Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Aug 10: Bondel Church devoted to St Lawrence celebrated its annual feast on Monday, August 10.
Fr Victor Machado, parish priest of Cordel Church, Kulshekar in his homily Eucharistic Mass said "Let us live dedicated life. When I say dedicated life, I know priest and nun comes to your mind. I am talking about father,mother, brothers and sisters, our servants, our drivers and people like that.I have a habit of talking to the drivers when I travel and I have realised there are many people who live dedicated life. People who make sincere efforts for the betterment and welfare of their families, live dedicated lives. Through Holy Eucharist, Lord has chosen each and everyone of us to live dedicated life. We should have a broad minded thinking."
"When our former president Dr Kalam passed away, we all said that he lived a dedicated life. Indeed he did. Dedicated life is not confined to a religion or set of people. Recently when I travelled in a rickshaw, I asked the driver about his family. He told me that he has 4 sons and two of them are engineers and other two are businessmen. Securing his children's life was his only aim. He lives a dedicated life, since he is doing sincere attempts for the betterment of his family. Our dedicated life should be built on the teaching of Jesus Christ. We should live Christ centred life. Lets take Lord in our lives and everything will follow." Fr Machado concluded.
During the solemn mass, Bishop Henry D'souza, bishop of Bellary blessed and re-installed the Holy Cross in the church.
Bishop in his message said "It feels really good to be here today. I praise the Lord on this gracious occasion. I wish you all a happy feast. There are 3 types of priests. Fr Andrew is rare type of priest, who keeps the people awake. He did the same at Mudipu. Now he has come to Bondel and found this holy relic. We should have dream in our mind, sympathy in our eyes,truth and happiness in our face, love in our heart and service in our approach. If these things are followed, our Christian life will be fruitful."
Farmer Frank Fernandes who averted a possible train mishap at Bondel-Pachanady on August 1, was felicitated at the occasion. Bishop Henry D'souza was felicitated with a memento.
Parish council vice-president Henbert Pinto, secretary Wilfred Alvares, Elias Fernandes, Stevan D'silva convener of the shrine committee, Stany Alvares convener of publicity committee were also felicitated.
Parish priest of Bondel Church, Fr Andrew D'Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Jason Monis, Fr Antony Lobo, Fr James D'souza, Fr Leo Lobo, Fr Joseph Lobo, Fr Andrew D'souza, Fr Anil D'souza, Fr Peter Noronha, Fr Sarvin, Fr Richard Lasrado, Fr Xavier Pinto and others were part of the celebrations.
Hundreds of faithful filled the premises and witnessed the grand celebrations.
About the Holy Cross
Sacred particles from the wood of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ have been found in the church. They were given to the church in April 1894. This was kept in the archives of St Lawrence Church and recently came to light. After authentication, it was proved that the sacred particles are from the wood of the Holy Cross.
History of St Lawrence Church, Bondel
In 1923, a major part of the Bondel church belonged to the Milagres parish. At that time, priests from Milagres church visited the place to offer mass and perform other religious rites. In 1865, French missionary Fr Alexandar Dubois visited Bondel when he was the parish priest of Milagres church.
Looking at the scenic places here, he called the place as ‘Bonwel’ in French, from which the name ‘Bondel’ was derived. Until 1923, Bondel was not an independent church. Some of areas under the church limits like Pacchanady, Mudushedde and a part of Padavu were part of Milagres parish and rest of the places belonged to Rosario Cathedral.