Media Release
Udupi, Dec 11: As part of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations in the Udupi diocese, a special initiative to construct houses for families without a home was launched at St Ann’s Church, Thottam, on Wednesday December 11. The foundation stone for the house construction was blessed and laid for an underprivileged family in the church's jurisdiction.
The ceremony was officiated by Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of the Shimoga diocese, who blessed the foundation stone. Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Serrao emphasized the significance of charity in its various forms, including material donations, organ donations, and body donations. He commended the initiative of building a home for a needy family as an exemplary act of kindness, reflecting the teachings of the early Christian community, where mutual sharing and support were the norms.
Fr Dennis D’Sa, the parish priest, noted that owning a home provides peace and security, something many lack today. He elaborated on the diocese's 2025 Jubilee initiative, which aims to construct houses for the needy in all 52 parishes. Thottam Church has also undertaken this mission to provide a home for a destitute family.
Fr Denis D’Sa mentioned that he had chosen to forego extravagant celebrations for his birthday and instead redirected the funds towards this noble cause. A sum of Rs 1 lac has already been handed over to the bishop for constructing houses, with an additional Rs 50,000 donated to the Kota Church for a similar initiative. The priest pledged to personally match any contributions made by the church community for the project.
The house at Thottam will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12 lac. The land for the construction, measuring 5 cents, was generously donated by the parishioners Thomas and Valeriana Noronha, who offered their property free of cost. The foundation stone for the house has been blessed, and it will be laid on Christmas Day.
During the event, the bishop honored Thomas and Valeriana Noronha on behalf of the church for their generous donation. The ceremony was attended by Sunil Fernandes, vice president of the church council, secretary Blesilla Crasta, Vanitha Fernandes, the coordinator of 20 commissions, and other parishioners.