News: Steevan Colaco
Pics: Franccita Studio, Belman

Daijiworld Media Network-Karkala

Karkala, Jun 13: The annual feast of St Antony's Shrine, Pakala, Manjarapalke near Belman here was celebrated with joy, religious zeal on Monday, June 13.

The annual feast was celebrated with the theme 'Let us grow in faith and experience the miracles of God'.

Fr Chethan Lobo, Editor, Uzwad Konkani fortnightly, presided over the Holy Eucharistic Celebrations. Fr Sunil Joseph Veigas, parish priest of Belman Church, Fr Joswin D'souza, Assistant parish priest of Belman Church, Fr Lawrence D'souza, Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, former parish priests of Belman Church and other priests from the deanery were the con-celebrants.

In his homily Fr. Chethan said “St Antony is a path to reach God. He is our patron. Prayers of needy are heard when prayed with him. Let us pray for peace, for sufficient rains, for our unity and for what we have lost in our day to day life, and also let us pray with him for his grace on all of us. May God grant all the blessings to the devotees who have gathered here today through St Anthony."

St Antony’s Shrine at Pakala has nearly 150 years of history. Apart from the Catholics, devotees from other religions too often visit the Shrine and offer prayers with lighting the candles.

Fr Sunil Joseph Veigas proposed the vote of thanks. Vice-president of the church council Gregory Menezes and secretary Lydia Aranha were present. A special attraction of the day was a musical band by children from St Joseph's School.

Nearly 4,000 devotees took part in the Eucharistic Mass. Snacks were distributed after the Mass.