Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Additional Pics by Mayur Digitals, Santhekatte
Udupi, Dec 12: The platinum jubilee celebrations of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur here was celebrated with much fervour, devotion and grandeur on Monday December 12.
The renovated façade of Milagres Cathedral was blessed and inaugurated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese on the occasion.
Fr Stany B Lobo, rector of the cathedral, Fr Rolwin Aranha, Fr Prakash Castelino, assistant parish priest, Walter Cyril Pinto, vice-president, Hilda Rodrigues, secretary, parish pastoral council and parishioners were present.
The bishop handed over the candles to all the sponsors on the occasion.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the holy Eucharistic celebrations, in the presence of Fr Stany B Lobo, Fr Rolwin Aranha, and priests from the deanery and the diocese.
The bishop in his homily said, "Today we are here to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Milagres Cathedral building. This is a day to thank Milar Mai, our partron, for all her blessings on us.
"Jubilee can be defined with the five S in Kannada - Smaran, Santhapa, Sandhana, Sanmarga, Sabhrama. Jubilee means remembrance of an event which occurred in the past. The true meaning of jubilee is coming back to our Father's abode.
"While we celebrate the jubilee year, our family of parishioners need to build and bring up the church. We have to do this with love, care for others and the environment, and being a light for the needy. Only then will this jubilee be successful. While we move towards the centennial year of this Cathedral, let us light the lives of hundreds of people in the coming days," the bishop entreated.
Fr Stany B Lobo, rector, Milagres Cathedral thanked all the parishioners for their support.
The felicitation programme began with a prayer and welcome dance by Milagres English Medium School students.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the public function. Oscar Fernandes, MP, Rajya Sabha, J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru South, Ivan D’Souza, MLC and chief whip, government of Karnataka, Dinakar Babu, president, zilla panchayat, Udupi, Janardhan Thonse, member, zilla panchayat, Udupi, Wilson Rodrigues, member, zilla panchayat, Udupi, Nalini Pradeep Rao, president, taluk panchayat, Udupi, Pushpa Kotian, president, Kallianpur gram panchyat, M A Gafoor, chairman, Minority Commission, Karnataka, and Fr Stany B Lobo were present on the dias.
Fr David Crasta, vicar, St Antony Orthodox Syrian Church, Ammunje, Narsimha Murthy of Udupi town planning, Veronica Cornelio, Prakash D'Souza, Walter Pinto, vice-president and Hilda Rodrigues, secretary of pastoral council were present on the occasion.
J R Lobo in his address said he was happy to see everyone come together for the occasion. "During Tipu Sultan's time we faced a lot of problems, but we rose again. Our elders, who contribution towards the community after facing a lot of problem in the initial days, are the main reason we stand here. On this occasion, the main message we need to keep in mind is to build unity and faith among the people.
"Recently I visited a foreign country and in one church I saw only 10 people for the Saturday evening mass. If there are no devotees to attend the mass, then what is the use of building a huge church? We have to nurture faithful devotees. Unity among the devotees has to increase," he said.
Oscar Fernandes in speech said, "There many autonomous institutions in Mangaluru diocese. Similarly, I urge to the Milagres institutions to achieve such heights in Udupi too. This church has a vast history. Parishioners from here are spread across the world in various fields from govement to private sectors. I will try to contribute towards the Milagres insututions from my MP fund for development works."
Ivan D'Souza released the platinum jubilee souvenir. In his address, he lauded the Christian community and said, "Christian community has always rendered selfless service to the nation in education and social welfare, without expecting anything in return. This has helped in the development of the country. Priests and nuns have built the society, and without their efforts it would not be possible."
In his presidential address, Dr Gerald Lobo conveyed jubilee wishes to all the parishioners. "When announcing the formation of the Udupi diocese, Milagres was considered as the main church for the diocese, considering its history. Hence Milagres Cathedral is the main church of the diocese. Accordingly, it was necessary to give it a facelift. When I expressed this thought to the late Alphonse, the architect, he chalked out the new look for the mother church of the diocese. I thank all the parishioners for contributing towards this dream project.
"Now we are done with all the outward celebrations but the real jubilee celebrations will be when there are no needy people in the diocese. We have to start working towards this end. In the pastoral plan we have pointed out the need to build people instead of constructing buildings," he said.
"Mother Mary is the patron for the entire Udupi diocese. She lived a simple life. Constructing 14 stations of the Way of Cross in the Cathedral compound would be the next project, after completing the present ongoing projects," he informed.
The bishop felicitated Fr Stany B Lobo for materializing all the projects and for successfully organizing the platinum jubilee celebrations.
Edward D'Souza, contractor, C J Lobo, architect, Raymond Crasta, Gregory D'Souza and Ashwath were felicitated on the occasion by the bishop.
All sponsors of the jubilee projects were honoured on the occasion.
Fr Stany B Lobo welcomed the gathering, while Walter Pinto thanked everyone. Nisha Rebello and Joyce Pinto compered the programme.
Church renovation, renovation of the hall, new façade and other facilities in the church were the main projects marking the platinum jubilee year.
Milagres Church, Kallianpur has a history of 338 years and the present building of the church has completed 75 years.
Bishop blessed the fellowship meal which was arranged on the occasion.