Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Dec 23: The St Francis Xavier Church in Udyavar witnessed the inauguration of the fully air-conditioned and renovated 'Xavier Sabha Bhavan' with an 800-seating capacity on December 23. Fr Stany B Lobo inaugurated the auditorium, and the blessing ceremony was conducted by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, who sprinkled holy water on the occasion.
Fr Stany B Lobo, the parish priest, expressed his joy during the inaugural note, stating, "I have no words to express my happiness that the auditorium, overcoming various challenges, is inaugurated today. The foundation was laid with the support of a financial committee, and I extend my gratitude to all who contributed and supported the construction."
Former Karnataka minister Vinaya Kumar Sorake, in light of a recent tragic car accident, conveyed his condolences and remarked, "The community has come together for the inauguration of the auditorium, a Christmas gift to society from the Church committee."
Kaup MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme, expressed sorrow about the accident and emphasized unity beyond religious boundaries, saying, "We may be born in different religions, but we should live like one family. People felicitated me, but I am supposed to felicitate them because they voted for me and they are my responsibility."
Jerry Vincent Dias, MD of Mandavi Builders Udupi, highlighted the significance of the auditorium for the community and praised the efforts that made Fr Stany B Lobo's dream a reality.
In his address to the gathering, Bishop Dr Gerald Issac Lobo said, "We mourn the demise of ICYM president of Udyavar parish. Even on this joyful day, we are filled with sorrows due to the incident. I pray for the recovery of other injured members also. Let us thank God for making it possible for us to finish this project. I congratulate the parishioners of Udyavar because any work taken up by them will be finished successfully. There was a necessity of a fully equipped auditorium for conducting various events of the parishioners. Fr Stany B Lobo took up the responsibility to make this happen. The parishioners sacrificed and made it possible. I congratulate the parish priest, parish pastoral committee, finance committee and all the parishioners for realising the dream of having a fully equipped auditorium".
The programme commenced with a prayer song by the Church Choir team, followed by a silent prayer for Joysten Castolin, who lost his life in the recent car accident. The felicitation of contributors and donors, including Ganesh Bailoor, engineer, Suresh Shetty Gurme, Fr Stany B Lobo, and others, marked the occasion.
Lawrence D'Sa, vice president, welcomed the gathering, while John M D'Souza, secretary of the parish pastoral committee, proposed a vote of thanks. The event saw the presence of Fr Ferdinand Gonsalvis, vicar general diocese of Udupi, Fr Leo Praveen D'Souza, assistant parish priest, Haji Abdul Jalil Saheb, trustee, Halima Sabju Auditorium Udyavara, Malathi Sandeep, president, Udyavar gram panchayat, Norbert Crasto, donor and well-wisher, Pitrodi Udyavara, Gerald Pereira, coordinator, Parish Pastoral Commission, Melvin Norohna, convenor, building Committee, and others.