Pejawar Swamiji Graces Pakshikere Church Celebrations
Lionel Pinto, Kinnigoli
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Oct 28: It was celebration time at Pakshikere's St Jude Thaddeus Church and shrine here on Thursday October 28 as it celebrated its golden jubilee with great zest and devotion. The week-long celebrations drew to a grand end with the parish feast graced by Bangalore archbishop Dr Bernard Moras and other priests.
Sri Vishweshatirta Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Udupi, was the chief guest during stage programme that followed the Mass. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Christians are well-known for rendering their service for various causes, and nobody could match them in this regard. Despite there being many religions there is only one god to whom one must pray with faith and confidence, he stressed, and added that law cannot change the society, but love and forgiveness can. He further said that one must pay 'tax' to the society by rendering one's services and lauded the efforts of Christian missionaries who have been serving the society in remote, rural parts of the country.
Moreover, he opined that there was a need for a 'memorandum of understanding (MoU)' among the religious leaders. This way, there will not be any communal clashes, he said, and added that the justice system is sometimes unilateral as in some cases good works are not recognised by the court of law.
He spoke after accepting the honours by Dr Bernard Moras. He then handed over the keys of houses built for the poor people, sponsored by John Carnelio of Udupi.
Dr Bernard Moras who presided over the programme said that all should be united while praying to god with devotion and stressed that the holy books viz Bible, Quran and Bhagavathgeetha teach the same message.
Donors who had donated generously for various projects of the parish were honoured. Special issue of 'Yatrik,' the shrine magazine was released and Fr Stanly Pereira was also honoured on the occasion.
Abayachandra Jain, MLA, Mulki-Moodbidri, Fr Alfred Pinto, vicar var of Kinnigoli deanary, P M Ashraf Amsadi, Pakshikere, president SSF Suratkal division, Kodethoor Bhuvanabirama Udupa, editor, 'Yugapurusha' of Kinnigoli were the other chief guests.
Louis D’souza welcomed the gathering. Relita Cutinho delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was followed by lunch.
Elias Fernandez, managing director of Four Winds was felicitated for co-ordinating the programme.