News: Archibald Furtado
Udupi, Dec 31: The 24th death anniversary of Fr Alfred Roche was observed at Holy Family Church, Brahmavar.
Fr Alfred Roche is very close to attaining sainthood. The Holy Eucharistic celebration was celebrated on the occasion.
Fr Santa Lopez, the vice-postulator of Capuchins was the main celebrant for the eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Fr Santa Lopez said, "Be a light of Christ to the world as Fr Roche was one, in his life." He even highlighted the devout and holy life of Fr Roche, which he himself witnessed in Lower Kasarkod in Uttara Kannada district as an altar server. He further explained how Fr Roche spread the light of Christ to sick, the aged, children and poor destitute throughout his exemplary simple life of love and compassion around him.
Fr Victor D'Souza, the parish priest of Holy Family Church on the occasion expressed his happiness regarding attending the commemoration mass in large numbers. Parishioners from Barkur, Kallianpur, Sasthan and even from Kasarkod, Uttar Kannada where Fr Alfred Roche had served had attended the mass. He even said that next year during the 25th death anniversary of Fr Alfred Roche there will be notable progress and good news in the cause of Fr Roche. He asked the devotees to share their experience and the blessings they received from Fr Alfred Roche.
A short prayer service was held in the adjacent cemetery in front of the burial place of Fr Alfred Roche. Fr Patrick Crasta, briefly narrated the work in progress at various levels and thanked the parish priest and all the concerned for their services.
Various books, on Fr Roche, leaflets of prayers were on display including the one written by him some 55 years ago – Niskolpon, in Konkani, as the same was translated in English by Fr Crasta, an elaborate book on Fr Roche’s life edited by Archibald Furtado, Barkur, Amcho Padryab etc. Organisers also distributed the New Calendar 2021 free of cost to all who attended the holy mass.
A large number of devotees attended the Eucharistic celebrations.