Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Sep 15: Newly-built Holy Cross Chapel at Holy Hill, Byndoor here was inaugurated and blessed on Sunday September 14.
Prior to the inauguration, a procession was held from Holy Cross Church to Holy Hill with scores of devotees taking part.
Main donor Daniel Nazareth inaugurated the Holy Cross Chapel, after which Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese blessed the Holy Cross Chapel.
The thanksgiving Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by Dr Gerald Lobo. During the Eucharistic celebration the bishop blessed the Gospel reading table and the altar.
Fr Francis Cornelio, former parish priest in his sermon, appealed devotees to increase faith in the Holy Cross. Every devotee should get meaning in life through Holy Cross. Life is a mixture of joy and sorrows, so we should follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, he said.
After the solemn Mass, a stage programme was held during which Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo said, "The Cross should be the center of the everyone’s spiritual life. This holy place should extend beyond the diocese, and people from all parts in and around the diocese should come to this place." The bishop extended warm gratitude to parish priest Fr Ronald Miranda for taking the initiative to build the new Holy Cross Chapel.
Former parish priests Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves and Fr Francis Cornelio were felicitated for their service. Fr Maxim Furtado who could not attend the celebration because of ill health was also remembered.
Main donor Daniel Nazareth, former vice-president, Nelson Machado, engineer, Fr Ronald Miranda, parish priest of Byndoor were felicitated during the programme.
Fr Anil D'Souza, vicar var, Kundapur varado and parish priests of Kundapur were present.
Fr Royal compered the programme, Robert Rebello, vice-president welcomed the gathering, Cecelia Rebeiro, secretary rendered the thanksgiving.