fred Mascarenhas, dean of Udupi deanery and other priests from the deanery and other churches participated in the holy Mass.

Fr Baptist Menezes in his homily highlighted that a good shepherd should follow in the steps of Christ, secondly he should love his priesthood and thirdly he should take care of his people.

In the formal stage function Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the function, while Fr Baptist Menezes, Fr Fred Mascarenhas, Fr Charles Lewis, Fr Jerome Monteiro, Valerian Mathias, and Theodhar Mendonca were present on the dais.

The Bishop in his presidential address expressed his gratitude to the parishioners for their love and sacrifices during the decade, and towards building the church and involving themselves in all the developments.

He also gave urged parishioners to render their 'love, prayer and service' for the betterment of the church.

He also invited the youth of the church to receive the calling for priesthood and to spread the word of God which is essential for every diocese.

Fr Baptist Menezes inaugurated and blessed the new house of the priests on the occasion. Fr Fred Mascarenhas unveiled the decennial souvenir.

Parish pastoral council secretary Theodhar Mendonca read out the 10-year report on the occasion.

In his address he said that under the leadership of two parish priests in the past decade many developments had taken place, especially the St Antony Shrine and the statues for the Stations of the Cross that were built and inaugurated.

"In future many more developments will take place outside as well as inside the church for the betterment of the parishioners," he added.

During the decennial celebrations various programmes and games were conducted for the parishioners. Bishop Dr Gerald and Fr Charles distributed the prizes to the winners.

The Bishop was felicitated by parish priest Fr Jerome Monteiro.

Melvyn Noronha, Carmel Sequeira, and Fr Charles Lewis were felicitated for their services towards the church.

Mementos were given to all the sponsors and the guests.

Various cultural programmes were performed by the parishioners of the church, including the play ‘Shegunache Shun’ written by Walter Monteiro. He was later felicitated by Fr Jerome Monteiro.

Valerian Mathias welcomed the gathering, Fr Jerome delivered the vote of thanks while Alban D'Souza and Roshan Sequeira compered the programme.

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