Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD / KR)

Karkala, Jan 28: The five-day annual feast of St Lawrence Church, Attur came to a grand close on Thursday January 28.

Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo celebrated the festive Eucharistic Mass with Fr George D'Souza,
rector of the Shrine, and other priests as concelebrants. Feast of Our Lady of Guidance was also celebrated on this occasion.

In his homily, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo said, "Pope Francis has declared Year of Mercy and asked us to pray for forgiveness. God's mercy brings happiness and peace. Everyone needs mercy, we are sinners, still we have God’s blessings. When one grows closer to God, it leads to building a strong relationship with God.

"Jesus is God's reflection of mercy and generosity. Jesus is the mirror of God, he was obedient, sincere and simple. Jesus came to us who are sinners, and took us nearer to God. We should be merciful towards the poor and the needy. Today we have become hard-hearted towards the poor and the needy. We should see Christ in each of them," he said.

“St Lawrence was merciful towards the needy. He treated them as a valuable treasure. So, in this Year of Mercy let us be merciful and feel the generosity, mercy and love of God. Let us pray to St Lawrence for this mercy," he added.

Fr George D'Souza, rector of the shrine thanked each and every one for their support in making the 5-day feast grand and successful. He also thanked the bishop of Udupi for his timely guideness in each and every development work that has taken place in the Shrine and its premises.

He also thanked all the priests, both from Udupi and other dioceses, for their support. More than 350 priests helped in the confessions, and over 40 Masses were offered, each of 90 minutes, by different priests in 5 days. He also thanked the different church choir teams and the Attur Shrine choir team who helped all the devotees in taking active part in the celebrations.