News and Pics from Lionel Pinto, Kinnigoli
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
 
Mangalore, Feb 27: Many Catholics of Bajpe parish, who lost their land and property to the Mangalore Airport extension project, have been rehabilitated at Sauharda Nagar, Kolamble, near Bajpe. To fulfill their spiritual needs, Bajpe parishioners under the leadership of Fr Mathias Pereira, Bajpe Church parish priest, have constructed a prayer hall here, which has been dedicated to Infant Jesus. The inaugural ceremony of the prayer hall was held herein on the evening of Thursday February 26.

The vicar general of Mangalore diocese Msgr Dennis Moras Prabhu inaugurated the prayer hall. Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore blessed the prayer hall. Holy mass was offered and several priests, nuns and Bajpe parishioners took part in the celebration.

A stage programme was held on this occasion, after the mass. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the programme. Msgr Dennis Moras Prabhu, donors of the prayer hall Collins Albuquerque couple and the chairman of Cambridge Group of Schools Laxminarayana Asranna, chief priest of Kateel temple and V Mohammed, president of Mohizuddin Jumma Masjid participated as chief guests. On this occasion, Collins Albuquerque and his wife, who helped and donated generously to build this prayer hall, were honoured. Mementos were presented to the contractors and others who helped to build this prayer hall.
 
In his message,. Laxminarayana Asranna said that there is only one God, even though He is known with different names by different people. He urged all the religions to strive for leading a peaceful, harmonious life, by extending a helping hand to each other. V Mohammed in his speech, recalled the days when he was a police officer in Bajpe. Sauharda Nagara denotes a place of harmony and peace, where people belonging to all the castes and creeds are living happily, he said. He called upon the youth not to get engaged in anti-social activities and advised them to become better citizens of the society.

In his presidential specch, Bishop D'Souza congratulated the Bajpe parishioners for building such a beautiful prayer hall within a short period. He thanked the donors who donated generously for the prayer hall. He noted that all the religions in the world in unison, give the message of love. Love yourself and love your neighbour, he said.. He requested the parishioners to give a helping hand in the future projects relating to this prayer hall.

Fr Mathias Pereira, parish priest of Bajpe Church, welcomed the guests and the gathering. Sylvester D’Souza, vice-president of the parish pastoral council, proposed vote of thanks. Eugene D'Souza, Gurkar of St Francis ward, read out the felicitation note.  George D'Souza  compered the programe. Fr Anil D'souza, assistant parish priest of Bajpe Church, was present on the dais. The programme  ended  with a family meal.