By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle

Udupi, Oct 9: The nearly century old Presbytery (Residence of the Priests) attached to the Church of Our Lady of Health, Shirva will be rebuilt for which the Foundation Stone was blessed and laid on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 8.15 am after the morning  mass.

The Foundation Stone was blessed following the invocation of prayers by Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General of the Mangalore Diocese in the presence of Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Parish Priest of Shirva, Assistant Parish priests-Fr. Gracian Alvares and Fr. Navin D’Souza, Sr. Bridgit-Superior of the Convent and other sisters, Irwin D’Souza and Melwyn Aranha-Vice President  and Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), other members of the PPC, Gurkars of various Wards and a large number of parishians.  The architect of the project-Christopher Noronha of Mangalore and the contractor-Robert Noronha of Karkala were also present during the Foundation Stone laying ceremony.

Following the prayers and blessing of the Foundation Stone, it was carried down the specially prepared pit by the Vice President, Secretary and other members and was laid in the pre-arranged slot.

The programme was compeered by Irwin D’Souza who also welcomed the Vicar General, Episcopal Vicar and the parishioners.  Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro thanked the Vicar General, Episcopal Vicar, architect, contractor, members f the PPC, Gurkars and all the parishioners.

According to Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, the construction of the Presbytery is expected to be completed by May-June 2012 and the total cost of the project is expected to be Rs. 95 lakhs.