Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Mayur Studio, Santhekatte
Udupi, Dec 13: Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, laid the foundation stone for the new church building at Brahmavar here on Saturday, December 13.
After laying the foundation stone, the bishop said, "Church is a place where God and people meet. King David in the Old Testament had first promised to God to make the first church, a worship place, which he couldn’t. But his son Solomon made his dream come true when he built a church. King David was living in a palace and felt the need for a place to worship God.
"Jesus Christ used to go to church to worship. He purified the church by driving out all the greedy people from the church premises and increased the holiness of the worship place.
"Many had planned to construct a new church in Brahmavar, but today, it has become a reality. By the grace of God, this church will come up and truly become a worshipping place for people. Let us come together and build this project in God’s name," he said.
Speaking further, the bishop said that people should also come forward to build the livelihood of the parishioners which would then add value to the many people who live in the parish.
He congratulated parish priest and pastoral council members for their efforts in building the new church.
He hoped that the church will be ready by the end of next year and next year’s Christmas celebration would take place in the new church.
Urban development minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake released the church calendar on the occasion. After releasing the calendar, he wished and promised his support for the new church construction. Fr Dolphy Pais released the church telephone directory. Leo Rodrigues gave the brief information about the present need of the new church.
Oscar Fernandes, Member of Rajya Sabha, Blossom Fernandes, K Jayaprakash Hedge, former MP, Gafoor, Prathap Chandra Shetty, MLC visited the church in the morning and promised their support towards the new church construction.
Fr Antony Vaz welcomed the gathering. Ravi Prakash proposed the vote of thanks. Stephen Prakash Lewis and Juliana Shanthi Furtado compered the programme.
Fr Joseph Dolphy Pais, OFM, provincial, Holy Trinity province, Karnataka, Fr Stany B Lobo, dean, Kallianpur deanery, Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development and district incharge, Ravi Raj Shetty, president, Chanthar gram panchayat, Sudhir Kumar, Hanadi gram panchayat, Yogish Chandra of AG associates, Fr Baptist Braggs, Fr Dominic Veigas, former parish priest of Brahmavar, Fr Anthony Vas, parish priest, Holy Family Church, Brahamavar, Ravi Prakash Gonsalves, vice-president, Josephine Lewis, secretary of parish pastoral council and council members were present for the foundation laying ceremony.