Media Release
Chitradurga , Aug 20: Our Lady of Assumption Church, Hiriyur, Chitradurga district, diocese of Shimoga, celebrated its annual feast on August 18.
Feast preparations began with three days renewal retreat from August 12 to 14 preached by Fr Roman Pinto, parish priest of St Francis Xavier's Church, Kable and Bro William D'Souza musician of Yesusparsha team.
On August 15, Fr Duming Dias, director of 'Sannidhi', Centre for Pastoral Renewal, diocese of Shimoga and Fr Robert D'Mello, parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Soraba, Shimoga hoisted the flag of Our Lady of Assumption and officially started the three days novena. Fr Duming Dias celebrated the Holy Eucharist and Fr Robert D'Mello preached the homily on 'Mother Mary is the Channel of Hope' (bharvasheya taayi merimaate).
Fr Franklin D'Souza parish priest, Fr Nelson D'Souza assistant parish priest, Rani Victoria parish council secretary and Maria Olivera parish finance council secretary honoured both silver jubilarian priests, Fr Duming Dias and Fr Robert D'Mello on behalf of the parish.
On August 16, Fr Edward David, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Tumkur celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached a homily on 'Mother Mary is the Channel of Patience'. (Sahaneya taayi merimaate).
On August 17, Mary Road Chariot was taken to thank Our Lady of Assumption by the Assumption ICYM youth as it was tradition of the Parish. Then at 7:30pm Fr Clarence Dias, parish priest of Holy Family Church, Chitradurga celebrated the Holy Eucharist and preached a homily on 'Mother Mary is the Channel of Self Confidence'. (Aatmavishwasada Tayi Meri Maate).
On August 18, the parishioners received the Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of diocese of Shimoga at Hospital Circle and welcomed him with a small procession together with the band.
Bishop Francis Serrao Sj concelebrated the festal Holy Eucharist with 18 priests. Among them Fr K A George dean of Holy Family Deanery, Fr Stany D'Souza, dean of Mount Carmel Deanery and Fr Anthony Peter dean of Little Flower Deanery were present. A big number of faithful and religious witnessed the thanks giving Holy Eucharist. In his homily Bishop spoke on 'Mother Mary is Mother of our families'. (Kutumbagala taayi merimaate). He invited faithful to take her as their role model. Fr Nelson D'Souza led the choir.
At the end, Fr Franklin D'Souza thanked everyone. Honoured the donors with candle and for every SCC unit blessed candles were distributed.
There was a chariot procession as the culmination of the church feast in the evening. Fr Richard Pais, director of the KROSS and Fr Francis Almeida, regional secretary for Education were the guests. Holy Family Deanery Fr K.A. George and Fr Alphonse Lobo were present. Fr Richard Pais blessed the three chariots namely of St Sebastian, St Anthony and main Chariot of Our Lady of Assumption. Hundreds faithful and other people witnessed mega event of procession. It took almost two and half hours.
After the procession parish priest Fr Franklin D'Souza led the thanks giving adoration and benediction. From last two years due to COVID - 19, the parish could not celebrate the feast. This year parish celebrated it with very meaningful as well as in a grand manner.